Sirdar Lace Cardigans Knitting Pattern

Sirdar Lace Cardigans for Babies (Design N° 5345)

What is Being Made

These are baby cardigans designed for infants aged 0-24 months, offered in two distinct neckline styles: a Round Neck Cardigan and a V Neck Cardigan. The designs feature delicate lace detailing combined with classic nursery aesthetics, making them suitable for everyday wear and special occasions. Both styles are available in multiple size ranges to accommodate growth from newborn through 24 months, with chest measurements ranging from 42 cm to 56 cm and full lengths from 25 cm to 36 cm.

Techniques Used

These cardigans are constructed using bottom-up knitting, 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 sections are seamed together to create the complete garment. The incorporation of lace patterning adds visual interest and texture while maintaining the breathability appropriate for baby garments. This combination of techniques creates a garment with refined stitch definition and a polished, finished appearance.

Stitches and Lace Details

While specific stitch abbreviations are referenced in the pattern instructions, the designs emphasize lace work as a primary decorative element. The lace patterns are integrated throughout the cardigans to create delicate, openwork sections that showcase the yarn's silky-smooth qualities. The use of lace stitches requires intermediate knitting skill, as indicated by the pattern's intermediate difficulty level, and demands careful attention to stitch counts and yarn overs to maintain pattern integrity.

Materials: Yarn and Needles

The cardigans are knitted using Sirdar Snuggly Soothing, a double knitting (DK) weight yarn in 100g balls. This acrylic yarn is specifically formulated to be gentle on delicate baby skin while providing excellent stitch definition that highlights the lace patterns. The yarn is available in beautiful nursery shades including:

• Shade 103 Cream
• Shade 107 Grey
• Shade 104 Mint
• Shade 101 Lilac

The Round Neck Cardigan is shown in shade 103 Cream, while the V Neck Cardigan is featured in shade 100. Yarn requirements range from 2 balls for the smallest sizes (0-3 months) to 3 balls for the largest sizes (18-24 months).

Construction requires two pairs of knitting needles: a pair of 4mm needles (UK size 8, USA size 6) for the main fabric and a pair of 3¼mm needles (UK size 10, USA size 3) for ribbed edgings and cuffs. The smaller needle size creates a tighter gauge for the ribbed sections, ensuring they hold their shape during wear and washing.

Additional Components

Each cardigan is finished with Sirdar Elegant Buttons (Button Reference Code B5611-0047). The Round Neck Cardigan requires 5-6 buttons depending on size, while the V Neck Cardigan requires 4-5 buttons, with larger sizes needing additional buttons for proper closure and security.

Care and Quality Assurance

Sirdar Snuggly Soothing is an easy-care acrylic yarn that combines practical washability with a premium feel. The yarn has been rigorously tested to ensure it remains soft and gentle wash after wash, making these cardigans ideal for frequent laundering. Established in West Yorkshire in 1880, Sirdar brings generations of hand knitting heritage to these contemporary baby designs, with patterns triple-checked to guarantee success for knitters of intermediate skill level.