Actually, I believe that Baby Ull is listed as exactly 28 spi (not sure about the row gauge, but I'm used to never getting row gauage, anyway). It's a really wonderful yarn. It comes in beautiful colors, is warm, machine-washable, and inexpensive! I would highly recommend it. Good decision on the pants -- totally useless. Pants that snap up the legs to the crotch are the ones for babies who need diapers changed. Of the Dale and Brown Sheep yarns in this gauge range, I would recommend Baby Ull most highly. Dale Stork is another option (100% cotton). It's very nice.

I wouldn't use the Cashmerino for all the pieces. All reviews I've read of this yarn complain about terrible pilling, so IMO, it's not worth the price or the effort (remember -- baby things get washed A LOT). But, ya know, I've enver used it myself. Maybe use Baby Ull for all the pieces, and tweak the hat pattern for the different gauge? Or you could just knit it as is and it will be sized for a newborn instead of 3-9 months?

I don't know how long it would take you, but wouldn't it be nicer not to spend part of your one-week window waiting for yarn to come in the mail? Go with your LYS's. Totally. No bias here.

Cashmerino doesn't wear well at all. It will peal before you're finished with the knitting. Does the sweater open in th back? It might be hard to get over a babies head (that baby in the picture IS cute);-)

Hi, I just wanted to say that I love Debbie Bliss Baby Cashmerino for knitting baby hats. I usually make a hat for any co-workers who are having babies -it's wonderful stuff. Since I knit baby items as gifts (my babies are all grown now) I assume that hats won't get washed as much as other items so I hope if there is any pilling it's minimal. It's pricey but for 1 skein I can make a great gift

My number one baby yarn: Filatura di Crosa 501. It's machine washable (and dryable). It's merino wool and very, very soft; soft enough for next to the skin garments on babies. When my niece came along I made her a slew of little sweaters with it (the color selection is very good) and they've stood up to dozens of trips to the laundry, with no pilling.
I use it as a sub for Baby Cashmerino all the time.

Well I've never used Cashmerino so can't give you any input, other than it's incredibly soft to the touch. I've used Dale Ull and do really like it. It's soft and Dale has good quality yarns. I'd say buy a skein, do a swatch, and see what you get. But I know time is of the essence.

The only other thing I would suggest is some sock yarn. It's about the same weight as what you stated.

HI - I read your post at Grumperina. I'd love to know which Lorna's Laces Shephard sock yarn colors are on you list of non-stripers. Perhaps you or Grumperina would post it? What a great idea to keep a list.
Kate Lyon

I had to make another comment - I saw your Butterfly pattern. It is georgeous. Can you explain what it is and where you found it. I love the pattern and the colors. So pretty!
Kate Lyon

I'd suggest RYC Cashcotton 4-ply. The color "Vivid" looks like it's a navy blue. RYC Cashsoft would work too. Both are machine wash/line dry. I used cashcotton for a similar baby sweater and knit the main pieces in less than a week. (With not much knitting time each night.) The glory of knitting for babies is it leads to nearly-instant gratification!

I second the Dale Baby Ull recommendation. Gauge is not a huge thing on baby sweaters, since the babies tend to grow. If I'm getting a different st gauge, I just adjust the size of the pattern. And I think a week probably is enough. Probably.

Hey, don't worry about my deadline if you need to take a breather from the sweater and knit babyware! Totally not a problem. I'm also advocating on the Baby Ull recommendation. It is a great yarn and comes in lots of colors.

I've used Cashmerino (aran weight) a number of times, and while it is one of my favorite yarns because of the softness, it pills like crazy. For this reason, I don't know that I would knit a baby sweater with it.

I can answer the question about giving this sweater and hat with out the pants. No! I had to chuckle when I saw it, it is for sure very Continental baby wear. I was raised in Europe, raised my 4 children in the USA. They wore these types of outfits that my mother sent us their whole first year, always 2 piece, in summer in cotton and short leggings, in winter as in your picture. I cannot imagine it separated. However a cardigan with a cap is fine. Rita

Just one more hat pattern idea for you:
http://www.helloyarn.com/topdownbonnet.htm
It's Totoro. Very cute if you and the baby's parents are familiar with the movie "My neighbor Totoro".

I would go with the Baby Ull, it's machine washable and it's so soft. Just knit the sweater, forget about the legginngs, the sweater will fit longer. Yes, the baby in the picture is completely adorable.

no idea about the yarn. but the hat will take an evening of knitting, at the most, even with cables. baby hats are such a quick knit!! so i think you could do it in a week. the sweater looks pretty simple. and quick.

hmmm - I knit some wrist warmers from the cashmerino, and they didn't pill at all - it sounds like I just got lucky!
I used the Baby Ull recently and found that it was so 'sticky' to the touch that it was hard to knit with. I set the project aside for awhile.. so I am hoping that this stickiness washes out when it's complete.