Yearling Cardigan Knitting Pattern

Yearling Cardigan in Juniper Moon Yearling

What is Being Made

The Yearling cardigan is a charming drop-sleeve a-line hoodie designed for infants and toddlers, sized to fit children aged approximately 0–3 months through 24 months. This knitted garment features a playful design element with lamb ears on the hood and functional toggle button closures, making it both decorative and practical for babies and young children. The finished chest circumference ranges from 20 inches (51 cm) for the smallest size to 24½ inches (62 cm) for the largest size.

Techniques Used

The Yearling cardigan employs several intermediate knitting techniques to create its finished structure. The body and sleeves are worked separately using flat knitting on circular needles, then seamed together before the hood is added. This modular construction approach allows for easier shaping and fitting adjustments. The hood, ears, and trim are added after the main body is assembled, which streamlines the overall construction process. Decreases are strategically placed to create the a-line shaping, with the pattern utilizing decrease rounds that work symmetrically on both sides of marked seams. The garter stitch trim provides a finished, professional edge and adds textural interest to the garment.

Stitches Used

• Stockinette Stitch (St st): The primary stitch used for the body and sleeves, creating a smooth, classic fabric
• Garter Stitch: Used for the initial cast-on edge and trim details, providing a textured, reversible finish
• Make One (M1): An increase technique used to add stitches, particularly in the hood shaping
• Slip, Slip, Knit (SSK) and Knit Two Together (K2tog): Paired decrease stitches that create symmetrical shaping on either side of the seam markers
• Slip Purlwise: A technique used at the beginning of rows to create a neat selvage edge for seaming

Materials and Notions

This pattern requires Juniper Moon Farm Yearling yarn in color #01 Snowball, with yardage quantities ranging from 3 hanks for the smallest sizes (0–3 and 6–9 months) to 5 hanks for the largest size (24 months). Knitting needles required include US 10 (6mm) and US 10½ (6.5mm) circular needles measuring 24 inches (60 cm) in length, along with sets of 4 or 5 double-pointed needles (dpn) for working smaller circumferences. Additional notions include stitch markers for tracking pattern sections, a tapestry needle for seaming, 3 stitch holders or waste yarn for holding stitches during construction, and 2 wooden toggle buttons measuring 1¼ inches (30 mm) for the front closure. The pattern specifies a gauge of 14 stitches and 18 rows over 4 inches (10 cm) in stockinette stitch on the larger needles after blocking, which is essential for achieving the correct finished measurements.