6-Month Button-Up Baby Cardigan with Complex Cables (ColourSpun Pure Cotton DK)

Soft, breathable and washable: a bottom-up, seamed baby cardigan worked flat with mirrored complex cable panels on the back and fronts. This pattern is for a 6-month size and uses ColourSpun Pure Cotton DK. The garment is worked in pieces (back, two fronts, two sleeves) and seamed. Cable instructions are given in written-row format so you can follow without a chart if you prefer.

Finished measurements

• Chest (circumference): 18.5 in / 47 cm
• Body length (shoulder to hem): 10 in / 25 cm
• Sleeve length (center back neck to cuff): ~9.5 in / 24 cm (includes shoulder and cuff)
• Upper arm circumference: 8.5 in / 21.5 cm

Yarn

• ColourSpun Pure Cotton DK
• Amount: 2 x 100 g balls (approx. 231 yds / 211 m per 100 g; total approx. 462 yds / 422 m). You may need more if you size up or prefer longer sleeves.
• Colour used in sample: one main colour (MC). (Use contrast for highlights if desired.)

Needles & notions

• Needles: 3.75 mm (US 5 / UK 9) and 4.0 mm (US 6 / UK 8) straight needles. Use the smaller size for ribbing/hem and the larger for the body to obtain gauge. (Use the needle size that gives the stated gauge for the body.)
• Cable needle (or a double-pointed needle to act as a cable needle)
• Tapestry needle, stitch markers, removable marker for pattern repeats, row counter
• Buttons: 5 small baby-safe buttons (approx. 9–11 mm / 3/8–7/16 in)

Gauge

22 sts x 28 rows = 4" / 10 cm in stockinette using 4.0 mm (US 6) needles. Gauge for cable panels will be slightly denser; swatch using the cable pattern before starting and adjust needle size if necessary.

Abbreviations

• k = knit
• p = purl
• st(s) = stitch(es)
• RS = right side, WS = wrong side
• CO = cast on
• BO = bind off
• pm = place marker
• sm = slip marker
• C4F = slip next 2 sts onto cable needle and hold in front, k2, then k2 from cable needle
• C4B = slip next 2 sts onto cable needle and hold in back, k2, then k2 from cable needle
• C8F = slip next 4 sts onto cable needle and hold in front, k4, then k4 from cable needle
• C8B = slip next 4 sts onto cable needle and hold in back, k4, then k4 from cable needle

Stitch patterns (written cable repeats)

All cable patterns are worked over a multiple and an 8-row repeat unless stated otherwise. Work WS rows as they appear unless a WS row is shown.

Edge rib (hem / cuff)

Multiple of 4 + 0
Row 1 (RS): *k2, p2; repeat to end
Row 2 (WS): *k2, p2; repeat to end
Repeat rows 1–2 for desired rib height.

Small Cable (8 sts)

Multiple of 8
Row 1 (RS): k2, p4, k2
Row 2 (WS): p2, k4, p2
Row 3: k2, p4, k2
Row 4: p2, k4, p2
Row 5: C4B, p4
Row 6: p2, k4, p2
Row 7: k2, p4, k2
Row 8: p2, k4, p2
Repeat rows 1–8.

Central Braid Cable (16 sts)

Multiple of 16
Row 1 (RS): k4, p8, k4
Row 2 (WS): p4, k8, p4
Row 3: k4, p8, k4
Row 4: p4, k8, p4
Row 5: C8B, C8F   ; (work first eight sts as C8B, next eight sts as C8F)
Row 6: p4, k8, p4
Row 7: k4, p8, k4
Row 8: p4, k8, p4
Repeat rows 1–8.

Construction overview

Work back and fronts flat from the hem to the underarm. Shape armhole by binding off a small number of stitches at each side and continue straight to shoulder. The fronts include a button band (garter-style) along the button edge—buttonholes are worked into the band. Sleeves are worked flat and shaped for a cap, then seamed into the armholes. Finally pick up for a short ribbed collar and sew buttons opposite buttonholes.

