Isobella

Isobella Open Cardigan/Shrug by Taiga Hilliard Designs

What Is Being Made

Isobella is a versatile open cardigan and shrug designed by Taiga Hilliard Designs, suitable for infants and toddlers from newborn through 4T-5T sizes. This piece features a simple yet elegant aesthetic that transitions seamlessly from formal occasions worn over a dress to casual everyday styling with jeans. The cardigan showcases a charming bell trim detail along the hem and cuffs, adding a sweet decorative element to the otherwise minimalist design.

Construction and Techniques

Isobella is knit using a top-down construction method, which allows for easy fitting adjustments and the ability to try on the piece as you work. The sleeves are knit in the round, creating seamless cylindrical pieces that fit smoothly around the arms. The decorative bell trim edging is picked up from the finished edges and knit flat, allowing for precise shaping of this delicate detail. This combination of techniques—top-down construction, in-the-round sleeve knitting, and flat edging work—represents an intermediate-level knitting project that builds practical skills in garment construction.

Stitches and Stitch Techniques

The pattern employs fundamental knitting stitches and increases/decreases essential to garment shaping:

• Knit (K) and Purl (P) stitches form the foundation of the fabric
• Knit through the back loop (Ktbl) and Purl through the back loop (Ptbl) create twisted stitches for textural interest
• Knit front and back (Kfb) and Purl front and back (Pfb) serve as increase methods to shape the garment
• Knit two together (K2tog) decreases stitches for fitted shaping
• Make one left (M1L) provides an additional increase technique for seamless shaping
• Slip marker (Sm) and place marker (Pm) techniques help track pattern sections and sleeve placement

Yarn and Needle Specifications

Isobella is designed for DK or worsted weight yarn, offering flexibility in fiber choice. The pattern was tested with Cascade Ultra Pima in colorway 3773 Ice Blue, a high-quality cotton blend suitable for delicate garments. The project requires two needle sizes: US 7 (4.50 mm) needles for the main fabric and US 6 (4.00 mm) needles for the edging, allowing for tighter gauge control on the decorative trim. Knitters should verify their personal gauge, which should measure 20.0 stitches over 4 inches in stockinette stitch.

Sizing and Yardage Requirements

The pattern provides eight size options ranging from newborn to 4T-5T, with corresponding chest measurements from 17 inches to 23¾ inches. Yardage requirements scale with size: newborn requires 175 yards, while the largest size (4T-5T) requires 450 yards, allowing knitters to select appropriate yarn quantities for their chosen size.