Striped Baby Cardigan Knitting Pattern

Striped Baby Cardigan in Plymouth Yarn Dandelion

What is Being Made

This is a striped baby cardigan designed for infants ranging from newborn to 18 months old. The garment features a classic button-front closure and is available in four graduated sizes to accommodate growth stages: 0-3 months, 3-6 months, 6-12 months, and 12-18 months. The cardigan is constructed with a structured fit, featuring a defined back panel, two front panels, set-in sleeves, and ribbed edging for a polished finish.

Garment Specifications

• Chest Measurement: 19", 20", 21", or 22" depending on size
• Length: 10", 11", 11½", or 12" from cast-on edge
• Sleeve Length: 6", 6½", 7½", or 8½"
• Button Closure: 4 buttons

Knitting Techniques Used

This pattern employs several fundamental knitting techniques suitable for intermediate knitters. The construction begins with 2x2 ribbing at the lower edge to create an elastic, fitted waistband. The main body is worked in stockinette stitch, which creates a smooth, flat fabric ideal for displaying the stripe pattern. Armhole shaping is achieved through strategic bind-offs and decreases worked on right-side rows to create a fitted sleeve cap. Neck shaping utilizes a series of decrease rows spaced at regular intervals to create a gentle neckline curve. Shoulder shaping employs stepped bind-offs to create a structured shoulder line. The pattern also incorporates even rows of knitting between decrease rows to maintain proper garment proportions.

Stripe Pattern

The cardigan features a repeating 12-row stripe pattern that creates visual interest and dimension. The pattern alternates between two contrasting colors: 6 rows worked in a light blue shade, followed immediately by 6 rows in a dark blue shade. This 12-row sequence repeats throughout the body of the garment, creating balanced horizontal stripes. The stripe pattern begins after the ribbed cuff and continues until the armhole shaping begins, allowing the stripes to frame the garment's main body.

Stitches Used

• Stockinette Stitch (st st): The primary stitch used for the main body, creating a smooth, professional appearance
• 2x2 Ribbing: Used for the cuff and waistband edges to provide elasticity and a finished look
• Knit Stitch (k): The fundamental stitch used throughout
• Purl Stitch (p): Used in ribbing and on wrong-side rows
• Slip, Slip, Knit Decrease (ssk): A left-leaning decrease used for shaping armholes and necklines
• Knit Two Together (k2tog): A right-leaning decrease used for balanced shaping
• Bind Off: Used to secure stitches at edges and during shoulder shaping

Materials and Tools

This pattern is designed specifically for Plymouth Yarn Dandelion, a yarn weight suitable for baby garments. The project requires three coordinating colors from this yarn line:

• Main Color (MC): Dandelion color 2001 in Cream—1 ball (50g) for all sizes
• Contrast Color 1 (CC1): Dandelion color 2003 in Light Blue—1 ball (50g) for sizes 0-3 and 3-6 months; 2 balls (50g each) for sizes 6-12 and 12-18 months
• Contrast Color 2 (CC2): Dandelion color 2009 in Dark Blue—1 ball (50g) for sizes 0-3 and 3-6 months; 2 balls (50g each) for sizes 6-12 and 12-18 months

Needles and Notions

• Size US 7