We've had a Pop baby cardigan sample in the shop for ages. We change it as our baby yarns change.
The current sample is made in a now discontinued Rico Classic Baby DK shade, and the pattern is so popular we definitely need a new one.
Why is it so popular?
- It's knitted seamlessly, back and forth, from the top down. You can choose to knit the sleeves 'in the round' too, so there is no sewing up.
- The button bands are knitted at the same time as the body of the cardigan so you don't need to pick up any stitches.
- There is no provisional cast on or short rows.
- The smaller sizes can fit onto a standard straight needle (but it is the perfect project to try out knitting back and forth on circular knitting needles)
- The baby size makes it a great first garment project - small and achievable, you never have that many stitches to rip back 😆 but you'll still learn very useful techniques like M1, YO buttonholes and using stitch markers.
For our new shop sample, I wasn't content with just picking another soft easy-care DK yarn I really wanted to try a marled Pop.
You can use marling for any project.
Like a hat and simple mitts or blankets or a stunning jumper.
find out more our on Mini Ball Bag inspiration page.
For this Garter Squish blanket I used 4 strands of 4ply held together on a 6mm needles (I am a loose knitter). It's a free pattern by Stephen West on Ravelry.
read more about Aquamarline here
By marling I mean holding multiple strands of different coloured yarns together to create a thicker multicoloured yarn.
In the samples shown here I've used multi coloured sock yarn - mostly Opal 4ply.
For the jumper and blankets I held 4 strands together which made an approximate chunky thickness.
For the hat and mitts I held two strands together which makes a DK yarn weight (roughly).
Because the Pop is knitted in a DK yarn I held two strands of 4ply together.
The Pop pattern is written to have a garter stitch yoke and a stocking stitch body. But I also wanted to make a garter stitch Pop.
In case you haven't noticed I love garter stitch. It has a squishy bulk and it’s super simple to do (for most people it’s the first thing they learn when learning to knit).
You make garter stitch when you knit every row.
Combining two strands of 4ply and garter stitch in a baby cardigan makes a sturdy jacket. Using Opal 4ply sock yarn makes it warm, robust and machine washable too.
I used two different shades of Opal Hundertwasser (1435 and 3200). But you could use leftover 4plys. If you’re a sock knitter you’ve probably got lots of leftovers or you could make a Garter Pop using one of our Mini Ball Bags.
I knitted the 6-9mth size and used about 150g of Opal 4ply.
To modify the pattern I simply knitted every row.
HOWEVER, if you do do the sleeves in the round, remember you will have to knit one round, purl one round to make garter stitch.
When you knit garter stitch flat you knit every row on the right side and wrong side. But when you knit in the round the right side of your knitting always faces you. So to make the garter stitch bumps you need to knit one round and purl one round. Confused? We're always happy to help in the shop or over email.
Of course, whilst knitting my Garter Pop I did think of other mods I could make. Like adding a slip stitch edge or full length buttons. And of course a stocking stitch version.
To recap:
For a marled garter Pop you’ll need some self patterning 4ply. Check the DK yarn requirements for your chosen size and double it for an approximate 4ply meterage.
Or you can use one strand of DK too. Sue made this Garter Pop using one strand Sirdar Country Classic DK
A copy of the Pop Baby Cardigan knitting pattern.
You’ll need a 4mm knitting needle, straight for the smaller sizes and circular (at least 60cm long) for the larger sizes.
