Paintbox Yarns Rainbow Cardigan Knitting Pattern

Paintbox Yarns Rainbow Cardigan: Free Knitting Pattern

What Is Being Made

The Paintbox Yarns Rainbow Cardigan is a children's knitted cardigan available in five sizes to fit ages 1-2, 2-3, 4-5, 6-7, and 8-9 years. The pattern offers two neckline options: a round neck cardigan and a V-neck cardigan. This intermediate-level project features a vibrant rainbow color scheme created through strategic stripe work, making it an eye-catching garment for young children.

Techniques Used

This cardigan is constructed using several key knitting techniques that build intermediate skills:

• Bottom-up construction: The cardigan is knitted from the bottom edge upward, allowing knitters to try on and adjust fit as they progress
• Worked flat: All pieces are created on straight needles rather than in the round, using flat knitting methods
• Stripe work: The rainbow effect is achieved through systematic color changes across rows, creating horizontal stripes throughout the garment
• Seaming: Individual pieces (front panels, back, and sleeves) are knitted separately and then sewn together using mattress stitch or similar seaming techniques
• Buttonholes: Functional buttonholes are incorporated into the front bands to accommodate the five buttons (approximately 15mm or ½ inch in diameter) that close the cardigan

Stitches Used

The pattern utilizes fundamental knitting stitches appropriate for an intermediate crafter. The primary stitch work includes knit stitches (K) and purl stitches, with abbreviations such as yarn forward (yfwd) for creating buttonholes and decrease stitches (dec) for shaping the raglan armholes. The pattern also references garter stitch (g st), which is created by knitting every row and produces a textured, reversible fabric.

Materials: Yarn and Needles

Yarn: The cardigan is knitted using Paintbox Yarns Simply Aran, a worsted-weight yarn. The main color is Champagne White, with six contrast colors creating the rainbow effect: Kingfisher Blue (A), Lime Green (B), Buttercup Yellow (C), Blood Orange (D), Lipstick Pink (E), and Pillar Red (F). Yarn quantities vary by size, ranging from 2 to 4 balls of 100g each in the main color, plus 1 ball of each contrast color.

Needles: The pattern requires two pairs of knitting needles—a pair of 4mm (UK 8 - US 6) needles and a pair of 4½mm (UK 7 - US 7) needles. The smaller needles are typically used for ribbed edgings, while the larger needles accommodate the main fabric.

Pattern Details and Sizing

Instructions are provided for five size options with chest measurements ranging from 51cm (20 inches) for age 1-2 years to 71cm (28 inches) for age 8-9 years. Finished length measurements span from 32cm (12½ inches) to 48cm (19 inches) at the back neck, and sleeve lengths range from 19cm (7½ inches) to 35cm (13¾ inches). The pattern uses UK knitting terminology with US equivalents provided in parentheses for international knitters.

Construction Method

The cardigan follows a raglan construction method, where the armholes are shaped through decreases that create diagonal lines from the underarm to the neckline. The stripe sequence is established once the main sections have been knitted in the main color, then contrast colors are introduced systematically. The pattern provides detailed instructions for the smallest size with bracketed changes for larger sizes, making it accessible for knitters to scale the garment appropriately.