Aunt Jen's Sweater

About 3-4 ounces of Red Heart TLC 3 ply baby yarn. Use hook size F for large preemie to newborn, G for 3 to 6 months. For 6 to 9 months, use hook size H & 4 ply soft baby yarn. Using thicker yarn and/or larger hooks will increase the size.
Use buttons and/or ribbon down the front to close.
Variation: Use contrasting color for edging, around end of sleeves & edging on cap.

(Shell consists of 2 DC, CH 1, 2 DC)

SWEATER: Starting at neckline, CH 38 loosely.

Row 1: SC in 2nd CH from hook & in each CH to end. (37 stitches)

Row 2: CH 2, turn (counts as 1st DC now & throughout) 1 DC in each of the next 4 ST, (3 DC in next ST- (DC INC. made), 1 DC in each of the next 7 ST, DC INC., 1 DC in each of the next 9 ST, DC inc., 1 DC in each of the next 7 ST, DC INC., 1 DC in each of the last 5 ST. (45 stitches)

Row 3: CH 1, turn. SC in each ST, with increases of 3 SC - (sc inc. made) in the middle DC INC. (53 stitches)

Row 4: CH 2, Turn. DC in each ST, with increases of 3 DC in the middle SC INC. (61 stitches)

Row 5-9: Repeat rows 3 & 4, ending with row 3. (Row 9 totals 101 stitches)

Row 10: CH 1, turn. SC in first 13 ST, SK 24 ST, (1st armhole made) SC in next 27 ST, SK 24 (2nd armhole made) SC in last 13 ST.

Row 11: CH 2, Turn. 1 DC in next ST, SK 1 ST., (2 DC, CH 1, 2 DC) in next ST (shell made), SK 1 ST, 1 DC in next ST, repeat across, DC in last 2 ST.

Row 12-15: CH 2, turn. 1 DC in next ST, Shell in each Shell, increase to 2 DC between Shells across to end, 2 DC in last 2 DC, CH 2 turn.

Rows 16-19: Same as above, but increase to 3 DCS between shells across to end (or until desired length) ending on wrong side.

Last Row: Make sure this is the right side - Crochet 5 DCs in each shell, DC in next group of 3 DCs across. Do not fasten off.

EDGING: CH 1, SC up right front opening, around neckline, & down left front opening, 3 sc in corner ST, sc around hemline, 2 SC in same as 1st SC, join with SL ST. Fasten off.

SLEEVE: With right side facing, attach yarn at bottom of armhole, CH 3.

Row 1: Make Shell in 2nd SC, SK 2, 1 DC in next ST, SK 2, repeat around armhole to last SC, SL ST in top of CH 3 to join.

Row 2-7: CH 3, turn. Repeat Row 1, but with increase of 2 DC in each DC.

Row 8: CH 3, Turn. Repeat Row 1, decreasing to 1 DC in each 2 DC space.

Row 9: CH 1, turn. SC in same ST, SK 1 ST, across (15 ST)

Row 10: CH 1, turn. SC in each SC across, join & fasten off.

CAP: CH 4, join to form circle.

Row 1: CH 3, turn. (Counts as 1st DC) 11 DC in circle, join. (12 ST)

Row 2: CH 1, turn. 2 SC in same ST & in each ST around, join. (24 ST)

Row 3: CH 3, turn. 1 DC in next ST, *2 DC in next ST, around, join. (36 ST)

Row 4: CH 1, *1 SC in first 6 ST, 2 SC in next ST, around, join. (41 ST)

Row 5-20: Alternate rows of DC’s & SC’s without increases until cap is about 5 “ long for newborn to 3 months, 6” long for 3 to 6 months, & 7” for 6 to 9 months.

Row 21: CH 3, turn. SK 1 ST, Shell in next ST, SK 1 ST, DC in next ST to end. Join with SL ST to top of CH 2. Fasten off & add buttons or ribbon to finish.