Lovie is a classic, seamless top-down yoked cardi for babies and toddlers featuring alternating bands of brioche and stockinette.

If this is your first foray into brioche - it’s not hard! This pattern will turn you into a pro at working single-color brioche flat and in-the-round in no time. The increases are buried in the stockinette bands to keep it simple and there are video tutorials to guide you through.

Lovie is cast on at the neck and the yoke is worked flat. Next the sleeves are separated from the body and the body is worked flat to the hem. Sleeves are worked in the round to the cuffs. Stitches are picked up along the front edges for the garter stitch button bands. And to finish it off, you will work a sweet and simple, short-row garter stitch collar.

This is an intermediate pattern. The trickiest bits are brioche stitch worked flat, brioche stitch in-the-round and German short rows. There are video tutorials for each technique on my website.

All in all, this is a fun knit once you get the hang of it!

Sizes
3-6m (6-12m, 12-18m, 2T, 3T)

Chest Circumference
22 (23, 23.5, 25, 26) inches
55.5 (58.5, 60, 63.5, 66) cm

Length
(measured mid back neck to hem excluding collar)
10 (11.25, 12.5, 13.75, 15) inches
25.5 (28.5, 32, 35, 38) cm

Gauge
21 sts and 48 rows = 4”/10cm over Brioche Section Flat pattern measured across brioche stitches on US 4 (3.5mm) needle, blocked.

Please note that knitting to the correct gauge is important to achieve the correct measurements (and size).

Needles
1 pair US 4 / 3.5mm needles for knitting flat
1 pair US 3/ 3.25mm circular needles with cable long enough to work magic loop for sleeves OR double pointed needles
or use size needed to obtain gauge

This pattern is written for DK weight yarn. Needles for knitting brioche are typically smaller than the recommended needle for stockinette which will create a lofty, neat ribbed fabric.

Yarn
2 (3, 3, 3) Knitpicks Modish Merino, 100% Extra Fine Merino Wool Easy Wash. 100 grams = 256 yards (234 meters)

Skill Level: Advanced Intermediate

Copyright © Caarinknits. All rights reserved.

This pattern is the property of Caarin Fleischmann. It is available for personal use only. Unauthorized reproduction, in whole or in part, or distribution via copier, fax, email or any digital means is prohibited. This pattern is not to be used to create garments for commercial sale without express permission.

I’d love to see your Lovie! Please tag me if you would like to share your FO - @caarin.knits or #caarinknits on Instagram.