Allium Bloomers

Allium Bloomers by Fox and Folk

What is Being Made

The Allium Bloomers are a knitted baby garment designed as trousers and leggings for infants and toddlers. This downloadable PDF pattern from independent designer Fox and Folk offers four size options: newborn (NB), 3-6 months, 6-12 months, and 18-24 months. The bloomers feature a classic, comfortable fit suitable for layering or wearing as standalone pants for babies and young children.

Knitting Techniques Used

This intermediate-level knitting project employs several fundamental techniques to create the finished garment. The pattern begins with a cast-on worked on smaller needles, followed by ribbing to create an elastic cuff. The main body is constructed using the Fisherman's Rib Stitch, a textured stitch pattern that adds both visual interest and stretch to the fabric. The Fisherman's Rib can be worked either in the round or flat, depending on the section of the garment being constructed.

When worked in the round, the Fisherman's Rib Stitch is established with a setup round of all purls, then alternates between two rounds: one round combining knit through the back loop (K1b) with regular purls (P1), and the next round reversing this with regular knits (K1) and purls through the back loop (P1b). When worked flat, a single row pattern of K1b and P1 repeats throughout. This textured stitch creates a fabric with excellent elasticity and recovery, making it ideal for baby garments that need to accommodate growth and movement.

Stitches and Stitch Patterns

• Fisherman's Rib Stitch – The primary stitch pattern used for the main body of the bloomers, worked in rounds and/or flat rows depending on construction method
• Knit through the Back Loop (K1b) – Creates a twisted stitch that adds texture and definition to the Fisherman's Rib
• Purl through the Back Loop (P1b) – The reverse of the knit through back loop, used in alternating rounds to build the rib structure
• Knit and Purl Ribbing (K1, P1) – Used for the initial cuff and waistband to create an elastic edge that holds the garment securely on the baby

Materials and Yarn Specifications

Yarn Weight: Worsted weight yarn is used for this project, which provides a medium-weight fabric suitable for baby garments. The yardage required varies by size: newborn requires approximately 170 yards (155 meters), while the largest size (18-24 months) needs up to 270 yards (246 meters).

Needles: The pattern calls for US size 6 and US size 7 needles (metric sizes 4 mm and 4.5 mm respectively). These can be worked as double-pointed needles (DPNs) or 9-inch circular needles, allowing knitters to choose their preferred method for working in the round.

Additional Notions and Tools: Beyond yarn and needles, the pattern requires two stitch markers to track pattern repeats and construction points, a yarn needle for weaving in ends and seaming if necessary, a tape measure for checking gauge and fit, and two buttons for closures or decorative details on the finished bloomers.

Gauge and Blocking

The pattern specifies a gauge of 10 stitches over 2 inches (5 centimeters) and 13 rows over 2 inches (5 centimeters) when worked in stockinette stitch and blocked. Achieving the correct gauge is essential for ensuring the bloomers fit properly across the four size options and that the Fisherman's Rib texture develops as intended. Blocking the finished garment helps set the stitches and allows the fabric to relax into its final dimensions.

Pattern Notes

The Allium Bloomers pattern is designed for personal use only, as indicated by the copyright notice for Fox and Folk© 2020. The pattern includes all necessary abbreviations and detailed instructions for both in-the-round and flat construction methods, making it accessible to intermediate knitters who have experience with basic increases, decreases, and stitch pattern work. The inclusion of multiple sizes within a single pattern makes this an economical choice for families with growing babies or for gift-giving across different age ranges.