Jude Cardigan - Knitting Pattern for Kids in Debbie Bliss Baby Cashmerino

Jude Cardigan – Kids' Knitting Pattern by Debbie Bliss in Baby Cashmerino

The Jude Cardigan is a charming children's knitting pattern designed by Debbie Bliss, worked in the beloved Baby Cashmerino yarn. This classic button-front cardigan is sized for kids aged 2–3, 4–5, 6–7, and 8–9 years, with finished chest measurements ranging from 66 cm (26 in) to 81 cm (31¾ in). It features a clean, structured silhouette with set-in or shaped sleeves, a ribbed border, and subtle colorwork accents that give it a playful, polished look. The pattern is rated advanced beginner, making it an ideal next step for knitters who have mastered the basics and are ready to tackle simple shaping and multi-color work.

What Is Being Made

The Jude Cardigan is a children's knitted cardigan featuring a back, two fronts, and sleeves. It is fastened with 4 buttons and includes ribbed cuffs and lower borders worked in a contrast color. The garment is designed to be a neat, everyday layering piece for young children, with a finished length ranging from 32 cm (12¾ in) to 36 cm (14 in) and sleeve lengths from 18 cm (7 in) to 24 cm (9½ in) across the four sizes.

Materials Used

• Yarn: Debbie Bliss Baby Cashmerino – a sport-weight yarn sold in 50g / 1¾oz balls
• Color A – Mist 57: 3(4:4:5) balls – used for the main body and sleeves
• Color B – Kingfisher 72: 1 ball – used for contrast ribbing and borders
• Color C – Sienna 67: 1 ball – used as an additional contrast color
• Needles: A pair of 3.25mm (US 3) knitting needles for the main fabric, and a pair of 3mm (US 2–3) knitting needles for the ribbed sections
• Notions: 4 buttons for the front button band

Debbie Bliss Baby Cashmerino is a highly regarded sport-weight blend combining wool, microfibre, and cashmere. It is known for its exceptional softness against delicate skin, making it a popular choice for children's garments. Its smooth, consistent twist also makes it well-suited to stitch definition in both ribbing and stocking stitch.

Tension and Gauge

The pattern is worked to a tension of 25 stitches and 34 rows to 10 cm / 4 in over stocking stitch using 3.25mm (US 3) needles. Achieving the correct gauge is important for ensuring the finished cardigan matches the intended size, so knitters are encouraged to work a tension swatch before beginning.

Techniques Used

• Casting on – the back begins with a cast-on of 83(89:95:101) stitches; sleeves cast on 61(71:77:81) stitches using the smaller needles and contrast yarn
• Ribbing – a 1×1 rib (k1, p1) is used for the lower borders and cuffs, worked on the smaller 3mm needles in contrast colors B or C for a decorative finish
• Stocking stitch (st st) – the main body and sleeves are worked in classic stocking stitch on the larger 3.25mm needles, creating a smooth knit fabric on the right side
• Shaping – the pattern includes standard garment shaping techniques such as decreases (including skpo – slip 1, knit 1, pass slipped stitch over – and p2tog) to shape the armholes, neckline, and sleeve cap
• Separate front and back construction – the Left