Extra Small Preemie Gown adapted to knit by Lenore English
Materials: Baby Sport Yarn, size 9 needles or size needed for gauge, 3 stitch holders
Gauge: 9 sts = 2”, 7 rs = 1”
Sizes: Extra Small Preemie
Chest: 10"
This Preemie Gown is knitted from the bottom up. The gown is open in the back.
Keep the first and last 3 sts in seed st (k1, p1, k1) so the back edges lay flat.
Fleck Stitch
Rows 1 & 3: Knit
Row 2: Purl
Row 4: k1, p1, across the row.
Skirt
Cast on 53 sts in Contrast Color (CC).
Knit 4 rows in garter stitch or seed stitch.
Change to Main Color (MC) and knit in pattern of your choice until 6 ½” from beginning. The gown pictured is knitted in Fleck Stitch.
Next Row (Right Side) Switch to CC, *K1, p1, k1, k 13, ( k1, k2tog ) 7 times, k13, k1, p1, k1. (46 sts)
Knit 5 more rows in CC (3 ridges garter st.)
Next Row (Right Side) Switch to MC, K9, put 9 sts on holder, bind off 5 sts, k17, put 18 sts on holder, bind off 5 sts, knit to end. (9 sts on needle)
Side Back: Keeping the seed st border, knit these 9 sts in stockinette st for 1 ½ ”.
Next Row (Right Side) Bind off 2 sts for shoulder, knit to end of row.
Purl one row. (7 sts)
Put these 7 sts on a holder.
Front: (18 sts) Knit in stockinette st for 1 ½ “.
Next Row (Right Side) Bind off 2 sts for shoulder, knit to end of row.
Bind off 3 sts for shoulder, purl to end of row. (14 sts)
Put these 14 sts on a holder.
Repeat directions for second Side back, reversing the shaping.
Put all 28 sts on needles, Change to CC.
Row 1: Knit across.
Row 2: K2, *yo, k2tog, repeat from * across, end yo, k2tog, k2.
Row 3: Knit across.
Bind off. Sew shoulder seams, weave in ends.
Plain Sleeves:
Cast on 16 sts. Knit 4 rows.
Increase row: *k1, inc, repeat from * across row. (24 sts)
Knit 3 rows in stockinette stitch.
Bind off 2 sts at the beginning of next 2 rows. (20 sts)
Row 1: Knit across.
Rows 2, 4, 6 & 8: Purl across.
Rows 3, 5, 7: K1, k2 tog, knit to last 3 sts, k2 tog, k1.
Row 9: k2 tog across the row. (7 sts)
Row 10: Purl across.
Bind off. Sew sleeve seams, set sleeve in bodice. Repeat for second sleeve.
Puffed Sleeves:
Cast on 16 sts. Knit 4 rows.
Increase row: Increase in each stitch across row. (32 sts)
Knit 3 rows in stockinette stitch.
Bind off 2 sts at the beginning of next 2 rows. (28 sts)
Knit 8 rows in stockinette stitch.
Row 9: k2 tog across the row. (14 sts)
Row 10: Purl 2 tog across the row. (7 sts)
Bind off. Sew sleeve seams, set sleeve in bodice. Repeat for second sleeve.
Note: I made another gown, using a different yarn, and even though it was sport yarn, it knitted up smaller than the original. Here's what I suggest. When you have knit the 6 1/2 or 7" of the skirt, stop and measure the width. If you are 12 inches wide, then go ahead a decrease at the waist as the pattern says. If you are 10 inches wide then do not decrease at the waistline, (I did 4 rows k1 p1 rib) continue in stockinette st, and divide your bodice like this: 10 sts side, bo 6 sts for armhole, 21 sts for the front, bo 6 sts for armhole and 10 sts for the side. Finish the bodice and sleeves the same.