Buttercups are fun. Plus, they are diverse.
Buttercups in a field:
(from gilest at flickr.com)
Buttercup Powerpuff Girls graffiti on a wall in Europe:
(from metaphorge at flickr.com)Buttah-cup, the Princess Bride:
And now, Buttercup Cardi:
Buttercup Cardi for a Toddler
Pattern: My own (see below)
Yarn: Schaefer Elaine and Misti Alpaca Chunky
Needles: US 11 and US 10
Extras: Flower buttons
Buttercup cardi with butter cream cupcakes!
Lilac buttercup buttons!
I declare, 'tis a feast for the senses! OK, OK, enough with the buttercup variations. I started with a skein of Schaefer Elaine in color "Snooks." It was so lovely that it cried out to be knitted into a child's garment. I paired it with Misti Alpaca Chunky in color "Lemon" for a quick raglan cardi with a short-row shaped collar.
Here's the (very quick and easy) pattern:
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MATERIALS:
(MC) 1 skein Schaefer Elaine (99% wool/1% nylon; 300 yds) - color "Snooks"
(CC) 1 skein Misti Alpaca Chunky (100% baby alpaca; 108 yds) - color "Lemon"
Pair of US 11 and 10 needles
Tapestry needle
3 Buttons
GAUGE:
12 sts x 16 rows = 4" square on larger needles
BACK
With larger needles and MC, cast on 42 stitches.
Begin stockinette stitch for 4 inches.
Next row: k1, k2tog, knit until last 3 sts, ssk, k1.
St st for 5 rows.
Next row: k1, k2tog, knit until last three sts, ssk, k1.
St st for another 9 rows.
Begin raglan shaping
Next row: (RS) Bind off 3 sts knitwise, k to end
Next row: (WS) Bind off 3 sts purlwise, p to end
Next row: k1, k2tog, work to last 3 sts, ssk, k1.
Next row: Purl all stitches.
Repeat last two rows 6 more times.
Bind off all stitches.
LEFT FRONT
With MC, cast on 21 sts.
Begin stockinette st for 4 inches.
Next row: k1, k2tog, knit to end.
St st for 5 rows.
Next row: k1, k2tog, knit to end
St st for another 9 rows.
Begin raglan shaping
Next row: (RS) Bind off 3 sts, k to end
Next row: (WS) Purl all stitches.
Next row: k1, k2tog, knit to end
Next row: Purl all stitches.
Repeat last two rows 2 more times.
Begin neck shaping
Next row: (WS) Bind off 3 stitches purlwise, purl to end
Next row: k1, k2tog, knit to end
Next row: p1, p2tog, purl to end.
*At this point, you're shaping the armhole on the right side (knit side) and shaping the neck on the wrong side (purl side)
Repeat last two rows 2 more times
Next row: Knit all stitches.
Next row: P1, p2tog, p1.
Bind off.
RIGHT FRONT
With MC, cast on 21 stitches.
Begin stockinette stitches for 16 rows.
Next row: Knit to last three stitches, ssk, k1.
Work 5 rows in St st.
Next row: Knit to last three stitches, ssk, k1.
St st for another 8 rows.
Next row (WS): Bind off 3 stitches, purl to end.
Begin raglan shaping
Next row: knit to end.
Next row: p1, p2tog, purl to end.
Repeat last two rows 2 more times.
Begin neck shaping
Next row: Bind off 3 stitches, knit to end.
Next row: P1, p2tog, purl to end.
Next row: K1, k2tog, knit to end.
*You are now shaping the armhole on the wrong side (purl side) and shaping the neck on the right side (knit side)
Repeat last two rows 2 more times.
Next row: p1, p2tog, purl to end
Bind off.
SLEEVES (make two)
Using CC yarn and larger needles, cast on 22 stitches.
Knit 5 rows in garter stitch.
Change to MC and St st for 20 rows.
Next row: k1, k2tog, knit to last three sts, ssk, k1.
St st for three rows.
Next row: k1, k2tog, knit to last three sts, ssk, k1.
Next row: Purl
Repeat last two rows 6 more times.
Bind off.
FINISHING
Sew sleeves to back and fronts.
Block to measurements.
Sew sleeve seams and side seams. (I left the cuffs of the sleeves unsewn to create a little vent detail)
BUTTONHOLE BAND (Right front)
With right side facing and smaller needles, pick up 30 stitches with CC.
Knit 1 row.
Buttonhole row: K10, ssk, YO, k3, ssk, YO, k3, ssk, YO, k3.
Next row: Knit all sts.
Bind off.
BUTTON BAND (Left front)
With right side facing and smaller needles, pick up 30 stitches with CC.
Knit 3 rows.
Bind off.
BOTTOM HEM
With right side facing and smaller needles, pick up 86 sts with CC.
Knit 3 rows.
Bind off.
COLLAR
With right side facing and smaller needles, pick up 56 sts with CC along neck edge.
Knit 3 rows.
Begin Short Row Shaping
Knit to last 16 sts, turn. Repeat.
Knit to last 12 sts, turn. Repeat.
Knit to last 8 sts, turn. Repeat.
Knit 10 rows.
Bind off.
Final measurements:
sleeve width: 9"; sleeve length from hem to neck: 10"
front bottom hem width: 8"; front chest width: 7"; front length (MC) from top of hem to point of raglan: 14"; front length including garter hem: 15"
back length: 14"; back length with garter hem: 15"; back chest width: 14"; back bottom hem width: 16"
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At the moment, I've only written up the one size. Haven't had time to do calculations for other sizes, but will in the near future. Also, I left the sleeves a little short because I thought they were cute as 3/4-ish sleeves. But I had yarn leftover to make full length sleeves. Just add another inch worth of sleeve before raglan shaping. It's my first stab at writing up a pattern, so if there are any errors or you have any questions, just let me know.
In closing, I cannot take credit for the cupcakes. They are from Magnolia Bakery. They are delicious. Magnolia has opened up a store on the Upper West Side. I am going to die from sugar shock. An extra shot of cupcakes for a happy, happy Friday!
OK, this is more of an adaptation of the original Hemlock Ring Doily pattern (made famous as BrooklynTweed's Hemlock Ring Blanket) than an actual pattern.
