The charming Little Angel top is a perfect, early-years knit, inspired by vintage ‘angel top’ patterns for new-born babies. This simple knit is comfortable for baby to wear and keeps baby warm and snug.
The Little Angel has button openings for ease of use which can be worn with the opening at either the front or back. The decorative textured yoke creates an interesting design detail and the garter stitch welt and cuffs sit comfortably, without pulling in on delicate wrists.

The Little Angel pattern offers a choice of construction methods — it can either be knitted in four separate pieces to the armhole, or the lower body and sleeves can be knitted in the round to the armhole. For both options, once the underarm shaping is completed, all body and sleeve stitches are placed on a circular needle to work the yoke in one piece upwards to the neckline. The yoke is knitted back and forth to allow for button fastening. Simple button loops are crocheted when finishing the garment.

Little Angel can be knitted in a choice of yarns — Susan Crawford Bluem Sock, 75% Bluefaced Leicester and 25% nylon blend, with subtle variation and a soft lustre or Susan Crawford Bluem Baby, 100% Bluefaced Leicester superwash wool, suitable for machine washing on a wool cycle.

For ease of following instructions, these are written with opening at the front throughout. The pattern includes 5 sizes to fit from 3–6 months to 2 years of age.

The sample shown in the photographs is to fit the first size, approximately 3–6 months of age and uses Susan Crawford Bluem Sock in Dock Seed.

Yarn kits are available at Susan Crawford Vintage.

Yarn
Option One
Susan Crawford Bluem Sock, 75% British wool, 25% Nylon (400m / 437yds per 100g skein approx)
1 (1, 2, 2, 2) skeins (100g), shade Dock Seed

Option Two
Susan Crawford Bluem Baby, 100% British wool (200m / 214yds per 50g skein approx)

2 (2, 3, 3, 3) skeins (50g), shade Rusty Tractor

Gauge
28 sts and 36 rows = 10cm (4in) measured over stocking stitch knitted flat, after blocking.
We obtained this gauge using 3.25mm needles.

28 sts and 36 rounds = 10cm (4in) measured over stocking stitch knitted in the round, after blocking.
We obtained this gauge using 3.25mm needles.

If necessary use an alternative needle size to obtain the correct gauge.

Suggested needles

Knitted Flat:

Small needles: 1 pair of 2.75mm (US 2) straight needles or circular needle if preferred

Large needles: 1 pair 3.25mm (US 3) straight needles or circular needles if preferred

Knitted in the Round:

Small needles: 2.75mm (US 2) circular needle (40–60cm in length)
Set of 2.75mm (US 2) DPNs

Large needles:3.25mm (US 3) circular needle (40–60cm in length)
Set of 3.25mm (US 3) DPNs

Notions
Waste yarn or stitch holders
Stitch markers (if working the lower body in the round)
2mm crochet hook
4 (4, 4, 5, 5) small buttons

Techniques
Working in the round (optional)
Working flat
Standard decreases