"Eva Cardigan" - Cardigan Knitting Pattern in MillaMia Naturally Soft Cotton

Eva Cardigan – Baby Knitting Pattern by Helena Rosen in MillaMia Naturally Soft Cotton

The Eva Cardigan is a charming, colourful baby cardigan knitting pattern designed by Helena Rosen and published by MillaMia. Rated as a beginner skill level, this pattern is an ideal project for those who are new to garment knitting and want to create a sweet, wearable piece for a little one. The design is worked in MillaMia Naturally Soft Cotton, a sport-weight yarn celebrated for its gentle feel against delicate baby skin.

What Is Being Made

The Eva Cardigan is a baby cardigan featuring a classic, comfortable silhouette with a front opening and short sleeves. It is designed to fit babies and toddlers across six size ranges: 0–3, 3–6, 6–12, 12–18, 18–24, and 36–48 months. Actual chest measurements range from 46 cm (18 in) to 70 cm (27½ in), with lengths to shoulder ranging from 20 cm to 33 cm and sleeve lengths from 9 cm to 19 cm. A key comfort-focused design detail noted in the pattern is that the cardigan is constructed without sleeve seaming, maximising ease and softness for the baby wearing it. The garment is fastened with one small button and also features a tie, the length of which can be customised by adjusting the cast-on stitch count.

Techniques Used

• Bottom-up construction: The cardigan is worked from the lower edge upward, a logical and beginner-friendly approach that allows the knitter to try on the piece as they go.
• Worked flat: All pieces are knitted flat, back and forth in rows on straight needles, rather than in the round.
• Seamed construction: The finished pieces are joined together using seaming, with the notable exception of the sleeves, which are attached without a traditional sleeve seam for added comfort.
• Colourwork: The pattern uses three distinct colours — Bright Red (331) as Colour A, English Rose (342) as Colour B, and French Navy (320) as Colour C — making it a vibrant, eye-catching piece. The pattern also suggests alternative colourways including Pure Lemon (300), Black (310), Indigo Purple (333), Baby Blue (321), Yellow (323), and French White Navy (320), giving knitters flexibility to personalise the finished garment.

Stitches Used

• Stocking stitch (stockinette stitch): The main body fabric of the cardigan is worked in stocking stitch, creating a smooth, classic knitted surface. The tension/gauge for this pattern is set at 25 stitches and 34 rows to 10 cm / 4 in over stocking stitch using 3.25 mm (US 3) needles.
• Garter stitch (g-st): Referenced in the abbreviations, garter stitch is used for borders or edging sections, providing a neat, non-curling finish.
• Moss stitch (seed stitch): Also referenced in the abbreviations, moss stitch adds textural interest and is commonly used for button bands or edging details in garments of this style.
• Increases and decreases: The pattern uses standard shaping techniques including k2tog (knit two stitches together) for decreasing and m1 (make one, by picking up the loop lying before the next stitch and knitting into the back of it) for increasing, both of which are well-suited to a beginner learning garment shaping.

Materials

The Eva Cardigan is knitted in MillaMia Naturally Soft Cotton, a sport-weight yarn sold in 50 g / 1¾ oz balls. The yarn requirements vary by size:

• Colour A – Bright Red (331): 1 (1:1:2:2:2) balls
• Colour B – English Rose (342): 1 (1: