Mini Sand Cardigan Knitting Pattern

Mini Sand Cardigan in Rowan Summerlite DK

What is Being Made

The Mini Sand Cardigan is a child's knitted cardigan designed by Quails Studio, available in five sizes to fit ages 3-4 through 11-12 years. The garment features a classic button-front cardigan construction with ribbed edging, shaped armholes, and tailored shoulder seams. Actual chest measurements range from 68 cm to 90 cm (26¾ to 35½ inches), making this pattern suitable for a range of children's sizes.

Techniques Used

This intermediate-level knitting project employs several fundamental garment construction techniques. The cardigan begins with ribbed edging worked in a 1x1 rib pattern to create elastic borders at the front edges and lower body. Stockinette stitch forms the main fabric body, providing a smooth, classic finish. The pattern incorporates armhole shaping through strategic cast-offs and decreases to create fitted sleeveless openings. Neck shaping is achieved through decreases worked at the front neckline edge, and shoulder shaping is completed with final cast-offs. The cardigan is designed as separate pieces—left front, right front, and back—which are later assembled and finished with a neckband.

Stitches Used

• Knit (K) – the primary stitch forming the stockinette fabric
• Purl (P) – used in combination with knit stitches to create the 1x1 ribbed edging
• Stockinette Stitch (st st) – alternating rows of knit and purl stitches, creating the smooth main fabric
• 1x1 Rib – alternating knit and purl stitches in the same column, worked on the ribbed sections
• Decreases – worked at armhole and neckline edges to shape the garment
• Cast-offs – used to bind off stitches at armholes and shoulders

Materials

The Mini Sand Cardigan is knitted using Rowan Summerlite DK, a lightweight yarn suitable for children's garments. The pattern calls for 5 balls of 50-gram yarn in the smallest size, with yardage increasing for larger sizes. The cardigan is worked on 3.75mm (US 5) needles, and the pattern specifies a tension of 22 stitches and 30 rows to 10 centimeters measured over stockinette stitch using these needles. Additional materials include stitch holders for managing stitches during construction and 5 to 6 buttons depending on size, used to fasten the front opening. The pattern photographed is shown in the colorway Giggle 479.