How to Knit a Baby Sweater From the Neck Back

Start at the neckline to knit a warm and snuggly top-down cardigan for a baby.

A different way to knit a baby sweater is to start at the neckline and knit to the bottom of the sweater. Such sweaters are almost always cardigans with raglan sleeves, making them seamless. Knitting a top-down cardigan is very different from a traditionally knitted sweater, and can be confusing for a beginning knitter, since you end up with the sweater's neckline at the bottom of your knitting.

Things You'll Need

• Sport or baby weight yarn
• Knitting needles, U.S. size 5
• Circular knitting needles, 16 inches long, U.S. size 5
• Tapestry needle
• 4 stitch markers
• Hook and eye

Instructions

1. Cast 54 stitches onto the straight knitting needles for a sweater in a 12- to 18-month-old size. Knit eight rows to make the yoke.

2. Begin row 1 of the pattern by slipping one stitch from the left needle to the right. Knit nine stitches, place a stitch marker, knit six stitches, place a stitch marker, knit 22, place a stitch marker, knit six, place a stitch marker, knit ten.

3. For row 2, slip one stitch and purl the remaining stitches. Begin row 3 by slipping one stitch. Knit all the stitches up to one stitch before the marker, then increase one by knitting in the front and back of that stitch, slip the marker to the other needle, and increase one in the next stitch. Continue across the row by knitting all stitches up to one stitch before the marker, increase one, slip the marker, and increase one in the next stitch. Repeat these two rows thirteen times, ending on the wrong side. You will have 166 stitches on the needle.

4. Knit to the first marker. This is the right front of the sweater. Place the next 34 stitches, which will become a sleeve, on a stitch holder. Continue to knit the rest of the row and knit to the next marker. Remove the marker, place the next 34 stitches on a holder and knit to the end of the row. This is the left front of the sweater.

5. Slip the first stitch and purl the remaining stitches on the next row. Slip the first stitch and knit the remaining stitches on the row after that. Repeat these two rows until the length from the underarm is 7 inches, or whatever length you wish.

6. Knit the next eight rows to form a garter stitch border. Bind off all stitches, knot and cut the yarn.

7. Make the sleeves by placing the 34 stitches from one stitch holder onto the small circular needle. Knit all stitches in the round until the sleeve measures 3 inches. Knit one round, purl the next round, knit one round, and purl the next round. Bind off, knot and cut the yarn. Repeat this step for the second sleeve.

8. Make a button band by starting at the top right edge of the sweater. Using the straight knitting needles, pick up one stitch for every slipped stitch along the side of the sweater. Knit eight rows, bind off all stitches, knot and cut the yarn. Pick up one stitch for every slipped stitch starting on the left bottom edge of the sweater. Knit eight rows, bind off all stitches, knot and cut the yarn. Close the top of the sweater, if desired, with a hook and eye sewn onto the top of the button bands.

Tips & Warnings

• Add a row counter to your knitting needle to help keep track of the number of rows you have knitted.