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 by Jacque Landry
With
the risk of SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome) pediatricians
are telling new moms that babies should be sleeping on their backs
in a crib that is free of toys, blankets, and any other possible
breathing hazards. This has led to the introduction of sleep sacks
for babies of all ages. During my pregnancy I searched for one
for our little bundle of joy, but could only find them online in
bland pastel baby colors. I knew my little lamb had to have one,
as they are de rigueur among the tiny crowd, but we don't do pastels.
What's a happening mom to do? Knit her darling a zodiac baby sack,
of course. Since I had yet to meet my little one, I relied on her
astrological sign to tell me everything I needed to know.
Zodiac is close-fitting around the baby's chest
with a two-button neck closure to aid in dressing. The sack is
an a-line design leaving plenty of room for toe wiggling and kicking,
with a convenient bottom zipper for middle of the night diaper
changes. It is personalized with the baby's astrological sign and
can be knit in that sign's power colors (see color information
at end of pattern). Now you can make the perfect personalized baby
gift months ahead of time for that bundle on the way, and baby
will never kick off her covers again. Zodiac is worked in the round from the lower edge to the underarm, then the work is divided and the upper front and back are worked separately. The shoulders are attached using a three-needle bind off. It features an attached i-cord edging around the armholes and neck, a charted duplicate stitch design, a bit of single crochet around the hemline, and a zipper.
Cotton-Ease is a nice baby-safe alternative
for the summer months. Any non-fuzzy (baby could ingest the loose
fibers fuzzies produce) worsted or aran weight will do nicely.
Winter babies are sure to appreciate a nice snuggly zodiac in
your favorite wool. |  model: Sage photos: Jacque Landry
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| XS (premie) [S (0-3months),
M (3-6 months), L (6-12 months), 1X (12-18 months), 2X (18-24
months)] (shown in size M) |
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Chest: 15[16, 17, 18, 19, 20] inches
Lower edge: 20[22, 24, 26, 28, 30] inches
Length: 16[20, 24, 28, 32, 36] inches | |
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Lion
brand Cotton-ease [50% cotton/50% acrylic; 207 yd/188 m per
100g skein]
[MC] Pistachio (discontinued color); 2[2, 3, 3, 4] skeins
[MC] Blueberry; less than 1 skein
1 16-inch US #9/5.5mm circular needle (Larger sizes may prefer a 20-inch or 24-inch needle)
2 US #6/4mm double-point needles
1
G/6/4mm crochet hook
2 stitch markers
Waste yarn or split ring markers
Stitch holders
Tapestry needle
Sewing needle and thread
2 0.5-inch buttons
Zipper to match MC, 10[11, 12, 13, 14, 15] inches long
Note:
If necessary, buy a longer zipper and cut to desired length. |
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| 16 sts/22 rows = 4" in
stockinette stitch |
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[Knitty's list of standard abbreviations and techniques can be found here] |
Directions for the Three-Needle
Bind Off can be found here.
Directions
for the Cable cast-on can be
found here.
Directions
for Duplicate Stitch can be found here.
Applied I-Cord
Using double-point needle, CO 3 sts.
Next Row [RS]: K2, sl 1, use tip of leftt needle to pick up a st in edge of work, k this st, pass slipped st over. Slide 3 sts just worked to other end of needle and bring yarn around back of work, ready to begin working the next row.
Repeat this row for Applied I-Cord. | |
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Lower
Body
Using circular needle, CO 80[88, 96, 104, 112, 120]
sts. Place marker and join to begin working in the
round, being careful not to twist.
Round 1: K40[44, 48, 52, 56, 60], place marker, k to
end.
K 9 rounds.
When working the next round, use waste yarn or split
ring markers to mark the work as directed. These markers
should be placed in the fabric, between the stitches,
rather than on the needle; they are used to indicate
the placement of the charted design which will be worked
later using duplicate stitch.
Next Round: K10[12, 14, 16, 18, 20], place marker in
work, k20, place marker in work, k to end.
K3[4, 5, 5, 6, 6] rounds.
Decrease Round: [K1, ssk, k to 3 sts before marker,
k2tog, k1] twice.
K 12[13, 14, 14, 15, 15] rounds.
Repeat these 13[14, 15, 15, 16, 16] rounds 3[4, 5,
6, 7, 8] times more, then work Decrease Round once
more. 60[64, 68, 72, 76, 80] sts.
Continue in stockinette st until work measures 14[17.5,
21.5, 25, 29, 32.5] inches.
Divide work for Armholes
Next Round: BO 3[3, 3, 4, 4, 4] sts, k to 3[3, 3, 4,
4, 4] sts before marker and place 24[26, 28, 28, 30,
32] sts just worked onto st holder; BO 6[6, 6, 8, 8,
8] sts, k to last st, sl 1. 27[29, 31, 32, 34, 36]
sts.
Upper Back
Next Row [WS]: BO 3[3, 3, 4, 4, 4] sts,
slipping first st knitwise instead of knitting
it; p to end. 24[26, 28, 28, 30, 32] sts.
Next Row [RS]: K1, ssk, k to last 3
sts, k2tog, k1.
P 1 row.
Repeat these 2 rows 0[0, 1, 1, 1, 1] times more.
Work 0[0, 0, 4, 4, 6] rows in stockinette st.
