Baby Surplice Cardigan Knitting Pattern

Baby Surplice Cardigan in Plymouth Yarn Daisy

What is Being Made

This is a baby surplice cardigan designed to fit infants from 3 months through 24 months. The garment features a classic surplice front closure, which creates an overlapping V-neckline characteristic of surplice styling. The cardigan is sized in five increments to accommodate growing babies, with finished chest measurements ranging from 19 inches for the smallest size to 23 inches for the largest, and corresponding lengths from 9½ inches to 11½ inches. The pattern includes gender-specific options, with buttonhole placement differing between versions made for girls and boys.

Knitting Techniques Used

This knitting pattern employs several fundamental techniques suitable for baby garments. The construction begins with cast-on stitches ranging from 35 to 42 stitches depending on size. Garter stitch is used for the initial border rows and maintained along the front edges throughout the project to create a finished, stable edge. The primary fabric is worked in stockinette stitch, which creates a smooth, classic appearance ideal for baby clothing. Decreasing is used to shape the front panels, with purl two together through the back loop (p2togtbl) creating a refined decrease line along the front edges. Yarn overs combined with knit two together (k2tog) form the buttonholes on the front panels. The pattern uses removable markers to indicate sleeve placement points, helping knitters track important shaping locations. Binding off is performed at the armholes and neck to finish the edges.

Stitches Used

• Garter stitch: Created by knitting every row, used for borders and front edge finishing
• Stockinette stitch: Alternating knit and purl rows to create the smooth main fabric
• Purl two together through the back loop (p2togtbl): A left-leaning decrease used for front shaping
• Knit two together (k2tog): A right-leaning decrease used in buttonhole construction
• Yarn over (yo): Creates the eyelet opening for buttonholes

Materials and Tools

This project uses Plymouth Yarn Daisy in color 1013 Sea Blue. The yardage required varies by size, ranging from 2 balls (50g each) for the 3-month size to 4 balls for the larger sizes. Knitters will need US Size 9 (5.5mm) straight knitting needles to achieve the specified gauge of 14 stitches and 24 rows over 4 inches in stockinette and garter stitch. Additional supplies include 4 removable markers for tracking shaping points, 3 buttons for the cardigan closure, and a 5.5mm crochet hook for finishing details. The pattern is presented in a downloadable PDF format from Plymouth Yarn Design Studio.