Girls' Cardigan Knitting Pattern (K3034)
📥📬 Available as Digital Download or Printed Copy (choose option below)
Girls’ Cardigan Knitting Pattern – K3034
A lightweight children’s cardigan with garter-stitch borders and a simple fastening at the neckline. Naturally K3034 uses gradient cotton yarn, letting the colour changes stand out against the stocking-stitch fabric.
Construction and skill guidance
The back, fronts and sleeves are knitted flat in separate pieces from the lower edges. The shoulders are seamed, front and neck borders are picked up, and the sleeves are set in before closing the side and underarm seams. A large press stud closes the neckline, with an ornamental button on the outside.
Suggested skill level: Intermediate. You’ll use garment shaping, increases and decreases, picking up stitches, set-in sleeves and seaming.
Sizes and measurements
Ages are approximate. Choose by chest measurement and compare the finished chest with a cardigan that fits.
| Age | To fit chest (cm) | Finished chest (cm) | Sleeve to shaping (cm) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2 years | 53 | 58 | 22 |
| 4 years | 58 | 64 | 25 |
| 6 years | 64 | 70 | 29 |
| 8 years | 67 | 76 | 32 |
Yarn requirements
Use Sesia Iride Cotton 4ply, the original recommended yarn, worked with one strand throughout. Its stated length is 450 m per 125 g.
| Age | Iride required (m) |
|---|---|
| 2 years | 450 |
| 4 years | 900 |
| 6 years | 900 |
| 8 years | 900 |
Metreages are approximate purchasing allowances converted from the original pattern quantities using the stated yarn length, rather than measured consumption. Allow extra for swatching or changes in length. Wash and block a swatch before starting and check the pattern tension.
Before you start with Iride
The white leader yarn at the ends is waste yarn. For a centre pull, remove the white leader before starting. If working from the outside, stop before the final white leader section and discard it. Do not knit the white leader into your cardigan.
Tension
27 stitches and 36 rows to 10 cm in stocking stitch on 3.25 mm needles. Adjust needle size as needed after checking a washed and blocked swatch.
Needles and notions
- 2.75 mm and 3.25 mm knitting needles for working flat
- Stitch holder for the back-neck stitches
- 1 large press stud
- 1 decorative button
- Tapestry needle for seaming and finishing
Pattern format
📥📬 Available as Digital Download or Printed Copy (choose option below). Choose Digital PDF – Emailed or Printed Pattern – Posted. This purchase is for the pattern only; yarn, tools, notions and finished items are not included.
Frequently asked questions
Does the button fasten through a buttonhole?
No. The neckline closes with a large press stud. The button is decorative, so you do not work a buttonhole in the front border.
Will my colour placement match the photograph?
Iride’s long colour changes vary with the size and separate pieces of the cardigan. Expect your own arrangement of the gradient rather than an exact match to the sample.
More project help
Explore the Sesia Iride colour range or use our Yarn Substitution Calculator when planning your next project.