Distracting sunny afternoons, limited space in your backpack and the joy of getting a project finished within days of starting it: the summer turns out to be a great time to make things for small people. Even if you don’t have your own tiddlers, chances are that you know someone else who does, or who will sometime soon. Knitting for half-pints is quicker, cheaper and altogether cutier than full sized equivalents. So here we go with our round up of our favourite knits for minis…
A long-time favourite of mine, the Wee Envelope named after that baby-vest neck opening that miraculously gets over any sized head. Ingeneious sideways constructed yoke, the knitting is simple but never boring. I always use João for this one but our DK cottons like For Nature or Bohème would be lovely summer alternatives.
Arnica (baby) and Dimi (child), delightfully conceived cardie by shop favourite, Orlanne Sucche, with all her signature details in miniature. Written for João but any sport weight would work. Ulysse would be lovely or the Penelope for a smoother, less woolly finish
Arc-en-ciel named after the rainbow in the yoke, and designed by Solenn, the woman behind Dererum Natura Yarns. Pictured here in the ‘petite’ baby version in Ulysse, but also available as a child pattern using Gilliatt. Yes it needs 7 rainbow colours but only a tiny bit of each so a great one for scraps.
Mini Solja has been stealing our hearts in the shop ever since we opened 9 years ago. Anna Maltz’s miniaturised sweater named after the national flower of the Faroes which decorates the beautiful yoke. Make it with or without the fox paws lace in the body. João, Vovó, Ulysse or any other medim woolly DK would be great.
I discovered this enchanting Little Lamb cardie wrap by Julie Wiesenberger when Brontë made the sample in the Manchelopis – perfectly soft, chunky and super wearable on account of its lightness. For more of a softy lamby finish, the Gepard Teddy would also be perfect.
Baby Bear – another one from Julie Wiesenberger’s Cocoknits stable. Now I know this doesn’t exactly fit the quick summer knits bill but it was just a bit too delicious to leave out. And hey if it takes a bit longer, better to get it started in good time to be ready for the winter – right? As for yarn, I would do mine in the Dehesa. The Gilliatt would also be great.
North West because some days are more sleeveless and less sweaterish. Lone Kjeldsen has designed this one with with a more elaborate fairisle pattern, but we love Annie’s version here with helical stripes even more. Ulysse or Brusca would both be lovely.
Tokyo Hoodie, perfect for a sweater first-timer – super simple and so cosy. Choose WYS BFL aran, Puno or Cyrano to get the 15 stitch gauge. You’ll have it finished by this time next week.
And if you’ve got left overs from your Tokyo Hoodie, use them for this lovely Korpokkur ear flap hat by Noriko, sized all the way up from baby to teen.
Tincan Knits totally nailed it with their Rocky footless tights/leggings – worked in a 4ply so you can go your own way with colours and stripes. Choose a sock-suitable yarn like Onion, Exmoor or The Wool Kitchen and you can wash them with everything else and not worry about the knees.
Squiggles is just off my needles and drying in the sunshine as I write. What a delightful pattern! And the design means it will fit for months and months – as legs grow longer and poke out the bottom. Completed in a week, mine is for a summer baby so I’ve done it in Kalinka linen. The Madragoa would have been equally cool. For a slightly denser summer knit, I would choose the Bohème.
And if it’s really mini that floats your boat, look no further than Cinthia Vallet’s glorious troupe of knitted animal toys, each one full of character and complete with its own wardrobe of clothes. Bunny Odile (pictured here) with her good friend Mouche. But be warned – knitting Cinthia’s toys can be very addictive – you may never want to go back to full-sized garments again!