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

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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

Let me show you my newest creation using Encore Worsted. My draped cardigan is basically rectangle worked from side to side. The “afterthought” armhole stitches are picked up later and knit to an elbow length sleeve. Did anyone say layering?! The pattern stitch used along the hemline of the cardigan is an easy to memorize 6 row repeat.

I hope you all enjoy my cheerful design in a Plymouth classic. –Vanessa

Encore Worsted Women’s Draped Cardigan

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To Fit Women’s Size: S, (M, L, XL, XXL)
Shoulder to Shoulder Measurement (across back): 12 ¼”, (12 ¾, 14, 14 ½, 15)
Length: 23”, (24 ¾, 26 ¾, 28 ¾, 31 ¼)
Sleeve Length: 14”

Materials:
Encore Worsted: 5, (5, 6, 6, 7)—100G balls, color 0473 Light Aqua
Gauge:  20 sts, 28 rows = 4” on size 7s over st st, 16 sts= 4” in 2×2 rib on size 7s (slightly stretched), 24 sts= 5” in pattern stitch on size 7s.
Needles:  Size US 7 long circular and double points, stitch markers, scrap yarn

Pattern Stitch (Multiple of 18 sts + 6)
Row 1 (RS): p1, k2, yo, ssk, p1, *k4, k2tog, yo, ssk, k4, p1, k2, yo, ssk, p1; rep from * across.
Row 2: k1, p2, yo, p2tog, k1, *p3, p2togtbl, drop the yo of previous row, (yo)2x, p2tog, p3, k1, p2, yo, p2tog, k1; rep from * across.
Row 3: p1, k2, yo, ssk, p1, *k2, k2tog, drop the yo’s of the previous row, (yo)3x, ssk, k2, p1, k2, yo, ssk, p1; rep from * across.
Row 4: k1, p2, yo, p2tog, k1, *p1, p2togtbl, drop the yo’s of the previous row, (yo)4x, p2tog, p1, k1, p2, yo, p2tog, k1; rep from * across.
Row 5: p1, k2, yo, ssk, p1, *k2tog, drop the yo’s of the previous row, cast on 4 sts onto right hand needle, k1 under the 4 loose strands of the dropped yo’s, yo, k1 under the 4 strands again, cast on 4 sts onto right hand needle, ssk, p1, k2, yo, ssk, p1; rep from * across.
Row 6: k1, p2, yo, p2tog, k1, *p5, p2tog, p6, k1, p2, yo, p2tog, k1; rep from * across.
Repeat these 6 rows for pattern.

Pattern is written for smallest size, with larger sizes in parenthesis. If only one number is given, it applies to all sizes.

Cardigan is made all in one piece, without seams. Afterthought armholes are set in place with scrap yarn, and picked up and knit in the round after the body of the cardigan is finished.

Body (starting with left front)
(sl the first stitch of every row)
With circular needle, Cast on 86, (90, 94, 98, 102) sts.
Row 1 (WS): p2, *k2, p2; rep from * across.
Row 2: k2, *p2, k2; rep from * across.
Repeat these 2 rows 3 times more. (8 rows total).
Increase Row (WS): (p2, k2)2x, p across to last 8 sts- increasing 18, (19, 20, 21, 22) sts evenly across to last 8 sts, (k2, p2)2x. 104, (109, 114, 119, 124) sts.
Pattern Setup Row (RS): (k2, p2)2x, pm, work row 1 of pattern stitch across 42 sts, pm, k last 8 sts, (p2, k2)2x.
Next Row (WS): (p2, k2)2x, p to m, sl m, work next row of pattern stitch to m, sl m, (k2, p2)2x.
Next Row (RS): (k2, p2)2x, sl m, work next row of pattern stitch to m, sl m, k to last 8 sts, (p2, k2)2x.
Repeat the last 2 rows, progressing in the pattern stitch. When piece measures 11”, (11 ¾, 12 ¾, 13 ¾, 15 ¼), end having worked a WS Row.
Sleeve Row (RS): work in established pattern to second marker, sl m, (mark this area as the underarm), then with scrap yarn- k38, (40, 43, 45, 48) sts, cut scrap yarn (leaving a tail), place these 38, (40, 43, 45, 48) sts back onto the left hand needle and continue across row as established with main yarn.
Repeat sleeve row once more when piece measures 12 ¼”, (12 ¾, 14, 14 ½, 15) from previous sleeve row. Then, work even until piece measures 11”, (11¾, 12 ¾, 13 ¾, 15 ¼) from last sleeve row, end having worked a WS Row.
Decrease Row (RS): (remove markers as you get to them) (k2, p2)2x, k across to last 8 sts- decreasing so that there are 86, (90, 94, 98, 102) sts on the needles altogether, (k2, p2)2x.
Row 1 (WS): p2, *k2, p2; rep from * across.
Row 2: k2, *p2, k2; rep from * across.
Repeat these 2 rows 3 times more. (8 rows total). Bind off in rib on next row to match cast on rows tension.

Sleeves
Unpick the scrap yarn from one sleeve and divide the sts (from both the top and bottom) onto double points. 76, (80, 86, 90, 96) sts.
Join yarn at the underarm and pm.
Decrease 1 st before and after the underarm marker
every 5th, (4th, 4th, 3rd, 3rd) round 15, (17, 19, 21, 23)
times. 46, (46, 48, 48, 50) sts. Continue to work in st st until sleeve measures 12 ¾” from beginning of sleeve. Knit across next round, decreasing 10, (10, 8, 8, 10) sts evenly across. 36, (36, 40, 40, 40) sts.
Work in 2×2 ribbing for 9 rounds. Bind off all sts on next round. Repeat for the other sleeve.
Weave in all ends. Block lightly.

©2012 Plymouth Yarn Company. Designed by Vanessa Ewing. Modeled by Cia Abbott Bullemer. 092512vle

ABBREVIATIONS: dec = decrease, inc = increase, k = knit, pm= place marker, psso = pass slip stitch over,  p = purl, RS= right side, sl = slip,  SSK =  slip 1 st as if to knit, slip a second st as if to knit, knit them together through the back loop, st(s) = stitch(es), st st = stockinette st,  tbl = through back loop,  tog = together,  WS = Wrong Side, yo = yarn over, wyif = with yarn in front, wyib = with yarn in back