" Florentina Wrap Cardigan " - Cardigan Knitting Pattern For Girls in MillaMia Naturally Soft Merino by MillaMia

Florentina Wrap Cardigan Knitting Pattern for Girls by MillaMia

The Florentina Wrap Cardigan is a beautifully crafted girls' knitting pattern by MillaMia, designed to create a delicate, wrap-style cardigan with an intricate stitch pattern that elevates it well beyond a simple everyday layer. As the pattern's own hints and tips note, the design is perfect for ballet lovers, with its graceful silhouette and refined detailing making it an ideal choice for little ones who love a touch of elegance in their wardrobe. The pattern is available as a downloadable PDF and is rated at an improving skill level, making it a rewarding project for knitters who have moved past the beginner stage and are ready to tackle more refined stitch work.

Sizes and Finished Measurements

The Florentina Wrap Cardigan is written in four sizes, designed to fit girls aged 1–2, 2–3, 3–4, and 4–5 years. The actual finished chest measurements range from 60 cm (23½ in) to 74 cm (29 in), with lengths spanning 23 cm (9 in) to 29 cm (11½ in) and sleeve lengths from 23 cm (9 in) to 32 cm (12½ in), giving a comfortable, wearable fit across each age group.

Techniques and Construction

This cardigan is constructed using a bottom-up, worked flat, and seamed method. Knitting flat means each piece — the back, fronts, and sleeves — is worked back and forth in rows rather than in the round, producing separate panels that are then joined together with seaming. This traditional construction approach gives the finished garment clean, structured edges and allows for precise shaping throughout.

• Bottom-up construction: Each piece begins at the lower hem and is worked upward toward the shoulders, a classic approach that makes it straightforward to adjust length before committing to armhole shaping.
• Worked flat: All sections are knitted back and forth on straight needles, making this accessible to knitters who prefer not to work in the round.
• Seamed finishing: The individual pieces are sewn together after knitting, which adds structure and durability to the finished cardigan — particularly important in a garment for an active child.

Stitches and Stitch Patterns

The Florentina Wrap Cardigan features an intricate, delicate stitch pattern that is central to the design's character. While the pattern uses stocking stitch (stockinette stitch) as its base — with a gauge of 25 stitches and 34 rows to 10 cm / 4 in over stocking stitch using 3.25 mm needles — the decorative stitch work adds a layer of refinement that distinguishes this cardigan from a plain knit. The pattern notes that soft, delicate colours will make the most of the stitch pattern, suggesting the texture is best appreciated in lighter, more muted shades. Ribbing or a neat edging is typically used at the hems and cuffs in MillaMia designs at this weight to provide a tidy, professional finish, and the wrap front is fastened with one button.

Materials Required

Yarn

The pattern calls for MillaMia Naturally Soft Merino, a sport weight yarn, in 4 (5:5:6) balls of 50 g / 1¾ oz per size. The recommended colourway used in the pattern sample is Mist (164), a soft grey tone. Two suggested alternative colourways are also referenced: Cloud Snow (124) and Petal (122), along with shade Grey (127), offering a range of soft, delicate options that complement the refined nature of the stitch pattern. MillaMia Naturally Soft Merino is a 100% merino wool yarn, prized for its exceptional softness against children's skin, its smooth stitch definition, and its gentle drape — all qualities that make it particularly well suited to a decorative stitch pattern like the one featured in this design.

Needles

• 3 mm (US 2) knitting needles — used for ribbing or edging sections where a tighter, neater fabric