Knit Layette
An heirloom in-the-making, each piece of our Knit Layette Pattern features classic Aran cables and beautiful details. In a lovely cardigan, a snug hat and sweet, little booties, baby will be perfectly suited for his or her first venture into the world!
Sized from newborns to six-month-olds, our Knit Layette pattern features full-color photos and helpful instructions. The entire set requires just two skeins of Purl Soho’s incredibly soft Line Weight merino yarn and a collection of pretty mother-of-pearl buttons.
Whether you give the set itself to a crafty, expectant parent or you knit up the set yourself, our Knit Layette tries in every way to be incredibly special. Babies are very good at inspiring that kind of love! -Laura
Designed by Purl Soho designer, Laura Ferguson.
Share your progress and connect with the community by tagging your pics with #PurlSoho, #PurlSohoBusyHands, #PurlSohoKnitLayette, and #PurlSohoLineWeight. We can’t wait to see what you make!
Materials
To knit your own Knit Layette set, you will need…
- 2 skeins of Purl Soho’s Line Weight, 100% merino. Each skein is 494 yards/ 100 grams; approximately 540 (690) yards required. We used Heirloom White.
- 5 of Purl Soho’s Small Mother of Pearl Buttons, Smooth 2-Hole, in the color Ecru
- US 2 (3 mm), 16-inch circular needles
- US 1 (2.5 mm), 16-inch circular needles
- A set of US 2 double pointed needles
- A set of US 1 double pointed needles
- 8 stitch markers
- 2 stitch holders
- A cable stitch holder
- A few yards of fingering-weight scrap yarn and a crochet hook to match, for Provisional Cast-Ons
- A Knit Layette Pattern
Gauge
36 stitches and 44 rows = 4 inches in stockinette stitch with larger needles
Sizes
0-3 (3-6) months
Cardigan
- Finished Chest Circumference: 15 (17 1⁄4) inches
- Finished Length from Shoulder to Bottom Edge: 9 1⁄4 (10 3⁄4) inches
- Finished Length from Underarm to Bottom Edge: 4 3⁄4 (5 3⁄4) inches
- Finished Length from Underarm to Cuff: 5 (6) inches
Ease: This garment is designed with a 0- to 1-inch ease around the chest.
Sample: The cardigan pictured here is Size 0-3 months.
Hat
- Finished Circumference: 14 1⁄2 (16 1⁄4) inches
- Finished Height: 6 1⁄4 (7 1⁄4) inches
Sample: The hat pictured here is Size 0-3 months.
Socks
- Finished Foot Circumference: 4 1⁄4 inches
- Finished Leg Circumference: 4 1⁄4 inches
- Finished Foot Length: 3 1⁄2 (3 3⁄4) inches
- Finished Height from Heel to Top of Cuff: 3 3⁄4 inches
Sample: The socks pictured here are Size 0-3 months.
Update: Colorful Socks!
April 2017
They are the perfect gift for all those expecting a newcomer this spring! Although small, these Knit Layette Socks are filled with pretty details, and in Line Weight’s beautiful colors, they also pack a punch. This project is so mini, you can pick a handful of colors like you’re picking flowers. The more the merrier!
Pattern
The Knit Layette Pattern is available for purchase as a PDF download only.
I have a question in regards to starting the sleeves… I have my set of needles on the stitches but I’m confused about the set up row. I have no markers on my sleeves and I wasn’t sure how many I’m supposed to have , and wher to place them. I’m knitting the 0 to 3 month size.
Thank you for your help
Hi Laurie!
Thank you for reaching out! The stitch marker in the Set-up Row for the sleeves was placed in the SEPARATE BODY + SLEEVES portion, when you placed the previous 48 stitches including the marker on hold for each sleeve. Then when you are working the Set-Up Row for the sleeve, you will place another marker for the beginning of round so that each sleeve has two stitch markers.
I hope this helps!
All the best,
Margaret
Lovely pattern!
I am Shaping the sleeve… I’m at a point where it says continue evenly ,repeat Rows one – four of beginning sleeve section until measures 4 1/2 inches .. On round one : do I still need to knit 2 together and continue decreasing or do I leave the 50 stitches.
Thank you
Hi Laurie,
Thank you so much for reaching out! You will be working rows 1-4 of the “Begin Sleeve” section which doesn’t have any decreasing. By the end of the repeat for this section, when you are ready to knit the cuff, you will still have 50 stitches total for the sleeves!
I hope this helps, and please let me know if you have any questions!
All the best,
Carly
Yowzers! Anyone else have a horrendous time with the tubular cast on with such tiny needles and fine yarn?! Mine keeps ending up a twisted mess. Any tips?!
Hi Lauren,
Thanks for writing in, although I’m sorry to hear that you’re having trouble with the tubular cast-on! I’d recommend sending a photo of your work to customerservice@purlsoho.com, so that we can take a closer look. We’ll be able to give more specific advice once we can visualize what’s going on!
All the best,
Lili
I notice it says US 1 (2.5mm) and US 2 (3.0mm). However, I thought US 1 are 2.25 mm and US 2 2.75mm. Which should I use?
Thanks – Karen
Hi Karen,
Thanks for reaching out. The metric sizes we indicate in our patterns might differ from what you’re used to since different needle companies sometimes assign the millimeter measurements to different US sizes. These inconsistencies, while frustrating, are very common when comparing needles, so when in doubt, rely on metric sizes…they’re standardized!
I’d recommend making a gauge swatch before beginning the project, so that you can determine which needles to use. And as long as you find needles with which you can achieve the correct gauge, those will work for the pattern!
All the best,
Lili
Hi, would you recommend using cygnet yarn for this pattern? Thank you
Hi Judy,
Thanks for writing in! I actually think that Cygnet might be a bit too thick for this pattern. The original yarn this was designed in, Line Weight, is quite thin for a fingering weight yarn, whereas Cygnet is on the thicker end of the spectrum. If you’re looking for a different yarn option, then Quartz would be a great choice though!
All the best,
Lili
Hi, what yarn can I use if I want to make this sweater in cotton? Thank you
Hi Judy,
I’d recommend using Picnic Cotton for this sweater! It may be difficult to get the gauge though, since Picnic Cotton is thicker than Line Weight, but as long as you’re close enough it shouldn’t make a huge difference. Plus, babies are always growing, so it will be beneficial to end up with a slightly-too-large sweater. More room to grow into!
All the best,
Lili
Such a sweet pattern! I’m planning to make this for a June baby. I notice the short rows are wraps and I’ll use GSR instead. Will my plan work with the cables?
Hi Val,
That’s a great question! We think your idea will work just fine but if you are in doubt, you could always knit a gauge swatch just to make sure you are happy with the fabric. I hope this helps but please let me know if you have any questions!
Happy knitting,
Gavriella