Willow & Lark Martha Cardigan Knitting Pattern

Willow & Lark Martha Cardigan: Cable & Lace Knit Pattern

What Is Being Made

The Martha Cardigan is a children's cable and lace 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 classic button-front closure with fitted sleeves and a structured silhouette. Finished chest measurements range from 63 cm (24¾ inches) for the smallest size to 79 cm (31 inches) for the largest, with length to shoulder ranging from 35 cm (13¾ inches) to 48 cm (19 inches).

Techniques Used

This intermediate-level knitting project employs several key construction techniques to create visual interest and structure. The cardigan is worked flat on straight needles rather than in the round, allowing for traditional seaming to join pieces together. Cable work features prominently throughout the design, creating raised, twisted stitch patterns that add texture and dimension. Lace stitches are incorporated to provide delicate openwork sections that contrast with the denser cable areas. The garment features buttonholes positioned along the front opening to accommodate buttons, and seamed construction joins the front, back, and sleeve pieces together for a polished finish.

Stitches and Stitch Techniques

The Martha Cardigan relies on fundamental and decorative knitting stitches to achieve its design. Stocking stitch (knit on right-side rows, purl on wrong-side rows) forms the base fabric and is used to measure tension at 22 stitches and 30 rows over 10 cm (4 inches). Cable stitches are created using cable needle techniques, including C2B (cable 2 back: slip one stitch to cable needle, leave at back, knit one, then knit one from cable needle) and C2F (cable 2 front: slip one stitch to cable needle, leave at front, knit one, then knit one from cable needle). Additional abbreviations referenced include knit (k), purl (p), yarn forward (yfwd), yarn round needle (yrn), slip stitches, increases, decreases, and pattern repeats, all standard elements of intermediate cable and lace knitting.

Materials: Yarn and Tools

The Martha Cardigan pattern specifies Willow & Lark Poetry yarn in the Heather colorway as the recommended fiber. Yarn requirements are 5 balls for sizes 2–3 and 4–5 years, and 6 balls for sizes 6–7 and 8–9 years, with each ball weighing 50 grams (1¾ ounces). The pattern requires two pairs of knitting needles: 3.25 mm (US 3) needles for ribbing and edge work, and 4.00 mm (US 6) needles for the main fabric. Finishing the cardigan requires 5 or 6 buttons depending on size (5 buttons for the two smallest sizes, 6 buttons for the two largest sizes). The pattern notes that using yarn other than the recommended Willow & Lark Poetry may affect the finished garment's appearance and fit.

Pattern Notes

Instructions are provided for the smallest size (2–3 years), with adjustments for larger sizes indicated in parentheses throughout. Where only one figure appears without parentheses, that measurement or instruction applies to all sizes. A figure of 0 indicates that no stitches, rows, or repeats are worked for a particular size. Pattern repeats are marked with square brackets and should be repeated the specified number of times as directed in the instructions.