Debbie Bliss Love You Cardigan Knitting Pattern

Debbie Bliss Love You Cardigan

What is Being Made

The Debbie Bliss Love You Cardigan is a baby cardigan designed for infants ranging from newborn through 24 months. This downloadable knitting pattern includes five different size options to fit ages 0-3, 3-6, 6-9, 9-12, and 12-24 months, with finished chest measurements ranging from 50cm (19¾ inches) to 63cm (24¾ inches). The cardigan features a classic button-front closure and is constructed using a bottom-up construction method, meaning the garment is knitted from the lower edges upward toward the shoulders.

Techniques Used

This intermediate-level knitting project employs several essential garment construction techniques:

• Bottom-up construction: The cardigan is knitted from the hem upward, allowing for easy adjustments and fitting as you work
• Stranded colorwork: The pattern incorporates a two-color stranded knitting technique where yarn not in use is carried loosely across the wrong side of the fabric to maintain elasticity
• Buttonholes: Functional buttonholes are integrated into the front bands to accommodate the button closures
• Seamed construction: Pieces are joined together using seaming techniques for a professional finish
• Ribbed edging: The pattern begins with ribbed sections that provide elasticity and a neat, finished appearance at the lower edge

Stitches Used

The Love You Cardigan utilizes fundamental knitting stitches appropriate for baby garments:

• Stocking stitch (st st): The primary stitch throughout most of the garment, creating a smooth, classic fabric
• Ribbing: Used for the initial edge rows to create stretch and definition
• Knit and purl stitches: Combined in the ribbed sections and colorwork rows
• Yarn forward (yf): Used in buttonhole construction
• Slip, knit, pass slipped stitch over (skpo): A decrease technique employed in shaping and buttonhole creation
• Make one (m1): An increase stitch used for shaping the garment

Materials and Gauge

The Debbie Bliss Love You Cardigan is crafted using Debbie Bliss Baby Cashmerino yarn, a soft, washable fiber ideal for delicate baby garments. Yarn quantities vary by size, ranging from 3 to 5 balls of 50g (1¾ oz) in Ruby 700 (color A) and 1 ball of Candy Pink 6 (color B) for the stranded colorwork detail.

The pattern requires three different needle sizes to accommodate various sections of the garment. Construction begins with 3mm (US 2-3) knitting needles for the ribbed cast-on edge, progresses to 3.25mm (US 3) needles for the main stocking stitch body, and includes 2.75mm (US 2) needles for finer ribbed sections. Optional circular needles in 2.75mm and 3.25mm sizes are available for those who prefer working in the round or managing larger stitch counts on the yoke. A fine crochet hook and 6 small buttons complete the notions required.

The recommended gauge is 25 stitches and 34 rows to 10cm (4 inches) measured over stocking stitch using 3.25mm (US 3) needles. Accurate gauge is essential for achieving the correct finished measurements across all five size options.