Pattern Description:

This pattern details the creation of a Sheep Yoke Baby Cardigan, a knitting project inspired by “Knitting in the Old Way” but with a simplified yoke design for babies.

It features a charming sheep yoke pattern, with options for either a boy’s or girl’s version through color variations.

The pattern provides directions for two sizes, 6-9 months or 9-12 months, by utilizing different needle sizes.

Materials Needed & Measurements:

Yarn: DK weight superwash wool.
- Tan: 220-250 yards (Main Color).
- Blue, Green, Cream: 60-90 yards each.
- Black: Less than 20 yards.
- Pink: Less than 60 yards (for girl’s version).
Yarn Weight: DK weight.
Needles: Size 5 (smaller size) and Size 6 (larger size) straight or circular needles.

Notions:
- Stitch holder or piece of scrap yarn (for holding sleeve stitches).
- Buttons (number to be decided by knitter for button band).
Measurements:
- Size: 6-9 months or 9-12 months (shown in size 9-12 months).
- Gauge:
  - 6 stitches and 9 rows = 1 inch (with smaller needles).
  - 5.5 stitches and 8 rows = 1 inch (with larger needles).
- Finished Piece Length (before ribbing): 10.5″ [12.5″].

Stitches & Abbreviations Used:

BO: Bind Off
CO: Cast On
Duplicate-stitch: A technique for adding details, used for sheep heads and legs.
French-knot eyes: Used for forward-facing sheep in the center back.
k2, p2 rib: Knit two, purl two ribbing.
k2tog: Knit two together.
MC: Main Color (tan yarn).
purl: Purl stitch.
rib: Ribbing.
st: Stitch(es).
stockinette: Stockinette stitch.
YO: Yarn Over.

Instructions for Making the Sheep Yoke Baby Cardigan Pattern:

Initial Body Construction

Using MC (tan yarn), CO 70 st.
Work 7 rows of k2, p2 rib.
Work 1 row of purl. This purl row is referred to as the “setup row” on the Sheep Yoke Chart.
Break MC yarn and join blue yarn.

Working the Sheep Yoke Chart

Begin working the Sheep Yoke Chart.
Repeat each bracketed section four times across the rows.
Space increases across each section, avoiding lining them up vertically to prevent obvious “seams”.
The black wedges on the chart indicate “no stitches”; simply skip over these areas to the next st in the row.
If making the girl’s version, work the pink flowers as charted. For the boy’s version, work these two rows in blue.
For the flower pattern ONLY, do not repeat each bracketed section exactly as pictured; instead, keep the eight-stitch repeat of the flowers continuous across these two rows, incorporating the required increases carefully.
For the remainder of the chart, you can work the repeats exactly as pictured.
If making the boy’s version, use blue yarn for the checkerboard pattern. If making the girl’s version, use pink yarn.
After completing row 34 of the chart (206 st), proceed to divide for sleeves.

Dividing for Sleeves and Main Body

Divide for sleeves as follows: k29, place 44 st on a holder or scrap yarn, k60, place 44 st on a holder or scrap yarn, k29.
Work straight in stockinette with MC until the piece measures 10.5″ [12.5″] (the example uses the larger size, 12.5″).
Then, work 2 rows with blue yarn (boy’s version) or pink yarn (girl’s version).
Work one more row with MC.
Work 7 rows of k2, p2 rib and BO.

Adding Sheep Details

With black yarn, duplicate-stitch the heads and legs onto the sheep as charted in the Duplicate Stitch Chart. Ensure the sheep face toward the button band on each side.
Use blue yarn to make French-knot eyes for the forward-facing sheep in the center back.

Working Sleeves

Free Sheep Yoke Baby Cardigan Pattern

Pattern Description:

Materials Needed & Measurements:

Stitches & Abbreviations Used: