Cutie Pie Cardigan in Rowan Cotton Wool (EN) - RB001-00005-ENP - Downloadable PDF

Cutie Pie Cardigan in Rowan Cotton Wool by Erika Knight – Pattern Summary

The Cutie Pie Cardigan is a charming knitted baby cardigan designed by Erika Knight and published by Rowan as pattern RB001-00005-ENP. Available as a downloadable PDF, this pattern is rated intermediate in difficulty and creates a sweet, practical garment sized for babies aged 0–3, 3–6, 6–9, and 9–12 months, with actual chest measurements ranging from 48 cm to 54 cm (19 in to 21¼ in). The finished cardigan features a classic garter stitch fabric, integrated sleeves, a shaped front slope, and a neat button band with three buttonholes — making it an ideal project for knitters who are comfortable with shaping techniques and ready to move beyond straightforward beginner patterns.

What Is Being Made

This pattern produces a baby cardigan worked in a simple yet elegant garter stitch throughout. The design includes a back panel, a left front and right front with a shaped front slope, and sleeves that are integrated into the body via cast-on increases rather than being knitted separately and sewn in. The result is a cosy, textured garment with a relaxed silhouette well suited to newborns and infants. Three buttons fasten the front, giving the cardigan a tidy, classic finish. The pattern was photographed in Nutkin 209, a warm, earthy tone that complements the natural feel of the yarn.

Yarn and Materials

• Yarn: Rowan Cotton Wool, a DK weight yarn, used in shade Nutkin 209. The quantity required is 2 x 50 g balls for the two smallest sizes (0–3 and 3–6 months) and 3 x 50 g balls for the two larger sizes (6–9 and 9–12 months).
• Needles: A pair of 4 mm (UK no. 8 / US 6) needles, plus one additional 4 mm needle used specifically for the three-needle cast-off when joining the shoulder seams.
• Buttons: 3 x grey or white, 1.5 cm, two-hole buttons to fasten the front opening.

Tension

The stated tension for this pattern is 20 stitches and 38 rows to 10 cm, measured over garter stitch using 4 mm needles. Because the entire garment is worked in garter stitch, achieving the correct row tension is especially important — garter stitch produces a denser, squarer fabric than stocking stitch, and an incorrect row count will affect the proportions of the body length and sleeve shaping significantly. Knitters are encouraged to work a tension swatch before casting on.

Techniques Used

The Cutie Pie Cardigan draws on a range of intermediate shaping techniques, all executed within a garter stitch fabric. Key techniques include:

• Garter stitch throughout: Every stitch on every row is knitted, producing the characteristic ridged, reversible fabric. This makes the pattern particularly forgiving for those new to shaping, as there is no need to manage a purl side separately.
• Front slope shaping: The neckline of each front piece is shaped by working paired decreases at the front edge over a series of rows, creating the diagonal slope that gives the cardigan its V-neck style. Decreases are worked using slip 1, K1, pass slipped stitch over (sl 1, K1, psso) on right-side rows and K2tog on wrong-side rows, maintaining a tidy, mirrored decrease line on each front.
• Integrated sleeve shaping: Rather than knitting sleeves as separate pieces, the sleeves are formed by casting on additional stitches at the side seam edges of the body pieces and simultaneously increasing using the M1 (make one) method. This technique produces a set-in sleeve effect without a traditional armhole, keeping construction straightforward.
• Buttonhole construction: