Pattern description from Weekend Knitting: “This fun-to-knit baby sweater boasts a sophisticated simplicity that suits babies perfectly. Made with hemp yarn, which comes an ecofriendly plant of the same name, it is soft (and gets softer with each washing) yet durable (hemp is the longest fiber in the world, which makes it very strong). The construction of the sweater, mainly in garter stitch is unusual, but not at all difficult. The body pieces are knitted separately, from side to side (rather than the more traditional bottom to top), which means the garter ridges run vertically instead of horizontally. The sleeves are started at the underarm with stitches quickly added from the armhole to the wrist and knitted back and forth around the arm rather than from cuff to shoulder (again bucking tradition), so that the garter ridges run vertically here as well. The buttons are made from corozo nut, a natural product of a South American palm tree.”

Finished Measurements: To fit 0-6 months (6-9 months, 9-12 months, 12-18 months). 20 (22, 24, 26)“ chest.

Yarn:

• Cardigan: Hemp for Knitting All Hemp, Hemp 6 (100% long line, wetspun hemp; 93 yards / 50 grams): 3 (4, 6, 7) balls. Shown in book in 20” size in natural.
• Pullover: Weldon Sisters Changing Colors Naturally, Hemp 6 (100% long line, wetspun; 186 yards / 100 grams): 2 (2, 3) skeins. Shown in 20” size in madder.

Needles:

• One 24” circular (circ) needle size US 5 (3.75 mm).
• One 24” circular (circ) needle size US 2 (3 mm).
• Change needle size if necessary to obtain the correct gauge.

Notions: 5 (5, 6, 6) 18-mm corozo nut buttons for cardigan (#SPN 108-18), 4 (4, 5, 5) 24-mm corozo nut buttons for pullover (#SPN 108-24), yarn needle. Buttons shown are from One World Buttons Supply Co.

Notes from Weekend Knitting:

• “Two needle sizes are used for casting on and knitting each row. The body sts are worked with the larger needle, and the rolled edging is worked with the smaller needle.”
• “The main body is knit in garter stitch (knit every row), and rolled bottom edge is worked in Reverse Stockinette stitch (Rev St st; purl all sts on RS, knit all sts on WS).”
• “Knitting begins at side seams for the front and back. Sleeves begin at the sleeve seam and are worked around the arm.”

Available in pullover or cardigan versions.

Yarn

• Cardigan - All Hemp 6 - 3 (4, 6, 7) balls

• Pullover - Naturally Hemp 6 - 2 (2, 3) skeins