Classic Cardigan Knitting Pattern 2 Ways

Free Knitting Pattern for a Classic Top-Down Raglan Baby Cardigan (Two Versions: Lace and Solid), featuring seamless construction and customizable details.

This pattern offers two variations of a classic baby cardigan, both worked seamlessly from the top down with raglan shaping. The Lace Version features a delicate lace pattern on the body and a simple eyelet pattern on the sleeves and button band. The Solid Version is worked entirely in stockinette stitch with garter stitch edgings, making it a quicker and more basic project. Both versions include sizes from 6 months to 24 months.

It is designed in Stockinette, and Lace, an intermediate design.

This pattern is rated as intermediate, primarily due to the lace version. The solid version could be considered “easy/intermediate.” The skills involved include:

• Working flat (body and edging) and in the round (sleeves).
• Basic stitches: knit, purl.
• Increases: M1R (make one right), M1L (make one left), kfb (knit front and back) – for neck shaping.
• Increases: yo (yarn over) – for neck and raglan shaping, and lace pattern.
• Decreases: k2tog (knit two together), ssk (slip, slip, knit) – for raglan shaping and lace pattern.
• Raglan increases (using yo).
• Picking up stitches (for edging).
• Creating buttonholes (casting off and casting on stitches).
• Following a chart (for the Lace Version).

Skill Level: Intermediate (Top-down raglan construction, increases, decreases, picking up stitches, buttonholes, lace pattern – for Lace Version) / Easy/Intermediate (for Solid Version)

Finished Measurements:

Materials Used:

• Bernat® Softee® Baby™ (5 oz/140 g; 362 yds/331 m) – DK weight
  • Lace Version: Little Mouse (30010): 1 (1, 2, 2) ball(s)
  • Solid Version: Flannel (30044): 1 (1, 2, 2) ball(s)

Needles:

• U.S. 4 (3.5 mm) and U.S. 6 (4 mm) circular knitting needles, 29″ [73.5 cm] long
• Set of 4 sizes U.S. 4 (3.5 mm) and U.S. 6 (4 mm) double-pointed knitting needles (or use magic loop with circular needles)

Notions:

Tapestry Needle

Stitch markers

2 stitch holders

Lace Version: 3 buttons

Solid Version: 7 (7-8-8) buttons

Knitting Pattern for a Baby Cardigan (Two Options)
Free Pattern

Pattern Considerations:

• Gauge: 22 sts and 30 rows = 4″ [10 cm] in stocking stitch on larger needles. Achieving the correct gauge is essential.
• Yarn Substitution: Any DK weight yarn that meets the specified gauge can be used.
• Construction: The cardigan is worked in one piece from the top down, starting at the neck edge. Raglan increases shape the yoke. Sleeves are worked in the round after the body is divided.
• Neck Shaping: The pattern begins with some initial shaping at the neck edge using M1R, M1L, and yo increases.
• Lace Version:
  • The body features a 17-stitch repeat lace pattern (chart provided).
  • The sleeves have a simple eyelet row (yo, k2tog).
  • The button band includes 3 buttonholes.
• Solid Version:
  • The body is worked entirely in stockinette stitch.
  • The button band includes 7 (7-8-8) buttonholes.
• Buttonholes: Buttonholes are created by casting off 2 stitches and then casting them back on in the following row.
• Abbreviations: All are standard.
• Chart: Is provided for the lace version.