Debbie Bliss Design It Knit It Babies by Sixth&Spring Books

Crafts/Knitting

❉

Celebrated designer DEBBIE BLISS knits up the most adorable collection of baby wear ever and shows you how to create your own unique designs! Inside you’ll find: ● 20+ original precious patterns for newborns to toddlers ● Chapters dedicated to size and shape, baby-friendly fibers, embellishments, designing for special occasions and more ● Design Workbook with basic shapes to customize, knitter’s graph paper and interchangeable alphabet and nursery motif charts ● 12 beautiful tags to personalize your knitted gifts ● Handy stitch gauge

DEBBIE BLISS has been designing knitwear for over two decades. She is the author of more than 30 books and has her own line of luxurious yarns. She and her family live in London.

$24.95 US ❉ $31.95 Canada

PRINTED IN CHINA

Debbie Bliss designit, knit it babies

designit, knit it babies

Debbie Bliss

designit, knit it babies

Debbie Bliss

designit, knit it babies

In memory of my wonderful mother, Mid. Copyright © 2010 by Debbie Bliss Model Photography: Penelope Wincer Still-Life Photography: Marcus Tullis Styling: Mia Pejcinovic All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or used in any form or by any means—graphic, electronic, or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or information storage-and-retrieval systems—without written permission of the publisher. The written instructions, photographs, designs, projects and patterns are intended for the personal, noncommercial use of the retail purchaser and are under federal copyright laws; they are not to be reproduced in any form for commercial use. Permission is granted to photocopy patterns for the personal use of the retail purchaser.

161 Avenue of the Americas, Suite 1301, New York, New York 10013 Managing Editor: Wendy Williams Senior Editor: Michelle Bredeson Technical Editor: Rosy Tucker Editor: Kristina Sigler Art Director: Diane Lamphron Graphic Designers: Sarah DeVita and Becca Loewenberg Technical Illustrations: Rosy Tucker and Jane Fay Creative Director: Joe Vior Production Manager: David Joinnides Vice President, Publisher: Trisha Malcolm President: Art Joinnides Library of Congress Control Number: 2009943427 ISBN: 978-1-933027-98-2 Manufactured in China 1 3 5 7 9 10 8 6 4 2 First Edition

contents

Introduction 6

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8

Sizes and Shapes 8 Striped Pullover 14 A-line Cardigan 18 Soft and Gentle 24 Hooded Cardigan 30 Patchwork Blanket 34

Color Class 40 Chevron Cardigan 48 Letter Sweater 52 Small and Perfect 56 Incubator Blanket 62 Garter-Stitch Cardigan 64

Rough and Tumble 68 Hooded Pullover 74 Shawl-Collar Jacket 80 Pretty Special 84 Ballerina Top 90 Spanish Dress 94 Artful Add-Ons 100 Ribbon-Edged Cardigan 106 Flower Girl Frock 110 Heads, Hands and Toes 114 Classic Fair Isle Beret 120 Striped Mitten Scarf 124 Button-On Mitts 126 Cabled Legwarmers 128

Design Workbook 130 Basic Shapes 132 Knitter´s Graph Paper 144 Alphabet Charts 146 Nursery Motif Charts 148

■ About the Yarns 150 ■ Beanie and Pompom How-tos 151 ■ Abbreviations and Glossary 152 ■ Gift Tags 152 ■ Worldwide Distributors 155 ■ Acknowledgments 156 ■ Index 157 ■ Stitch Gauge 159

introduction designit, knit it babies ❉

Following the success of Design It, Knit It, I was delighted to be given the opportunity to communicate the process I use when I design for babies and children. I love creating fashion knitwear, but there is always something very special about designing for babies and children, from the very first scribbled sketch to the photography of the final garment. As I usually use children I know rather than models, the photo sessions are not only professionally rewarding but also very relaxed and family-oriented. My own children have informed the way I design—from the practical aspects of having had a baby son with colic to the style demands of a 2-year-old daughter! Now they’re grown, but I put the knowledge I picked up through them into practice in the knits I make for another generation of little ones in the family. In this book you will find eighteen patterns for garments and accessories for babies and toddlers; swatches that illustrate my design philosophy; and a Design Workbook that includes basic garment shapes upon which you can sketch your own designs, alphabet and motif charts, knitter’s graph paper and other helpful tools. This book doesn’t deal with number-crunching or pattern compilation (there are some excellent books that cover that already) but rather shares the creative and practical journeys I take. I hope these insights will help you along the path as you create your own designs.

