Valley Yarns Leafwing Knitting Pattern

Valley Yarns Leafwing Baby Cardigan Cocoon

What Is Being Made

The Valley Yarns Leafwing is a cozy baby cardigan cocoon designed by Susan Baron, created to keep infants warm and comfortable during chilly weather. This garment is specifically designed for babies aged 0-6 months or 6-12 months, with finished chest circumferences of 21 inches or 23¼ inches respectively. The cocoon features a distinctive hooded design with integrated button bands and comes with flexible options: you can knit it with drop-shoulder sleeves, as a sleeveless sack, or with the full cocoon construction as shown. The piece is thoughtfully designed to wrap little ones in softness while allowing for practical fastening with six ¾-inch buttons.

Techniques Used

The Leafwing employs several key knitting techniques that make it an engaging project for adventurous beginners:

• Bottom-up construction: The cocoon is worked from the bottom up, beginning in the round and dividing for the button bands, which are integrated directly into the piece rather than added separately
• Worked in the round: The body begins as circular knitting using a 16-inch circular needle, creating a seamless construction
• Cable work: Mirror-image cables travel up the fronts of the garment and continue onto the hood, meeting at the top for a cohesive design
• Buttonholes: Functional buttonholes are integrated into the design for the six ¾-inch buttons that close the front bands
• Drop-shoulder sleeves option: For the sleeved version, sleeves are worked downward from the shoulders

Stitches Used

The Leafwing combines several fundamental stitches to create texture and structure:

• Seed stitch: Used for the main body between the cable panels, creating a textured, reversible fabric. The gauge for seed stitch is 15 stitches and 20 rows over 4 inches when blocked
• Garter stitch: Applied to the button bands for a sturdy, rolled edge that frames the front opening
• Cable stitches: Right and Left Cable patterns are worked symmetrically on either side of the body, creating the distinctive mirror-image cables that travel up the fronts and onto the hood

Materials and Tools

The Leafwing is knit in Valley Yarns Valley Superwash Bulky, a 100% Extrafine Superwash Merino Wool yarn available in Spring Leaf or Turquoise colorways. Each ball contains 100 grams and 109 yards, with 4 balls required for the 0-6 month size and 5 balls for the 6-12 month size.

Essential needles and tools include a US size 10 (6.0mm) 16-inch circular needle for the body, US size 10 (6.0mm) double-pointed needles for working in the round, and an extra US size 10 (6.0mm) straight needle for binding off. Additional materials needed are a cable needle for managing cable stitches, stitch holders or waste yarn for holding stitches, a tapestry needle for weaving in ends, six ¾-inch buttons, sewing needles, and thread for attaching buttons. The pattern notes that if buttons are not desired, you can omit buttonholes and substitute twill tape with snaps sewn to the bands instead.