This has to be my favorite design so far! I started working on it this summer, while watching Olympic gymnastics --my favorite sport! and thus the name "Nadia" (For those of you less enthusiastic about gymnastics, Nadia Comaneci was the first gymnast to receive a perfect score of 10 at the Montreal 1976 Olympics. In high school, I was part of the gymnastics team and was the first athlete to get a score of 9 or more in the school history! Of course, I am in no way comparable to her but... I like to think it also makes me special in some way).
It's taken me many, many hours to nail down the patterns in different sizes, as well as in different languages (English/Spanish), and I am now working on size 4-6 months. I want my patterns to be simple to understand and read, so I make very detailed charts and have row-by-row description of all stitches to knit, so that the guess-work is minimum. You can use the instructions, the row-by-row booklets, or follow the diagrams... Whatever works for you!
I hope you enjoy knitting this pattern as much as I have enjoyed working on it. Bye for now and until my next pattern!
If you want to download additional sizes (2-4 months ) and have access to the pdf files with explanatory photos, detailed row-by-row description of stitches, diagrams and links to video tutorials follow this link. The pdf patterns also contain instructions for knitting with straight needles.
Instructions
Size: 0-2 months
Level: Intermediate-Advanced (for those less skilled, the pdf files have very detailed description of stitches to knit row by row, photos and diagrams.)
Materials
Yarn: 80 gr of white super fine baby yarn.
Needles: Size 2 ½mm (1.5 US) - circular or straight (for instructions to knit with straight needles download the pdf files).
Buttons: 7 small buttons.
Yarn needle; auxiliary needle
Gauge: With 2½ mm needles and baby yarn:
- In Stockinette stitch: 18 sts and 24 rows = 5x5 cm.
- In Garter stitch: 19 sts and 35 rows = 5x5 cm.
Explanation of Stitches
Leaf pattern
See chart A
Garter stitch
Knit all stitches and all rows.
Stockinette stitch
Row 1 (and RS rows): Knit all stitches.
Row 2 (and WS rows): Purl all stitches.
For circular knitting: Knit all rows.
1x1 Ribbing stitch
Row 1 (and RS rows): Knit 1, purl 1 until the end of the row.
Row 2 (and WS rows): Work stitches as they present themselves.
1x1 Sleeves Ribbing stitch
Rows 1, 3 and 5: (Knit 1, purl 1, knit 1, purl 2, knit 1, purl 2)* knit 1, purl 1, knit 1.
Row 2 (and WS rows): Work stitches as they present themselves.
Row 7: (Knit 1, purl 1, knit 1, purl 2 together, knit 1, purl 2 together)* knit 1, purl 1, knit 1.
Row 9: Knit 1, (purl 1, knit 1)*
Bobbles
Bobble: Knit 3 sts into 1 (k1, p1, k1), turn; purl 3, turn; knit 3, turn; purl 3, turn; slip 1, knit 2 together and pass the slipped stitch over the knitted one.
Large Bobble: Knit 4 sts into 1 (k1, p1, k1, p1), turn; purl 4, turn; knit 4, turn; purl 4, turn; slip 1, knit 4 together and pass the slipped stitch over the knitted one.
Repeat instructions in ()* until end of row or the next set of stitches.
An exponent number indicates the number of repetitions. For example: ()4 = repeat 4 times the stitches inside the ().
Romper
The romper is knitted in one piece starting at the neckline. With yarn cast on 59 sts and knit 4 rows.
Yoke
Begin the yoke following the Leaf pattern (chart A). The first and last 6 sts will form the buttoning strips and are always worked in Garter stitch, making 3 buttonholes (knit 2 together, yarn over) on the left-side back, 2 sts from the edge, the first one on the 5th row and the next ones 20 rows apart. You will finish the yoke with 227 sts.
Continue in Stockinette stitch making 10 rows of raglan increases (yarn over) on both sides of the two stitches that separate the front (63 sts), back (33 sts each side), and sleeves (45 sts each) and on the RS rows (= 8 additional sts for each row of increases). You will end up with 267 sts.
