Baby Cocoon Knitting Pattern

Advanced Beginner knitting skills

If in doubt, google the term, and you’ll likely find a video. YouTube is great.

Materials needed:
One 6 oz. skein of bulky/chunky weight yarn should make both the cocoon
and the egg/pod. (Pattern and photo of the egg/pod below.)
US size 15 (10.0 mm) circular knitting needles, 16” long (41 cm)
Tapestry needle

Gauge:
Gauge is not important, as long as you use a bulky weight yarn.
Finished garment is stretchy, and should fit all babies, newborn to 6 months (looser on smaller babies, of course.)
I used Lion Brand Homespun chunky acrylic yarn (6 ounces/170 grams…185 yards/169 meters).
Finished size is approximately 11 x 23 inches (28 x 58 cm).

Knitting terms and abbreviations:

*...* Repeat instructions within the *’s, the number of times directed
K2tog Insert the right needle into the front of TWO stitches at the same time, and knit them together.

Instructions for the body:

Cast on 56 stitches. (**See note below if you want a snugger fit.)
Knit 1 row.
Then, rather than turning the work to continue knitting in rows, knit the first stitch knitted from the previous row,
taking great care not to twist the work. This will join the work into one continuous loop.
Continue knitting each stitch, around and around with right side out and wrong side inside the loop, which will grow
into a tube as you knit. In other words, by knitting each stitch, you will be knitting in stockinette.
Knit until the piece measures 18 inches (46 cm).

Decreases:
Now you will work the decreases to bring the work together at the bottom of the cocoon.
Place a marker on the right needle. This can be a piece of yarn with a slip knot in it, or a metal ring or paper clip.
(If using Homespun, the yarn is very forgiving. If your rounds do not come out just right for some reason, press on.
Just start each new round when you come to the marker, whether or not the stitch count came out right. How easy!)
Round 1: *K2tog, K6 stitches*, repeat around to marker…...Round 2: Knit every stitch around.
Round 3: *K2tog, K5 stitches*, repeat around………….….Round 4: Knit every stitch around.
Round 5: *K2tog, K4 stitches*, repeat around……………...Round 6: Knit every stitch around.
Round 7: *K2tog, K3 stitches*, repeat around……………...Round 8: Knit every stitch around.
Round 9: *K2tog, K2 stitches*, repeat around……………...Round 10: Knit every stitch around.
Round 11: *K2tog, K1 stitches*, repeat around……………...Round 12: Knit every stitch around.
Round 13: *K2tog* around. (The last row is somewhat difficult. Slide the stitches to be worked to the point of the
left needle, even though you have to manipulate and contort the cord that connects the needles. It may help to knit
onto another knitting needle at this point. Double-pointed needles would be ideal, but nobody has them in this size.)

Cut a 6- to 8-inch tail (15 to 20 cm). Thread tapestry needle, and pass through the remaining stitches. Pull the
thread tight, and take a few stitches to make a neat closure. Weave in the loose end, and cut even with the work.
(**If you want a snugger fit, cast on 49 stitches, and begin the decreases at Round 3.)

Baby Egg/Pod Knitting Pattern

Work exactly as the cocoon pattern above, except cast on 49 stitches,
and begin the decreases at Round 3 when the work reaches 9 inches (23 cm).
If you want a larger egg/pod, cast on 56 stitches as for the cocoon, and work all the decreases.

Pattern and photographs ©Angie Hartley, 4aSong 2009, www.4aSong.etsy.com.

Purchaser may not distribute nor publish this pattern, nor make copies except for personal use.
But permission is hereby granted to sell items knit from this pattern, in addition to knitting items for yourself, for
gifts, or for charity purposes.