Cardigans in Stylecraft Bambino DK - 9505 - Downloadable PDF

Cardigans in Stylecraft Bambino DK – Pattern 9505: A Detailed Summary

Pattern 9505 from Stylecraft is a downloadable PDF knitting pattern featuring two easy-knit cardigan designs for babies and toddlers, both worked in Bambino DK yarn. The pattern is rated as intermediate in difficulty and covers a wide range of sizes to suit babies and young children from newborn through to 3 years old, with chest measurements spanning 36 cm (14 in) to 56 cm (22 in). This makes it an excellent choice for knitters looking to create a thoughtful, handmade gift or a wardrobe staple for a little one.

What Is Being Made

The pattern contains two cardigan designs, both sized for babies and toddlers. The first design featured in the PDF is the Cardigan with Collar, a classic baby cardigan with a neat ribbed collar detail. Both designs are constructed in double knitting (DK) weight yarn, making them relatively quick to knit while still producing a fine, soft fabric suitable for delicate baby skin.

Size Range and Measurements

• Newborn: To fit chest 36 cm (14 in), actual measurement 42 cm, full length 20 cm (7¾ in), sleeve length 12 cm (4¾ in)
• 0–6 months: To fit chest 41 cm (16 in), actual measurement 48 cm, full length 24 cm (9½ in), sleeve length 15 cm (6 in)
• 6–12 months: To fit chest 46 cm (18 in), actual measurement 52 cm, full length 28 cm (11 in), sleeve length 17 cm (6½ in)
• 12–24 months: To fit chest 51 cm (20 in), actual measurement 58 cm, full length 32 cm (12½ in), sleeve length 20 cm (7¾ in)
• 2–3 years: To fit chest 56 cm (22 in), actual measurement 62 cm, full length 38 cm (15 in), sleeve length 24 cm (9½ in)

Design One: Cardigan with Collar

The Cardigan with Collar is a charming, classic baby cardigan featuring a ribbed welt, garter stitch body, and a collar detail. The sample shown in the pattern is knitted in Vintage Blue 7116, one of the shades available in Stylecraft Bambino DK. The construction begins at the back, working upward from a ribbed cast-on edge, before transitioning to a garter stitch fabric for the main body. This combination gives the garment a neat, structured lower edge while keeping the body fabric simple and attractive.

Techniques Used

• Thumb method cast-on – used to begin the back and other pieces, this technique creates a neat, slightly elastic edge well suited to baby garments
• Ribbing – the welt is worked in a k2, p2 rib, alternating knit and purl stitches to create a stretchy, tidy border
• Garter stitch – the main body fabric is worked in garter stitch (knitting every row), producing a soft, slightly textured fabric with natural elasticity and no curling edges
• Shaping and decreasing – stitch decreases are worked at the end of the ribbing section on certain sizes to achieve the correct stitch count before transitioning to the main needle size
• Needle changes – the pattern moves from 3¼ mm needles for the ribbed welt to 4 mm needles for the garter stitch body, a common technique to ensure the welt is firmer and the body fabric is softer and more relaxed

Stitches Used

• Knit stitch (k) – the foundation of garter stitch and ribbing
• Purl stitch (p) – used within the k2, p2 rib sections
• k2, p2 rib