Why design yet another baby sweater? Well, I wanted to knit a sweater that would bring together all the features I liked when dressing my own babies – one that would fit for as long as possible, which would be warm and cosy but also easy to loosen at the neck for milder weather, sleeves that were easy to fit onto little arms, a loose bottom that didn’t bunch up. I wanted no buttons which had to be sewn on and could fall off - the tie-closures here are knit into the sweater, so don’t need to be sewn on, and can’t be pulled off, which means no choking hazards.

I also wanted to avoid sewing-up – in common with many knitters, I don’t enjoy the “finishing” bit! So I designed a sweater that doesn’t need any, except for weaving in a few yarn-ends.

The sweater is knit from the neckline down, back and forth on a circular needles, then some stitches are divided off for sleeves, and the body is knit to the desired length, followed by the sleeves, which are knit in the round (no seams!)

Sizing is very flexible – the tie-closure system make it easy to tie the sweater more loosely, allowing it to fit for longer, and the length of the garment is easily adjusted by simply adding a few more rows before the bottom edging. The smaller size will fit a newborn loosely, but will continue to fit for some time. In general, this will be the most appropriate size to make for a newborn or expected baby. Suggestions for a smaller fit (for a very small newborn or premature baby, for example) are provided as an addendum to the pattern.

The pattern also includes instructions for a matching hat, which, like the sweater, is designed to “grow” with the child.

Did I mention there’s no sewing-up? ;-D

Part of the proceeds of sales for this pattern were donated to Hinchingbrooke SCBU in Huntingdon in memory of Freddie Raymond, the much-loved and much-missed son of my friend Merry.