Bin Cardigan

BinBin Cardigan by Fluffy Su Don

What is Being Made

The BinBin Cardigan is a top-down knitted cardigan designed for babies and young children. This garment is worked flat for the body and in the round for the sleeves, creating a seamless construction method that minimizes finishing work. The cardigan is available in seven sizes ranging from newborn (0/6 months) through children's sizing (9/10 years), with bust circumferences from 53cm to 70cm and back lengths from approximately 35cm to 49cm. The design includes button closures and ribbon detailing for a finished, polished appearance.

Construction Technique

The BinBin Cardigan employs a top-down construction method, which is an efficient approach for garment knitting. Work begins at the neckline and progresses downward. After the initial shaping, the piece is divided to separate the body from the sleeves. The body is worked flat (back and forth in rows), while the sleeves are worked in the round using circular needles or double-pointed needles. This hybrid approach combines the ease of flat knitting for the main garment sections with the seamless advantages of circular knitting for the sleeve tubes. The top-down method allows for easy fitting adjustments and eliminates the need for seaming, making it an excellent choice for beginner knitters.

Stitches and Stitch Techniques

The primary stitch used in the BinBin Cardigan is stocking stitch (also called stockinette stitch), which creates a smooth, classic fabric with a distinctive V-pattern on the right side. Stocking stitch is produced by alternating knit rows on the right side with purl rows on the wrong side when working flat, or by knitting every round when working in the round. The pattern includes standard abbreviations such as K (knit), P (purl), St/sts (stitch/stitches), and M1A (a make-one increase). A cable needle (CN) is listed among the accessories, suggesting that cable stitches or textured elements may be incorporated into the design for visual interest.

Materials and Yarn Specifications

The BinBin Cardigan is designed to be worked in Nako Inci Deluks yarn, a yarn choice that provides specific characteristics for this project. The pattern calls for varied yarn weights depending on the size being knitted. Yardage requirements range from 350m to 800m, with skein quantities from 2 to 4 skeins depending on the chosen size. The smallest sizes (0/6 months and 1/2 year) require 2 skeins and approximately 350m of yarn, while the largest size (9/10 years) requires 4 skeins and up to 800m.

Needles and Tools

The BinBin Cardigan requires circular needles in 40cm and 60cm lengths for working the body and sleeves. Double-pointed needles (DPNs) in sizes 4.5mm and 3.5mm are also needed, particularly for the in-the-round sleeve sections. Additional accessories include stitch markers for tracking pattern repeats and increases, stitch holders for temporarily securing stitches, buttons for the cardigan closure, decorative ribbon, and a cable needle for any cable work. The gauge is critical for proper fit: 20-22 stitches and 28-30 rows over 10cm in stocking stitch on 4.5mm needles after blocking.

Difficulty Level

The BinBin Cardigan is classified as a beginner-level knitting project. The straightforward top-down construction, reliance on basic stitches like stocking stitch, and clear size progression make this an accessible pattern for knitters new to garment construction. The combination of flat and in-the-round knitting introduces fundamental techniques without overwhelming complexity, making it an ideal project for developing essential skills in shaping, sizing, and finishing a wearable garment.