Dear Sun Spots: I need crochet directions for a baby sweater, 1-6 months, easy if possible. Thanks. – C. Park, South Paris.

Answer: Sun Spots hopes you enjoy the following pattern discovered online at http://crochet.about.com/gi/dynamic/offsite:

Materials: 3-ply baby or fingering yarn (I used Bernat Softee Baby, less than one 5-ounce skein). E hook (I used G for the sweater shown and it’s probably a size 6-9 months) Gauge:5 dc =1″, 3 dc rows = 1″ (this is for size 0-6 months)

Back:

Row 1: Ch 49, dc in 3rd ch from hook, dc in each of next 2 ch, [ch 1, skip next ch, dc in each of next 3 chs] across, turn (12 groups of 3 dc).

Row 2: Ch 4, sc in 1st ch-1 space, [ch 3, sc in next ch-1 space] across, working last sc in top of dc of previous row, ch 3, turn (12 ch-3 loops).

Row 3: 2 dc in first ch-3 loop, [ch 1, 3 dc in next ch-3 loop] across, turn. Rows 4 – 23 Repeat rows 2 and 3 ten times.

DO NOT BREAK OFF, JUST CONTINUE TO FRONT

Front:

Row 1: Ch 4, sc in first ch-1 space, [ch 3, sc in next ch-1 space] 3 times, ch 3, turn (4 ch-3 loops).

Row 2: 2 dc in first ch-3 loop, [ch 1, 3 dc in next ch-3 loop] 3 times, turn

Rows 3: – 23 Repeat rows 1 and 2 until the front measures the same as the back. Fasten off. For the second half of the front, return to the back section. Skip 3 ch-1 spaces from the first front section and sl st your yarn to the 4th ch-1 space. Now complete as you did the first half of the front, working toward the opposite edge. DO NOT FASTEN OFF, turn.

Facing and collar:

Round 1: Ch 3, sc in next space, repeat around entire sweater, working into ends of either side of fronts and the back, with sc in each corner, join, ch3, turn.

Round 2: [3 dc in first space, ch 1, 3 dc in next space] around garment. *Note – 4 dc in 2 spaces at each corner of the back and the fronts (not the neckline corners), join, turn (96 dc groups).

Round 3: Repeat round 1, working increases at each corner as follows: [ch 3, 2 sc between 2nd and 3rd dc of 4 dc group, ch 3, sc in next space] 2 times. Join at end of round, ch 3, turn.

Round 4: Repeat round 2 (108 dc groups).

Round 5: Repeat round 3.

Round 6: Repeat round 2 (120 dc groups).

Round 7: Repeat round 3.

Round 8: Ch 3, 2 dc in first ch-3 space [ch 3, sl st into first ch (picot made), 3 dc in next space] 48 times, [3 dc into next ch-3 space, ch 1] 21 times, [3 dc in next ch-3 space, picot] 27 times, [3 dc into next ch-3 space, ch 1] 21 times, [3 dc in next ch-3 space, picot] for the remaining spaces, sl st to top of first ch 3 and fasten off.

Sleeves:

With wrong side facing, skip 3 ch-1 spaces from the last picot on one side, join yarn with sl st in next space.

Row 1: Ch 4, sc in next ch-1 space, [ch 3, sc in next space] 13 times, ch 3, turn.

Row 2: 2 dc in the first ch-3 loop, [ch 1, 3 dc in next loop] across, turn.

Rows 3: – 14 repeat rows 1 and 2, six times

Row 15: repeat row 1, once.

Row 16: 2 dc in first ch-3 loop, [picot, 3dc in next loop] across. Fasten off

Complete second sleeve in the same manner.

Finishing

Sew sleeve seams and side seam as far as the first picot (I used a whip stitch on the wrong side in the back loops only. It made a nice flat seam). Fold back front facing and collar. Sew either a ribbon or a crochet chain to either side of fronts and tie.

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