Simply ADORABLE also! Try it out and let me know how it goes!

Materials:

• One skein size 4/Medium weight but must be super soft – We used Red Heart Dreamy in Rose
• size 7/4.5mm knitting needles
• size 9/5.5mm circular 16″ needles for turtleneck
• stitch holder
• 6 large buttons

Gauge:

16-20 stitches to 4 inches

Finished measurements are 15.5in long (without turtleneck) x 14.5in wide.

Abbreviations:

Sts: Stitches

K: Knit

P: Purl

K2tog: Knit two together

YO: Yarn over

Pattern Notes:

This pattern is worked in one piece from the bottom of the front panel over to the back. If your kids are fussy with a turtle neck, omit picking up stitches for the turtleneck and leave it as a simple crew neck tunic. Most importantly, bind off very loosely! We didn’t do this the first time and spent a few minutes trying to yank it over my niece’s head without success!

To adjust this pattern +/- keep in mind the gauge above and:

1. to adjust length: add/subtract rows before the first buttonhole row, mirror on back side
2. to adjust width: add/subtract sts in the centre of the stitches, mirror same adjustments in turtleneck.

Pattern:

Cast on 63 sts.

Knit 12 rows for front hem

Row 13: k6 sts, (k1, p1) to last 6 sts, k6 sts

Row 14: k6 sts, (p1, k1) to last 6 sts, k6 sts

These 2 rows create the overall pattern.

Row 15 (Buttonhole Row): *k2 (yo k2tog) k2**, repeat from * to ** to the last 6 sts, then k2 (yo k2tog) k2Rows 16 to 29: work in pattern

Row 30 (Buttonhole Row): Repeat row 15

Rows 31 to 44: work in pattern

Row 45 (Buttonhole Row): Repeat row 15

Work next 38 rows in pattern.

Neck row: k6, work 13 sts in pattern, bind off next 25 sts (in pattern), work next 13 sts in pattern, k6

Shoulder Row: Work first 19 sts for 4 rows and move to stitch holder

Work last 19 sts for 4 rows, break off yarn at end.

Start with stitches on holder: k6, work 13 sts in pattern

Cast on 25 stitches (to form neck)

Work remaining 13 sts in pattern, k6

Back: Work pattern (k6 beg and end of each row) for 71 rows

Rows 72 – 83: knit all stitches for back hem

Bind off in patternTurtleneck: with size 9 16″ circular needles, pick up 52 sts at the neck, then garter stitch (knit 1 row, purl 1 row) for 26 rows. Bind off very loosely in pattern!

Attach buttons to the INSIDE of the back panel matching with the buttonholes on front. Choose big buttons so they don’t slip through the button holes during wear.

Enjoy! And post pics of your creations below!