Bottom-Up Blue Boy

Bottom-Up Blue Boy by MADuNaier

Project Overview

Bottom-Up Blue Boy is a free downloadable knitting pattern designed by MADuNaier for the MAD Cap Fancies collection. This intermediate-level project creates a coordinated set consisting of a baby cardigan and matching hat, both constructed using bottom-up knitting techniques. The pattern is sized for infants aged 3-12 months, with guidance for adjusting to newborn and premature baby sizes.

Cardigan Construction

The cardigan body is knitted from the bottom up, beginning with a cast-on of 80 stitches at the lower edge. This bottom-up construction method allows knitters to try on the garment as they progress and easily adjust length before binding off. The finished cardigan features a 21-inch chest measurement, making it an ideal size for babies in the 3-12 month range. The design includes a button band and is finished with five-eighths inch buttons (4 total) for closure.

Hat Construction

The coordinating hat is also knitted using bottom-up techniques and features a finished circumference of 17 inches. The hat construction utilizes double-pointed needles and 16-inch circular needles, allowing for seamless crown decreases typical of hat knitting.

Knitting Techniques and Stitches

This intermediate pattern employs fundamental knitting techniques including:

• Cast-on and bind-off methods to begin and finish the knitted fabric
• Knit and purl stitches as the foundation of the stitch pattern
• Decreases using K2tog (knit 2 stitches together) and SSK (slip, slip, knit together) techniques for shaping
• Stitch holders or contrasting yarn for separating and managing front and back sections during construction
• Circular needle knitting for seamless or in-the-round construction

Materials and Yarn Specifications

The pattern calls for Deborah Norville Everyday yarn in worsted weight, requiring 2 skeins totaling 400 yards. The recommended gauge is 16 stitches and 24 rows per 4 inches when using size 9 knitting needles with worsted-weight yarn.

Needle Requirements

The project utilizes multiple needle sizes and styles to accommodate different sections:

• Size 9 circular needles (29 inches) for the cardigan body and button band
• Size 9 double-pointed needles for the hat
• Size 9 circular needles (16 inches) for hat construction

Additional Supplies

Beyond yarn and needles, the pattern requires four five-eighths inch buttons, sewing thread, and a needle for attaching buttons. Stitch holders or lengths of contrasting yarn are needed to separate front and back sections during the cardigan construction process.

Sizing and Customization

While the pattern is designed for babies aged 3-12 months with a 21-inch chest cardigan measurement, MADuNaier provides guidance for customizing the fit. Knitters can create newborn or premature baby sizes by selecting smaller needles and thinner yarn while maintaining the stitch pattern, allowing the design to adapt across a wider range of infant sizes.