Cardigan Mats

Cardigan Mats by Mats&Ida

What Is Being Made

The Cardigan Mats is a knitted baby cardigan designed by the independent designer duo Mats&Ida. This downloadable knitting pattern offers three size options: 1-3 months, 6-9 months, and 12-18 months. The cardigan features button closures and is constructed using a combination of flat and circular knitting techniques to create a fitted garment with set-in sleeves.

Garment Specifications

• Size 1-3 months: 24 cm width, 26 cm length
• Size 6-9 months: 27 cm width, 31 cm length
• Size 12-18 months: 30.5 cm width, 34 cm length
• Button count: 5 buttons (6-9 months size) or 6 buttons (other sizes)

Knitting Techniques Used

The Cardigan Mats employs mixed knitting construction methods to achieve its tailored fit. The body is worked flat in rows from the bottom up using circular needles, creating the front and back panels. The sleeves are knitted in the round using double-pointed needles, which produces seamless tubular fabric. The yoke section is created by placing all body and sleeve stitches onto a single circular needle and working flat in rows to shape the neckline and armholes.

Stitches and Stitch Patterns

This pattern incorporates fundamental knitting stitches combined with textured stitch work. The cardigan begins with a ribbed edging using alternating knit and purl stitches (1 knit, 1 purl) worked over 7 rows to create an elastic, fitted cuff. The main body features a stockinette stitch base (knit on right-side rows, purl on wrong-side rows) combined with a stitch pattern repeat that adds visual texture and interest to the garment. The pattern uses standard abbreviations including M (stitch), R (row), Rd (round), re (knit), li (purl), and U (yarn over) for increases.

Materials and Yarn Requirements

The Cardigan Mats is designed for DK weight yarn, with yardage requirements varying by size. Approximately 150 grams (size 1-3 months), 200 grams (size 6-9 months), or 250 grams (size 12-18 months) of yarn is needed. The pattern recommends Drops Merino Extra Fine or Sandnes Garn Merinoull, both offering 105 meters per 50-gram ball, making these fine merino wool options ideal for a soft, breathable baby garment.

Needles and Tools

Construction requires size 4 (3.5mm) needles in multiple configurations. A 60 or 80 cm circular needle is used for the body and yoke sections worked flat, while size 4 double-pointed needles are used for knitting the sleeves in the round. An optional stitch holder or auxiliary needle may be helpful for managing stitches during yoke assembly.

Gauge

Achieving proper gauge is essential for this intermediate-level pattern. The gauge is 21 stitches over 10 centimeters in stockinette stitch and 27 stitches over 10 centimeters in the stitch pattern, both measured on size 4 needles. Knitters should swatch before beginning to ensure the finished cardigan meets the intended dimensions.

Difficulty Level

The Cardigan Mats is classified as an intermediate knitting project. It requires competency with circular needle techniques, working in the round, stitch pattern reading, and shaping through increases and decreases. The combination of flat and circular construction methods, along with the textured stitch pattern, makes this suitable for knitters with foundational skills who are ready to tackle more structured garment construction.