"Ingrid Cardigan" - Cardigan Knitting Pattern For Girls in MillaMia Naturally Soft Merino

Ingrid Cardigan Knitting Pattern for Girls – MillaMia Naturally Soft Merino

The Ingrid Cardigan is a charming girls' cardigan knitting pattern published by MillaMia, designed to fit ages 1–2, 2–3, 4–5, 6–7, and 8–10 years. With actual chest measurements ranging from 58 cm (23 in) to 76 cm (30 in) and lengths to shoulder from 28 cm (11 in) to 44 cm (17¼ in), this pattern covers a generous range of children's sizes in a single download. The finished garment is a classic, seamed cardigan featuring a beautifully textured body, set-in sleeves, and a neat button band — a versatile wardrobe staple that pairs equally well with a dress or jeans and boots.

Design Highlights and Texture

A standout feature of the Ingrid Cardigan is its use of Irish moss stitch, described in the pattern notes as a double moss stitch that creates a lovely, unusual diagonal texture across the fabric. This stitch adds visual interest and a subtle tactile quality that elevates the garment beyond a simple stocking stitch design. The combination of texture and clean, classic shaping makes this cardigan both practical and stylish for everyday wear.

Techniques Used

• Bottom-up construction: The cardigan is worked from the cast-on edge upward, a traditional approach that gives knitters clear, logical progression through the body and sleeves.
• Worked flat (back and forth): The main body pieces and sleeves are knitted flat on straight needles, producing seamed panels that are joined during finishing.
• Worked in the round: A circular 3mm (US 2) needle is used for specific sections, most likely the button band or neckband, allowing a smooth, continuous finish.
• Seamed construction: Individual pieces are sewn together, a technique that adds structure and durability to a children's garment.
• Buttonhole construction: The pattern includes instructions for creating neat buttonholes to accommodate 6 buttons approximately 12mm (½ in) in diameter.

Stitches Used

• Irish moss stitch (double moss stitch): The primary decorative stitch, worked over a four-row repeat to produce a diagonal, textured fabric. Gauge over Irish moss stitch is 30 sts and 40 rows to 10 cm (4 in) using 3.25mm (US 3) needles.
• Stocking stitch (stockinette): Used in sections of the garment, with a gauge of 25 sts and 34 rows to 10 cm (4 in) using 3.25mm (US 3) needles.
• Garter stitch: Referenced in the abbreviations and likely used for edgings or borders.
• Shaping decreases and increases: The pattern employs a range of shaping techniques including k2tog (knit two together), skpo (slip one, knit one, pass slipped stitch over), ssk (slip, slip, knit), s2kpo (central double decrease), k3tog, and m1 (make one) increases — giving knitters a thorough introduction to garment shaping.

Materials

The pattern calls for 5 (6:6:7:8) x 50g/1¾oz balls of MillaMia Naturally Soft Merino in Snow (124) as shown in the main sample. This is a sport weight yarn, celebrated for its soft, skin-friendly merino wool composition — ideal for children's knitwear. Alternative colourways suggested in the pattern include Scarlet (140), Forget Me Not (122), Petal (104), and Claret (120), offering plenty of options to personalise the finished cardigan.

Two pairs of knitting needles are required: 3mm (US 2) and 3.25mm