I used a free pattern on Ravelry to make this baby sweater, but modified it with a few changes.

Materials 

I used different yarn than the original pattern–organic cotton from Blue Sky Fibers, which is about a 4 weight yarn. This sweater turns out to be about a 9-12 month size. I used a 5.5mm “I” Hook. 

Pattern 

(see bottom of page for abbreviation guide)

One the sixth row, instead of HDC (half double crochet) in every space, I alternated HDC, HDC3TOG in the same space making a cluster. (Instruction for a HDC3TOG or cluster: YO, insert hook into the space, pull up a loop, YO, insert hook back into the same space, pull up a loop, YO and do it one last time, then pull through all loops on your hook, move on to the next space with a normal HDC.)

In the picture above, it’s the second gray stripe that I did that technique. (The first gray stripe I’m counting as the neck.) 

I only did this technique with the grey and pink. I did have to fudge a little under the arms, meaning, I would look ahead, and if the last stitch was going to be a cluster, I’d do two HDC in a row, but under the arm where it wasn’t noticeable. The reason being is I wanted the beginning and end of each row to be a HDC. I hope that makes sense.

The other change I had to make was joining the sleeves much earlier than row 14 which is suggested in the pattern. Because I was using much larger yarn, and I wanted to make a sweater for about a ninth month old, I joined the sleeves at about row 8.

Notes

The last suggestion I have for you is to practice this pattern and get a feel for it. Make it first the way it’s written, so you can see how to modify it. I have used and modified this pattern several times and what I usually tell myself is just sub a stitch for a stitch and see what happens.

I did make a simple heart in a magic ring that I sewed onto one side. 

Pattern for that is as follows:

Start a magic ring with 2 chains, then do 1 DC, 1 TC, 1 DC, 4 SC, 1 DC, 4 SC, 1 DC, 1 TC, all into the magic ring loop. Pull it tight and arrange the stitches, then chain 2 and slip stitch into the middle of the ring, tighten one more time and cut a long tail. I use this tail as the yarn that sews the heart onto the sweater. Weave in the ends and your done.

before I added sleeves

The pattern doesn’t exactly tell you how to make sleeves, just to add them if you wish, but I found that if I kept really good track of the amount of stitches in each round, there wasn’t a problem. When I got down to the wrist and change color the first time, I decreased the stitches in the round by 2. (Which means I did a HDC2TOG over 2 stitches to make one)

I hope you have success! If you sub the yarn and use an acrylic I think the clusters will be poofy and not quite so flat. Yarn type does make a project look different.

Either way, I’d love to see what you come up with!  Tag me on Instagram @daisyfarmcrafts or use the #daisyfarmcrafts so everybody can see!

If you have questions, either leave a comment, or email me at daisyfarmcrafts@gmail.com and I will try and help you as best I can.

Thank you so much for stopping by!

Tiffany