Rainbow Cardigan - Free Knitting Pattern in Paintbox Yarns Simply Aran

Rainbow Cardigan – Free Knitting Pattern in Paintbox Yarns Simply Aran

The Rainbow Cardigan is a cheerful, colourful children's knitting pattern from Paintbox Yarns, worked in Paintbox Yarns Simply Aran weight yarn. The pattern offers two distinct neckline variations — a Round Neck Cardigan and a V Neck Cardigan — making it a versatile project for knitters who want options within a single download. Both versions are sized to fit children aged 1–2, 2–3, 4–5, 6–7, and 8–9 years, with corresponding chest measurements ranging from 51 cm to 71 cm (20–28 in) and finished lengths from 32 cm to 48 cm (12½–19 in). This is rated an intermediate difficulty pattern, making it well suited to knitters who are comfortable with basic shaping and are ready to tackle multi-colour stripe sequences and raglan construction.

What Is Being Made

The pattern produces a seamed, bottom-up children's cardigan featuring bold, eye-catching rainbow stripes worked across the raglan yoke sections. The body and sleeves are knitted flat as separate pieces and then joined and seamed together. The finished garment includes a button band with 5 buttons (approximately 15mm/½in in diameter), giving it a classic, neat finish. Two neckline styles are available:

• Round Neck Cardigan – a traditional, family-friendly neckline suitable for younger children
• V Neck Cardigan – a slightly more tailored option with angled front neck shaping

The rainbow stripe sequence is introduced once the main body sections worked in the Main Colour (M) are complete, with the colourwork concentrated in the raglan yoke area for a striking visual effect without requiring complex colourwork techniques throughout the entire garment.

Yarn and Materials

The recommended yarn is Paintbox Yarns Simply Aran, an Aran weight yarn, used in a carefully chosen palette of seven colours:

• Main Colour (M): Champagne White – 2 [2: 3: 3: 4] x 100g balls
• Colour A: Kingfisher Blue – 1 x 100g ball
• Colour B: Lime Green – 1 x 100g ball
• Colour C: Buttercup Yellow – 1 x 100g ball
• Colour D: Blood Orange – 1 x 100g ball
• Colour E: Lipstick Pink – 1 x 100g ball
• Colour F: Pillar Red – 1 x 100g ball

The pattern notes that yarn quantities are based on average requirements and are approximate. Paintbox Yarns cannot accept responsibility for the finished garment if any yarn other than the recommended yarn is used.

Needles and Notions

• A pair of 4mm (UK 8 / US 6) knitting needles
• A pair of 4½mm (UK 7 / US 7) knitting needles
• 5 buttons, approximately 15mm/½in in diameter

Construction Techniques

The Rainbow Cardigan is constructed using a bottom-up, worked flat, seamed method. Each main section — the back, left front, right front, and sleeves — is knitted separately as flat pieces before being joined for the raglan yoke shaping. This traditional construction approach is ideal for intermediate knitters who are comfortable with seaming and reading multi-piece garment instructions.

Key Techniques Used

• Bottom-up construction – pieces begin at the lower edge and are worked upward, allowing easy length adjustments
• Worked flat – all sections are knitted back and forth on straight needles, producing a fabric with distinct right side (RS) and wrong side (WS