Baby Cardigan Knitting Pattern: Lily of the Valley

 

Baby Cardigan Knitting Pattern: Lily of the Valley with Cable knitting 

This document provides a detailed knitting pattern for a beautiful baby cardigan, perfect for sizes 6 to 9 months. Featuring the delicate Lily of the Valley stitch combined with classic cable knitting pattern, this cream and pink cardigan will be a cherished handmade item.

Measurements (6-9 Months)

• To Fit Chest: 43−46 cm (17−18 inches)
• Actual Chest Measurement: 51 cm (20 inches) (allowing for ease)
• Full Length (from shoulder): 28 cm (11 inches)
• Sleeve Length (from underarm): 18 cm (7 inches)
  

Yarn Requirements

• Yarn Type: 4 Ply Baby Yarn (e.g., merino or acrylic blend)
• Colours: Cream and Pink (or colours of your choice)
• Quantity: Approximately 2−3 x 50g balls in Cream, and 1−2 x 50g balls in Pink. (Total yarn needed will vary slightly based on individual tension and yarn brand).

Needle Sizes

• 3.0 mm (US 2.5) straight knitting needles
• 3.25 mm (US 3) straight knitting needles
• Cable needle (cn)

Buttons

• 4−5 x 1.5 cm (0.6 inch) diameter buttons

Tension Gauge

• 28 stitches  and 36 rows =10 cm (4 inches) in stocking stitch on 3.25 mm (US 3) needles.
• It is crucial to check your tension. If your tension is tighter, use a larger needle size. If it is looser, use a smaller needle size.

Abbreviations

• K: Knit
• P: Purl
• St(s): Stitch(es)
• RS: Right Side
• WS: Wrong Side
• M1: Make one stitch (pick up loop between stitches and knit into back of it)
• K2tog: Knit 2 stitches together
• P2tog: Purl 2 stitches together
• Skpo (or sl1, k1, psso): Slip 1, knit 1, pass slipped stitch over
• Yo: Yarn over
• Rep: Repeat
• Rem: Remaining
• Cont: Continue
• Inc: Increase
• Dec: Decrease
• Rib: Ribbing (e.g., K1, P1 rib)
• Cn: Cable needle
• C2B: Cable 2 Back (slip 1 st onto cn, hold at back of work, K1, then K st from cn)
• C2F: Cable 2 Front (slip 1 st onto cn, hold at front of work, K1, then K st from cn)
• LVS (Lily of the Valley Stitch): Specific instructions provided below.

Special Techniques

Lily of the Valley Stitch (LVS) - worked over a multiple of 4 stitches + 3

Row 1 (RS): K all sts.

Row 2 (WS): P all sts.

Row 3 (RS): K3, yo, K3tog, yo, K1 rep from * to last 4 sts, yo, K3tog, yo, K1.

Row 4 (WS): P all sts.

Row 5 (RS): K all sts.

Row 6 (WS): P all sts.

Row 7 (RS): K1, yo, K3tog, yo, K3 rep from * to last 2 sts, yo, K3tog, yo, K1.

Row 8 (WS): P all sts.

Repeat these 8 rows for the pattern.

Cable knitting (e.g., K2, P2 Cable Rib) - worked over a multiple of 4 stitches

Row 1 (RS): K2, P2 rep to end.

Row 2 (WS): K2, P2 rep to end.

Row 3 (RS): C2F, P2 rep to end. (Or C2B depending on desired cable direction)

Row 4 (WS): K2, P2 rep to end.

Repeat these 4 rows for the pattern.

Construction Method: Bottom-Up

The cardigan will be knitted in pieces from the bottom edge upwards: Back, Left Front, Right Front, and Sleeves. These pieces will then be sewn together.

General Calculation Formulas

• Stitches for Width: (Desired Width in cm / 10 cm) * Gauge Stitches per 10 cm
• Rows for Length: (Desired Length in cm / 10 cm) * Gauge Rows per 10 cm
• Increases/Decreases: (Total stitches needed - Starting stitches) / (Number of rows over which to increase/decrease)

Cardigan Back

Using 3.0 mm (US 2.5) needles and Cream yarn, cast on 70 sts.

Work in K1, P1 rib for 2 cm (0.8 inch), ending with a WS row.

Change to 3.25 mm (US 3) needles.

Next Row (RS): K all sts, increasing 1 st evenly across the row (71 sts).

Change to your main colour (e.g., Cream) and begin working in Lily of the Valley Stitch (LVS) pattern.

Cont in LVS until piece measures 18 cm (7 inches) from cast-on edge, ending with a WS row.

Shape Armholes

Cast off 3 sts at beginning of next 2 rows (65 sts).

