UKHKA 189 Cardigan and Waistcoat - UKHKA189pdf - Downloadable PDF

UKHKA 189 Knitting Pattern: Baby and Toddler Cardigan and Waistcoat in Double Knitting

This UKHKA 189 downloadable PDF knitting pattern from UKHKA provides instructions for two classic children's garments: a Cardigan and a Waistcoat (vest). Both designs are sized for babies and young children, covering a wide range of chest measurements from 31 cm to 56 cm (12 in to 22 in), making this pattern suitable from newborn through to toddler age. The pattern is rated as intermediate difficulty, making it ideal for knitters who are comfortable with basic techniques and ready to work through shaping and garment construction.

Garments Included

The Cardigan

The Cardigan is a full-length children's knitted jacket with set-in or shaped sleeves. According to the pattern, the sample shown uses White yarn. The finished actual chest measurement ranges from 36 cm to 62 cm (14 in to 24½ in) across the six sizes. The full length of the garment ranges from approximately 18 cm to 34 cm (7 in to 13½ in), and sleeve lengths range from approximately 8 cm to 24 cm (3 in to 9½ in), allowing the pattern to grow with the child across multiple size options.

The Cardigan fastens with buttons — the pattern calls for 3 buttons for the smallest sizes, increasing to 5 buttons for the largest sizes (specifically 3 [3:4:4:5:5] buttons depending on size). This button band detail gives the cardigan a neat, traditional finish that is both practical and charming for childrenswear.

The Waistcoat

The Waistcoat is a sleeveless version of the design, knitted in the same construction style but without sleeves, making it a quicker knit and a versatile layering piece for children. The sample colourway shown for the Waistcoat is Blue. Like the Cardigan, it uses the same chest and length measurements across all six sizes, and also fastens with buttons in the same quantities as the Cardigan version. The Waistcoat requires slightly less yarn than the Cardigan due to the absence of sleeves.

Knitting Techniques Used

Both garments in this pattern are constructed using a combination of classic hand knitting techniques that are well-established in traditional British knitting patterns. Key techniques include:

• Stocking Stitch (St-St): The main fabric of both garments is worked in Stocking Stitch, which creates a smooth, flat knitted surface on the right side. This is achieved by knitting all stitches on right-side rows and purling all stitches on wrong-side rows, repeating these two rows throughout.
• 2x2 Rib: The pattern uses a 2x2 Rib stitch for borders and edgings. This is worked by alternating two knit stitches and two purl stitches across the row, creating a stretchy, textured band that is commonly used for cuffs, hems, and button bands in childrenswear.
• Shaping: The pattern involves increasing and decreasing stitches to shape the garment pieces, including armhole shaping and neckline shaping. Decreases are worked knitways and include techniques such as slip one stitch, knit one, pass slipped stitch over (psso) and knitting stitches together (tog), as well as working through the back of the loop (tbl) for neat, directional decreases.
• Circular Needle Usage: A 3.25mm (UK10 – USA3) 80cm circular needle is specified, likely used for picking up and knitting the button bands or neckband in the round or across a long edge, which gives a smooth, even finish to the garment's front edges.

Stitches Used

• Stocking Stitch — the primary body fabric
• 2x2 Rib — for borders, cuffs, and edgings
• Knit (K) and Purl