Cardigans in Sirdar Supersoft Aran Rainbow Drops - 5184 - Downloadable PDF

Cardigans in Sirdar Supersoft Aran Rainbow Drops 5184 – Knitting Pattern Summary

This downloadable PDF knitting pattern from Sirdar presents two charming children's cardigan designs worked in Sirdar Supersoft Aran Rainbow Drops yarn. The pattern covers a wide range of sizes, making it a versatile choice for babies and young children from 0–6 months through to 6–7 years. Both garments are rated as intermediate in difficulty, making them well suited to knitters who are comfortable with basic shaping and simple textured stitch patterns and are ready to develop their skills further.

Designs Included

Shawl Collared Cardigan

The first design is a Shawl Collared Cardigan, a classic and cosy style featuring a generous shawl collar that frames the neckline beautifully. This type of collar is knitted as a folded or overlapping band that wraps softly around the neck, adding warmth and a traditional handknitted aesthetic. It is worked in Sirdar Supersoft Aran Rainbow Drops shade 855, a self-striping or variegated colourway that creates visual interest without requiring any colour changes by the knitter.

Yarn requirements for the Shawl Collared Cardigan range from 1 to 4 x 100g balls depending on size, making it an economical project for smaller sizes while remaining manageable even for the largest size included.

V Neck Cardigan

The second design is a V Neck Cardigan, a timeless and practical style with a neat V-shaped neckline that gives a slightly more tailored look. The V neck shaping requires careful decreasing on either side of the front opening, a technique that intermediate knitters will find satisfying to execute. This version is worked in Sirdar Supersoft Aran Rainbow Drops shade 856, another colourway in the Rainbow Drops range that produces its own decorative striping effect as the yarn is knitted up.

Yarn requirements for the V Neck Cardigan range from 1 to 3 x 100g balls depending on size, making it a slightly lighter project in terms of yarn usage.

Sizing and Measurements

Both cardigans are sized to fit chest measurements from 41 cm (16 in) up to 66 cm (24 in), corresponding to ages 0–6 months through to 6–7 years. Actual garment measurements are generously cut, ranging from 46 cm to 71 cm in circumference to allow for comfortable ease. Full lengths range from 24 cm to 48 cm, and sleeve lengths — noted as adjustable — run from 15 cm to 33 cm, giving knitters the flexibility to customise the fit for individual children.

Stitches and Techniques Used

• Slip stitch pattern – The main fabric of both cardigans is worked in a slip stitch pattern, a technique where selected stitches are slipped rather than knitted on certain rows. This creates a subtle, textured surface that is slightly denser than stocking stitch and helps the variegated yarn colours pool and blend attractively.
• Rib stitch – Ribbing is typically used for welts, cuffs, and button bands in Aran-weight garments of this style, providing stretch and a neat, professional finish at the edges.
• Shaping techniques – Both cardigans involve standard knitting shaping methods including increasing and decreasing for armholes, sleeve caps, and necklines. The V neck version requires additional front neck shaping.
• Shawl collar construction – The shawl collared version includes the knitting and attachment of a shawl collar, a satisfying finishing technique that adds structure and warmth.
• Cable needle usage – A cable needle is listed as a required tool, indicating that at least one of the designs incorporates a cable element or a technique requiring stitches to be held temporarily.
• Button band and buttonhole construction – Both cardigans feature button bands worked as part of the finishing, with 4 or 5 buttons depending on size, requiring neat buttonhole placement.
• Seaming – As is standard for knitted garments of this construction, pieces are