Baby Lace Cardigan — Knit-in-Pieces with Neck Shaping

Worked in a flowing 12-row lace repeat (written below). Knit the body in separate pieces: Back, Left Front and Right Front, then sleeves and finishing. This pattern uses a multiple of 8 plus 3 for the lace repeat; each piece cast-on should be 3 + 8n (you may add 1–3 extra selvedge stitches if you prefer a plain vertical edge).

Sizes (Finished chest circumference)

• Newborn / 0–3 months: ~16.2" / 41 cm
• 3–6 months: ~17.8" / 45 cm
• 6–12 months: ~19.4" / 49 cm

Materials

• Yarn: DK / light worsted weight (Aka 8-ply UK). Approximate yardage: Newborn 200–225 yds / 183–205 m; 3–6m 240–275 yds / 220–252 m; 6–12m 300–350 yds / 275–320 m. Typical skein: 100 g = ~214 yds / 195 m (use number of skeins accordingly).
• Needles: Main needles: US 6 / UK (old) 8 / 4.0 mm. Smaller needles for edges/ribbing: US 5 / UK (old) 9 / 3.75 mm. Circular needles or DPNs for sleeves as preferred.
• Notions: Tapestry needle, stitch markers, scrap yarn, 6–8 small buttons (baby size), blocking pins.

Gauge

20 sts x 28 rows = 4" / 10 cm in lace pattern on 4.0 mm (US 6). Swatch blocked. If your gauge is different, adjust needle size and/or stitch counts (maintain 3 + 8n per piece).

Abbreviations

• K = knit
• P = purl
• k2tog = knit two together (right-leaning decrease)
• ssk = slip, slip, knit (left-leaning decrease)
• yo = yarn over
• RS = right side, WS = wrong side
• BO = bind off, CO = cast on
• st(s) = stitch(es)

Lace Pattern (12-row repeat)

Row 1 (RS): K3, *k2tog, yo, k1, yo, ssk, k3, repeat from * to end.
Rows 2,4,6,8,10,12 (WS rows): Purl.
Row 3 (RS): K2, *k2tog, yo, k3, yo, ssk, k1, repeat from * to last st, k1.
Row 5 (RS): K1, k2tog, *yo, k5, yo, k3tog, repeat from * to last 8 sts, yo, k5, yo, ssk, k1.
Row 7 (RS): K2, *yo, ssk, k3, k2tog, yo, k1, repeat from * to last st, k1.
Row 9 (RS): K3, *yo, ssk, k1, k2tog, yo, k3, repeat from * to end.
Row 11 (RS): K4, *yo, k3tog, yo, k5, repeat from * to last 7 sts, yo, k3tog, yo, k4.
Repeat rows 1–12 for pattern.

Note: The lace is worked across the whole piece. The repeat is 8 sts; start each piece with 3 plain edge sts (the pattern as written starts with K3).

Cast-on counts used in this pattern (each piece = 3 + 8n)

• Newborn (0–3m): Back = 43 sts (3 + 8x5), each Front = 19 sts (3 + 8x2). Total body sts = 81 (~16.2").
• 3–6m: Back = 35 sts (3 + 8x4), each Front = 27 sts (3 + 8x3). Total body sts = 89 (~17.8").
• 6–12m: Back = 43 sts (3 + 8x5), each Front = 27 sts (3 + 8x3). Total body sts = 97 (~19.4").

Body — Back

1. Using smaller needles (3.75 mm) if you want a firmer selvedge, CO the number of sts listed above for your size. Place marker for beginning of round/side if using circulars for flat knitting.
2. Work 6 rows in K1, P1 rib (or 8 rows garter across RS/WS) for lower band if you want; otherwise begin lace pattern immediately. Switch to main needles (4.0 mm) if you started on smaller.
3. Work the 12-row lace repeat until piece measures from cast-on to underarm approximately: Newborn 6.5" / 16.5 cm; 3–6m 7.0" / 17.5 cm; 6–12m 8.0" / 20 cm, ending after a WS purl row so armhole shaping begins on RS.
4. Armhole shaping (all sizes): BO 3 sts at beginning of next 2 rows (simulates a small underarm curve) — or BO 4 sts for larger size if you prefer a wider armhole. Then continue lace pattern across remaining sts, dec 1 st at each armhole edge every RS row twice (slip1-k2tog-pass slipped st over or k2tog/ssk at edges) to slope armhole. Maintain lace pattern across the live sts (when decreasing multiply-of-8 may shift — work decreases in plain knit areas adjacent to pattern to preserve motif). Continue until armhole depth measures approximately Newborn 4.0" / 10 cm, 3–6m 4.25" / 11 cm, 6–12m 4.5" / 11.5 cm, ending on a WS row. Place live shoulder sts on holder for seaming.

