Make a cozy, unisex newborn set including a bonnet, side-button cardigan and fitted thighs/legging. This fingering-weight pattern gives clear step-by-step instructions and multiple size options from Newborn to 24 months. The design features a delicate dot stitch on the body and optional footed or legging versions, perfect for gifting or your baby wardrobe.
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— Thighs :
Info :
Waistband: Using B needles, CO 98, 110, 118, 128 (136, 140, 146) sts using the long tail cast on method. Join in the round being careful not to twist the CO row and PBORM.
Info :
Work 2 cm/0.8" in stockinette st, then p one row. Switch to A needles and work 3 cm/1.2" in stockinette st (measurement taken from the p row).
Info :
You now have 114, 126, 134, 144 (156, 160, 166) sts.
Round Dividing for the legs :
k until M, RM, BO 5, 5, 5, 6 (6, 6, 7) sts, RM, k until M, RM, BO 5, 5, 5, 6 (6, 6, 7) sts, RM, k until BORM, RBORM, k 22, 25, 27, 29 (31, 32, 33) sts.
Round Shaping the back part R1 (RS) :
k 49, 55, 59, 64 (68, 70, 73), PM, k until 1, 1, 1, 1 (1, 2, 2) sts from BORM, turn your work and perform a GSR.
Round R2 (WS) :
p until 1, 1, 1, 1 (1, 2, 2) sts from M, turn your work and perform a GSR.
Round R3 (RS) :
k until 4, 4, 5, 5 (4, 4, 4) sts from the previous GSR, turn your work and perform a GSR.
Round R4 (WS) :
p until 4, 4, 5, 5 (4, 4, 4) sts from the previous GSR, turn your work and perform a GSR.
Info :
Work R3 & R4 a total of 3, 3, 3, 3 (4, 4, 4) times.
Info :
Resume working in stockinette st in the round, working the double legged sts as regular ones, until the piece is 12, 12.5, 15, 16 (18, 20, 20) cm / 4.75, 5, 6, 6.25 (7, 7.75, 7.75) " long from the p row. The measurement is taken on the front of the thighs (no short rows).
Round Setup for the crotch increases (k all) :
22, 25, 27, 29 (31, 32, 33) sts, PM, 5, 5, 5, 6 (6, 6, 7) sts, PM, 44, 50, 54, 58 (62, 64, 66) sts, PM, 5, 5, 5, 6 (6, 6, 7) sts, PM, 22, 25, 27, 29 (31, 32, 33) sts.
Round R1 :
*k until M, M1R, SM, k until M, SM, M1L, repeat from * once more, k until BORM.
Info :
Work R1 & R2 a total of 4, 4, 4, 4 (5, 5, 5) times.
— Thighs - Right leg :
Info :
Put the 52, 58, 62, 66 (72, 74, 76) sts from the left leg on hold. Join in the round the sts from the right leg and PBORM (inside of the leg).
Info :
Work 2 rows in stockinette st, then start the decreases: DR : k1, k2tog, k until 3 sts from BORM, SSK, k1. Work DR a total of 4 times.
Info :
Then, work as follows : 3 stockinette st rows, 1 DR. Knit this sequence a total of 8, 10, 11, 9 (12, 10, 11) times. You now have 28, 30, 32, 40 (40, 46, 46) sts.
Info :
Continue working in stockinette st in the round until the leg is 15, 17, 20, 22 (22, 25, 27) cm / 6, 7, 7.75, 9 (9, 9.75, 11) " long from the separation.
— Thighs - Right foot :
Info :
k 14, 15, 16, 20 (20, 23, 23), turn your work and knit the heel flap as follows : work in stockinette st back and forth on those 14, 15, 16, 20 (20, 23, 23) sts a total of 9, 9, 11, 11 (11, 13, 13) rows.
Round Heel turn R0 (RS) :
k 9, 10, 11, 14 (14, 17, 17), SSK, turn your work.
Round R1 (WS) :
sl1 wyif, p 4, 5, 6, 9 (9, 11, 11), p2tog, turn your work.
