Lillegulls body

Lillegulls Body by FjellrosaDesign

What is Being Made

The Lillegulls body is a knitted baby garment designed by FjellrosaDesign. This is a downloadable knitting pattern for a fitted bodice-style piece suitable for newborns and infants. The pattern offers three size options: 0 months (1-3 months), 3-6 months, with corresponding width measurements of 18.5cm, 20cm, and 23cm respectively. Total garment lengths range from 31cm to 35cm depending on size selected. The body features button closures along the front, with 10 to 11 buttons required depending on the size being knitted.

Knitting Techniques Used

This intermediate-level knitting pattern employs several foundational and decorative techniques. The garment is constructed using flat knitting on circular needles, worked from the top down in a seamless construction method. The pattern incorporates garter stitch (perlestrikk in Norwegian) for the ribbed edging sections, providing elasticity and a textured finish. Stockinette stitch (glattstrikk) forms the main body fabric. The pattern includes cable knitting (flette), adding visual interest and texture to the design. Stitch markers and helper needles are used throughout to divide sections and manage the construction of different garment pieces, including sleeves and the central front panel where buttonholes will be placed.

Stitches and Construction Details

The Lillegulls body begins with a cast-on of 74, 82, or 90 stitches depending on size, worked on size 2.5 needles. The first 4 rounds are worked in garter stitch to create a finished edge. The pattern then transitions to size 3 needles and introduces stitch markers to divide the work into distinct sections: a 4-stitch garter stitch border, sleeve stitches, cable panel stitches, and body stitches. The structured marker placement creates the yoke shaping and armhole divisions essential to the garment's fit. Buttonholes are incorporated along the front button band throughout the knitting process, requiring careful attention during construction.

Yarn and Materials

The pattern recommends Du Store Alpakka Mini Sterk yarn in a 3-ply lace weight, with suggested colorways including light blue (848), dust rose (853), light yellow (852), natural white (806), and light gray (841). An alternative yarn option is Du Store Alpakka Tynn Alpakka, also in lace weight, with color recommendations of light blue (125), dust rose (124), light yellow (120), and light gray-blue (118). Yarn requirements are 100 grams for the smallest sizes and 150 grams for the largest size.

Needles and Notions

This pattern requires circular needles in sizes 2.5 and 3 for the main construction, along with double-pointed needles in the same sizes for working smaller sections. Additional tools include 2 helper needles, 1 cable needle, a crochet hook, and 9 stitch markers for tracking pattern sections. The garment closure requires 10 to 11 buttons depending on the size being knitted.

Gauge and Sizing

The pattern specifies a gauge of 27 stitches over 10 centimeters when working stockinette stitch on size 3 needles. Achieving proper gauge is essential for obtaining the correct finished measurements. The three available sizes accommodate babies from newborn through six months of age, with proportional increases in width and length as size increases.