Back Opening on baby jumper

How-to Questions
1

Hello! I am not sure what is happening with this pattern. See below (Back Opening) where it asks you to k29 and then turn, followed by casting on 5 stitches. But this leaves a single sizable hole in the middle of the back. Just wondering if that is supposed to be like that?

PETER PAN COLLARED JUMPER BACK With 3mm (US 2-3) needles and M cast on 63(67:71:75) sts. K 5 rows. Change to 3.25mm (US 3) needles. Beg with a k row, work in st st until back measures 16(18:20:22)cm/6¼(7:8:8¾)in from cast on edge, ending with a p row.

BACK OPENING
Next row K29(31:33:35), TURN and cast on 5 sts. 34(36:38:40) sts.
Next row K5, p to end.
Next row K to end. Rep these 2 rows until back measures 24(26:28:30)cm/9½(10¼:11:11¾)in from cast on edge, ending at armhole edge.

2

It sounds like there’s a button band or buttonhole band at the back. See if there are directions for buttonholes on this side further along in the pattern.
Sometimes there’s an open shoulder or back especially on a baby sweater.

3

Yes, there are button holes later in the pattern. This seems like a button hole right in the middle of the back, but am I reading it wrong? I did try it and there’s a hole! Where it says “turn” it is a type of short row, right? I have put the whole pattern in with the button hole instructions, below. Really appreciate your help.

PETER PAN COLLARED JUMPER BACK With 3mm (US 2-3) needles and M cast on 63(67:71:75) sts. K 5 rows. Change to 3.25mm (US 3) needles. Beg with a k row, work in st st until back measures 16(18:20:22)cm/6¼(7:8:8¾)in from cast on edge, ending with a p row.

Back opening

Next row K29(31:33:35), turn and cast on 5 sts. 34(36:38:40) sts. [AM I KNITTING THIS SEPARATELY FROM THE NEXT ROW? LIKE TIE ON ANOTHER BALL OF YARN?] DONT LAUGH! :slight_smile:

Next row K5, p to end.

Next row K to end. Rep these 2 rows until back measures 24(26:28:30)cm/9½(10¼:11:11¾)in from cast on edge, ending at armhole edge.

Shape shoulder

Cast off 6(6:7:7) sts at beg of next and foll right side row. 22(24:24:26) sts. Work 1 row. Next row Cast off 5(6:6:7) sts, k to end. Next row P to end. Leave rem 17(18:18:19) sts on a spare needle. Mark position for 3 buttons, the first to come in the first row of neckband, and two more spaced 3cm/1¼in and 6cm/2¼in from first buttonhole.

Work buttonholes to match markers as folls: Buttonhole row (right side) K1, k2tog, yf, k to end. With right side facing, rejoin yarn to rem sts, k to end. 34(36:38:40) sts.

Next row P to last 5 sts, k5. Next row K to end. Working buttonholes to match markers rep these 2 rows until back measures 24(26:28:30)cm/ 9½(10¼:11:11¾)in from cast on edge, ending at armhole edge. Shape shoulder Cast off 6(6:7:7) sts at beg of next and foll wrong side row. 22 (24:24:26) sts. Work 1 row. Next row Cast off 5(6:6:7) sts, p to last 5 sts, k5. Next row K1, k2tog, yf, k to end. Leave rem 17(18:18:19) sts on a spare needle.

4

This is going to create a hole or opening for the button band and buttonholes. You’ll be knitting one side of the back with the cast on sts first. Once that’s finished up to the held sts for the neck, you’ll join a new end of yarn and knit the other side with the buttonholes.
Doing it one shoulder at a time allows you to mark the place for the buttons on the knit band (the 5 extra sts). That indicates where the buttonholes will go on the second shoulder
It’ll be similar to this sweater:

5

Ok so I DO tie on another ball and knit these two pieces separately. Where it says “turn”? It doesn’t really say that does it?

6

No the pattern isn’t explicit about starting a new end of yarn for the second side. Nor does it tell you to cut the yarn when you finish the shoulder, leaving about a 6" tail to weave in later. This isn’t unusual in patterns.

The two sides will be separate.

7

Thanks SOoooo much! This forum is invaluable.

2 Likes
8

But so I’m clear — I should put the other half of the back on a stitch holder or something?? Or just keep turning it? The pattern you sent is cute. Wonder. Their instructions are clearer?

9

You can ignore the sts on the left hand needle or put them on a stitch holder if you prefer. It’s whichever is easier for you. Just remember where to turn, at least for the first few rows. After that it’s pretty clear where the turning point is.

Kate Oates is a good designer and her directions may be clearer. I haven’t made that pattern but it’s a cute one alright.