Rowan Little Lamb Cardigan Knitting Pattern

Rowan Little Lamb Cardigan

What Is Being Made

The Rowan Little Lamb is a seamless, top-down cardigan designed for babies aged 0-3, 3-6, 6-9, and 9-12 months. This classic button-front cardigan features a soft construction with five grey 1.2cm two-hole buttons and is available in four size options with actual chest measurements ranging from 50.5cm to 61cm (20 to 24 inches).

Construction Techniques

This cardigan is constructed using seamless, top-down knitting methods, which means the garment is worked from the neckline downward in one continuous piece, eliminating the need for seaming. The pattern employs both flat knitting and in-the-round techniques strategically throughout the construction process. This approach allows for precise fit adjustments and minimal finishing work, making it an ideal project for creating well-fitted baby garments.

Stitches and Stitch Patterns

The cardigan features the following key stitches and techniques:

• Stockinette stitch (st st) – forms the main fabric body of the garment
• Ribbing – creates a 5-stitch rib at the front opening edges for structure and definition
• Make One Right (M1R) – a left-leaning increase worked by inserting the left needle from front to back into the horizontal strand between stitches, then knitting through the back loop
• Make One Left (M1L) – a right-leaning increase worked by inserting the left needle from front to back into the horizontal strand between stitches
• Buttonholes – worked as set by the last row, spaced every 14th to 18th row depending on size, with five buttonholes total

The pattern uses strategic increases (M1R and M1L) worked in a rhythmic sequence to shape the body, creating a well-proportioned silhouette for infants. The ribbed front edges provide both visual interest and functional stability around the button band.

Materials

The Rowan Little Lamb cardigan is knitted using Rowan Baby Cashsoft Merino yarn in 2 to 3 x 50gm balls (depending on size selected), photographed in the colorway Nutkin 121. This yarn choice provides a soft, luxurious feel suitable for delicate baby skin.

The project requires 3½mm (UK 10/9 / US 4) needles – specifically one pair of straight needles for flat sections and a set of four double-pointed needles for any in-the-round sections. The tension is 23 stitches and 30 rows per 10cm measured over stockinette stitch using 3½mm needles.

Five grey 1.2cm two-hole buttons complete the cardigan, providing both functional closure and decorative detail.