Willow & Lark Charley Child's Cardigan Knitting Pattern

Willow & Lark Charley Child's Cardigan

What is Being Made

The Charley Child's Cardigan is a moss stitch detailed cardigan designed for children aged 2-7 years. This garment is part of the Strath Collection from Willow & Lark and features a classic button-front closure suitable for everyday wear. The cardigan is available in five size options, ranging from 2-3 years through to 6-7 years, with finished back widths spanning from 32cm to 37cm and lengths from 40cm to 48cm.

Techniques Used

The Charley Child's Cardigan employs several intermediate-level knitting techniques that create both visual interest and structural integrity. The garment is worked flat on straight needles rather than in the round, allowing for straightforward construction and shaping. Buttonholes are incorporated into the front bands to accommodate the button closures, which are a key functional and decorative element of the design. The finished pieces are seamed together to join the body, sleeves, and bands, creating clean, professional seams. Cable details add textural depth to the design, complementing the moss stitch pattern work that features prominently throughout the garment.

Stitches Used

The primary stitch used in this cardigan is moss stitch, which creates a dense, textured fabric with excellent drape and durability—ideal for children's garments. Moss stitch, also known as seed stitch in American terminology, is created by alternating knit and purl stitches in a checkerboard pattern, producing a reversible fabric with visual texture on both sides. The pattern also incorporates stocking stitch (stockinette stitch) as a foundational stitch for shaping and structure. Cable details add dimensional interest through twisted stitch techniques that create raised, rope-like patterns across the fabric surface.

Materials and Tools

The Charley Child's Cardigan is knitted using Willow & Lark Strath yarn in Cornflower Blue, a worsted-weight yarn supplied in 100g/3½oz balls. Yarn requirements vary by size, ranging from 4 balls for the smaller sizes (3-4, 4-5, and 5-6 years) to 5 balls for the largest size (6-7 years), with the smallest size (2-3 years) requiring 4 balls. The pattern calls for two pairs of knitting needles: 5mm (US 8) needles and 6mm (US 10) needles, allowing for ribbed edgings worked at a tighter gauge and main fabric worked at a looser gauge for better drape. The tension is measured at 15 stitches and 20 rows over a 10cm square in stocking stitch using the 6mm needles. Four or five buttons are required depending on the size selected, serving as both functional closures and design features on the front bands.