My First Free Pattern - Cabled Baby Sweater

*ahem*  This is my first attempt to create and share my own knitting pattern.  Last week I knitted a set of mittens and hat for Connor, as the weather is getting colder here in Minnesota and he needed something fast.  I liked the cable and rib pattern so much I decided that I'd attempt to expand it into a matching sweater.  Plus, I had a lot of yarn leftover.  So here it is!

Because is there anything more exciting than wearing a sweater your Mommy knit for you?  *G*

My son doesn't think so!

Cabled Baby Sweater 

Materials
Size 3 and Size 4 needles
One skein of Bernat Softee Baby Yarn (I didn't use the whole skein)
Six buttons
Needle and thread for sewing on buttons


Left front
On smaller needles, cast on 36 stitches.
For border k2, p2, k2 across the first 6 stitches.
Then *p2, k4, p2, k2, p2*.  Repeat from * to the end of the row.
On WS knit all knit stitches and purl all purl stitches.  Repeat for six rows.  Switch to larger needles.
On the 6th row (RS) k2, p2, k2 *p2, C4, p2, k2,* repeat from *.

Continue in the rib pattern, working the cable on every 6th row, until the piece measures seven inches.  For me this was just over eight cable repeats.

Shape armhole

Bind off 4 stitches on WS.  Work in pattern to end of row.  Work RS in pattern.  Bind off 1 stitch on WS two more times - 30 stitches remain.  Work in pattern until piece measures nine inches.  For me this was two rows past 11 cable repeats.

Shape neck
On next RS bind off 14 stitches.  Work in pattern until the end of the row.  Work WS in pattern.  Bind off 1 more stitch at neckline (RS) two more times - 14 stitches remain.  Work in pattern until piece measures 11 inches (for me, 12 and a half cable repeats).  Slide remaining 14 stitches onto a holder.

Right front
Cast on 36 stitches.
Reverse the knitting for the left front, with the addition of making a buttonhole every eight rows.
To make a buttonhole, knit to the last six stitches, then k2, yarnover, and then p2tog.

Back
Cast on 72 stitches with smaller needles.
K2, p2, k4, p2 repeat across the first row.
Work six rows in pattern.  On row 6, work Cable 4 across each k4.
Work in pattern for seven inches (for me nine cable repeats).

Shape armhole
Bind off 4 stitches at the beginning of the next 2 rows.
Bind off 1 stitch at beginning of next 2 rows.
Total of 10 stitches bound off.

Work even until you have 9 inches, 13 cable repeats plus four rows. 

Shape neckline
Work 14 stitches, place on a stitch holder.
Bind off 34 stitches, work remaining 14 stitches.
Work four more rows on those 14 stitches, then place on a holder.
Rejoin yarn to 14 stitches from right shoulder.  Work four rows, place on holder. 

Sleeves, make Two
Cast on 34 stitches on smaller needles.

Work six rows in seed stitch, i.e., knit, purl, knit, purl across the row, then on the WS knit all the purls and purl all the knits. Switch to larger needles

Then set up row, k2, p2, k4, p2 across the row.  On WS stay in pattern, knit all knit stitches, purl all purls.  Work for five rows, on 6th row (RS), work Ca4 across all k4's.
Continue in pattern, working the cable on every 6th row, for three inches.

Then increase 1 at the beginning of the next WS and RS row - 2 stitches increased.  Continue in pattern, increasing every eight rows on both sides of sleeves until you have 46 stitches.
Work until piece measures seven and a half inches.
Bind off four stitches at the beginning of the next two rows, 38 stitches.
Bind off one stitch at the beginning of the next two rows, 36 stitches.
Work one row in pattern.  Continue in pattern until sleeve measures 8 inches, then bind off all stitches on the RS.

Finishing
With right sides together, use the three needle bindoff method to join the two front pieces to the back.  At this point I blocked the sweater because it pulls so tight due to the ribbing.

Sew up side seams using mattress stitch.  Sew sleeve seams and sew into holes.  Then pick up 76 stitches from the neckline.  Work six rows in seed stitch, then bind off.  Sew on buttons.

Put on baby and admire your handiwork! 

Here is the back, with C looking over his shoulder to see why Mommy is taking a picture.

Please let me know if you make the pattern, and I'd love to see pictures.
-D