Free Knitting Pattern for a Top-Down Raglan Baby Cardigan with I-Cord Edges, featuring seamless construction and a classic design.
This cardigan is worked seamlessly from the top down, beginning at the neck edge. It uses raglan increases to shape the yoke and incorporates i-cord bands along the front edges for a professional finish. The body and sleeves are primarily worked in stockinette stitch, with garter stitch used for the cuffs and hem. The pattern provides instructions that can be adapted for three sizes (newborn, 3-6 months, and 6-9 months) by changing the yarn weight and needle size.
It is designed using Stockinette stitch, and I-cord edging. This is a simple design, rated easy/intermediate.
This pattern is probably best suited for an easy/intermediate knitter. While the construction is relatively straightforward, the i-cord edges and the need to keep track of multiple stitch patterns and shaping simultaneously require some experience. The skills involved include:
- Working flat.
- Basic stitches: knit, purl.
- Increases: m1 (make one).
- Decreases: k2tog (knit two together).
- Raglan increases.
- I-cord edges (worked simultaneously with the body).
- Creating buttonholes (method not explicitly stated, but likely a yarn-over).
- Picking up stitches to complete first sleeve.
- Casting on stitches mid-row (for underarms).
Skill Level: Easy/Intermediate (Top-down raglan construction, i-cord edges, increases, decreases, buttonholes, casting on mid-row)
Finished Measurements:
- The pattern does not provide specific finished measurements. This is a significant drawback. The size is determined by the yarn weight and needle size used. This requires careful gauge calculation.
Materials Used:
- Newborn: 3- or 4-ply yarn: 2 x 50g balls; Needles: 3.25mm
- 3-6 Months: 3- or 4-ply yarn: 2 x 50g balls; Needles: 3.75mm
- 6-9 Months: Double knit yarn: 3 x 50g balls; Needles: 4mm
- Buttons (number not specified)
Needles:
- Needle size depends on the desired size (see above). The pattern does not specify circular or straight needles, but circular needles are recommended for the body due to the number of stitches.
Notions:
- Stitch markers (at least 4)
- Tapestry needle.
Knitting Pattern for a Top-Down Baby Cardigan
Free Pattern
Pattern Considerations:
- Gauge: The pattern does not provide a gauge. This is a major issue. You must knit a gauge swatch in stockinette stitch with your chosen yarn and needles to determine your stitches and rows per inch/cm. You’ll then need to compare your gauge to typical baby garment measurements to ensure the finished size will be appropriate.
- Yarn Substitution: You can substitute yarns, but you must match the intended weight (3-ply, 4-ply, or DK) and achieve a gauge that will result in the desired size.
- Construction: The cardigan is worked seamlessly from the top down. You start at the neck, work raglan increases to shape the yoke, then separate the sleeves and body.
- I-Cord Bands: The 5-stitch i-cord bands are worked simultaneously with the body of the cardigan. The instructions are:
- RS: First 5 sts: knit; last 5 sts: k2, slip 3 knitwise.
- WS: First 5 sts: p3, k2; last 5 sts: k2, yfwd, slip 3 purlwise.
- The yarn forward on the WS, creates the extra stitch.
- Buttonholes: The pattern states to “work a buttonhole,” but it does not specify the method. A simple yarn-over buttonhole (yo, k2tog) within the i-cord band is the most likely and appropriate technique. The pattern indicates buttonholes on rows 5, 25, 45, 65, and 85.
- Sleeves: The sleeves are worked flat after being separated from the body. Stitches are cast on at the underarm to create a seamless join. There are also instructions to pick up stitches at the underarm.
- Body Shaping: There’s a small amount of shaping in the body, with decreases worked on row 41.
- Abbreviations: mostly standard.