Debbie Bliss

sizes and shapes 9

Hooded Cardigan A simple jacket with rolled edges works up quickly and easily in a super-soft fiber blend that creates coziness and warmth. TO FIT AGES 3–6, 6–9, 9–12, 12–18, 18–24 months FINISHED MEASUREMENTS CHEST 50, 54, 59, 63, 70 cm 193⁄4, 211⁄ 4, 231⁄ 4, 243⁄4, 271⁄ 2 in LENGTH TO SHOULDER 27, 29, 32, 35, 39 cm 103⁄4, 111⁄ 2, 121⁄ 2, 133⁄4, 15¼ in SLEEVE LENGTH 15, 17, 19, 22, 24 cm 6, 63⁄4, 71⁄ 2, 83⁄4, 91⁄ 2 in MATERIALS ● 4 (5, 6, 6, 7) 50g/1¾oz balls of Debbie Bliss Cashmerino Aran in Pale Pink 603. ● Pair 5mm (US 8) knitting needles. ● One button. TENSION ■ 18 sts and 24 rows to 10cm/4in square over st st using 5mm (US 8) needles.

BACK With 5mm (US 8) needles, cast on 57 (61, 67, 73, 81) sts. Beg with a k row, work 8 rows in st st. Dec row (right side) K4, skpo, k to last 6 sts, k2tog, k4. Work 5 rows. Rep the last 6 rows 3 (3, 4, 5, 6) times more and the dec row again. 47 (51, 55, 59, 65) sts. Work straight until back measures 15 (16, 18, 20, 23)cm/6 (61⁄ 4, 7, 8, 9)in from cast on edge, ending with a p row. Shape armholes Cast off 4 (4, 5, 5, 6) sts at beg of next 2 rows. 39 (43, 45, 49, 53) sts. Dec one st at each end of next 2 (3, 3, 4, 5) rows. 35 (37, 39, 41, 43) sts. Cont straight until back measures 27 (29, 32, 35, 39)cm/103⁄4 (111⁄ 2, 121⁄ 2, 133⁄4, 151⁄ 4)in from cast-on edge, ending with a p row. Shape shoulders Cast off 10 (10, 11, 12, 12) sts at beg of next 2 rows. Cast off rem 15 (17, 17, 17, 19) sts. LEFT FRONT With 5mm (US 8) needles, cast on 31 (33, 36, 39, 43) sts. Next row K to end. Next row K1, p to end. These 2 rows form st st with garter st front edging and are repeated. Work 6 rows. Dec row K4, skpo, k to end. Work 5 rows. Rep the last 6 rows 3 (3, 4, 5, 6) times more and the dec row again. 26 (28, 30, 32, 35) sts. Work straight until front measures 15 (16, 18, 20, 23)cm/6 (61⁄ 4, 7, 8, 9)in from cast-on edge, ending with a p row.

abbreviation y2rn = yarn round needle twice to make 2 sts. Also see page 152.

Chevron Cardigan Shape neck Next row Patt to last 12 (12, 18, 18) sts, leave these sts on a holder, turn and cont on rem sts. Work straight until front measures 26 (30, 34, 38)cm/101⁄ 4 (12, 131⁄ 2, 15)in from cast-on edge, ending at armhole edge. Shape shoulder Cast off. Back With right side facing, rejoin yarn to first st on second holder and cast on 2 sts. 1st and 3rd sizes only Next row (right side) K6, [sl 2, k1, p2sso, k9] to last 7 sts, sl 2, k1, p2sso, k4, turn and cast on 2 sts. Next row P1, yrn, p10, * [p1, yrn, p1] in next st, p9; rep from * to last 2 sts, p1, yrn, p1. Next row K6, [sl 2, k1, p2sso, k9] to last 9 sts, sl 2, k1, p2sso, k6. The last 2 rows re-set the patt and are repeated. 2nd and 4th sizes only Next row (right side) K1, skpo, [k9, sl 2, k1, p2sso] to last 10 sts, k9, inc in last st. Next row P6, * [p1, yrn, p1] in next st, p9; rep from * to last 7 sts, [p1, yrn, p1] in next st, p6. Next row K1, skpo, [k9, sl 2, k1, p2sso] to last 12 sts, k9, k2tog, k1. The last 2 rows re-set the patt and are repeated. All sizes Work straight until back measures same as Left Front to shoulder, ending with a wrong side row. Shape shoulders Cast off 21 (27, 27, 33) sts, k to last 21 (27, 27, 33) sts, cast off these sts, leave center sts on a holder. Right Front 1st and 3rd sizes only With right side facing, rejoin yarn to next st on rem holder. Next row K1, skpo, [k9, sl 2, k1, p2sso] to last 5 sts, k4, inc in last st. Next row P1, yrn, p10, [p1, yrn, p1] in next st, p9, [p1, yrn, p1] in next st, p6. Next row K1, skpo, [k9, sl 2, k1, p2sso] to last 6 sts, k6. The last 2 rows re-set the patt and are repeated.

