Knitted Raglan Sweater, Hat & Booties by Lenore English
Materials: Baby Sport Yarn, contrast color (CC) and main color (MC); size 3, 4, and 5 needles; 4 stitch markers, 2 stitch holders.
Gauge: 6 sts=1, 8 rows=1
Sizes: (Small Preemie, Large Preemie, Newborn)
Chest: (12, 14, 16)
With size 5 needles and CC, cast on (36, 40, 40) sts.
Knit 4 rows in K, P1 rib.
Cut CC, add MC.
Row 1: K1, p1, k1, inc 8 sts evenly across the row, end k1, p1, k1. (44, 48, 48) sts.
Row 2: (PM = Place markers for raglan increases) k1, p1, k1, p (5, 6, 6), PM, p (6, 6, 6), PM, p (16, 18, 18) PM, p (6, 6, 6) PM, p (5, 6, 6) k1, p1, k1.
Row 3: k1, p1, k1, *knit to 1 st before marker, inc in the sts before and after the marker, repeat from * across, end k1, p1, kl. 8 sts increased.
Row 4: k1, p1, k1, knit to last 3 sts, k1, p1, k1.
Row 5: k1, p1, k1, *knit to 1 st before marker, increase before and after the marker, repeat from * across, end k1, p1, kl. 8 sts increased.
Row 6: k1, p1, k1, purl to last 3 sts, k1, p1, k1.
Repeat Rows 3 - 6 until (15, 18, 21) sts in front section; (100, 120, 144) sts total.
Next Row: k1, p1, k1, knit to marker, slip next (20, 24, 30) sts to holder for sleeve, cast on 6 sts, knit to marker, slip next (20, 24, 30) sts to holder for sleeve, cast on 6 sts, knit to last three sts, k1, p1, k1. (72, 84, 96) sts.
Body:
Continue knitting in established pattern (seed st border and knit ridge) until body measures (4, 4 ½ , 5) inches from underarm.
With right side facing, switch to CC and knit 6 rows. BO loosely.
Sleeve:
Put (20, 24, 30) sts from holder onto the needle.
Cast on 3 sts at the beginning of the next two rows.
Continue knitting in established pattern until sleeve measures (3 ½, 4, 4 ½ ) inches from underarm.
With right side facing, switch to CC and knit 6 rows. BO loosely.
Finishing:
Weave in loose ends, sew sleeve seams.
Sweater front: Single crochet along the front edge, making button holes by ch 4 and making a space. Finish with a row of backward crochet or crab stitch.
Knitted buttons:
With size 3 needles, cast on 7 sts, leaving a long tail (18). Knit 9 rows in stockinette st, leave another long tail. Thread a tapestry needle, and take the sts off the needle, onto the yarn. Weave through the side sts, across the bottom and up the other side. Pull the thread tighter, it starts to cup and form the button. Wind the beginning tail into a little ball and stuff it into the button, continue to tighten and shape the button. Sew the button onto your sweater.
Hat:
With size 5 needles and CC, cast on (60, 66, 72) stitches.
Rib for 3.
Continue in stockinette, for (2, 2 ½ , 3) inches.
Begin decreases:
Row 1: k4, k2tog, across the row.
Row 2 and even rows: purl.
Row 3: K3, k2tog, across.
Row 5: K2, k2tog, across.
Row 7: K2tog across.
Cut yarn, run through sts on needle and pull tight. Sew back seam.
Booties: Sole is (3, 3½)
With size 4 needles and CC, cast on (24, 32) sts. Knit 2 rows.
Increase row: Inc, inc, k (8, 12) sts, inc 4x, k (8, 12) inc, inc.
Knit one row even.
Increase row: Inc, inc, k (12, 16) sts, inc 4x, k (12, 16) inc, inc. (40, 48) sts.
Knit every row until (10, 12) garter stitch ridges from the beginning.
Shape toe: K (12, 16), (k2tog) 8x, k (12,16).
Next row: K (12, 16), (k2tog) 2x, (psso, k2tog)2x, psso, k1, psso, k to end. (24,32) sts.
Eyelet row: k1 (yo, k2tog) across. (24, 32) sts.
Switch to size 3 needles, K1, p1 rib for 5 rows.
Switch to size 4 needles, K1 row, P1 row.
Garter stitch 10 rows.
Switch to size 3 needles.
K1, p1 rib for 2 rows. Bind off loosely. Sew sole and heel seam.
Notes: The entire outfit can be made almost seamless by knitting the sleeves and hat in the round with dpns. The sweater is knitted with a little ridge pattern because I dont like to purl, but can be knitted with stockinette if desired. Your choice of increase on the yoke changes the appearance. A yarn over increase makes a delicate line of eyelets on the yoke. The hat looks nice with a contrast stripe every 6 rows, or knit the little ridge pattern instead of st st. You can buy buttons instead of knitting them. I like to use MC when I knit buttons. I think they might stay cleaner looking than white knitted buttons.