Hearts Cardigan Knitting Pattern (K3087)
Hearts Cardigan Knitting Pattern – K3087
A children's button-front cardigan with colourful heart motifs at the hem, sleeves and shaped round yoke. Naturally K3087 is designed in AMANO Duna 4ply, with six sizes from 2 to 12 years.
Construction and skills
Knitted flat from the bottom up: the body is worked in one piece to the underarms and the sleeves are worked separately. Body and sleeves are joined for a shaped yoke worked back and forth. Sleeve and underarm seams are sewn, and the front bands and neckband are picked up. Circular needles accommodate the stitches; this cardigan is not knitted in the round.
Suggested skill level: intermediate. Techniques include ribbing, stocking stitch, charted colourwork, shaping, picking up stitches, buttonholes and seaming. The PDF includes a five-row hem and sleeve colourwork chart and a 37-row yoke chart.
Sizes and finished measurements
Ages are a guide. Choose by finished chest measurement and your preferred ease. All measurements below are in centimetres; sleeve length is measured to the underarm.
| Age (years) | Finished chest | Length | Sleeve length |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | 67 | 36 | 25 |
| 4 | 72 | 40 | 28 |
| 6 | 76 | 44 | 31 |
| 8 | 79 | 48 | 34 |
| 10 | 83 | 50 | 37 |
| 12 | 89 | 52 | 40 |
Yarn requirements
Use AMANO Duna 4ply with a single strand. The sample uses a purple main colour with green and yellow contrasts. Approximate allowances are calculated at 200 m per 50 g.
| Age (years) | Main colour (m) | Contrast 1 (m) | Contrast 2 (m) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | 600 | 200 | 200 |
| 4 | 600 | 200 | 200 |
| 6 | 800 | 200 | 200 |
| 8 | 800 | 200 | 200 |
| 10 | 1000 | 200 | 200 |
| 12 | 1200 | 200 | 200 |
Tension
27 stitches and 33 rows over 10 cm on 3 mm needles. The PDF does not name the stitch used for this tension measurement. Swatch the main fabric and colourwork, wash and dry before measuring, and adjust needles to achieve the stated tension.
Needles and notions
- 2 mm, 2.75 mm and 3 mm circular needles with an 80 cm cord, used to work back and forth.
- 6, 6, 6, 7, 7 and 7 buttons by ascending size, including the neckband button.
- 16 stitch markers and 3 stitch holders.
- Tapestry needle for finishing.
Pattern clarifications
For age 6, the final yoke count after the fifth decrease row is 115 stitches, giving the stated 117 stitches after the neckband pickups and decreases. The listed button totals include one neckband button: position 5, 5, 5, 6, 6 and 6 buttonholes on the front band, then one on the neckband. These clarifications apply when following the original PDF; the PDF itself is unchanged.
Pattern format
📥📬 Available as Digital Download or Printed Copy (choose option below).
Choose Digital PDF – Emailed or Printed Pattern – Posted. This purchase is the Naturally pattern only; yarn, needles and other materials are sold separately.
Frequently asked questions
What skill level is needed?
This is an intermediate project for knitters comfortable with charted colourwork, shaping, picking up bands and making buttonholes.
What sizes are included?
Six sizes for ages 2, 4, 6, 8, 10 and 12 years, with finished chest measurements from 67 to 89 cm.
What materials do I need?
AMANO Duna 4ply in three colours, 2 mm, 2.75 mm and 3 mm circular needles with an 80 cm cord, the size's listed buttons, 16 markers and 3 holders.
How much yarn is required?
Allow 600–1200 m of main colour depending on size, plus 200 m of each of two contrast colours. Exact quantities are in the size table.
Is the round yoke knitted in the round?
No. Round yoke describes the shaping. The cardigan is worked back and forth, with heart motifs at the hem, sleeves and yoke and a button-front finish.