Gardiner Yarn Works Entrelac Baby Sacque Knitting Pattern

Gardiner Yarn Works Entrelac Baby Sacque

What is Being Made

The Gardiner Yarn Works Entrelac Baby Sacque is a charming baby bunting designed by Chrissy Gardiner. This garment serves as an excellent introduction to the entrelac woven knitting technique, making it an ideal project for knitters looking to expand their skill set. The sacque is sized for newborn and 6-month-old babies, with chest measurements of 20 inches and 24 inches respectively, and lengths of 21 inches and 24 inches. The finished piece features button closures, with 7 to 8 small shank buttons required depending on size.

Techniques Used

Entrelac Knitting: The primary technique featured in this pattern is entrelac, a woven knitting method that creates an interlocking geometric pattern. The pattern specifically breaks down the entrelac process into manageable sections, working small triangles and rectangles in sequence. Each triangle or rectangle is completed independently before moving to the next section, making the technique less intimidating for intermediate knitters. The pattern explains that each small section is worked over 7 stitches and 13 rows, with the first row appearing unusual but becoming clear as the technique progresses.

Bottom-Up Construction: This sacque is worked from the bottom up, beginning with a cast-on of 42 stitches for the newborn size or 49 stitches for the 6-month size. The bottom triangles are worked first, incorporating all cast-on stitches into 6 or 7 triangles depending on size.

Seamed Assembly: The garment is worked flat in pieces and then seamed together, allowing for precise shaping and professional finishing.

Stitches Used

• Knit (k): The fundamental stitch forming the base of the entrelac pattern
• Purl (p): Used selectively in the pattern structure
• Purl through back loop (p-tbl): Creates twisted stitches for specific shaping
• Knit 2 together (k2tog): A right-leaning decrease used for shaping
• Purl 2 together (p2tog): A decrease worked on purl rows
• Slip, slip, knit (SSK): A left-leaning decrease for balanced shaping
• Knit in front and back (k-fb): An increase stitch used to add stitches within rows
• Pick up and knit (pu): Used to add stitches along edges for subsequent sections
• Single crochet (sc) and chain (ch): Crochet stitches used for finishing edges with a size G (4mm) crochet hook

Materials Required

Yarn: Approximately 600 yards for the newborn size or 700 yards for the 6-month size of worsted-weight yarn. The sample featured in the pattern uses Lorna's Laces Shepherd Worsted in the Layette colorway.

Needles and Hooks: Size 7 (4.5mm) needles are used to achieve the required gauge of 18 stitches and 24 rows over 4 inches in stockinette stitch. A size G (4mm) crochet hook is needed for finishing work.

Notions: Additional supplies include a yarn needle for weaving in ends and seaming, a stitch holder for managing stitches during construction, and 7 to 8 small shank buttons for closures.

Difficulty Level

This pattern is rated as intermediate difficulty, reflecting the complexity of the entrelac technique while acknowledging that the step-by-step breakdown makes it accessible to knitters ready to expand beyond basic skills.