Knitty: Summer 2007

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by Laura Brown

When knitting something for my daughter, my first thought is, "Yeah, but how long will that really fit her?" followed closely by, "When exactly am I going to find the time to hand wash that? "

The answers for this particular top are: "A while," and, "You don't have to."

This little top accommodates a wide range of sizes by adjusting the smocking and shoulder ties.

The top pictured is a size 2 that has been cinched snug (Baby Girl normally wears 12-18 month sized clothing, Grace normally wears 3T sized clothing). When picking a size, you should go up, as larger sizes can be cinched tighter and thus will last longer for your growing girl.

model: Baby Girl [above], Grace [below] photos: Laura Brown

SIZE

Children’s 2[4, 6, 8] (shown in size 2)

FINISHED MEASUREMENTS

Measurements are given for garment after washing and smocking, without cinching.
Chest: 21[23, 25, 27] inches
Lower edge: 32[34, 36, 38] inches
Length (not including ties): 11.5[13, 14.5, 17] inches

MATERIALS

Rowan Denim [100% cotton; 101 yd per 50g skein]
[MC] #324 Ecru; 5[7, 8, 9] skeins
[CC] #231 Tennessee; 1[1, 2, 2] skeins

1 set US #5/3.75mm double-point needles
1 US #5/3.75mm circular needle, 16- or 24-inch length
Tapestry needle

GAUGE

After washing: 20 sts/32 rows = 4 inches in stockinette stitch
Note: Fabric knit using denim yarn will shrink lengthwise when washed.

PATTERN NOTES

[Knitty's list of standard abbreviations and techniques can be found here]

Bodice Pattern (Worked over a multiple of 3 sts + 1):
Set-up Row [RS]: K1 using CC, [k2 using MC, k1 using CC] to end.
Row 1 [WS]: P1 using CC, [k2 using MC, p1 using CC] to end.
Row 2 [RS]: K1 using CC, [p2 using MC, k1 using CC] to end.
Repeat Rows 1 and 2 for Bodice Pattern.

I-Cord
K 1 row.
Next Row: Instead of turning work around to work back on the WS, slide all sts to other end of needle, switch needle back to your left hand, bring yarn around back of work, and start knitting the sts again. I-Cord is worked with the RS facing at all times.
Repeat this row to form I-cord. After a few rows, work will begin to form a tube.

PATTERN

BACK
Lower Body:
Using CC, CO 80[86, 92, 98] sts.
K 4 rows. Break CC.

Using MC, work in stockinette st, beginning with a RS row.

Continue in stockinette st until work measures 9[10.25, 11.5, 13.75] inches, ending with a WS row. Do not break MC.

Bodice:
Row 1 [RS]: Using CC, k3[6, 1, 4], k2tog, [k6, k2tog] 9[9, 11, 11] times, k3[6, 1, 4]. 70[76, 80, 86] sts.

Row 2 [WS]: K all sts.

Row 3 [RS]: Using MC, sl 1, k1, psso, k1[1, 3, 3], work Set-up Row of Bodice Pattern to last 3[3, 5, 5] sts, k1[1, 3, 3], k2tog.

Row 4 [WS]: Using MC, sl 1, k1, psso, k0[0, 2, 2], work Row 1 of Bodice Pattern to last 2[2, 4, 4] sts, k0[0, 2, 2], k2tog.

Note: From this point forward, maintain edge sts in MC.

Row 5 [RS]: Sl 1, work in pattern as set to last st, k last st using MC.
Row 6 [WS]: Using MC, sl 1, k1, psso, work in pattern to last 2 sts, k2tog using MC.
Repeat these 2 rows 11[13, 15, 18] times more. 42[44, 44, 44] sts.

Break MC.
Using CC, k 1 row.
BO all sts knitwise with WS facing.

FRONT
Work as for Back.

TIES
Using MC and double-point needle, CO 3 sts.
Work I-cord until piece measures 16[18, 20, 22] inches.
Break yarn, draw through all sts and pull tight.
Make 3 more ties in the same way.

FINISHING

First row is worked from left to right.

With RS of work facing and beginning with needle at WS of work, draw needle up through work at left edge of first column of CC sts, just below upper garter st border.
Bring needle across work to second column of CC sts, insert needle at right edge of CC st and draw through to WS of work.
Repeat steps 1 and 2, wrapping yarn around this set of 4 sts and pulling them together.
Move to next column of CC sts, and repeat steps 1-3.

Continue in this way until you have worked across the row.

Count down 4 rows from first row of smocking, and work a second row, working from right to left. Wrap alternate pairs of CC stitches from those that were wrapped in first row (see photo).

Continue in this way until 6[7, 8, 9] rows of smocking have been worked.

Weave in all ends.
Machine wash and dry all pieces.

Sew back and front together along side edges of lower body, ending at lower edge of bodice. Sew ties to upper corners of bodice.

If the top is too loose, weave a length of yarn through each of the lines of smocking and cinch to create the desired size. Tie these lengths of yarn together in square knots at the side seams, leaving long tails. Weave in tails.

Later, when your child has grown larger, look for the square knots and unknot them (if possible), then loosen the top as desired. You may wish to keep some of the unused yarn handy for this purpose.

ABOUT THE DESIGNER

Laura spends her days knitting and chasing after her Baby Girl, who loves her mom's stash more than any of her toys.