2nd and 4th sizes only Next row K1, skpo, [k9, sl 2, k1, p2sso] to last 11 sts, k11. Next row P6, * [p1, yrn, p1] in next st, p9; rep from * to last 7 sts, [p1, yrn, p1] in next st, p6. Next row K1, skpo, [k9, sl 2, k1, p2sso] to last 12 sts, k9, k2tog, k1. The last 2 rows re-set the patt and are repeated. All sizes Work straight until front measures 21 (24, 28, 31)cm/81⁄ 4 (91⁄ 2, 11, 121⁄ 4)in from cast-on edge, ending at neck edge. Shape neck Slip first 12 (12, 18, 18) sts onto a holder, join on yarn to rem sts, patt to end. Work straight until right front measures same as Left Front to shoulder, ending at armhole edge. Shape shoulder Cast off. SLEEVES With 3.25mm (US 3) needles and M, cast on 63 (75, 75, 87) sts. K 1 row. Cont straight in patt and stripe sequence as given for Back and Fronts until sleeve measures 15 (17, 20, 22)cm/6 (63⁄4, 8, 83⁄4)in from cast-on edge, ending with a right-side row. Cast off. FRONT BAND Join shoulder seams. With right side facing, 3mm (US 5) circular needle and M, pick up and k40 (48, 58, 66) sts along right front edge, to beg of neck shaping, 12 (12, 18, 18) sts from holder, pick up and k9 (11, 11, 13) sts up right front neck, 21 (21, 33, 33) sts across back neck edge, pick up and k9 (11, 11, 13) sts down left front neck, k12 (12, 18, 18) sts from holder, pick up and k40 (48, 58, 66) sts along left front edge to cast on edge. 143 (163, 207, 227) sts. Next row K104 (116, 150, 162), k2tog, yf, k to end. Cast off. TO MAKE UP Join sleeve seams. Sew sleeves into armholes. Sew on button. ❉

rough and tumble 69

Hooded Pullover

A layered look gives skateboarder-style detailing to a child‘s winter-warmer top. TO FIT AGES 6–9, 9–12, 12–18, 18–24 months FINISHED MEASUREMENTS CHEST 56, 61, 67, 72 cm 22, 24, 261⁄ 2, 281⁄ 4 in LENGTH TO SHOULDER (INCLUDING WELT) 28, 31, 34, 37 cm 11, 121⁄ 4, 131⁄ 2, 141⁄ 2 in SLEEVE LENGTH 15, 17, 19, 22 cm 6, 63⁄4, 71⁄ 2, 83⁄4 in MATERIALS ● 3 (4, 4, 5) 50g/1¾oz balls of Debbie Bliss Rialto DK in Teal 020 (M) and two 50g/1¾oz ball of Debbie Bliss Rialto 4-ply in Pale Blue 012 (C). ● Pair each 3.25mm (US 3) and 4mm (US 6) knitting needles. TENSION ■ 22 sts and 30 rows to 10cm/4in square over st st using 4mm (US 6) needles. ABBREVIATIONS See page 152.

WELTS (make 2) With 3.25mm (US 3) needles and C, cast on 94 (102, 114, 122) sts. 1st row K2, [p2, k2] to end. 2nd row P2, [k2, p2] to end. Rep the last 2 rows 7 times more and the 1st row again. Dec row (wrong side) With 4mm (US 6) needles, p3, 4 (0, 1), [p2tog, p1] 29 (31, 37, 39) times, p2tog, p2 (3, 1, 2). 64 (70, 76, 82) sts. Leave these sts on a spare needle. BACK With 4mm (US 6) needles and M, cast on 64 (70, 76, 82) sts. Beg with a k row, work 6 rows in st st . Next row With right side of one welt to wrong side of back, [k next st of back tog with next st from welt] to end. ** Cont in st st until back measures 18 (20, 22, 23)cm/7 (8, 83⁄4, 9)in from cast-on edge of welt, ending with a p row. Shape armholes Cast off 5 (6, 7, 8) sts at beg of next 2 rows. 54 (58, 62, 66) sts. ** Cont in st st until back measures 24 (27, 30, 33)cm/91⁄ 2 (103⁄4, 12, 13)in from cast-on edge, ending with a p row. Shape neck Next row K18 (19, 20, 21), turn and work on these sts only for first side of neck shaping, leave rem sts on a spare needle. Dec one st at neck edge of next 5 rows. 13 (14, 15, 16) sts. Work 2 rows straight. Shape shoulder Next row Cast off 6 (7, 7, 8) sts, k to end. Work 1 row. Cast off rem 7 (7, 8, 8) sts With right side facing, slip 18 (20, 22, 24) sts at center back onto a holder, rejoin yarn to rem sts on spare needle, k to end.

Crafts/Knitting

❉

DEBBIE BLISS has been designing knitwear for over two decades. She is the author of more than 30 books and has her own line of luxurious yarns. She and her family live in London.

$24.95 US ❉ $31.95 Canada

PRINTED IN CHINA

Debbie Bliss designit, knit it babies

designit, knit it babies

Debbie Bliss

designit, knit it babies