Grow-along cardigan
The round yoke looks really nice on children, as their sholders aren´t that broad yet. We haven´t tried this decrease method before, and have learned a few things along the road. First of all, we planned for this cardigan to fit a newly born, but it ended up fitting Nils, 1 1/2. It´s a pretty long cardigan, which makes this jacket fit for a long time; we estimate it to be suitable from about 6-8 months to 1 1/2 years.
Secondly, the round yoke is absolutely easier if you make a sweater. Pattern-knitting back and forth is pretty time consuming, at least in the beginning. When you get your head around it it´s fine. But we wouldn´t recommend this as your first knitting project ever.
Anyways, here´s the pattern.
What you need
3 balls extra fine merino, light grey
1 ball extra fine merino, brown
1 ball extra fine merino, dark brown
Or you can even use our own Pickles Extra Fine Merino or the Pickles Cashmerino Silk.
Circular needles, 4 and 6 (3,5 and 4 mm)
Needles, 4 and 6 (3,5 and 4 mm)
Buttons
How we did it
The body piece
Using the # 4 circular needles, cast on 118 stitches loosely.
Tip: We always cast on on needles a couple of sizes larger than the ones we knit with. Then you can cast on tighter and it gets really nice and even, as well as stretchy.
Knit back and forth.
Start by knitting a rib, K1 P1, until you´ve knitted 4 cm. Change to the # 6 needles. Knit every second row, and purl every second row from here on until you´ve knitted 12 more cm (Knit when you´re on the front).
Make rooms for the sleeves like this: K 26, decrease 6, K 54, decrease 6, K26.
Put the body piece aside.
The sleeves
Using the # 4 needles, cast on 30 stitches, loosely. Knit round and round.
Start by knitting the rib, K1, P1 until you´ve knitted 4 cm. Change to the # 6 needles and at the same time increase 6 stitches on the next round = 36 stitches.
You´ll then increase two stitches every 5th round 4 times in total = 44 stitches.
Tip: We usually make the increasement at each side of the two stitches right under the arm. It looks nicer.
Knit until the sleeve measures 15 cm. Decrease 6 stitches right under the sleeve.
Put the sleeve aside and make another one.
The round yoke
Put all the pieces on the circular needles. Decrease 4 sitches as while you do this. Here´s how:
Knit the first front piece, but knit the last two stitches together. Knit the first sleeve.
Knit the backpiece, but knit the first two and the last two stitches together. Knit the second sleeve.
Knit the second front piece, but knit the first two stitches together.
Time to start making the pattern. Feel free to download the diagram here.
Put the remaining stitches on a thread.
Front bands
Pick up 70 stitches along the left side. Knit a rib, K1. P1 until you´ve knitted 4 cm. Cast off loosely.
Repeat on the right side, but remember to make button wholes.
We made them on the third row by knitting to together, YO 7 times in total. We also made a eigth button whole on the collar. Take that into consideration when you place them.
Put the stitches on the thread back on the needles and pick up 4 stitches from each of the front bands. Knit until you´ve reached 4 cm. remember the button whole!
Assemble the loose ends and the wholes under the arms.
Con grats, the cardigan is finished!
chilldrens clothing, knitting, round yoke
Reader Comments (12)
I love this pattern! What yarn did you use for it?
Andrea
We used extra fine merino from drops. You could of course also use our own brand new Pickles extra fine merino or merino blend!
visit The Pickles shop and have a look! :)
Beautiful. Need I say any more.
Hello ~ I have started to knit this cardigan and I have two questions: (1) The pattern states to use a size #4 ~ do you mean #4 mm or US size 4? I am guessing you mean size 6 US and then once you have cast on switch to the smaller size needles to knit the ribbing?
(2) To make room for the sleeves do you knit 26 then cast off 6, then knit 54 and then cast off 6 and knit 26 or do you simply decrease 6 throughout the knitting of the first and last 26 stitches?
Thank you,
Andrea
Just love this little sweater and will deffinately make it. Many thanks to you for sharing and may you have a perfect day. ann
Hi, I adore this pattern however my little man is now too big for this size (even for a small 4 yr old I think he would not fit this), is there any chance you would prepare a pattern in a range of larger sizes?....PS love your website, so inspirational, makes me want to knit and bake continously
Hi Ingrid,
Thanks for your nice comment! All our newer patterns are made in more sizes, and also as we re-knit old favourites in our own yarns we always make more sizes. This pattern is on the to do list, but we don´t have any specific plans for when to do it, sorry..
Hi I would like to make this cute little sweater but can't seem to see what the gauge is for it. What is the gauge?
Thanks
Hi, I am currently knitting this cardigan and I too am curious when you begin to shape the arms are we to cast off 6? or decrease 6? I am thinking that it is cast off since it would be 12 stitches on each end to cast of 6 total on both sides, 54 in between and 26 on outsides however that would make the total stitches on the row 130 not 118. Would love to get confirmation please!!
Thanks Chloe
Another Question.. the sleeves, are they knitted using the magic loop method? or straight across with a sewing seam to do at the end... would love an answer please really want to knit this cardigan
Thanks
Hi there! This is a lovely cardigan, with the beauty in it :) Yet I'm having some troubles as I'm trying to knit with a thicker yarn and 6 mm needles, so I'm following the measurements rather than stitch count but I am really not the person of guessing and I'm confused a little bit. After the starting rib we should knit 12 cm more you say but it seems more than 12 cm. Could you possibly put the sizes of each part of the cardigan in cm, maybe on a photo? I hope it's not much to ask.
Thanks anyway.
Everyone. Sorry about the lack of answer. This is a really really old pattern not made in our yarn. We are about to remake it, and do not have the capacity of helping out any further with this particuklar pattern until the remake is done. Sorry about this, but we have to prioritize patterns made in our yarn, as we´re a very tiny company with only 2 people. Sorry!