Little Vee Baby Pullover

Easy top-down raglan V-neck (worsted)

Skill level: Easy
Construction: Seamless, top-down raglan. Worked flat through the V-neck, then in the round. Optional 2-button back opening for babies.

A soft, simple V-neck jumper for babies. No seams against the skin. Machine-washable yarn is strongly recommended.

Sizes

0–3 m (3–6 m, 6–12 m, 12–18 m, 18–24 m)
To fit chest: 41 (46, 51, 53.5, 56) cm / 16 (18, 20, 21, 22) in
Finished chest (with ease): 41 (46, 51, 53.5, 56) cm / 16 (18, 20, 21, 22) in
Yoke depth to underarm (approx.): 11 (11.5, 12, 12.5, 13) cm / 4¼ (4½, 4¾, 5, 5¼) in
Body length from underarm (incl. rib): 16 (18, 20, 22, 24) cm / 6¼ (7, 8, 8¾, 9½) in
Sleeve length from underarm (incl. cuff): 13 (15, 17, 19, 21) cm / 5 (6, 6¾, 7½, 8¼) in

Choose the size by actual chest + about 5 cm growing room. Sample shown in 6–12 m.

Yarn

Worsted / aran, soft, machine-washable (superwash wool, cotton, or acrylic blend).
Approx. 200 (240, 280, 320, 360) m / 220 (260, 305, 350, 395) yd.

Needles

• 4 mm circular, 40 cm, and DPNs or magic loop (ribbing)
• 4.5 mm circular, 40–60 cm, and DPNs or magic loop (main fabric)

Notions: 4 stitch markers (plus 1 unique for BOR after joining); stitch holders or waste yarn; tapestry needle; 2 small buttons (optional, 12–15 mm) for back neck.

Tension (gauge)

20 sts and 26 rows/rounds = 10 cm over stocking stitch on 4.5 mm needles, after washing and blocking.
Adjust needle size if needed. Tension too loose = oversized jumper; too tight = stiff fabric.

Abbreviations (UK knitting)

k knit · p purl · st(s) stitch(es) · RS right side · WS wrong side
m1L make 1 left (lift strand from front to back, k through back)
m1R make 1 right (lift strand from back to front, k through front)
k2tog knit 2 together · ssk slip, slip, knit
pm place marker · sm slip marker · BOR beginning of round
st st stocking stitch (k RS / p WS; k every rnd in the round)
rep repeat · rem remaining

Pattern notes

• Numbers are given 0–3 (3–6, 6–12, 12–18, 18–24).
• Raglan increases: m1R, k1 (raglan st), m1L at each of 4 raglan lines = 8 sts every RS row / increase round.
• V-neck: on RS rows, also increase 1 st at each front neck edge = 2 extra sts. Total 10 sts per RS row until the fronts meet.
• Keep raglan stitches as the single knit stitch between paired increases.
• For a closed back (no buttons), work neckband in the round after joining; for button opening, leave a short back slit (instructions included).
• Weave ends as you go. Wash gently and lay flat to dry.

Neck cast-on

With 4 mm needles, cast on 42 (44, 46, 48, 50) sts.

Set-up row (WS): p2, *k2, p2; rep from * to end.
Work 3 more rows in 2×2 rib as set, ending after a WS row.
Change to 4.5 mm.

Raglan set-up (RS):
k 2 (2, 2, 3, 3) (Left Front), pm, k1 (raglan), pm,
k 6 (6, 6, 6, 6) (Left Sleeve), pm, k1 (raglan), pm,
k 22 (24, 26, 26, 28) (Back), pm, k1 (raglan), pm,
k 6 (6, 6, 6, 6) (Right Sleeve), pm, k1 (raglan), pm,
k 2 (2, 2, 3, 3) (Right Front).
(42 (44, 46, 48, 50) sts ✓)

WS: Purl, slipping markers.

V-neck yoke (worked flat)

Inc row (RS): k1, m1L, knit to marker, m1R, sm, k1, sm, m1L, knit to marker, m1R, sm, k1, sm, m1L, knit to marker, m1R, sm, k1, sm, m1L, knit to last st, m1R, k1.
(+10 sts: 8 raglan + 2 V-neck)

WS: Purl.

