Charlotte Cardigan - Knitting Pattern for Girls in MillaMia Naturally Soft Merino

Charlotte Cardigan Knitting Pattern for Girls – MillaMia Naturally Soft Merino

The Charlotte Cardigan is a beautifully crafted girls' knitting pattern by MillaMia, designed to produce a stylish and versatile cable-detailed cardigan suitable for everyday wear. Available as a downloadable PDF, this pattern is worked in MillaMia Naturally Soft Merino sport weight yarn and is sized to fit girls aged 2–3, 3–4, 4–5, 5–6, and 6–7 years, with finished chest measurements ranging from 60 cm (23½ in) to 80 cm (31½ in).

What Is Being Made

The finished project is a girls' seamed cardigan featuring cable detailing, a classic structured silhouette, and a charming two-button closure using one large button (approximately 18 mm / ¾ in diameter) and one small button (approximately 15 mm / ½ in diameter). The cardigan is worked in multiple pieces and then seamed together, giving it a neat, polished finish. It is a versatile layering piece suitable for a wide range of occasions.

Construction and Techniques

• Bottom-up construction: The cardigan is worked from the cast-on edge upward toward the shoulders, a traditional approach that gives knitters excellent control over length adjustments.
• Worked flat: All pieces are knitted flat on straight needles, meaning knitters work back and forth in rows rather than in the round.
• Seamed finishing: Individual pieces — body sections and sleeves — are joined using seaming techniques to create the final three-dimensional garment.
• Cable knitting: The pattern incorporates cable stitches, which involve crossing groups of stitches over one another using a cable needle to create twisted, rope-like textural details. Cables add visual interest and a classic, timeless quality to the cardigan.
• Buttonhole construction: The pattern includes worked buttonholes to accommodate the two decorative buttons, requiring careful stitch management to create neat, functional openings in the button band.

Stitches Used

• Stocking stitch (stockinette stitch): The primary fabric stitch, worked by alternating knit rows on the right side and purl rows on the wrong side, producing a smooth, flat surface. Tension is measured as 25 stitches and 34 rows to a 10 cm / 4 in square over stocking stitch using 3.25 mm (US 3) needles.
• Cable stitches: Worked using a cable needle to create the signature twisted texture panels on the cardigan.
• Ribbing or border stitches: Typically used at hems, cuffs, and button bands to provide elasticity and a tidy edge, consistent with standard cardigan construction in this style.

Yarn and Materials

The pattern calls for MillaMia Naturally Soft Merino, a sport weight yarn sold in 50 g / 1¾ oz balls. This yarn is a premium merino wool known for its softness, stitch definition, and suitability for children's garments. The main colourway used in the pattern is Heather Haze 173, requiring 7 (8:9:9:10) balls depending on size. Additional colourway options shown include:

• Colourway 2: Plum 162 and Snow 124
• Colourway 3: Plum 162 and Snow 124
• Colourway 4: Petal 122 and Storm 102
• Colourway 5: Petal 122 and Storm 102

In addition to yarn, knitters will need:

• A pair of 2.75 mm (US 2) knitting needles for ribbing and borders
• A pair of 3.25 mm (US 3) knitting needles for the main fabric
• A cable needle for working the cable pattern sections
• One large button (approximately 18 mm / ¾ in diameter) and one