Round R2 (RS) :
sl1 wyib, k until 1 st from the gap, SSK, turn your work.
Round R3 (WS) :
sl1 wyif, p until 1 st from the gap, p2tog, turn your work.
Info :
Work R2 & R3 until there are 6, 7, 8, 10 (10, 13, 13) sts left on the needles.
Round Gusset :
k 6, 7, 8, 10 (10, 13, 13), turn your work 90° clockwise, pick up 7, 7, 9, 9 (9, 11, 11) sts along the heel flap, PBORM, k 14, 15, 16, 20 (20, 23, 23), turn your work 90° clockwise, PM, pick up 7, 7, 9, 9 (9, 11, 11) sts along the other side of the heel flap, k until BORM.
Round DR1 :
k until M, SM, SSK, k until M, k until 2 sts from BORM, k2tog.
Info :
Work RD1 & RD2 a total of 3, 3, 5, 4 (4, 6, 6) times. You now have 28, 30, 32, 40 (40, 46, 46) sts. Work in stockinette st until the foot is 7, 7, 7.5, 7.5 (8.5, 9.5, 11) cm / 3, 3, 3, 3.5 (3.5, 3.5, 4.5) " long from the heel turn.
— Thighs - Toes :
Round R1 :
SSK, k until 2 sts from M, k2tog, SM, SSK, k until 2 sts from BORM, k2tog.
Info :
Work R1 & R2 a total of 2, 2, 3, 3 (3, 3, 3) times. Then work only R1 a total of 3, 3, 3, 5 (5, 6, 6) times. You now have 8, 10, 8, 8 (8, 10, 10) sts. Close the foot using the Kitchener st.
— Thighs - Left leg :
Info :
Put back on the needles the 52, 58, 62, 66 (72, 74, 76) sts that were on hold, PBORM (on the inside of the leg). Follow the instructions for the right leg until you reach the foot.
— Legging :
Info :
Put the 52, 58, 62, 66 (72, 74, 76) sts from the left leg on hold. Join in the round the sts from the right leg and PBORM (inside of the leg).
Info :
Work in stockinette st for 1.5, 2, 2.5, 1.5 (3.5, 2, 3) cm / 0.5, 1, 1, 0.5 (1.5, 1, 1) " then start the decreases : DR : k1, k2tog, k until 3 sts from BORM, SSK, k1.
Info :
Work DR every 1, 1, 1, 1.5 (1, 1.5, 1.5) cm / 0.5, 0.5, 0.5, 0.5 (0.5, 0.5, 0.5) " a total of 12, 14, 15, 13 (16, 14, 15) times. You now have 28, 30, 32, 40 (40, 46, 46) sts.
Info :
Continue working in stockinette st in the round until the leg is 13, 16, 18, 21 (21, 23, 26) cm / 5, 6.25, 7, 8.25 (8.25, 9, 10.25) " long from the separation (or 2cm shorter than the desired length). Switch to B needles and work 2cm in 1/1 ribbing. Loosely BO the sts and cut the yarn.
— Finishing :
Item :
Sew the crotch. Fold the waistband WS together and sew it. Be mindful to leave an opening at the back to insert the elastic band. Sew the ends of the elastic band together, making sure it's not twisted. Close the opening with a seam. Weave in the ends.
— Bonnet :
Info Body of the bonnet :
Using B needles, CO 71, 79, 83, 87 (91, 99, 103) sts using the long tail cast on method. Do not join in the round.
Info Technique :
Long-tail cast-on : you can watch this video tutorial.
Info :
Work 6 rows in 1/1 ribbing, starting with a p st. Switch to A needles. Work 2 rows in stockinette st, starting with a RS row, then begin working in the dot st as follows :
Round R1 (RS) :
k3, *p1, k3, repeat from * until EOR.
Round R2 and all even rows (WS) :
p until EOR.
Round R3 & R7 (RS) :
k until EOR.
Round R5 (WS) :
k1, *p1, k3, repeat from * until 2 sts from EOR, p1, k1.
