purlJam

<pattern>

# Starfish Baby Onesie

A whimsical seamless onesie worked from the center outward, creating five "points" - two arms, two legs, and a hood - that give this garment a starfish appearance when laid flat. Features include integrated button bands, ribbed cuffs, and a cozy hood. Perfect for adventurous knitters ready for a construction challenge!

**Size**: 6-12 months  
**Finished Measurements**: Chest circumference 20" (51 cm), body length 18" (46 cm)

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## MATERIALS

**Yarn**: Worsted weight yarn, approximately 650 yards (595 m)  
Sample shown in machine-washable wool or acrylic blend

**Needles**: 
- US 7 (4.5 mm) circular needle, 24" (60 cm) cable
- US 7 (4.5 mm) double-pointed needles (DPNs) or long circular for magic loop
- US 6 (4 mm) DPNs for ribbing (optional, for tighter cuffs)

**Notions**:
- 5 stitch markers (1 unique for BOR)
- Stitch holders or waste yarn
- Tapestry needle
- 5 buttons, ¾" (19 mm) diameter
- Sewing needle and thread for buttons

---

## GAUGE

18 stitches × 24 rows = 4" (10 cm) in stockinette stitch on larger needles, blocked

**Gauge is critical for proper fit. Always swatch!**

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## ABBREVIATIONS

- BOR: beginning of round
- CO: cast on
- DPN: double-pointed needle
- k: knit
- k2tog: knit 2 stitches together (right-leaning decrease)
- kfb: knit into front and back of stitch (1 stitch increased)
- m: marker
- m1L: make 1 left-leaning increase
- m1R: make 1 right-leaning increase
- p: purl
- pm: place marker
- RS: right side
- sl m: slip marker
- ssk: slip, slip, knit (left-leaning decrease)
- st(s): stitch(es)
- WS: wrong side
- w&t: wrap and turn (short row technique)
- yo: yarn over

---

## PATTERN NOTES

- This onesie is worked from the center pentagon outward in stockinette stitch. The center is worked flat initially, then joined in the round.
- Five sections radiate from the center: front torso (becomes right leg), back torso (becomes left leg), right arm, left arm, and hood.
- After establishing the pentagon base, each section is worked to a specific length, then all five "points" are worked separately.
- The button band runs from the crotch up the front, around the hood, and down the other side.
- Cuffs are worked in k1, p1 ribbing for elasticity.
- For clarity, markers divide the 5 sections throughout.

**Marker Placement**: M1 = front/right leg section, M2 = right side/right arm, M3 = back/left leg section, M4 = left side/left arm, M5 = hood section

---

## INSTRUCTIONS

### CENTER PENTAGON

**Setup**: Using larger circular needle and long-tail cast on, CO 10 sts.

**Row 1 (WS)**: Purl across.

**Row 2 (RS)**: [Kfb] 10 times. (20 sts)

**Row 3**: Purl.

**Row 4**: [K1, kfb] 10 times. (30 sts)

**Row 5**: Purl.

**Row 6**: [K2, kfb] 10 times. (40 sts)

**Row 7**: Purl.

**Row 8**: [K3, kfb] 10 times. (50 sts)

**Row 9**: Purl.

**Join to work in the round**: K50, pm for BOR. Ensure stitches are not twisted.

**Round 10**: [K8, m1R, k2, m1L] 5 times. (60 sts: 12 sts per section)  
*After this round, place markers between each section: k12, pm, k12, pm, k12, pm, k12, pm, k12.*

**Round 11 and all odd rounds**: Knit.

**Round 12**: [K to 1 st before m, m1R, k1, sl m, k1, m1L] 5 times. (70 sts: 14 sts per section)

**Round 14**: [K to 1 st before m, m1R, k1, sl m, k1, m1L] 5 times. (80 sts: 16 sts per section)

**Round 16**: [K to 1 st before m, m1R, k1, sl m, k1, m1L] 5 times. (90 sts: 18 sts per section)

**Round 18**: [K to 1 st before m, m1R, k1, sl m, k1, m1L] 5 times. (100 sts: 20 sts per section)

**Verification**: You should have 100 sts total: 20 sts in each of 5 sections.

---

### BODY EXPANSION

Continue increasing at section divisions to create body width:

**Round 19**: Knit.

**Round 20**: [K to 1 st before m, m1R, k1, sl m, k1, m1L] 5 times. (110 sts: 22 sts per section)

**Rounds 21-25**: Knit even for 5 rounds.

**Round 26**: [K to 1 st before m, m1R, k1, sl m, k1, m1L] 5 times. (120 sts: 24 sts per section)

**Rounds 27-31**: Knit even for 5 rounds.

**Round 32**: [K to 1 st before m, m1R, k1, sl m, k1, m1L] 5 times. (130 sts: 26 sts per section)

**Rounds 33-37**: Knit even for 5 rounds.

**Round 38**: [K to 1 st before m, m1R, k1, sl m, k1, m1L] 5 times. (140 sts: 28 sts per section)

**Rounds 39-43**: Knit even for 5 rounds.

**Round 44**: [K to 1 st before m, m1R, k1, sl m, k1, m1L] 5 times. (150 sts: 30 sts per section)

**Rounds 45-51**: Knit even for 7 rounds.

**Round 52**: [K to 1 st before m, m1R, k1, sl m, k1, m1L] 5 times. (160 sts: 32 sts per section)

**Rounds 53-59**: Knit even for 7 rounds.

**Round 60**: [K to 1 st before m, m1R, k1, sl m, k1, m1L] 5 times. (170 sts: 34 sts per section)

**Rounds 61-67**: Knit even for 7 rounds.

**Round 68**: [K to 1 st before m, m1R, k1, sl m, k1, m1L] 5 times. (180 sts: 36 sts per section)

**Rounds 69-75**: Knit even for 7 rounds.

**Verification**: You should have 180 sts total: 36 sts in each of 5 sections. Body measures approximately 7.5" from center.

