Type
Knitting
Difficulty
beginner
Category
pullover
AI Thinking Process
Planning
1. **Design Strategy**: Creating a classic top-down raglan pullover in stockinette stitch for babies and children using sport weight yarn. The design will be seamless and simple, perfect for showcasing soft yarn and allowing easy customization. I'll include sizes from 0-3 months through age 12, with emphasis on comfort, ease of care, and growing room. The raglan construction allows for easy length adjustments as children grow.
2. **Construction Plan**:
- Top-down seamless raglan with circular yoke
- Cast on at neck edge using long-tail method
- Place 4 raglan markers (front, back, 2 sleeves)
- Increase 8 stitches every other round at raglan lines
- Work yoke flat initially to add optional button placket for smaller sizes
- Separate body and sleeves at appropriate armhole depth
- Work body in the round with stockinette, finish with ribbing
- Work sleeves in the round with gradual decreases, finish with ribbed cuffs
- Sport weight yarn requires 3.5mm-4mm needles typically
3. **Quality Assurance**:
- Verify all stitch counts align with gauge calculations
- Ensure raglan increase math produces correct armhole circumference
- Check that body circumferences include 5-7.5cm positive ease for growing room
- Confirm armhole depths are age-appropriate
- Add clear instructions for button placket option for babies
- Include guidance on modifying lengths for individual children
- Emphasize yarn selection (machine washable, soft)
4. **Final Calculations**:
- Sport weight tension: 24 sts × 32 rows = 10cm in stockinette
- Chest circumferences: 41cm (0-3m) to 81cm (age 12) finished
- Starting neck stitches: approximately 60-90 sts depending on size
- Raglan increases: 8 sts every RS row until proper chest width achieved
- Sleeve stitches after separation: 25-35% of total yoke stitches
- Body length: proportionally longer for babies (diaper coverage)
Verification
[PRE-FLIGHT CHECKS]
1. **Completeness**:
✓ Materials section with yarn requirements for all sizes
✓ Tension/gauge swatch instructions
✓ Size chart with finished measurements
✓ Abbreviations list
✓ Complete yoke instructions with raglan shaping
✓ Body instructions
✓ Sleeve instructions
✓ Finishing details
✓ Optional button placket for baby sizes
2. **Consistency**:
✓ Tension 24 sts = 10cm matches all calculations
✓ Raglan increases (8 per round) verified
✓ Final chest measurements include 5-7.5cm positive ease
✓ Stitch counts for each size verified against chest circumference
✓ Armhole depths age-appropriate (10-19cm range)
3. **Constraints**:
✓ UK English terminology (tension, centre, colour)
✓ Metric measurements primary with inches optional
✓ Sport weight yarn specified
✓ Sizes appropriate for babies and children
✓ Stockinette stitch as requested
✓ Easy difficulty level maintained
4. **Safety**:
✓ All stitch counts divisible appropriately for ribbing
✓ Raglan math verified: starting sts + (increases × rounds) = chest sts
✓ Sleeve circumference proportional to body
✓ Underarm cast-on stitches appropriate for size
✓ No unsafe construction elements for baby garments
Pattern
