MillaMia Jessica Cardigan Knitting Pattern

MillaMia Jessica Cardigan

What Is Being Made

The MillaMia Jessica Cardigan is a children's knitted cardigan designed for ages 1–5 years. This garment features an impressive asymmetric diagonal intarsia pattern, making it a statement piece for young children. The cardigan is button-front closure with seven buttons and is worked in a classic fitted silhouette with set-in sleeves.

Craft and Skill Level

This is an advanced knitting project intended for experienced knitters. The pattern explicitly recommends this design for those with substantial knitting experience due to the complexity of the intarsia colorwork technique and the asymmetric diagonal pattern that requires careful attention to color changes throughout the project.

Techniques Used

• Intarsia: The primary technique featured in this cardigan. The pattern uses small amounts of yarn for each color area, with yarns twisted on the wrong side to prevent holes. This method allows for the creation of the distinctive asymmetric diagonal motif without carrying yarn across the back of the work.
• Worked Flat: The cardigan pieces are knitted flat on straight needles rather than in the round, allowing for easier intarsia work and seaming.
• Bottom-Up Construction: The garment is worked from the lower edges upward toward the shoulders, a traditional approach that allows for easy length adjustments.
• Seaming: Individual pieces (back, fronts, and sleeves) are knitted separately and then sewn together using mattress stitch or similar seaming techniques.
• Buttonholes: Seven buttonholes are incorporated into the right front band for button closure.

Stitches Used

• Stockinette Stitch (st st): The primary stitch throughout the cardigan, creating a smooth, classic fabric suitable for displaying the intarsia pattern.
• Ribbing: Used for the cuffs, hem, and front bands to provide structure and elasticity.

Materials and Yarn

The cardigan is worked in MillaMia Naturally Soft Cotton, an exclusive yarn available at Love Knitting. This cotton yarn is ideal for children's garments, offering breathability and durability.

• Main color: Baby Blue (323) – 2 to 3 balls of 50g/1¾oz depending on size
• Contrast colors: One ball each of Seaweed (350), Tomato (332), and Off White (311) for the intarsia pattern

Needles and Gauge

• Needles: One pair each of 2.75mm (US 2) and 3.25mm (US 3) needles. The smaller needles are used for ribbed edges, while the larger needles are used for the main stockinette stitch sections.
• Gauge: 25 stitches and 34 rows to 10cm/4 inches over stockinette stitch using 3.25mm (US 3) needles. Achieving correct gauge is essential for proper fit in this children's cardigan.

Sizing and Measurements

The pattern provides four size options to fit children aged 1–5 years:

• Size 1–2 years: Chest 63cm (24¾in), length to shoulder 32cm (12½in), sleeve length 21cm (8½in)
• Size 2–3 years: Chest 67cm (26½in), length to shoulder 35cm (13¾in), sleeve length 23cm (9½in)
• Size 3–4 years: Chest 71cm (28in), length to shoulder 38cm (15in), sleeve length 25cm (9¾in)
• Size 4–5 years: Chest 75cm (29½in), length to shoulder 41cm (16¼in), sleeve length 27cm (10½in)

Pattern Notes and Intarsia Instructions

The pattern includes detailed instructions for working the intarsia design. When working from the color chart, odd-numbered rows are knit rows and even-numbered rows are purl rows. Chart orientation differs between the back and fronts: on the back, odd rows read from right to left, while even