Petite Popover | Purl Soho

They were skeptical at first, but I think I’ve finally convinced my colleagues of the magnificence of the dickie! I mean, seriously, what could be better?

Petite Popover | Purl Soho

No worrying about cramming layers into layers, just pop it on over a shirt or sweater, under a coat or jacket. Snug as a bug, I say! Your baby or tot’s core will be toasty warm and his or her arms, flexible and free. Plus, this one has a cozy hood, eliminating one more thing bound to fall behind at the park or sadly slip out of a pocket.

Petite Popover | Purl Soho

Can you feel my soapbox enthusiasm? I do not exaggerate when I write that for a solid year of meetings I have espoused the renaissance of the dickie. And let’s be honest, the majority of my co-workers’  doubt focussed on the name. “Dickie” is not nearly as cute or endearing as Popover! (Thank you for the re-brand, Whitney!)

Petite Popover | Purl Soho

So here is my attempt to resurrect the dignity of the side-less vest. Knit in classic Worsted, rich, organic merino from Swans Island, and another in the super soft, plush and elegant 8-Ply Cashmere from Jade Sapphire. One needle. One little hood seam. Two classic stitch patterns. From both a knitter’s and a parent’s point of view, it’s a no-brainer!

So, what do y’all think?!?! Can we bring back the dickie? Say yes! -Laura

Designed by Purl Soho designer, Laura Ferguson.

Share your progress and connect with the community by tagging your pics with #PurlSoho, #PurlSohoBusyHands, and #PurlSohoPetitePopover. We can’t wait to see what you make!

Materials

  • For the Gray Popover: 1 (1, 2) skein of Swans Island’s Worsted, 100% organic merino. Each skein is 250 yards/ 100 grams; approximately (250, 250, 500) yards required.
    This color is Seasmoke.
  • For the Ecru Popover: 2 (3, 4) skeins of Jade Sapphire’s 8-ply Cashmere, 100% Mongolian cashmere. Each skein is 100 yards/ 55 grams; approximately (200, 300, 400) yards required.
    This color is Ivory.
  • A US 8 (5 mm), 16-inch circular needle
  • Stitch holder or scrap yarn

Gauge

20 stitches = 4 inches garter stitch

Sizes

To fit most 12-18 month olds (2-4, 4-6 year olds)

  • Length from cast on to back of neck: 7 ¼ (8 ¼, 10 ¼) inches (adjustable)
  • Overall length from cast on to top of hood: 12 ¾ (14 ¾, 17 ¾) inches (adjustable)
  • Width across chest: 7 (8, 9) inches

Notes

Slip stitches as if to knit on the right side and as if to purl on the wrong side.

Pattern

The Front

Petite Popover | Purl Soho

Cast on 36 (40, 44) stitches. We used a basic Long Tail Cast On.

Row 1 (right side): Slip 1, k1, p1, k11 (13, 15), p1, k6, p1, k11 (13, 15), p1, k2.

Row 2: Slip 1, p1, k13 (15, 17), p6, k13 (15, 17), p2.

Repeat Rows 1 and 2 until piece measures 7 (8, 9) inches, or desired length, from the cast on edge.

The Neck

Petite Popover | Purl Soho

Row 1 (right side): Slip 1, k1, p1, k10 (13, 14), bind off in pattern the next 10 (8, 10) stitches, knit to the last 3 stitches, p1, k2. 26 (32, 34) total stitches; 13 (16, 17) for each shoulder.

Row 2: Slip 1, p1, knit to bound off stitches.

The Right Shoulder

Now working just the 13 (16, 17) stitches of the Right Shoulder…

Row 1 (right side): Bind off 4 (4, 4) stitches, knit to last 3 stitches, p1, k2. 9 (12, 13 ) stitches

Row 2: Slip 1, p1, knit to bound off stitches.

Repeat Row 1 one more time. 5 (8, 9) stitches

For 2-4 and 4-6 Sizes ONLY

Next Row (wrong side): Slip 1, p1, knit to bound off stitches.

Next Row: Bind off 3 (4) stitches, k1, p1, k2. 5 (5) stitches

For ALL Sizes

Row 1 (wrong side): Slip 1, p1, k3.

Row 2: K2, p1, k2.

Repeat Rows 1 and 2 three (four, five) more times.

Repeat Row 1.

Cut yarn. Place stitches on a holder.

