Valley Yarns Genevieve Baby Cardigan Knitting Pattern

Valley Yarns Genevieve Baby Cardigan

What Is Being Made

The Genevieve Baby Cardigan is a soft, machine-washable baby cardigan designed by Kirsten Hipsky. This adorable garment features a simple construction method and comes in four finished sizes: 16, 18, 20, and 22 inches. The cardigan is suitable for babies and showcases a classic, timeless design that works for both boys and girls.

Construction Method

This cardigan uses an efficient one-piece "up and over" construction, which means the entire garment is knitted as a single connected piece rather than as separate components that are later sewn together. The sweater is worked flat on straight needles, and the finished pieces are seamed to close any necessary edges. This approach minimizes seaming work while maintaining structural integrity and a polished finished appearance.

Knitting Techniques

• Garter stitch throughout the entire cardigan for a textured, reversible fabric
• Yarn over (yo) and knit 2 together (k2tog) for creating decorative buttonholes
• Cast on and bind off methods for shaping sleeves and neckline
• Buttonhole placement worked at regular intervals along the front button band

Stitches Used

The cardigan is constructed almost entirely in garter stitch, which is created by knitting every row. This stitch creates a bumpy, textured fabric with excellent drape and stretch, making it ideal for baby garments. Garter stitch is also reversible, so both sides of the fabric look identical. The only stitch variation occurs at the buttonholes, where yarn overs and knit 2 together decreases are used to create functional openings for buttons.

Materials and Yarn

This pattern requires 1 skein of Valley Yarns Leyden, a practical and durable yarn blend. The yarn composition is 75% Superwash Merino Wool and 25% Nylon, which provides softness, durability, and easy care. Each skein contains 100 grams and yields 437 yards of yardage, providing sufficient material for the entire cardigan across all four sizes. The Superwash Merino content ensures the finished garment is machine washable, a critical feature for baby clothing that requires frequent laundering.

Needles and Gauge

US size 5 (3.75mm) needles are recommended, though the pattern allows for adjustment based on individual gauge. The target gauge is 6 stitches and 12 rows equal 1 inch in garter stitch. Achieving proper gauge is essential for obtaining the correct finished measurements across all four size options.

Notions and Finishing

The cardigan requires 5 buttons for closure along the front button band. Buttonholes are spaced evenly throughout the garment, with the first buttonhole worked 0.25 inches from the neckline and subsequent buttonholes repeated every 1.5 to 2.25 inches (depending on size) to accommodate all five buttons.

Sizing and Finished Dimensions

The pattern provides four finished size options: 16, 18, 20, and 22 inches. Each size features proportional adjustments to stitch counts, row lengths, and sleeve widths, ensuring proper fit across the range. The back measures approximately 4.5 to 6 inches in length (depending on size), while sleeves are designed to measure 7 to 10 inches wide from cast-on edge.