Friday, February 15th, 2013
Like most knitters, I find top down raglan patterns rewarding and exciting. Not only are you eliminating sewing (thus eliminating the time needed for seaming), you are adding to the joy of watching the knit come together in one piece.
Stripe patterns in top down/seamless raglans are fabulous. You don’t have to purposely match up the stripes as with traditionally knit sweaters since you are working them altogether in one long row. Not to mention- it is a wonderful way to use up those little bits of yarn that are too precious to toss.
I’ve decided to share with you a classic top down raglan for babies and toddlers. I hope the interesting stripe pattern will keep you entertained as you increase along the “seams” and work the body. The garter bands, which stripe differently than the stockinet stitch of the body, give an urban and modern touch.
DK Merino Superwash, little sister to our Worsted Merino Superwash, was my yarn of choice for this because it blocks wonderfully, feels soft next to sensitive skin, and will hold up well to wash and wear for babies and toddlers.
Enjoy!
–Vanessa
DK Merino Superwash Baby and Toddler Cardigan
To Fit Size: 0-3, (6, 12, 18, 24) months
Approximate Chest Circumference: 22”, (24, 24 ¾, 26, 27)
Length: 12”, (13, 13 ½, 14, 14 ½)
Sleeve Length: 6”, (6 ½, 7 ½, 8, 8½)
Materials:
DK Merino Superwash:
1, (1, 1, 2, 2)—50G skeins, color 1117 Grey
1, (1, 1, 1, 1)—50G skeins, color 1000 White
1, (1, 2, 2, 2)—50G skeins, color 1107 Orange
1, (1, 1, 1, 2)—50G skeins, color 1111 Navy
Gauge: 22 sts, 32 rows= 4” on size 6 needles, 24 sts, 36 rows= 4” in garter stitch on size 4 needles.
Needles/Notions: Size US 4 & 6- 24” circular needle, stitch markers, Stitch holders, size 4 & 6 double points. 3 buttons
Pattern is written for smallest size, with larger sizes in parenthesis. If only one number is given, it applies to all sizes.
Cardigan is worked from the neck down, seamlessly.
Stripe Sequence
10 rows= grey
10 rows= navy
2 rows= white
4 rows- navy
2 rows= white
4 rows= navy
8 rows= orange
2 rows= white
16 rows= orange
Neck
(read through entire directions before proceeding)
With smaller circular needle, begin stripe sequence, Cast on 56, (60, 66, 70, 74) sts.
Work in garter stitch (knit every row) for 6 rows, do not turn on last row. Switch to larger needle. Instead, Cast on 6 sts (front button tab).
Next Row (WS): k6 sts, p7, (8, 9, 10, 11) sts (right front), pm, P11, (11, 12, 12, 12) sts (first sleeve), pm,
p20, (22, 24, 26, 28) sts (back section), pm, p11, (11, 12, 12, 12) sts (second sleeve), pm,
p7, (8, 9, 10, 11) sts (left front), do not turn, instead cast on 6 sts (front tab). 68, (72, 78, 82, 86) sts.
Increase Row (RS): *k to 1 st before m, kf&b, sl m, kf&b; rep from * 3 times more, k to end of row.
(8 sts increased) –76, (80, 86, 90, 94) sts.
Next Row (WS): k6, *p to 1 st before m, pf&b, sl m, pf&b; rep from * 3 times more, p to last 6 sts,
k6. (8 sts increased) –84, (88, 94, 98, 102) sts.
Repeat these last 2 rows 3, (4, 3, 3, 2) times more. (48, (64, 48, 48, 32) sts increased)– 132, (152, 142, 146, 134) sts.
Increase Row (RS): *k to 1 st before m, kf&b, sl m, kf&b; rep from * 3 times more, k to end of row.
(8 sts increased)
Next Row (WS): k6, p to last 6 sts (slipping markers), k6.
Repeat these last 2 rows 10, (10, 12, 13, 15) times more. (88, (88, 104, 112, 128) sts increased)
220, (240, 246, 258, 262) sts.
At the same time when there are 3 garter ridges on the RS of front tab, work buttonhole row on next WS Row:
Buttonhole Row for a girl (WS): k6, pattern to last 6 sts, k2, yo, k2tog, k2.
Buttonhole Row for a boy (WS): k2, k2tog, yo, k2, pattern to last 6 sts, k6.
Repeat the buttonhole row 2 times more, spacing them 4, (4, 5, 5, 6) garter ridges apart (8, (8, 10, 10, 12) rows).
