Aria's Flower Jumper

 

This pattern is my idea of a “fun knit” since it is worked mostly in the round with basic knitting stitches.   If you haven’t ever crocheted, let me encourage you about the darling flower:  It’s EASY!  I hadn’t crocheted since I was a girl and after looking over the basic crochet stitches I was getting the hang of it all over again.  (Try googling “crochet flower” some time and you might lose yourself in a whole new craft.  There are even video tutorials!) Back to the jumper:  This pattern can be easily adapted and ornamented in a way that best suits any little sweetheart’s taste.  I had originally thought that a colorful caterpillar creeping over the bodice or a spotted butterfly would be cute.   Duplicate stitch works very nicely on this weight of yarn.  Have fun making it your own or recreate it as shown!

 

Sizes: 2T, (3T, 4T)  (Shown in 2T)

 

MATERIALS

• Worsted weight yarn – (Berroco Comfort is ideal and comes in many delightful colors.)
• 2 skeins MAIN COLOR “Dried Plum” (Purple color)
• 1 skein color A “Rosebud” (Light pink)
• Small amount of  color B “Seedling” (Lime green)
• Small amount of color C “Teaberry” (Raspberry)
• Size 7 circular needles 16” long (or size to obtain gauge)
• Size 6 double pointed needles
• Size F/5 or 3.75 crochet hook
• ½” yellow plastic button for center of flower
• 2 Stitch holders
• Yarn needle.

 

FINISHED MEASUREMENTS

• Chest 22 ½” (23 ¼”, 24”)
• Length 17 ½” (18 ½”, 19 ½”)

 

GAUGE

20 sts and 28 rows to 4”/10cm over St st using size 7 needles.  IT’S WORTH THE TIME IT TAKES TO CHECK YOUR GAUGE.

 

NOTE

This jumper is worked in the round as one piece up to the armholes.

 

SKIRT

With circular needle and color A, cast on 168 (172, 176) sts.  Place marker.  Join work, being careful not to twist the row of cast on stitches. 

 

BOTTOM EDGE OF SKIRT

*K1, P1 * repeat for the entire round.

Next row:  *P1, K1 * repeat for the entire round.

Repeat these two rows, forming a moss stitch pattern, until work measures 1”.  On last round, work 84 sts and place 2^nd marker.  Finish round at beginning marker.

 

**Knit 4 rounds even.

5^th round (Decrease round): SSK, K to the last 2 sts before marker, K2tog, SSK, K to the last 2 stitches before marker, K2tog.  **

 

Repeat from ** to ** until 112 (116, 120) sts remain.   14 total decrease rounds.

 

Size 2T:  Skip to waistband instructions.

Size 3T & 4T:  Knit 4 more rounds even.

 

WAISTBAND

*K1, P1 * repeat for the entire round.

Next row:  *P1, K1 * repeat for the entire round.

Repeat these two rows, forming a moss stitch pattern, until waistband measures 1”. 

 

BODICE

Switch to Color A and knit even until bodice measures 1 ¼” (1 ¾”, 2 ¼”)

 

DIVIDE WORK INTO FRONT AND BACK

K 53 (55, 57) , cast off 6, K 50 (52, 54)  , cast off 6. 

Continue to work the first set of stitches back and forth for the BACK.  (Optional, place last stitches worked on a stitch holder and save for the FRONT if you don’t want them on your needles while you work the BACK)

 

BACK ARMHOLE SHAPING

Worked in St st,  (Knit one row, purl one row…)

Knit one row, turn work.

Cast off 3 sts at the beginning of the next 2 rows.

Cast off 2 sts at the beginning of the next 2 rows.

Cast off 1 st at the beginning of the next 2 rows.

38 (40, 42) sts remain.

 

Work even until bodice measures 4 ½” (5”, 5 ½”).  End with a wrong side row.

 

SHAPE NECK (Back)

K 12 , cast off 14 (16, 18) sts,  K 12

Turn and purl across the one shoulder only.

*Cast off 1 st at neck edge and knit across.

Purl one row. *