Hayfield Garland Cardigan Knitting Pattern

Hayfield Garland Cardigan - Baby Blossom Chunky

What is Being Made

The Hayfield Garland Cardigan is a knitted cardigan designed for babies aged 1 to 4 years. This garment features a classic cardigan construction with raglan sleeves and button closure, making it a versatile layering piece for young children. The cardigan is available in four size options to accommodate growing babies, with chest measurements ranging from 49 cm (19¼") for 1-year-olds to 59 cm (23¼") for 4-year-olds.

Knitting Techniques Used

This intermediate-level knitting project employs several essential garment construction techniques. The pattern utilizes raglan shaping, a popular sleeve construction method where decreases are worked at regular intervals to create a sloped shoulder line that extends from the underarm to the neckline. The cardigan is constructed using stocking stitch as the primary fabric, which creates a smooth, classic knitted surface ideal for babies' garments. The pattern includes shaping decreases using techniques such as knit two together (k2tog) and slip, knit, pass slipped stitch over (s1, k1, psso) to achieve the fitted raglan armholes. Additional construction elements include cast-off edges at the beginning of rows to shape the sleeve cap and purl rows for the reverse stockinette sections.

Stitches Used

• Knit (k) - The fundamental stitch forming the primary fabric texture
• Purl (p) - Used for reverse rows and textural variation
• Knit two together (k2tog) - A right-leaning decrease used for raglan shaping
• Slip, knit, pass slipped stitch over (s1, k1, psso) - A left-leaning decrease for balanced raglan decreases
• Purl two together (p2tog) - A decrease worked on purl rows
• Cast off - Used to bind off stitches and finish edges
• Stocking stitch - The primary fabric created by alternating knit and purl rows

Materials Required

This cardigan is knitted using Hayfield Baby Blossom Chunky yarn in shade 350 Baby Bouquet. The yarn weight is chunky (100g balls), which creates a quick-knitting fabric ideal for baby garments. Yarn requirements vary by size: 2 balls are needed for sizes 1, 2, and 3 years, while the 4-year size requires 3 balls. The pattern calls for two pairs of knitting needles: 6½mm (UK size 3, USA size 10.5) needles for the main fabric worked at a tension of 14 stitches and 19 rows over 10 cm (4") in stocking stitch, and 5½mm (UK size 5, USA size 9) needles for ribbed or fitted sections. Additional notions include stitch holders for managing stitches during construction and one 19mm button for the cardigan closure.

Pattern Structure

The downloadable PDF pattern provides detailed measurements and schematics for each size, including chest width, full length, and sleeve length specifications. The pattern includes a comprehensive piece diagram showing all garment sections with labeled dimensions (A through I) for precise construction. Detailed row-by-row instructions guide knitters through the raglan shaping process, with specific stitch counts provided for each size variation. The pattern uses standard knitting abbreviations and includes a complete stitches and abbreviations reference section for clarity.