Sweetheart Child's Eyelet Cardigan

Free Child Cardigan Knitting Pattern

This cute children's cardigan is knitted seamlessly from the top down, back and forth. There are rounds of eyelets starting from the neck to the bottom of the cardigan. Circular yoke increases are made in the eyelet rows.

Although you can knit this cardigan in one yarn, it was designed from the beginning with color transitions in mind. It is very easy and convenient to change colors at the end of every eyelet round. I started with white and transitioned to bright red. However, the choice and placement of color bands is up to you. Please note that the color change happens in the wrong side row following the eyelet row.

The garter stitch button band is knitted at the same time so that the color changes are seamless. The buttonholes in the button band line up with the eyelets for symmetry.

The sleeves are worked in the round on dpn or 16” circular needles.

Sizes: 2 (4, 6)

Finished Measurements
Chest: 24 (26, 28) inches [60 (65, 70) cm]
Length: 13 (15, 17) inches [33 (38, 42) cm]

Materials: 100% Wool Brown Sheep (affiliate link) Nature Spun Sport Weight yarn 184 yd (168 m)/50g, color 187 Red Fox – 3 (3, 4) balls. (MC)
100% Wool Brown Sheep (affiliate link) Nature Spun Sport Weight yarn 184 yd (168 m)/50g, color 145 Salmon – 1 ball. (CC2)
100% Wool Brown Sheep (affiliate link) Nature Spun Sport Weight yarn 184 yd (168 m)/50g, color 730 Natural – 1 ball. (CC1)
9 small buttons

Needles: circular US #5 (3.75mm) and dpn for the sleeves OR SIZE NEEDED TO OBTAIN GAUGE
For sleeves you can also use circular US 5 needles if you prefer "magic loop" method.

Gauge for stockinette st: 18 sts x 32 rows = 4" x 4" (10cm x 10cm)

Pattern Notes

1x1 rib in Rows:
Row 1: * knit 1, purl 1 – repeat from *
Row 2: * purl 1, knit 1 – repeat from *

1x1 rib in Rounds:
All rounds * knit 1, purl 1 – repeat from *

Stockinette St in Rows:
Row 1: knit
Row 2: purl

Stockinette St in Rounds
All rounds: knit

Garter Stitch in rows:
All rows: knit


Selvedge Stitches
The 1st and last stitches of the pattern are selvedge stitches.
Selvedge stitches are used to make the edges of the work even and smooth.
In this pattern, I slip the first stitch as if to knit and purl the last stitch.

Button holes are worked on the button band in every eyelet row in the following way: k1, yo, k2tog, p1.

Abbreviations:
k – knit
p - purl
k2tog - knit 2 together
co - cast on
yo - yarn over
RS - right side
WS - wrong side
pu&k - pick up and knit
dpn – double-pointed needles

Cardigan

Please note that there is a different number of stockinette st rows between eyelet rows for each size: 10 (12, 14).

The cardigan is worked top-down, seamlessly, back and forth on circular needles from the center front.

With CC1, cast on 56 (58, 62) sts (including 2 selvedge and 6 button band sts).

Yoke

Odd rows are RS.

Rows 1-3: sl1 (selvedge), k3 (button band), knit to last 4 sts, k 3 (button band), p 1 (selvedge).

Rows 4-6: sl1 (selvedge), k 3 (button band), work in stockinette until the last 4 sts, k3 (button band), p1 (selvedge).

1st Eyelet Row (for all sizes)

Row 7: sl1 (selvedge), k3 (button band), k 1, *yo, k 2 -rep from * 23 (24, 26) times, k 1, k 1, yo, k2tog (button band), p 1 (selvedge) = 79 (82, 88) sts

Next row: sl 1 (selvedge), k3 (button band), purl to last 4 sts, k 3 (button band), p 1 (selvedge).

Work 10 (12, 14) rows as rows 5-6.

2nd Eyelet Row:

sl1 (selvedge), k3 (button band), k 1, *yo, k 2 -rep from * 35 (36, 39) times, k 0 (1, 1), k 1, yo, k2tog (button band), p 1 (selvedge) = 114 (118, 127) sts

Next row: sl1 (selvedge), k3 (button band), purl to last 4 sts, k 3 (button band), p 1 (selvedge).

Work 10 (12, 14) rows as rows 5-6.

3rd Eyelet Row

sl1 (selvedge), k3 (button band), k 1, *yo, k 2 -rep from * 52 (54, 59) times, k 1 (1, 0), k 1, yo, k2tog (button band), p 1 (selvedge) = 166 (172, 186) sts

Change to CC2
Next row: sl 1 (selvedge), k3 (button band), purl to last 4 sts, k 3 (button band), p 1 (selvedge).

Work 10 (12, 14) rows as rows 5-6.

4th Eyelet Row

sl1 (selvedge), k3, k 1, *k2tog, yo, k 1 - repeat from * 52 (54, 59) times, k 1 (1, 0), k 1, yo, k2tog, p1.

Next Row: change to MC, sl 1 (selvedge), k3 (button band), purl to last 4 sts, k 3 (button band), p 1 (selvedge).
Work 2 rows as rows 5-6.


Divide for sleeves and bodice:

Next Row: sl1 (selvedge), k 28 (30, 32), transfer the next 29 (29, 31) sts to a length of waste yarn, co 4 sts, k 50 (52, 58), transfer the next 29 (29, 31) sts to a length of waste yarn, co 4 sts , k 28 (30, 32), p 1. = 116 (122, 131) sts.

Next row: sl1 (selvedge), k 3 (button band), purl to last 4 sts, k 3 (button band), p 1 (selvedge).

Work 6 (8, 10) rows as rows 5-6.

5th Eyelet Row

sl1 (selvedge), k3, *k2tog, yo, k 1 - repeat from * 36 (38, 41) times, k 0 (0, 1), k 1, yo, k2tog, p1.

Next Row: change to MC, sl 1 (selvedge), k3 (button band), purl to last 4 sts, k 3 (button band), p 1 (selvedge).

Work 10 (12, 14) rows as rows 5-6.

Repeat 5th eyelet row, next even row and following 10 (12, 14) rows 3 more times. In the last repeat work only 4 rows instead of 10 (12, 14).

Work 1x1 rib for 10 rows. Bind off.


Sleeve

Transfer sts from a waste yarn to dpn (or circular needle), distribute the stitches evenly. Pick up and knit 4 sts underarm. Mark the beginning of the round.

Work total 68 (84, 92) rows or to desired length, taking into consideration that there will be a 1” (3 cm) band of 1x1 rib at the bottom of the cardigan.

Work the eyelet rows in the sleeve the same way they are worked in the body of the cardigan starting from the next row after the division to body and sleeve. All the even rounds are knit instead of purled, since the stockinette st in rounds is all rounds knit. Work eyelet rows every 10 (12, 14) rows, same as the body. Alternatively, you can work the sleeve in stockinette stitch, without eyelet rows.

Work 10 rounds of rib 1x1. Bind off.


Finishing

Weave in the ends of the yarn. Block the piece. Sew on buttons.

Enjoy!

December 9, 2017: pattern updated.

The matching pants is free pattern Seamless Child's Pants