Softee Baby - Top Down Cardigan (knit)

SIZE
To fit chest measurement
6 mos 17" [43 cm]
12 mos 18" [45.5 cm]
18 mos 19" [48 cm]
24 mos 21" [53.5 cm]
Finished chest
6 mos 23" [58.5 cm]
12 mos 24" [61 cm]
18 mos 25 1/2" [65 cm]
24 mos 27 1/2" [70 cm]

MATERIALS
Sizes 6 (12-18-24) mos
Bernat® Softee® Baby™ (140 g/5 oz; 331 m/362 yds)
Main Color (MC) Flannel (30044) 1 (2-2-2) ball(s)
Contrast A White (02000) 1 (1-1-1) ball

Sizes 3.75 mm (U.S. 5) and 4 mm (U.S. 6) circular knitting needles, 24" [60 cm] long. Set of four size 3.75 mm (U.S. 5) double-pointed knitting needles or size needed to obtain gauge. 4 stitch markers. 3 buttons.

GAUGE
22 sts and 30 rows = 4" [10 cm] with larger needles in stocking st.

ABBREVIATIONS
www.bernat.com/abbreviations
Alt = Alternate(ing)
Beg = Beginning
Cont = Continue(ity)
Inc = Increase 1 stitch by knitting into front and back of next stitch
K = Knit
K2tog = Knit next 2 stitches together
M1 = Make 1 stitch by picking up horizontal loop lying before next stitch and knitting into back of loop
Rep = Repeat
Rnd(s) = Round(s)
RS = Right side
St(s) = Stitch(es)
WS = Wrong side

INSTRUCTIONS
The instructions are written for smallest size. If changes are necessary for larger sizes the instructions will be written thus ( ). Numbers for each size are shown in the same color throughout the pattern. When only one number is given in black, it applies to all sizes.

Note: Garment is worked from neck edge down. When yoke is complete, Body is joined in one piece and worked in rows. Sleeve edgings are worked in rnds on double-pointed needles.

Body
With A and smaller circular needle, cast on 82 (86-86-94) sts. Do not join in rnd. Working back and forth across needle in rows, proceed as follows:
Knit 9 rows (garter st), noting 1st row is WS. Break A.

Change to MC, larger circular needle and proceed as follows:
1st row: (RS). With MC, K14 (15-15-17). M1. K13. M1. K28 (30-30-34). M1. K13. M1. K14 (15-15-17). 86 (90-90-98) sts.
2nd and alt rows: Purl.
3rd row: K14 (15-15-17). M1. K1 (place marker on last st). M1. K13. M1. K1 (place marker on last st). M1. K28 (30-30-34). M1. K1 (place marker on last st). M1. K13. M1. K1 (place marker on last st). M1. K14 (15-15-17). 94 (98-98-106) sts.
5th row: *Knit to marked st. M1. K1. M1. Rep from * 3 times more. Knit to end of row.
6th row: Purl.
Rep last 2 rows 13 (14-15-16) times more. 206 (218-226-242) sts.

Divide for Fronts, Back and Sleeves: Next row: K31 (33-34-37) for Right Front. Cast on 1 st. Place marker on last st. Slip next 40 (42-44-46) sts onto length of yarn for Right Sleeve. K64 (68-70-76) for Back. Cast on 1 st. Place marker on last st. Slip next 40 (42-44-46) sts onto length of yarn for Left Sleeve. K31 (33-34-37) for Left Front. 128 (136-140-152) sts for Body.

Work 9 (11-13-13) rows in stocking st, ending with a purl row (keeping markers in position).
Next row: (RS). (Knit to marked st. M1. K1. M1) twice. Knit to end of row.
Rep last 10 (12-14-14) rows 3 times more. 144 (152-156-166) sts.

Cont even in stocking st until work from joining row measures 6 (7-7 1/2-8)" [15 (18-19-20.5) cm], ending with a purl row. Change to A, smaller circular needle and knit 9 rows (garter st). Cast off knitwise (WS).

Sleeve edging: 1st rnd: With RS of work facing, A and set of four smaller double-pointed needles, K40 (42-44-46) for sleeve. Pick up and knit 1 st at underarm. Divide sts onto 3 needles. Join in rnd. Place marker after cast on st for beg of rnd. 41 (43-45-47) sts.
2nd rnd: Purl.
3rd rnd: Knit.
Rep last 2 rnds 3 times more. Cast off knitwise.

FINISHING
Pin garment to measurements. Cover with a damp cloth, leaving cloth to dry.

Buttonhole band: With RS of work facing, A and smaller circular needle, pick up and knit 60 (68-72-76) sts up Right Front.
Knit 3 rows (garter st).
Next row: (RS). (Buttonhole row). K40 (46-48-50). *Cast off 2 sts. K6 (7-8-9). Rep from * once more. Cast off 2 sts. K2.
Next row: Knit, casting on 2 sts over cast off sts.
Knit 3 rows. Cast off.

Button band: With RS of work facing, A and smaller circular needle, pick up and knit 60 (68-72-76) sts down Left Front.
Work as given for buttonhole band, omitting references to buttonholes.

Sew buttons to correspond to buttonholes.