Specifications
| Brand: | Valley Yarns |
| Yarn Weight: | DK | Light Worsted |
| Designer: | Kirsten Hipsky |
| Craft: | Knitting |
| Format: | Downloadable PDF |
| Languages: | English |
| Number of Patterns: | 1 |
| Pages: | 2 |
| Skill Level: | Intermediate |
| Finished Size: | To Fit Chest: 16 to 22" |
| Techniques and Construction: | Seamed, Stripes, Worked In The Round |
| Pattern Code: | 634 |
Product Description
The Valley Yarns Maia Baby Cardigan uses a fun math trick to turn two matching garter stitch hexagons into a cardigan. The trick is that they aren’t really hexagons, but 3-dimensional shapes made of six right angles. Simple stripes wrap all the way around the outer edges of each hexagon to give clues to the astute observer about how it’s made. The 3-needle bind off used to join the pieces together, in the end, is sturdy but can be undone in order to be worked on again to keep the cardigan growing right along with the baby. Two buttoning straps are attached to either front to suit any gender. You'll want to make Maia Baby Blanket, the coordinating blanket to make this the perfect baby shower gift!
Finished Measurements: 16 (18, 20, 22)”
Yarn Requirements: shown in
size 16”
Valley Yarns Longmeadow
(60% Cotton/ 40% Microfiber, 50g/117yds)
Color A – 2
(2, 3, 3) skeins shown in Winter Lake
Color B – 1 skein for all
sizes shown in Seafoam
Color C – 1 skein for all
sizes shown in Lettuce
Needles: two US 5 (3.75mm) 32” circular
Gauge: 22 sts and 44 rows = 4” in garter stitch
Note: The original yarn recommended for this
pattern has been discontinued. We suggest Valley Yarns Conway as a
substitution.
This pattern is also available in the Valley Yarns Spring Baby Sets eBook.
Valley Yarns Maia Baby Cardigan
What is Being Made
The Maia Baby Cardigan is a cleverly engineered knit cardigan for babies, available in four finished sizes: 16", 18", 20", and 22". Designed by Kirsten Hipsky, this garment uses an innovative geometric construction method that transforms two matching garter stitch hexagons into a complete cardigan. The design incorporates simple stripes that wrap around the outer edges of each hexagon, providing visual interest while also serving as construction guides. Two buttoning straps are attached to either front, making the cardigan suitable for any gender. A key feature of this design is its ability to grow with the baby—the 3-needle bind off used to join pieces can be undone and reworked to extend the cardigan as needed.
Techniques Used
This intermediate-level project employs several key knitting techniques:
- Worked in the Round: The hexagon pieces are constructed using circular needles and stitch markers to manage increases at marked intervals, creating the dimensional hexagonal shapes.
- Seamed Construction: The two hexagon pieces are joined together using a 3-needle bind off, which creates a sturdy seam that can be carefully undone if needed to accommodate growth.
- Striping: Simple color stripes are incorporated around the outer edges of each hexagon, adding visual design elements and serving as construction reference points.
- Increases: The pattern uses kfb (knit in the front and back) increases at specific intervals marked with stitch markers to create the hexagon's geometric shape.
Stitches Used
The Maia Baby Cardigan is primarily worked in garter stitch, which is created by knitting every row. This fundamental stitch provides a textured, reversible fabric that is ideal for baby garments. The pattern also incorporates kfb (knit in the front and back of stitch) increases to shape the hexagonal pieces. A 3-needle bind off is used as the finishing technique to join the two hexagon pieces together securely.
Materials and Tools
The Maia Baby Cardigan is knit using Valley Yarns Longmeadow, a soft blend of 60% cotton and 40% microfiber. The yarn is worked at a gauge of 5.5 stitches and 11 rows per 1 inch in garter stitch. Yardage requirements vary by size: the 16" size requires 2 skeins of Winter Lake (color A), while the 18", 20", and 22" sizes require 3 skeins of color A. All sizes require 1 skein each of Seafoam (color B) and Lettuce (color C) for the striping details.
The project requires two US size 5 (3.75mm) circular needles measuring 32 inches in length, or the size needed to achieve the specified gauge. Additional materials include 5 stitch markers to track increases during hexagon construction and a spare needle for working the 3-needle bind off during finishing. Four buttons are needed to complete the front straps.
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