Pumpkin Striped Crocheted Baby Sweater

Materials:

• Yarn: Soft acrylic yarn in orange and black (DK weight recommended)
• Crochet hook: Size appropriate for your yarn (typically 4 mm – 5 mm)
• Scissors
• Yarn needle
• Pumpkin buttons for closure and decoration
• Tape measure

Abbreviations:

• ch: chain
• sc: single crochet
• hdc: half double crochet
• dc: double crochet
• sl st: slip stitch
• inc: increase (2 stitches in one stitch)
• dec: decrease (2 stitches together)

Pattern:

Body:

1. Front and Back Panels (make 2):
   • With orange yarn, ch 41.
   • R1: Dc in 4th ch from hook and across (total 38 dc). Turn.
   • R2: Ch 3 (counts as dc), dc in each st across. Turn.
   • Switch to black yarn.
   • R3: Ch 3 (counts as dc), dc in each st across. Turn.
   • Switch to orange yarn.
   • Repeat R2-R3 for 14 rows, alternating colors. Fasten off and weave in ends.

Sleeves:

1. Make 2:
   • With orange yarn, ch 24.
   • R1: Dc in 4th ch from hook and across (total 21 dc). Turn.
   • R2: Ch 3 (counts as dc), dc in each st across. Turn.
   • Switch to black yarn.
   • R3: Ch 3 (counts as dc), dc in each st across. Turn.
   • Switch to orange yarn.
   • Repeat R2-R3 for 8 rows, alternating colors. Fasten off and weave in ends.

Assembly:

1. Join Front and Back Panels:
   • Align the front and back panels and sew shoulder seams together.
   • Attach sleeves to the armholes and sew in place.
   • Sew side seams and sleeve seams together.

Collar:

1. With black yarn, join at the neckline:
   • R1: Ch 1, sc evenly around the neckline, join with sl st.
   • R2: Ch 3 (counts as dc), dc in each st around, join with sl st.
   • R3: Ch 1, sc in each st around, join with sl st.
   • Fasten off and weave in ends.

Decorative Trim:

1. With black yarn, join at the bottom edge of the sweater:
   • R1: Ch 1, sc evenly around the bottom edge, join with sl st.
   • R2: Ch 3 (counts as dc), dc in each st around, join with sl st.
   • Fasten off and weave in ends.

Finishing Touches:

1. Sew pumpkin buttons to the front of the sweater for closure.
2. Add any additional decorative elements, such as small bows or appliqués, if desired.