Debbie Bliss Super Simple Cardigan Knitting Pattern

Debbie Bliss Super Simple Cardigan in Baby Cashmerino

What is Being Made

The Debbie Bliss Super Simple Cardigan is a knitted baby cardigan designed for infants aged 0-12 months. This garment features a classic cardigan silhouette with button front closure, making it an essential layering piece for a baby's wardrobe. The cardigan is available in four size options to fit 0-3, 3-6, 6-9, and 9-12 month old babies, with finished chest measurements ranging from 50cm to 59cm (19¾ to 23¼ inches).

Techniques Used

This advanced beginner knitting project employs several fundamental knitting techniques. The construction begins with moss stitch (also known as seed stitch), which creates a textured ribbed edge at the lower body and cuffs. The main body is worked in stocking stitch (stockinette stitch in US terminology), the most basic and versatile knit fabric. The pattern includes shaping techniques such as neck shaping and sleeve cap shaping using decrease methods like skpo (slip 1, knit 1, pass slipped stitch over). The cardigan features set-in sleeves and incorporates button bands along the front opening.

Stitches Used

• Knit (k) – the fundamental knit stitch
• Purl (p) – the reverse of the knit stitch
• Moss stitch – alternating knit and purl stitches to create texture
• Stocking stitch (st st) – alternating rows of knit and purl for smooth fabric
• Skpo – a left-leaning decrease created by slipping one stitch, knitting the next, and passing the slipped stitch over
• Make one (m1) – an increase method for adding stitches
• Yarn forward (yf) – a technique used in stitch construction

Materials and Specifications

The Super Simple Cardigan is knitted using Debbie Bliss Baby Cashmerino yarn, a luxurious blend suitable for delicate baby garments. Yarn quantities are approximate and vary by size: the pattern requires 3 balls (50g/1¾oz each) for sizes 0-3, 3-6, and 6-9 months, and 4 balls for the 9-12 month size, in the colorway Wasabi 313.

Two sizes of knitting needles are required: 3mm (US 2-3) needles for the ribbed edging sections worked in moss stitch, and 3.25mm (US 3) needles for the main body worked in stocking stitch. The pattern specifies a tension gauge of 25 stitches and 34 rows to 10cm (4 inches) over stocking stitch using 3.25mm needles, which is essential for achieving the correct finished measurements.

The cardigan is completed with 5 buttons, each measuring 25 millimetres, which are sewn along the front button band for closure. Additional notions include a spare needle for holding stitches during construction and stitch holders for managing active stitches during shaping.

Finished Measurements

• Chest: 50cm, 53cm, 56cm, 59cm (19¾, 21, 22, 23¼ inches)
• Length to shoulder: 25cm, 26cm, 28cm, 29cm (9¾, 10¼, 11, 11½ inches)
• Sleeve length: 13cm, 15cm, 17cm, 19cm (5¼, 6, 6½, 7½ inches)