Space Cardigan

Space Cardigan by Amy Philip

What is Being Made

The Space Cardigan is a charming knitted cardigan designed for babies and toddlers in sizes 0-6 months through 2-3 years. This garment features a celestial theme with decorative planet patches, making it an ideal piece for young stargazers. The cardigan is constructed as a single piece worked flat from the top down, providing a seamless construction method that minimizes finishing work.

Construction and Techniques

This intermediate-level knitting project employs several advanced shaping techniques to achieve a professional fit. Raglan increases are used throughout the upper body to gradually expand the sleeve cap, creating the characteristic diagonal lines of raglan sleeve construction. Short rows are strategically incorporated to shape the neckline, allowing for a custom neck depth without requiring a separate neckband.

The sleeves are picked up and worked flat rather than in the round, which enables the use of intarsia technique to incorporate the planet patches directly into the fabric. This colorwork method allows for detailed motifs to be knitted in rather than applied afterward. Following the intarsia work, running stitch embroidery is used to add planet rings as decorative details over the top of the knitted surface, adding dimensional embellishment.

Finishing techniques include mattress stitch for seaming the sleeves together, a nearly invisible seaming method ideal for maintaining the visual continuity of the knitted fabric. Button bands and buttonholes are picked up along the front edges to complete the cardigan closure.

Stitches Used

• Stocking stitch (stockinette stitch) as the primary fabric base
• Raglan increases for sleeve shaping
• Short rows for neckline shaping
• Intarsia colorwork for planet motifs
• Running stitch for embroidered planet rings
• Mattress stitch for seaming
• Picked-up stitches for button bands and buttonholes

Materials and Specifications

This pattern is worked in DK weight yarn, specifically Debbie Bliss Rialto DK, which is 100% wool. Yarn quantities vary by size: the main color (Yarn A in Teal) ranges from 120g to 200g depending on size, with accent colors including Vintage Pink (15g across all sizes) and Mustard (70 inches/178cm). Two needle sizes are required: 3.25mm (UK 10, US 3) for ribbed edges and 4mm (UK 8, US 6) for the main fabric worked flat.

The pattern specifies a tension of 22 stitches and 30 rows over 4 inches (10cm) in stocking stitch using the 4mm needles, which is essential for achieving the correct finished measurements across all size ranges.