Party Daisy Cardigan

Party Daisy Cardigan by MaryWildDesigns

Product Overview

The Party Daisy Cardigan is a girls' knitted cardigan designed by independent designer MaryWildDesigns. This intermediate-level knitting project creates a charming everyday cardigan featuring practical pockets and a classic button-front closure. The pattern is available in three child sizes to fit ages 4-5, 6-7, and 8-9 years, with corresponding chest measurements of 64cm, 69cm, and 74cm and finished lengths of 34.5cm, 37.5cm, and 40.5cm respectively.

What Is Being Made

This downloadable PDF pattern provides complete instructions for knitting a girls' cardigan from the ground up. The garment features a structured body with shaping at the armholes, a divided neckline for the front opening, functional pockets integrated into the design, and a button band for closure. Five buttons measuring 18mm are required to complete the cardigan, making it a fully functional everyday piece suitable for children.

Knitting Techniques Used

• Ribbed Edging: The pattern begins with 5.5cm of knit-purl ribbing (K1, P1) to create an elastic, fitted edge at the lower body
• Stocking Stitch: The main fabric is worked in stocking stitch, creating a smooth, classic knit appearance
• Increases: Strategic increases are worked evenly across the ribbing transition to shape the garment
• Armhole Shaping: Cast-off stitches at the beginning of rows create structured armholes
• Neckline Division: The pattern divides stitches to create the front opening and neckline shaping
• Knit Through Back Loop: The abbreviation "tbl" indicates knitting into the back of loops for specific stitch variations

Stitches and Abbreviations

The pattern uses standard knitting abbreviations and stitch techniques. Key stitches include stocking stitch (st st), which forms the primary fabric, and knit-purl ribbing for the edging. The pattern notation includes "ws" for wrong side, "tbl" for knit into back of loop, and "inc" for increases, allowing knitters to follow shaping instructions with precision.

Materials and Yarn Specifications

The Party Daisy Cardigan is designed for DK weight yarn, a medium-weight yarn suitable for creating garments with good drape and structure. The pattern requires three 100-gram balls of Cygnet DK 639 in Vintage Rose, a warm, classic color option. The specified yardage is 298 meters per ball, providing ample yarn for all three size options. The yarn is machine washable at 40 degrees and should not be ironed, making it practical for children's wear.

Needles and Notions

Knitters will need one pair of 3mm needles, available in either round or straight needle styles depending on preference. Additional supplies include a stitch holder for managing stitches during construction, a darning needle for weaving in ends, scissors, and a measuring tape for checking gauge and finished measurements. Five 18mm Milward 0048 E buttons are required to complete the cardigan's front closure.

Gauge and Tension

The pattern specifies a tension of 24 stitches by 29 rows over 10cm when worked on 3mm needles in stocking stitch. Achieving the correct gauge is essential for the cardigan to fit properly across all three size options. Knitters should work a gauge swatch before beginning the project to ensure accurate finished measurements.

Difficulty Level

Rated as intermediate difficulty, the Party Daisy Cardigan is suitable for knitters with some experience. The project combines fundamental techniques including ribbing, stocking stitch, and basic shaping, making it an excellent choice for knitters looking to develop their skills with a wearable, practical garment.