Knitted Raglan Baby Cardigan

Instructions

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1. 1Neck and markersWith the 3.5 mm circular, cast on 44 sts (all sizes). Set-up row (WS): p4, pm, p6, pm, p24, pm, p6, pm, p4. Sections: right front 4, sleeve 6, back 24, sleeve 6, left front 4.
2. 2Neck and raglan increasesTo shape the front neck, the first 6 increase rows also increase at the front edges. Row 1 (RS): k1, M1L, *knit to 1 st before marker, M1R, k1, sm, k1, M1L* 4 times, knit to last st, M1R, k1 (10 sts increased; 54 sts). Row 2: purl. Work rows 1 and 2 a total of 6 times (104 sts): fronts 16, sleeves 18, back 36.
3. 3Continuing raglan increasesIncrease row (RS): *knit to 1 st before marker, M1R, k1, sm, k1, M1L* 4 times, knit to end (8 sts increased). Purl WS rows. Work this row 10/12/14 more times (184/200/216 sts): each front 26/28/30, each sleeve 38/42/46, back 56/60/64. Total increases: 16/18/20 RS rows.
4. 4Dividing for sleevesRS: removing markers, k26/28/30, place 38/42/46 sleeve sts on waste yarn, cast on 4 sts (underarm), k56/60/64, place second sleeve on waste yarn, cast on 4 sts, k26/28/30 (body 116/124/132 sts).
5. 5BodyContinue in stockinette for 13/15/17 cm from the underarm, ending with a WS row. Change to 3 mm needles and work 3 cm in k1, p1 rib (*k1, p1* on every row). Bind off loosely in rib.
6. 6SleevesPlace the 38/42/46 sts of one sleeve on double-pointed needles and pick up 4 sts from the underarm cast-on (42/46/50); place the beginning-of-round marker in the middle of these 4 sts. Knit in the round. Work a decrease round every 7th round: k1, k2tog, knit to last 3 sts, ssk, k1. Decrease 5/6/7 times (32/34/36 sts). When the sleeve measures 11/13/15 cm from the underarm, change to 3 mm needles, work 3 cm in k1, p1 rib and bind off loosely. Work the second sleeve the same way.
7. 7Front bandWith the 3 mm circular and RS facing, starting at the lower right front corner, pick up 3 sts for every 4 rows along the front edge, 1 st in each stitch along the neck and 1 st per row on the neck slope; continue at the same rate along the other front. The total must be odd (add or skip one if needed). Row 1 (WS): p1, *k1, p1*. Row 2: k1, *p1, k1*. On row 3 work the buttonholes: on the right front for girls or the left front for boys, space 5 holes evenly, the lowest 1.5 cm from the hem and the top one 1 cm below the start of the neck; for each, yo, k2tog. Work 7 rows of rib in total and bind off loosely in rib.
8. 8FinishingClose any small gaps at the underarms with the tails and weave in all ends. Wash the cardigan in lukewarm water and dry flat to size. Sew the buttons with doubled strong thread, passing through each 6-8 times and wrapping a short shank; check they are secure every time before dressing baby.