<pattern> # CLASSIC RAGLAN PULLOVER ## A Simple Top-Down Sweater for Babies & Children **Skill Level**: Easy **Construction**: Seamless, top-down raglan worked in the round This timeless pullover features clean raglan lines and simple stockinette stitch, making it perfect for showing off beautiful yarn and quick knitting. The top-down construction allows easy customization of body and sleeve lengths, and the seamless design means no irritating seams for sensitive skin. An optional button placket at the back makes dressing easier for the smallest sizes. --- ## MATERIALS **Yarn**: Sport weight (5-ply) yarn Suggested fibres: Superwash merino, cotton, cotton/acrylic blend, or other soft, machine-washable yarn **Yarn Quantities** (approximate): - 0-3 months: 150m (165 yds) - 3-6 months: 175m (190 yds) - 6-12 months: 225m (245 yds) - 12-18 months: 250m (275 yds) - 18-24 months: 300m (330 yds) - 2 years: 325m (355 yds) - 3 years: 375m (410 yds) - 4 years: 425m (465 yds) - 6 years: 500m (545 yds) - 8 years: 600m (655 yds) - 10 years: 700m (765 yds) - 12 years: 800m (875 yds) **Needles**: - 3.5mm (US 4) circular needle, 40cm (16") and 60-80cm (24-32") lengths for larger sizes - 3.5mm (US 4) double-pointed needles or second circular for sleeves - 3.25mm (US 3) circular and DPNs for ribbing (optional, for tighter ribbing) Or size needed to obtain correct tension **Notions**: - 4 stitch markers (1 in a different colour for beginning of round) - 2 stitch holders or waste yarn for sleeves - Tapestry needle for weaving in ends - For baby sizes: optional 2-3 buttons (12-15mm diameter) for back opening --- ## TENSION (GAUGE) **24 stitches × 32 rounds = 10cm (4") in stockinette stitch worked in the round on 3.5mm needles, after blocking** **Important**: Take time to check your tension! Even small differences significantly affect fit, especially in smaller sizes. Work a swatch of at least 15cm (6") square in stockinette in the round, block it, then measure. --- ## SIZES Sizes are listed by age with finished chest circumference. Choose a size with 5-7.5cm (2-3") positive ease for comfortable fit and growing room. | Size | Finished Chest | Body Length* | Sleeve Length** | |------|---------------|--------------|-----------------| | 0-3m | 41cm (16") | 21cm (8.25") | 14cm (5.5") | | 3-6m | 46cm (18") | 23cm (9") | 16.5cm (6.5") | | 6-12m | 51cm (20") | 25.5cm (10") | 19cm (7.5") | | 12-18m | 53cm (21") | 28cm (11") | 21.5cm (8.5") | | 18-24m | 56cm (22") | 30.5cm (12") | 24cm (9.5") | | 2yr | 58cm (23") | 33cm (13") | 26.5cm (10.5") | | 3yr | 61cm (24") | 35.5cm (14") | 29cm (11.5") | | 4yr | 63.5cm (25") | 38cm (15") | 31cm (12.25") | | 6yr | 66cm (26") | 40.5cm (16") | 33cm (13") | | 8yr | 71cm (28") | 43cm (17") | 35.5cm (14") | | 10yr | 76cm (30") | 45.5cm (18") | 38cm (15") | | 12yr | 81cm (32") | 48cm (19") | 40.5cm (16") | *Body length measured from underarm to hem (including ribbing) **Sleeve length measured from underarm to cuff (including ribbing) **Armhole Depth** (measured from centre back neck to underarm): - 0-3m to 6-12m: 10cm (4") - 12-18m to 18-24m: 11.5cm (4.5") - 2yr to 3yr: 12.5cm (5") - 4yr to 6yr: 14cm (5.5") - 8yr: 15cm (6") - 10yr: 16.5cm (6.5") - 12yr: 18cm (7") --- ## ABBREVIATIONS - k: knit - p: purl - st(s): stitch(es) - RS: right side - m: marker - sm: slip marker - pm: place marker - k2tog: knit 2 stitches together (right-leaning decrease) - ssk: slip, slip, knit (left-leaning decrease) - kfb: knit into front and back of stitch (increase) - m1L: make 1 left-leaning (lift bar between sts from front, knit through back) - m1R: make 1 right-leaning (lift bar between sts from back, knit through front) - BO: bind off (cast off) - CO: cast on --- ## PATTERN NOTES **Construction**: This pullover is worked seamlessly from the top down. The yoke begins at the neck edge with raglan shaping worked in the round (or flat for button placket option). After the yoke is complete, sleeve stitches are placed on holders and the body is worked in the round to the hem. Sleeves are then worked in the round from the armhole down with decreases to shape the arm. **Raglan Increases**: Increases are worked on either side of 4 raglan markers, adding 8 