Leafwing Cardigan in Valley Yarns Valley Superwash Bulky - 1086 - Downloadable PDF

Leafwing Baby Cocoon Cardigan – Knitting Pattern #1086 by Susan Baron

The Leafwing pattern, numbered #1086 and designed by Susan Baron for Valley Yarns, is a beautifully structured baby cocoon cardigan that keeps little ones warm and snug. Knitted in the wonderfully soft Valley Yarns Valley Superwash Bulky, this design wraps infants in a cozy, flexible garment that is as practical as it is charming. The pattern is rated Adventurous Beginner, making it an ideal next step for knitters who have mastered the basics and are ready to explore simple cables and in-the-round construction without feeling overwhelmed.

What Is Being Made

The Leafwing is a baby cocoon cardigan designed for sizes 0–6 months and 6–12 months. It features a front button band opening secured with six ¾-inch buttons, a hood that continues the mirror-image cable motif from the fronts, and an integrated construction that minimizes seaming. The finished chest circumference measures 21 inches for the 0–6 month size and 23¼ inches for the 6–12 month size, with a length from shoulder of 19¾ inches and 22¼ inches respectively. Two versions of the garment are included in the pattern: one with drop-shoulder sleeves worked downward from the shoulders, and one as a sleeveless sack for a simpler, swaddling-style cocoon. This versatility makes the pattern excellent value for knitters who want options depending on the season or the baby's needs.

Construction Techniques

The Leafwing cocoon is constructed using a bottom-up method, beginning at the lower edge and working upward. The body is worked in the round on a 16-inch circular needle, which creates a seamless tube for the lower portion of the garment. As the piece progresses, the work is divided to create integrated button bands, eliminating the need to pick up and knit separate bands after the fact. This is a particularly clever construction detail that keeps the front edges neat and tidy from the very start.

The mirror-image cables travel up both front panels and continue seamlessly onto the hood, where they meet at the crown — a striking design feature that gives the garment its distinctive Leafwing character. The button bands incorporate buttonholes worked directly into the fabric, and the pattern also offers the option to omit buttonholes entirely and instead finish the bands with twill tape and snaps for a softer closure — a thoughtful alternative for garments intended for very young infants. When sleeves are included, they are worked downward from the shoulders using double-pointed needles (dpns), which is a practical approach that allows for easy length adjustments.

The cast-on method specified is the Long-Tail Cast-On, a sturdy and elastic foundation well suited to garments that need to maintain their shape through repeated wear and washing. Stitches are placed on holders or waste yarn during construction to hold sections while other parts are worked.

Stitches Used

• Seed stitch – used across the back body panel and as the primary texture stitch; gauge is measured in seed stitch at 15 stitches and 20 rows to 4 inches blocked
• Garter stitch – used along the front button band edge for a clean, non-rolling border
• Cable stitch patterns – two mirror-image cable panels, referred to as the Right Cable and Left Cable, each 11 stitches wide, worked up the front panels and continuing onto the hood
• Knit and purl combinations – used within the cable panels to frame and define the cable motifs

The combination of seed stitch and cables creates a rich, textured fabric with excellent visual interest while remaining accessible to knitters who are still building their skills. Seed stitch in particular is a wonderful choice for baby garments as it lies flat without curling and produces a dense, warm fabric.

Materials and Yarn

The specified yarn is Valley Yarns Valley Superwash Bulky, a 100% Extrafine Superwash Merino Wool yarn