Florence Cardigan

Florence Cardigan by Buzybee

What is Being Made

The Florence Cardigan is a knitted baby cardigan designed for infants and toddlers, available in five size options ranging from newborn (0-3 months) through toddler (2-3 years). This is a classic button-front cardigan construction featuring a simple, timeless design suitable for everyday wear.

Garment Construction and Techniques

The Florence Cardigan is constructed using fundamental knitting techniques appropriate for an intermediate-level knitter. The garment is built in separate pieces—a back panel and two front panels—which are then assembled. The cardigan features a button-front closure with strategically placed buttonholes worked directly into the fabric during knitting.

Buttonhole placement alternates between right-side and wrong-side rows, requiring the knitter to understand directional yarn work and maintain consistency across both front panels. The edging is worked using a circular needle, a common technique for finishing necklines and front edges on cardigans to create a neat, professional appearance.

Stitches Used

• Garter Stitch (g st) — The primary stitch throughout the entire garment, created by knitting every row. This produces a textured, reversible fabric with horizontal ridges and is ideal for baby garments as it lies flat and provides gentle stretch.
• Knit Stitch (k) — The foundational stitch used in all rows
• Knit Two Together (k2tog) — A decrease technique used to create buttonholes in combination with yarn forward stitches
• Yarn Forward (yfwd) — Creates an eyelet opening for buttonholes by bringing yarn to the front of the work, producing a decorative hole in the fabric
• Pick Up and Knit (PUK) — Used to add stitches along edges for the edging detail

Materials and Gauge

The Florence Cardigan requires DK weight yarn in quantities scaled to size: 150g for the smallest size (0-3 months) up to 350g for the largest size (2-3 years). The pattern specifies 4mm needles for the main body and a 4mm circular needle for working the edging.

Tension is critical for proper fit: knitters should achieve 22 stitches and 44 rows over 10 centimeters using garter stitch on 4mm needles with sport weight or light DK yarn. This relatively loose gauge is typical for baby garments, creating soft, breathable fabric.

The pattern calls for 5 buttons across all sizes, providing secure closure while maintaining appropriate spacing for infant and toddler wear.

Sizing Information

Five graduated sizes accommodate growth from newborn through early toddlerhood. The back panel cast-on ranges from 48 stitches (0-3m) to 70 stitches (2-3yrs), with corresponding increases in row counts from 92 rows to 140 rows, ensuring proper proportions at each stage of development.