Blakely Cardigan in Ella Rae Phoenix DK - ER19-02 - Downloadable PDF

Blakely Cardigan Knitting Pattern in Ella Rae Phoenix DK — ER19-02

The Blakely Cardigan is a charming children's knitted cardigan designed to be worked in Ella Rae Phoenix DK yarn. The pattern is available as a downloadable PDF and covers four sizes to fit children aged 1–2, 3–4, 5–6, and 7–8 years, with corresponding chest measurements of 56 cm / 22 in, 61 cm / 24 in, 66 cm / 26 in, and 71 cm / 28 in. One of the most appealing features of this design is that it comes in two colour versions, giving knitters a choice of palette while following the same construction method.

Design Overview

The Blakely Cardigan is a classic open-front children's cardigan featuring a structured colourwork stripe sequence, a moss stitch border, and a neat button band. The garment is knitted flat in separate pieces — a Back and two Front panels — and finished with 5 buttons. The combination of textured moss stitch at the hem and cuffs with smooth Stockinette stitch in the body gives the cardigan a polished, timeless look that is well suited to everyday children's wear.

Colour Versions

The pattern offers two distinct colourways, each using three shades of Ella Rae Phoenix DK labelled as colours A, B, and C:

• Version 1: Shade #1030 (Colour A), Shade #1031 (Colour B), and Shade #1029 (Colour C)
• Version 2: Shade #1035 (Colour A), Shade #1034 (Colour B), and Shade #1026 (Colour C)

In both versions, Colour B is used for the moss stitch borders and accent stripes, Colour C introduces a mid-section stripe sequence, and Colour A forms the main body of the cardigan in Stockinette stitch. This structured use of colour creates a subtle, coordinated stripe effect that adds visual interest without being overly complex to knit.

Materials Required

The pattern calls for Ella Rae Phoenix DK yarn in three colours. Yardage requirements vary by size:

• Colour A: 100 g for sizes 1–2 and 3–4 years; 200 g for sizes 5–6 and 7–8 years
• Colour B: 100 g across all four sizes
• Colour C: 100 g across all four sizes

In addition to yarn, knitters will need:

• 1 pair of 3.75 mm / US 5 needles — used for the moss stitch borders and ribbed sections
• 1 pair of 4 mm / US 6 needles — used for the main Stockinette stitch body
• 5 buttons for the front band closure

Tension / Gauge

Achieving the correct tension is essential for a well-fitting garment. The pattern specifies a gauge of 22 stitches and 30 rows over 10 cm / 4 in of Stockinette stitch using 4 mm needles. Knitters are encouraged to work a tension swatch before beginning and to adjust needle size if necessary to match this gauge.

Techniques and Construction

The Blakely Cardigan is knitted flat on straight needles and uses a straightforward top-down construction approach for individual pieces. Key construction techniques include:

• Moss stitch borders — worked on the smaller 3.75 mm needles in Colour B for approximately 3 cm at the lower edges, creating a neat, non-rolling hem
• Colour striping — a sequence of stripe blocks in Colours C, B, A, B, and C is worked in Stockinette stitch to create the colourwork