Dk Merino Superwash Baby and Toddler Cardigan

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

View as pdf

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.

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