Free Knitting Pattern for a Baby’s Hooded Coat.
This pattern is for a baby/toddler’s hooded cardigan with a textured stitch pattern. The body is worked in one piece up to the armholes, then divided for the back and fronts, which are shaped with raglan decreases. The sleeves are knitted separately and also shaped with raglan decreases. A separate hood is knitted and sewn to the neckline. Garter stitch borders are used for the front edges and the bottom of the body and sleeves. Buttonholes are worked on the right front band.
Skill Level: Intermediate. Here’s why:
- Textured Stitch Pattern: While not overly complex, the 6-row repeat requires attention to detail.
- Raglan Shaping: The raglan shaping involves decreases on both the body and sleeves, requiring careful counting and following instructions.
- One-Piece Construction (to armholes): Working the body in one piece requires managing a large number of stitches on a circular needle.
- Picking Up Stitches (Implied): The instructions for the yoke strongly imply picking up stitches, though it doesn’t use the phrase “pick up.” This is a common technique but can be tricky for beginners.
- Seaming: The pattern requires seaming the raglan seams, sleeve seams, and attaching the hood.
- Buttonholes: The pattern includes buttonholes.
Sizing:
The pattern provides sizes for:
- Months: 3, 6, 9, 12
- Years: 2
Measurements are given for:
- To Fit Chest (cm)
- Actual Size (approx, cm)
- Length (approx, cm)
- Sleeve Length (approx, cm)
Materials:
- Yarn:
- Panda Happy-Go Brightly 8 Ply (100g balls)
- Quantity: 2-3 balls, depending on size
- Specific shade mentioned: 9109/517108 (Vovo)
- Needles:
- 3.25mm (UK 10) straight needles
- 4.00mm (UK 8) straight needles
- 3.25mm (UK 10) circular needle (60cm long)
- 4.00mm (UK 8) circular needle (60cm long)
- Other:
- Stitch holders (5)
- Buttons (3)
- Wool needle (for sewing seams)
Yarn Considerations:
- Weight: 8 Ply is an Australian yarn weight, equivalent to DK (Double Knitting) weight.
- Fiber: The pattern doesn’t specify the fiber content of the Panda yarn, but a soft, washable yarn (like a superwash wool or acrylic blend) would be appropriate for a baby garment.
- Substitution: If substituting yarn, it’s crucial to find a DK-weight yarn that achieves the same tension (gauge) as the original yarn.
This free knitting pattern provides instructions for creating a cozy and practical hooded cardigan for babies and toddlers, sized from 3 months to 2 years. The design features a classic, textured stitch pattern that adds visual interest and a touch of warmth, while raglan sleeves provide a comfortable fit and ease of movement.
The body of the cardigan is cleverly worked in a single piece up to the armholes, minimizing seaming and creating a smooth, continuous fabric. The fronts and back are then separated and shaped with decreases to form the raglan armholes. The sleeves are knitted separately, also incorporating raglan shaping, and are later seamed to the body. A separately knitted hood, featuring the same textured stitch pattern as the body, is attached to the neckline, providing extra warmth and protection.
Garter stitch borders along the front edges, bottom of the body, and sleeve cuffs add a neat, finished look and prevent rolling. The pattern utilizes a combination of straight and circular needles, with the circular needles primarily used to accommodate the large number of stitches in the one-piece body construction. The recommended yarn is Panda Happy-Go Brightly 8 Ply, a DK-weight yarn, ensuring a soft and comfortable garment suitable for delicate skin. The pattern calls for intermediate knitting skills due to the textured stitch pattern, raglan shaping, the need to manage a large number of stitches, and the inclusion of buttonholes. The finished cardigan is a practical and stylish addition to any baby’s wardrobe, perfect for layering and keeping little ones warm.
