Baby Vest

Materials: Yarn that will give you a 5 st/in, 7 rows/in. (20 st by 28 row for a 4"x4" swatch) 1 36" Circular needle 1 16" circular needle or 10" double pointed needles, in a size that gives you the correct gauge. (I used size 6) 1 set of needles that are at least 1 size smaller than your working needles 1 appropriate size crochet hook (this is optional) 4 long pieces (about 12") of waste yarn or 4 stitch holders 4 buttons (about 1/2") Size: Finished vest is about 12" in length (inc ribbing) and 18" around. Pattern: This vest is knitted as one piece The only seams you have to sew up are for the shoulders! This fit my 12 mo nephew a bit loose, but then again, he's kinda thin. Note: so as not to confuse you, I'll call the side of the sweater that will be seen by everyone as the "outside" and the side towards to body, the "inside". Bottom ribbing Cast on 90 stitches. Knit a 1x1 ribbing (which is a K1, P1 repeat 'til end), turn and continue pattern for 4 times (total of 5 rows). Next row for girls: K1, P1, YO, P2TOG, then continue in ribbing pattern

Next row for boys: Continue in ribbing pattern to the last 4 sts, then K1, YO, K2TOG, P1. Continue pattern for another 3 rows. You should now have the outside facing you. Body Row 1: K1, P1, K1, P1, then knit to the last 4 stitches, K1, P1, K1, P1, turn Row 2: K1, P1, K1, P1, then purl to the last 4 stitches, K1, P1, K1, P1, turn Repeat last two rows, 8 times. outside should be facing you. Buttonhole rows Next row for girls: K1, P1, YO, P2TOG, then then knit to the last 4 st, K1, P1, K1, P1, turn Next row for boys: K1, P1, K1, P1, then knit to the last 4 st, K1, YO, K2TOG, P1, turn Repeat row 2. Repeat row 1 and row 2, 8 times, then do buttonhole rows. Repeat row 1 and row 2, 8 times, then do buttonhole rows. Repeat row 1. The inside should now be facing you. Start V-neck and armhole shaping Now we will have to divide up the stitches for the front right, left and back portions. K1, P1, K1, P1, then purl 15 st, BO next 6 st (this is for the left armhole), purl 40 st, BO the next 6 st (for the other armhole), purl to last 4 st, K1, P1, K1, P1, turn. We'll work on the front right side first Using the shorter circular needle: Row 1: K1, P1, K1, P1, K1, K2tog, knit to the 5 st before BO st, SSK, K3, turn Row 2: Put yarn in front, and slip (as if to purl) the first 3 stitches, P to last 4 st, K1, P1, K1, P1, turn. Repeat the last two rows, two more times. Row 7: K1, P1, K1, P1, K1, K2tog, knit to end, turn

Row 8: Repeat row 2. Repeat rows 7 and 8. (you should have 11 stitches) Row 11: K1, P1, K1, P1, K to end, turn. Row 12: Repeat row 2. Repeat last 2 rows until you finish row 23 (ie: repeat rows 11 and 12 5 more times, then row 11 once) Put the stitches on a stitch holder, or just thread a waste yarn through the live stitches, and tie the ends together. Leave a tail about 3 times the distance of the remaining st to use to sew up the shoulder seam [ I left about a tail of 7"] Front right side is DONE! For the left side With outside facing you, attach yarn to the stitch right of the left armhole BO stitches. Row 1: K3, K2tog, knit up to the last 7 stitches, SSK, K1, P1, K1, P1, K1, turn Row 2: P1, K1, P1, K1, purl to the end, turn Row 3: Slip (as if to knit) 3 stitches, K2tog, knit to last 7 st, SSK, K1, P1, K1, P1, K1, turn Repeat rows 2 and 3 twice Row 8: Repeat row 2 Row 9: Slip (as if to knit) 3 stitches, knit to last 7 st, SSK, K1, P1, K1, P1, K1, turn Repeat rows 8 and 9 Row 12: Repeat row 2 Row 13: Slip (as if to knit) 3 stitches, knit to last 4 st, P1, K1, P1, K1, turn Repeat rows 12 and 13 until you finish row 22 (ie: Repeat rows 12 and 13 4 times, then row 12 once) Put the stitches on a stitch holder, or just thread a waste yarn through the live stitches, and knot it at the end. Leave a tail about 3 times the distance of the remaining st to use to sew up the shoulder seam [I left about a tail of 7"]

Front left side is now DONE! Back and armhole shaping OK, we're on the home stretch! With outside facing you: Row 1: K3, K2tog, knit up to the last 5 stitches, SSK, K3, turn Row 2: With yarn in front, slip (as if to purl) the first 3 stitches, P to end, turn Row 3: Slip (as if to knit) 3 stitches, K2tog, knit to last 5 stitches, SSK, K3, turn Repeat rows 2 and 3 twice Row 8: Repeat row 2 Row 9: Slip (as if to knit) 3 stitches, knit to end, turn Repeat rows 8 and 9 until you are at row 19 Row 20: With yarn in front, slip (as if to purl) 3 st, K22, put the rest of the stitches on stitch holder, or thread waste yarn through the live stitches and knot the ends. Turn Row 21: K3, K2tog, K3, K2tog, K3, K2tog, K3, put the rest of the stitches on stitch holder, or thread waste yarn through the live stitches and knot the ends. Turn Row 22: K15, turn Row 23: K15, turn BO the 15 st. Shoulder Seams With the outside facing you, lay out the vest. Fold the fronts so the button band overlaps. (the vest should look the way it will when finished, except it's inside out) Put hook through the back right side stitch (as you are facing the vest) then pull the corresponding front stitch through the front stitch. (see my feeble attempt at a picture above) Put this stitch on your work needle. Then put the 2nd front stitch on the hook, pull the 2nd back st through the front st, and put this stitch on your work needle (which should now have 2 stitches). Continue until you have 7 st on your work needle.

At the neck, you'll have to "find" the stitch to pull the front stitches through. There should be 4 st at the neck edge. You'll have a total of 11 st on your work needle. (If you have a crochet hook slip the hook into the back stitch, then pull the corresponding stitch from the front. Slip this on your work needle. Continue to end of stitches at the end of the neckband.) Now BO these 11 stitches with the tail from the front. You've finished one shoulder! Do the same for the other shoulder, except reverse the order (work from shoulder to neckband) Sew your buttons where they match the buttonholes, weave in any loose ends, and you're FINISHED!!