Sirdar Bear Ear Cardigan Knitting Pattern

Sirdar Bear Ear Cardigan in Snuggly Bouclette

What is Being Made

This is a charming baby cardigan featuring adorable bear ears, designed for infants and toddlers aged 0-3 years. The cardigan comes in four size options: 0-6 months, 6-12 months, 1-2 years, and 2-3 years, with chest measurements ranging from 41 cm (16") to 56 cm (22"). The design showcases the distinctive bobbly texture of Snuggly Bouclette yarn, making the cute bear ear details particularly eye-catching and playful.

Techniques Used

This intermediate-level knitting pattern employs seamed construction with pieces worked flat on straight needles. The seamed approach means individual garment pieces are knitted separately and then joined together, allowing for precise shaping and a professional finish. Working flat (rather than in the round) on 4½mm (UK7 - USA7) needles provides straightforward row-by-row knitting, making this design accessible for intermediate knitters while still creating a polished, wearable garment.

Stitches Used

The pattern features stocking stitch as the primary stitch throughout the cardigan. Stocking stitch (also called stockinette stitch) creates the smooth, classic knit fabric that serves as the perfect canvas for showcasing the textured bouclette yarn. The bobbly nature of the yarn itself adds visual interest and dimension to the simple stitch structure, eliminating the need for complex stitch patterns while maintaining visual appeal.

Materials Required

This project requires Sirdar Snuggly Bouclette yarn in 50g balls. The yardage needed varies by size: 2 balls for 0-6 months, 3 balls for 6-12 months and 1-2 years, and 4 balls for 2-3 years. The yarn is a natural wool blend specifically developed to combine the fun textured effect of bouclette with a baby-soft touch, rigorously tested to be gentle on delicate infant skin. Snuggly Bouclette is available in twelve gentle shades, including the featured shade 122 Storm, plus alternatives such as 112 Biscuit, 001 Coconut, 107 Lagoon, and White.

Additional materials include 1 pair of 4½mm (UK7 - USA7) knitting needles and Sirdar Elegant Buttons (code B5611 - 0785): 3 buttons for the smallest two sizes and 4 buttons for the larger sizes. The pattern tension is 16 stitches and 23 rows over 10 cm (4") in stocking stitch, which is essential to achieve the correct finished measurements.

Design Heritage

This pattern (Design No. 5253) comes from Sirdar, a British yarn company established in West Yorkshire in 1880, with generations of heritage in hand knitting. The Sirdar Snuggly range is specifically trusted by families for keeping babies warm and comfortable with yarn that remains soft and gentle through repeated washing.