Materials:• Lamb's Pride Superwash by Brown Sheep (100% Wool; 110g = 200 yds) 1 (2, 2, 2) balls (main color), 1 ball each of 2 contrast colors. Shown in main color = SW04 Charcoal Heather, contrast color 1 = SW125 Lemon Ice, contrast color 2 = SW43 Romantic Ruby
• Two size 6 circular needles of any length (or one 16- or 24-inch long circular needle and one set of double pointed needles) or size to obtain gauge †
•Two circular needles two sizes smaller (or one 16- or 24-inch long circular needle and one set of double pointed needles) †
† NOTE: Use larger needles to match gauge for the body and needles two sizes smaller for the ribbing
• Darning needle
• 2 feet of 0.5-inch-wide elastic for
waistband
• Scrap yarn or other circular stitch holder
Gauge:
• 20 stitches and 28 rows per 4 inches in stocking or stockinette stitch (knit on right side, or public side, purl on wrong side, or inside) in the round with larger needles
Size:
• To fit 6 (12, 18, 24) months. Finished hip measurement 23 (24, 25.5, 25.5) inches, length 15 (17.5, 18.5, 20.5) inches.
To Make:
Legs (make 2)
On smaller needles with main color, cast on 34 (40, 46, 46) stitches and divide evenly onto 2 circular needles or a set of double points. Place marker and join, being careful not to twist. Place a second marker on the next round, dividing the stitches evenly.
Work in knit 1, purl 1 rib for 1 inch.
Switch to larger needles and stocking stitch.
Next round: Increase 2 stitches evenly over round (once at beginning of round, once at second marker).
Repeat this round every other round 0 (1, 2, 2) more times.
Work even until piece measures 1.5 inches from ribbing.
Increase 4 stitches evenly over next round—40 (48, 56, 56) stitches.
Work Fair Isle pattern:
Start Fair Isle pattern from chart below beginning with Round 1. After completing the 13 rounds from the chart, switch back to main color and, continuing in stocking stitch, increase before and after each marker every 6 (8, 14, 15) rounds until there are 64 (68, 72, 72) stitches. For largest size, work 15 more rounds then increase 2 stitches evenly over next round. Work even until piece measures 8.5 (10.5, 11, 12.5) inches.
At the beginning of next round, bind off 3 (4, 5, 5) stitches. Work to last 3 (4, 5, 5) stitches and bind them off. Put live stitches on holder.
Crotch:
Arrange legs so that bound off sections are lined up for crotch and put all live stitches onto a single circular needle—116 (120, 124, 128) stitches. Starting at inseam, place marker and rejoin yarn. Work around both legs in stocking stitch until piece measures 5 (5.5, 6, 6.5) inches from crotch.
Next round: Decrease 4 stitches evenly over the round.
Next round: Repeat this round—108 (112, 116, 120) stitches.
Next round: Decrease 6 stitches evenly around—102 (106, 110, 114) stitches.
Waistband:
Switch to smaller needles and work in knit 1, purl 1 rib for 1 inch. Purl 1 round to create a turning row, then work in knit 1, purl 1 rib for another inch.
Turn pants inside out. Break yarn, leaving a 6-foot tail and thread through darning needle. Take the piece of elastic and sandwich it between layers of the waistband as you fold along the turning row. Take the knitting needle out of the stitches (you may want to do this a few stitches at a time if you're cautious). Sew by inserting the darning needle through the live stitch and then into the purl bump of the appropriate row on the pants. As you get close to finishing, sew the elastic in a circle of about 19 (19.5, 20, 20.5) inches—if you have the baby (or a pair of pants that fits him or her) handy, you can do a quick fitting before you finish the waist. Finish seam.