Shape Neckline
Next Row [RS]: K4[4, 4, 4, 4, 5], k2tog,
k1, place 6[6, 6, 6, 6, 7] sts just worked on
st holder; BO 8[10, 10, 10, 12, 12] sts, ssk,
k4[4, 4, 4, 4, 5]. 6[6, 6, 6, 6, 7] sts.
Right Back Shoulder
Continue in stockinette st until work measures 2[2.5,
2.5, 3, 3, 3.5] inches from underarm BO. Place these
sts on st holder and break yarn.
Replace 6[6, 6, 6, 6, 7] held sts of left back shoulder
on needle and rejoin yarn. Work as for right back shoulder.
Upper Left Front
Place first 10[11, 12, 12, 13, 14] held sts of front
(these will be the sts on your right when RS is facing)
on needle with RS facing and join yarn at armhole edge,
leaving remaining 14[15, 16, 16, 17, 18] sts on st
holder.
Row 1 [RS]: K1, ssk, k to end, CO 4 sts using cable
cast-on. 14[15, 16, 16, 17, 18] sts.
Row 2 [WS]: K4, p to end.
Sizes XS, S Only:
Row 3 [RS]: K all sts.
Sizes M, L, 1X, 2X Only:
Row 3 [RS]: K1, ssk, k to end. -[-, 15, 15, 16, 17]
sts.
All Sizes:
Row 4 [WS]: K4, p to end.
Row 5 [RS]: K all sts.
Rows 6-11: Work as for Rows 4-5.
Shape Neckline
Row 12 [WS]: BO 7[8, 8, 8, 9, 9] sts, p2tog, p to end.
6[6, 6, 6, 6, 7] sts.
Continue in stockinette st until work measures 2[2.5,
2.5, 3, 3, 3.5] inches from underarm BO. Use three-needle
bind-off to join to held sts of left back shoulder.
Upper Right Front
Place remaining 14[15, 16, 16, 17, 18] held sts of
front on needle with WS facing and join yarn at armhole
edge.
Row 1 [WS]: P1, p2tog, p to last 4 sts, k4.
Row 2 [RS]: K all sts.
Sizes XS, S Only:
Row 3 [WS]: P to last 4 sts, k4.
Sizes M, L, 1X, 2X Only:
Row 3 [WS]: P1, p2tog, p to last 4 sts, k4. -[-, 15,
15, 16, 17] sts.
All Sizes:
Even-numbered Rows 4-8 [RS]: K all sts.
Row 5 [WS]: P to last 4 sts, k2tog, yo, k2.
Odd-numbered Rows 7-11 [WS]: P to last 4 sts, k4.
Row 10 [RS]: K2, yo, k2tog, k to end.
Row 12 [RS]: BO 7[8, 8, 8, 9, 9] sts, ssk, k to end.
6[6, 6, 6, 6, 7] sts.
Continue in stockinette st until work measures 2[2.5,
2.5, 3, 3, 3.5] inches from underarm BO.
Use three-needle
bind-off to join to held sts of right back shoulder.
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| Work 1 row of single crochet around lower edge of piece to provide a firm edge for the zipper. If necessary, use sharp scissors to trim zipper to correct length. Using coordinating sewing thread, sew several overcast stitches through the tape and around last few teeth of zipper on both tracks. This will create a stopper for the zipper pull. Pin zipper in place. Baste zipper tape to front and back lower edges using a contrasting color of thread. Edge of knitted fabric should be close to zipper teeth, without fiber getting caught in zipper.
With WS of work facing, backstitch zipper to work along outer edge of zipper tape.
With RS of work facing, use an overcast stitch to secure edge of knitted fabric to zipper tape, close to teeth.
Armhole
and Neckline Edging
Beginning at center of underarm,
work Applied I-Cord around one armhole edge. When
cord is complete, sew live sts to CO end of I-Cord.
Repeat for other armhole. Work Applied I-Cord around neckline edge, beginning at upper front edge of buttonhole band and ending at upper front edge of button band. BO sts of I-Cord. Weave in all ends.
Sew lower edge of button band to inside of work, beneath buttonhole band.
Sew buttons to button band behind buttonholes.
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Hey,
what's your sign, baby?
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Constellation | English Name | Color | Dates | Aries | The Ram | red | Mar.
21 - Apr. 19 | Taurus | The Bull | blue, green | Apr.
20 - May 20 | Gemini | The Twins | yellow, blue | May
21 - June 21 | Cancer | The Crab | silver, black, white | June
22 - July 22 | Leo | The Lion | gold, orange | July
23 - Aug. 22 | Virgo | The Virgin | white, navy blue, green | Aug.
23 - Sept.
22 | Libra | The Balance | blue, green, pink | Sept.
23
- Oct.
23 | Scorpio | The Scorpion | deep red, violet, black | Oct.
24 - Nov. 21 | Sagittarius | The Archer | purple, deep blue | Nov.
22 - Dec. 21 | Capricorn | The Goat | grey, black, dark colors | Dec.
22 - Jan. 19 | Aquarius | The Water Bearer | electric blue | Jan.
20 -
Feb.
18 | Pisces | The Fishes | turquoise, aqua, sea green | Feb.
19
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Mar.
20 |
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Jacque
is a busy mama to two precious little girls who occasionally
let her knit. She drives her darling husband nuts
with her ongoing yarn accumulation.
Whenever she's
not dreaming up designs, she can be found knitting,
reading, writing, hanging with her family or running
her mouth at www.thiskittenknits.com |
| Pattern & images © 2007
Jacque Landry.
Contact Jacque |
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