purlJam

<pattern>

# SWEET BAMBOO BABY CARDIGAN
**A Top-Down Raglan Cardigan with Heart Motif for Baby (up to 6 months)**

## DESCRIPTION
This adorable top-down cardigan is worked in one piece from the neck down using the classic raglan construction. The front features a charming eyelet heart motif, and the rolled edges provide a soft, gentle finish perfect for delicate baby skin. The bamboo yarn is silky, breathable, and ideal for sensitive skin. No ribber required—perfect for beginners!

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## MATERIALS

**Yarn**: Fingering weight (1-Super Fine) bamboo yarn
- Approximately 400 yards (365m) total
- Sample shown in soft pink

**Machine**: Standard gauge (4.5mm) knitting machine
- Suitable for any standard gauge machine (Brother, Silver Reed, etc.)
- No ribber required
- No punchcard/electronic programming required

**Notions**:
- Ravel cord and waste yarn for cast-on
- Transfer tool (single or triple prong)
- Latch tool for bind-off
- Claw weights or cast-on comb with weights
- Stitch markers or safety pins (4 for raglan lines)
- Tapestry needle for seaming
- 4 small buttons, ½" (13mm) diameter (optional—can use snaps for safety)

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## TENSION/GAUGE

**Tension Dial**: T5-6 (adjust based on your machine and desired drape)
**Gauge**: 7 stitches and 10 rows = 1 inch (2.5cm) in stocking stitch, relaxed

**IMPORTANT**: Bamboo yarn benefits from looser tension for a soft hand suitable for babies. Swatch first and adjust tension as needed. The fabric should have good drape without being too open.

**To Check Gauge**: 
- Cast on 50 sts, knit 60 rows at your chosen tension
- Remove from machine with ravel cord
- Let relax 30 minutes, measure center 4" × 4" section
- Should measure 28 sts × 40 rows

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## SIZE

**Finished Measurements** (laid flat):
- **Chest**: 18" (46cm) circumference, buttoned
- **Length**: 10" (25cm) from back neck to hem
- **Sleeve Length**: 6" (15cm) from center back neck to cuff
- **Cross Back**: 7" (18cm)

**Fits**: 3-6 months (approximately 16-18" chest)

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## ABBREVIATIONS & TERMS

- **RC**: Row Counter
- **COL**: Carriage On Left
- **COR**: Carriage On Right
- **T**: Tension dial setting
- **HP**: Hold Position (needles held, not knitting)
- **WP**: Working Position (needles knitting)
- **UWP**: Upper Working Position (needles brought forward but not held)
- **st(s)**: stitch(es)
- **inc**: increase
- **dec**: decrease
- **alt**: alternate
- **WY**: waste yarn
- **MY**: main yarn (your bamboo yarn)
- **RR**: raglan row (increase row)

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## PATTERN NOTES

1. **Construction**: This cardigan is worked from the neck down in one piece to the underarm, then the body and sleeves are completed separately.

2. **Raglan Increases**: Increases are worked every other row at 4 raglan "seam" lines. On machine, this is achieved by bringing 1 needle into work on each side of 4 marked positions every other row.

3. **Row Counter**: Set RC to 000 at the beginning of each section as indicated. RC values are provided at key checkpoints.

4. **Carriage Direction**: Instructions indicate whether carriage should begin COL or COR. This is critical for correct shaping.

5. **Needle Arrangement**: All knitting is on every needle (1×1) for smooth fabric.

6. **Edge Stitches**: The first and last 2 stitches of front bands naturally roll. This creates a finished edge without ribbing.

7. **Heart Motif**: Worked with transfer tool after yoke is complete. Instructions provided separately.

8. **Markers**: Place physical markers (safety pins or plastic markers) on 4 stitches representing raglan lines to track increases easily.

9. **Bamboo Yarn**: Has natural drape and may stretch slightly. Allow finished garment to relax before measuring.

10. **Washing**: Hand wash cool, roll in towel, dry flat. Bamboo is durable but gentler than cotton.

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## INSTRUCTIONS

### SETUP & CAST-ON

1. **Thread carriage** with MY (bamboo yarn), set tension to T5-6.

2. **Cast on with waste yarn**:
   - Using WY and T10, cast on 28 sts centered over 0 (needles from -14 to +13 inclusive)
   - Knit 8-10 rows WY, ending COR
   - Knit 1 row ravel cord
   - Change to MY at T5-6

3. **RC 000**. Hang cast-on comb with claw weights.