---

### DIVIDE FOR FIVE POINTS

You will now separate the work into 5 sections and work each individually.

**Section Order**:
1. Front/Right Leg (36 sts)
2. Right Arm (36 sts) - place on holder
3. Back/Left Leg (36 sts) - place on holder
4. Left Arm (36 sts) - place on holder
5. Hood (36 sts) - place on holder

Remove all markers as you separate sections. Place sections 2-5 on waste yarn or stitch holders.

---

### RIGHT LEG

Work on 36 sts for right leg using DPNs or magic loop.

**Setup**: Redistribute sts evenly on needles, pm for new BOR at inside leg.

**Rounds 1-10**: Knit even. (10 rounds)

**Round 11 (decrease)**: K1, ssk, k to last 3 sts, k2tog, k1. (34 sts)

**Rounds 12-15**: Knit even.

**Round 16 (decrease)**: K1, ssk, k to last 3 sts, k2tog, k1. (32 sts)

**Rounds 17-20**: Knit even.

**Round 21 (decrease)**: K1, ssk, k to last 3 sts, k2tog, k1. (30 sts)

**Rounds 22-25**: Knit even.

**Round 26 (decrease)**: K1, ssk, k to last 3 sts, k2tog, k1. (28 sts)

**Rounds 27-30**: Knit even.

Leg measures approximately 5" from division. Total 30 rounds worked.

**Cuff Ribbing**:

Switch to smaller needles if desired for tighter ribbing.

**Rounds 1-8**: [K1, p1] around. (8 rounds of ribbing)

**Bind off** in pattern loosely.

---

### LEFT LEG

Return 36 sts for Back/Left Leg section to needles.

**Setup**: Redistribute sts evenly on needles, pm for new BOR at inside leg.

Work exactly as for Right Leg (Rounds 1-30 plus 8 rounds ribbing).

**Bind off** in pattern loosely.

**Verification**: Each leg tapers from 36 sts to 28 sts, measures 6.5" total length.

---

### RIGHT ARM

Return 36 sts for Right Arm section to needles.

**Setup**: Redistribute sts evenly on needles, pm for BOR at underarm.

**Rounds 1-6**: Knit even.

**Round 7 (decrease)**: K1, ssk, k to last 3 sts, k2tog, k1. (34 sts)

**Rounds 8-11**: Knit even.

**Round 12 (decrease)**: K1, ssk, k to last 3 sts, k2tog, k1. (32 sts)

**Rounds 13-16**: Knit even.

**Round 17 (decrease)**: K1, ssk, k to last 3 sts, k2tog, k1. (30 sts)

**Rounds 18-21**: Knit even.

**Round 22 (decrease)**: K1, ssk, k to last 3 sts, k2tog, k1. (28 sts)

**Rounds 23-24**: Knit even.

Arm measures approximately 4" from division. Total 24 rounds worked.

**Cuff Ribbing**:

Switch to smaller needles if desired.

**Rounds 1-6**: [K1, p1] around. (6 rounds of ribbing)

**Bind off** in pattern loosely.

---

### LEFT ARM

Return 36 sts for Left Arm section to needles.

Work exactly as for Right Arm (Rounds 1-24 plus 6 rounds ribbing).

**Bind off** in pattern loosely.

**Verification**: Each arm tapers from 36 sts to 28 sts, measures 5.25" total length.

---

### HOOD

Return 36 sts for Hood section to needles.

The hood is worked flat (back and forth) to create opening for face.

**Row 1 (RS)**: Knit.

**Row 2 (WS)**: Purl.

**Rows 3-32**: Repeat Rows 1-2. (15 more times, total 32 rows worked)

Hood measures approximately 5.25" from division.

**Hood Shaping**:

**Row 33 (RS)**: K10, ssk, k12, k2tog, k10. (34 sts)

**Row 34**: Purl.

**Row 35**: K9, ssk, k12, k2tog, k9. (32 sts)

**Row 36**: Purl.

**Row 37**: K8, ssk, k12, k2tog, k8. (30 sts)

**Row 38**: Purl.

**Row 39**: K7, ssk, k12, k2tog, k7. (28 sts)

**Row 40**: Purl.

**Row 41**: K6, ssk, k12, k2tog, k6. (26 sts)

**Row 42**: Purl.

**Row 43**: K5, ssk, k12, k2tog, k5. (24 sts)

**Row 44**: Purl.

**Close Hood Top**:

Use 3-needle bind off or Kitchener stitch to graft hood top closed: Fold hood RS together, with 12 sts on each needle. Graft or bind off together.

**Verification**: Hood measures approximately 7" from division to top.

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## FINISHING

### BUTTON BAND AND BUTTONHOLE BAND

The onesie opens from the crotch up the front, around the hood edge, and down to the crotch on the other side.

**Pick up sts for button band**:

With RS facing and larger circular needle, start at bottom of right leg inner seam (where legs separate):

- Pick up and knit approximately 90 sts up right front leg edge to where torso sections meet
- Pick up and knit approximately 40 sts up right front torso edge to hood
- Pick up and knit approximately 48 sts around hood opening (along selvedge edges and across cast-on