Little Lamb Cardigan in Rowan Baby Cashsoft Merino (FR) - RB002-00006-FRP - Downloadable PDF

Little Lamb Cardigan by Erika Knight in Rowan Baby Cashsoft Merino – Pattern Summary

The Little Lamb Cardigan is a beautifully crafted baby knitting pattern designed by Erika Knight and published by Rowan. Available as a downloadable PDF (reference RB002-00006-FRP), this pattern produces a sweet, classic cardigan sized for babies from 0–3 months through to 9–12 months, with finished chest measurements ranging from approximately 50.5 cm to 61 cm. The design is photographed in Nutkin 121, a warm, natural tone that perfectly suits the gentle, lamb-inspired aesthetic of the piece.

What Is Being Made

This pattern creates a baby cardigan with a neat button band opening. The pattern includes instructions for both a right-over-left and a left-over-right button band version, making it adaptable for traditional gender conventions or personal preference. The finished garment features a classic, structured silhouette with a tidy ribbed border running along the front opening and five buttonholes worked at regular intervals. The cardigan is designed to be a wardrobe staple for newborns and infants, combining softness with a refined, timeless finish.

Sizes

• 0–3 months – 50.5 cm chest
• 3–6 months – 54 cm chest
• 6–9 months – 59 cm chest
• 9–12 months – 61 cm chest

Techniques Used

Rated as intermediate in difficulty, this pattern introduces several shaping and construction techniques that go beyond basic knitting. Knitters will work with:

• Intercalary increases (make-one increases) – specifically right-leaning (1 Augm/inter/drte) and left-leaning (1 Augm/inter/gche) lifted increases, worked by picking up the bar between stitches from back to front or front to back and knitting through it. These paired increases create smooth, symmetrical shaping throughout the body and sleeves.
• Buttonhole construction – a neat, one-row buttonhole is formed using a yarn-over paired with a two-stitch decrease (k2tog), creating a clean eyelet-style opening. A total of five buttonholes are spaced evenly, worked every 14–18 rows depending on the size.
• Integrated front band – rather than picking up stitches for a separate band, the ribbed border of 5 stitches is worked simultaneously with the main body, keeping the front edge tidy throughout construction.
• Stitch pattern integration – the body combines stocking stitch (stockinette) for the main fabric with a rib border along the front edges, requiring the knitter to manage two pattern areas simultaneously across each row.
• Double-pointed needle construction – the pattern calls for a set of double-pointed needles, suggesting that sleeves or other circular sections are worked in the round.

Stitches Used

• Stocking stitch (jersey endroit / jersey envers) – the primary fabric stitch, worked flat with alternating knit and purl rows, creating a smooth, classic surface ideal for showcasing the yarn's softness.
• Rib stitch (côtes) – a 1×1 rib pattern is used for the integrated front border, creating a firm, elastic edge that frames the button band neatly and lies flat without curling.
• Yarn-over (jeté) – used specifically to form the buttonhole openings within the rib border.
• K2tog (2 m end ens) – a right-leaning decrease paired with the yarn-over to complete each buttonhole.

Materials

The pattern is written for Rowan Baby Cashsoft Merino, a 4-ply weight yarn sold in 50 g balls