This pattern has been a long one in the making. Last winter I first made this cardigan for our oldest daughter, the red head. She wore it all winter and into spring, and the blonde daughter became jealous. So, a cardigan for blondie was added to my project list.
For blondie’s cardigan I used Premier Serenity sock yarn in soft white. Just like red’s, the front panel is in a textured stitch that is created by slipping every other stitch for two rows and having the yarn go over the stitch. On the third row the stitch with the two yarn overs are knit as one, and the stitch that had been previously worked is slipped with the yarn going over it. It is a brioche stitch for hand knitters, and called a tuck stitch in machine knitting. It sounds complicated, but is easy to do. It also is easy to read your work once you realize what the pattern looks like on the needles. The only down side is that it takes more rows and yarn to get the length you need. The upside, since you are really only working every other stitch it goes quicker than you think.
note – this post contains affiliate links
With the sleeves and back panel being in stockinette it gives a nice break to the texture, both visually and during the making of the cardigan. The cuffs, bottom and neck edges are a 2×2 rib. The button band is a panel of stockinette that is folded over and secured to the inside, the side with button holes is the same with the holes created as you go.
The cardigan is a nice weight for layering in winter, or as a light weight jacket for spring. Also, with the yarn being sock yarn, it is durable and wears well which is always a plus for kids’ clothing.
All of us are happy now with a cardigan; they are being worn a lot, the girls are warm, and my heart is warm knowing they are wrapped in something I made for them. I hope your heart is warm while working each stitch of the Play Day Cardigan knowing that a loved one will also be wrapped in that hand made love too.
Machine knitters – see a version of the pattern for you HERE.
Click HERE to read about the Women’s version of this cardigan. This pattern has the same as this child’s version, but sized from XS to 3X. Pattern available in hand and machine knitting instructions. Great patterns to be twinning with your little one!
Knit Play Day Child’s Cardigan
by City Farmhouse Studio
Get the printable PDF version of the pattern (without ads) HERE.
Add it to your Ravelry favorites HERE.
Premier Serenity Sock Yarn – Soft White – 3, 4, 4, 4, 5, 5 skeins (get it HERE)
(Yarn Alternative Options: Rico Design Superba Bamboo Superwash 4-ply, Regia Premium Bamboo 4-ply , King Cole Zig Zag 4ply)
Knitting Needles Size 3 and 3.25mm
1/2″ Buttons – 5, 5, 5, 6, 6, 6
Size: 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14
Chest: 23, 25, 26.5, 28, 30, 31.5 inches
Gauge:
4” x 4” = 28 st x 36 rows stockinette
4” x 4” = 22 st x 60 rows of pattern
Stitch Guide:
Wrap and turn (prevents holes in work) – Bring the yarn to the front between the needles. Slip the next stitch on the left needle to the right needle purl wise. Bring the yarn to the back going between the needles. Slip the previous slipped stitch from the right needle back to the left. Turn your work to begin the next row. When binding off, pick up both the wrap and the stitch it wrapped and bind off as one stitch.
sl1yo (slip 1 stitch and yarn over)
–slip stitch as you would for a knit stitch but have the yarn over the needle. This creates a stitch with the yarn only over the top of the needle and NOT wrapped around it.
sl1+yo (slip 1 stitch with 1 yarn over, and yarn over again)
– slip the stitch purl wise with the yarn over that was made on the previous row, and have the yarn go over the needle again. This creates another yarn over to the stitch that already had a yarn over, making the stitch have two yarn overs in total.
brk+1 (brioche knit the stitch with the one yarn over plus 1 more yarn over)
– knit the stitch going through the original stitch and the 2 yarn overs.
Back:
With size 3mm needles cast-on 90, 100, 108, 118, 126, 138 stitches.
Work a 2×2 rib for 12, 16, 18, 20, 20, 20 rows.
Switch to 3.25 needles and work 8, 9, 10, 11, 11.75, 13.5 inches of stockinette.
Bind off 6, 6, 7, 7, 8, 8 stitches at beginning of next row. Finish working row.
Bind off 6, 6, 7, 7, 8, 8 stitches at beginning of next row. Finish working row.
Decrease 1 st on right and left side of next row. (RS: K1, k2tog, knit to last 3 sts, ssk, k1. WS: P1, ssp, purl to last 3 sts, p2tog, p1.) Work 2, 2, 2, 1, 1, 1 additional row without any decrease.
Repeat the step above 2, 0, 0, 7, 8, 9 more times. (Stitches total 72, 86, 92, 88, 92, 102)
Decrease 1 st on right and left of next row (RS: K1, k2tog, knit to last 3 sts, ssk, k1. WS: P1, ssp, purl to last 3 sts, p2tog, p1.) Work 1, 1, 1, 0, 0, 0 additional rows without any decrease.
Repeat the step above 2, 6, 7, 2, 2, 2 more times. (Stitches total 66, 72, 76, 82, 86, 96)
Knit stockinette for 2.75, 3, 3.5, 4, 4, 4.25 inches.
