LITTLE OLD MAN CARDIGAN
Very young babies often look more like old men than cherubs. My grandfather often wore a cardigan like this one, which I designed with my cousin Chris’s particularly elderly-looking son, Marek, in mind.
Step 1
Sizes 0-3 (3-6, 6-12) months (shown in 3-6 months)
Materials 2 (2, 3) x 1 3/4 oz balls Rowan Cashsoft DK (shade: 517 Donkey) 1 x pair of US 7 needles 4 x stitch markers 2 x stitch holders or spare yarn Tapestry needle 2 x 20 mm buttons Needle and thread
Gauge 22 sts and 30 rows to 4 in (10 cm) over st st using US 7 needles
Step 2
Pattern Neckline CO 28 sts. Row 1 (WS): k3, pm, k4, pm, k14, pm, k4, pm, k3. Row 2 (raglan row 1): (k to 1 st before marker, m1, k1, s1 marker, k1, m1) X 4, k to end. 36 sts. Row 3: k to end Row 4: raglan row 1. 44 sts. Row 5: k to end. Row 6: raglan row 1. 52 sts.
Step 3
Yoke: *Row 1 (WS): k5, p to last 5 sts, k5. Row 2 (raglan row 2): k to 1 st after first marker, m1, (k to 1 st before marker, m1, k1, s1 marker, k1, m1) x 2, k to 1 st before last marker, m1, k to end. 58 sts. Row 3: k5, p to last 5 sts, k5. Row 4: (k to 1 st before marker, m1, k1, s1 marker, k1, m1) x 4, k to end. 66 sts. Repeat from * until there are 156 sts, ending with a raglan row 2.
Step 4
Body 0-3 months Next row (WS): k5, p to first marker, place next 40 sleeve sts on holder, CO 4 sts using the backward-loop cast-on method (see page 13), p to next marker, place next 40 sleeve sts on holder, SO 4 sts using the backward-loop cast-on method, p to last 5 sts, k5. 84 sts.
3-6 months Work rows 3, 4, 1 and 2 once more. 170 sts. Next row: k5, p to first marker, place next 44 sts on holder for sleeve, CO 4 sts using the backward-loop cast-on method, p to next marker, place next 44 sts on holder, CO 4 sts using the backward-loop cast-on method, p to last 5 sts, k5. 90 sts.
6-12 months Work rows 3, 4, 1 and 2 twice more. 184 sts. Next row: k5, p to first marker, place next 48 sts on holder for sleeve, CO 4 sts using the backward-loop cast-on method, p to next marker, place next 48 sts on holder, CO 4 sts using backward-loop cast-on method, p to last 5 sts, k5. 96 sts.
Step 5
All Sizes *Row 1 (RS): k to end. Row 2: k5, m 1 p, p to last 5 sts, m 1 p, k5. 82 (88, 94) sts. Row 3: k to end. Row 4: k5, p to last 5 sts, k5. Repeat from * until there are 100 (106, 112) sts, ending with a row 2. Piece measures 10 in/25.5 cm (10.5 in/27 cm, 11 in/28 cm). Work 3 rows straight, keeping garter stitch edge as established. Buttonhole row: work to last 4 sts, k2tog, yf, k2. Work 6 (7, 8) rows straight. Next row: work buttonhole row once more. Work 3 rows straight, keeping garter edge as established. Piece measures 11.5 in/29.5 cm (12 in/31 cm, 13 in/32.5 cm). Work in garter stitch for 9 rows. Cast off all sts.
Step 6
Sleeves Place right sleeve sts on needle. Next row (RS): cast off 2 sts, k to end. 38 (42, 46) sts. Next row: cast off 2 sts, p to end. 36 (40, 44) sts. **Work 9 (10, 11) rows straight. Next row: decrease 1 st at each end. Repeat from ** until 28 (32, 36) sts remain. Work even until piece measures 5.5 in/14 cm (6 in/15 cm, 6.5 in/17 cm).
Step 7
All Sizes Work in garter stitch for 9 rows. Cast off all sts. Repeat with left sleeve.
Step 8
Finishing Weave in ends. Sew sleeve seams and attach buttons opposite buttonholes. Block lightly as desired.
Step 9
This how-to is excerpted with permission from What to Knit When You're Expecting
by Nikki Van De Car (Running Press).