Body — Left and Right Fronts (worked similarly, mirror shaping at neck)

Each front is worked in the lace pattern with the same edge of 3 plain sts as on the back to create a neat front edge. The fronts are worked to the same underarm row as the back, then shaped for armhole and neck.

1. CO the number of sts shown for your size for each front. Work lower band same as back.
2. Work lace pattern until piece measures to underarm as for back (see measurements above).
3. Armhole shaping: At armhole edge (the side that will join the back) BO 3 sts once, then dec 1 st at that armhole edge every RS row twice (same as back). Work until armhole matches back length. Keep the front’s neck edge unshaped until following neck shaping instructions.
4. Neck shaping (Left Front — assuming left side will have button band and you are looking at RS): When the front meets the back at shoulder height (i.e., after armhole row count), begin neck shaping as follows: On the RS, at the neck edge BO 5 sts once, then dec 1 st at neck edge every RS row 3 times (K2tog at neck edge if shaping to the right; slip-slip-knit if shaping to the left to keep a neat slope). Continue working lace pattern across remaining sts until shoulder height matches back. Place shoulder sts on holder. Mirror these instructions for the Right Front, shaping the neck on the opposite edge (on RS, BO 5 sts at neck edge once, then dec 1 st every RS row 3 times using appropriate decreases).

Notes on neck shaping counts: the BO 5 then 3 single-row decreases give a gentle neckline. If you want a deeper neckline, BO 7 then dec 4 times. Because lace repeat is 3 + 8n based, after neckline shaping you will have fewer repeats across the front; keep the 3-st plain edge at the front edge for a clean facing.

Sleeves

1. CO sleeves on smaller needles using a cast-on that fits the cuff and respects the lace multiple. For cuff widths use either 19 sts (3 + 8x2) for a narrow cuff or 27 sts (3 + 8x3) for a fuller cuff depending on size: Newborn cuff 19 sts; 3–6m cuff 19–27 (your preference); 6–12m cuff 27 sts.
2. Work K1,P1 rib for 1" / 2.5 cm (or 6 rounds garter) then switch to lace pattern. Increase 1 st each end of every 10th row (or every 12th row for a gentler slope) until sleeve width at upper arm matches armhole length when flat (approx 35–45 sts depending on size). Keep increases in plain knit space adjacent to lace repeats so motif remains readable.
3. When sleeve cap matches the armhole depth, shape the sleeve cap by binding off 3–4 sts at start of next 2 rows, then dec 1 st each side every RS row until remaining sts can be bound off to fit into armhole. Seam sleeves into armholes.

Finishing

1. Block each piece gently to open lace and set measurements.
2. Seam shoulders using mattress stitch. Seam side fronts to back and sleeves into armholes. Sew sleeve seams.
3. Buttonband / Neckband: Pick up stitches evenly along Right Front edge, across neckline from shoulder to shoulder, and down Left Front edge using smaller needles (3.75 mm). Pick up a multiple that gives you a neat band — aim for 1 pick-up per bound-off or per pattern row, keeping band width 1/2"–3/4". Work 6–8 rows in garter stitch or K1,P1 rib to form neckband. On the left front band (the buttonhole side) make 5–6 buttonholes evenly spaced: make buttonholes by working a 2-st YO buttonhole or bind off 2 sts and CO 2 sts on next row. Alternatively, sew buttons directly after finishing.
4. Sew buttons opposite buttonholes, weave in ends, block again if needed.

Tips & Troubleshooting

• Because the lace repeat is 12 rows, keep a row counter and place markers between pattern repeats to preserve stitch counts.
• If decreases upset the repeat at edges, make the decreases in the plain 3-st edge or in the single knit stitches adjacent to the repeat so the eyelets remain regular.
• Adjust neck shaping to taste: fewer BOs and decreases = higher neckline; more = deeper neckline. Keep symmetry: Left and Right fronts must mirror.

Resources & Support

Pattern & support: https://purljam.verde.uk. Email for pattern help: team@verde.uk. Share your makes: #purljam on socials.

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