Matinee Coat Bonnet Bootees & Mittens in King Cole Baby 4Ply - 4944 - Downloadable PDF

Matinee Coat, Bonnet, Bootees & Mittens Knitting Pattern – King Cole Baby 4Ply (Pattern 4944)

This classic baby knitting pattern from King Cole (pattern number 4944) provides instructions for a complete coordinating set of four garments and accessories: a matinee coat, a bonnet, bootees, and mittens. Designed to be knitted in King Cole Baby 4Ply yarn, this set makes a beautiful and practical gift for a newborn or young baby, covering sizes from 31 cm to 51 cm (12 to 20 inches). The pattern is rated as advanced in difficulty, making it best suited to knitters who already have a solid foundation of knitting skills and are comfortable working with fine yarn and detailed shaping instructions.

The Matinee Coat

The centrepiece of this pattern set is a traditional matinee coat — a short baby jacket that typically reaches to the hips or just below, designed to keep a baby warm and comfortable. This version features a raglan sleeve construction, a classic and elegant method of shaping the armhole and sleeve in one continuous diagonal seam from the neckline to the underarm. Raglan shaping creates a smooth, comfortable fit with no hard shoulder seams, which is particularly well-suited to delicate baby garments. The coat is worked in stocking stitch, the most widely used knitting fabric, created by alternating knit rows on the right side with purl rows on the wrong side to produce a smooth, flat surface.

The size range of 31 cm to 51 cm means the pattern covers several stages of early infancy, giving knitters the flexibility to make the coat for a newborn through to a slightly older baby. Achieving the correct tension is emphasised as essential in the pattern instructions — the stated tension is 28 stitches and 36 rows to 10 cm (4 inches) over stocking stitch using 3.25mm knitting needles. Knitters are advised to adjust needle size up or down as needed to match this tension exactly before casting on.

The Bonnet

The bonnet is a traditional baby head covering designed to coordinate with the matinee coat. Baby bonnets are a timeless knitted accessory, shaped to fit snugly around the baby's head with ties or a border to secure it under the chin. Worked in King Cole Baby 4Ply, the bonnet benefits from the softness and fine gauge of the yarn, making it gentle against a baby's sensitive skin. The bonnet is knitted to complement the coat in both stitch pattern and yarn, creating a cohesive matching set.

The Bootees

The bootees included in this pattern are knitted baby shoes designed to keep tiny feet warm. Knitted bootees are a perennial favourite for handmade baby gifts, and working them in a fine 4ply yarn produces a neat, delicate result. Bootees typically involve a combination of shaping techniques including decreasing and increasing stitches to form the toe, sole, and ankle sections. The use of stocking stitch alongside possible textured or decorative details gives the bootees a polished finish that matches the rest of the set.

The Mittens

The mittens complete the four-piece set, providing matching hand coverings for the baby. Knitted mittens for babies are both practical and decorative — they help keep newborns from scratching themselves and provide warmth. Like the other pieces in this set, the mittens are worked in King Cole Baby 4Ply and are shaped using standard knitting techniques including increases and decreases to form the rounded mitten shape.

Techniques and Stitches Used

This is an advanced knitting pattern that draws on a range of techniques. Knitters working through this set will use:

• Stocking stitch — alternating knit and purl rows to create a smooth fabric, used throughout the main body of the garments
• Raglan sleeve shaping — a structured method of simultaneously shaping the sleeve and body using paired decreases worked on right-side rows
• Increasing and decreasing — used throughout all four pieces to shape seams, curves, toes, and mitten