enlarging baby pattern to toddler size.

[mamilala]

hi,
i am pretty muck new to knitting. i recently shopped for baby pattern book online and turns out most of the item fits only up to 12m. i was looking to knit for 12-18m. it's only one size up, but i am not very good at improvising and worried that the shoulders and hips might be too tight even if i can elongate the sleeves and the hems. is there a certain calculation to enlarge patterns for bigger kids? can i use slightly heavier yarn and fatter needles to bring it one size up? i want to knit jackets, sweaters, and rompers.

[suzeeq]

Yes you can use larger needles, and even larger needles and heavier yarn, though if the pattern is worsted weight, just use bigger needles. Bulky yarn doesn't seem to go well with baby patterns. If it's the Debbie Bliss book you're looking at, I've heard her patterns run quite large.