Rep last 2 rows 9 (10, 11, 12, 12) more times — 10 (11, 12, 13, 13) inc rows total.

Stitch count after last inc row:
142 (154, 166, 178, 180) sts.
(42 + 10×10 = 142; 44+110=154; 46+120=166; 48+130=178; 50+130=180 ✓)

Join for working in the round (RS): Knit across Left Front, sleeves and Back as set (slip raglan markers), knit Right Front to end. Using the working yarn, join to Left Front, placing BOR marker at centre front (where the two fronts meet). The V is now closed at the base.

Work 1 round even in st st, slipping raglan markers (do not increase this round).

Yoke in the round (raglan only)

Inc rnd: *Knit to 1 st before raglan marker, m1R, k1, sm, k1, m1L; rep from * 3 more times, knit to BOR.
(+8 sts)

Next rnd: Knit.

Rep last 2 rnds 1 (1, 1, 1, 2) more time(s) — 2 (2, 2, 2, 3) raglan inc rnds after joining.

Total sts: 158 (170, 182, 194, 204).
(142+16=158; 154+16=170; 166+16=182; 178+16=194; 180+24=204 ✓)

Work even in st st until yoke measures 11 (11.5, 12, 12.5, 13) cm from cast-on at centre back, or to desired armhole depth.

Divide body and sleeves

Next rnd: Knit Left Front sts to first raglan, remove markers, place Left Sleeve sts on holder (do not include raglan sts — knit raglan sts with Front/Back as you come to them), cast on 4 (6, 6, 6, 6) underarm sts, knit Back, place Right Sleeve on holder, cast on 4 (6, 6, 6, 6) underarm sts, knit rem Front sts to BOR.

Body: 82 (92, 102, 108, 112) sts.
(Check: fronts+back+raglans+8 or 12 underarm sts = listed body ✓)

Body

Work even in st st until body measures 13 (15, 17, 19, 21) cm from underarm, or 3 cm less than total desired length.

Change to 4 mm.
Work 2×2 rib (k2, p2) for 3 cm.
Cast off loosely in rib.

Sleeves (both alike)

Return held sleeve sts to 4.5 mm DPNs or magic loop. Pick up and knit 4 (6, 6, 6, 6) sts across underarm CO. Place BOR at centre of underarm.

Sleeve sts: 38 (42, 44, 48, 50) approx. (use the actual number on the needle).

Work 4 rnds even.

Dec rnd: k1, k2tog, knit to last 3 sts, ssk, k1.
Rep dec rnd every 6th (6th, 6th, 7th, 7th) rnd until 28 (28, 32, 32, 32) sts rem.

Work even until sleeve measures 10 (12, 14, 16, 18) cm from underarm, or 3 cm less than desired length.

Change to 4 mm. Rib 2×2 for 3 cm. Cast off loosely in rib.

Optional back neck buttons (babies under 18 months)

If you prefer a back slit instead of a fully closed neck:
When the back neck rib is complete at the start, do not join the first few rows of the yoke at the centre back — work the centre 4 back sts as a 2-st garter button band on each side for 4–5 cm, making 2 buttonholes (yo, k2tog) on one band, then join and continue as written. Sew buttons to match.
If you worked the pattern as written (joined V, closed back), skip this; the V is usually enough for dressing.

Finishing

Weave in ends.
Neck edge: With 4 mm circular, pick up sts evenly around the V (about 1 st per row along each front slope, plus existing neck sts). Work 1 rnd k2, p2, decreasing 1–2 sts at the V point (k2tog or ssk) so the rib lies flat. Work 3 more rnds rib. Cast off in rib. (Alternatively pick up and work 2 rows of garter flat along the V only.)

Sew on buttons if using.
Wash on a gentle cycle (or hand wash) and dry flat. Do not tumble-dry unless the ball band allows it.

Schematic (blocked)

Designer note: Keep the V modest so it stays on little shoulders. Lengthen the body rather than the sleeves if you need extra nappy room.