Sweater and Cardigan in Hayfield Bonus Baby Changes DK - 1320 - Downloadable PDF

Hayfield Bonus Baby Changes DK Pattern 1320 – Sweater and Cardigan for Premature to 2 Years

This downloadable PDF knitting pattern from Hayfield presents two classic baby garments — a sweater and a cardigan — both worked in Hayfield Baby Changes DK yarn. The pattern covers a wide range of sizes, from premature right through to 2–3 years, making it a versatile addition to any knitter's collection for babies and toddlers. With its gentle colour-changing yarn and straightforward construction, this pattern is ideal for knitters who want to create beautiful, practical knitwear for little ones.

Sizes and Measurements

The pattern is written to fit six sizes, accommodating a broad range of ages and chest measurements:

• Premature: to fit chest 31 cm (12 in), actual measurement 36 cm (14 in)
• 0–6 months: to fit chest 36 cm (14 in), actual measurement 41 cm (16 in)
• 6–12 months: to fit chest 41 cm (16 in), actual measurement 46 cm (18 in)
• 1–2 years: to fit chest 46 cm (18 in), actual measurement 52 cm (20½ in)
• 2–3 years: to fit chest 51 cm (20 in), actual measurement 56 cm (22 in) and 61 cm (24 in)

Full lengths range from approximately 19 cm (7½ in) for premature up to 33 cm (13 in) for the largest size. Sleeve length is described as adjustable, ranging from 13 cm (5¼ in) to 23 cm (9 in), allowing knitters to customise the fit further.

About the Garments

The Sweater

The sweater is a classic pullover-style baby top, designed to be practical and comfortable for everyday wear. It features a button opening — the pattern calls for 3 buttons — which makes dressing and undressing a baby much easier. The sweater is worked in Hayfield Baby Changes DK shade 562, a self-striping or colour-changing yarn that creates visual interest without requiring any yarn changes or complex colour work techniques.

The Cardigan

The cardigan is an open-fronted baby jacket, fastened with buttons down the front band. The number of buttons varies by size: 3 buttons for the smallest sizes, increasing to 5 buttons for the largest, ensuring a neat and secure closure at every age. The cardigan is knitted in Hayfield Baby Changes DK shade 564, a different colourway of the same yarn, offering a coordinating but distinct look from the sweater. Together, the two garments make a charming matching set.

Techniques Used

Both garments are constructed using traditional flat knitting techniques, meaning the pieces are worked back and forth in rows on straight needles and then seamed together. This is a well-established method for baby garments, producing neat, sturdy seams that hold up well to frequent washing. The pattern makes use of stitch holders to keep live stitches in reserve — for example, at necklines or when dividing for armholes — which is a standard technique in garment knitting that allows sections to be returned to the needles later for finishing.

Sleeve length is noted as adjustable, which is a helpful feature in baby knitting, allowing the knitter to tailor the garment to the individual child's proportions simply by working more or fewer rows before the cast-off.

Stitches Used

The main fabric of both garments is worked in stocking stitch (knit on right-side rows, purl on wrong-side rows), which produces a smooth, classic fabric that is soft against a baby's skin and shows off the colour-changing effect of the yarn beautifully. Ribbing is typically used for welts, cuffs, and neckbands in patterns of this type, providing a neat, stretchy finish that helps garments keep their shape and stay in place.

Materials Required

Yarn

• Sweater: