Willow & Lark Alice Cardigan Knitting Pattern

Willow & Lark Alice Cardigan: Cable & Lace Knit Pattern

What Is Being Made

The Alice Cardigan is a children's knitted cardigan from the Fledgling Collection, designed for ages 2-3 through 8-9 years with chest sizes ranging from 56cm to 71cm (22 to 28 inches). This garment features a distinctive peplum effect created through adapted lace patterning, combined with a two-stitch cable body pattern and frilled edging throughout. The cardigan is a button-front closure style suitable for everyday wear across multiple age ranges.

Techniques Used

The Alice Cardigan employs several intermediate-level knitting techniques to create its visual interest and structure:

• Cable knitting: A two-stitch cable pattern forms the primary body design, adding texture and dimension to the cardigan
• Lace work: Decorative lace patterning is incorporated and strategically adapted to create the signature swishy peplum effect at the hem
• Seaming: Pieces are seamed together to construct the finished garment, requiring careful finishing techniques
• Frilled edging: Decorative frilled edges are worked throughout the design for added visual appeal

Stitches and Stitch Work

The pattern is worked primarily in stocking stitch as the base fabric, with cable stitches and lace stitches creating the decorative elements. The tension is measured at 22 stitches and 30 rows to 10cm (4 inches) over stocking stitch, ensuring proper sizing and drape of the finished cardigan. The lace pattern is specifically adapted from the Alice dress design to create the peplum decrease effect unique to this cardigan style.

Materials and Tools

The Alice Cardigan is designed to be knitted using Willow & Lark Nest yarn, a premium DK-weight yarn composed of 69% wool, 11% cashmere, and 20% tencel. This fiber blend provides softness, warmth, and drape appropriate for children's wear. Yarn quantities vary by size, ranging from 5 to 6 balls of 50g (1¾oz) per ball depending on the size being knitted.

Suggested colorways include Buttercup (210) and Mushroom (207), offering neutral and warm tone options. The pattern recommends using Nest yarn specifically to achieve the finished appearance shown in the design photographs, as fiber content, weight, twist, and composition directly impact the garment's final look.

Knitting needles required include one pair of 3.25mm (UK 10 / US 3) needles and one pair of 4.00mm (UK 8 / US 6) needles, with the larger needles used for the main fabric to achieve proper tension. The cardigan requires 5 to 6 buttons depending on size for the front closure.

Pattern Format and Difficulty

This is a downloadable PDF pattern suitable for intermediate-level knitters. The pattern provides instructions for the smallest size with bracketed changes for larger sizes included throughout. Clear abbreviations and skill requirements are outlined, listing cables and lace as the essential techniques needed to successfully complete this project.