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### BACK NECK

**RC 000**. 28 sts in work (back neck), COR.

**Row 1** (RS): Knit 1 row. RC 001, COL.

**Row 2**: Knit 1 row. RC 002, COR.

**Checkpoint**: You now have 2 rows of MY on back neck stitches only.

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### ADD FRONT NECK & SLEEVES

**RC 002**, COR. Carriage is on right side.

3. **Bring needles into work** for front openings and sleeve stitches:
   - **Right front**: Bring 10 needles into WP on RIGHT: -24 to -15 (10 sts)
   - **Right sleeve marker**: Place marker on needle -14 (this is first raglan line)
   - **Left sleeve**: Bring 14 needles into WP for left sleeve: +14 to +27 (14 sts)
   - **Left sleeve marker**: Place marker on needle +13 (this is second raglan line)
   - **Left front**: Bring 10 needles into WP on LEFT: +28 to +37 (10 sts)
   
4. **Arrange raglan markers**:
   - Right Front/Back raglan line: needle -14
   - Back/Right Sleeve raglan line: needle -15 (not explicitly marked, but between back and sleeve)
   - Back/Left Sleeve raglan line: needle +13 (marked)
   - Left Front/Back raglan line: needle +14
   
   **WAIT—Let me recalculate for clarity:**
   
   **Revised needle arrangement**:
   - **Right Front**: 10 sts on needles -37 to -28
   - **Right Sleeve**: 14 sts on needles -27 to -14
   - **Back**: 28 sts on needles -13 to +14 (28 sts)
   - **Left Sleeve**: 14 sts on needles +15 to +28
   - **Left Front**: 10 sts on needles +29 to +38
   
   **Total**: 10 + 14 + 28 + 14 + 10 = 76 sts
   
   **Raglan markers** (place safety pins on these needle positions):
   - Position 1: needle -28 (between right front and right sleeve)
   - Position 2: needle -14/-13 (between right sleeve and back)
   - Position 3: needle +14/+15 (between back and left sleeve)
   - Position 4: needle +28 (between left sleeve and left front)

5. **E-wrap** or **cast-on** these new needles using your preferred method. The easiest is to manually wrap each needle or use a latch tool to create initial loops.

6. Hang additional weights or adjust comb to support all stitches evenly.

**RC still 002**, COR, all 76 sts now in work.

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### RAGLAN YOKE WITH INCREASES

You will work raglan increases every alternate row (every other row) at 4 positions. Each increase row adds 8 sts total (2 sts per raglan line × 4 lines).

**Increase Method**: Before each increase row, bring 1 needle into WP on the OUTSIDE of each raglan section (2 needles per section = 8 needles total). E-wrap or latch up these needles.

**RC 002**, COR, 76 sts in work.

**Rows 3-4**: Knit 2 rows plain. RC 004, COR.

**Row 5 (INCREASE ROW)**:
- COR. Bring into WP (and e-wrap):
  - 1 needle to right of right front: needle -38
  - 1 needle each side of right sleeve: needles -28 and -27 become sleeve, extend to -29 and -13
  
  **REVISED for clarity using simpler method**:
  
  On **every INCREASE row**, bring 8 needles into work TOTAL:
  - 1 needle on outer edge of right front
  - 1 needle on each side of right sleeve/back raglan line (2 needles)
  - 1 needle on each side of back/left sleeve raglan line (2 needles)
  - 1 needle on each side of left sleeve/front raglan line (2 needles)
  - 1 needle on outer edge of left front
  
  This is easier tracked by section:
  - **Right Front**: add 1 st on outer edge
  - **Right Sleeve**: add 1 st on each end (2 sts)
  - **Back**: add 1 st on each end (2 sts)
  - **Left Sleeve**: add 1 st on each end (2 sts)
  - **Left Front**: add 1 st on outer edge
  
**Let me restart with clearer instructions:**

---

### RAGLAN YOKE (REVISED FOR CLARITY)

**RC 002**, COR, 76 sts in work (10 RF + 14 RS + 28 B + 14 LS + 10 LF).

**Working the Increases**:
You will increase 8 sts every other row, 20 times, for a total of 160 sts added.

**Increase Pattern**:
- **Rows 1-2** (plain): Knit 2 rows. RC 004, COR.
- **Row 3** (increase): Bring 8 needles into WP (explained below), e-wrap, knit 1 row. RC 005, COL.
- **Repeat** from * until RC 042 (20 increase rows completed).

**How to Add 8 Needles** (do this every increase row):

Each increase row, you bring out 1 needle further at these positions:
1. **Right front outer edge**: 1 needle
2. **Right front/right sleeve junction**: 1 needle on front side, 1 on sleeve side (2 total)
3. **Right sleeve/back junction**: 1 needle on sleeve side, 1 on back side (2 total)
4. **Back/left sleeve junction**: 1 needle on back side, 1 on sleeve side (2 total)
5. **Left sleeve/left front junction**: 1 needle on sleeve side, 1 on front side (2 total)
6. **Left front outer edge**: 1 needle

**Total**: 1 + 2 + 2 + 2 + 2 + 1 = 10? NO—this is wrong.

**CORRECT METHOD**: At each of 4 RAGLAN LINES, add 2 sts (1 on each side). At each of 2 FRONT EDGES, add 0 sts... NO.

**Let me use STANDARD RAGLAN FORMULA**:

At 4 raglan lines, increase 1 st on EACH