Info :
Continue working R1 to R8 as established until the piece is 9, 10, 11, 11.5 (12, 14, 15) cm / 3.5, 4, 4.25, 4.5 (4.75, 5.5, 6) " long from the CO row.
Round DR (RS) :
k2tog, k until 3 sts from EOR, SSK, k1.
Round Joining in the round (RS) :
PBORM, join the sts in the round, k2tog, k until BORM.
— Decrease crown :
Round DR1 :
*k2tog, k 6, 7, 8, 8 (9, 10, 10), k2tog, k 7, 8, 8, 9 (9, 10, 11), repeat from * until BORM.
Round DR2 :
*k2tog, k 5, 6, 7, 7 (8, 9, 9), k2tog, k 6, 7, 7, 8 (8, 9, 10), repeat from * until BORM.
Info :
Continue working the decreases as established until there are no more sts in between the 'k2tog'. Next row : *k2tog, repeat from * until BORM. Cut the yarn, leaving a 20cm/8" long tail. Thread the tapestry needle, pass it through the remaining live sts and gently pull to close the bonnet. Weave in the ends, leaving ties if desired.
— Finish and I-cord ties :
Item :
Using A needles, pick up about 2 out of 3 sts on the raw edge of the bonnet. It's where the back neck of the child will sit. The CO row is left as is. Cut the yarn. Using B needles, CO 3 sts and work a 25, 25, 25, 30 (30, 30, 35) cm / 10, 10, 10, 12 (12, 12, 14) " long I-cord. You are now going to attach it to the bonnet while working the finish of the back neck by doing an I-cord BO, as follows : *k2, k2tog, put back on the left needle the 3 sts you just worked, repeat from * until all the back neck sts have been BO. Then without cutting the yarn, work a 25, 25, 25, 30 (30, 30, 35) cm / 10, 10, 10, 12 (12, 12, 14) " long I-cord. BO the I-cord and cut the yarn. Weave in the ends.
— Cardigan :
Info Neckline :
Using B needles, CO 82, 86, 86, 94 (106, 102, 106) sts using the long tail cast on method. Do not join in the round.
Round R1 (WS) :
*p1, k1, repeat from * until EOR.
Round R2 (RS) :
*p1, k1, repeat from * until EOR. Work R1 once more.
Round Buttonhole row (RS) :
1/1 ribbing until 6 sts from EOR, p1, k1, yo, k2tog, p1, k1.
Info :
Work R1 & R2 once more.
— Raglan :
Info :
Switch to A needles. You are now going to place some markers for the raglan, then work the increases while creating buttonholes.
Round Setup row (WS) :
6 sts in 1/1 ribbing, PM, p1, PM, p 21, 23, 23, 25 (27, 27, 29), PM, p1, PM, p 12, 12, 12, 14 (18, 16, 16), PM, p1, PM, p 21, 23, 23, 25 (27, 27, 29), PM, p1, PM, p 12, 12, 12, 14 (18, 16, 16), PM, 6 sts in 1/1 ribbing.
Round Raglan row (RS) :
1/1 ribbing until M, SM, *M1L, k until M, M1R, SM, k1, SM, repeat from * a total of 3 times, work in dot st as per chart (p5), SM, p1, SM, 1/1 ribbing until EOR. (+8 sts)
Info WS row :
1/1 ribbing until M, SM, p until last M, SM, 1/1 ribbing until EOR.
Info :
Work the above 2 rows a total of 12, 13, 14, 15 (15, 16, 17) times, doing a buttonhole row instead of a RS row every 3 cm.
Info :
You now have : Front & back : 45, 49, 51, 55 (57, 59, 63) sts. Sleeve : 36, 38, 40, 44 (48, 48, 50) sts. +4 raglan sts.
— Sleeves :
Info :
Put back on A needles the 36, 38, 40, 44 (48, 48, 50) sts from one of the sleeves. Starting at the centre of the underarm, pick up 3 sts, k the sleeve sts, then pick up another 3 sts and PBORM. You now have 42, 44, 46, 50 (54, 54, 56) sts.
