Knitting for new baby help please

[lurker172602]

I have decided I'm going to attemp to knit a cardi each for the new babies, and have found this pattern which I'm assured I should be able to manage 😨

Can someone help me with the sizing please. I think the smallest one seems way too small for even a newborn. It says it is for a 5lb baby - that's only about 2.5 kg isn't it?  Which one would you make for a newborn to 3 months?

Wish me luck! 😄😄

[youcandoityoucandoityoucandoit · Accepted solution]

Good for you lurker!

5 pounds is approx 2.2kg..I would do the middle or the largest size- it will depend on the size of the baby at birth, but they will be wearing other clothes as well underneath and its better for them to be a bit larger...also, cotton is better than wool on littlies skin, though there is a really soft merino wool..depending on how much you want to spend I guess.

Im sure youll do a great job- and we will need to see photos here!

[imastawka · Accepted solution]

I'm with youcan.  I would knit the medium size.   They grow very quickly.

From memory DK is lovely to work with.

Oh forgot - good luck, I'm sure you'll do well, after all it will be made with love

[j*oono · Accepted solution]

I'd go for the large size because by the time I'd finished it the baby would have probably outgrown it anyway.

That looks like a great pattern with no sleeve to shoulder seem.  Come to think of it, I think I already did make that one a lot of years ago.

[lurker172602]

Thanks 😄

i think I'll do the largest one.  I already have the wool.  I have some lovely merino that I have made some bootties with so I'll use the same to match.

thanks again 

[imastawka]

Just had a closer look.  That's knitted sideways.

I'd have to get my brain around that one.     Looks easy though.

And yes, we will require pics

edit:  grandmoon would be the one to answer - she knits for newborns all the time

albeit a sad occasion

[cherry*135]

For a cardigan for a baby that small I would use a pattern that is for 3ply or 4ply. DK (double knit) is fairly thick.

Cute pattern though.

[cherry*135]

From a knitting pattern book I have - as a guide

3mths - Chest size 40cm

6mths - Chest size 45cm

12 mths - Chest size 50cm 

edit to add. I have quite a few baby knitting pattern books and they have the same as above.

[i-need-a-martini]

---

@am*3 wrote:

For a cardigan for a baby that small I would use a pattern that is for 3ply or 4ply. DK (double knit) is fairly thick.

Cute pattern though.

---

I always thought DK (double knit) was a yarn weight reference for 3 ply?

I have a lot of old 1940's patterns that often say this and the needle size and test measure always used to work out for 3 ply.

[cherry*135]

No.

3ply, 4 ply, 5 ply, Double Knit (8ply), 10 ply, 12 ply

3ply is the finest for knitting baby clothes. Usually the baby knit patterns are in 3ply and 4 ply.