Adventures in (stupid) Pinterest: Orphaned Kitten Sweaters-Sizes 1 and 2

***Updated update. The new patterns are here! Check them out.***

***Updated to change the last row.***

Welcome to the new and improved version of the size 1 pattern. There were many helpful tips on the original blog post, including more detail about the velcro, so go check it out! Much of this is copied and pasted, but a lot of it is new.

HUGE shoutout to Cheryl Nielson for coming up with the pattern idea for the collar holes and sizing the patterns for a sizes 0 and 2. A collar can be threaded through the holes around the neck to help keep the babies from wiggling out of the sweater. The idea Cheryl came up with is WAY cuter than the one I originally tried out. Thank you, Cheryl!

And this is still Stephanie Noe's baby, so another shoutout to her. Rarely will you meet someone with so much passion. Please visit the website to learn more. http://orphankittensweaters.org/. You can also find them on facebook. There is always a need for volunteers to make sweaters. All of the cool kids are doing it! It will make you feel good!

Materials: G/4.5mm crochet hook, scissors, yarn needle if desired, SEW-ON Velcro (Make sure BOTH sides are sew-on. I learned the hard way.), thread, sewing machine if desired, parchment paper if desired.

Yarn: 100% cotton. As much as I hate Hobby Lobby, I haven’t found a better cotton yarn in my price range. It is soft and easy to work with. I found the Peaches & Creme/Sugar ‘n Cream yarn to be scratchy and stiff.

Stitch Guide: CH-chain, HDC-half double crochet, SC-single crochet, SL ST-slip stitch

To make the size 2, use the same pattern, but use a 6mm hook. Some people don't use the flap in this size, as it is usually for post-surgery babies, and the flap isn't necessary. If this is your preference, just end after row 17.

Pattern:

CH 32

Row 1:

HDC into the 3^rd stitch from the end

HDC 1 more
SL ST 2, HDC 2 across for a total of 30 stitches
(This row starts and ends with 2 HDCs.)

Row 2:

CH 2 and turn
HDC 2
CH 2
Skip 2 stitches and repeat across
(This row also starts and ends with 2 HDCs.)

Row 3:
CH 2 and turn
HDC 2
HDC into the back loops of the 2 chains
Repeat across

Row 4-6:

CH2 and turn

HDC 30

Row 7:
CH 2 and turn

HDC 7

CH 6

Skip 6 stitches and HDC 6 into the next stitches

CH 6

Skip 6 stitches and HDC 6 into the remaining 5 stitches

Row 8:

CH 2 and turn

HDC 5

HDC into the back loops of the 6 chains

HDC 6

HDC into the back loops of the 6 chains

HDC 7

Row 9-17:

CH2 and turn

HDC 30

Row 18:

CH 1 and turn

SL ST 11

CH 2

HDC 8

Row 19 & 20:

CH 2 and turn

HDC 8

Row 21:

CH 2 and turn

HDC 2

CH 3

Skip 3 and stitch into the 4^th stitch

HDC into the final 3 stitches

Row 22:

CH 2 and turn

HDC 3

HDC into the back loop of the 3 chains

HDC 2

Row 23-25:

CH 2 and turn

HDC 8

Row 26:

CH 2 and turn
HDC 8 together*

CH 1, cut the yarn, pull through, and weave in ends.

*To crochet stitches together, you don’t pull through the last loop. You’ll chain 2, turn, yarn over, pull through, and then pull through 2. You’ll have 2 stitches on your hook. You’ll do that all of the way across, and you’ll end up with 7 stitches on your hook. Then you’ll yarn over, and pull through all 9 stitches.

Add Velcro. (Detailed instructions on the original blog.) Tip: I've been using thread that matches the yarn. That way you don't really see it from the outside. It's been working well.

I actually stopped using the parchment paper and doing the X's on the ends. I found that doing a backstitch at the beginning and end made it sturdy enough. It also goes WAY faster.

Helpful images:

Row 1: HDC into the 3rd stitch.

Row 2:

Row 16:

Row 19:

The end:

Here are the measurements for the finished project when I do it. It will vary a little, depending on your tension.

Size 1:

Size 2:

Cheryl did it again! She came up with more detailed instructions for the velcro! Thank you, Cheryl! I still love the stripes.

Please note that the velcro Cheryl uses is wider than what I've been using. If you have the thinner stuff, use two rows together here. That way they can adjust as the baby grows.

Some machines do just fine without the parchment paper, but if your yarn gets caught, definitely use the parchment paper. I get mine in the tin foil/ziploc isle at the grocery store. It's pretty cheap.