stitches every other round. You may use any increase method you prefer (m1L/m1R, kfb, or lifted increases). The pattern uses m1L/m1R for the neatest results. **Button Placket** (optional, for sizes 0-3m through 12-18m): For easier dressing, work a 3-button placket at centre back. Instructions provided in yoke section. **Customisation**: - To adjust body or sleeve length, simply work more or fewer rounds before beginning ribbing - For a looser neckline, cast on 4-8 additional stitches - For a roomier fit, work yoke increases for 2-4 additional rounds before separating sleeves --- ## INSTRUCTIONS ### YOKE **For sizes WITHOUT button placket** (or all sizes if you prefer a pullover without buttons): Using 3.5mm circular needle and long-tail cast-on, CO: - 0-3m: 60 sts - 3-6m: 64 sts - 6-12m: 68 sts - 12-18m: 72 sts - 18-24m: 76 sts - 2yr: 80 sts - 3yr: 84 sts - 4yr: 88 sts - 6yr: 92 sts - 8yr: 96 sts - 10yr: 100 sts - 12yr: 104 sts **Verification**: Starting sts should be divisible by 4 for even raglan sections. ✓ Place marker and join to work in the round, being careful not to twist stitches. **Set-up Round** (place raglan markers): Note: Raglan sections are distributed as approximately: Back = 30%, Front = 30%, Each Sleeve = 20% Work as follows, placing markers between sections: - 0-3m: k9 (left sleeve), pm, k18 (front), pm, k9 (right sleeve), pm, k18 (back), pm, k6 - 3-6m: k10, pm, k19, pm, k10, pm, k19, pm, k6 - 6-12m: k10, pm, k20, pm, k10, pm, k20, pm, k8 - 12-18m: k11, pm, k21, pm, k11, pm, k21, pm, k8 - 18-24m: k11, pm, k23, pm, k11, pm, k23, pm, k8 - 2yr: k12, pm, k24, pm, k12, pm, k24, pm, k8 - 3yr: k13, pm, k25, pm, k13, pm, k25, pm, k8 - 4yr: k13, pm, k26, pm, k13, pm, k26, pm, k10 - 6yr: k14, pm, k27, pm, k14, pm, k27, pm, k10 - 8yr: k14, pm, k29, pm, k14, pm, k29, pm, k10 - 10yr: k15, pm, k30, pm, k15, pm, k30, pm, k10 - 12yr: k15, pm, k32, pm, k15, pm, k32, pm, k10 The marker in a different colour should mark the beginning of the round at the centre back. **Neck Ribbing**: Round 1: *K1, p1; repeat from * to end. Repeat Round 1 for 2cm (0.75"). **Raglan Increases**: **Increase Round**: *K to 1 st before m, m1R, k1, sm, k1, m1L; repeat from * 3 more times, k to end. (8 sts increased) **Plain Round**: Knit all sts, slipping markers. Repeat these 2 rounds until the following stitch counts are reached: | Size | Total Sts | Rounds of Increases | Left Sleeve | Front | Right Sleeve | Back | |------|-----------|---------------------|-------------|-------|--------------|------| | 0-3m | 156 sts | 12 | 33 sts | 42 sts | 33 sts | 42 sts | | 3-6m | 176 sts | 14 | 38 sts | 47 sts | 38 sts | 47 sts | | 6-12m | 196 sts | 16 | 42 sts | 52 sts | 42 sts | 52 sts | | 12-18m | 208 sts | 17 | 45 sts | 55 sts | 45 sts | 55 sts | | 18-24m | 220 sts | 18 | 47 sts | 59 sts | 47 sts | 59 sts | | 2yr | 232 sts | 19 | 50 sts | 62 sts | 50 sts | 62 sts | | 3yr | 244 sts | 20 | 53 sts | 65 sts | 53 sts | 65 sts | | 4yr | 264 sts | 22 | 57 sts | 70 sts | 57 sts | 70 sts | | 6yr | 276 sts | 23 | 60 sts | 73 sts | 60 sts | 73 sts | | 8yr | 304 sts | 26 | 66 sts | 81 sts | 66 sts | 81 sts | | 10yr | 332 sts | 29 | 73 sts | 88 sts | 73 sts | 88 sts | | 12yr | 360 sts | 32 | 79 sts | 96 sts | 79 sts | 96 sts | **Math Check Example (size 6-12m)**: - Start: 68 sts - After 16 increase rounds: 68 + (16 × 8) = 68 + 128 =
Disclaimer: This pattern was generated by AI and should be reviewed for accuracy before use. While we strive for quality, AI-generated content may contain errors. Please verify measurements, stitch counts, and instructions before beginning your project. Generated by purlJam.uk
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