The Left Shoulder

With the wrong side facing you, join new yarn to the 13 (16, 17) stitches of the Left Shoulder. And now just working those stitches…

Row 1 (wrong side): Bind off 4 (4, 4) stitches, knit to last 2 stitches, p2. 9 (12, 13) stitches

Row 2: Slip 1, k1, p1, knit to bound off stitches.

Repeat Row 1 one more time. 5 (8, 9) stitches.

For 2-4 and 4-6 Sizes ONLY

Next Row (right side): Slip 1, k1, p1, knit to end.

Next Row: Bind off 3 (4) stitches, k2, p2. 5 (5) stitches

For ALL Sizes

Row 1 (right side): Slip 1, k1, p1, k2.

Row 2: K3, p2.

Repeat Rows 1 and 2 two (three, four) more times.

Repeat Row 1.

Next Row (wrong side): Cable cast on 26 (30, 34) stitches, working across newly cast on stitches, k10 (12, 14), p6, knit to last 2 stitches, p2. 31 (35, 39) stitches; 5 (5, 5) stitches still on hold for the Right Shoulder

Next Row: Slip 1, k1, p1, k11 (13, 15), p1, k6, p1, knit across rest of stitches, then work across 5 stitches on holder, k2, p1, k2. 36 (40, 44) stitches

The Back

Petite Popover | Purl Soho

Row 1 (wrong side): Slip 1, p1, k13 (15, 17), p6, k13 (15, 17), p2.

Row 2: Slip 1, k1, p1, k11 (13, 15), p1, k6, p1, k11 (13, 15), p1, k2.

Repeat Rows 1 and 2 until The Back measures 7 1/4 (8 ¼, 9 1/4) inches or desired length.

Repeat Row 1.

Bind off in pattern.

The Hood

Petite Popover | Purl Soho

Joining new yarn, start to the left (as you look at the sweater) of the center stockinette stripe and…

Petite Popover | Purl Soho

…pick up 60 (68, 76) stitches all the way around the neck to the right side of the center stockinette stripe.

Petite Popover | Purl Soho

Turn work.

Row 1 (wrong side): Cable cast on 3 stitches, purl those 3 stitches, k1, p6, k20 (24, 28), p6, k20 (24, 28), p6, k1. 63 (71, 79) stitches

Row 2: Cable cast on 3 stitches, knit those 3 stitches, p1, k6, p1, k18 (22, 26), p1, k6, p1, k18 (22, 26), p1, k6, p1, k3. 66 (74, 82) stitches

Row 3: P3, k1, p6, k20 (24, 28), p6, k20 (24, 28), p6, k1, p3.

Row 4: K3, p1, k6, p1, k18 (22, 26), p1, k6, p1, k18 (22, 26), p1, k6, p1, k3.

Repeat Rows 3 and 4 until piece measures 5 1/2 (6 ½, 7) inches, or desired length, from the back of the Neck.

Repeat Row 3.

Decrease Row (right side): K3, p1, k6, p1, k18 (22, 26), p1, ssk, k2, k2tog, p1, k18 (22, 26), p1, k6, p1, k3. 64 (72, 80) stitches

Next Row: P3, k1, p6, k20 (24, 28), p4, k20 (24, 28), p6, k1, p3.

Decrease Row: K3, p1, k6, p1, k18 (22, 26), p1, ssk, k2tog, p1, k18 (22, 26), p1, k6, p1, k3. 62 (70, 78) stitches

Next Row: P3, k1, p6, k1, p18 (22, 26), k1, p2, k1, p18 (22, 26), k1, p6, k1, p3. Note: You are no longer working the sides of the hood in garter, but rather in stockinette to prepare for seaming the top of the hood!

Petite Popover | Purl Soho

Cut yarn leaving a generous tail of about 20 inches.

Seam the Top of the Hood

Petite Popover | Purl Soho

Divide the stitches in two, sliding half the stitches to each end of the circular needle. Use the Kitchener Stitch to graft the two sides of the hood together.

Finish the Hood

Petite Popover | Purl Soho

Using the column of purl stitches as a guide, fold the three edge stitches of the hood to the inside of the hood. Using a long piece of yarn, whip stitch the edge down. This will create a nicely finished edge.

Weave in your ends and pop it over the head of your little loved one!!

Petite Popover | Purl Soho