For a wee one

Nothing brings a smile to someones face more than the arrival of a wee little one. We have definitely reached that time in life where the weddings are slowing down and parenthood is taking off. Four weeks ago close friends welcomed their first little one into the world and though I know they have a cupboard exploding with everything baby and beyond, I couldn't help clicking away to make just one more thing for the gorgeous little girl.

It is the peak of summer here so a wintery knit was never going to suffice. I wanted to go with something cool, soft and snuggly that will certainly be able to have an extended autumn life too with a long sleeved top underneath once the weather cooled down. Using the awesome plain vest pattern from Pickles as a base I made this gorgeous (if I do say so myself) round neck vest/singlet, which turned out even better than I envisaged.

So how did I do it?
Using 8ply cotton yarn from Bendigo Woollen Mills and 4mm circular needle I cast on 80 stitches (as per pattern) and knitted in the round (see note) till it was the guesstimated right length (yep I just guess these things).

Note: after the garter ridges I TURNED my work as I prefer the cast on edge to roll under and be at the back on the work. This leaves a small hole where I added the side tag.

Ok here is where things changed.
On the next round bind off 3 stitches, knit 34,  bind off 6 stitches, knit 34, bind off 3 stitches.
Turn. Cast on 16 stitches on right needle, knit 34, cast on 16 stitches, knit 34, cast on 4 stitches. Turn.

Now I just knitted back and forth as follows (from memory my maths was slightly out but I will share with you what I wrote down at the time and used as a guide which should get you well on the way to making an awesome top too!)
Row 1 - K2 YO K2tog K to end of row
Row 2, 4, 5, 6, 9, 10, 12, 13, 14, 16, 17 - knit all stitches
Row 3 - K5 K2tog *K4 K2tog* repeat between * 17 times K5
Row 7 - K8 K2tog *K4 K2tog* repeat between * 13 times K8
Row 8 - Knit till last 4 stitches K2tog YO K2
Row 11 - K7 K2tog *K4 K2tog* repeat between * 11 times K7
Row 15 - K2 YO K2tog K2 K2tog *K6 K2tog* repeat between * ending with K6
Row 18 - Bind off very loosely. Sew in ends. Sew on buttons!

This was a really quick knit and definitely one I would knit again (when I do I will fix the maths lol)!