Paintbox Yarns See Saw Cardigan Knitting Pattern

Paintbox Yarns See Saw Cardigan

What is Being Made

The See Saw Cardigan is a baby cardigan designed for infants ranging from newborn to 18 months old. This garment is available in four size options to fit chest measurements of 41cm, 46cm, 51cm, and 56cm (16in, 18in, 20in, and 22in respectively), with corresponding finished lengths ranging from 24cm to 36cm (9½in to 14in). The cardigan features button closures, requiring three buttons approximately 15mm (½in) in diameter.

Techniques Used

This cardigan is constructed using a bottom-up approach, meaning the garment is worked from the lower edge upward. The pieces are worked flat on straight needles rather than in the round, and the finished components are seamed together to create the final garment. This construction method is typical for cardigans and allows for straightforward shaping and button band placement.

Stitches Used

The primary stitch pattern used throughout this cardigan is stocking stitch (also called stockinette stitch in US terminology). Stocking stitch is created by knitting all stitches on right-side rows and purling all stitches on wrong-side rows, producing a smooth, classic fabric with characteristic V-shaped columns on the right side. The pattern also incorporates standard knitting abbreviations including knit (K), purl (P), increases (inc), decreases (dec), and slip stitches (sl 1), which are used to shape the garment pieces and create the button bands.

Materials

This free knitting pattern requires Paintbox Yarns Simply DK yarn in the Blush Pink colorway. Yarn quantities are size-dependent: the smallest size (0-3 months) requires 1 x 100g ball, while the larger sizes require 2 x 100g balls (for sizes 3-6 and 6-12 months) or 3 x 100g balls (for the 12-18 months size). DK weight yarn is a medium-weight yarn suitable for creating garments with good drape and stitch definition.

The pattern calls for two pairs of knitting needles: 3¼mm needles (UK 10 / US 3) for ribbing and edgings, and 4mm needles (UK 8 / US 6) for the main fabric. The recommended tension (gauge) is 22 stitches and 30 rows over 10cm (4 inches) measured in stocking stitch using the 4mm needles. Checking gauge before beginning is essential to ensure the finished garment achieves the correct measurements.

Difficulty Level

This cardigan is rated as easy/intermediate, making it suitable for knitters with some experience who are comfortable with basic shaping techniques and seaming. The straightforward stocking stitch fabric and standard construction methods provide an accessible project while offering enough structure to develop skills in garment assembly.