About this design
My recent fascination with slipstitch patterns has taken a swerve into the vintage baby wear space. My favourite slipstitch pattern (seen previously in the One Step Ahead Beanie and matching Neck Warmer) morphed into the simple but striking top down, seamless garter stitch Retro Steps Baby Cardigan. This matching tammie completes the picture for the fashion-forward bub.

Like the matching cardigan, this tammie is all about colour. When knitted with two soft-hued contrasting colours, the tammie has a 1950s feel about. When knitted in the crazy colour changes presented by a Magic Ball, the vibe is 1960s flower child. Swap out those crazy colours for a multi-dyed yarn and an electric contrast colour and say hello to the millennial baby.

Knitted in the round on either circular needles or double-pointed needles, this is an ultra-quick knit and will use up any remnants from your Retro Steps Baby Cardigan.

This pattern has so much going for it—the slipstitch pattern is easy to memorise, it’s a great stash-buster project, you can experiment with colour and it is super quick to knit. Plus there is the added bonus of creating a one-off Magic Ball that will make this tammie totally unique. Every baby deserves something this special.

Note: This is a Magic Ball Friendly Pattern. Please read the free accompanying information booklet “Magic Ball Musings” for guidance on how to construct a Magic Ball. The Construction Notes also include suggestions for the best type of Magic Ball for this pattern.

Please visit the capitalKNITS Ravelry store to check out my other Magic Ball Friendly Patterns.

Size
0-3 months old. Finished brim measurement is approx 33 cm/13 in.
3-6 months old. Finished brim measurement is approx 39.5 cm/15 1/2 in.
6-12 months old. Finished brim measurement is approx 44.5 cm/17 1/2 in.

The brim is very stretchy and will expand to fit most baby/toddler heads.

Tension
22 stitches x 48 rows over 10 cm/4 inches in a blocked garter stitch swatch knitted in the round using 4.00 mm (US size 6, UK size 8) needles. A reasonable match for tension is important for this pattern in order to ensure a good fit. However, a small difference in stitch or row gauge won’t matter too much as you will always find a baby that will fit this tammie! Please move up or down a needle size and swatch one more time if your gauge is significantly different. You may find that you use more or less yarn if your gauge is significantly different.

Yarn
Any double knit/8 ply yarn that knits to the tension gauge. Two contrasting colours are required, one of which (the contrast colour) could be a Magic Ball.

Main Colour = approx 54 m/59 yds (this is approx. 30g of yarn)
Contrast Colour = approx 45 m/49 yds (this is approx. 25g of yarn)

The sample tammie illustrated in this pattern was knitted with Shepherd Colour 4 Me in shade 4952 (Lime Green) for the main colour and Shepherd Colour 4 Me Prints in shade 5018 (Multi-dye in blues, greens and browns).

Needles
4.00 mm (US size 6, UK size 8) double pointed needles or one 40 cm/6 ins circular needles or two 61 cm/24 ins circular needles or one 80 cm/32 ins or 100 cm/40 ins circular needle or a combination of these needles.

4.5 mm (US size 7, UK size 7) double pointed needles or one 40 cm/16 in circular needles or two 60 cm/24 ins circular needles or one 80 cm/32 ins or 100 cm/40 ins circular needle or a combination of these needles.

Notions
Tapestry/darning needle.
Six stitch markers.

The Pattern
This pattern includes written and charted instructions as well as links to video tutorials for most of the techniques used in the design.

Questions?
Please send all questions to capitalKNITS@icloud.com.