Hooded Cardigan in Sirdar Snuggly Cashmere Merino Silk - 5390 - Downloadable PDF

Sirdar Snuggly Cashmere Merino Silk 4 Ply Hooded Cardigan – Pattern 5390

This downloadable PDF knitting pattern from Sirdar (Design No. 5390) provides instructions for a beautifully crafted Hooded Cardigan sized for babies aged 0–2 years. Rated as an intermediate difficulty project, it is an ideal next step for knitters who have moved beyond the basics and are ready to tackle shaping, hood construction, and garment finishing. The pattern has been triple-checked by Sirdar to guarantee accuracy and success.

What Is Being Made

The finished garment is a baby hooded cardigan — a cosy, front-opening knitted jacket complete with an attached hood. Designed for newborns through toddlers up to two years old, this cardigan combines practical warmth with a luxurious feel, making it a wonderful handmade gift or a special wardrobe staple for a little one. The hood adds both charm and extra warmth, wrapping snugly around a baby's head and neck.

Yarn and Materials

The pattern is designed specifically for Sirdar Snuggly Cashmere Merino Silk 4 Ply, a premium luxury yarn from Britain's most trusted baby yarn brand. This exquisite yarn blends three of the finest natural fibres available:

• Pure silk – adds a subtle sheen and smooth drape to the finished fabric
• Extra fine merino wool – provides softness, breathability, and natural temperature regulation
• Himalayan cashmere – the softest of all natural fibres, making the yarn exceptionally gentle against a baby's delicate skin

Sirdar Snuggly yarns undergo rigorous testing to ensure they remain kind to tender baby skin and retain their softness wash after wash. The yarn is available in a palette described as fairy-tale shades, allowing knitters to choose colours that suit the individual baby or occasion. As a 4 ply weight yarn, it produces a fine, lightweight fabric that is warm without being heavy — perfect for a baby garment intended for year-round or layered wear.

Knitters working with 4 ply yarn will typically use fine knitting needles, generally in the range of 2.75 mm to 3.25 mm (UK sizes 12–10), though the exact needle size recommended will be specified within the pattern instructions to achieve the correct tension.

Techniques Used

As an intermediate-level pattern, this hooded cardigan introduces and reinforces a range of knitting techniques that go beyond simple flat knitting. Knitters can expect to work with the following methods:

• Flat knitting – the body panels and sleeves are typically worked back and forth in rows, producing separate pieces that are seamed together
• Garment shaping – increases and decreases are used to shape the armholes, sleeve caps, and neckline, giving the cardigan a tailored, fitted silhouette appropriate for a growing baby
• Hood construction – the hood is a defining feature of this design, requiring knitters to pick up stitches around the neckline and work additional shaping to create a structured, well-fitting hood
• Button band or front band finishing – cardigans of this style typically include knitted front bands along the open edges, often incorporating buttonholes on one side to allow for fastenings
• Seaming and finishing – joining the knitted pieces neatly is an important skill at this level, including mattress stitch or backstitch seaming for shoulders, side seams, and sleeve insertion
• Tension/gauge management – working with fine 4 ply yarn requires careful attention to tension to ensure the finished garment matches the intended sizing

Stitches Used

While the full stitch list is detailed within the downloadable PDF, hooded cardigans of this style and construction from Sirdar Snuggly typically incorporate the following stitches and stitch patterns:

• Stocking stitch (stockinette stitch) – the primary fabric stitch, creating a smooth, classic knitted surface ideal for showcasing the lustre of the silk and cashmere blend