Cardigans in Stylecraft Bambino Prints DK - 9746 - Downloadable PDF

Stylecraft Bambino Prints DK Cardigans – Pattern 9746: Two Baby and Toddler Cardigan Designs

Pattern 9746 from Stylecraft offers two charming knitted cardigan designs for babies and young children, sized from birth through five years. Both garments are worked in Stylecraft Bambino Prints DK, a soft, baby-friendly yarn that brings gentle colour variation to the finished pieces. The pattern is rated as easy, making it an excellent project for advanced beginners who are ready to explore simple lace techniques alongside classic knitting construction. The two designs — a Round Neck Cardigan and a V Neck Cardigan — share the same lace stitch pattern but differ in their neckline shaping and finishing details.

Sizing and Measurements

Both cardigans are available in five sizes designed to fit children from birth to five years of age. The chest measurements covered are as follows:

• 0–6 months: to fit 41 cm (16 in) chest, actual measurement 47 cm (18½ in)
• 6–12 months: to fit 46 cm (18 in) chest, actual measurement 53 cm (20¾ in)
• 12–24 months: to fit 51 cm (20 in) chest, actual measurement 57 cm (22½ in)
• 2–3 years: to fit 56 cm (22 in) chest, actual measurement 63 cm (24¾ in)
• 4–5 years: to fit 61 cm (24 in) chest, actual measurement 67 cm (26½ in)

The Round Neck Cardigan has a full length ranging from 24 cm (9½ in) for the smallest size up to 42 cm (16½ in) for the largest. The V Neck Cardigan is slightly longer, measuring from 28 cm (11 in) up to 46 cm (18 in). Sleeve lengths range from 15 cm (6 in) to 29 cm (11½ in) across the size range.

Design One: Round Neck Cardigan

Overview

The Round Neck Cardigan is a classic baby cardigan featuring a neat, rounded neckline that is easy to dress babies and toddlers in. The body and sleeves are worked flat in pieces and then seamed together, following a traditional construction method well suited to those building confidence in garment knitting. The sample shown in the pattern is worked in Stylecraft Bambino Prints DK in Sailboat 1239, a colourway that showcases the soft, variegated print effect of the yarn beautifully against the lace detailing.

Yarn Requirements

• 0–6 months: 1 x 100g ball
• 6–12 months: 2 x 100g balls
• 12–24 months: 2 x 100g balls
• 2–3 years: 2 x 100g balls
• 4–5 years: 3 x 100g balls

Construction and Techniques

The back piece begins with a cast-on of 53 to 74 stitches depending on size, worked using 4 mm (UK8 / USA6) knitting needles. The lower edge is established with a twisted rib — specifically a K1, P2 rib pattern — worked over 15 rows to create a firm, neat border. A subtle decrease row is then worked on the wrong side to reduce the stitch count ready for the lace pattern, ensuring the fabric sits smoothly without pulling.

The main body fabric is formed using a simple lace pattern that repeats over a ten-row sequence. The lace is achieved through a combination of yarn forward (yfwd) increases paired with slip 1, knit 1, pass slipped stitch over (sl 1, K1, psso) and knit 2 together (K2tog) decreases. These techniques create a delicate, open eyelet effect that adds visual interest without being overly complex. Right-side rows carry the lace detailing while wrong-side rows are worked in plain purl, keeping the pattern easy to follow. The l