Sirdar Lace Coats Cardigan Knitting Pattern

Sirdar Lace Coats Design No 5359

What is Being Made

This is a collection of baby coats designed for infants aged 0-24 months, available in both long-sleeved and short-sleeved variations. The coats are tailored specifically for the youngest wearers, with sizes ranging from newborn (0-3 months) through 18-24 months. Each coat features a classic button-front closure with two buttons, making them practical garments for keeping babies warm while allowing easy dressing and undressing. The designs are part of the Sirdar Snuggly collection, a trusted brand established in West Yorkshire in 1880, known for creating gentle, skin-friendly knitwear for infants.

Techniques Used

These coats are constructed using several key knitting techniques that create both structure and visual interest. The bottom-up construction method allows knitters to begin at the lower edge and work upward toward the shoulders, making it easier to achieve proper fit and length. The garments feature lace patterning, which adds delicate texture and visual appeal while maintaining breathability—an important feature for baby garments. Stripe work is incorporated into the design, creating horizontal bands of color variation throughout the coat. The pieces are worked flat on straight needles rather than in the round, and are then seamed together, allowing for precise shaping and professional finishing. This combination of techniques results in garments with refined construction suitable for delicate baby skin.

Stitches Used

While specific stitch abbreviations are not detailed in the provided pattern information, the lace elements suggest the use of yarn overs and decreases to create openwork patterns. The stripe work indicates alternating rows or sections of different colors. The seamed construction implies the use of stockinette stitch or similar foundational stitches that provide a smooth, even fabric suitable for babies. The double knitting weight yarn used throughout ensures adequate stitch definition so that lace motifs and color changes remain clearly visible.

Materials

These coats are knitted using Sirdar Snuggly Baby Bamboo, a double knitting weight yarn. This yarn is spun from a blend of natural bamboo and wool fibers, creating an exceptionally smooth texture with beautiful stitch definition. Bamboo fiber is prized for baby garments because it is naturally hypoallergenic, breathable, and remains soft and gentle even after repeated washing—essential qualities for sensitive infant skin. The yarn is available in soft, gentle shades including Coo (shade 148), Peony (shade 110), Lemonade (shade 116), and Deckster Blue (shade 120).

Yarn requirements vary by size and sleeve length. For the long-sleeved coat, Yarn A (main color) requires 3-6 balls depending on size, while Yarn B (contrast color for stripes) requires 1 ball for all sizes. The short-sleeved version uses slightly less yarn, with Yarn A requiring 3-5 balls. Standard knitting needles appropriate for double knitting weight yarn are used, along with two buttons per coat for fastening.

Size Range and Measurements

The pattern accommodates six different age ranges, ensuring proper fit throughout the first two years of life. Chest measurements range from 42 cm (16½ inches) for newborns to 56 cm (22 inches) for 18-24 month-old babies. Full length varies from 28 cm (11 inches) to 40 cm (15¾ inches). Long sleeves range from 16 cm (6¼ inches) to 25 cm (9¾ inches) in length, while short sleeves measure a consistent 2 cm (¾ inch) across all sizes. These carefully graded measurements ensure that babies have comfortable, well-fitting coats that grow with them through their first two years.