Willow & Lark Kitty Cardigan Knitting Pattern

Willow & Lark Kitty Cardigan: Floral Fairisle Knit Cardigan for Children

What is Being Made

The Kitty Cardigan is a children's cardigan designed by Willow & Lark, available in four sizes to fit ages 2-3, 4-5, 6-7, and 8-9 years. The finished garment features a floral fairisle pattern and is constructed as a top-down knitted cardigan with button front closure. Finished chest measurements range from 62 cm (24½ inches) for the smallest size to 78 cm (30¾ inches) for the largest size, with length measurements from 35 cm (13¾ inches) to 48 cm (19 inches) measured to the back neck.

Knitting Techniques Used

This advanced-level cardigan employs several sophisticated knitting techniques to create its finished structure and decorative elements:

• Stranded Colorwork (Fairisle): The pattern features floral fairisle design work, a traditional technique where multiple yarn colors are carried across the back of the work to create intricate patterned designs. This technique requires careful tension management to ensure the carried yarns do not pucker the fabric or create loose loops.
• Top-Down Construction: The cardigan is knitted from the top down, beginning at the neckline and working downward to the hem. This construction method allows for easy fitting adjustments and seamless integration of increases for shaping.
• Seamed Assembly: After the main pieces are knitted, seaming techniques are used to join the sleeves to the body and close underarm seams, creating a polished, finished garment.
• Buttonhole Placement: The cardigan features strategically placed buttonholes along the front opening, requiring precise stitch manipulation to create functional openings for buttons.
• Button Attachment: The finished cardigan is completed with button attachment along the front bands, with 5 to 6 buttons required depending on the size being knitted.

Stitches and Stitch Patterns

The Kitty Cardigan is primarily constructed using fundamental knitting stitches combined to create texture and structure:

• Stocking Stitch: The main body fabric is worked in stocking stitch (knit on right-side rows, purl on wrong-side rows), creating a smooth, classic knitted surface that provides an ideal canvas for the fairisle colorwork.
• Fairisle Pattern: Floral motifs are created using the stranded fairisle technique, requiring knitters to work with multiple colors in single rows while carrying unused colors across the back of the work.

Yarn and Materials

The Kitty Cardigan pattern calls for Willow & Lark Poetry yarn, a 50-gram (1¾ ounce) per ball weight. The pattern requires seven different yarn colors to create the floral fairisle design:

• Lake Blue 611 (M): The main color, requiring 3 to 5 balls depending on size
• Garnet 614 (A): Accent color, 1 ball for all sizes
• Heather 618 (B): Accent color, 1 ball for all sizes
• Peashoot Green 606 (C): Accent color, 1 ball for all sizes
• Rhubarb Pink 616 (D): Accent color, 1 ball for all sizes
• Verdigris Green 608 (E): Accent color, 1 ball for all sizes
• Buttercup 605 (F): Accent color, 1 ball for all sizes
• Clotted Cream 600 (G): Secondary color, requiring 2 to 4 balls depending on size

Needles and Notions

The pattern requires three different needle sizes to achieve proper gauge and fabric structure:

• 3.25mm (US 3) Knitting Needles: Used for ribbed edgings and cuffs to create elastic, fitted edges
• 4.00mm (US 6) Knitting Needles: The main working needle size for stocking stitch sections, achieving a gauge of