Cardigans in Sirdar Snuggly 4 Ply - 4579 - Downloadable PDF

Cardigans in Sirdar Snuggly 4 Ply – Pattern 4579: Full Summary

This downloadable PDF knitting pattern from Sirdar presents two charming cardigan designs for babies and young children, sized from birth up to 7 years. The pattern covers a Two Colour Cardigan and a Plain Cardigan, both worked in Sirdar Snuggly 4 Ply yarn. The pattern is notable for its no pick-up borders construction method, which simplifies finishing and gives a neat, professional result without the need to pick up and knit border stitches separately after the main body is complete.

Designs Included

Two Colour Cardigan

The Two Colour Cardigan is a classic baby and toddler cardigan worked in a main shade and a contrast shade of Sirdar Snuggly 4 Ply. The use of two colours adds a gentle, decorative touch perfectly suited to children's knitwear. The contrast colour is used sparingly, requiring only one 50g ball across all sizes, while the main shade requirement increases with size from one to two 50g balls.

• Main shade used: Sirdar Snuggly 4 Ply shade 446
• Contrast shade used: Sirdar Snuggly 4 Ply shade 458
• Yarn quantity (main shade): 1–2 × 50g balls depending on size
• Yarn quantity (contrast shade): 1 × 50g ball across all sizes

Plain Cardigan

The Plain Cardigan is a single-colour version of the same design, offering a clean, timeless look ideal for everyday wear or as a gift. Worked entirely in one shade of Sirdar Snuggly 4 Ply, it is a versatile and straightforward knit. The pattern notes that it is also suitable for use with Country Style 4 Ply yarn, giving knitters some flexibility in their yarn choice.

• Shade used: Sirdar Snuggly 4 Ply shade 458
• Yarn quantity: 1–3 × 50g balls depending on size

Sizing and Fit

The pattern covers six sizes, designed to fit chest measurements from 41 cm (16 in) up to 66 cm (26 in), corresponding to ages 0–6 months through to 6–7 years. Actual garment measurements are given with a small amount of positive ease, ranging from 46 cm (18 in) to 71 cm (28 in) in chest circumference. Full lengths range from approximately 23.5 cm (9¼ in) to 36 cm (14 in), making these cardigans practical and well-proportioned for each age group.

Construction Method

Both cardigans are worked using a clever one-piece construction for the back, fronts, and yoke. This method, sometimes called seamless or minimal-seam knitting, involves casting on for the full body and working the back and fronts together before dividing for the separate sections. This approach reduces the number of seams required and is particularly well suited to fine 4 ply yarn, where seaming can be fiddly. The no pick-up borders technique means that button and buttonhole bands are integrated into the construction rather than being added as a separate picked-up edging, resulting in a tidy and stable finish.

Stitch holders are used throughout to hold stitches for the right front, left front, and back while other sections are worked, which is standard practice in this style of construction. The left front border is tacked into position along the front edge, securing the band neatly without additional seaming.

Techniques Used

• One-piece body and yoke construction – back, fronts, and yoke worked together to minimise seaming
• No pick-up borders – button bands worked as part of the main knitting rather than picked up afterwards
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