Plain Cardigan Pattern | Girl's and Boy's Versions

This free pattern originally published in:

MATERIALS:
Our original cardigans were knitted with Beehive Caressa and used 6 ozs. (4 and 6 yrs.—8 ozs.) (8 yrs.—10 ozs.). Some were also made with P & B Speedwell, Quick Knit Wool and used 8 ozs. (4 yrs.—8 ozs.) (6 yrs.—10 ozs.) (8 yrs.—12 ozs.). By being careful to use one or other of these two wools, you will be sure of being able to produce the tension and sizes given in the instructions. You will also need: Two No. 6 and two No. 4 Beehive Knitting Needles. 7 Buttons.

MEASUREMENTS:	2 yrs.	4 yrs.	6 yrs.	8 yrs.
Chest measurement of child	21 ins.	23 ins.	24 ins.	26 ins.
Chest measurement of cardigan	22 ins.	24 ins.	25 ins.	27 ins.
Length from top of shoulder	13 ins.	14 ins.	15½ ins.	16½ ins.
Length of sleeve underarm seam	9 ins.	11 ins.	13 ins.	14 ins.

Tension: 4 sts. = 1 inch and 11 rows = 2 ins. with No. 4 needles in Stocking st.
The instructions are written for size 2 yrs. Any changes necessary for sizes 4, 6 and 8 yrs. are written in brackets thus:—( ).

LEFT FRONT: With No. 6 needles cast on 23 sts. (4 yrs—25 sts.) (6 yrs—27 sts.) (8 yrs—29 sts.).
Before proceeding with these instructions, please read the "Important Information" paragraph on patternbook page, regarding size of the garment you wish to knit.
1st row: K2. *P1. K1. Repeat from * to last 3 sts. P1. K2.
2nd row: K3. *P1. K1. Repeat from * to end of row.
(4 and 8 yrs. only—Work 1st. and 2nd rows once more).
Next row: The buttonhole is worked on this row for a Boy's Cardigan. If making a Girl's Cardigan, omit buttonhole on this row and every following buttonhole row. K2. *P1. K1. Repeat from * to last 3 sts. (Wl.fwd. K2tog. for buttonhole). K1.
Work 2nd row once (all sizes) then 1st. and 2nd rows 4 times. (4 yrs.—4 times) and 8 yrs.—5 times).
Work 2nd buttonhole on next row, then repeat 2nd row once thus ending at side edge. There are 14 rows (4 and 6 yrs.—16 rows) (8 yrs.—18 rows) in the ribbed band.
Change to No. 4 needles and proceed:—
1st row: Knit.
2nd row: K2. Purl to end of row.
Work these 2 rows 3 times more. (4 yrs.—3 times) (6 and 8 yrs.—4 times).
Next row: (3rd buttonhole). Knit to last 3 sts. Wl.fwd. K2tog. K1.
Keeping 2 sts. in Garter st. at front edge as before and working a buttonhole every 10th row (4 yrs.—every 10th row) (6 and 8 yrs.—every 12th row) continue even until 7 rows have been worked above 5th buttonhole (all sizes) ending at side edge.
There are now 50 rows from beginning. (4 yrs.—52 rows) (6 yrs.—58 rows) (8 yrs.—60 rows) and work measures approx. 9 ins. (4 yrs.—9½ ins.) (6 yrs.—10½ ins.) (8 yrs.—11 ins.).

To shape armhole: 1st row: Cast off 2 sts. (4 yrs.—3 sts.) (6 yrs.—4 sts.) (8 yrs.—5 sts.). Knit to end of row.
2nd row: K2. Purl to last 2 sts. P2tog.
3rd row: K2tog. Knit to last 3 sts. Wl.fwd. K2tog. K1. (4 yrs. as 2 yrs.) (6 and 8 yrs.—K2tog. Knit to end of row).
4th row: As 2nd row.
5th row: Knit to end of row. (4 yrs. as 2 yrs.) (6 and 8 yrs.—Knit to last 3 sts. Wl.fwd. K2tog. K1).
18 sts. on needle. (4 yrs.—19 sts.) (6 yrs.—20 sts.) (8 yrs.—21 sts.).
Work 7 rows even (4 yrs.—7 rows) (6 and 8 yrs.—11 rows).
Work buttonhole on next row.
Work 2 rows even ending at front edge.

