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I have tried to describe the patterns accurately and state how difficult they are and what level of experience would be required to knit them.
Baby clothes are a good way to improve your skills as they are satisfyingly quick to complete and always make great gifts for the new baby.
Emu 8495 Crochet lacy baby shawls dk, 4ply, 3ply
Two really nice lacy shawls to crochet in a choice of thicknesses of yarns. Despite the square patterned shawl looking as if it is made from motifs which are joined up, it is actually worked l in only 2 parts where the second part works into the foundation row of the first part. It is very quick to work. I love that there is no sewing up! The lace-edged shawl is also very quick as the centre part has only one pattern row to repeat. Then you are ready for the satisfying crocheting-on of the edging. You are recommended to use a 4mm hook, which is fine for the extra soft baby yarn, but if you use regular dk a 4.5mm hook gives a better result. Of course, you then need to either make fewer stitches in the foundation row or allow extra yarn as it will come out bigger. There is no chart, but I think an internmediate crocheter who can read a pattern would manage these as they are simple and repetitive once you get going. The leaflet is old, slightly creased, and clean. £2.00 and free p+p.
Newlon 1059 Lace panel and embroidered sweater and cardigan
Both the sweater and the cardigan instructions are given in 4ply and double knitting. You can leave off the embroidered flowers and these are still very impressive garments. The patterns are given row by row with no charts so you need to be confident with that sort of pattern. Generally, the pattern is such that once you have worked through it once or twice, you will be able to carry on without referring to the pattern. Sizes are 18 - 24 inch chest (46 - 61 cms). The leaflet is old but clean and in very good condition. £2.00.
Peter Pan P530 Yoked dress with contrast lace stripes in 4ply
Lovely little yoked dress in sizes 16 to 20ins (41 to 51cms). The instructions all fit on the back of a largish leaflet so it must be pretty straightforward. The sleeves are knitted first then the skirt is worked in one piece to armholes and then the sleeves are knitted into the yoke to finish off the dress. I like that this means there is less sewing to do at the end. Although this picture does not scan very well, I think the result looks more difficult than it is. A nice clean leaflet priced at £2.00.
Sirdar 3308 Lace-skirted V-neck coats - includes premature sizes
The sizes given go from 12 to 20 inch (30 to 51cms). You don't often see these tiny sizes, and these lacy coats are quite special. The white one has a wavy lace pattern and the blue one has an open basketweave lace pattern. They are both worked in one piece to the armholes, so no side seams, and the lace pattern is finished before the raglan shaping starts. The front borders are also knit on as you go and this always seems to make things quicker. On each coat the lace pattern goes over 12 rows, but alternate rows are purl only. I think a fairly new knitter could tackle either of these. An experienced knitted could probably make one of the smaller sizes in an evening or two. The leaflet is in very good condition and is £2.00.
Patons 1156 Four round neck raglan sweaters in 2 sizes
The pattern says "all quick and easy" and on reading through, that does look to be the case. I like quickerknit, and it is widely available in lovely colours. This pattern has buttons at the back neck which does make dressing baby easier - no trying to tug a tight neck opening over little ears! I have even seen people omitting the buttonholes and sewing on velcro dots instead, which must be more comfortable for a baby to lie on. 1. All over basketweave stitch, shown in yellow. 2. Eyelet pattern, shown in blue. 3. Lace edged, shown in pink. 4. Lacy cables, shown in white. The sizes are 18 - 21ins (46 - 53cms). The leaflet has only light creasing and is £2.00.
Robin 2491 Lacy coat and matching bonnet in quickerknit and DK
Three sizes - 18, 19 and 20 inch (46, 48 and 51cms) are given in two sets of instructions for both quickerknit (close to 4ply or sportweight) or double knitting (light worsted) so substituting yarns should be easy. The pattern itself has the lace knitting finished by the time you start the shaping for the raglans so that makes it easy enough for a fairly new knitter. I like that the front bands are knitted on as you go as I think it gives a much neater finish than sewing bands on afterwards. This pattern is highly recommended even though there is a small blot of coffee or tea on it. This does not affect the useability and so this pattern is £2.00 and free p+p.
Jarol 433 Lacy jacket with contrast and matching waistcoat, and all-over lace jacket.
1. An all-over lacy coat with raglan sleeves (shown in blue). The lace pattern goes over 4 rows and is easy to follow so that by the time you get to the raglan shapings you will have no problem keepin the pattern correct. 2. A lacy coat with contrast stripes and raglan sleeves (shown in pink). The patterning is finished before you start the shaping on body or sleeves so it is a good design for an not very experienced knitter to try. The body part is worked all in one piece up to the armholes so there are no side seams. 3. A sleeveless waistcoat with lace and contrast stripes. Like the pink coat, it is worked all in one piece to the armholes. The sizes are 16 - 20ins (41 - 51cms). The leaflet is is in pretty good condition although there is a small splodge of what could be coffee or tea (your guess is as good as mine!) on the inside. This does not affect the writing at all so the price is £2.00 with free p+p.
