Valley Yarns Cumbria Knitting Pattern

Valley Yarns Cumbria Baby and Toddler Coat

What is Being Made

The Cumbria is a charming baby and toddler coat designed by Julie Turjoman, featuring an asymmetrical button front that combines practicality with adorable styling. This garment is sized for newborns through 18 months, with finished chest measurements ranging from 17¼" to 23¼" and lengths from 13¾" to 17¾". The coat is constructed as a one-piece design worked from the hem to the armholes, then separated for the yoke, making it an efficient and well-structured project. The asymmetrical front panels create visual interest while the crew neckline and button closure provide classic appeal suitable for handing down through multiple children.

Techniques Used

This intermediate-level knitting project employs several key techniques that make it accessible yet engaging for experienced knitters. The coat is worked flat on straight needles rather than in the round, allowing for easier manipulation of the asymmetrical front panels. The bottom-up construction method begins at the hem and progresses upward, providing natural shaping and the ability to try on the garment as it develops. The body is worked in one piece to the armholes, which minimizes seaming and creates a seamless transition from body to yoke. Raglan shoulders are incorporated, which provide comfortable fit and elegant sloped shaping from the neckline down to the sleeve caps. The sleeves are sewn in after completion, allowing for precise placement and professional finishing. The design includes integrated button and buttonhole bands that are worked along with the body rather than picked up afterward, ensuring perfect alignment and proportion.

Stitches Used

The Cumbria utilizes a limited but effective stitch palette appropriate for a baby garment. Stockinette stitch forms the primary fabric, creating a smooth, classic surface that showcases the yarn's qualities. Garter stitch is combined with stockinette in a striped sequence throughout the body, adding textural interest and subtle visual dimension without overwhelming the design. Seed stitch is used for the hem, creating a reversible, non-rolling edge that provides both structure and a decorative detail. The seed stitch bands are also incorporated into the button and buttonhole bands, where they appear as 3-stitch borders on each side of the stockinette/garter striped body. This combination of stitches creates a balanced, visually interesting fabric while remaining simple enough for intermediate knitters to execute confidently.

Materials and Yarn

The Cumbria is designed to be worked in Valley Yarns Haydenville DK, a practical and durable yarn blend consisting of 60% Superwash Merino Wool and 40% Acrylic Microfiber. This fiber composition ensures easy care—an essential consideration for baby garments that require frequent washing. The yarn is available in a lovely Sage colorway (Color 14) as shown in the pattern. Yarn requirements range from 3 skeins for the smallest size (0-3 months) to 4 skeins for the larger sizes (6-12 months and 12-18 months), with each skein weighing 50g and yielding 136 yards. The DK weight provides a balanced fabric that is neither too delicate nor too heavy for a baby coat.

Needles and Notions

The pattern calls for US size 5 (3.75 mm) needles as the primary needles for working the main fabric, with a gauge of 24 stitches and 32 rows equaling 4 inches in stockinette stitch when blocked. US size 4 (3.50 mm) needles are used for the seed stitch hem and ribbed bands, creating a slightly tighter edge that provides structure and prevents rolling. Additional notions include stitch markers for tracking pattern sections, stitch holders or waste yarn for holding stitches during yoke construction, and a tapestry needle for seaming the raglan sleeves and weaving in ends. The pattern specifies 9 to 12 buttons depending on size, each measuring ½" in diameter, which are sewn onto the button band after the coat is complete. The buttonhole band overlaps the button band by 1", creating a secure and attractive closure system.

Construction Overview

The Cumbria begins with a Long-Tail cast-on using the smaller needles, creating 110 to 146 stitches depending on the desired size. The hem is worked in seed stitch for several rows, establishing a neat, reversible edge. The knitter then switches to the larger needles and begins the body,