MillaMia Little Folk Cardigan Knitting Pattern

MillaMia Little Folk Cardigan

What is Being Made

The MillaMia Little Folk Cardigan is an advanced-level knitted cardigan designed for children aged 1 to 7 years. This garment features a charming fair isle pattern that showcases colorwork skills, making it an ideal project for experienced knitters looking to refine their technique. The cardigan is available in six progressive sizes, with finished chest measurements ranging from 60cm (23¾in) for the smallest size up to 84cm (33in) for the largest, and corresponding lengths from 28cm to 48cm at the shoulder.

Techniques Used

This cardigan employs several advanced knitting techniques that require intermediate to expert-level skill. The primary technique featured is stranded colorwork (fair isle), which involves carrying multiple colors across rows to create the decorative pattern. The garment is worked flat on straight needles rather than in the round, allowing for easier color management during the stranded sections. The construction includes seamedButtonholes are incorporated into the front bands to accommodate the button closure, and the finished cardigan is secured with buttons—six to seven depending on the size selected.

Stitches Used

The primary stitch throughout the garment is stocking stitch (stockinette stitch in US terminology), which creates a smooth, classic fabric ideal for displaying colorwork patterns. The fair isle pattern is worked using standard knit and purl stitches in combination with color changes. Decreases such as knit two stitches together (k2tog) and slip one, knit one, pass slipped stitch over (skpo) are used for shaping the armholes, neckline, and sleeve caps. Increases are incorporated where needed for proper garment fit and silhouette.

Materials and Specifications

The cardigan is knitted using MillaMia Naturally Soft Merino yarn in 50g/1¾oz balls. Yarn requirements vary by size: the smallest size requires 2 balls of the main color (A), 3 balls of the secondary color (B), and 1 ball each of three accent colors (C, D, and E), while the largest size needs 3 balls of color A, 5 balls of color B, and 1 ball each of the remaining colors. The pattern is worked on 3mm (US 2) knitting needles for the ribbed edges and 3.25mm (US 3) knitting needles for the main fabric. The recommended tension is 25 stitches and 34 rows to a 10cm (4in) square worked in stocking stitch using the 3.25mm needles.

Color Options

The pattern provides multiple colorway options to suit different preferences. The primary colorway features Midnight as the main color with Daisy Yellow as the secondary color, complemented by Fuchsia, Tempest Blue, and Lilac Blossom accents. Alternative colorways include combinations such as Denim with Grass and Plum, and Fuchsia with Forget Me Not and Lilac Blossom, allowing knitters to personalize their project while following the same construction and technique instructions.

Design Considerations

The pattern includes helpful finishing advice, recommending that the hem be blocked wide during finishing to prevent it from pulling inward. This attention to detail is particularly important when working with fair isle colorwork, as the stranded technique can sometimes create tension issues that blocking helps to resolve. The seamed construction and buttonhole placement are designed to create a professional, polished appearance suitable for a child's garment.