Carousel Cardigan - Knitting Pattern For Kids in MillaMia Naturally Soft Merino

Carousel Cardigan – Kids' Knitting Pattern in MillaMia Naturally Soft Merino

The Carousel Cardigan is a beautifully detailed children's knitting pattern by MillaMia, designed to fit ages 2–3 through 10–11 years. It is a classic seamed cardigan worked flat from the bottom up, featuring a striking Fair Isle yoke that brings together multiple colours in an eye-catching stranded colourwork design. This is a rewarding project for knitters who are ready to take their skills to the next level, rated as Improving in difficulty.

What Is Being Made

The finished garment is a children's cardigan with a colourwork yoke. The design is thoughtfully constructed so that the colours introduced in the Fair Isle yoke are first hinted at near the hem of the body and sleeves, creating a cohesive and visually harmonious look throughout the garment. The cardigan features button fastenings, making it practical as well as beautiful for everyday wear.

Sizes are available across five age ranges, with the following actual chest measurements:

• 2–3 years: 60 cm / 23½ in chest, 35 cm / 13¾ in length to shoulder, 26 cm / 10¼ in sleeve length
• 4–5 years: 66 cm / 26 in chest, 39 cm / 15¼ in length to shoulder, 29 cm / 11½ in sleeve length
• 6–7 years: 70 cm / 27½ in chest, 43 cm / 17 in length to shoulder, 32 cm / 12½ in sleeve length
• 8–9 years: 74 cm / 29 in chest, 47 cm / 18½ in length to shoulder, 35 cm / 13¾ in sleeve length
• 10–11 years: 80 cm / 31½ in chest, 51 cm / 20 in length to shoulder, 38 cm / 15 in sleeve length

Techniques Used

This pattern employs a range of techniques that make it an excellent project for knitters looking to develop their skills:

• Bottom-up construction: The cardigan is worked from the hem upward, a traditional approach that gives knitters clear structural progression through the body and sleeves before joining for the yoke.
• Worked flat: All pieces are knitted flat on straight or circular needles, producing separate panels that are subsequently joined together.
• Seamed finishing: The garment is assembled using seams, a technique that adds structure and durability to the finished cardigan — particularly important in children's knitwear.
• Stranded colourwork (Fair Isle): The yoke features a traditional Fair Isle design worked in multiple colours. This technique involves carrying unused yarn across the back of the work as floats. The pattern specifically advises knitters to avoid pulling the floating yarn too tight, which is key to maintaining an even, professional finish and ensuring the yoke retains its stretch and drape.
• Buttonholes: Neat buttonholes are worked into the button band, creating functional openings for the cardigan's fastenings.
• Buttons: The cardigan closes with buttons sewn to correspond with the worked buttonholes.
• Chart reading: The Fair Isle yoke is worked from a colourwork chart. Odd-numbered rows are right-side rows, read from right to left; even-numbered rows are wrong-side rows, read from left to right.

Stitches Used

The primary stitch throughout the body is stocking stitch (stockinette), which forms the smooth fabric base of the cardigan. The Fair Isle yoke is also worked in stocking stitch, with the colourwork pattern created by stranding multiple yarn colours across each row. Additional stitches are likely used for the button bands and hem edgings, consistent with standard cardigan construction.

Materials – Yarn and Needles

The pattern is designed for MillaMia Naturally Soft Merino, a sport weight yarn. This yarn is a pure merino wool known for its softness against children's skin, making it an ideal choice for a garment intended to be worn close to the body. The pattern is offered in a first col