Babies Cadigan in Bergere de France Merinos 2,5 - 60376-09 - Downloadable PDF

Babies Cardigan in Bergere de France Mérinos 2,5 – Pattern Summary

This beginner-level knitting pattern from Bergere de France produces a sweet, classic baby cardigan worked entirely in seed stitch (point de riz). The design is sized for 1 month, 3 months, and 6 months, making it a versatile project for newborns and young infants. The finished garment features a neat collar, set-in sleeves, shaped armholes and neckline, and decorative red fastenings, creating a polished and gift-worthy piece.

Yarn and Materials

The pattern is written specifically for Bergere de France Mérinos 2,5, a 4-ply weight yarn worked with two strands held together throughout. This double-strand technique gives the fabric extra warmth, body, and stitch definition while keeping the finished fabric soft and suitable for delicate baby skin. The colourway used in the original design is Rouge bébé (shade 20048).

• Yarn required: 3 balls (1 month and 3 months) or 4 balls (6 months) of Mérinos 2,5 in Rouge bébé 20048
• Needles: 4.5 mm knitting needles
• Accessories: Stitch marker rings (ref. 68395, pack of 48), 3 red fastenings (ref. 63429, pack of 4), and one LOVE badge/patch (ref. 50141)

Tension and Gauge

Achieving the correct tension is essential for sizing accuracy. The stated tension for this pattern is 20 stitches and 34 rows to a 10 cm square in seed stitch on 4.5 mm needles, using two strands of Mérinos 2,5 held together. Knitters are encouraged to work a tension swatch before beginning and adjust needle size if necessary to match this gauge.

Stitches and Techniques Used

• Seed stitch (point de riz): The entire cardigan — back, fronts, sleeves, and collar — is worked in seed stitch. Seed stitch is created by alternating knit and purl stitches across every row, with each stitch worked opposite to the one below it. This produces a beautifully textured, non-curling fabric that is ideal for baby garments as it lies flat at all edges without the need for separate borders.
• Double-strand knitting: Both strands of yarn are held and worked together as one throughout, which is a straightforward technique that increases the fabric weight and warmth without changing the needle size dramatically.
• Armhole shaping: Stitch markers are placed at the first and last stitches of the armhole row to define the sleeve attachment points. Armhole shaping involves casting off stitches at set intervals across right-side rows.
• Neckline shaping: Gradual cast-offs are worked every two rows to create a smooth, rounded neckline on both the back and left front pieces.
• Shoulder finishing: Shoulders are joined using a chain stitch seam worked on the wrong side, a technique that creates a flat, neat join suitable for baby garments.
• Sleeve attachment: The top of each sleeve is sewn to the armhole edge using backstitch, positioned on either side of the shoulder seam between the stitch markers.
• Collar attachment: The collar is sewn to the neckline edge using backstitch for a secure and tidy finish.
• Side and sleeve seams: These are sewn together after all pieces are blocked and assembled.

Construction and Pieces

The cardigan is knitted flat in separate pieces and then seamed together during finishing. The pieces are:

• Back (Dos): Cast on 47–51–55 stitches. Work in seed stitch to armhole height (15–16–18 cm / 50–54–62 rows), then place stitch markers. Continue with armhole shaping and work to full length (24–26–29 cm / 82–88–100 rows), leaving the remaining 15–16–17