A Beautiful Cardigan for Children: Easy Knitting Pattern

This gorgeous cardigan, with its striking herringbone pattern, is a perfect project for creating a handmade gift that’s both stylish and cozy for a child. Don’t be intimidated by the pattern; the instructions are straightforward once you know the basics.

Let’s get started on this special piece!

Materials & Gauge

• Yarn: A medium-weight yarn is recommended.
• Needles: The yarn label will suggest a size, likely around US 6 or 7 (4-4.5mm).
• Gauge: To ensure the cardigan fits, knit a small swatch in the herringbone pattern. Measure how many stitches and rows you get per 4 inches (10cm). Adjust your needle size if needed.

Note: A video for the herringbone pattern is linked below the post to help you get started!

Video: herringbone pattern of orgupinari.com

Knitting Instructions

Back Piece

1. Cast on 80 stitches.
2. Work in the herringbone pattern until the piece measures 40 cm from the cast-on edge.
3. Shape the Armholes: At the beginning of the next 3 rows, bind off 3 stitches, then 2 stitches, then 1 stitch.
4. Continue knitting in pattern until the armhole measures 16 cm high.
5. Shape the Collar: On the next row, bind off the center 12 stitches.
6. Work the left side of the collar first. On the next three rows, bind off 3 stitches, then 2 stitches, then 1 stitch at the collar edge.
7. Shape the Shoulder: On the next two rows, bind off 8 stitches at the armhole edge. Then, bind off all remaining stitches.
8. Rejoin the yarn to the right side of the collar and repeat the process for the other shoulder.

Front Pieces (Make 2)

1. Cast on 45 stitches.
2. Work in the herringbone pattern for the same length as the back piece until it reaches 40 cm.
3. Shape the Armhole: Follow the same armhole shaping as the back piece.
4. Shape the Collar: After the armhole is complete and the piece measures 12 cm from the armhole edge, begin to shape the collar.
5. On the next six rows, bind off stitches at the collar edge as follows: 5, 3, 2, 1, 1, 1.
6. Shape the Shoulder: After the collar shaping is complete, bind off the remaining stitches for the shoulder.

Collar

1. Using your needles, pick up stitches evenly around the entire collar opening of the cardigan.
2. Work in a 1×1 rib stitch (knit 1, purl 1) for 12 cm.
3. Increase 1 stitch on each side of the collar opening every few rows to create a gentle curve.
4. Bind off all stitches in rib.

Finishing

1. Block the pieces: Gently stretch and pin each piece of the cardigan between moist towels. Leave them to dry for a few hours.
2. Seam the pieces: Using a crochet hook or a needle, seam the shoulder and side seams together.