Info :
Work in stockinette st until the sleeve is 2, 2, 2, 2 (3, 3, 3) cm / 0.75, 0.75, 0.75, 0.75 (1.25, 1.25, 1.25) " long from the underarm. DR : k1, k2tog, k until 3 sts from BORM, SSK, k1. Work DR every 2, 2.5, 3, 2 (2, 2.5, 2.5) cm / 0.75, 1, 1.25, 0.75 (0.75, 0.75, 1) " for a total of 5, 5, 5, 7 (8, 7, 7) times. You now have 32, 34, 36, 36 (38, 40, 42) sts on the needles.
Info Cuff :
Switch to B needles and work 2cm/0.8" in 1/1 ribbing. Loosely BO the sts. Work the second sleeve the exact same way. Weave in the ends and block the pieces.
— Cardigan - Separation row (RS) :
Item :
1/1 ribbing until M, SM, put the sleeve sts on hold, CO 5 sts, RM, k1, RM, k until M, RM, k1, RM, put the sleeve sts on hold, CO 5 sts, SM, k1, RM, dot st until M, RM, k1, SM, 1/1 ribbing until EOR.
Info :
Work without increasing until the piece is 8.5, 9.5, 10.5, 11 (11.5, 12, 13) cm / 3.25, 3.75, 4.25, 4.25 (4.5, 4.75, 5) " long from the CO row.
— Ribbing :
Item :
Switch to B needles and work 2cm/0.8" in 1/1 ribbing. Loosely BO the sts.
— Finishing :
Item :
Weave in the ends, block the pieces to finished measurements, sew buttons on the side band matching the buttonholes and proudly wear them.
Assembly Instructions
- Sew the crotch seam of the thighs securely, matching front and back and using small mattress stitches to avoid a bulky seam.
- Fold the waistband WS together, sew the seam leaving a small opening at the back to insert the elastic band, feed the elastic through, sew the elastic ends together and close the opening.
- Attach the bonnet ties by securing the I-cord ends and weaving in any remaining tails; attach the I-cord finish to the back neck as instructed.
- Sew buttons to the cardigan side buttonband aligned with the buttonholes made during the raglan setup and separation rows.
- Block all pieces to the finished measurements given in the measurement table and weave in all ends before final assembly.
- Pin sleeves into the armholes and sew with a mattress or slip stitch, easing any small differences and keeping raglan seams neat.
Important Notes
- 💡Use stitch markers at every raglan point and at pattern repeats to keep track of increases and decreases.
- 💡Always knit and block a gauge swatch with your chosen needles to match the pattern gauge (26 sts x 34 rows = 10 cm in stst).
- 💡Weave in ends before blocking where possible and leave a small opening when inserting elastic so you can adjust tension later.
- 💡When joining in the round, be careful not to twist; place PBORM and check orientation before continuing.
This Nougatine mini set is a lovingly designed newborn staple, combining simplicity with sweet dot-stitch detail for a timeless look. Perfect for gifting or everyday wear, it includes bonnet, cardigan and thighs with optional legging variation. Enjoy knitting and creating a cozy little outfit for someone special. 🧶✨
What size will the finished pieces be?
Refer to the final measurements table in the pattern; sizes range from Newborn through 24 months and the pattern lists finished bust, length and other key measurements.
What yarn and needles are recommended?
This pattern uses fingering weight yarn; sample used Lolilafée Merinos fingering. Needles recommended are 3.25 mm / US 3 (A) and 3.0 mm / US 2 1/2 (B), depending on your gauge.
Can I make the bottom piece footless?
Yes — the pattern includes two bottom variations: regular footed thighs and a legging (footless) version; follow the 'Legging' section when you prefer footless.
Do I need advanced knitting skills to complete this set?
The pattern is rated intermediate; basic skills like increases (M1L/M1R), decreases (k2tog, SSK), picking up sts and grafting (Kitchener) are required.
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