Wrap Front Baby Foot Muff/Bag

WFBFM by Linda Butler©2013

Front

I always preferred a “Foot Muff” to a blanket when transporting my infants but that was before the introduction of infant carriers and car seats. I have adapted my “Foot Muff” pattern to include a “buckle hole” to comply with today’s needs and added a “flap” so the muff can be used to carry the infant or as a sleeping bag. The “cross over” opening makes for easier access to the buckle and the infant, easy ventilation in heated car or room . I have given directions for two methods of finishing the bag my personal preference is the Button Flap Hem for easier diaper changing.

I have made the complete set in the 3 to 6 month size with 8 ounces of yarn. I would advise making the top down version of the hat last as a row more or less will not adversely affect the size. Leave only the minimum amount of yarn to “weave” in an end.

Materials: approximately 6 to 7 ounces of weight category 4 yarn, US/UK7, 4.5mm needles or size needed to obtain gauge, stitch markers, safety pin, narrow ribbon, a pack of 2 x 1¼” cord stops, 1 or 5 buttons.

Gauge: 16sts/20rows=4″ [4sts/5rows=1”]

Age/Size: 0-3mths 3-6mths 6-12mths
Waistband: 1” 1” 1”
Body: 4½” 5”6”
Leg & Foot: 9½” 11” 12”
Hem: 1” 1” 1”
Length: 16” 18” 20”
Bag Width: 22½” 24½” 27”

Cast On: 97 (107, 121)sts, Knit the First & Last 3sts on every row, Work 2 rows K1, P1, Rib.
Eyelet Row: K3 (work2tog, yrn, work3) repeat to Last 3sts, K3.
Work 3 rows K1, P1, Rib.
Continue to knit the First & Last 3sts on every row.
Place Markers (PM) as follows: Wrap & Edge K15 (16, 18)sts, PM, Front K16 (18, 21)sts, PM Side 1, Back K35 (39, 43)sts, PM Side 2, Front K16 (18, 21)sts, PM, Wrap & Edge K15 (16, 18)sts.

Back Shaping: Change to Stockinette Stitch (1 row knit, 1 row purl), continue to Knit the First & Last 3sts on every row. Work short rows as follows: (Close the holes by knitting the Wrap & Stitch together).
Row 1: Knit to 5sts before Side Marker 2 W/T, Purl to 5sts before next marker W/T, Knit to end.
Rows 2, 4 & 6: Purl.
Row 3: Knit to 3sts before Side Marker 2 W/T, Purl to 3sts before next marker W/T, Knit to end.
Row 5: Knit to 1sts before Side Marker 2 W/T, Purl to 1sts before next marker W/T, Knit to end.

Front Wrap Shaping:
Wrap Row 1: K3, K2tog tbl, Knit to stitch before Side Marker 1, M1, K1, SlipM, K1, M1, Knit to stitch before.
Side Marker 2, M1, K1, SlipM, K1, M1, Knit to last 5sts K2tog, K3.
Even Wrap Rows (WS): Purl.
Wrap Row 3: K3, K2tog tbl, Knit to last 5sts K2tog, K3.
Complete Rows 1 to 4, 4 times (97 (107, 121)sts.
Repeat Rows 3 & 4, 3 (4, 5) times (91 (99, 111)sts).

Buckle Hole Round 1: S1, K40 (45, 51) PM, K8, PM, Knit to last 3sts, S1, Purl to marker, turn, Knit to last 3sts, S1, Purl to marker, slip the 8sts between markers onto a holder/pin, cast on 8sts to replace the ones on the holder/pin replace marker, Purl to last 3sts. S1, Knit a complete row to last 3sts. If you are not already using a circular needle or dpn’s you will need to change now ready for the join row next.

Optional: The 3st Garter Stitch Border can be continued as an accent down the front (Knit on 1 round and Purl on the next round). [For machine knit this section can be knit without joining and seamed up the front].

Join Wrap Row: S1, K2, slip these 3sts from the leftt needle onto a spare needle, hold parallel with the last 3sts on right needle [in Front for a Girl – or – in Back for a Boy], merge stitches back onto the right needle, alternating a S1 stitch from each needle, continue to last 6sts (2 from each end of the row) PM, K2tog, 3 times, PM, this will now be the start/end of the round, (88 (96, 108)sts).

Alternate Unisex Close Wrap Row: Bind Off the first 3sts, knit to end of round.

Continue to work in Stockinette Stitch Rounds (Knit every round) for 9½” (11”, 12”) from join.

Seamed Hem: Work 5 rows K1, P1, Rib (1″ approx). With wrong side facing K22 (24, 27), fold work in half and work a 3 needle Bind Off.

Alternate Button Flap Hem: Work 5 rows K1, P1, Rib (approximately 1”). 44 (48, 54)
Row 6: Bind Off 22 (24, 27) sts, (K1, P1) Rib on Back 44 (48, 54)sts, Bind Off 22 (24, 27) sts, cut yarn and weave in end.
Rows 7 to 9: Rejoin yarn to remaining 44 (48, 54)sts, S1, Rib to last st K1tbl.
Row 10 Buttonholes: S1, K6 (6, 7), (K2tog, yo, K5 (6, 7), make 4 more buttonholes knit to last st, K1tbl.
Rows 11 and 12: S1, Rib to last st K1tbl.
Bind Off.

Buckle Hole Flap:
Row 1: Return the 8sts on the holder/pin to a needle, Pick Up 1 st either side Knit all 10sts.
Rows 2, 4, 6 and 8: S1, Purl to end.
Row 3: S1, Knit to last st, K1tbl.
Row 5: S1, K2togtbl, K4, K2tog, K1tbl (8sts).
Row 7 Buttonhole: S1, K2togtbl, K2togtbl, yo, K2tog, K1tbl (6sts).
Row 9: S1, K4, K1tbl.
Row 10: P2tog, P2tog (4sts).Bind off, thread yarn through the remaining stitch and weave in end.

Finishing: Thread ribbon through waist eyelet holes and thread a cord stop to each end. Close Buckle Hole Flap and position button and sew in place. Position buttons and sew in place on Button Flap Hem.

I usually make it into a set by adding a pair of Thumbless Mittens and a Hat.

Baby Mitts 10
Thumbless Mittens ©Linda Butler 2013
Stocking Cap ©Linda Butler 2013