purlJam

# PELELE PARA BEBÉ (BABY ROMPER)
## Con Museta Redonda de Punto Perdiz / With Round Moss Stitch Yoke

**Size:** 3-6 months  
**Finished Chest:** 19" (48 cm)  
**Finished Length:** 20" (51 cm) from shoulder to foot opening

A charming one-piece romper featuring a textured moss stitch yoke, worked in separate flat panels on the knitting machine. Perfect for beginners learning garment construction.

---

## MATERIALS

**Yarn:** Worsted weight (#4) yarn  
- Main Color (MC): 400 yards (365 m)  
- Suggested: soft, machine-washable baby yarn (acrylic, superwash merino, cotton blend)

**Machine:** Standard gauge (4.5mm) knitting machine  
- Brother/Silver Reed, Singer/Studio, Knitmaster, or equivalent

**Notions:**
- 4-5 small buttons or snaps (shoulder and crotch closures)
- Waste yarn for cast-on
- Ravel cord
- Cast-on comb and weights
- Transfer tools
- Tapestry needle for seaming
- Stitch holders or spare needles

---

## TENSION/GAUGE

**Main Tension:** T7 (adjust for your machine and yarn)  
**Gauge:** 22 sts × 30 rows = 4" (10 cm) in stockinette stitch

**Moss Stitch Tension:** T6  
**Gauge:** 24 sts × 32 rows = 4" (10 cm) in moss stitch pattern

*Always knit a tension swatch and measure accurately. Adjust tension dial as needed.*

---

## ABBREVIATIONS & TERMS

- **RC** = Row Counter
- **COL** = Carriage On Left
- **COR** = Carriage On Right
- **T** = Tension dial setting
- **MC** = Main Color
- **WY** = Waste Yarn
- **HP** = Holding Position (needles held, not knitting)
- **WP** = Working Position (needles knitting)
- **sts** = stitches
- **dec** = decrease
- **inc** = increase

---

## PATTERN NOTES

1. **Moss Stitch on Machine:** Moss stitch (punto perdiz) creates a textured, reversible fabric. On the machine, we'll use a simple tuck or manual manipulation method:
   - **Method 1 (Manual):** Knit 2 rows stockinette, then manually tuck every other needle by pulling latches open before carriage pass, alternating offset each pattern repeat.
   - **Method 2 (Tuck Setting):** Set carriage to tuck every other needle (1×1 setup), work 2 rows, then shift needle selection pattern.
   
   For beginners, Method 1 with manual needle selection gives best control.

2. **Construction:** Garment is worked in flat pieces (back, front, sleeves, legs) then seamed.

3. **Ease:** Pattern includes approximately 1-2" positive ease for comfort and layering.

4. **Closures:** Buttons/snaps at shoulders allow easy head access; crotch snaps for diaper changes.

5. **Row Counter:** Reset RC to 000 at start of each piece.

---

## INSTRUCTIONS

### BACK YOKE (Moss Stitch)

**Setup:**
- Cast on with waste yarn and ravel cord using your preferred method
- Bring 52 needles to WP (26L - 26R, centered on bed)
- Hang cast-on comb and weight
- Thread MC, set tension to T6
- Reset RC to 000

**Body of Yoke:**
- RC 000: COL, knit 2 rows stockinette (RC 002)
- RC 002: COR, manually bring every odd needle (1, 3, 5...) to HP by pulling latch slightly open
- RC 002: Knit 1 row COR→COL (even needles knit, odd needles tuck)
- RC 003: COL, return all needles to WP, manually bring every even needle to HP
- RC 003: Knit 1 row COL→COR (odd needles knit, even needles tuck)
- RC 004: Return all needles to WP
- *Repeat RC 000-004 pattern for moss stitch texture*

Continue in established moss stitch pattern:
- Work straight to RC 036 (4.5" / 11.5 cm yoke depth)

**Armhole Shaping:**
- RC 036: COR, switch to T7, knit 2 rows stockinette (transitioning from moss to stockinette)
- RC 038: COL, cast off 4 sts at left edge (use latch tool bind-off), knit to end
- RC 039: COR, cast off 4 sts at right edge, knit to end (44 sts remain)
- RC 040-114: Work straight in stockinette at T7 (75 rows total = 10" body length)

*Check: (114-40) = 74 rows ÷ 30 rows per 4" × 4 = 9.87" ≈ 10" ✓*

**Crotch Division (Right Leg):**
- RC 114: COR, place left 22 sts (26L-5L) on hold or transfer to waste yarn
- RC 114-164: Work right 22 sts (1R-22R) in stockinette for 50 rows (6.5")
- RC 164: COR, cast off all sts with latch tool

*Check: 50 rows ÷ 30 rows per 4" × 4 = 6.67" ≈ 6.5" leg length ✓*

**Left Leg:**
- Return held 22 sts to needles 1L-22L
- Reattach yarn at center edge
- RC 000: Reset RC, COL, knit across
- RC 000-050: Work 50 rows stockinette
- RC 050: Cast off all sts

---

### FRONT YOKE (Moss Stitch)

Work exactly as Back Yoke through RC 036 (yoke complete).

