David's Cardigan in Cascade Yarns 220 Superwash Merino - Free

David's Cardigan in Cascade Yarns 220 Superwash Merino

What is Being Made

David's Cardigan is a children's button-front cardigan sweater designed by Melissa Leapman. This knitted garment is available in five sizes ranging from 6 to 14, with chest measurements from 29 inches to 36 inches when buttoned, and total lengths from 12½ inches to 17½ inches. The cardigan features a classic construction with ribbed edging, a textured body, and five decorative buttons for closure.

Knitting Techniques and Construction

This intermediate-level knitting project employs several fundamental sweater construction techniques. The cardigan is worked in pieces, beginning with the back panel and progressing through the front and sleeve sections. The pattern uses a two-needle size approach: smaller US 5 needles are used for the ribbed cuffs and edging to create a snug, elastic finish, while larger US 7 needles accommodate the main body stitches for proper gauge.

The garment construction includes armhole shaping achieved through bind-off decreases at the underarm, and neck shaping using a split-yarn technique that allows both shoulder sections to be worked simultaneously. This method ensures symmetrical neck decreases on both sides of the garment. A 29-inch circular needle is used for the ribbed sections, providing flexibility for working flat while managing a larger number of stitches.

Stitches Used

The pattern incorporates several essential knitting stitches:

• Knit (K) and Purl (P) stitches form the foundation of both pattern sections
• Rib Pattern (K2, P2 repeat) creates the elastic edging at the lower body and cuffs, measuring approximately 2 inches in depth
• Basketweave Pattern forms the main textured body of the cardigan, worked from a provided stitch chart
• Knit 2 Together (K2tog) decreases are used for neck shaping
• Yarn Over (YO) stitches may be incorporated within the Basketweave Pattern for texture variation

Materials and Yarn Specifications

This cardigan is designed to be knitted with Cascade Yarns 220 Superwash Merino, a premium yarn composed of 100% Superwash Merino Wool. Each skein contains 3.5 ounces of yarn with 220 yards of yardage per 100 grams. Depending on the chosen size, the project requires 5 to 7 skeins of yarn in colorway #35 (Teal).

The specified gauge for this pattern is 24 stitches by 32 rows over 4 inches (10 centimeters) when working the Basketweave Pattern with the larger needles. Achieving proper gauge is essential for obtaining the correct finished measurements.

Additional Materials

Beyond yarn and needles, the pattern requires the following notions:

• Five ¾-inch buttons for the front closure (La Mode's #31102 was used on the sample garment)
• Stitch markers for tracking pattern repeats and shaping points
• A yarn needle for weaving in ends and seaming pieces together

The Superwash Merino fiber provides practical advantages for a children's garment, offering machine-washable properties while maintaining the softness and breathability of merino wool. The Basketweave Pattern creates visual interest and texture while remaining accessible to intermediate-level knitters.