Side by Side Baby Cardigan Knitting Pattern

Side by Side Baby Cardigan Knitting Pattern

Project Overview

The Side by Side Baby Cardigan is a charming two-color knit design from Plymouth Yarn's Design Studio, available as a downloadable PDF pattern. This cardigan features a distinctive split-color construction where the back and fronts are divided into contrasting color sections that work simultaneously throughout the garment. The design is sized for newborns and infants, with finished chest measurements of 21 inches for the 0-6 months size and 23 inches for the 9-12 months size, with corresponding lengths of 11 and 12 inches respectively.

Materials and Tools

This project requires minimal yardage, using just one 100-gram ball each of two colors of Plymouth Yarn's Jelli Beenz yarn. The pattern offers two colorway options: a red and light blue combination, or a red and dark blue combination. Construction requires US size 6 and US size 8 knitting needles, along with five buttons for closure. Button options are specified by Dill Button product numbers: blue version (201052) or red/blue version (211603).

Gauge and Stitch Specifications

The pattern is worked to a gauge of 18 stitches over 4 inches using US size 8 needles in stockinette stitch, or whatever needle size is necessary to achieve this gauge. Proper gauge is essential for obtaining the correct finished measurements.

Construction Techniques

The cardigan employs a thoughtful two-color construction method that creates visual interest while maintaining structural integrity. The garment is built in three main pieces: a back and two front panels.

Back Panel

The back is constructed with a split-color cast-on technique. Using smaller needles, the crafter casts on stitches in Color B first, then immediately casts on the same number of stitches in Color A, creating two distinct color sections side by side. The piece begins with 6 rows of garter stitch worked in the round of color sections, with colors twisted on the wrong side of the fabric to prevent gaps. On the final garter stitch row, one stitch is increased in each color section to establish a total of 48 stitches (54 for the larger size), divided evenly between the two colors. The work then transitions to larger needles and continues in stockinette stitch, maintaining the color separation throughout. Colors are twisted at the center of each row on the wrong side to create a neat join. The back continues until the piece reaches the full length of 11 or 12 inches, then each color section is bound off separately and loosely.

Right Front Panel

The right front is worked in a single color (Color A) using smaller needles initially. After casting on 23 or 25 stitches depending on size, the piece is worked in garter stitch for 6 rows, with stitches increased evenly across the final row to reach 24 or 27 stitches. The work then transitions to larger needles and stockinette stitch. At 8½ inches (or 9½ inches for the larger size), neck shaping begins with a bind-off of 5 or 6 stitches at the neck edge. Following this initial bind-off, one stitch is decreased at the neck edge on every alternate row for 4 consecutive decreases, leaving 15 or 17 stitches. The piece continues in stockinette stitch without further shaping until it matches the back length, then is bound off loosely.

Left Front Panel

The left front mirrors the right front in construction but uses Color B and reverses the shaping sequence. It is cast on with the same stitch count and worked identically through the garter stitch ribbing and transition to stockinette stitch. Neck shaping begins at the same measurement (8½ or 9½ inches) but occurs on a right-side row. The bind-off and subsequent decreases mirror the right front, resulting in matching finished dimensions and stitch counts.

Stitches Used

• Garter Stitch: Created by knitting every row, this textured stitch forms the ribbed edging at the lower edge of all pieces and provides a neat, finished appearance
• Stockinette Stitch: The primary stitch throughout the body of the cardigan, created by alternating knit rows on the right side with purl rows on the wrong side, producing a smooth, classic fabric
• Color Twisting: A technique used to join two colors working side by side without creating holes or gaps; colors are twisted around each other on the wrong side of the fabric

Finishing Details

The cardigan is designed to close with five buttons, providing a classic front closure