MillaMia Kid's Bengt Cardigan Knitting Pattern

MillaMia Kid's Bengt Cardigan: Knitted Children's Stranded Colorwork Cardigan

What Is Being Made

The MillaMia Kid's Bengt Cardigan is a children's knitted cardigan featuring stranded colorwork design, available in five size options to fit ages 2-3 through 10-11 years. This garment is designed as a matching companion piece to an adult version, creating a coordinated father-and-child cardigan combination. The cardigan is constructed with a full front zipper closure and is intended to become a cherished heirloom piece that can be passed down from child to child.

Techniques Used

This intermediate-level knitting project employs several key construction techniques:

• Bottom-up construction: The cardigan is knitted from the bottom edge upward, allowing for straightforward shaping and measurement adjustments
• Worked flat: Pieces are knitted flat on straight needles rather than in the round, creating separate front, back, and sleeve components
• Seamed assembly: Individual pieces are sewn together using seaming techniques to create the finished garment
• Stranded colorwork: The pattern incorporates multiple yarn colors worked simultaneously using the stranded method, where unused colors are carried across the back of the work
• Zipper insertion: Detailed instructions guide the careful placement and stitching of an open-ended zipper along the front opening, with specific techniques for tacking and stabilizing the zipper tape

Stitches Used

The cardigan utilizes fundamental knitting stitches appropriate for colorwork and structured garment construction:

• Stocking stitch (stockinette stitch): The primary stitch used throughout the garment, providing a smooth, flat fabric base ideal for displaying stranded colorwork patterns
• Garter stitch: Used for ribbed or textured edging details
• Moss stitch (seed stitch in US terminology): Employed for additional textural interest in specific areas

Materials and Specifications

The pattern calls for specific yarn and needle requirements to achieve proper gauge and fabric quality:

• Yarn: MillaMia Naturally Soft Merino, a premium merino wool blend available exclusively through LoveCrafts. The main color is Rain (165), with accent colors including Midnight (101), Butterscotch (168), Scarlet (140), and Ice (125). Yarn quantities vary by size, ranging from 3 to 4 balls of the main color at 50g per ball
• Needles: Two pairs of knitting needles—3mm (US 2) for ribbing and 3.25mm (US 3) for main fabric
• Notions: An open-ended zipper sized between 30-41cm (12-16 inches) depending on the garment size
• Gauge: 25 stitches and 34 rows over 10cm (4 inches) in stocking stitch using 3.25mm needles

Size Range and Measurements

The pattern accommodates five children's sizes with the following chest measurements: 59cm (23¼in) for age 2-3, 63cm (24¾in) for age 4-5, 68cm (26¾in) for age 6-7, 72cm (28¼in) for age 8-9, and 78cm (30¾in) for age 10-11. Total length ranges from 34cm to 46cm, with sleeve lengths varying from 24cm to 40cm across the size range.

Design Features and Construction Notes

The pattern includes helpful guidance for zipper insertion, recommending that crafters leave zipper teeth exposed while tacking one side in place, then carefully matching the pattern when tacking the second side. Stitching is completed from the right side using a stab stitch technique, with the zipper tape secured to the cardigan back from the wrong side. The pattern notes that alternative colorways are available, including Storm Plum (102), Sea Green (162), Grass (170), Daisy Yellow (141), and Yellow (142), allowing for personalization while maintaining the stranded colorwork design aesthetic.