Friday, January 19, 2007

free pattern friday: mossy jacket


Whenever I see a pattern for a baby something-or-other that says it's a very special something-or-other for baby, that usually means it is hyper-ruffled, tied with 100 ribbons or made from artisan-spun cashmere. I think this little jacket is a very special baby gift because it's like, really nice. It has a funky off-center button band, it's cute, colorful, fairly quick to knit and made from merino wool - just a little bit chi-chi but not ridiculously so.

The jacket is knit top-down, all-in-one piece, and the yarn is knit tightly on needles slightly smaller than called-for to make a nice winter jacket for a babe. Just two buttons makes it easy to get on and off the very special tyke. (Note: I am a really loose knitter, so the needle size might not work for you - make sure you do a swatch to get the correct gauge for this project).

materials
  • 3 (4, 4) skeins Classic Elite Beatrice (100% merino; 63 yards) in color A (#3428)
  • 1 (1, 2) skeins in color B (#3285)
  • US size 9 circular needles and DPNs
  • US size 10 circular needles and DPNs
  • scrap yarn to hold sleeves
  • two 1" buttons
  • stitch markers
  • tapestry needle
gauge: 3.5 st and 5 rows/inch in stockinette stitch on larger needles

size: 6 mos (12 mos, 18 mos)

measurements:
Finished length: 10 (11 1/2, 13) in.
Finished sleeve length: 7 ( 7 1/2, 8) in.
Finished chest circumference: 20 (22, 24) in.

pattern notes:
  • make all increases (inc) by knitting into the front and back of the stitch (kfb).
  • notice that as you knit this garment, you begin with the neckline, and you will be increasing on the right side but not the left - that's how you get the off-center placement of the button band.
start at the neckline
Using larger needles and color A, cast on 3 st, place marker, CO 8 (8, 9), PM, CO 14 (15, 16), PM, CO 8 (8, 9), PM, CO 1. (34, (35, 38) st cast on).

Row 1: Kfb of first st, slip M, Kfb. *K to 1 st before next M, inc, sl M, inc, repeat from * to end, Kfb of last st (9 st inc).
Row 2: P all st.
Row 3: K1, *K to 1 st before next M, inc, sl M, inc, repeat from * to last st, Kfb (9 st inc).
Row 4: P all st.

Continue in this manner (repeating rows 3 and 4), inc at the M on every RS row, until there are 22 (23, 24) st btw the back two markers. At the end of this RS row, CO 4 (5, 6) st.
Next row: P all st.
Next RS row: As before, *K to 1 st before next M, inc, sl M, inc, repeat from * to end. You will no longer be increasing on the final st.
Next WS row: P all st.

Continue in this manner until there are 34 (37, 40) st between the back two markers.

divide for sleeves
Next RS row: K to first M, remove M. Using a tapestry needle, place all sleeve st on a length of scrap yarn. CO 1 st for the underarm portion. Remove next M and continue knitting the back of the sweater by Kfb of the first st. Knit to next M. Remove M, place sleeve st on scrap yarn, CO 1 st, remove next M, Kfb of the next st and K to end.
Now all your body stitches are knit continuously, and the sleeves have been separated out as in the photo below.

mossy cardi 1

Cont knitting the body in st st until it measures 9(10 1/2, 12) in long (from the back neck to the bottom edge).

Change to smaller needles and color B. K 1 row in st st.
K 4 rows in seed stitch, BO loosely following seed st (you may want to bind off using the larger needle size).

sleeves
Using larger DPN's, put all held st on DPN's and distribute evenly. Join yarn (color A), pick up and knit the underarm stitch, and cont knitting all sleeve st using st st. At the end of your first rnd, place a marker to mark the start of the rnd.
K 3 more rows.

Next rnd (dec rnd): K to last 2 st, K2tog. K three rounds.
Repeat dec rnd on every 4th rnd until 5 st have been dec (23 (25, 28) st rem). Sleeve should measure about 6 (6 1/2, 7) in from armpit.

Change to smaller needles and color B. K 1 rnd in st st.
K 4 rnds in seed st. BO loosely in seed st.
Repeat for second sleeve.

button band
Left side: Using smaller circular needles and color B, pick up and K 3 out of every 4 selvedge st up the left side of the cardi (about 30 (34, 39) st). K 4 rows in seed st, BO in patt.

