This jumper was designed with love – and it shows! I wanted to create a joyful pattern that was simple to knit and gave maximum cuteness for the effort. The heart motif is knitted into the front of the jumper and adds that perfect little “aww” factor, whether you’re knitting it as a gift or for your own little one.

It’s knitted in pieces and then sewn together, so it’s a great project if you enjoy steady, mindful knitting. I chose garter stitch rib for the cuffs and hem to keep it soft and stretchy, and the heart is worked using the simplest of knit and purl stitches – no intarsia or colourwork here, just relaxing rows with a sweet result.

This has been a favourite in the studio since the day I popped it on display – it always makes people smile. And I love seeing all the different colours it’s been knitted in over the years. Bright pink, soft neutrals, even a navy one!

There’s something really special about a hand-knitted baby jumper, and I hope this one brings as much joy to your needles as it has to mine.

CONSTRUCTION
The back, front and two sleeves are knitted flat from the bottom up in separate pieces and joined together. The sleeves are drop. There are two buttons on the neck.

TECHNIQUES USED
Cast on, knit, purl, increasing. Joining seams. Optional but recommended to create the feeling of joy when joining your pieces: mattress stitch.

YARN
1(1:2:2) 100g hanks of WYS Bluefaced Leicester DK.
100% British Bluefaced Leicester wool, 225m/246yds per 100g.
The first size took approx. 114m of the 100g hank.

SUGGESTED KNITTING NEEDLES
4mm.

NOTIONS
Two buttons.

GAUGE (tension)
20 stitches and 38 rows to 10cm/4ins square over dotty garter stitch pattern. I obtained this gauge with 5mm needles.
It is important to obtain the correct gauge so do work a swatch before you start the pattern and change your needle size to achieve the correct gauge if you need to.

FINISHED MEASUREMENTS

To Fit Age (suggested):
Premature, (Newborn, 6-12 mths, 1-2 yrs)

Chest circumference
38, (45, 52, 60)cm
14¾, (17¾, 20½, 23½)ins

Length (from top of shoulder to cast on edge)
20, (24, 26, 28.5)cm
7¾, (9½, 10¼, 11¼)ins

Sleeve Length (from underarm to cast on edge)
11, (14, 16, 20)cm
4¼, (5½, 6¼, 7¾)ins

NEED HELP?
I am here for you! Pop into the Skipton studio, send an email, or check out the Purl &Jane YouTube channel for tips, inspiration and guidance including handy resources like gauge (tension) guides and how to tutorials.