FO: Build Me Up, Buttercup Baby

Buttercups are fun. Plus, they are diverse.

Buttercups in a field:

(from gilest at flickr.com)

Buttercup Powerpuff Girls graffiti on a wall in Europe:

(from metaphorge at flickr.com)

Buttah-cup, the Princess Bride:

And now, Buttercup Cardi:

Buttercup Cardi for a Toddler
Pattern: My own (see below)
Yarn: Schaefer Elaine and Misti Alpaca Chunky
Needles: US 11 and US 10
Extras: Flower buttons

Buttercup cardi with butter cream cupcakes!

Lilac buttercup buttons!

I declare, 'tis a feast for the senses! OK, OK, enough with the buttercup variations. I started with a skein of Schaefer Elaine in color "Snooks." It was so lovely that it cried out to be knitted into a child's garment. I paired it with Misti Alpaca Chunky in color "Lemon" for a quick raglan cardi with a short-row shaped collar.

Here's the (very quick and easy) pattern:

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MATERIALS:

(MC) 1 skein Schaefer Elaine (99% wool/1% nylon; 300 yds) - color "Snooks"
(CC) 1 skein Misti Alpaca Chunky (100% baby alpaca; 108 yds) - color "Lemon"
Pair of US 11 and 10 needles
Tapestry needle
3 Buttons

GAUGE:

12 sts x 16 rows = 4" square on larger needles

BACK

With larger needles and MC, cast on 42 stitches.

Begin stockinette stitch for 4 inches.

Next row: k1, k2tog, knit until last 3 sts, ssk, k1.

St st for 5 rows.

Next row: k1, k2tog, knit until last three sts, ssk, k1.

St st for another 9 rows.

Begin raglan shaping

Next row: (RS) Bind off 3 sts knitwise, k to end

Next row: (WS) Bind off 3 sts purlwise, p to end

Next row: k1, k2tog, work to last 3 sts, ssk, k1.

Next row: Purl all stitches.

Repeat last two rows 6 more times.

Bind off all stitches.

LEFT FRONT

With MC, cast on 21 sts.

Begin stockinette st for 4 inches.

Next row: k1, k2tog, knit to end.

St st for 5 rows.

Next row: k1, k2tog, knit to end

St st for another 9 rows.

Begin raglan shaping

Next row: (RS) Bind off 3 sts, k to end

Next row: (WS) Purl all stitches.

Next row: k1, k2tog, knit to end

Next row: Purl all stitches.

Repeat last two rows 2 more times.

Begin neck shaping

Next row: (WS) Bind off 3 stitches purlwise, purl to end

Next row: k1, k2tog, knit to end

Next row: p1, p2tog, purl to end.

*At this point, you're shaping the armhole on the right side (knit side) and shaping the neck on the wrong side (purl side)

Repeat last two rows 2 more times

Next row: Knit all stitches.

Next row: P1, p2tog, p1.

Bind off.

RIGHT FRONT

With MC, cast on 21 stitches.

Begin stockinette stitches for 16 rows.

Next row: Knit to last three stitches, ssk, k1.

Work 5 rows in St st.

Next row: Knit to last three stitches, ssk, k1.

St st for another 8 rows.

Next row (WS): Bind off 3 stitches, purl to end.

Begin raglan shaping

Next row: knit to end.

Next row: p1, p2tog, purl to end.

Repeat last two rows 2 more times.

Begin neck shaping

Next row: Bind off 3 stitches, knit to end.

Next row: P1, p2tog, purl to end.

Next row: K1, k2tog, knit to end.

*You are now shaping the armhole on the wrong side (purl side) and shaping the neck on the right side (knit side)

Repeat last two rows 2 more times.

Next row: p1, p2tog, purl to end

Bind off.

SLEEVES (make two)

Using CC yarn and larger needles, cast on 22 stitches.

Knit 5 rows in garter stitch.

Change to MC and St st for 20 rows.

Next row: k1, k2tog, knit to last three sts, ssk, k1.

St st for three rows.

Next row: k1, k2tog, knit to last three sts, ssk, k1.

Next row: Purl

Repeat last two rows 6 more times.

Bind off.

FINISHING

Sew sleeves to back and fronts.

Block to measurements.

Sew sleeve seams and side seams. (I left the cuffs of the sleeves unsewn to create a little vent detail)

BUTTONHOLE BAND (Right front)

With right side facing and smaller needles, pick up 30 stitches with CC.

Knit 1 row.

Buttonhole row: K10, ssk, YO, k3, ssk, YO, k3, ssk, YO, k3.

Next row: Knit all sts.

Bind off.

BUTTON BAND (Left front)

With right side facing and smaller needles, pick up 30 stitches with CC.

Knit 3 rows.

Bind off.

BOTTOM HEM

With right side facing and smaller needles, pick up 86 sts with CC.

Knit 3 rows.

Bind off.

COLLAR

With right side facing and smaller needles, pick up 56 sts with CC along neck edge.

Knit 3 rows.

Begin Short Row Shaping

Knit to last 16 sts, turn. Repeat.

Knit to last 12 sts, turn. Repeat.

Knit to last 8 sts, turn. Repeat.

Knit 10 rows.

Bind off.

Final measurements:

sleeve width: 9"; sleeve length from hem to neck: 10"

front bottom hem width: 8"; front chest width: 7"; front length (MC) from top of hem to point of raglan: 14"; front length including garter hem: 15"

back length: 14"; back length with garter hem: 15"; back chest width: 14"; back bottom hem width: 16"

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At the moment, I've only written up the one size. Haven't had time to do calculations for other sizes, but will in the near future. Also, I left the sleeves a little short because I thought they were cute as 3/4-ish sleeves. But I had yarn leftover to make full length sleeves. Just add another inch worth of sleeve before raglan shaping. It's my first stab at writing up a pattern, so if there are any errors or you have any questions, just let me know.

In closing, I cannot take credit for the cupcakes. They are from Magnolia Bakery. They are delicious. Magnolia has opened up a store on the Upper West Side. I am going to die from sugar shock. An extra shot of cupcakes for a happy, happy Friday!