Sirdar 4906 Cardigans Knitting Pattern

Sirdar 4906 Snuggly Rascal DK Cardigans

What Is Being Made

This pattern provides instructions for knitting two styles of cardigans designed for infants and young children, ranging from birth to 7 years of age. The Sirdar 4906 pattern offers both a Round Neck Cardigan and a V Neck Cardigan, each available in six different size options to accommodate growing children from newborn through early childhood.

Garment Specifications and Sizing

The cardigans are sized to fit chest measurements from 41cm (16 inches) for newborns up to 66cm (26 inches) for 6-7 year olds. Actual finished measurements range from 45cm to 71cm across the chest, with full lengths varying from 24cm to 38cm depending on the selected size. Sleeve lengths are adjustable and range from 15cm to 33cm, allowing customization for individual fit.

Techniques Used

These cardigans are constructed using bottom-up knitting, meaning pieces are worked from the lower edge upward toward the shoulders and neckline. The garments are worked flat on straight needles rather than in the round, with pieces subsequently seamed together to create the finished cardigan. Lace patterning is incorporated throughout the design, adding decorative texture and visual interest to the finished garments.

Stitches and Pattern Work

The pattern employs fundamental knitting stitches including knit and purl stitches to create the lace pattern. Shaping is achieved through strategic increases and decreases, which are worked at specific points to create armholes, necklines, and proper garment silhouette. The pattern requires attention to stitch counts across multiple size options, with different stitch quantities specified for each age group to ensure proper fit and proportions.

Materials and Yarn Requirements

The pattern is designed for Sirdar Snuggly Rascal DK yarn, a double knitting weight yarn. The Round Neck Cardigan requires 2 to 5 balls of 50g in shade F219 452, depending on the selected size, while the V Neck Cardigan requires 2 to 5 balls of 50g in shade F219 458. The pattern notes that alternative Sirdar DK weight yarns are suitable, including Snuggly Baby Bamboo DK, Snuggly Baby Crofter DK, Snuggly Spots DK, Snuggly Pearls DK, and Snuggly DK, though yarn amounts may vary with substitutions.

Needles and Notions

Construction requires two pairs of knitting needles: 4mm needles (UK size 8, US size 6) for working the main pattern and 3¼mm needles (UK size 10, US size 3) for ribbed edgings and cuffs. Additional notions include stitch holders for managing stitches during construction and buttons for fastening: the Round Neck Cardigan requires 5 to 7 buttons depending on size, while the V Neck Cardigan requires 4 to 6 buttons.

Tension and Gauge

Achieving the correct tension is essential for successful completion of these cardigans. The pattern specifies a tension of 19 stitches and 32 rows to 10cm (4 inches) when working the pattern on 4mm needles. Knitters are instructed to check their tension swatch carefully before beginning; if fewer stitches appear in the gauge swatch, a thinner needle should be used, and if more stitches appear, a thicker needle should be selected to achieve the specified tension.

Construction Method

The cardigans follow a traditional seamed construction approach. The back and front pieces are worked separately from the bottom edge upward, with pattern shaping incorporated to create armholes and necklines. Sleeves are worked separately and later attached to the body through seaming. This method allows for precise shaping and fit adjustments specific to each size range, making these cardigans suitable for the wide age range from newborns to 7-year-olds.