A sweet and textured knit mermaid romper with a shell-like knitted stitch. This Knit Mermaid Maddie Romper is not only cute for a newborn session but all the way up to walking age as well.
This is also a really nice gift for a friend having a baby, or even to have on hand for your next baby shower invitation.
This romper worked up quickly and is fun to make in a variety of colors.
Keep reading this post for the free knit pattern, for an ad-free downloadable pdf visit Ravelry or Etsy.
Love this knit baby pattern? Check out more knit baby cuteness:
Ruffle Butterfly Knit Onesie Pattern
Newborn Baby Knit Bunny Free Pattern
Knit Unicorn Baby Outfit Pattern
Kyra Ruffle Romper Knit Pattern
Where To Purchase My Ad-Free Downloadable PDF’s:
Knit Mermaid Maddie Romper Supplies:
Knitting Needles:
Size 9 (5.5 mm) Straight Needles
Size 5 (3.75) Double Pointed Needles
Notions:
Stitch Marker
Sewing Needle
Scissors
4-10 beads for embellishment across front
Yarn:
Cascade Yarns Pacific in Baby Turquoise
Yardage:
100 – 130 yards (91 – 119 m)
Abbreviations/Stitches:
CO- cast on
k- knit
p- purl
k2tog- knit two stitches together
yo- yarn over
Yarn Wraps: Insert the needle into the stitch, wrap the yarn for the indicated amount of wraps, and then complete the stitch.
Flower Stitch: *Insert the needle into next stitch knitwise, wrap yarn around needle 3 times and then complete knit stitch; repeat * for next 4 stitches.
For further instruction, click here
m1L– Make 1 Left- insert left-hand needle under the strand of yarn running between stitches from front to back, knit through the back of the stitch made.
m1R– Make 1 Right- insert left-hand needle under the strand of yarn running between stitches from back to front, knit through the front of the stitch made.
Gauge:
17 stitches and 21 rows = 4 inches in stockinette
Skill Level:
Intermediate
Size:
Newborn, 3 Month, 6-12 Month
Mermaid Maddie Romper Pattern
The romper is worked in 2 pieces. Each piece starts from the bottom and works to the top.
Make one piece starting with the Front of Romper instructions, and the other piece start with the Back of Romper instructions.
Romper (Make 2)
Newborn (3 months, 6-12 months)
Front of Romper
Row 1: (Right Side) CO 17 (17, 19)
Row 2: (Wrong Side) purl 17 (17, 19)
Row 3: k1, m1R, knit until last stitch, m1L, k1 in last 27 (33, 39)
Row 4: Purl 27 (33, 39)
Row 5: Continue to repeat rows 3-4 until stitch count is 27 (33, 39)
Go to Body of Romper
Back of Romper
Row 1: (Right Side) CO 17 (17, 19)
Row 2: (Wrong Side) purl 17 (17, 19)
Row 3: k1, m1R, k1, m1R, knit until last 2 stitches, m1L, k1, m1L, k1 in last 21 (21, 23)
Row 4: purl 21 (21, 23)
Row 5: k1, m1R, knit until last stitch, m1L, k1 in last 27 (33, 39)
Row 6: Purl 27 (33, 39)
Row 7:
Continue to repeat rows 5-6 until stitch count is 27 (33, 39)
Go to Body of Romper
Body of Romper
Rows 1-2: Knit 27 (33, 39)
Row 3: k1, (k1, yo, k1) in the next stitch. *k5 wrapping yarn twice around needle for each stitch, (k1, yo, k1, yo, k1) in the next stitch; repeat * until last 7 stitches. k5 wrapping yarn twice around needle for each stitch, (k1, yo, k1) in the next stitch, k1 in last [Including all yo- 63 (78, 93) ]
Row 4: k4, *with yarn in front slip the next 5 stiches knit-wise dropping the extra wraps. Insert left needle into the back of the 5 long stitches and purl 5 together, k5; repeat * until last 4 stitches. Knit in last 4. 27 (33, 39)
Rows 5-6: Knit 27 (33, 39)
