Lace-edged Cardigan - Knitting Pattern for Kids in Debbie Bliss Eco Baby by Debbie Bliss

Lace-edged Cardigan – Knitting Pattern for Kids in Debbie Bliss Eco Baby by Debbie Bliss

This knitting pattern by Debbie Bliss produces a beautifully delicate lace-edged cardigan for children, sized to fit ages 2–3, 4–5, and 6–7 years. Worked in the designer's own Debbie Bliss Eco Baby yarn in White 01, the finished garment combines a classic seamed construction with a repeating lace motif that adds a light, heirloom quality to an everyday children's knit. The pattern is available as a downloadable PDF and is rated intermediate in difficulty, making it well suited to knitters who are comfortable with basic shaping and simple lace techniques.

What Is Being Made

The pattern produces a children's lace-edged cardigan — a seamed, button-front knitted jacket designed for everyday wear. The garment features a repeating lace panel as its primary stitch pattern, worked across the back and fronts to create a delicate, open texture throughout the body. Buttons fasten the front opening, with 4 (5, 5) buttons required depending on the size being knitted.

Techniques Used

• Lace knitting: The defining technique of this pattern. A 12-row repeating lace pattern is worked across all main pieces. Lace in knitting is created by pairing intentional yarn-overs — which add a stitch and create an eyelet hole — with corresponding decreases that maintain the stitch count. The result is a fabric with a decorative, openwork appearance.
• Seamed construction: The cardigan is knitted in separate pieces — back, fronts, and sleeves — which are then joined using seaming techniques. This traditional construction method gives the finished garment structure and a neat, tailored finish.
• Buttonhole construction: Buttonholes are worked into the button band to accommodate the 4 (5, 5) buttons. Working neat, stable buttonholes is a key intermediate skill this pattern develops.
• Stocking stitch (St st): Rows of plain stocking stitch are incorporated within the lace repeat, alternating with the lace rows to build up the pattern rhythm.
• Shaping: Standard knitted shaping techniques are used to form armholes, sleeves, and necklines appropriate to a fitted children's cardigan.

Stitches Used

• Stocking stitch (St st): The foundation of the fabric, worked in alternating knit and purl rows.
• Yarn-forward (yf): Used to create the eyelet holes that define the lace pattern. On right-side rows, yarn-overs are placed at regular intervals to form the decorative openwork.
• K2tog (knit two together): A right-leaning decrease paired with each yarn-over to maintain the stitch count within the lace repeat.
• Lace repeat: The full 12-row lace pattern alternates between two offset right-side lace rows — one beginning k2, [k2tog, yf, k5] and one beginning k5, [k2tog, yf, k5] — separated by stocking stitch rows, creating a staggered eyelet design across the fabric.

Materials

• Yarn: Debbie Bliss Eco Baby in White 01 — a sport weight yarn. You will need 4 (5, 6) balls depending on the size. Eco Baby is a fine, lightweight yarn well suited to delicate children's knitwear.
• Needles: A pair of 3.25mm (US 3) needles, or the size needed to achieve the correct tension.
• Buttons: 4 (5, 5) buttons to fasten the front opening, with quantity varying by size.

Sizing

The pattern is written for three sizes: 2–3 years, 4–5 years, and 6–7 years