To shape neck: Cast off 5 sts. (all sizes) beginning next row, then dec. 1. st. at neck edge every row to 10 sts. on needle. (4 and 6 yrs.—11 sts.) (8 yrs.—12 sts.).
Continue even until armhole from first shaping measures 4 ins. (4 yrs.—4½ ins.) (6 yrs.—5 ins.) (8 yrs.—5½ ins.) ending at armhole edge.

To shape shoulder: Cast off 5 sts. (4 and 6 yrs.—5 sts.) (8 yrs.—6 sts.) beginning next row. Work 1 row even, then cast off remaining sts.

RIGHT FRONT: With No. 6 needles cast on 23 sts. (4 yrs—25 sts.) (6 yrs—27 sts.) (8 yrs—29 sts.).
1st row: K2. *P1. K1. Repeat from * to last 3 sts. P1. K2.
2nd row: *K1. P1. Repeat from * to last 3 sts. K3.
(4 and 8 yrs. only—Work 1st. and 2nd rows once more).
Next row: The buttonhole is worked on this row for a Girl's Cardigan. If making a Boy's Cardigan, omit buttonhole on this row and every following buttonhole row. K2. (Wl.fwd. K2tog. for buttonhole). *P1. K1. Repeat from * to last 3 sts. P1. K2.
Work 2nd row once (all sizes) then 1st. and 2nd rows 4 times. (4 yrs.—4 times) (6 and 8 yrs.—5 times).
Work 2nd buttonhole on next row, then repeat 2nd row once thus ending at front edge. There are 14 rows (4 and 6 yrs.—16 rows) (8 yrs.—18 rows) in the ribbed band.
Change to No. 4 needles and proceed:—
1st row: Knit.
2nd row: Purl to last 2 sts. K2.
Work these 2 rows 3 times more. (4 yrs.—3 times) (6 and 8 yrs.—4 times).
Next row: (3rd buttonhole). K2. Wl.fwd. K2tog. Knit to end of row.
Keeping 2 sts. in Garter st. at front edge as before and working a buttonhole every 10th row (4 yrs.—every 10th row) (6 and 8 yrs.—every 12th row) continue even until 8 rows have been worked above 5th buttonhole (all sizes) ending at side edge.
There are now 51 rows from beginning (4 yrs.—53 rows) (6 yrs.—59 rows) (8 yrs.—61 rows) and work measures approx. 9 ins. (4 yrs.—9½ ins.) (6 yrs.—10½ ins.) (8 yrs.—11 ins.).

To shape armhole: 1st row: Cast off 2 sts. (4 yrs.—3 sts.) (6 yrs.—4 sts.) (8 yrs.—5 sts.). Purl to last 2 sts. K2.
2nd row: K2. Wl.fwd. K2tog. Knit to last 2 sts. K2tog. (4 yrs. as 2 yrs.) (6 and 8 yrs.—Knit to last 2 sts. K2 tog.).
3rd row: K2tog. Purl to last 2 sts. K2.
4th row: Knit to last 2 sts. K2tog. (4 yrs. as 2 yrs.) (6 and 8 yrs.—K2. Wl.fwd. K2tog. Knit to last 2 sts. K2tog.).
18 sts. on needle. (4 yrs.—19 sts.) (6 yrs.—20 sts.) (8 yrs.—21 sts.).
Work 7 rows even (4 yrs.—7 rows) (6 and 8 yrs.—11 rows).
Work buttonhole on next row.
Work 3 rows even ending at front edge.
Shape neck and shoulder exactly as given for Left Front.

BACK: With No. 6 needles cast on 41 sts. (4 and 6 yrs.—45 sts.) (8 yrs.—49 sts.).
1st row: K2. *P1. K1. Repeat from * to last st. K1.
2nd row: K1. *P1. K1. Repeat from * to end of row. Repeat these 2 rows for same number of rows as ribbed on Left Front.
Change to No. 4 needles and proceed:—
1st row: Knit.
2nd row: Purl. Repeat these 2 rows until work is same length as Left Front to armhole ending with purl row.