Row 7: k1, k3 wrapping yarn twice around needle for each stitch. *(k1, yo, k1, yo, k1) in the next stitch, k5 wrapping yarn twice around needle for each stitch; repeat * until last 5 stitches. (k1, yo, k1, yo, k1) in next stitch, k3 wrapping yarn twice around needle for each stitch, knit in last. 63 (78, 93)
Row 8: k1, with yarn in front slip the next 3 stiches knit-wise dropping the extra wraps. Insert left needle into the back of the 3 long stitches and purl 3 together. *k5, with yarn in front slip the next 5 stiches knit-wise dropping 8 the extra wraps. Insert left needle into the back of the 5 long stitches and purl 5 together; repeat until last 12. k5, with yarn in front slip the next 3 stiches knit-wise dropping the extra wraps. Insert left needle into the back of the 3 long stitches and purl 3 together, knit in last. 27 (33, 39)
Repeat rows 1-8 of body:
Newborn: One more time
Repeats 3 Months: One more time plus rows 1-4
6 Months: Two more times
12 Months: Two more times plus rows 1-4
Finishing Top
Row 1: K2tog, knit until last 2, k2tog 25 (31, 37)
Row 2: Purl 25 (31, 37)
Row 3: Knit 25 (31, 37)
Row 4: k1, *flower stitch, k1; repeat * to end Including wraps 64, 81, 98
Row 5: Purl 1, *take yarn to the back, slip next 5 stitches purl-wise onto right needle allowing the yarn wraps to fall, [bring yarn to the front and slip stitches back onto the left needle, move yarn to the back and slip the 5 stitches back onto the right needle]; repeat [ ] one more time, move yarn to the front and purl next stitch. Repeat * to end of row. 25 (31, 37)
Rows 6-7: Knit 25 (31, 37)
Row 8: Purl 25 (31, 37)
Rows 9-11: Knit 25 (31, 37)
Row 12: Purl 25 (31, 37)
Copyrighted Pattern
6-12 Month Only: Stockinette for 4 more rows
Straps
Newborn: Using the basic knit bind off (BO) method of passing the first stich over the second:
BO3, k7, BO5, k7, BO3. Fasten off
This will leave 14 stitches on your needles. Place the first set of 7 stitches on a stitch holder and go to first strap below.
3 Month: Using the basic knit bind off (BO) method of passing the first stitch. over the second:
BO5, k7, BO7, k7, BO5. Fasten off. This will leave 14 stitches on your needles. Place the first set of 7 stitches on a stitch holder and go to first strap below.
6 Month: Using the basic knit bind off (BO) method of passing the first stich over the second:
BO7, k7, BO9, k7, BO7. Fasten off. This will leave 14 stitches on your needles. Place the first set of 7 stitches on a stitch holder and go to first strap below.
First Strap
Row 1: Attach yarn and purl across the 7 stitches on needle. (7)
Row 2: k2tog, k3, k2tog (5)
Row 3: Purl (5)
Row 4: k2tog, k1, k2tog (3)
Row 5: Purl (3)
Row 6: Change to Size 5 (3.75) Double Pointed Needles, continue to work these three stitches as an i-cord until length is 5 inches for newborn and 3 months; 6 inches for 6-12 month. Fasten off and weave in ends.
Second Strap- repeat 1-6 of first strap.
Blocking each piece is recommended before seaming together.
For seaming the crotch area together, use the Mattress Seam Method.
For sides you will whip stitch from top of romper down until you get to the stockinette bottom. Leave openings for the legs.
CROCHET & TAG
I hope you have enjoyed making the Knit Mermaid Maddie Romper Pattern!
If you have made this, please share it on social media. Above all I love to see the projects created with my patterns and also share your beautiful work.
Please use #brianakdesigns or @brianakdesigns
It is much appreciated and adored!
This pattern was originally published in June of 2015, updated to the blog April 2022.
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