Note:  Beg ch 2 does not count as a st in this pattern.

Yoke:  Beginning at neckline, loosely ch 42.
Row 1 (Right Side):  dc in 3th ch from hook and in next 5 ch, inc (2 dc, ch 1, 2 dc) in next ch, dc in next 6 ch, inc in next ch, dc in next 12 ch, inc in next ch, dc in next 6 ch, inc in next ch, dc in last 6 ch. (52 dc and 4 ch sps.)
Row 2:  Ch 2, turn, *dc in each st to ch 1 sp, inc (2dc, ch 1, 2dc) in ch sp, repeat from * across ending dc in each st to end of row.
Rows 3 - 6 (7):  Repeat Row 2.
Row 7 (8):  Ch 2, turn, *dc in each st to ch 1 sp, inc (1 dc, ch 1, 1 dc) in ch sp, repeat from * across ending dc in each st to end of row.

Body:
Row 1:  Ch 2, turn, dc in 19 (21) sts, dc in ch 1 sp, sk next 32 (36) sts for sleeve, dc in ch 1 sp, dc in next 38 (40) sts for back, dc in ch 1 sp, sk next 32 (36) sts for second sleeve, dc in ch 1 sp, dc in last 19 (21) sts. 80 (88) sts.
Rows 2 - 14 (15):  Ch 2, turn, dc in each st across. Do not fasten off.

Edging and ties:  Ch 1, working in ends of rows, sc evenly up front edge to neck, ch 50 for tie, sl st in each ch back to neck edge, sc around neckline working 1 sc in each ch, at front edge ch 50 for tie, sl st back to front edge, sc down second front edge. At bottom corner, sc, ch 1 and sc in first st, sc in each dc across to beginning. Join with sl st in first sc. Fasten off.

Optional Button Closure:  Work edging the same omitting the ties. Mark for three buttonholes placing first marker 2 sts below neck edge, one at bottom of yoke, and the third in between. Join yarn with a sl st 2 sts below lowest marked st, sc in next st, *ch 2, sk 1 st, sc to next marked st, repeat from * twice. Sl st in next st. Be sure selected buttons slip through buttonholes, then fasten off. Weave in ends.

Sleeve:
Rnd 1:  With wrong side of Row 7 (8) of yoke facing, attach yarn with a sl st through ch 1 spaces before and after sleeve sts. Ch 2, dc in each st around, join in top of first st. 32 (36) sts.
Rnds 2 - 3:  Ch 2, turn, dc in each st around, join in top of first st.
Rnd 4 (Decrease Rnd):  Ch 2, turn, dec over first 2 sts, dc around to last 2 sts, dec over 2 sts, join in top of first st.
Continue until 12 (13) sleeve rnds completed repeating decrease rnd every 4th rnd twice more. 26 (30) sts remain. Do not turn at end of last rnd.
Edging:  Rnds 1 - 2:  Ch 1, sc in each st around. Fasten off.
Repeat for second sleeve.

Weave in ends of yarn on wrong side. Tie front ties in a bow at neck, or sew buttons opposite buttonholes.

Model was made with Red Heart Soft Baby yarn.

Copyright 2003 by Susan L. Kraus. This document is free for personal use and may be shared and distributed so long as it remains fully intact including this copyright notice, and no profit is made from its distribution or use.