Baby Bunting

This is a very simple baby sweater, knit from the top down – which means no seaming!  Cute little pockets in a contrasting color are completely useless to a baby, but adorable and easy to knit.  Just be careful – with pockets like these, who knows what your kiddo will come home with :-)!  Happy Knitting!

Size: 3-6 months (8-18 months)
Gauge: 18 sts/ 24 rows is 4” in Stockinette stitch

Yarn: Miss Babs Yummy Sock and Sport, 1 skein Bunting, ¼ skein Coventry Green
Needles: Size 5 US 24” circular, 5 US dpns
6 Buttons
Tapestry needles
4 stitch markers

Begin Cardigan:
In this part of the pattern, you will be knitting the yoke of the cardigan.  The increases on either side of the markers begin the shaping for sleeves and body.
CO 46(54) sts
K 8 rows
Row 1 (RS): sl1, k8(9), pm, k5(6), pm, k18(22), pm, k5(6), pm, k9(10)
Row 2 (and all WS rows): sl1, p remaining sts
Row 3: sl1, *k to 1 st before m, inc1, k1, slip m, k1, inc1* repeat from * to end
Repeat rows 2 and 3 11(13) times more, ending with a WS row
142(166) sts

Split for body:
At this point, you will put the stitches for the sleeves onto holders to be knit later.
K to first m (right front), remove m, place next 31(34) sts on holder, join yarn to back, k to next m (back), remove m, place next 31(34) sts on holder, k to end (left front)
Continue body in St st, slipping the first stitch of each row, until length from underarm is 2(3)”
On the next RS row, sl1, k2(3), k15 WITH WASTE YARN, slip previous 15 sts back to left needle, k to last m, k4(5), k15 WITH WASTE YARN, slip previous 15 sts back to left needle, k to end
*On the next two WS rows, k the 15 stitches that are in line with the waste yarn sts – this will create a little garter stitch border on the pocket*
Continue knitting in St st, slipping the first stitch of each row, until length from underarm is 6(7)”
Work 8 rows in garter stitch
BO all sts

Sleeves:
Place 31(34) sts from holder onto dpns
K all sts until sleeve measures 3”
Work 8 rows in garter stitch (p1 row, k1 row in the round)
BO all sts

Repeat for 2nd sleeve

Make button band:
With contrasting color: starting at right top edge, PU 1 st for every slipped st along side of jacket
K8 rows
BO all sts (loosely!  I prefer EZ’s sewn bind off<http://knitty.com/ISSUEsummer06/FEATsum06TT.html>)

Make buttonhole band:
With contrasting color: starting at left bottom edge, PU 1 st for every slipped st along side of jacket
K 4 rows
Next row: Decide where you want your buttons (I did a button hole every 1.5”).  Where you want the buttonhole: k2tog, YO
K 3 rows
BO all sts (loosely!)

Make pocket:
Remove waste yarn and pick up the sts that are now live.  Using contrasting color, join yarn and k in the round for 2”
Graft sts together using Kitchener’s stitch

Repeat for 2nd pocket
Finishing:
Weave in ends (you will have holes at the underarm and pocket corners that need to be sewn up)
Sew on buttons
Put on an adorable baby!

© 2009 Linden Heflin