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This pattern has been professionally tech edited by the team at Knit Now Magazine.

High street stores are full of little baby cardigans that are simple, wearable and go well with any outfit. Being a knitting mama, I of course wanted to make my own version! And perhaps you do too?

Enter the Benington Baby Jacket: a basic garter stitch design that can be jazzed up with fun buttons, colourful stripes or a printed fabric lining. Whether you see this as a jacket, a cardigan or something in between, it will keep your little one cosy and on-trend all year round.

This casual garment is the perfect baby knit for beginners, or a quick and relaxing project for more experienced knitters. For a warm jacket suitable for cooler weather, try hand stitching a fabric lining into the jacket. A cotton jersey fabric will stretch and move with the knitted garment. Pick an animal or vehicle print for added fun!

Construction
This jacket is a simple knit suitable for beginners. The body is knit as a single piece, beginning at the lower back hem and continuing up over the shoulders and down the fronts. Stitches are picked up to knit sleeves from the top down. Stitches are then picked up to knit the button bands and collar. This modular, or ‘join as you go’ technique creates a simple shape that requires minimal easy seaming.

Sizes
To fit approximate age: 3 months (6m, 12m, 18m, 24m)
To fit chest size: 16” (17”, 18”, 19”, 21”) with 3”/2.5-7.5cm ease at chest
A full schematic is included in the pattern

Yarn Required
DK weight yarn as follows:
Colour A: 225 (240, 250, 265, 275) yards / 205 (220, 230, 240, 250) metres
Colour B: 205 (215, 230, 240, 250) yards / 190 (200, 210, 220, 230) metres
Sample is shown in Ginger’s Hand Dyed Masham Mayhem

Gauge
22 sts x 36 rows = 4”/10cm measured over garter st

Notions
US 5/3.75mm needle (a 60cm circular is recommended for buttonbands)
7 stitch markers
Stitch holder
2 safety pins or progress keepers
5 buttons, 10mm
Tapestry needle

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Basic Instructions on Adding a Lining
I had a question about how to add the fabric lining, so I figured I’d post some info here.

Choose a jersey fabric that will stretch and move with the outer knitted piece. Select one with a random and preferably non-directional print, that will be much more forgiving if (like me!) you’re not super precise with sewing. Note that the pattern has quite a bit of ease already built into it, so there should be plenty of room for a lining. Prewash your fabric, using whatever laundry settings you will use for the finished garment.

After completing the knitting but before you seam the undersides of sleeves and the sides, lay the finished piece of knitting onto the fabric and use it as a template to cut around, leaving an extra 1”/2cm to fold under at edges, and for seam allowances. I cut fronts, back and sleeves separately and then joined together by holding with right sides facing and seaming.

I then seamed the knitted piece before stitching the lining into place. It would also help to press the seam allowances (at the outer edges) of the lining fabric to the wrong side and then stitch through both fabric layers and the knitted piece to sew into place.

Be sure to leave your buttonholes unlined! I stitched my fabric up to the inner edges of the button bands only.