Ellen's Cardigan - Petite Knit (Baby)
Ellen’s Cardigan is a beautifully practical children’s cardigan, knitted flat from the top down with classic raglan shaping. The neckline is shaped using short rows for a comfortable, well-balanced fit, and the cardigan is worked in smooth stockinette stitch with a vertical rib running along the front edges.
The button bands are worked cleanly at the end, with buttonholes added afterwards — meaning you can focus on the knitting without juggling buttonhole placement mid-project. The sleeves are worked in the round from picked-up stitches, and a lovely extra detail is the addition of inner pockets, making this a truly thoughtful, wearable garment.
This is a versatile pattern that works equally well for everyday wear or as a special handmade gift.
This is a printed pattern, not a digital download.
Construction details
-
Knit flat from the top down
-
Raglan increases
-
Short-row neckline shaping
-
Stockinette stitch body
-
Vertical ribbed button bands
-
Sleeves worked in the round
-
Inner pockets included
Sizes
6–9 mo (9–12 mo) 12–18 mo (18–24 mo)
2–3 yrs (3–4 yrs) 4–5 yrs (5–6 yrs)
6–7 yrs (7–8 yrs) 8–9 yrs (9–10 yrs) 10–12 yrs
Finished chest circumference:
56 (60) 62 (64) 66 (68) 70 (72) 75 (77) 79 (81) 83 cm
Length:
29 (31) 32 (34) 37 (39) 41 (44) 46 (48) 50 (51) 52 cm
Gauge
21 sts × 28 rows = 10 × 10 cm
in stockinette stitch on 4 mm needles, after blocking
Needles
-
3 mm and 4 mm circular needles (60 or 80 cm)
-
3 mm and 4 mm double-pointed needles
(or Magic Loop)
Yarn requirements (generic & correct)
This cardigan is worked holding two strands together throughout:
-
Strand 1: a light fingering / 4-ply alpaca or wool yarn
-
Strand 2: a lace-weight silk mohair yarn
The finished fabric is light, warm, and softly textured — perfect for children’s garments.
Total yarn required (by metreage)
| Size | Fingering / 4-ply yarn | Lace mohair yarn |
|---|---|---|
| 6–9 mo | ~250 m | ~210 m |
| 9–12 mo | ~500 m | ~210 m |
| 12–18 mo | ~500 m | ~210 m |
| 18–24 mo | ~500 m | ~210 m |
| 2–3 yrs | ~500 m | ~210 m |
| 3–4 yrs | ~500 m | ~315 m |
| 4–5 yrs | ~500 m | ~315 m |
| 5–6 yrs | ~500 m | ~315 m |
| 6–7 yrs | ~750 m | ~315 m |
| 7–8 yrs | ~750 m | ~420 m |
| 8–9 yrs | ~750 m | ~420 m |
| 9–10 yrs | ~750 m | ~420 m |
| 10–12 yrs | ~750 m | ~420 m |
These totals already account for both strands and include allowance for pockets and finishing.
Notions
-
6 buttons (approx. 12 mm)
Difficulty
★★★☆☆ (3 out of 5)
Description
Ellen’s Cardigan is a beautifully practical children’s cardigan, knitted flat from the top down with classic raglan shaping. The neckline is shaped using short rows for a comfortable, well-balanced fit, and the cardigan is worked in smooth stockinette stitch with a vertical rib running along the front edges.
The button bands are worked cleanly at the end, with buttonholes added afterwards — meaning you can focus on the knitting without juggling buttonhole placement mid-project. The sleeves are worked in the round from picked-up stitches, and a lovely extra detail is the addition of inner pockets, making this a truly thoughtful, wearable garment.
This is a versatile pattern that works equally well for everyday wear or as a special handmade gift.
This is a printed pattern, not a digital download.
Construction details
-
Knit flat from the top down
-
Raglan increases
-
Short-row neckline shaping
-
Stockinette stitch body
-
Vertical ribbed button bands
-
Sleeves worked in the round
-
Inner pockets included
Sizes
6–9 mo (9–12 mo) 12–18 mo (18–24 mo)
2–3 yrs (3–4 yrs) 4–5 yrs (5–6 yrs)
6–7 yrs (7–8 yrs) 8–9 yrs (9–10 yrs) 10–12 yrs
Finished chest circumference:
56 (60) 62 (64) 66 (68) 70 (72) 75 (77) 79 (81) 83 cm
Length:
29 (31) 32 (34) 37 (39) 41 (44) 46 (48) 50 (51) 52 cm
Gauge
21 sts × 28 rows = 10 × 10 cm
in stockinette stitch on 4 mm needles, after blocking
Needles
-
3 mm and 4 mm circular needles (60 or 80 cm)
-
3 mm and 4 mm double-pointed needles
(or Magic Loop)
Yarn requirements (generic & correct)
This cardigan is worked holding two strands together throughout:
-
Strand 1: a light fingering / 4-ply alpaca or wool yarn
-
Strand 2: a lace-weight silk mohair yarn
The finished fabric is light, warm, and softly textured — perfect for children’s garments.
Total yarn required (by metreage)
| Size | Fingering / 4-ply yarn | Lace mohair yarn |
|---|---|---|
| 6–9 mo | ~250 m | ~210 m |
| 9–12 mo | ~500 m | ~210 m |
| 12–18 mo | ~500 m | ~210 m |
| 18–24 mo | ~500 m | ~210 m |
| 2–3 yrs | ~500 m | ~210 m |
| 3–4 yrs | ~500 m | ~315 m |
| 4–5 yrs | ~500 m | ~315 m |
| 5–6 yrs | ~500 m | ~315 m |
| 6–7 yrs | ~750 m | ~315 m |
| 7–8 yrs | ~750 m | ~420 m |
| 8–9 yrs | ~750 m | ~420 m |
| 9–10 yrs | ~750 m | ~420 m |
| 10–12 yrs | ~750 m | ~420 m |
These totals already account for both strands and include allowance for pockets and finishing.
Notions
-
6 buttons (approx. 12 mm)
Difficulty
★★★☆☆ (3 out of 5)
