Cardita Baby Cardigan

Cardita Baby Cardigan by Keya Kuhn

What Is Being Made

The Cardita Baby Cardigan is a knitted cardigan designed for infants, available in three sizes to accommodate babies from newborn through twelve months. The garment is sized to fit chest measurements ranging from 14.5 inches for newborns up to 19 inches for twelve-month-old babies, with corresponding neck circumferences from 6 to 8 inches. This downloadable knitting pattern provides a practical layering piece for babies in worsted weight yarn.

Knitting Techniques

This intermediate-level knitting project employs several fundamental and intermediate techniques to construct the cardigan. The pattern uses circular needles for flat knitting, which provides stability and distributes stitches comfortably across a longer cable. Knitters will work with increases and decreases to shape the garment, including make-one increases (both standard and backward loop methods) and knit-two-together decreases worked through the back of the loop for refined shaping. The pattern incorporates stitch markers to track pattern sections and construction points. A button band and collar are knitted as finishing elements, with the optional use of smaller needles to create a tighter, more refined edge for these details.

Stitches Used

The Cardita Baby Cardigan is primarily constructed in stockinette stitch, which creates a smooth, classic fabric ideal for baby garments. This foundational stitch is worked by alternating knit and purl rows, producing the characteristic V-pattern texture. The pattern utilizes make-one increases (abbreviated M1 and M1Bkwd) to add stitches for shaping the body and sleeves, and knit-two-together decreases (k2tog tbl) worked through the back of the loop for refined decreasing. Basic knitting fundamentals including knit stitches, purl stitches, slip stitches, and bind-off techniques form the foundation of construction.

Materials and Specifications

This pattern requires US 8 (5.0 mm) circular needles with at least a 24-inch cable for the main body construction. An optional US 7 (4.5 mm) circular needle of the same cable length is recommended for knitting the collar and button band to create a tighter, more polished edge. The cardigan is worked in worsted weight yarn, specifically Brava yarn, with yardage requirements of 200 to 260 yards depending on the chosen size. Additional notions include one embroidery needle for finishing details, three to four buttons (quantity varies by size), and waste yarn for provisional cast-on or stitch holders. The pattern is worked to a gauge of 18 stitches by 26 rows over 4 inches in stockinette stitch when blocked, which is essential for achieving proper fit in this baby garment.

Size Range

• Small: 0-3 months, up to 14.5-inch chest, 6-inch neck circumference
• Medium: 3-6 months, 15 to 17-inch chest, 7-inch neck circumference
• Large: 6-12 months, 17 to 19-inch chest, 8-inch neck circumference