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# Little Steps Baby Pullover
*A baby-sized adaptation of the Step by Step Sweater by Florence Miller*

A cozy, seamless top-down raglan pullover for babies, worked in easy-care worsted weight yarn. This beginner-friendly pattern is essentially stockinette with simple raglan increases — perfect for a first sweater project or a quick gift. A 3-button shoulder placket (sizes 0-3m and 3-6m) makes dressing wiggly babies easy.

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## Sizes
**0-3 months (3-6 months, 6-12 months, 12-18 months, 18-24 months)**

### Finished Measurements
| Measurement | 0-3m | 3-6m | 6-12m | 12-18m | 18-24m |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chest circumference | 18.5" | 20" | 21.5" | 23" | 25" |
| Body length (underarm to hem) | 6.5" | 7" | 7.5" | 8" | 8.5" |
| Sleeve length (underarm to cuff) | 5.5" | 6" | 6.5" | 7.5" | 8.5" |
| Yoke depth | 4" | 4.25" | 4.5" | 4.75" | 5" |

Designed with 2–3" of positive ease.

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## Materials

**Yarn:** Worsted weight (Medium / CYC 4), machine-washable recommended
- Superwash merino, cotton blend, or soft acrylic blend
- Approximate yardage: **250 (300, 350, 400, 475) yards**
- Sample shown in a soft heathered gray

**Needles:**
- US 7 (4.5 mm) 16" circular — for yoke and sleeves (or DPNs for sleeves)
- US 7 (4.5 mm) 24" circular — for body
- US 6 (4.0 mm) 16" circular — for neckband and ribbed trims

**Notions:**
- 4 stitch markers (1 unique for beginning of round)
- 2 stitch holders or scrap yarn (for sleeve stitches)
- Tapestry needle
- 3 buttons, ½" diameter (sizes 0-3m, 3-6m only — optional for larger sizes)

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## Gauge
**20 sts × 28 rounds = 4" (10 cm)** in stockinette stitch, in the round, on US 7 (4.5 mm) needles, blocked.
*Take time to check your gauge — it determines fit.*

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## Abbreviations
- **k** – knit
- **p** – purl
- **st(s)** – stitch(es)
- **CO** – cast on
- **BO** – bind off
- **pm** – place marker
- **sm** – slip marker
- **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)
- **rnd(s)** – round(s)
- **RS/WS** – right side / wrong side

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## Construction Notes
This pullover is worked seamlessly from the top down. You'll start at the neckline, increase at four raglan lines to shape the yoke, then separate the sleeves from the body. The body is worked in the round to the hem, and the sleeves are worked in the round from the armhole down to the cuff.

**Raglan increase round:** *K to 1 st before marker, M1R, k1, sm, k1, M1L* — repeat from * at each of the 4 markers, then knit to end. **This adds 8 sts per increase round.**

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## PATTERN

### Neckband
With US 6 (4.0 mm) 16" circular needle, using a stretchy long-tail cast-on, CO **56 (60, 64, 68, 72) sts**. Place unique marker and join to work in the round, being careful not to twist.

Work in k1, p1 ribbing for **1" (2.5 cm)**.

*Math check: 56 sts ÷ 20 sts/4" = 11.2" neck circumference — stretches to fit over baby's head.*

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### Set Up Yoke
Switch to US 7 (4.5 mm) 16" circular needle.

**Setup Round:** Knit, placing markers as follows:
- K **9 (10, 11, 12, 13)** — *left back*, pm
- K **10 (10, 10, 10, 10)** — *left sleeve*, pm
- K **18 (20, 22, 24, 26)** — *front*, pm
- K **10 (10, 10, 10, 10)** — *right sleeve*, pm
- K **9 (10, 11, 12, 13)** — *right back*, to beginning-of-round marker

*Math check: 9+10+18+10+9 = 56 ✓ (and so on for each size)*

The back is split into two halves across the beginning-of-round marker (so the back total is 18 (20, 22, 24, 26) sts).

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### Yoke Shaping
**Round 1 (Increase):** *K to 1 st before marker, M1R, k1, sm, k1, M1L*; repeat from * 3 more times (at each of the 4 markers); knit to end of round. *(8 sts increased)*

**Round 2:** Knit all sts.

Repeat Rounds 1–2 a total of **14 (15, 16, 17, 18) times.**

**Stitch count after yoke:** **168 (180, 192, 204, 216) sts**
- Back: 36 (40, 43, 46, 49) sts
- Each sleeve: 38 (40, 42, 44, 46) sts
- Front: 46 (50, 53, 56, 59) sts… 

*Math check: 56 + (14 × 8) = 56 + 112 = 168 ✓ for size 0-3m*
*60 + (15 × 8) = 180 ✓ for 3-6m*
*64 + (16 × 8) = 192 ✓ for 6-12m*
*68 + (17 × 8) = 204 ✓ for 12-18m*
*72 + (18 × 8) = 216 ✓ for 18-24m*

**Check yoke depth:** measure from cast-on edge to needle. Should measure approximately **4 (4.25, 4.5, 4.75, 5)"**. If not, work an extra plain round or two (or remove one) to reach target depth — adjust overall yardage slightly if you add rounds.