Optional for yoke ruffle: Before starting row 3, run a lifeline (piece of thread or yarn) through every stitch except the first and last 6 sts that make up the border to mark where to pick up the ruffle stitches later. Best to use a thin yarn needle and different color thread
Next, divide the work into front (75 sts), backs (39 sts each), and sleeves (57 sts each) and work separately.
Sleeves
Work 66 rows in Stockinette stitch making 7x1 st decreases at both edges (2 sts from the edge) on the RS rows, starting at row 24 and 6 rows apart (=43 sts).
On row 67 work groups of bobbles across the sleeve as follows:
1st row: (knit 3 sts, 1 bobble)* knit 1 st.
2nd and 4th rows: purl all stitches
3rd row: knit 5 sts, (1 large bobble, knit 7 sts)* 1 large bobble, knit 5 sts.
Work 10 rows in 1x1 Ribbing stitch for the sleeves and bind (cast) off stitches.
Knit second sleeve the same way.
Body
The romper can be knitted in the round or with straight needles. You will find instructions for circular needles below. (For instructions to knit with straight needles download the pdf files).
INSTRUCTIONS FOR KNITTING IN THE ROUND
Pick-up stitches for the body: 39 sts for back pieces, 75 sts for the front (=153 sts) and evenly distribute 17 increases on the 1st row: 3 additional stitches for each back piece, 2 cast on stitches between each back and the body (armhole area); 7 additional stitches for the front.
Work a total of 18 rows in Stockinette stitch counting the first row of increases.
Join buttonhole strips knitting together the stitches from both sides. Making sure the strip with buttonholes goes on top: slip first 6 sts from right-end needle to auxiliary needle. Place both needles parallel to each other and knit together the first stitch from front needle with first stitch from back needle. Do this until the 6 pairs of stitches have been knitted together (=164 sts).
Work in Stockinette stitch for 42 rows.
On the next 4 rows, work 1 group of bobbles on each sides end of the front of the garment.
Divide the work into front (77 sts) and back (87 sts - right side = 43 sts; left side = 44 sts) and work each piece separately to make the leg openings.
Front
Pick up 77 sts from the front and work in Stockinette stitch. Bind (cast) off 5 sts at the beginning of first row and decrease 16x1 st on both sides, 2 sts from edge and on RS rows (=40 sts).
Decrease 3x2 sts at each side, 2 sts from the edge and on RS rows (=28 sts).
Knit 10 rows adding 2 buttonholes on row 7, 7 sts from each edge.
Bind (cast) off all stitches.
Back
Pick-up the 87 stitches left on hold and work in Stockinette stitch. Bind (cast) off 5 sts at the beginning of first row and decrease 27x1 st at each side, 2 sts from the edge and on RS rows(=28 sts).
Work 4 rows in Stockinette stitch.
Knit 10 rows.
Bind (cast) off all stitches.
Leg (Elastic Band)
Pick-up 63 sts from the leg opening (29 sts from the front and 34 sts from the back side).
Work 10 rows in 1x1 Ribbing stitch, inserting a buttonhole on the 5th row at the front side, 2 sts from the edge.
Bind (cast) off all stitches.
Yoke Ruffle
Pick up the 223 sts around the yoke marked with the lifeline and work 12 rows in Stockinette stitch and 4 rows in Garter stitch, inserting on the 1st row 1x222 sts by picking up the yarn between stitches (=445 sts).
Bind (cast) off all stitches.
Finishing
Sew the sleeve seams.
Weave in ends.
Sew the buttons to match the buttonholes.
Abbreviations
cm = centimeters
gr = grams
mm = millimeters
RS = right side
st(s) = stitch(es)
WS = wrong side
GRAPHIC A
If you want to download additional sizes (2-4 months ) and have access to the pdf files with explanatory photos, detailed row-by-row description of stitches, diagrams and links to video tutorials follow this link. The pdf patterns also contain instructions for knitting with straight needles.
Thank you for trusting CuddlyBaby Knitwear for your knitting patterns. I hope you enjoy knitting this adorable baby romper. You can access more patterns on my blog www.cuddlybabyknitwear.com or in my Etsy store.
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