Work first 25, 28, 29, 32, 33, 38 stitches, wrap and turn. Work same 25, 28, 29, 32, 33, 38 stitches for next row.
Work first 19, 22, 23, 25, 24, 27 stitches, wrap and turn. Work same 19, 22, 23, 25, 24, 27 stitches for next row.
Work first 14, 15, 16, 18, 26, 24 stitches, wrap and turn. Work same 14, 15, 16, 18, 26, 24 stitches 3, 3, 3, 3, 1, 1 row.
For size 12 and 14 only: Work first 19, 22 stitches, wrap and turn. Work same 19, 22 stitches for 3 rows.
For all sizes: Cut yarn leaving length for tail. Transfer stitches to other needle to work other side of shoulder.
Work first 25, 28, 29, 32, 33, 38 stitches, wrap and turn. Work same 25, 28, 29, 32, 33, 38 stitches for next row.
Work first 19, 22, 23, 25, 26, 27 stitches, wrap and turn. Work same 19, 22, 23, 25, 26, 27 stitches for next row.
Work first 14, 15, 16, 18, 21, 24 stitches, wrap and turn. Work same 14, 15, 16, 18, 21, 24 stitches 3, 3, 3, 3, 1, 1 rows.
For size 12 and 14 only: Work first 19, 22 stitches, wrap and turn. Work same 19, 22 stitches for 3 rows.
BO all stitches on needle.
Front Left (purl side is right side of fabric):
With 3.00mm needles cast-on 33, 35, 37, 41, 43, 49 stitches.
Work a 2×2 rib for 12, 16, 18, 20, 20, 20 rows.
With size 3.25mm needles:
Row 1: K1, *k1, sl1yo*. Repeat from *to* until 1 stitch remains. K1.
Row 2: P1, *p1, sl1+yo*. Repeat from *to* until 1 stitch remains. P1.
Row 3: K1, *sl1yo, brk+1 *. Repeat from *to* until 1 stitch remains. K1.
Row 4: P1, * sl1+yo, p1*. Repeat from *to* until 1 stitch remains. P1.
Row 5: K1, * brk+1, sl1yo*. Repeat from *to* until 1 stitch remains. K1.
*hint – think of the yarn overs as the stitch having a shawl. The first yarn over on the knit side will create 1 shawl. The next yarn over on the purl side will create the 2nd shawl on the same stitch. On the next purl row you will knit all the stitches with shawls with 1 stitch, and create a shawl for the stitches that previously didn’t have any.*
Repeat Row 2 – 5 to create 8, 9, 10, 11, 11.75, 13.5 inches of the pattern. End with a Row 4.
Bind off 5, 5, 6, 6, 6, 6 stitches (note – bind off any sl1yo or sl1+yo stitches as one stitch). Knit the next stitch and then continue the pattern for the row. Work 3 additional rows of pattern without any decreases.
Bind off first stitch. Knit the next stitch and then continue the row in pattern. Work 3 rows of pattern without any decreases.
Repeat the above 4 rows 1, 2, 2, 2, 2, 3 more times. (Stitches total 26, 27, 28, 32, 34, 39)
Bind off first stitch at right. Knit the next stitch and then continue the row in pattern. Work 5 rows of pattern without any decreases.
Repeat the above 6 rows 1, 2, 2, 4, 4, 5 more times. (Stitches total 24, 24, 25, 27, 29, 33)
Bind off first stitch. Knit the next stitch and then continue the pattern for the row.
Work pattern for an additional 26, 22, 28, 26, 30, 28 rows or 1.75, 1.75, 2, 2, 2, 2 inches without any decreases. End with a 5 (Stitches total 23, 23, 24, 26, 28, 32)
Bind off first 4, 3, 3, 3, 3, 3 stitches for neckline. Knit the next stitch and then continue the row in pattern.
Work 1 row of pattern without any decreases. (Stitches total 19, 20, 21, 23, 25, 29)
Bind off 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 2 stitches at beginning of the row. Knit the next stitch and then continue the row in pattern.
Work 1 row of pattern without any decreases.
Repeat above 2 rows 3, 3, 3, 4, 5, 2 more times. (Stitches total 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 21)
Bind off first stitch. Knit the next stitch and then continue the row in pattern.
Work 3 rows of pattern without any decreases.
Repeat above 4 rows 3 more times. (Stitches total 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 17)
Work 4 rows of pattern without any decreases. Bind off.
Front Right:
Repeat front left except begin arm shaping after Row 5, and neck shaping after Row 4.
Sleeve: (make 2)
With size 3.0mm needles cast on 52, 52, 56, 56, 58, 60 stitches.
Work a 2×2 rib for 12, 16, 18, 20, 20, 20 rows.
With size 3.25mm needles knit 7 rows in stockinette.
On the next row increase by one stitch at the beginning and end of the row. Knit 6 more rows without any increases.
Repeat 9, 11, 12, 14, 16, 18 more times. (Stitches total 72, 76, 82, 86, 92, 98)
Knit 5 rows in stockinette.
