The Bébé Sweater is a simple, striped kids’ sweater that echoes the design and qualities of the Maman Sweater. 

Born out of my love for matching knitwear, I wanted to create a mummy and baby sweater set that was easy to knit and would keep you warm on breezy summer days (of which we get a lot in Scotland). The embroidery on the side is a perfect chance to personalise your hand-crafted piece.



The round yoke sweater is knitted top down with lifted increases and German short rows to add some shape. To start off, the neckband and part of the yoke are worked flat to create a larger opening for the head. Then a button band is worked in double knitting along the left shoulder, before being joined with the rest of the yoke. From this point the sweater is worked in the round. The body features a split hem that is folded at the end for a clean finish. The embroidery is added after blocking.



The sweater is graded into sizes 3-6 months up to 10-12 years with 9cm (3½ inches) positive ease around the chest. As children’s growth is very personal, I always recommend measuring the chest size of the child you are knitting for and then selecting the size. Sleeve and body length should also be adjusted individually.



Sizing information is in the pictures.

On the Wild Knits Glasgow website you will find tutorials for the specific techniques used in the Maman Sweater pattern, which are the same ones used in this pattern: folded neckband, lifted increases, German short rows, jogless stripes, split hems, simultaneously binding off and sewing on hems, knitwear embroidery, plus making a double-knit button band.



The sweater pictured (size 18-24mo, child’s chest 49cm (19½ inches)) is knitted with Drops Lima in White (1101) and Blue Indigo (4305). The cotton embroidery thread is from DMC in colour 453.

Gauge

Body & Sleeves: Stockinette stitch, 4mm (US6) needles: 22 sts x 30 rounds in 10x10cm (4x4 inches)
Neckband: Stockinette stitch, 2mm (US0) needles: 25 sts x 40 rounds in 10x10cm (4x4 inches)

Needles

4mm (US6) circulars: 40cm, 60cm, 80cm, 100cm (16, 24, 32, 40 inches), a single DPN (for the button band) and, if not using the Magic Loop method for the sleeves, a set of DPNs.
2mm (US0) circular: 40cm (16 inches)

Yarn

Meterage and yardage are listed in the table (see pictures).

Skein specification refers to Drops Lima (DK weight, 65% wool and 35% alpaca, 50g 1.76oz = 100m 109yds). This yarn was used in the pictured sample: main colour White (1101) and contrast colour Blue Indigo (4305).

Notions

For the sweater: 2 x 11mm (7⁄16 inches) buttons (up to 6-12mo) or 3 x 11mm (7⁄16 inches) buttons (all other sizes), 2x stitch markers (different colours), crochet hook (between 2mm-3mm US0 or 3), embroidery needle, waste yarn or stitch holders for the sleeve stitches, scissors and a stitch counter.

For the embroidery: Pen, embroidery thread, water-soluble embroidery transfer paper (such as DMC Magic Paper), embroidery needle, scissors, embroidery hoop (optional).

Techniques

• Folded neckband KLL increases Jogless stripes Picking up stitches Double knitting Tubular bind off Split hems Folding and sewing on hems simultaneously Knitwear embroidery