"Mikael Cardigan" - Cardigan Knitting Pattern in MillaMia Naturally Soft Merino

Mikael Cardigan Knitting Pattern – A Beginner-Friendly Baby and Toddler Cardigan in MillaMia Naturally Soft Merino

The Mikael Cardigan is a charming, relaxed fit knitting pattern designed by MillaMia for babies and young children. Described as suitable for both boys and girls, this classic cardigan is an ideal project for knitters who are at the beginner to improving skill level. The pattern is available as a downloadable PDF and offers a satisfying introduction to garment knitting without overwhelming complexity.

Sizes and Fit

The Mikael Cardigan is sized to fit five age ranges, making it a versatile pattern to return to as children grow:

• 3–6 months: Chest 51 cm / 20 in, Length to shoulder 24 cm / 9½ in, Sleeve length 15 cm / 6 in
• 6–12 months: Chest 56 cm / 22 in, Length to shoulder 26 cm / 10¼ in, Sleeve length 18 cm / 7 in
• 12–24 months: Chest 60 cm / 23½ in, Length to shoulder 28 cm / 11 in, Sleeve length 21 cm / 8¼ in
• 24–36 months: Chest 65 cm / 25½ in, Length to shoulder 32 cm / 12½ in, Sleeve length 25 cm / 10 in
• 48–60 months: Chest 70 cm / 27½ in, Length to shoulder 36 cm / 14¼ in, Sleeve length 28 cm / 11 in

The relaxed fit means the finished garment has a comfortable, easy silhouette that works well for everyday wear.

Construction and Techniques

The Mikael Cardigan is constructed using a bottom-up, seamed, worked flat method. This means each piece — the back, fronts, and sleeves — is knitted separately as flat panels and then joined together using seaming. This traditional approach is particularly well suited to beginners, as it breaks the project into manageable sections and avoids the need for complex circular or in-the-round techniques.

Key construction techniques used in this pattern include:

• Bottom-up construction: Knitting begins at the lower edge of each piece and works upward toward the shoulder, which is a straightforward and intuitive method for new garment knitters.
• Worked flat: All pieces are knitted back and forth on straight needles, using knit and purl rows to create the fabric.
• Seamed finishing: The individual pieces are sewn together after knitting, giving the cardigan structure and a neat, professional finish.
• Buttonhole construction: The pattern includes instructions for creating 4 buttonholes to accommodate buttons of approximately 15 mm in diameter, adding a practical and decorative fastening to the front opening.

Stitches Used

The Mikael Cardigan uses a selection of classic knitting stitches that are well within reach of a beginner knitter:

• Stocking stitch (stockinette stitch): The main body fabric is worked in stocking stitch, created by alternating knit rows on the right side and purl rows on the wrong side. This produces a smooth, flat fabric ideal for showcasing the yarn's natural qualities.
• Garter stitch: Used for borders or edging sections, garter stitch is formed by knitting every row and creates a ridged, slightly stretchy texture.
• Moss stitch (seed stitch): A textured stitch formed by alternating knit and purl stitches across the row and offsetting them on subsequent rows, creating a bumpy, non-curling fabric often used for neat, decorative edgings.
• Standard increases and decreases: The pattern uses techniques such as k2tog (knit two stitches together), p2tog (purl two stitches together), m1 (make one), and psso (pass slipped stitch over) to shape the garment at armholes, necklines, and sleeves.