Basic Baby Raglan Cardigan

Basic Raglan Baby Cardigan Sweater

By Keya Kuhn

Materials:

Needles:US 6 (4 mm) & US 7 (4.5 mm) circulars (24” cable); optional: US 6 (4mm) with a 16” cable for sleeve cuffs

Yarn:200-300 yds. DK merino (335 yds = 100g) or any similar DK weight yarn

Gauge:6 stitches x 6.5 rows = 1 inch stocking stitch

Notions:5 or 6 (¾ inch) buttons, tapestry needle.

Sizing:0-3 mos. (3-6 months, 6-12 months)

Abbreviations:

K = knit                                                                                                                      

P = purl

SM = slip marker                                           

PM = place marker                                                               

BO = cast off/bind off 

K2tog = knit 2 sts together                                      

SSK = slip 1 st, slip 1 st, knit 2 slipped sts together

Instructions:

Collar:

Using the US 6 (4 mm) needle, CO 50 (54, 62) sts. 2 x 2 ribbing beginning on WS row with (p2, k2) for 1 inch (6 rows).

Yoke:

Switch to US 7 (4.5 mm) needles.

R1 (WS): P 8 (8, 10), PM, p 7 (8, 9), PM, p 20 (22, 24), PM, p 7 (8, 9), PM, p 8 (8, 10).

R2 (RS): *K to 1 st before marker, inc 1, SM, inc 1; repeat from * to end, knitting last stitches.

R3: Purl across, slipping markers as you come to them. 

[9 (9, 11) sts each front; 9 (10, 11) sts each sleeve; 22 (24, 26) sts back panel]

Repeat R2 & R3: 12 (15, 18) additional times before separating for body.

NOTE: This gives an approximate raglan seam of 4 (4.5, 5) inches. If shoulder to underarm is longer on your baby, continue to repeat yoke increase pattern until necessary raglan seem length is achieved.

Divide for Underarm:  

K across front to 1^stmarker, remove marker, place sleeve stitches on waste yarn, K across back to marker, remove marker, place sleeve stitches on waste yarn, 

K across front.

Body:

Work in stocking stitch until body measures 5 (5.5, 6) inches from underarm and end on a RS row.  If number of sts is not conducive to 2 x 2 ribbing + 2, decrease or increase evenly across last knitted row to desired st count..

Bottom Ribbing:

Switch to US 6 (4 mm) needles.

(WS): P2, *k2, p2; repeat from * across.

(RS):  K2, *p2, k2; repeat from * across.

Repeat these two rows for 6 total rows, ending on a WS row. Bind off in pattern stitch.

Front Bands:

Note:  Traditionally, boy sweaters have the button band on the left and girl sweaters on the right; however, babies don’t particularly care which side their buttons are on.

Button Hole Band(worked flat):

From the front of the fabric and with US 6 (4 mm) needles, pick up 3 sts for every 4 rows or 50 (54, 58) sts across selvedge edge. 

(WS): P2, *k2, p2; repeat from * across row.

(RS): K2, *p2, k2; repeat from * across row.

Repeat these two rows once more, ending on a RS row. (4 total rows)

Using a locking marker or safety pin, pin together 2 sts along the length of the band to mark each button hole BO, being sure that there is the same number of stitches between markers.  (about 10 stitches between markers).

(WS): Work in pattern st to marked stitches, YO, remove pin, P2tog; repeat these instructions across the row.

(RS); *k2, p2; repeat from * across row.

(WS): *p2, k2; repeat from * across row.

(RS); *k2, p2; repeat from * across row.

Bind off on WS row in pattern stitch.

Button Band: (worked flat)

From the front of the fabric, pick up 3 sts 

for every 4 rows or 50 (54, 58) sts across 

selvedge edge. (PU3, skip 1)

(WS): *p2, k2; repeat from * across row.

(RS); *k2, p2; repeat from * across row.

Repeat these two rows for 6 total rows; then work one WS row. Bind off in pattern stitch.

Sleeves (worked flat and seamed):

Return sleeve stitches to US 7 (4.5 mm) needle and remove waste yarn.

R1 (RS): PU and k 1(1, 2) sts from armhole opening. Knit across the live stitches, ending by picking up 1 (1, 2) more sts in armhole opening. [36 (42, 48) sts]

R2 (WS): P across all stitches.

R3 (RS): K across all stitches.

Repeat R2 & R3 until sleeve measures 5 (5.5, 6) inches from armhole opening.  End on WS row.

Then, K2tog, K across sleeve sts, end K2tog.

NOTE: For a tapered sleeve, decrease by 2 sts (K2tog, K across, end SSK) every 7^throw or so.  This will result in ½ inch reduction in circumference. You want to make sure that your remaining st count will accommodate a 2 x 2 ribbing.

Cuff Ribbing:

Switch to US 6 needles.

(WS): *K2, p2; repeat from * across.

(RS):  *K2, p2; repeat from * across.

Repeat these two rows for 6 total rows, then work 1 WS row.  Bind off (RS) in pattern stitch.

Finishing:

Weave in all ends.  Seam sleeves (mattress stitch method recommended).  

Hand wash and block.  Sew on buttons.