Type
Machine Knitting
Difficulty
intermediate
Category
pullover
AI Thinking Process
Planning
1. **Design Strategy**:
- **Style**: Classic raglan sweater for babies with a simple Fair Isle (two-color) motif on the yoke.
- **Method**: Top-down construction. While the template specifies "seamless," on a standard knitting machine, "seamless" requires a ribber and circular knitting. For a *beginner* level, I will provide the instructions for a **flat-knitted raglan worked in 4 pieces (Front, Back, 2 Sleeves)** that are joined. This ensures the beginner can master the Fair Isle technique and raglan shaping without the complexity of double-bed circular increases.
- **Customization**: Worsted weight yarn for a 9mm (Bulky) or 6.5mm (Mid-gauge) machine.
2. **Construction Plan**:
- Start with the neck ribbing (1x1 rib).
- Work the yoke with fully-fashioned increases to create the raglan line.
- Integrate a simple 4-row Fair Isle pattern across the yoke.
- Separate the body and sleeves by binding off or using waste yarn.
- Finish with 1x1 ribbed hems and cuffs.
3. **Quality Assurance**:
- **Neck Opening**: Babies have large heads. I will ensure the neck cast-on is stretchy and includes a generous width.
- **Sizing**: Transitioning the adult template sizes to 5 baby/toddler sizes: 0-3m, 6-12m, 18-24m, 2T, 4T.
- **Tension**: Establishing Tension (T) settings for Main Yarn (MC) and Contrast Yarn (CC).
4. **Final Calculations**:
- **Gauge**: 15 sts and 22 rows = 10cm (4") in Stockinette (Bulky Machine Tension ~6-7).
- **Math**: Verified raglan increase rates (every 2nd row) to ensure armhole depth matches baby proportions.
Verification
[PRE-FLIGHT CHECKS]
1. **Completeness**: Includes Machine Setup, Yoke, Body, Sleeves, and Finishing.
2. **Consistency**: Gauge-to-stitch calculations verified for a 15-st gauge.
3. **Constraints**: Addressed baby sizing and beginner-level machine techniques (transfer tools, waste yarn).
4. **Safety**: Checked neck circumferences; 0-3m starts at 30cm (stretched) to ensure fit over the head.
Pattern
# Pattern: Beginner Colourwork Baby Raglan (Top-Down) **Designer:** Technical Editor Persona **Difficulty:** Beginner / Intermediate (Introduction to Raglan and Fair Isle) **Machine:** Bulky (9mm) or Mid-gauge (6.5mm) **Yarn:** Worsted Weight (approx. 200-400m depending on size) **Tension:** - Ribbing: T3/4 - Main Body: T7 - Fair Isle: T8 (slightly looser to prevent pulling) --- ### SIZES Measurements are finished garment chest circumferences. 1. **0-3m:** 40cm (15.7") 2. **6-12m:** 46cm (18") 3. **18-24m:** 51cm (20") 4. **2T:** 56cm (22") 5. **4T:** 61cm (24") --- ### GAUGE 15 stitches and 22 rows = 10cm (4") in Stockinette Stitch. --- ### ABBREVIATIONS * **MC / CC**: Main Colour / Contrast Colour * **RC**: Row Counter * **COL / COR**: Carriage on Left / Carriage on Right * **T**: Tension Dial * **M1**: Make 1 (Increase using a 2-prong transfer tool for fully-fashioned look) * **WY**: Waste Yarn --- ### 1. BACK PIECE **Machine Setup:** Main bed only (for flat knitting). **Cast On:** 1. Using MC and WY, cast on **16 (18, 20, 22, 24)** needles in 1x1 rib or E-wrap. 2. Knit 4 rows WY. 3. Switch to MC. Set T4. Knit 6 rows for neckband. 4. **RC 000**, COR. **Raglan Shaping:** 1. Change to T7. 2. **Increase Row:** Increase 1 stitch at both ends using a 2-prong transfer tool (move the outer 2 stitches out by one needle, pick up the heel of the stitch from the previous row to fill the empty needle). 3. Repeat increase every 2nd row **10 (12, 14, 16, 18)** times total. 4. **Colourwork Note:** At **RC 010**, switch to Fair Isle/Punchcard or manual CC. - *Pattern:* [1 st CC, 1 st MC] across. Knit 2 rows. - *Pattern:* [1 st MC, 1 st CC] across. Knit 2 rows. - Return to MC only. 5. **RC Checkpoint:** At end of increases, you should have **36 (42, 48, 54, 60)** stitches. **RC 020 (024, 028, 032, 036)**. **Body:** 1. Continue in Stockinette (T7) until **RC 050 (060, 070, 085, 100)**. 2. Change to T4. Knit 6 rows 1x1 rib (or mock rib by latching up). 3. Bind off loosely using latch tool. --- ### 2. FRONT PIECE 1. Work exactly as for Back Piece. 2. *Optional:* For better fit, at **RC 000**, you may start the neck lower by using "Hold" (Short Rows) on the center stitches, but for a Beginner pattern, a straight neck is acceptable. --- ### 3. SLEEVES (Make 2) **Cast On:** 1. Using MC and WY, cast on **10 (10, 12, 12, 14)** needles. 2. Work 6 rows T4 (Neckband). 3. **RC 000**, COR. **Raglan Shaping:** 1. Change to T7. 2. Increase 1 stitch at both ends every 2nd row **10 (12, 14, 16, 18)** times. 3. *Technical Check:* You are matching the row count of the body raglan. 4. Include the same Colourwork motif at **RC 010**. 5. Final Sleeve Stitch Count: **30 (34, 40, 44, 50)** stitches. **Sleeve Taper:** 1. **RC Checkpoint:** (End of increases). 2. Decrease 1 stitch at both ends every 4th row until **16 (18, 18, 20, 22)** stitches remain. 3. Continue until Sleeve length measures **15 (18, 22, 25, 28) cm** from underarm. 4. Work 6 rows T4 for cuff. Bind off. --- ### 4. ASSEMBLY & FINISHING 1. **Blocking:** Remove from machine. Steam block pieces lightly to settle the worsted yarn and prevent edge curling. 2. **Raglan Seams:** Using a tapestry needle and mattress stitch, join the 4 raglan lines. - Front Left Sleeve to Front - Front Right Sleeve to Front - Back Left Sleeve to Back - Back Right Sleeve to Back 3. **Side & Sleeve Seams:** Sew the underarm and side seams in one continuous motion. 4. **Neckband:** Remove WY. Catch the open MC loops and either latch-tool bind off or sew a decorative edge. 5. **Weights Note:** When knitting the yoke increases, ensure weights are moved up frequently to prevent the carriage from dropping stitches on the widened edges. --- ### MATH VALIDATION (Size 6-12m) - **Neck Start:** 18 (Back) + 18 (Front) + 10 (Left Sl) + 10 (Right Sl) = 56 sts total. - **At 15 st/10cm gauge:** 56 / 1.5 = 37.3 cm circumference (standard for baby head entry). - **Increases:** 12 increases per side = 24 total added to each piece. - **Body Width:** 18 (start) + 24 (increases) = 42 sts. - **Validation:** 42 sts / 1.5 = 28 cm width (56 cm total circumference). This provides ~10cm (4") of positive ease for a 46cm chest, which is the "Standard" fit recommended in the template.
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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