Divide Body
Row 1 (RS): (remove all markers as you get to them) k32, (35, 36, 38, 39) to m,
place next 49, (53, 54, 56, 56) sts onto a holder for sleeve, cast on 2 sts, K58, (64, 66, 70, 72) to m,
place next 49, (53, 54, 56, 56) sts onto a holder for sleeve, cast on 2 sts, K32, (35, 36, 38, 39) to end of row.
126, (138, 142, 150, 154) sts on needle Work in st st, keeping the first and last 6 sts in garter stitch, until body measures 7 ¼”, (8, 8 ¼, 8 ½, 8 ¾) from division, end having worked a RS Row. Switch to smaller circular. Work in garter stitch for 9 rows. Bind off all sts on next row.
Sleeves
(RS facing) Sl the 49, (53, 54, 56, 56) sts from the holder for one sleeve onto larger double points- pick up 2 sts at the underarm. Place a marker at the underarm- in between the picked up sts, for the beginning of the round.
51, (55, 56, 58, 58) sts.
With the appropriate color for the stripe pattern, begin working in st st in the round (knit every round)-
while decreasing 1 st before and after the underarm marker every 3rd, (3rd, 4th, 4th, 4th) round 10, (12, 12, 13, 13) times. 31, (31, 32, 32, 32) sts. Work even until sleeve measures 5”, (5 ½, 6 ½, 7, 7 ½). Switch to garter stitch in the round (purl one round, knit one round), smaller double points, and work 9 rounds. Bind off all sts on next round.
Repeat for the other sleeve.
Finishing
Block to measurements. Sew 3 buttons onto the front. Weave in all ends.
©2013 Plymouth Yarn Company. 020513vle
ABBREVIATIONS: dec = decrease, inc = increase, k= knit, kf&b= knit into the front and back of stitch, m= marker, pf&b= purl into the front and back of stitch, p= purl, pm= place marker, RS= right side, sl = slip, st(s) = stitch(es), st st= stockinet stitch, tbl = through back loop, tog = together, WS = Wrong Side, yo = yarn over, wyif = with yarn in front, wyib = with yarn in back
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Category Design/Patterns, Free Patterns, Yarn | Tags: Tags: baby cardigan, dk merino superwash, dkmsw, Plymouth Yarn, seamless, striped, toddler, top down, washable wool,
Friday, December 14th, 2012
Ask any knitter, crocheter, or crafter; the time for quick, last minute gifts is upon us. I’m definitely feeling the pressure!
Many of my friends are having babies, so luckily these gifts tend to be for the little ones. Anyone who has crocheted and knitted can tell you that crocheting is quicker than knitting in most regards.
My popcorn baby hat is crocheted in Dreambaby DK. It is a great gift for the babies in your life, and you’ll be happy to know it can be made lickety-split! Enjoy–Vanessa
Dreambaby DK Crochet Popcorn Hat
To Fit Size: 0-3, (6-12, 18-24) months
Approx. Hat Circumference: 14 ½”, (16, 18)
Materials:
Plymouth Dreambaby DK:
1, (1, 2)—50G balls, color 137 Brown
Gauge: 17sts, 20 rows = 4” on size US G crochet hook in single crochet (sc),
16 sts in popcorn stitch= 3 ½” on size US G hook.
Needles: Size US G crochet hook, stitch marker
Pattern is written for smallest size, with larger sizes in parenthesis. If only one number is given, it applies to all sizes. Use a marker to help mark the beginning of the round(s).
Begin (starting at the top)
Ch 5. Join with a sl stitch to form a ring.
