Demne, a vintage inspired baby cardigan

A knitsofacto design
To fit 0-3 months
www.knitsofacto.blogspot.com

Demne is a first size baby cardigan worked from cuff to cuff in one piece. The seed stitch bands at hem, wrist, and neck, and the seed stitch button and buttonhole bands, are all knitted-in. The neck is wide for ease of dressing your little one. Requires just 100g of yarn. Yarn suggestions Fibre Harvest Knit By Numbers DK 1x 100g skein (Cream model) Rico Design Essentials Merino DK 2x 50g balls (Pink model) Sirdar Balmoral DK 2x 50g balls (Brown model) Or any other DK yarn that knits to gauge Needles 4 mm (US 6) straight needles, 2 pairs 3.5 mm (US 4) straight needles, 1 pair Buttons 3 buttons, approx. I cm diameter Notions Waste yarn for provisional cast on 4x stitch holders, or additional waste yarn Tapestry needle Matching thread for attaching buttons Stitch markers, optional, see Notes Gauge 22 stitches and 30 rows to 10cm, measured over stocking stitch and after light blocking. Always work a gauge sample and if necessary adjust needle size to obtain correct gauge. Pattern stitches Seed stitch odd number of stitches Every row: (K1 P1) to last stitch, K1 Roman stitch odd number of stitches Rows 1 and 3: K to end Rows 2 and 4: P to end Rows 5 and 6: (K1 P1) to last stitch, K1 NB. Watch for adjustments where worked over an even number of stitches. Special skills required Provisional cast on Three needle bind off knitsofacto bind off Mattress stitch seam See Techniques at end

Notes Demne is knitted in Roman stitch from above the left cuff across to the right cuff. The seed stitch left cuff is then knitted back from a provisional cast on. The bands of seed stitch at hem, front and neck, and the seed stitch right cuff, are knitted-in as you go. A provisional cast on is worked at the right button/buttonhole band in order that this edge may subsequently be bound off to match the bound off edges of the left button/buttonhole band and the cuffs. The knitsofacto bind off is of course optional but is recommended. It is possible, but not necessary, to place stitch markers between the seed stitch bands of the hem and neck and the Roman stitch of the main body. No instructions are given with regard to this however, hence stitch markers are listed as optional in Notions. If using a 100g skein of yarn you will need to wind it into two 50g balls.

Measurements Chest 18.5/47 cm Length from shoulder to hem 9.5/23.5cm Sleeve 5.5/14cm Abbreviations K Knit P Purl (K1, P1) Repeat these two stitches RS Right side of work facing WS Wrong side of work facing YRN Yarn around needle K2tog Knit 2 stitches together knitwise M1 Make 1 stitch: lift loop between stitches and knit into back of loop YB Yarn to back of work (not over needle) S1P Slip 1 stitch, purlwise PSSO Pass slipped stitch over

Left Sleeve Using 4mm needles, contrasting waste yarn, and your preferred provisional method, cast on 35 stitches. Join garment yarn and work as follows: Rows 1 and 3 (RS) Knit to end Rows 2 and 4 (WS) Purl to end Row 5 (K1, P1) to last stitch, K1 Row 6 P2, (K1, P1) to last stitch, P1 Repeat these 6 rows another 5 times. (Total 36 rows.) Leave these 35 stitches on the needle and set aside. Do not break yarn. Left Front - shoulder and neck Using 4mm needles, contrasting waste yarn, and your preferred provisional method, cast on 34 stitches. Join garment yarn and P 1 row (WS). Row 1 (RS) (P1, K1) to end Row 2 (WS) (K1, P1) to end Leave these 34 stitches on the needle, break yarn and set aside. Next, using the remaining 4mm needles, contrasting waste yarn, and your preferred provisional method, cast on 34 stitches for the left back. This will allow for the sides to be joined using the recommended threeneedle bind off when making up.

Now, using the needle holding the 35 sleeve stitches, and with the WS of the sleeve facing you, P across the 34 stitches of this second provisional cast on, using the garment yarn from the sleeve. Give a good tug on the yarn as you work the first few stitches of the back to ensure a tight join between back and sleeve. (69 stitches on the needle.) Row 3 (RS) (K1, P1) x3, K across the remaining stitches of the back and the left sleeve, then K to the last 6 of the stitches held for the left front, (P1, K1) x3. Again, give a good tug on the yarn as you work the first few stitches of the left front to ensure a tight join between front and sleeve. (103 stitches on needle.) Row 4 (WS) (K1, P1) x3, P to last 6 stitches, (P1, K1) x3 Row 5 (K1, P1) x3, K to last 6 stitches, (P1, K1) x3 Row 6 (K1 P1) x3, P to last 6 stitches, (P1, K1) x3 Rows 7 and 8 (K1, P1) to last stitch, K1 Rows 9 and 11 as Row 5 Rows 10 and 12 as Row 6 Rows 13 and 14 as Rows 7 and 8 Rows 15 and 17 (K1, P1) x3, K38, (K1, P1) x7, K to last 6 stitches, (P1, K1) x3 Rows 16 and 18 (K1, P1) x3, P38, (K1, P1) x7, K1, P to last 6 stitches, (P1, K1) x3 Row 19 (K1, P1) to last stitch, K1 Row 20 (K1, P1) x24 , K1 (49 stitches of left front), cast off the next five stitches, (P1, K1) to end. Continue on these 49 stitches.

