First Bloom Cardigan by Ariana Ascherl

First Bloom Cardigan

Knitting
March 2014
Worsted (9 wpi) ?
13 stitches and 19 rows
in stockinette stitch = 3 inches
US 7 - 4.5 mm
4.0 mm (G)
190 - 600 yards (174 - 549 m)
12-24 months, 3 years, 4 years, 5 years
English
This pattern is available as a free Ravelry download

The coolness of cotton makes a wonderful layering piece for your little one in the unpredictable weather of spring! The “Rose” pattern combines knitting for the sweater and crochet for embellishments, but for the hook-phobic, the “Carnation” pattern is all-knitting! So far, I have sizing for 12-24 months and 3 years. I hope to have even more sizes available in future.
Both the Carnation and the Rose will look lovely in either of the two worsted-weight cotton yarns suggested, or any other worsted weight cotton or cotton-blend of your choosing.

Size:
12-24 months (3 years, 4 years, 5 years) Rose shown in size 12-24 months, Carnation shown in size 3 years, Chrysanthemum shown in size 5 years.

Finished Measurements:
Chest: 20 (22, 24, 26) in.
Length: Center Back 12 (13, 14, 15) in. , Sleeve (neck to cuff) 12 (13, 14, 15) in.

Materials:
Suggested Yarns:
Rose Cardigan: Lily Sugar’n’ Cream (100% Cotton, 120yd per 70g ball) in Rose Pink, 2 (3, 4, 5) balls, or
Knit Picks Dishie (100% Cotton, 190 yd per 100g skein) in Begonia, 1 (2, 2, 3) skeins, or
any worsted weight cotton or cotton-blend yarn of your choosing.
Carnation Cardigan: Lily Sugar’n’ Cream (100% Cotton, 120 yd per 70g ball) in Country Red, 2(3, 4, 5) balls, or
Knit Picks Dishie (100% Cotton, 190 yd per 100g skein) in Fiesta Red, 1 (2, 2, 3) skeins, or
any worsted weight cotton or cotton-blend yarn of your choosing.
Chrysanthemum Cardigan: Lily Sugar’n’ Cream (100% Cotton, 120 yd per 70g ball) in Yellow, 2 (3, 4, 5) balls, or Knit Picks Dishie (100% Cotton, 190 yd per 100g skein) in Creme Brulee, 1 (2, 2, 3) skeins, or any worsted weight cotton or cotton-blend yarn of your choosing.

Recommended Needle Size:
For all cardigans:
US #7/4.5mm 24” or longer ccircular needles
1 set US #7/4.5mm double-point needles
Rose and Chrysanthemum Cardigans: Size G/4.25mm crochet hook
Notions:
4 stitch markers
1 button, approx ½ in. diameter (or size that will fit your buttonhole)
Yarn needle
2 stitch holders or scrap yarn

Gauge:
13 stitches/19 rows = 3 inches in stockinette

Pattern Notes:
Sweater is worked top-down from neck. Raglan sleeves and front are increased from cast-on edge, then are divided by placing the sleeve stitches on holders and working the remainder of the body. The shaping of the front and bottom edges of the cardigan is made with a combination of increases, decreases, and short rows. The sleeves are then worked in the round. To finish, the edgings are worked onto the cast-on, bind-off and selvage edges of the cardigan. The flowers are worked separately and sewn on.