Dec 1 st at each end of next 3 rows (59 sts).

Cont straight in pattern until armhole measures 10 cm (4 inches), ending with a WS row.

Shape Shoulders

Cast off 6 sts at beginning of next 4 rows (35 sts).

Cast off remaining 35 sts for back neck.

Cardigan Fronts (Make 2 - Left and Right)

Right Front

Using 3.0 mm (US 2.5) needles and Cream yarn, cast on 35 sts.

Work in K1, P1 rib for 2 cm (0.8 inch), ending with a WS row.

Change to 3.25 mm (US 3) needles.

Next Row (RS): K all sts, increasing 1 st evenly across the row (36 sts).

Change to your main colour (e.g., Cream) and begin working in LVS pattern.

Cont in LVS until piece measures 18 cm (7 inches) from cast-on edge, ending with a WS row.

Shape Armhole and Neck (simultaneously)

Armhole: Cast off 3 sts at beginning of next RS row (33 sts).

Neck: At the same time, dec 1 st at neck edge (front edge) on next and every following 4th row 5 times in total.

Cont in pattern, decreasing 1 st at armhole edge on next 3 rows (27 sts).

Cont straight in pattern until armhole measures 10 cm (4 inches), ending with a WS row.

Shape Shoulder

Cast off 6 sts at beginning of next RS row.

Work 1 row straight.

Cast off 6 sts at beginning of next RS row (9 sts rem).

Cast off remaining 9 sts.

Left Front

Work as Right Front, reversing all shaping.

Armhole: Cast off 3 sts at beginning of next WS row.

Neck: Dec 1 st at neck edge (front edge) on next and every following 4th row 5 times in total.

Cont in pattern, decreasing 1 st at armhole edge on next 3 rows.

Shape Shoulder

Cast off 6 sts at beginning of next WS row.

Work 1 row straight.

Cast off 6 sts at beginning of next WS row (9 sts rem).

Cast off remaining 9 sts.

Shape Sleeves (Make 2)

Using 3.0 mm (US 2.5) needles and Cream yarn, cast on 34 sts.

Work in K1, P1 rib for 2 cm (0.8 inch), ending with a WS row.

Change to 3.25 mm (US 3) needles.

Next Row (RS): K all sts, increasing 2 sts evenly across the row (36 sts).

Change to your main colour (e.g., Cream) and begin working in LVS pattern.

Inc 1 st at each end of 3rd row and every following 6th row 5 times in total (46 sts).

Cont straight in pattern until sleeve measures 18 cm (7 inches) from cast-on edge, ending with a WS row.

Shape Sleeve Top

Cast off 3 sts at beginning of next 2 rows (40 sts).

Dec 1 st at each end of next 3 rows (34 sts).

Cont straight until sleeve top measures 8 cm (3.2 inches), ending with a WS row.

Cast off remaining 34 sts.

Round Neck Band

Join shoulder seams.

Using 3.0 mm (US 2.5) needles and Cream yarn, pick up and knit approximately 60−65 sts evenly around the neck edge (ensure an even number for K1, P1 rib).

Work in K1, P1 rib for 2 cm (0.8 inch).

Cast off loosely in rib.

Front Bands

Using 3.0 mm (US 2.5) needles and Cream yarn, pick up and knit stitches evenly along the right front edge (approximately 28 sts per 10 cm).

Work in Cable Ribbing (e.g., K2, P2 Cable Rib) for 2 cm (0.8 inch).

Buttonhole Row (on Right Front Band for girls, Left Front Band for boys):

Work 3 rows in cable rib.

Next Row (RS): Rib X sts, cast off 2 sts for buttonhole, rib Y sts rep for 4−5 buttonholes, rib to end.

Next Row (WS): Rib to buttonhole, cast on 2 sts over cast-off sts, rib to end.

Cont in cable rib for another 1 cm (0.4 inch).

Cast off loosely in rib.

Work left front band similarly, but without buttonholes (or with buttonholes if for boys).

Finishing and Care Tips

1. Block Pieces: Gently wash all knitted pieces and lay them flat to dry according to their measurements. This helps even out stitches and shapes the garment.
2. Sew Seams: Using mattress stitch, sew side seams and sleeve seams. Set in sleeves.
3. Attach Buttons: Sew buttons onto the button band opposite the buttonholes.
4. Weave in Ends: Securely weave in all loose yarn ends using a darning needle.
5. Care:
• Hand wash or machine wash on a gentle wool cycle with mild detergent, using cool water.
• Do not bleach.
• Do not tumble dry.
• Lay flat to dry in shade.
• Do not iron or iron on a very low setting if necessary, avoiding the bobbles.

Enjoy your beautiful handmade baby cardigan!