Aria is 4.5 years old in the first three photos (11/22/21) and 5.5 years old in the fourth photo (9/24/22).

My gauge was larger than the pattern’s, so I followed the 2-3 year stitch count for the back and fronts for a finished chest measurement of 26” instead of 25.5”. For some reason this cardigan is 16” long instead of 16.5” long.

I used the striped pocket and unicorn horn from Mystical Unicorn Hoodie.

I used the ears and mane from King Cole #5036.

I used a long tail cast on, started with a WS row, and worked 10 rows of rib instead of 9.

Back Raglan Shaping: BO 3 sts twice, work 4 rows dec every row, work 28 rows dec every RS row to 25 sts

Front Raglan and Neck Shaping: work per pattern size 2-3 years

Sleeves: cast on 39 sts, work 10 rows rib, decrease to 34 sts, increase on 3rd and every following 6th row to 46 sts, increase every following 10th row to 50 sts, work even to 11.5”

Sleeve Raglan Shaping: BO 3 sts twice, dec every RS row to 12 sts

Button Bands: I picked up 83 sts (about 5 sts for every 6 rows). I made six buttonholes instead of five and used YO buttonholes instead of BO buttonholes. I worked the buttonholes on row 4: rib 3, k2tog, YO, rib 13, k2tog, YO…rib 3.

Hood: I cast on 23 sts, knit 26 sts from 25 back neck sts, cast on 23 sts - 72 sts. For the hood border I picked up 107 sts: 42 sts each side (3 sts for every 4 rows), 23 sts across top.

Pockets: I followed the stitch and row counts for size 2-3 years. I worked the first two rows in cream and then four row stripes of the other colors. I held the green and turquoise yarn double. I worked the decreases one stitch in from the edge. I used the slip knot technique to change colors. To attach the pocket lining to the pocket front I whipstitched from the WS and to attach the pocket front to the cardigan I used mattress stitch from the RS.

Ears: I cast on 17 sts instead of 21 sts and knit 7 rows before decreasing instead of 12 rows. I decreased per the pattern, working the decreases one stitch in from the edge until 5 sts remained. Next row: k1, k3tog, k1. Last row: p3tog.

Mane: I made 5 fringes, each with 10 strands of yarn. I attached them 4 rows apart. I trimmed the fringe to 7” long. I used Fray Check on the yarn ends.

I used six 3/4” buttons from Joann Fabrics.

Measurements:

• Chest: 26” (to fit 24”)
• Length: 16”
• Sleeve Length: 11.5”
• Upper Arm: 9.5”
• Lower Arm: 6.5”
• Hood: 16.5” wide x 8” tall

Total Cost: $11.78

• Cream Yarn: $6.98
• Sparkle Pink Yarn: $0.82
• Other Yarn: stash
• Buttons: $3.98