Cardigan & Waistcoat in Sirdar Supersoft Aran - 2435 - Downloadable PDF

Sirdar Supersoft Aran Pattern 2435 – Children's Cardigan and Waistcoat Knitting Pattern (Ages 2–13)

This downloadable PDF knitting pattern from Sirdar includes instructions for two classic children's knitwear designs: a long-sleeved cardigan and a sleeveless waistcoat. Both garments are worked in Sirdar Supersoft Aran yarn and are sized to fit children aged 2 to 13 years, covering chest measurements from 56 cm (22 in) up to 81 cm (32 in). The pattern is ideal for knitters who enjoy combining straightforward stocking stitch with decorative cable and twist stitch panels, producing a garment with real visual interest while remaining accessible to confident intermediate knitters.

The Cardigan

The cardigan is a traditional button-front design with set-in or shaped sleeves and a neat ribbed finish. It is worked across six sizes, with a full length ranging from 38 cm (15 in) for age 2–3 up to 58 cm (22¾ in) for age 12–13, and a sleeve length from 24 cm (9½ in) to 42 cm (16½ in). The actual chest measurement of the finished garment runs slightly larger than the body measurement, providing comfortable ease — from 60 cm (23¾ in) up to 85 cm (33½ in).

Cardigan Techniques and Stitches

• Stocking stitch forms the main body fabric, worked with knit rows on the right side and purl rows on the wrong side.
• A decorative diamond cable panel is a central feature of the design. This panel measures 16 stitches wide and 7 cm (2¾ in) across at the stated tension, giving the garment a classic, structured appearance.
• Cable stitches used include C4B (slip 2 stitches to a cable needle held at the back, knit 2, then knit 2 from the cable needle), creating a right-leaning four-stitch cable cross.
• C3B and C3F are three-stitch cable crosses worked to the back and front respectively, used to shape the travelling lines of the diamond motif.
• T3B and T3F are twist stitches that combine knit and purl movements — T3B holds one stitch to the back, knits two, then purls one from the cable needle; T3F holds two stitches to the front, purls one, then knits two from the cable needle. These twists create the characteristic diagonal movement and open diamond shape within the panel.
• Ribbing is used for welts, cuffs, and button bands to provide elasticity and a tidy edge.
• Shaping is achieved through standard decrease and increase techniques for armholes, sleeves, and necklines.
• The cardigan fastens with 5 buttons for sizes 2–3 and 4–5, and 6 buttons for sizes 6–7 through 12–13.

Cardigan Materials

• Yarn: Sirdar Supersoft Aran, shade 918 — requiring 2 × 100g balls for ages 2–3 and 4–5, 3 balls for ages 6–7 and 8–9, and 4 balls for ages 10–11 and 12–13.
• Needles: One pair of 5mm (UK6 / USA8) knitting needles for the main fabric, and one pair of 4mm (UK8 / USA6) needles for ribbed edgings.
• A cable needle is required for working all cable and twist stitch crosses.
• 5 or 6 buttons depending on size.

The Waistcoat

The waistcoat is a sleeveless, button-front garment that shares the same design language as the cardigan — including the signature cable diamond panel — but