Cosy Rainbow Cardigan - Free Cardigan Knitting Pattern For Kids in Paintbox Yarns Simply Aran by Paintbox Yarns

Cosy Rainbow Cardigan – Free Kids' Knitting Pattern in Paintbox Yarns Simply Aran

The Cosy Rainbow Cardigan is a cheerful, colourful children's cardigan knitting pattern designed by Paintbox Yarns and worked in their own Paintbox Yarns Simply Aran weight yarn. This is a free downloadable PDF pattern rated at intermediate difficulty, making it a rewarding project for knitters who are comfortable with basic shaping and are ready to explore colourwork and construction techniques beyond beginner level. The finished garment is a classic button-front cardigan featuring bold rainbow-inspired stranded colourwork, sized to fit children from 18 months through to 8 years.

Sizes and Finished Measurements

The pattern is written for four sizes, covering a wide range of children's ages and chest measurements:

• 18 months – 2 years: Actual chest measurement 69 cm / 23 in, finished length 35 cm / 13¾ in, sleeve length 23 cm / 9 in
• 3–4 years: Actual chest measurement 66 cm / 26 in, finished length 39 cm / 15¼ in, sleeve length 28 cm / 11 in
• 5–6 years: Actual chest measurement 72 cm / 28 in, finished length 43 cm / 17 in, sleeve length 34 cm / 13½ in
• 7–8 years: Actual chest measurement 79 cm / 31 in, finished length 47 cm / 18½ in, sleeve length 38 cm / 15 in

Instructions are written for the smallest size, with changes for larger sizes given in square brackets throughout the pattern.

What Is Being Made

This pattern produces a seamed, button-front children's cardigan with long sleeves and a vibrant stranded colourwork design inspired by rainbow colours. The cardigan is a timeless wardrobe staple for kids, offering warmth and wearability in an aran weight yarn. The rainbow motif gives it a playful, eye-catching character that appeals to children and gift-knitters alike. Buttons are used as a functional and decorative closure at the front band.

Construction and Techniques

The Cosy Rainbow Cardigan is constructed using a bottom-up, worked flat method, meaning the pieces are knitted flat on straight or circular needles beginning at the lower edges and working upward toward the shoulders. The individual pieces — typically the back, two fronts, and sleeves — are then seamed together to create the finished garment. This traditional construction approach is well-suited to intermediate knitters who want to practise neat seaming and garment finishing skills.

• Bottom-up construction: Work begins at the cast-on edge and progresses upward, allowing easy length adjustments before the armhole shaping begins.
• Worked flat: All pieces are knitted back and forth in rows rather than in the round, using standard knit and purl rows.
• Seamed finishing: Completed pieces are joined using mattress stitch or a preferred seaming method to create neat, durable joins at the shoulders, sides, and sleeve heads.
• Stranded colourwork: The rainbow design is created using the stranded technique, where two or more yarn colours are carried across the back of the work and the working colour is picked up as needed. This produces a double-layered fabric that adds warmth and structure to the finished cardigan.
• Buttonholes: The front band includes worked buttonholes, giving knitters practice in creating neat, functional openings for buttons. The pattern specifies button placement and buttonhole construction as part of the band instructions.
• Buttons: Physical buttons are sewn on to complete the cardigan closure, and button choice can be customised to complement the rainbow colourwork palette.

Stitches Used

As an aran-weight, intermediate-level pattern, the Cosy Rainbow Cardigan draws on a combination of fundamental and slightly more advanced knitting stitches and techniques:

• Knit and purl stitches – the foundation of all flat knitting, used throughout the stocking stitch /