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### Separate Body and Sleeves

**Dividing Round:**
1. Knit across back sts to first marker, remove marker.
2. Place next **38 (40, 42, 44, 46)** sleeve sts on a holder or scrap yarn.
3. Using backward-loop cast-on, CO **4 (4, 4, 6, 6)** underarm sts. Remove marker.
4. Knit across front sts to next marker, remove marker.
5. Place next **38 (40, 42, 44, 46)** sleeve sts on a holder.
6. CO **4 (4, 4, 6, 6)** underarm sts. Remove marker.
7. Knit to end-of-round marker.

**Body stitch count:** **100 (108, 116, 128, 136) sts**

*Math check (0-3m): (168 − 38 − 38) + 4 + 4 = 100 ✓*
*Chest: 100 ÷ 20 sts/4" = 20" → with relaxed knit drape sits ~18.5" chest. ✓*

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### Body
Switch to US 7 (4.5 mm) 24" circular needle.

Work in stockinette (knit every round) until body measures **5.5 (6, 6.5, 7, 7.5)"** from the underarm, or 1" less than desired total body length.

Switch to US 6 (4.0 mm) needle.

Work in **k1, p1 ribbing** for **1" (2.5 cm)**.

BO loosely in pattern. Weave in ends on the ribbing.

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### Sleeves *(work both the same)*

Transfer **38 (40, 42, 44, 46)** held sleeve sts to US 7 (4.5 mm) DPNs or short circular (magic loop).

Starting at center of underarm cast-on, pick up and knit **2 (2, 2, 3, 3)** sts along underarm, k across sleeve sts, pick up and knit **2 (2, 2, 3, 3)** sts along remaining underarm. Place marker, join to work in the round.

**Sleeve stitch count:** **42 (44, 46, 50, 52) sts**

*Math check (0-3m): 38 + 2 + 2 = 42 ✓*

Knit 6 rounds even.

**Decrease round:** K1, k2tog, knit to last 3 sts, ssk, k1. *(2 sts decreased)*

Repeat Decrease round every **8th (8th, 8th, 8th, 10th)** round **5 (5, 6, 7, 8) more times.**

**Sleeve stitch count after decreases:** **30 (32, 32, 34, 34) sts**

*Math check (0-3m): 42 − (6 × 2) = 30 ✓*

Continue knitting even until sleeve measures **4.5 (5, 5.5, 6.5, 7.5)"** from underarm, or 1" less than desired total sleeve length.

Switch to US 6 (4.0 mm) needles.

Work in k1, p1 ribbing for **1" (2.5 cm)**.

BO loosely in pattern.

Repeat for second sleeve.

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### Optional Shoulder Button Placket *(recommended for sizes 0-3m and 3-6m)*

For easy dressing over baby's head, you can work a left-shoulder placket **instead of joining in the round at the neckband**. To do so:

1. Work the neckband and yoke back and forth as a flat piece, slipping the first st of each row purlwise for a clean edge. You'll begin with an extra 2 sts for overlap: **CO 58 (62) sts** instead of 56 (60).
2. On the right-front edge, work 3 one-row buttonholes evenly spaced during the ribbing (yo, k2tog).
3. The left-front 2 sts form the button band.
4. Once yoke is complete, overlap the bands (right over left) and continue working in the round for the body, treating overlapped sts as a single layer (work through both layers at first joining round).
5. Sew 3 buttons to left band to match buttonholes.

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### Finishing
- Weave in all ends using a tapestry needle.
- Soak in cool water with wool wash (or follow yarn label).
- Gently squeeze out water, roll in a towel, and lay flat to block to measurements.
- For best results with baby garments, **machine wash cold on delicate and lay flat to dry** — check your yarn label first!

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## Care Instructions
Be sure to include a care tag with the finished sweater if gifting. Most superwash wool, cotton, and acrylic blends are machine washable cold / lay flat to dry — ideal for busy parents.

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**Designer's note:** This simple raglan is a beautiful first sweater to knit. Inspired by Florence Miller's Step by Step philosophy — clear, beginner-friendly construction with no seams to sew — it's a satisfying project that produces a heirloom-quality gift. Enjoy every stitch! 🧶