Bind off 7, 7, 8, 8, 8, 8 stitches at the beginning of the next row.
On the next row, bind off 7, 7, 8, 8, 8, 8 stitches at the beginning. Complete the row. (Stitches total 58, 62, 66, 70, 76, 82)
Decrease 1 stitch at the beginning and end for the next row.
Repeat 2, 2, 2, 2, 1, 1 more time. (Stitches total 52, 56, 60, 64, 72, 78)
Decrease 1 stitch at the beginning and end of the next row.
Work 1 row without any decreases.
Repeat 1, 2, 2, 3, 3, 4 more times. (Stitches total 48, 50, 54, 56, 64, 68)
Decrease 1 stitch at the beginning and end of the next row.
Work 2 rows without any decreases.
Repeat 2, 2, 3, 3, 4, 5 more times. (Stitches total 42, 44, 46, 48, 54, 56)
Decrease 1 stitch at the beginning and end of the next row.
Work 1 row without any decreases.
Repeat 5, 5, 6, 6, 6, 6 more times. (Stitches total 30, 32, 32, 34, 40, 42)
Decrease 1 stitch at the beginning and end of the next row.
Repeat 4, 4, 4, 4, 5, 5 more times. (Stitches total 20, 22, 22, 24, 28, 30)
Bind off.
Sew back shoulders to front panel shoulders. Sew sleeve caps to body arm openings. Sew body sides and sleeves.
For Neck Band:
With size 3.00mm needles and RS facing you, pick up 93, 98, 101, 105, 111, 118 stitches.
Work 9, 13, 13, 15, 15, 15 rows of 2×2 rib.
Bind off.
Button Hole Band:
With size 3.25 needles and the RS facing you, pick up and knit 95, 111, 123, 139, 144, 161 stitches again.
Starting with a purl, row work 3 rows of stockinette.
On next row knit 4, 4, 4, 3, 3, 4 stitches. *Bind off next 3 stitches for the first of 5, 5, 5, 6, 6, 6 button holes. Knit 18, 22, 25, 23, 24, 27 stitches*. Repeat from *to* until the last of the button holes is bound off. Knit last 4, 4, 4, 3, 3, 4 stitches.
On next row purl 4, 4, 4, 3, 3, 4 stitches. *Cast on 3 stitches for the first of 5, 5, 5, 6, 6, 6 button holes. Purl 18, 22, 25, 23, 24, 27 stitches*. Repeat from *to* until the last of the button hole is cast back on. Purl last 4, 4, 4, 3, 3, 4 stitches.
Work 4 more rows of stockinette.
Purl the next 2 rows. This creates a purl ridge as a turning row on the right side of fabric.
Work the next 3 rows in stockinette.
On next row purl 4, 4, 4, 3, 3, 4 stitches. *Bind off next 3 stitches for the first of 5, 5, 5, 6, 6, 6 button holes. Purl 18, 22, 25, 23, 24, 27 stitches*. Repeat from *to* until the last of the button holes is bound off. Purl last 4, 4, 4, 3, 3, 4 stitches.
On next row knit 4, 4, 4, 3, 3, 4 stitches. *Cast on 3 stitches for the first of 5, 5, 5, 6, 6, 6 button holes. Knit 18, 22, 25, 23, 24, 27 stitches*. Repeat from *to* until the last of the button holes has been cast back on. Knit last 4, 4, 4, 3, 3, 4 stitches.
Knit 4 more rows of stockinette.
Bind off.
Sew edge to the inside of garment, close sides of band, and sew around each button hole.
Button Band:
On other side of garment, with size 3.25 needles and with RS facing you, pick up 95, 111, 123, 139, 144, 161 stitches.
Work 9 rows in stockinette.
Purl the next 2 rows.
Work 9 more rows in stockinette to create the inside of the button flap.
Bind off.
Sew edge to the inside of garment and sew sides of band closed.
I am making the Women’s version and ready to do the Button bands – very excited to be nearly finished.
Here it says both sides of Button bands use 3.25mm needles.
Women’s says 3mm needles for Button band and 3.25mm for Button Hole band.
Please urgently advise what is correct?
Thanks
Cheryl
Hi Cheryl. For child’s I used 3.25, for women’s I used a smaller needle since there is a larger amount garment that gravity will pull down and the smaller needle makes up for it. Hope that clarifies. Cathy
Thanks Cathy. It’s finished now apart from buying some buttons so I’m pretty happy with the result – it’s been a good project during Covid-19 lockdown!.
I ended up doing both bands on 3.25mm as I assumed it was a mistake that the button band said to use 3mm when I had already done the button-hole band on 3.25mm as per your pattern. I agree it would probably look better if both had been done on 3mm – they look a bit baggy. Perhaps you should change the Women’s pattern to use 3mm on both bands.
Also the button-hole band says pick up AND KNIT xxx stitches, whereas the button band just says pick up xxx stitches – so I did knit them as well, but it was not totally clear from the pattern
These sweaters are so cute. Love the textures. Your daughters are very cute too!