To shape armholes: Cast off 2 sts. (all sizes) beginning next 2 rows, then dec. 1. st. each end of needle every row to 33 sts. on needle. (4 yrs.—35 sts.) (6 yrs.—37 sts.) (8 yrs.—39 sts.).
Continue even in Stocking st. until armhole measures same as Left Front to shoulder ending with purl row.

To shape shoulders: Cast off 5 sts. (4 and 6 yrs.—5 sts.) (8 yrs.—6 sts.) beginning next 2 rows, then 5 sts. (4, 6 and 8 yrs.—6 sts.) beginning following 2 rows. Cast off remaining sts.

SLEEVES: With No. 6 needles cast on 23 sts. (4 yrs—23 sts.) (6 and 8 yrs.—25 sts.).
Work 12 rows (4 yrs.—12 rows) (6 and 8 yrs.—14 rows) in (K1. P1) ribbing, as given for Back.
Change to No. 4 needles and proceed:—
1st row: K7. (Inc. 1. st. in next st. K7) twice. 25 sts. on needle. yrs. as 2 yrs.).
(6 and 8 yrs.—K7. (Inc. 1. st. in next st. K8) twice. 27 sts. on needle).
Beginning with purl row, continue in Stocking st. inc. 1. st. each end of needle on 4th row (all sizes) then every following 6th row to 35 sts. on needle.
(4 yrs.—every following 6th row to 37 sts. on needle)
(6 yrs.—every following 8th row to 39 sts. on needle)
(8 yrs.—every following 8th row to 41 sts. on needle).
Continue even in Stocking st. until sleeve from beginning measures 9 ins. (4 yrs.—11 ins.) (6 yrs.—13 ins.) (8 yrs.—14 ins.) or desired length, ending with purl row.

To shape cap: Continue in Stocking st. dec. 1. st. each end of needle every row to 11 sts. on needle. (all sizes). Cast off.

COLLAR: With No. 4 needles cast on 53 sts. (4 and 6 yrs.—55 sts.) (8 yrs.—57 sts.) loosely.
1st and alternate rows: Knit.
2nd row: K7. Sl.1. K2tog. p.s.s.o. Knit to last 10 sts. Sl.1. K2tog. p.s.s.o. K7.
4th row: K6. Sl.1. K2tog. p.s.s.o. Knit to last 9 sts. Sl.1. K2tog. p.s.s.o. K6.
6th row: K5. Sl.1. K2tog. p.s.s.o. Knit to last 8 sts. Sl.1. K2tog. p.s.s.o. K5.
8th row: K4. Sl.1. K2tog. p.s.s.o. Knit to last 7 sts. Sl.1. K2tog. p.s.s.o. K4.
10th row: K3. Sl.1. K2tog. p.s.s.o. Knit to last 6 sts. Sl.1. K2tog. p.s.s.o. K3.
12th row: K2. Sl.1. K2tog. p.s.s.o. Knit to last 5 sts. Sl.1. K2tog. p.s.s.o. K2.
14th row: K1. Sl.1. K2tog. p.s.s.o. Knit to last 4 sts. Sl.1. K2tog. p.s.s.o. K1.
16th row: Sl.1. K2tog. p.s.s.o. Knit to last 3 sts. Sl.1. K2tog. p.s.s.o. 21 sts. on needle. (4 and 6 yrs.—23 sts.) (8 yrs.—25 sts.).

Continue in plain knitting (Garter st.) casting off 2 sts. beginning next 4 rows. Cast off remaining sts. The neck edge of the collar is the cast-off row and the ends of the rows. The outer edge is the entire cast-on edge.

TO MAKE UP: Press pieces carefully. Sew all seams. Sew in sleeves. Sew neck edge of collar evenly around neck, placing ends 2 sts. in from each front edge. Sew buttons to correspond to buttonholes. For Girl's Cardigan make a knitted cord by casting on 75 sts. loosely with No. 4 needles, then cast off loosely. This should measure approx. 27 ins. in length. Tack centre of cord at centre of back of neck under collar. Make and sew a small pom-pom to each end. For making pom-poms, see patternbook page.

other patterns in leaflet:

Plain Cardigan Pattern | Girl's and Boy's Versions | Sizes 2, 4, 6, 8