(OR use the magic loop method to make 11 sc-
http://www.planetjune.com/blog/tutorials/magic-ring-right-handed/ if using this method, skip to round 2)
Round 1: work 11 sc in ring. (11 sc)
Round 2: Work 2 sc in each sc across round to last st, sc in last st. (21 sc)
Round 3: work 1 sc in each sc round. (21 sc)
Round 4: *work 1 sc in each of next 2 sts, work 2 sc in next st; rep from * 6 times more. (28 sc)
Round 5: *1 sc in each of the next 3 sts, 2 sc in next st; rep from * 6 times more. (35 sc)
Round 6: *1 sc in each of the next 4 sts, 2 sc in next st; rep from * 6 times more. (42 sc)
Round 7: *1 sc in each of the next 5 sts, 2 sc in next st; rep from * 6 times more. (49 sc)
Round 8: *1 sc in each of the next 6 sts, 2 sc in next st; rep from * 6 times more. (56 sc)
Round 9: *1 sc in each of the next 7 sts, 2 sc in next st; rep from * 6 times more (63 sc)
0-3 Month size only:
Round 10: 1 sc in each of the next 8 sts, 2 sc in next st, sc to end of round. (64 sc)
6-12 Month and 12-18 Month Size Only:
Round 10: *1 sc in each of the next 8 sts, 2 sc in next st; rep from * 6 times more. (70 sc)
6-12 Month Size Only:
Round 11: (1 sc in each of the next 9 sts, 2 sc in next st)2x, sc to end of round. (72 sts)
18-24 Month Size Only:
Round 11: *1 sc in each of the next 9 sts, 2 sc in next st; rep from * 6 times more. (79 sc)
Round 12: 1 sc in each of the next 10 sts, 2 sc in next st, sc to end of round. (80 sc)
All Sizes
Next Round: sc in every sc around. (64, (72, 80) sc)
Begin Popcorn Stitch
Round 1: *work 5 dc in next sc, drop the loop from your hook, insert your hook from front to back under the top 2 loops of the first dc of the group, grab the dropped loop and pull it through the stitch (1 popcorn made), sc in next 3 sts; rep from * around. (16, (18, 20) popcorn sts)
Round 2: sc in every stitch around (popcorn st counts as 1 sc). (64, (72, 80) sc)
Round 3: *2 sc in next 2 sts, work popcorn stitch (work 5 dc in next sc, drop the loop from your hook, insert your hook from front to back under the top 2 loops of the first dc of the group, grab the dropped loop and pull it through the stitch (1 popcorn made), 1 sc in next st; rep from * around. (16, (18, 20) popcorn sts)
Round 4: sc in every stitch around (popcorn st counts as 1 sc). (64, (72, 80) sc)
Repeat the last 4 rounds for popcorn pattern.
When hat measures 3”, (3 ½, 4 ¼) from beginning of popcorn stitch, end having worked a sc round. (Approximately 8, (9, 11) layers of popcorn will have been made). Work 4 rounds of sc. Work 1 round of backward crochet firmly. Cut yarn, fasten off, and weave in all ends.
©2012 Plymouth Yarn Company. 121212vle
ABBREVIATIONS: ch= chain, dc= double crochet, dec = decrease, inc = increase, M= marker, RS= right side, sc= single crochet, sl = slip, st(s) = stitch(es), tbl = through back loop, tog = together, WS = Wrong Side, yo = yarn over, wyif = with yarn in front, wyib = with yarn in back
Thursday, November 29th, 2012
Winter is coming!
I haven’t lived in these climates since 1994 when my husband and I packed up the kids and moved south! BRRR! This little headband or neckwarmer is a fun little 1-2 hour project made with Grignasco’s Camel Hair. You can actually make 2 from the 2 balls of yarn-obviously they are mirror images of colorway, but hey! You get 2 out of it.
I also see this as a nice and easy way to test your skills on Fair Isle or 2 color knitting. You only have 13 rows to deal with changing colors, and you are working in the round. No need to struggle with your tension expertise on that purl row!
Have fun with picking color combos, and get some holiday gifts done in the meantime.
Enjoy! Cia
Pattern F479
SNOWFLAKE HEADBANDS
View as pdf
Approx. Finished Measurements: 21” x 4.5”
Materials: Grignasco Camel Hair
2 balls (1 ball of Main Color, and 1 ball of Contrasting Color)
Gauge: 18 sts = 4” in Stockinette Stitch on size 8 needles
Needles: Size US 8 (16”) circular knitting needle,
(1) Stitch Marker, Tapestry Needle.
Directions:
With Main Color (MC), loosely cast on 96 sts. Join in the round making sure to not twist the sts.
Place marker to indicate beginning. Knit 8 rounds.
Row 9: With MC and Contrasting Color (CC) Beg motif following chart working MC and CC colors as indicated on the graph.
When 13 rows of graph have been completed, work 8 rounds with MC. Bind off loosely.
Weave in all ends.
KEY (Repeat 15 sts x 13 rows)
Black Square =Main Color
White Square=Contrasting Color
Start with St # 1 and repeat between St # 2 and St # 16.
©2012 Plymouth Yarn Company. 110412cab
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Category Accessories, Design/Patterns, Free Patterns, Plymouth Staff, Yarn | Tags: Tags: camel hair, cia bullemer, cowl, fairisle, grignasco, headband, knit design, Plymouth Yarn,