Right side: Using smaller circular needles and color B, pick up and K 3 out of every 4 selvedge st up the right side of the cardi (about 30 (34, 39) st). K 2 rows in seed st.
Row 3 (buttonhole row): Patt 2 st, YO, K2tog (or P2tog as appropriate). Patt 5 st, YO, K2tog (or P2tog as appropriate). Patt to end.
K another row in seed st, BO in patt.

collar
Using smaller needles and color B, pick up and knit 4 button band st, 11 (12, 13) front right side st, 8 (8, 9) right side shoulder st, 14 (15, 16) back section st, 8 (8, 9) left side shoulder st, 6 (7, 8) left front st and 4 button band st.
K 3 rows in seed st. BO in patt.

finishing
Mark placement of buttons and sew on securely. Weave in loose ends.

peek at mossy


important notice: This is a free pattern and you are welcome to use it for all the non-commercial purposes you like. However, you may not reproduce this pattern to sell, and you may not sell what you make with it. You may donate what you make with it to charity, and you may use it for charity fundraisers only if 100% of the proceeds are donated to the charity (and by charity I don't mean your kid's college fund). Thanks for understanding!

60 comments:

  1. I love this sweater! The colors are dreamy and the buttons are so cute. Now I just need me a baby! Or maybe grown-up sized!

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    Replies
    1. Sweetie, DONATE. Someone out there has a little one or twelve who would love something this awesome and handmade to boot. Hospitals, or shelters. Maybe even your neighborhood. Handmade items are priceless.

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  2. this is really cute... i love the off-center button band + the colors.

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  3. hey there! I am going to be in the RTP area for work next week. i have been told that snb raleigh meets on weds...is this true?

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  4. this may be a perfect AVA sweater....

    Yay for free pattern fridays!

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  5. What a great design, classic and simple! Thanks so much for sharing - this is exactly my idea of what a very special baby should wear - there are several friend babies in my near future, I think this would be perfect.

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  6. thanks for sharing these beautiful simple elegant baby jumpers [ sweaters ]
    Love 'em all so consider this a coment for all of 'em. Thanks.

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  7. It´s lovely. I think I"ll start knitting in for my pregnant friend. Thank you for sharing the pattern!

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  8. So cute!! Very beautiful designs of winter wears I found at WilsonsLeather store through couponalbum.com...

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  9. This was just the sweater I've been looking for for an upcoming shower. I've bought my yarn & begun, but am not sure I've got the math right.

    I've got 34 stitches between my "back 2 markers", which becomes one of the sleeves

    Then in the sleeve instructions, it looks like I decrease 5 stitches & should be left with 23, but 34 minus 5 is 29...not matching the 23 it lists I should have...what am I missing?

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  10. ugh, i love this sweater and since the yarn has been on closeout at webs for a while i decided NOW IS THE TIME.

    i'm making it in the largest size, and although my gauge is dead-on, i've already blown through the first 3 balls of color A just knitting the body piece (no sleeves yet), so people might want to get a spare ball of color A just in case they have the same experience.

    this is SUCH an adorable and easy to follow pattern!

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  11. Super cute! This might be just the pattern I've been looking for to knit for my nephew's first baby. Thanks!

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  12. I so love this sweater! I came across your blog a few months ago. Any chance you can give me a hint on where to find this yarn? No one seems to have the green in stock. ANYWHERE! Help!

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  13. Hi...I love this pattern! But I think I may be a bit confused about how to get started. At the end of the cast on instructions it says to CO 1. (34, (35, 38) st cast on). And then for Row 1 it says to Kfb of first st, slip M, Kfb. Am I supposed to cast on 34, place marker, cast on 1? Help!

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  14. Over here from Amy's - that is a CUTE sweater! I'll be back when I'm attached to a printer to copy it! Thanks for sharing!

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  15. This is lovely and earmarked for a little person in my life. Thank you so much for sharing!

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  16. I loooovvveee this pattern!! it is absolutley gorgeous and i have decided that i must knit it!! my friend is going to love it for her new little one!

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  17. How cute for a wee one! I've completed the one sleeve, but seem to have a large opening at the armpit! I did c/o the one stitch,but do I need to pick up more stitches under the arm to close the gap before continuing down (up?) the sleeve?
    Thank you for sharing............

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  18. anonymous: you don't need to pick up more stitches, but after you've finished the sleeve, you may want to go back with a tapestry needle and tighten up any armpit gaps using the yarn tail. sorry, this is a common problem with top-down sweaters... but at least it's in the armpit!

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  19. It's a perfect gift! Thank you so much for posting this free pattern.
    I love it!
    Maria in WA

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  20. I really like this pattern. I would like to knit one like this one or my niece, she is 6 years old but I don't know how to do the math
    can you help?

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  21. Anonymous: Sorry, I've only written baby sizes for this pattern. : (

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  22. This is such a cute sweater. Was wondering if you'll ever add instructions for a 2-3 size like you did for the Super-Natural sweater.
    Thanks...

