Rosy Posy Cardigan - Knitting Pattern for Girls in Willow & Lark Poetry

Rosy Posy Cardigan – Knitting Pattern for Girls by Willow & Lark

The Rosy Posy Cardigan is a charming girls' cardigan knitting pattern designed by Willow & Lark, released in 2023. It is worked flat in separate pieces and seamed together, making it an approachable project for beginner knitters who want to build confidence with a classic, wearable garment. The finished cardigan features a neat garter stitch detail that adds texture and a polished finish, along with button fastenings down the front opening.

What Is Being Made

This pattern produces a fitted, seamed cardigan designed for girls aged 2–3, 4–5, 6–7, and 8–9 years. The four sizes correspond to chest measurements of 56, 61, 66, and 71 cm (22, 24, 26, and 28 inches), with finished chest measurements ranging from 62 cm to 78 cm (24½ to 30¾ inches) to allow for comfortable ease. Finished lengths range from 35 cm to 48 cm measured to the back neck, and sleeve seam lengths range from 23 cm to 35 cm, making the cardigan suitable for a range of growing children.

Construction and Techniques

The Rosy Posy Cardigan is constructed using a seamed, worked-flat method, meaning the individual pieces — typically the back, two fronts, and sleeves — are knitted back and forth in rows on straight needles and then joined together with seams. This traditional construction method is ideal for beginners because it allows each piece to be completed and checked independently before assembly.

• Worked flat: All pieces are knitted back and forth in rows rather than in the round, keeping the technique straightforward and easy to follow.
• Seamed construction: Finished pieces are sewn together, which produces a structured, durable garment with clean edges.
• Garter stitch detail: Garter stitch — created by knitting every row — is used as a decorative and structural element, adding a ridged texture that lies flat without curling, making it perfect for borders and edgings.
• Buttonholes: The pattern includes instructions for working buttonholes into the front band, a fundamental skill for garment knitting that involves a simple yarn-over or bind-off technique to create neat openings for buttons.
• Buttons: The cardigan is fastened with 5 buttons for sizes 2–3 and 4–5 years, and 6 buttons for sizes 6–7 and 8–9 years, each measuring 15mm (½ inch) in diameter.

Stitches Used

• Stocking stitch (stockinette stitch): The main body fabric of the cardigan is worked in stocking stitch — knit on the right side, purl on the wrong side — creating a smooth, classic knitted fabric. Tension is set at 22 stitches and 30 rows to 10 cm / 4 inches over stocking stitch using 4mm (US 6) needles.
• Garter stitch: Used for decorative detailing, garter stitch is formed by knitting every row, producing a ridged, reversible fabric that is naturally flat and stable.

Materials – Yarn

The pattern is designed to be knitted in Willow & Lark Poetry, a DK weight yarn sold in 50g / 1¾oz balls. The recommended colourway used in the sample is Red Rose (shade 617), requiring 4, 5, 6, or 7 balls depending on size. An alternative suggested colourway is Owl Grey (shade 602), requiring the same ball quantities. Both colourways are available at lovecrafts.com.

Yarn at a Glance

• Yarn brand and name: Willow & Lark Poetry
• Weight: DK (double knitting)
• Ball size: 50g / 1¾oz
• Colourways shown: Red Rose 617 and Owl Grey 602
• Quantity required: 4