Bolero Cardigan and Hat in Sirdar Snuggly DK - 1817 - Downloadable PDF

Sirdar Snuggly DK 1817 – Bolero Cardigan and Hat Knitting Pattern (Premature to 12 Months)

This downloadable PDF knitting pattern from Sirdar includes instructions for two coordinating baby projects: a Bolero Cardigan and a matching Hat, both worked in Sirdar Snuggly DK. The pattern covers five sizes ranging from Premature through 0–6 months and 6–12 months, making it a versatile choice for newborns and young babies. Both pieces are designed to be knitted flat on straight needles, making this pattern accessible to knitters with a solid grasp of basic techniques.

Bolero Cardigan

What Is Being Made

The Bolero Cardigan is a short, wrap-style baby cardigan with an open front and set-in or shaped sleeves. It is a classic bolero silhouette, meaning it sits above the waist and leaves the front largely open, fastened with a single button. The actual chest measurements range from 29 cm (11½ in) for the Premature size up to 49 cm (19¼ in) for the 6–12 month size, with a full length of 11 cm to 24 cm depending on size. Sleeve length is adjustable and ranges from 6 cm to 17 cm, allowing carers to customise the fit as the baby grows.

Techniques Used

• Flat knitting worked back and forth in rows on straight needles
• Shaping through increasing and decreasing stitches to form the bolero silhouette and sleeve caps
• Stitch marker placement to track shaping points along the body
• Casting on and binding off at specified stitch counts per size
• Tension/gauge checking before beginning, which is emphasised as essential to achieving the correct finished measurements
• Use of stitch holders to keep stitches live while other sections are worked
• Finishing with a single button fastening

Stitches Used

• Stocking stitch (stockinette stitch) – the main fabric of the cardigan body and sleeves, worked throughout
• Rib stitch – used for the welts and cuffs, worked on the smaller 3¼mm needles to create a neat, elasticated edge
• Standard knit (k) and purl (p) stitches
• Slip stitch (s1), pass slipped stitch over (psso), and decrease through back of loop (tbl) for neat shaping
• Increase (inc) and decrease (dec) techniques worked on alternate or every fourth/sixth rows to shape sleeves and body

Materials

• Yarn: Sirdar Snuggly DK, shade 407 – 1 to 2 x 50g balls depending on size. Also suitable for Sirdar Supersoft DK, Snuggly Baby Bamboo DK, and Tiny Tots DK (amounts may vary)
• Needles: 1 pair of 4mm (UK8 / USA6) knitting needles for the main fabric; 1 pair of 3¼mm (UK10 / USA3) knitting needles for ribbed edges
• Notions: Stitch holders and 1 button

Baby Hat

What Is Being Made

The Hat is a simple, snug-fitting baby beanie designed to coordinate with the Bolero Cardigan. It is sized to fit an average baby's head for each of the five age ranges covered in the pattern, from Premature