Inspired by the designs in some 1980’s pattern books given to me by a lovely friend, I decided to have a go at making something prettier than my usual designs. Though of course without the seams and separate neck and button bands that were the norm back then.

Like all minimal knits | DESIGNED baby cardigans, this one is made top down and when the knitting is finished all we have to do is weave in the ends and sew on the buttons.

A sweet little neckline made with a picot cast on (which anyone who can cast on and cast off can easily do) together with an eyelet row to (optionally) slide in some ribbon - as I remember doing on baby knits many decades ago - makes it rather pretty. But at the same time the cardigan is almost entirely in garter stitch to make it thick and cosy. And I also kept the sleeves wide and roomy but with neat cuffs so they don’t slide up when baby is waving their arms about. The pictured cardigan was made using Bendigo Woollen Mills 8ply Luxury 100% machine washable wool, in the colour Baby Mint.

Skill Level Easy… even though it might include a technique you haven’t used before, the pattern contains simple, straightforward instructions and notes on where to look for more information.

Sizing 0-3 months (3-6 months, 6-12 months, 12-18 months, 18-24 months)

Measurements
Chest approximately 47 (49, 53, 57, 61) cm – 18 (19, 21, 22, 24) inches, including 8 (8, 10, 11, 12) cm – 3 (3, 4, 4½, 4¾) inches of positive ease
Length from centre back neck edge to hem: 25, (27, 29, 31, 33) cm – 9⅞ (10⅞, 11½, 12¼, 13⅛) inches
Sleeves: 15.5 (16.5, 19, 20.5, 21.5) cm – 6 (6½, 7½, 8, 8½) inches from underarm

Materials needed
312 (351, 410, 469, 528) metres – 342 (384, 448, 514, 577) yards of DK/8 ply yarn
3 mm /US 2½ needles for the cast on
3.5 mm / US 4 needles for the neck
3.5 mm / US 4 dpns or circular needles (for magic loop) - depending on your preference for working the sleeve cuffs in the round
4 mm / US 6 needles for the body
4 mm / US 6 dpns or circular needles (suitable for magic loop) - depending on your preference for working the sleeves in the round
5mm – ¼ inch wide ribbon – optional, the pattern has suggestions on decorating the cardigan with ribbon, including length of ribbon required
5 cute buttons with diameter 15- 18mm / ⅝ - ¾ inch
6 stitch markers

Gauge
22 stitches = 10 cm / 4 inches