Easy Baby Aran

Sized to fit a 12-18 month toddler, this is an easy "first Aran" pattern for the advanced beginner or intermediate level knitter who is ready to learn simple knit/purl pattern stitches, simple cables, and an easy travelling stitch. There are no seams to sew, and it buttons at the shoulders for easy on and off.

Designed by Sarah Hoffman — this is her first KnitNet appearance! — Easy Baby Aran should be worked in a sturdy washable wool or wool blend so that it can take the crawling, climbing and exploring of an active toddler.

The sweater is knitted in the round up to the yoke division. Instead of the traditional vertical Aran panels, there are five horizontal pattern panels in the body. The panels are knit in three different, easy texture stitches arranged in an A-B-C-B-A sequence. The same texture stitches are used for the sleeves. The front and back yokes have a lattice-stitch center framed by 6-row cables.

After the body is knit to the lower armhole, the front and back yokes are knitted back and forth individually. After completing the button and buttonhole ribs at the shoulders, the sleeve stitches are picked up around the armhole and the sleeves are knitted in the same horizontal patterns as the body. The natural gauge contrast between the yoke pattern and the body pattern makes the sleeves appear set in.