Paintbox Yarns Child's Cosy Rainbow Cardigan Knitting

Paintbox Yarns Child's Cosy Rainbow Cardigan

What is Being Made

This is a child's cardigan featuring a vibrant rainbow color scheme, designed to fit children from 18 months to 8 years old. The cardigan is constructed with a cosy, comfortable fit and finished length ranging from 35 cm (13¾ inches) for the smallest size to 47 cm (18½ inches) for the largest size. The garment includes five buttons for fastening and is worked in a classic cardigan silhouette with set-in sleeves.

Techniques Used

This intermediate-level knitting project employs several key techniques that add visual interest and structural integrity to the finished garment:

• Bottom-up construction: The cardigan is worked from the lower edge upward, allowing for easier fitting adjustments and a more intuitive building process
• Stranded colorwork: The rainbow pattern is created using the stranded knitting technique, where multiple yarn colors are carried across the row to create the design
• Worked flat: The pieces are knitted flat on needles rather than in the round, making color changes and pattern work more manageable
• Seamed construction: Individual pieces are knitted separately and then seamed together, providing clean, professional finishing
• Buttonholes: Functional buttonholes are incorporated into the front bands to accommodate the five buttons for closure

Stitches Used

The pattern utilizes fundamental knitting stitches appropriate for creating a sturdy, wearable garment:

• Stocking stitch (stockinette stitch): The primary stitch throughout the garment, creating a smooth, classic fabric with a knit side and purl side
• Knit and purl stitches: Basic stitches used for shaping and construction
• Yarn over (yo): Used to create decorative eyelets and buttonholes
• Decreases: Knit 2 together (K2tog), purl 2 together (P2tog), and slip, slip, knit (ssk) techniques are employed for shaping the armholes, neckline, and sleeve cap
• Make 1 (M1): Increases are worked by picking up the horizontal bar between stitches and knitting into the back of it to add stitches where needed

Materials and Specifications

The pattern calls for specific materials to achieve the intended cosy texture and vibrant appearance:

• Yarn: Paintbox Yarns Simply Aran in six coordinating colors: Seafoam Blue (2 balls for smallest size, increasing to 3 balls for larger sizes), Tea Rose (1 ball), Dolphin Blue (1 ball), Lime Green (1 ball), Mustard Yellow (1 ball), and Red Wine (1 ball)
• Needles: 4mm (UK 8 - US 6) and 5mm (UK 6 - US 8) circular knitting needles for working the various sections
• Notions: Five buttons for front closure, a stitch holder for managing stitches during construction, and a large-eyed darning needle for seaming and weaving in ends
• Gauge: 18 stitches and 24 rows to 10 cm (4 inches) measured over stocking stitch using the 5mm needles, which is essential for achieving the correct finished measurements

Pattern Overview

The instructions are written using UK knitting terminology with US equivalents provided in parentheses throughout. The pattern is graded for four different sizes, with measurements and stitch counts clearly differentiated. Where only one figure is given, it applies to all sizes. The pattern uses standard abbreviations and includes repeat instructions marked in round brackets, with size variations noted in square brackets. This intermediate-level project combines colorwork technique with straightforward shaping, making it an excellent choice for knitters looking to expand their skills beyond basic garment construction.