By Melissa Mall

Photos: Melissa Mall

What’s the best way to show how excited we are about a new baby? Crochet! When I was designing this sweet little cardi, I wanted to make something that was fast and easy, but pretty. Add a lovely bit of ribbon and you have a simply elegant gift for the next baby announcement that didn’t take you weeks to make.

Difficulty: Easy

Size: 0-6 months (chest circumference – 18″)

Materials:

• Bernat Softee Baby [100% Acrylic; 362yd/331m per 140g/5oz skein]; color: Antique White; approx. 150 yds
• H/8 (5.00mm) hook
• 36″ of 5/8″ ribbon
• Yarn Needle

Gauge: 12 sts/7 rows = 4″ in dc.

Directions:

Row 1: Ch 49, sk 1, sc across. (48 sc) Turn.

Row 2: Ch 2. *dc, ch 1, sk 1 st, dc, ch 1, dc in next st. Rep from * across. (72 sts) Turn.

Row 3: Ch 2, *dc 4, dc inc. Rep from * across. (72 sts) Turn.

Row 4: Ch 2, *dc 5, dc inc. Rep from * across. (84 sts) Turn.

Row 5: Ch 2. *Dc 6, dc inc. Repfrom * across. (96 dc) Turn.

Row 6: Ch 2. Dc 13, ch 2, sk 22, dc 26, ch 2, sk 22, dc 13. Turn.

Row 7: Ch 2. Dc in each dc and ch across. (56 dc) Turn.

Rows 8-12: Ch 2. Dc across, turn.

Finish off.

Sleeves:

Rnd 1: Join to beginning of sleeve at underarm. Ch 2. dc 22. dc dec 3 across underarm. (25 dc) Join rnd.

Rnd 2: Ch 2. Dc dec, dc 18, dc dec, dc 3. (23 dc) Join.

Rnd 3: Ch 2. Dc dec, dc 16, dc dec, dc 3. (21 dc) Join.

Rnds 4-6: Ch 2. Dc around. Join.

Rnd 7: Ch 1, sc. *Ch 3, sc in next st. Rep from * around, join. Finish off.

Edging: Join at neck edge. Sc evenly down to bottom corner. Ch 1. sc in dc. *ch 3, sc in next st. Rep from * across to opposite bottom corner. Turn corner, sc evenly up to neck edge. Finish off.

Finishing:
Weave in all ends; weave ribbon through eyelets in body round 2.

About the Designer

Melissa Mall is an at-home mom with four sons, and a girl on the way! They have settled in to a quiet (or “quiet,” if you like) rural life in Missouri and are enjoying doing things like gardening and keeping chickens in the backyard. You can keep up with their ordinary adventures over at her blog, or take a peek at her crochet patterns and tutorials at Inner Child Crochet.

Pattern & images © Melissa Mall. All rights reserved.