Cardigan and Sweater in Stylecraft Wondersoft & Merry Go Round DK - 9637 - Downloadable PDF

Stylecraft Wondersoft & Merry Go Round DK Pattern 9637 – Children's Cardigan and Sweater

Pattern 9637 from Stylecraft is a downloadable PDF knitting pattern offering two classic children's knitwear designs: a Cardigan and a Sweater, both worked in Stylecraft Wondersoft DK and Stylecraft Merry Go Round DK yarn. The pattern is rated intermediate in difficulty and covers five sizes to fit children aged 6 months through 7 years, making it a versatile addition to any knitter's collection for babies, toddlers, and young children alike.

Sizes and Measurements

Both designs are sized to fit chest measurements ranging from 46 cm (18 in) to 66 cm (26 in), corresponding to the following age ranges and actual garment measurements:

• 6–12 months: To fit 46 cm / 18 in chest; actual 50 cm / 19¾ in; full length 24 cm / 9½ in; sleeve length 17 cm / 6¾ in
• 12–24 months: To fit 51 cm / 20 in chest; actual 56 cm / 22 in; full length 28.5 cm / 11¼ in; sleeve length 20 cm / 8 in
• 2–3 years: To fit 56 cm / 22 in chest; actual 58 cm / 22¾ in; full length 34 cm / 13½ in; sleeve length 24 cm / 9½ in
• 4–5 years: To fit 61 cm / 24 in chest; actual 64 cm / 25¼ in; full length 39 cm / 15½ in; sleeve length 29 cm / 11½ in
• 6–7 years: To fit 66 cm / 26 in chest; actual 70 cm / 27½ in; full length 44.5 cm / 17½ in; sleeve length 33 cm / 13 in

Yarn and Materials

Both the Cardigan and the Sweater are designed to be knitted in Stylecraft Wondersoft DK as the main colour (MC), a yarn celebrated for its exceptionally soft handle that is ideal for children's garments and sensitive skin. The pattern also incorporates Stylecraft Merry Go Round DK, a self-striping or variegated double knitting yarn that adds playful colour interest without the need for complex colour-change techniques. Both yarns are DK (double knitting) weight, ensuring a light, comfortable fabric appropriate for children's everyday wear.

Needles

• 3.25 mm needles – used for the ribbed welts and cuffs
• 4 mm needles – used for the main body fabric

Design 1: The Cardigan

The Cardigan is a classic open-front children's jacket worked in separate pieces and seamed. It features a neat, structured silhouette with set-in or drop-shoulder styling suited to the children's sizing range. The construction follows a traditional bottom-up approach, beginning at the lower back and working upward through the body and sleeves before finishing with button bands or borders.

Techniques Used – Cardigan

• Casting on – the back begins by casting on between 55 and 77 stitches depending on size
• K1, P1 Rib – a two-row repeating rib forms the lower welt, worked on 3.25 mm needles for approximately 5 cm / 2 in, ending on a right-side row
• Increase row (M1 increases) – an increase row on the wrong side uses Make 1 (M1) increases evenly spaced across the rib to add stitches before transitioning to the main fabric, resulting in 70 to 98 stitches depending on size
• Garter stitch border – after changing