Patons 1806 Two colour patterned coat, hat, leggings and mitts
This pattern comes in two sizes 18ins and 20ins (46cm and 51cm). It is the complete winter set for a baby about 6 to 12 months of age. On reading through, the pattern is clear and I think all but a complete newbie could do it. My only gripe is that the borders are supposed to be knitted seperately and then sewn on, but I would just add 5 stitches to the appropriate edge and garter stitch those so the edging is knitted as you go. If you do that, remember to knit the button side first so you can see where to put your buttonholes when you come to knit the second side. The leaflet is clean with slight creasing. £2.00 and free p+p
Sirdar 3204 knitted raglan sweater and pants in two sizes
This cute playset has sizes for 9/12 and 12/18 months. It is in quickerknit on size 4mm and 3.25mm needles. The very simple slipstitch pattern goes up the front of the sweater and should pose no problem even for a new knitter. Straightforward raglan shaping in the body and sleeves means that the only skill is that of picking up some stitches for the neck. The button bands at the back are actually crocheted on, so if you can crochet this is much easier than picking up stitches for these, too. The pants are straightforward but, again, there are stitches to pick up around the legs. The leaflet is unmarked, has some slight creasing and a tiny tear (less than 1cm) on the edge. £2.00 and free p+p.
Sirdar 3047 Knitted bolero with picot edge in 4ply
Sirdar snuggly 4ply pattern in good, gently used condition. Sizes 12"-22" (31-56cm) on 3.25mm needles. This beautiful little bolero is in plain stocking stitch with a picot edging. The front is nicely shaped and the eyelet band is decorative as it is but also looks great with ribbon threaded through. You need to pay close attention the front shaping but otherwise it is fairly straighforward. Apart from possibly the smallest size, I strongly recommend using a circular needle for picking up all around the edges for the knit on eyelet and picot edging as there are a lot of stitches crammed on to a straight needle otherwise.. The leaflet is in perfect condition, unmarked and uncreased. £2.00 and free p + p
One I knitted in the largest size for Jayda. Should have photographed after pressing!
Jarol E983 Buttoning jacket, crossover jacket, leggings and bonnets
A Jarol dk pattern in used but good condition. For sizes 16"-22" (41-55cm) on size 4mm needles. Not for beginners, but certainly not as difficult as it looks. If you are happy to work with several balls of yarn (saves stranding across the back of the work) you will find the effort well worthwhile. The crossover cardigan and bonnet make a lovely gift set without the leggings and will be much admired and appreciated. Do it in one colour for a subtle and classy effect. £2.00 + FREE post and packing
Emu Treasure 8607 Knitted hooded jacket
I made this coat in red and it looked better than the photo. So simple, the main part is worked in a textured pattern which looks great even with plain yarn. Although I bought this original pattern in the 1970s, it is up to date once again. Who could resist this lovely little hoodie? The leaflet is in fair condition with punch holes in one side and a stamp mark on the back, which do not affect its usability. £2.00 + FREE post and packing.
Emu Treasure 8560 Key pattern sweater with matching pants
Instructions are given to knit this in either double knitting or quickerknit yarn in sizes 18" - 22" chest. I made this in white as shown but with random dyed multicoloured yarn wool for the key pattern as shown. It looked like really complicated fair isle! The knickers are well shaped and give a good fit. This is an ideal pattern for the knitted 'soakers' which are becoming more and more popular at the moment. As you can see, there is a stamp mark on the front and holes have been punched in the side, but the pattern is completely legible and only lightly creased. £2.00 + FREE post and packing.
Lotus 1063 Knitted lacy dress, coat and bonnet
Pretty, lacy dress and matching coat and bonnet in 4 ply. I haven't made the dress, but the coat and bonnet are easy as the pattern only goes over 4 rows and simple raglan shaping is easy to follow as it is only on the stocking stitch part. This would suit someone fairly new to knitting. The leaflet has stamp marks on the back and punch holes in the side but the pattern itself is not affected. £2.00 + FREE post and packing.
Peter Pan P54 Knitted lace edge jacket, bonnet and booties
Although this pattern states double knitting, I found that quickerknit was a better substitute for the tension. This is a nice simple pattern that gives a good result. It looks fabulous in blue or white and is very suitable for a boy or girl. A reasonably new knitter who knows the basics could do this pattern. It is lightly creased with some slight damage to the edge which does not affect the pattern at all. £2.00 + FREE post and packing.
Sirdar C3468 Button shoulder romper onesie and socks
This little romper onesie is an ideal project for a fairly new knitter. It is worked entirely in plain knitting (garter stitch) and the shaping is pretty simple. The only slightly challenging part is picking up stitches around the sleeve and leghole edges to knit on the bands but it is a nice small item on which to practice a new technique. The little socks are tube socks with no heel shaping and are knit on two needles with only 8 rows of shaping at the toes. I made it in spot dyed yarn and it looked great. I highly recommend this pattern. The leaflet is in very good condition with just slight creasing as you can see. £2 with FREE p+p.