Nessa's Sweater

 My little one decided to join us early. She was born at 29 1/2 weeks. I wanted to make her some sweaters but was unable to find a pattern that I liked. So I decided to design one for her. Then a few weeks ago I wondered how many sizes I could make using the same stitch counts and  there are quite a few. This pattern will make sweaters ranging from a small preemie to 12 months.

Today marks the one year anniversary of her coming home and I'm celebrating by offering this pattern for free! This sweater has a very simple construction. It is top down and seamless, which is my favorite part!

Please add to your Ravelry Queue and Favorites!

Nessa's Sweater

Written pattern copyright Kimberly Saunders 2014

Please do not reprint or repost this pattern, but please do link to this page to share with others.

Do not sell or reproduce this written pattern. If you sell anything made from this pattern, please give credit to me for the design 

and include a link to either the free pattern or my blog. Thank you!

Supplies:

Sport Weight or Worsted Weight Yarn 

Crochet hook sizes G through K

Buttons Optional: Find some that fit through the spaces between dc.

Sizes and Gauges:

Small preemie: 

 12-13" Chest finished measurement 

 Hook G 

 Sport Weight Yarn

 10 dc and  6 rows = 2" x 2"

Preemie: 

 14" Chest finished measurement

 Hook H

 Sport Weight Yarn

 8.5 dc and 5.5 rows = 2" x 2"

Small Newborn: 

 15" Chest finished measurement

 Hook I                         

 Sport Weight Yarn

 8 dc and 5 rows = 2"x 2"

Newborn:

 16" Chest finished measurement

 Hook H

 Worsted Weight Yarn

 4.5 dc and 4.5 rows = 2" x 2"

3 Month:

 18" Chest finished measurement

 Hook I

 Worsted Weight Yarn

 7 dc and 4.25 rows = 2" x 2"

6 Month:

 19" Chest finished measurement

 Hook J

 Worsted Weight Yarn

 6.5 dc and just over 4 rows = 2" x 2"

12 Month:

 20" Chest finished measurement

 Hook K

 Worsted Weight Yarn

 6 dc and 4 rows = 2" x 2"

Special Stitches:

V Stitch: (dc, ch 1, dc) in same stitch

Cluster: 3 dc in same stitch

Picot: Ch 2, slip stitch in sc just made

Notes:

*The sweater is worked from the top down, turning after every row.

*The first row is the right side.

*All rows begin with a dc. For ease in counting stitches, starting on row 2, I did not include the beginning dc part in the instructions. You can start the rows with whichever method you like best, I use my Starting DC.  

*When working the sleeves, I turn after every row to keep the look the same as the lower half of the sweater which alternates right and wrong side rows. And to keep the seam straight.

*If desired, you can elimate the picots and just sc around the bottom of sweater and sleeves.

Yoke

Chain 41 

Row 1: Ch 2, dc in 4th ch from hook and in next 3 chs, V Stitch in next ch, dc  in next 8 chs, V Stitch in next ch, dc in next 11 chs, V Stitch in next ch, dc in next 8 chs, V Stitch in next ch, dc in next 5 chs. Turn. (45 dc)

Row 2: Dc in next 6 sts, V Stitch in ch 1 space, dc in next 10 sts, V Stitch in ch 1 space, dc in next 13 sts, V Stitch in ch 1 space, dc in next 10 sts, V Stitch in ch 1 space, dc in next 6 sts. Turn. (53 dc)

Row 3: Dc in next 7 sts, V Stitch in ch 1 space, dc in next 12 sts, V Stitch in ch 1 space, dc in next 15 sts, V Stitch in ch 1 space, dc in next 12 sts, V Stitch in ch 1 space, dc in next 7 sts. Turn. (61 dc)

Row 4: Dc in next 8 sts, V Stitch in ch 1 space, dc in next 14 sts, V Stitch in ch 1 space, dc in next 17 sts, V Stitch in ch 1 space, dc in next 14 sts, V Stitch in ch 1 space, dc in next 8 sts. Turn. (69 dc)

Row 5: Dc in next 9 sts, V Stitch in ch 1 space, dc in next 16 sts, V Stitch in ch 1 space, dc in next 19 sts, V Stitch in ch 1 space, dc in next 16 sts, V Stitch in ch 1 space, dc in next 9 sts. Turn. (77 dc)

Row 6: Dc in next 10 sts, V Stitch in ch 1 space, dc in next 18 sts, V Stitch in ch 1 space, dc in next 21 sts, V Stitch in ch 1 space, dc in next 18 sts, V Stitch in ch 1 space, dc in next 10 sts. Turn. (85 dc)

This next row will form the armholes.

Row 7: Dc in next 11 sts and the ch 1 space, ch 3, skip 20 dc, dc in next ch 1 space and next 23 sts, dc in ch 1 space, ch 3, skip 20 dc, dc in ch 1 space and the next 11 sts. (49 dc)

Row 8: Dc, * skip next st, Cluster, skip next st, V Stitch* repeat to end, dc in last st.Turn.

Row 9: Dc, *Cluster in ch 1 space, V Stich in middle st of Cluster* repeat to end, dc in last st. Turn.

Row 10- 19: Repeat row 9, ending on a right side row.

Edging. Do not turn. With right side facing, sc evenly up the side, around the neck, down the other side, with 2 to 3 sc in the corners. (I had about 28 sc per side.) Along the bottom: sc to center of Cluster, Picot, *sc in next 3 sts, Picot,* repeat across bottom.sc in last 2 sts. Join, finish off.

Sleeves:

Row 1: With right side up and neck towards you, working in the same pattern as the lower half of the sweater, and starting with a Cluster, evenly space 5 Clusters and 5 V Stitches around armhole. Join to first st, Turn.

Note: Hope these pictures explain better than I could find words. I put my first Cluster in the space shown below, then the V Stitch in the ch 1 space, then skipped 2 sts between. 

Row 2: Slip stitch to center of V Stitch, *Cluster in V Stitch, V Stich in middle st of Cluster* repeat around. Join to first st. Turn.

Row 3-12: Repeat row 2. 

Edging. Do not turn. With right side facing, sc to center of Cluster, Picot, *sc in next 3 sts, Picot,* repeat around. sc in last st. Join, finish off.

Finishing:

Weave in all ends. Add a button or 3 if desired. Enjoy!