Back Note: after Row 1 of the back has been worked transfer the 49 stitches of the left front to a stitch holder or length of waste yarn. Rows 1 and 3 (RS) (K1, P1) x3, K to last 5 stitches, (K1, P1) x2, K1 Rows 2 and 4 (WS) (K1, P1) x2, K1, P to last 6 stitches, (P1, K1) x3 Rows 5 and 6 (K1, P1) to last stitch, K1 Repeat these 6 rows another 4 times. Repeat rows 1-5 once more. (Total 36 rows .) Turn work (WS) and cast on 5 stitches Place these 54 stitches on a stitch holder or length of waste yarn. Do not break garment yarn. Right Front Using 4mm needles, contrasting waste yarn, and your preferred provisional method, cast on 45 stitches. Join garment yarn, leaving a 100cm tail, and P 1 row (WS) Button/buttonhole band For a boy Rows 1 to 6 (K1, P1) to last stitch, K1 For a girl Rows 1 and 2 (K1, P1) to last stitch, K1 Row 3 Buttonhole row *K1, P1, YRN, K2tog, K1, P1*, repeat from * to * twice more, (K1, P1) to last stitch, K1 Rows 4, 5 and 6 (K1, P1) to last stitch, K1 For boys and girls continue as follows Rows 7 and 9 (K1, P1) x 2, K1, M1, K to last 6 stitches, (P1, K1) x3 Rows 8 and 10 (K1, P1) x 3, P to last 5 stitches, (K1, P1) x 2, K1 Rows 11 and 12 (K1, P1) to last stitch, K1 Rows 13 and 15 as Rows 7 and 9 Rows 14 and 16 as Rows 8 and 10 Rows 17 and 18 as Rows 11 and 12 Rows 19 and 21 (K1, P1) x 2, K1, K to last 6 stitches, (P1, K1) x3 Rows 20 and 22 as Rows 8 and 10 Leave these 49 stitches on the needle. Break yarn and turn work.

Right Front neck and shoulder Transfer the 54 stitches held for the back to a 4mm needle, RS facing. Row 1 (RS) Using the yarn from the back, (K1, P1) across the 49 stitches of the right front, ending K1. Give a good tug on the yarn as you work the first few stitches of the front to ensure a tight join between back and front. (103 stitches on the needle.) Row 2 (WS) (K1, P1) to last stitch, K1 Rows 3 and 5 (K1, P1) x3, K38, (K1, P1) x7, K to last 6 stitches, (P1, K1) x3 Rows 4 and 6 (K1, P1) x3, P38, (K1, P1) x7, K1, P to last 6 stitches, (P1, K1) x3 Rows 7 and 8 (K1, P1) to last stitch, K1 Rows 9 and 11 (K1, P1) x 3, K to last 6 stitches, (P1, K1) x3 Rows 10 and 12 (K1, P1) x 3, P to last 6 stitches, (P1, K1) x3 Rows 13 and 14 (K1, P1) to last stitch, K1 Rows 15 and 17 as Rows 9 and 11 Row 16 as Rows 10 and 12 Row 18 (K1, P1) x6, P 28 and then turn, 34 stitches worked Break yarn. Transfer the first 34 stitches (right back) to a stitch holder or length of waste yarn. Transfer the next 35 stitches (right sleeve) onto a stitch holder or length of waste yarn. Row 19 Rejoin garment yarn and (P1, K1) to end of the 34 stitches remaining Row 20 (K1, P1) to end Break yarn and place these 34 stitches (right front) onto a stitch holder or length of waste yarn. Right Sleeve and Cuff Transfer the 35 stitches held for the right sleeve to a 4mm needle, RS facing, and rejoin garment yarn. Row 1 (RS) (K1 P1) to last stitch, K1 Row 2 (WS) P2, (K1 P1) to last stitch, P1 Rows 3 and 5 Knit Rows 4 and 6 Purl Repeat these 6 rows another 5 times (36 rows) Cuff Repeat Rows 1 and 2 another 3 times Bind off (RS) It is recommended that you change to 3.5 mm needles, or the required needle size to achieve correct tension, and work the Demne bind off. See Techniques.

