purlJam

# Little Sprout Baby Romper

A sweet, simple knitted romper for babies aged 0–12 months. Worked flat in two panels with easy garter stitch edges and button-fastened shoulder straps for quick nappy changes. Perfect first garment project for confident beginners.

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## Sizes

| Size | Age | Finished Chest | Finished Length (shoulder to crotch) |
|------|-----|----------------|--------------------------------------|
| 1    | 0–3 months  | 44 cm (17¼") | 34 cm (13½") |
| 2    | 3–6 months  | 49 cm (19¼") | 38 cm (15") |
| 3    | 6–12 months | 53 cm (21")   | 42 cm (16½") |

Instructions are written for **Size 1**, with sizes **2** and **3** in parentheses: **1 (2, 3)**.

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## Materials

- **Yarn**: Worsted weight (Aran) yarn, approx. 200 (250, 300) m / 220 (275, 330) yds
  - Suggested fibre: cotton or cotton/acrylic blend for softness and washability
- **Needles**: 5 mm (UK 6 / US 8) straight needles, or size needed to achieve tension
- **Notions**:
  - 2 buttons, approx. 15 mm diameter
  - Stitch holder or scrap yarn
  - Tapestry needle
  - Scissors

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## Tension (Gauge)

**18 sts × 24 rows = 10 cm (4")** in stocking stitch on 5 mm needles, after blocking.

*Take time to check your tension — fit depends on it.*

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## Abbreviations

- **k** – knit
- **p** – purl
- **st(s)** – stitch(es)
- **st st** – stocking stitch (knit RS, purl WS)
- **g st** – garter stitch (knit every row)
- **k2tog** – knit 2 stitches together (1 st decreased)
- **ssk** – slip, slip, knit (1 st decreased)
- **kfb** – knit into front and back of stitch (1 st increased)
- **yo** – yarn over (used for buttonhole)
- **RS / WS** – right side / wrong side
- **rep** – repeat
- **rem** – remaining

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## Pattern Notes

- The romper is worked flat in two panels (Front and Back). Each panel begins with two leg sections worked separately, then joined at the crotch.
- Garter stitch borders prevent curling at all edges.
- The Back is worked identically to the Front except for the strap buttonholes.
- Side seams are sewn at finishing; shoulder straps fasten with buttons for easy dressing.

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## Instructions

### FRONT PANEL

#### Right Leg

Cast on **20 (22, 24) sts**.

- **Rows 1–4**: Knit every row (g st cuff).
- **Row 5 (RS)**: Knit.
- **Row 6 (WS)**: K2, purl to last 2 sts, k2.
- Rep Rows 5–6 until work measures **6 (7, 8) cm** from cast-on, ending with a WS row.

Break yarn and place sts on a holder.

#### Left Leg

Work as for Right Leg but **do not break yarn**. Leave sts on needle.

#### Join Legs

With Left Leg sts still on needle (RS facing), continue across and knit the held Right Leg sts onto the same needle.
**Total sts on needle: 40 (44, 48) sts.**

*Check: 20 + 20 = 40 ✓ (22 + 22 = 44 ✓; 24 + 24 = 48 ✓)*

#### Body

- **Row 1 (WS)**: K2, purl to last 2 sts, k2.
- **Row 2 (RS)**: Knit.
- Rep Rows 1–2 until work measures **18 (20, 22) cm** from the join, ending with a WS row.

#### Armhole Shaping

- **Next row (RS)**: K2tog, knit to last 2 sts, ssk. *(2 sts decreased)*
- **Next row (WS)**: K2, purl to last 2 sts, k2.
- Rep these 2 rows **2 more times**. *(6 sts decreased in total)*

**Sts rem: 34 (38, 42) sts.**

*Check: 40 − 6 = 34 ✓ (44 − 6 = 38 ✓; 48 − 6 = 42 ✓)*

Continue straight in st st (with 2-st garter borders) until armhole measures **8 (9, 10) cm**, ending with a WS row.

#### Neck and Strap Shaping

**Right Strap:**
- **Row 1 (RS)**: K8, then turn — leave rem 26 (30, 34) sts on a holder.
- Work on these 8 sts only.
- **Rows 2–8**: Beginning with a WS row, work in g st (knit every row) for 7 rows.
- Cast off knitwise.

**Centre Neck:**
- Rejoin yarn to held sts with RS facing.
- Cast off centre **18 (22, 26) sts** knitwise. *(8 sts rem for left strap)*

*Check: 34 − 8 − 18 = 8 ✓ (38 − 8 − 22 = 8 ✓; 42 − 8 − 26 = 8 ✓)*

**Left Strap:**
- Knit across rem 8 sts.
- Work 7 more rows in g st.
- Cast off knitwise.

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### BACK PANEL

Work exactly as for Front Panel **up to and including the Armhole Shaping**.

**Sts rem: 34 (38, 42) sts.**

Continue in st st (with garter borders) until armhole measures **6 (7, 8) cm**, ending with a WS row.

#### Back Neck and Strap Shaping (with Buttonholes)

**Right Strap:**
- **Row 1 (RS)**: K8, turn — leave rem 26 (30, 34) sts on holder.
- **Rows 2–4**: Work in g st.
- **Buttonhole Row (RS)**: K3, k2tog, yo, k3. *(8 sts maintained)*
- **Rows 6–8**: Knit.
- Cast off knitwise.

**Centre Neck:**
- Rejoin yarn with RS facing.
- Cast off centre **18 (22, 26) sts** knitwise.

**Left Strap:**
- Knit across rem 8 sts.
- **Rows 2–4**: Knit.
- **Buttonhole Row (RS)**: K3, k2tog, yo, k3.
- **Rows 6–8**: Knit.
- Cast off knitwise.

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## Finishing

1. **Weave in** all yarn ends on the wrong side.
2. **Block** both panels gently to measurements: pin out and spray with water (or wet-block for cotton). Allow to dry flat.
3. **Side seams**: With RS together, use mattress stitch or whip stitch to sew side seams from underarm to top of leg cuff. Leave leg openings open.
4. **Inner leg seams**: Sew the short inner-leg edges of the Front and Back leg cuffs together at each leg.
5. **Sew on buttons**: Attach buttons to the Front straps, positioned to align with the buttonholes on the Back straps. Stitch securely with several passes — ensure buttons are firmly attached for baby safety.
6. **Final block** if desired and check all seams are secure.

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## Care Instructions

Machine wash cool on a gentle cycle; lay flat to dry. Always check the yarn ball band for specific care advice.

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**Enjoy your handmade Little Sprout Romper!** 🌱