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  23. Hi Anonymous commenter... sorry, but I don't have any plans right now to add more sizes.

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  24. "back two" mean last two, not the two markers that are on either side of the section that becomes the back of the sweater, right?

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  25. hi loudxmouse,
    are you referring to this section:
    "Continue in this manner until there are 34 (37, 40) st between the back two markers." ?
    if so, then it does refer to the back section that becomes the back of the sweater. i hope this helps!

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  26. Hi-Why am I unable to print this? Has anyone else had trouble? Thanks!
    Judy

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  27. Yes, I also was unable to print this pattern. I'm trying to figure out what is the problem. Two other Lisa Henderson patterns also would not print anything other than the first page.

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  28. I had trouble printing, too -- but you can cut and paste it all into a Word Document. That does the trick.

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  29. Can you use 2 circular needles instead of DPN?

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  30. Anonymous: Absolutely! Use whatever tools you're most comfortable with.

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  31. I may have missed something -- but are you checking gauge with the smaller or larger needles?

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  32. Stacey: Check gauge on the larger needles. Sorry about that!

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  33. Thank you so much for getting back to my question so quickly! The pattern is super cute! Thanks for sharing it!

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  34. I love this sweater! It gave me the courage to try my first sweater. My daughter loved it but has since outgrown it......anyone come up with a larger size??? Thanks for sharing.

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  35. zjoandcsmom: No plans to add another size right now - sorry! So glad you enjoyed it!

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  36. I know this post is almost 2 years old, but I just had to add my thanks for posting this pattern! A knitter in one of my Ravelry groups made it for her nephew and posted a picture, and I know I just have to make it for my future niece/nephew due in July.

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  37. Fabulous pattern. Am really enjoying it and it gave me the nerve to try my first sweater pattern ever! As we say in Texas, I'm "fixing" to divide for the sleeves and cannot wait to see the finished product. :)

    Thanks,
    Meredith in Austin

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  38. What does "back two" markers mean? between that "last two markers" on the RS row, or the sum of stitches on both outer edges? help?!

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  39. I am 75% done knitting my first (and not my last) sweater from this pattern, do you have the pattern in larger sizes? More for toddler?

    Thanks for the pattern, its great!

    Allison

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  40. Dara: I don't sell licenses for my patterns, but thank you for asking!

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  41. such an pretty jacket!! I am trying to make one for my dear nephew now!!
    But could not understand the "gauge: 3.5st", could you please explain a bit more?? Thanks!!!

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  42. 3.5 stitches to the inch = 14 stitches over 4 inches

    hope this helps!

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    Replies
    1. Do you use bulky yarn weight?

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  43. Please help as soon as you are able. I am knitting this beautiful pattern and am at the part where I have separated the sleeves and am continuing the body. My question: It says continue to knit body in in st st, but right before it says to kfb 1 stitch. Am I supposed to just knit straight or do I kfb 1 st in every row, thus increasing 1 st in every k row?
    Thank you,
    Anne
    wynneab@gmail.com

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  44. Love this sweater. I want it in my size!!! Thanks again. All of your knitting is so wonderful.

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  45. I am 'elenimarie', on RavelryJune 7, 2012 at 12:42 PM

    I came across this on Ravelry. Love the off-center front! Will be making this into a bunting - longer, with buttons all the way down and across the bottom, in a soft pink with lilac contrast. I'll snug up the cuffs a little, too, since it won't be a jacket. Thank you for all the thought you put into the pattern; it's very well written.

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  46. Thank you so much for this great pattern.I'm making it right now for my Great GrandDaughter... think I'll make her one with fur trim after this? Love it,thanks again.
    Grams

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  47. Can I use circular needle instead of DPN? Thank you for yr reply.

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  48. It is now 2015. Have you changed your mind and made this pattern in girls sizes????

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  49. Please help! Can you tell me where the back two markers are exactly? This is my first time using markers and so I am a bit of a
    novice in that regard. I am having the same problem as the two other above posters did. So if I am looking at the right side from left to right, where would the two markers be?

    Thank you so much for your patterns. I learned to knit just to be able to knit your patterns! They are adorable.

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  50. Has anyone ever made this pattern in an adult size? My daughter really wants this and I have no idea how to make it adult sized.

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  51. I don't always like off-center but your particular proportions and combined with the buttonband trim balances everything out in such a pleasing way: it is PERFECT.

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  52. Forgot to say: THANK YOU.

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    Replies
    1. You're so welcome. Glad you're enjoying the pattern.

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