Nazar Cardigan

Nazar Cardigan by Kerry Bullock-Ozkan

What is Being Made

The Nazar Cardigan is a baby and toddler cardigan designed by Kerry Bullock-Ozkan, available in eight sizes ranging from 3 months through 6 years. This is a buttoned cardigan with finished circumferences from 19 inches (48.5 cm) for newborns up to 28 inches (71.5 cm) for 6-year-olds, and lengths ranging from 9 inches (23 cm) to 13 inches (32.5 cm). The cardigan is constructed as a fitted garment suitable for layering over infant and toddler clothing.

Knitting Techniques Used

This intermediate-level knitting project employs several key construction techniques. The cardigan is worked in the round using circular needles for the body, with the sleeves worked separately on double-pointed needles (dpns). The pattern incorporates ribbed edging for structure and elasticity, and uses stockinette stitch as the primary fabric. The design features colorwork elements, as indicated by the use of multiple yarn colors (main color, contrast color 1, and contrast color 2), allowing for decorative patterning typical of the "Nazar" design theme. Button bands are integrated into the construction for the front opening closure.

Stitches Used

The Nazar Cardigan primarily utilizes stockinette stitch (St st) as the main fabric, which creates a smooth, classic knit appearance. Ribbing (alternating knit and purl stitches) is used for the edging and cuffs, providing stretch and definition to the garment's edges. The pattern instructions begin with a 1x1 rib pattern (knit 1, purl 1 repeat) worked on the smaller needles, which transitions to stockinette stitch on the larger needles once the proper gauge is achieved. Colorwork techniques are incorporated to create the design's visual interest.

Materials and Yarn Specifications

The Nazar Cardigan is designed for 4-ply fingering weight yarn, with yardage requirements varying by size from approximately 400 yards (366 meters) for the smallest size (3 months) to 950 yards (869 meters) for the largest size (6 years). The pattern calls for three yarn colors: a main color (MC), contrast color 1 (CC1) requiring 50 yards (46 meters), and contrast color 2 (CC2) requiring only 5 yards (5 meters). The sample shown was knitted in Quince and Co. Finch, a 100% American wool yarn available in 221-yard (202-meter) skeins weighing 1.76 ounces (50 grams), using the colorways River for the main color, Egret for contrast color 1, and Peaks Ferry for contrast color 2.

Needles and Gauge

The pattern requires US #1 (2.25mm) and US #2 (2.75mm) needles. For the body, 24-inch circular needles in both sizes are used, with the smaller needles for ribbed edging and the larger needles for the main stockinette stitch fabric. For the sleeves, both sizes are available in double-pointed needles (dpns) format. The pattern specifies a gauge of 29 stitches and 44 rows over 4 inches (10 cm) in stockinette stitch on the larger needle, which is essential for achieving the correct finished measurements. Needle size may be adjusted as needed to obtain this gauge with your chosen yarn.

Notions

The cardigan requires buttons for closure, with the quantity varying by size: 4 buttons for sizes 3 months through 12 months and 5 buttons for sizes 18 months through 6 years. The buttons specified are ½ inch in diameter, appropriate in scale for a delicate baby and toddler garment.