Bitty Baby Cardi
Button up your little one in this adorable knit baby cardigan pattern. The Bitty Baby Cardi is a cute, light-weight cardigan perfect for spring or summer. Baby will love wearing it while going for long walks in the stroller, swinging at the park, or toddling around the house. The Bitty Baby Cardi is a great project for new mothers and grandmothers who want to make something special for the newest addition to the family.
Knitting Needle Size5 or 3.75 mm, 6 or 4 mm, Circular Knitting Needles, Double-Pointed Knitting Needles (DPNs)
Yarn Weight(3) Light/DK (21-24 stitches to 4 inches)
Materials:
- Sizes 6 (12-18-24) mos
- Bernat® Softee® Baby™ (140 g/5 oz; 331 m/362 yds)
- Main Color (MC) Flannel (30044) 1 (2-2-2) ball(s)
- Contrast A White (02000) 1 (1-1-1) ball
- Sizes 3.75 mm (U.S. 5) and 4 mm (U.S. 6) circular knitting needles, 24" [60 cm] long
- Set of four size 3.75 mm (U.S. 5) double-pointed knitting needles or size needed to obtain gauge
- 4 stitch markers
- 3 buttons
GAUGE
22 sts and 30 rows = 4" [10 cm] with larger needles in stocking st.
MEASUREMENTS
To fit chest measurement
6 mos 17" [ 43 cm ]
12 mos 18" [ 45.5 cm ]
18 mos 19" [ 48 cm ]
24 mos 21" [53.5 cm]
Finished chest
6 mos 23" [58.5 cm]
12 mos 24" [61 cm]
18 mos 25 1/2" [65 cm]
24 mos 27 1/2" [70 cm]
ABBREVIATIONS
Alt = Alternate(ing)
Beg = Beginning
Cont = Continue(ity)
Inc = Increase 1 stitch by knitting into front and back of next stitch
K = Knit
K2tog = Knit next 2 stitches together
M1 = Make 1 stitch by picking up horizontal loop lying before next stitch and knitting into back of loop
Rep = Repeat
Rnd(s) = Round(s)
RS = Right side
St(s) = Stitch(es)
WS = Wrong side
INSTRUCTIONS
The instructions are written for smallest size. If changes are necessary for larger sizes the instructions will be written thus ( ). Numbers for each size are shown in the same color throughout the pattern. When only one number is given in black, it applies to all sizes.
Note: Garment is worked from neck edge down. When yoke is complete, Body is joined in one piece and worked in rows. Sleeve edgings are worked in rnds on double-pointed needles.
Body
With A and smaller circular needle, cast on 82 (86-86-94) sts. Do not join in rnd. Working back and forth across needle in rows, proceed as follows:
Knit 9 rows (garter st), noting 1st row is WS. Break A.
Change to MC, larger circular needle and proceed as follows:
1st row: (RS). With MC, K14 (15-15-17). M1. K13. M1. K28 (30-30-34). M1. K13. M1. K14 (15-15-17). 86 (90-90-98) sts.
2nd and alt rows: Purl.
3rd row: K14 (15-15-17). M1. K1 (place marker on last st). M1. K13. M1. K1 (place marker on last st). M1. K28 (30-30-34). M1. K1 (place marker on last st). M1. K13. M1. K1 (place marker on last st). M1. K14 (15-15-17). 94 (98-98-106) sts.
5th row: *Knit to marked st. M1. K1. M1. Rep from * 3 times more. Knit to end of row.
6th row: Purl.
Rep last 2 rows 13 (14-15-16) times more. 206 (218-226-242) sts.
Divide for Fronts, Back and Sleeves: Next row: K31 (33-34-37) for Right Front. Cast on 1 st. Place marker on last st. Slip next 40 (42-44-46) sts onto length of yarn for Right Sleeve. K64 (68-70-76) for Back. Cast on 1 st. Place marker on last st. Slip next 40 (42-44-46) sts onto length of yarn for Left Sleeve. K31 (33-34-37) for Left Front. 128 (136-140-152) sts for Body.
Work 9 (11-13-13) rows in stocking st, ending with a purl row (keeping markers in position).
Next row: (RS). (Knit to marked st. M1. K1. M1) twice. Knit to end of row.
Rep last 10 (12-14-14) rows 3 times more. 144 (152-156-166) sts.
Cont even in stocking st until work from joining row measures 6 (7-7 1/2-8)" [15 (18-19-20.5) cm], ending with a purl row. Change to A, smaller circular needle and knit 9 rows (garter st). Cast off knitwise (WS).
Sleeve edging: 1st rnd: With RS of work facing, A and set of four smaller double-pointed needles, K40 (42-44-46) for sleeve. Pick up and knit 1 st at underarm. Divide sts onto 3 needles. Join in rnd. Place marker after cast on st for beg of rnd. 41 (43-45-47) sts.
2nd rnd: Purl.
3rd rnd: Knit.
Rep last 2 rnds 3 times more. Cast off knitwise.
FINISHING
Pin garment to measurements. Cover with a damp cloth, leaving cloth to dry.
Buttonhole band: With RS of work facing, A and smaller circular needle, pick up and knit 60 (68-72-76) sts up Right Front.
Knit 3 rows (garter st).
Next row: (RS). (Buttonhole row). K40 (46-48-50). *Cast off 2 sts. K6 (7-8-9). Rep from * once more. Cast off 2 sts. K2.
Next row: Knit, casting on 2 sts over cast off sts.
Knit 3 rows. Cast off.
Button band: With RS of work facing, A and smaller circular needle, pick up and knit 60 (68-72-76) sts down Left Front.
Work as given for buttonhole band, omitting references to buttonholes.
Sew buttons to correspond to buttonholes.
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The Designing Peng uin
Mar 28, 2017
I am off to find the yarn to knit this for a wee gal who was born earlier this month yes I have finally made up my mind - although she may receive a few other sweaters ) - As I do not live in the US and cannot always find the yarns listed, it would be such a blessing if there were more detail than "Yarn Weight (3) Light/DK (21-24 stitches to 4 inches)" The gauge is easy to understand, but the amount of yarn is tricky... one is not always sure what 3Light/DK actually would be -- how much of it does one really need -- as in how many yards to the number of ounces... help please?
rubinaarshad1 0965 538
Mar 25, 2016
i love the pattern thank you for beautiful pattern. i just started again after long time . i like simple and beautiful. thank you again.
10042015
Feb 12, 2015
I tried this pattern following the instructions provided. The right shoulder and sleeve has been inverted. Did i follow your instructions correctly ?
sumac74 2263336
Jun 27, 2014
Hi! Can I just say how much I love your site. I have taken knitting up again after about 25 years and, although an experienced knitter then, I am finally getting to grips with it after such a long time away. Anyway, I love this little cardi but I can't find measurements anywhere. Is it just me?! Could you tell me the sizes please? Thank you.
Editor JD
Jun 27, 2014
Hi sumac74 2263336, Please find the updated measurement guide in the pattern above. Thank you, Editors of AllFreeKnitting
tappins 4763268
Oct 14, 2013
I really love this little cardi BUT hate the thought of knitting it on circulars, is there any way I could knit this with "normal" needles??? I have only once tried circulars and that was just a nightmare for me so I therefore avoid anything knitted with circulars now. Any help would be appreciated
Lisa
May 14, 2021
The sweater is knit flat, the circulars are used to accommodate the large number of stitches, it is not worked in the round, so it should be all right even for people who "hate" circular needles. They just haven't made straight needles that can hold over 200 stitches on them.
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