Cardigans in Stylecraft Bellissima DK - 9704 - Downloadable PDF

Cardigans in Stylecraft Bellissima DK – Pattern 9704: Two Children's Knitted Cardigan Designs

Pattern 9704 from Stylecraft is a downloadable PDF knitting pattern featuring two distinct children's cardigan designs worked in Stylecraft Bellissima DK yarn. Both garments are sized to fit children aged 2–11 years, covering chest measurements from 56 cm (22 in) up to 76 cm (30 in), making this a versatile pattern that can grow with a child through multiple sizes. The pattern is rated as intermediate in difficulty, meaning knitters should have a solid grasp of basic techniques before attempting the more decorative stitch work involved.

The Two Designs at a Glance

Design One: Round Neck Cardigan

The first design is a classic round neck cardigan, worked in a single colour throughout. The sample shown in the pattern uses Stylecraft Bellissima DK in Raspberry Riot (shade 3924). This cardigan features a structured body with a decorative woven or gathered stitch panel that creates visual texture across the fabric, giving what might otherwise be a plain garment a distinctive and eye-catching finish.

The round neck cardigan is constructed in the traditional way, working the back, two fronts, and sleeves as separate flat pieces that are then seamed together. Full length measurements range from 34 cm (13½ in) for the smallest size up to 52 cm (20½ in) for the largest, with sleeve lengths ranging from 24 cm (9½ in) to 41 cm (16 in).

Design Two: V Neck Cardigan

The second design is a V neck cardigan worked in two colours, combining a main colour with a contrast shade for added visual interest. The sample uses Stylecraft Bellissima DK in Precious Posy (shade 3975) as the main colour and Double Denim (shade 3931) as the contrast. The two-colour approach allows knitters to highlight design details, borders, or textural elements in a complementary tone, creating a more elaborate finished look suited to gifting or special occasions.

Techniques and Stitches Used

Both cardigans draw on a range of knitting techniques that make this an engaging project for an intermediate knitter. Key techniques and stitches featured in the pattern include:

• 1x1 Rib: Used at the cast-on edges to create neat, stretchy welts on the body and cuffs. The rib is worked on smaller needles before switching to the main needle size, a standard technique for achieving a firm, tidy border.
• Thumb Method Cast-On: Specified explicitly in the pattern instructions, this cast-on creates a firm and elastic edge well suited to ribbed borders on children's garments.
• Slip Stitch Strand Work (Long Float / Gathered Stitch Technique): A key decorative feature of the pattern. Stitches are slipped purlwise over multiple rows (s5p — slip 5 purlwise), creating long strands or floats on the right side of the fabric. On a subsequent row, the right-hand needle is taken under the three long strands and these are knitted together with the next stitch, gathering the floats and producing a raised, textural cluster effect across the fabric. This technique adds considerable visual depth without requiring colourwork.
• Yarn Forward and Yarn Back Manoeuvres: Used in conjunction with the slip stitch rows (ybk and yfrt instructions) to correctly position the yarn when slipping stitches, ensuring the long strands sit on the correct side of the fabric.
• Stocking Stitch: The main fabric of the cardigans is worked in stocking stitch (knit on right side rows, purl on wrong side rows), providing a smooth ground against which the gathered stitch texture stands out clearly.
• Shaping: Standard garment shaping techniques including decreases (p2tog) are used to reduce stitch counts after the rib sections and to shape armholes, necklines, and sleeve heads as appropriate for a well-fitted children's cardigan.

Materials Required

Yarn

Both designs are worked in Stylecraft Bellissima DK, a