Coat in Hayfield Baby DK - 5225 - Downloadable PDF

Hayfield Baby DK Coat – Pattern 5225 by Sirdar: A Complete Knitting Guide

Pattern 5225 from Sirdar is a beautifully designed baby and toddler coat knitted in Hayfield Baby DK yarn. This intermediate-level knitting pattern produces a classic, structured coat suitable for babies and young children from birth through to three years of age. The finished garment features a neat button-front opening, set-in sleeves, and a clean silhouette that makes it a timeless handknitted wardrobe staple for little ones.

What Is Being Made

The pattern creates a fully knitted coat for babies and toddlers, sized to fit chest measurements ranging from 41 cm (16 in) for newborns up to 56 cm (22 in) for a child of 2–3 years. The actual finished measurements allow for comfortable ease, with the coat measuring between 45 cm and 60 cm around the chest depending on size. Full lengths range from 24 cm to 38 cm, and sleeve lengths are adjustable, running from approximately 15 cm to 24 cm. The coat is worked in separate pieces — a Back, a Left Front, and corresponding sections — which are then seamed together, making it a satisfying construction project for an intermediate knitter.

Sizes Available

• 0–6 months: To fit 41 cm (16 in) chest, actual measurement 45 cm (17¾ in), full length 24 cm (9½ in)
• 6–12 months: To fit 46 cm (18 in) chest, actual measurement 51 cm (20 in), full length 28 cm (11 in)
• 1–2 years: To fit 51 cm (20 in) chest, actual measurement 56 cm (22 in), full length 32 cm (12½ in)
• 2–3 years: To fit 56 cm (22 in) chest, actual measurement 60 cm (23¾ in), full length 38 cm (15 in)

Techniques Used

This pattern employs a range of classic knitting techniques that place it firmly in the intermediate difficulty category. Knitters will work flat, piece by piece, and need to be comfortable with shaping, buttonhole construction, and seaming. Key techniques include:

• Thumb method cast-on – used at the beginning of each piece to create a neat, elastic edge suitable for a baby garment
• Shoulder shaping – worked by casting off stitches at the beginning of rows in stages to create a sloped shoulder seam
• Decreasing – including k2tog (knit two together) used extensively in shaping, particularly for the larger sizes where more complex decrease sequences are required
• Increasing – used in sleeve shaping to gradually widen the sleeve from cuff to underarm
• Tension/gauge checking – the pattern strongly emphasises achieving the correct tension before beginning, which is essential for a well-fitting garment
• Seaming – the coat is knitted in pieces and joined, requiring neat finishing skills
• Button band and buttonhole construction – the front opening is finished with a button band incorporating buttonholes to accommodate the specified buttons

Stitches Used

The coat combines two fundamental knitting stitch patterns to create texture and structure:

• Garter stitch (g-st) – formed by knitting every row, this stitch is used for borders, cuffs, and edging sections. It creates a ridged, slightly elastic fabric that lies flat and frames the garment neatly. The pattern establishes garter stitch from the very first row and refers to it consistently throughout as g-st.
• Stocking stitch (stockinette stitch) – the main body fabric of the coat, worked by alternating knit rows on the right side with purl rows on the wrong side. This creates the smooth, classic fabric associated with traditional baby knitwear. The stated tension is measured over stocking stitch: 22 stitches and 28 rows to 10 cm (4 in) on 4 mm needles.

Materials Required

The pattern is designed specifically for Hayfield Baby DK yarn (shade 477,