February Baby Sweater for Bitty Baby Dolls

February Baby Sweater for Bitty Baby Dolls

Ah, Elizabeth Zimmerman how do we love her patterns!  Her February Baby Sweater has got to be one of the most perfect baby sweaters ever invented.  It`s my go-to sweater whenever I need something for a new arrival.  It knits up so quickly and has minimal sewing.  I thought I would make one for Ella`s baby Lucy.  She`s an American Girl Bitty Baby, so this sweater should fit a baby doll sized dolly.

Yarn: sock weight, sorry I can’t tell you the exact wool because I used some leftover sock wool.

Needles: 4.5 mm, circular and double-pointed

Guage: 5 sts to the inch in garter stitch

Gull Pattern (7 sts):

Row 1 (RS): Knit 1, k2tog, yo, knit 1, yo, ssk, knit 1

Row 2 and 4 (WS): purl

Row 3: K2tog, yo, knit 3, yo, ssk

With circular needles, cast on 40 sts.

Knit 2 rows

Inc: knit 4 ( make 1, knit 4) to end -49 sts

Knit 2 rows

Inc: knit 2, yo, k2tog, (make 1, knit 4) to last 5 sts, m1, k1, k2tog, yo, knit 2 -60 sts

Knit 2 rows

Inc: knit 4, make 1 (knit 2, make 1) to last 4 sts, knit 4 -87 sts

Knit 2 rows

Inc: knit 4, make 1 (knit 3, make 1) to last 5 sts, knit 5 -114 sts

Knit 2 rows

Inc: knit 11, make 1 (knit 2, make 1) to last 9 sts, knit to end -162 sts

Knit 1 row

Start gull pattern as follows:     Knit 4, work first row of gull pattern across to last 4 sts, knit 4.  Keep the first and last 4 stitches in garter for the button bands.  Work gull pattern until sweater measures 3 inches from cast on edge.  Now it`s time to divide for the sleeves.

Knit the first 4 garter stitches, then pattern across 4 repeats (i.e., 28 sts).  With double-pointed needle, pattern across next 4 repeats (28 sts).  Turn sweater and work on just the last 28 sts (on the double-pointed needle), leave the other stitches on the circular.  Work in pattern until sleeve measures 5 inches from cast on edge.  Garter stitch 5 rows and cast off.

Join yarn and with circular needle continue pattern across the next 6 repeats (42 sts).  With double-pointed needle pattern across next 4 repeats (28sts).  Turn sweater and on just the last 28 sts as for the first sleeve.

Join yarn to remaining stitchs and with circular needle continue the pattern to end.  Purl back, joining all the stitches remaining on the circular needle to make up the body of the sweater.  Work in pattern until sweater measures 5.5 inches from cast on edge.  Work 5 rows in garter stitch then cast off.

Now you have only 2 little seams and a button to sew.