Xs and Os Cardigan

Xs and Os Cardigan by Katherine Gibbs

What Is Being Made

The Xs and Os Cardigan is a children's knitted cardigan designed by Katherine Gibbs, available in five sizes ranging from 2 to 10. This button-front cardigan features a decorative pattern incorporating X and O motifs throughout the garment. The cardigan is sized to fit chest measurements from 22 inches (56 cm) for size 2 up to 29 inches (74 cm) for size 10, with corresponding lengths ranging from 11 inches (28 cm) to 18.5 inches (47 cm).

Knitting Techniques and Construction

This intermediate-level knitting project employs several standard cardigan construction techniques. The garment is worked in stockinette stitch as the primary fabric base, which provides a smooth, classic foundation for the decorative Xs and Os pattern work. The pattern utilizes both straight needles and circular needles for the main body sections, with double-pointed needles required for smaller circumference areas such as sleeves and necklines. Cable needle work is incorporated into the construction process, adding textural interest to the design. The cardigan features a button-front closure with six 15mm buttons, requiring careful shaping and finishing at the front edges and button bands.

Stitches Used

The primary stitch structure is stockinette stitch (Stst), which forms the base fabric throughout the cardigan. The decorative Xs and Os pattern is integrated into the stockinette base, creating a textured, visually interesting surface. Cable stitches are worked using a cable needle to add dimensional detail to the design. The pattern includes shaping techniques such as increases and decreases to achieve proper fit across the five size options.

Yarn and Materials

This cardigan is designed to be worked in CampFiber yarns Classic Merino DK, a 100% superwash merino yarn that provides durability and easy care for children's garments. The yarn is fingering to light worsted weight, with 231 yards (211 meters) per 115-gram ball. Yardage requirements vary by size: the main color (Strawberry Jam) requires 2 balls for sizes 2 and 4, 2 balls for size 6, and 3 balls for sizes 8 and 10. The contrast color (Cashew) requires 1 ball for sizes 2 and 4, 2 balls for size 6, and 2 balls for sizes 8 and 10.

Needles and Tools

The pattern calls for two needle sizes to achieve proper gauge and fabric structure. US size 3 (3.25mm) needles are used for ribbed sections and edges, available in straight, circular, or double-pointed styles depending on the section being worked. US size 5 (3.75mm) needles are used for the main body fabric in stockinette stitch, also available in straight, circular, or double-pointed configurations. Knitters should select needle sizes to achieve the specified gauge of 22 stitches and 29 rows over 4 inches (10 cm) in stockinette stitch.

Additional tools required include four stitch holders or scrap yarn for holding stitches during construction, a darning needle for weaving in ends and seaming, a cable needle for cable stitch work, scissors, and scrap yarn for provisional cast-ons or other construction techniques.

Difficulty Level

This project is rated as intermediate difficulty, making it suitable for knitters with some experience beyond basic garter and stockinette stitches. The combination of cable work, color pattern integration, and fitted shaping across multiple sizes requires solid foundational skills and the ability to read pattern instructions carefully.