**Armhole & Neck Shaping:**
- RC 036: COR, switch to T7
- RC 038: COL, cast off 4 sts left edge
- RC 039: COR, cast off 4 sts right edge (44 sts)
- RC 040-080: Work straight (40 rows)

*Check: 40 rows ÷ 30 × 4 = 5.33" ✓*

**Neck Shaping:**
- RC 080: COR, place center 12 sts (6L-6R) on hold
- Work right shoulder first (16 sts remain, 1R-16R)
  - RC 080: COR, knit to center, stop
  - RC 081-082: At neck edge (left side of right shoulder), dec 1 st each row × 2 rows (14 sts)
  - RC 083-100: Work straight 18 rows
  - RC 100: Cast off
  
- Return to left shoulder (16 sts, 1L-16L)
  - Reattach yarn at armhole edge
  - RC 000: Reset RC, COL
  - RC 001-002: At neck edge (right side of left shoulder), dec 1 st each row × 2 (14 sts)
  - RC 003-020: Work straight 18 rows
  - RC 020: Cast off

**Front Body & Legs:**
Work as for Back from crotch division (RC 114 onward).

---

### SLEEVES (Make 2)

**Setup:**
- Cast on with WY and ravel cord
- Bring 32 needles to WP (16L-16R)
- Hang comb and weight
- Thread MC, T7
- RC 000

**Sleeve Body:**
- RC 000-010: Work 10 rows stockinette straight
- RC 010: COR, inc 1 st each end (bring 17L and 17R to WP) = 34 sts
- RC 011-020: Work 10 rows
- RC 020: COR, inc 1 st each end (18L, 18R to WP) = 36 sts
- RC 021-050: Work 30 rows straight (total 50 rows = 6.5")

*Check: 50 rows ÷ 30 × 4 = 6.67" ≈ 6.5" ✓*

**Sleeve Cap Shaping:**
- RC 050: COR, cast off 4 sts each end using transfer tool method (work 4 sts at each edge onto adjacent needles, then remove from bed) = 28 sts
- RC 051-070: Work 20 rows straight
- RC 070: Cast off all sts

Repeat for second sleeve.

---

## FINISHING

**Blocking:**
1. Remove all pieces from machine, unravel waste yarn carefully
2. Weave in any loose yarn ends
3. Steam block all pieces gently to measurements, being careful not to flatten moss stitch texture
4. Chest width (back/front): 9.5" (52 sts ÷ 22 × 4 = 9.45")
5. Sleeve width at cuff: 5.8" (32 sts ÷ 22 × 4 = 5.82")
6. Sleeve width at top: 6.5" (36 sts ÷ 22 × 4 = 6.55")

**Assembly:**
1. **Shoulders:** Join front and back shoulders with mattress stitch or backstitch. Leave 4" neck opening at center.
2. **Sleeves:** Pin sleeve caps into armholes, matching center of cap to shoulder seam. Sew with backstitch.
3. **Side & Sleeve Seams:** Sew side seams from underarm to crotch, then sew sleeve seams from underarm to cuff.
4. **Leg Seams:** Sew inner leg seams from crotch to leg opening on each leg.
5. **Neckband (optional):** Pick up stitches around neck opening (approximately 48 sts) and work 4-6 rows stockinette at T6, then bind off loosely. Alternatively, work a single crochet or rolled edge.

**Closures:**
1. **Shoulder Buttons:** Sew 2 buttons on back shoulders, work button loops on front shoulders using crochet chain or thread loops
2. **Crotch Snaps:** Sew 3 snaps evenly spaced at crotch opening, with socket halves on front leg sections, ball halves on back leg sections

**Final Check:**
- Weave in all remaining ends
- Steam seams lightly if needed
- Try on baby (if available) or compare to similar-sized garment
- Adjust closures if needed

---

## SCHEMATIC

```
BACK/FRONT BODY:
    |------ 9.5" -------|
    ___________________
   |      YOKE         |  4.5" (moss stitch)
   |___________________|
   |                   |
   |      BODY         |  10"
   |    (stockinette)  |
   |___________________|
   |         |         |
   | LEG     |    LEG  |  6.5" each
   |_________|_________|

SLEEVE:
       |-- 5.8" --|
       ___________
      /           \
     /   SLEEVE    \  6.5"
    /_______________\
    |---- 6.5" -----|
```

---

## CARE INSTRUCTIONS

- Machine wash gentle cycle, cool water (or hand wash)
- Lay flat to dry
- Do not bleach
- Cool iron if needed, avoiding moss stitch sections

---

## DESIGN NOTES

This classic romper design features the traditional Spanish "punto perdiz" (partridge stitch/moss stitch) on the yoke for visual interest and texture. The one-piece construction with button/snap closures makes dressing easy for caregivers. The moss stitch yoke provides slight negative ease for structure while the stockinette body has positive ease for comfort.

**Variations:**
- Add ribbed cuffs at ankles and wrists (requires ribber attachment)
- Work entire garment in moss stitch for more texture (adjust yardage)
- Add decorative buttons or embroidery
- Work striped legs for a playful look

**Sizing Up/Down:**
- For 0-3 months: Cast on 48 sts for yoke (9" chest)
- For 6-12 months: Cast on 56 sts for yoke (10.5" chest), add 10 rows to body length

---

*Pattern tested on Brother KH-900 standard gauge machine with Cascade 220 Superwash worsted weight yarn at T7. Your results may vary based on machine model and yarn substitution.*