Left Front Transfer the 49 stitches held for the left front, RS facing, to a 4mm needle and rejoin garment yarn. Rows 1 and 3 (RS) (K1, P1) x2, K to last 6 stitches, (P1, K1) x3 Rows 2 and 4 (WS) (K1, P1) x3, P to last 5 stitches, (K1, P1) x2, K1 Rows 5 and 6 (K1, P1) to last stitch, K1 Rows 7 and 9 (K1, P1) x2, YB, S1P, K1, PSSO, K to last 6 stitches, (P1, K1) x3 Rows 8 and 10 (K1, P1) x3, P to last 5 stitches, (K1, P1) x2, K1 Rows 11 and 12 as Rows 5 and 6 Rows 13 and 15 as Rows 7 and 9 Rows 14 and 16 as Rows 8 and 10 45 stitches remain on needle Button/buttonhole band For a boy Rows 17, 18 and19 (K1, P1) to last stitch, K1 Row 20 Buttonhole row (K1, P1) to last 18 stitches, *P1, K1, P2tog, YRN, P1, K1 *, repeat from * to * twice more. Rows 21 and 22 (K1, P1) to last stitch, K1 For a girl Rows 17 to 22 (K1, P1) to last stitch, K1 Bind off (RS) It is recommended that you change to 3.5mm needles, or the required needle size to achieve correct tension, and work the Demne bind off as given in Techniques. Left cuff Using 4mm needles, and with WS of work facing, recover 35 stitches from the provisional cast on for the left sleeve. Join garment yarn and P 1 row Rows 1, 3 and 5 (RS) (K1, P1) to last stitch, K1 Rows 2, 4 and 6 (WS) P2, (K1, P1) to last stitch, P1 Bind off (RS) It is recommended that you change to 3.5mm needles, or the required needle size to achieve correct tension, and work the Demne bind off as given in Techniques. Finish right button/buttonhole band Using 3.5mm needles, or the required needle size to achieve correct tension, recover 34 stitches from the provisional cast on for the right front. Then, using the 100cm tail of yarn, bind off (RS) as above.

Right side seam Commencing at the underarm place the 34 stitches held for the right front onto one 4mm needle and the 34 stitches held for the right back onto another. Place front and back RS together and using a third 4mm needle and the garment yarn, and starting at the hem edge, work a three needle bind off as given in Techniques. Left side seam Using 4mm needles recover 34 stitches from the provisional cast on for the right #. Using 4mm needles recover 34 stitches from the provisional cast on for the back. Place front and back RS together and using a third 4mm needle and the garment yarn, and starting at the hem edge, work a three needle bind off. See Techniques. Sleeve seams Using the tapestry needle and starting at the cuff sew the sleeve seams together, easing in the fullness of the 2 row seed stitch gusset at the underarm. See Techniques. Finishing Attach buttons to buttonhole band with strong thread. Using the tapestry needle securely sew in all yarn ends. Block lightly.

Pretty in pink

Techniques Provisional cast on If you do not already have a favourite provisional cast on there are a number of excellent online tutorials. Try Eunny Jangs Knitting Daily TV: Provisional Cast Ons tutorial for a choice of methods. Three needle bind off Knit the first stitches on both left needles together as one. One stitch on the right needle. Repeat with the second pair of stitches on the left needle. Two stitches on the right needle. Pass the first worked stitch on the right needle over the second to cast off. Continue to knit together the stitches from the left needle, casting off the stitches on the right needle as you go. Pull the end of the yarn through the last loop to finish. If you need pictures Knitty has an excellent three needle bind off tutorial. Mattress stitch seam, aka Ladder stitch seam Id recommend this Knitty tutorial if you are unfamiliar with this finishing technique The Knitsofacto Bind Off Tutorial Working with needles two sizes smaller than those you have used to knit your garment*** purl the first stitch and place the new stitch you have just made, purlwise, back onto the left needle (not pictured). Next, insert the right needle into the first two stitches as if to knit them together (1), but instead slide them from the left needle (2), twist them anticlockwise (3) and replace them, purlwise, onto the left needle, keeping the right needle to the front (4)

Now purl these two stitches together (5 and 6), and then place the new stitch you have just made, purlwise, back onto the left needle (7), snugging the stitch into position (8), before working again from (1). Continue until you have purled the last two stitches together and then, as with any other bind off, pull the end of the yarn through the remaining stitch to finish.

With particular thanks to my good friend Alison Hill for all her help with pattern testing, proof reading and the like.