Seed Stitch Baby Jacket revisited
As many of you may remember, when Beatrix was an infant, I knit up this cute little seed stitch hoodie for her. Twice, in fact. I still maintain that it was the single most useful thing I have ever knit for her. Although the seed stitch seemed endless at the time, the finished product was well worth the trouble. Beatrix hated hats, could not stand to be confined in any way, and was often passed out asleep when it came time to dress her for the cold. She wore this hooded jacket everywhere because it warm, roomy and easy to get on and off without waking her.
The free pattern has been available on my site for two years. Although it has been consistently twice as popular (in terms of downloads) as anything else I offer, the pattern itself left much to be desired. This was one of the first patterns I had ever written and frankly, it was not very good. I did not really want to fix it because if I could do it all over again from scratch, I would have knit the garment completely differently. I have neither the time nor the interest to work out a better, seamless version. Instead, I cleaned up the language, edited out the known errors, altered the neck shaping a bit, and included measurements and stitch counts.
The revised pattern may be found here.
Sizes:
3-6 months, 6-9 months, 9-12 months, 12-18 months, 18-24 mos
Please note the finished measurements of the jacket, as it includes plenty of ease. If you seek a closer fit, please make adjustments accordingly.
Finished Measurements:
Length from back of the neck to bottom edge: 10.25”(11.5”, 12.5”, 13.25”, 14”)
Chest circumference: 20.5”(22.5”, 24”, 25.5”, 27”)
Back width: 10.5”( 11.25”, 12”, 12.75”, 13.5”)
Sleeve length: 6.5”(7.25”, 8.5”, 8.75”, 9”)
Materials:
2 (3, 3, 3, 4) skeins Cascade 220 (100% wool; 220 yd [203 m]; 100g), color: Avocado green, #7814
US7 24” or 32” circular needle, or size required to obtain gauge
Four buttons (7/8” – 1” in diameter)
tapestry needle
Yarn Substitutes:
Any worsted weight yarn will do: Mission Falls 1824 Wool or Cotton, Cascade 220, Plymouth Encore Worsted, Lion Brand Cotton-Ease, Knit Picks Wool of the Andes, etc.
Gauge:
19 stitches and 36 rows = 4” in seed stitch
Author’s note: It is important to make row gauge on this garment. If you cannot, you will need to adjust the frequency of increases and decreases in the hood, the sleeves, and the front and back neck shaping.
The white version below was knit with Lion Brand Cotton-Ease.
beautiful! I wish I had a little someone to knit one for! I don’t know whether I like the green or white better
Oh, hi little B! You were so wee, but your face is so much the same now as it was then.
Seriously cute baby and seriously cute sweater!
that sweater is too cute! but i don’t think i could handle that much seed stitch
That is so adorable! I’ve been looking for something to knit for a friend!
Fantastic! Thanks for sharing- it’s a gorgeous pattern. Hopefully I can upsize it for my big 2yo this year…
OMG, Beatrix is so, so tiny here! What a cutie! Glad the pattern is all a-fixed in case we ever want to knit one!
Thanks for updating this pattern. I’ve been intending to make it for months and am finally going to give it a go for my soon-to-be-born niece/nephew. Thanks again! It’s such a darling little jacket.
That is the cutest baby sweater ever!!! Gorgeous!!
LOVE IT! Thank you so much for the pattern. I’m going to upsize it and make one for Olive.
seeing these pictures of wee beatrix is so great!
Beautiful ! Thank you for sharing !
That sweater is so cute on her!
You write some lovely patterns. I have just finished Ridged Lace Cowl. It’s gorgeous!
Oh, tiny B pictures, how I love them. And I think that the pictures of Beatrix in the white seed stitch jacket is one of the best kid in knits photo shoots I have seen. Ever.
The jacket is lovely & I love the seed stitch. It does look so comfy & warm.
This one is sooo cute, I really love that green, my little boy looks great in that color. i always find myself making him things in that type of green.
Don’t know if i’m patient enough for all that seed stitch, but this is adorable and looks so usable!
What a beautiful sweater. I am looking for a pattern for a newborn (up to 3 months). Any suggestions on how to adjust your smallest size pattern?
[...] also finished this jacket for our friend’s daughter Leah, which was SEED STITCH. What the heck? Why do I keep making [...]