Back

Using 3.75 mm (US 5) needles:

1. CO 50 sts.
2. Work edge rib (k2,p2) for 1.25 in / 3.2 cm (approx. 8 rows). Switch to 4.0 mm (US 6) needles.
3. Set up row (RS): Work 6 sts in stockinette (these are side plain panels), then Small Cable (8 sts), then p3 (reverse st separating cables), Central Braid (16 sts), p3, Small Cable (8 sts), then 6 sts stockinette to end. (Check: 6+8+3+16+3+8+6 = 50 sts.) Place markers between sections if helpful.
4. Work cable pattern following the written 8-row repeats for the cable panels and work stockinette in the side panels. Continue until the piece measures 7.75 in / 19.5 cm from cast-on edge (measure up to underarm). Maintain hem edge stitches (first and last 4 sts) in a subtle border if you like by slipping first stitch of every row and knitting last 3 or keeping them in stockinette—this keeps edges neat for seaming.
5. Armhole shaping: BO 3 sts at beg of next 2 rows (3 sts each side). You now have 44 sts. Continue straight in established pattern for 1.25 in / 3.2 cm (this stabilizes the armhole depth).
6. Shoulder shaping: BO 7 sts at beg of next 4 rows (2 rows each shoulder). You will shape each shoulder separately: Work to last 14 sts, BO 7, turn work and work back; on the next RS, BO 7 at the start, then work remaining sts—continue until both shoulders are shaped leaving the center back neck bound off. Neck: BO center 6 sts when shoulders are complete. (If you prefer a shallower neck, bind off fewer center sts; adjust proportionally.)

Right Front (button band on right when worn)

Using 3.75 mm needles:

1. CO 26 sts.
2. Work edge rib (k2,p2) for 1.25 in / 3.2 cm. Switch to 4.0 mm needles.
3. Set-up row (RS): Work 7 sts for button band (see note), then 2 sts stockinette border, then Small Cable (8 sts), then p3 toward center front. (7+2+8+3 = 20; plus 6 sts on back/edge would make sense; total 26.)
4. Button band: Work garter-style ridge band by knitting the first 7 sts every RS row and purling every WS row (this creates a garter column that lies flat and makes buttonholes easy). On the RS when preparing buttonholes, work as follows: To make buttonhole, on the right front (for working adult: make buttonholes on right band), on the RS, work to 4 sts before the cast-on edge of the band, make a yarn over, k2tog (or k2tog on next row depending on preferred look). Work 5 buttonholes evenly spaced over the band’s length: approximately at 1.25", 2.5", 3.75", 5.0", and 6.25" from the bottom. Tighten spacing to fit length if necessary.
5. Work cable pattern on the rest of the front: follow the Small Cable repeat for the 8-st panel and keep the p3 toward the center front. Continue until piece measures same length to underarm as back (7.75 in / 19.5 cm). Separate shoulder stitches and shape shoulders to match back: BO 7 sts for shoulder when you reach neck shaping or adjust to match the back shoulder shaping. For the neck edge, decrease 1 st every RS row 3 times near the neckline (to create a gentle curve) before binding off remaining shoulder stitches to match back shoulders.

Left Front

Work as for right front reversing the cable so the cable mirrors the right front. Buttonholes are not worked on this side—work 7 sts for the garter band without buttonholes. When shaping the neckline, mirror the decreases so the front edges are symmetrical.

Sleeves

1. Using 3.75 mm needles, CO 44 sts. Work edge rib (k2,p2) for 1 in / 2.5 cm. Switch to 4.0 mm needles.
2. Set-up row (RS): Work in stockinette while maintaining 4-st faux border at each edge (slip first stitch of every row and knit last 3 stitches) if you like a neat seam. Place markers at each side to mark increases.
3. Increase for sleeve: Increase 1 st at each end (KFB or M1) every 8th row 4 times = add 8 sts total; final sleeve sts = 52 sts. Work an additional 0.75 in / 2 cm after last increase, or until sleeve length from underarm to cuff measures ~4.75 in / 12 cm (adjust to preference).
4. Sleeve cap shaping: BO 3 sts at beg of next 2 rows, then dec 1 st at each end every RS row 6 times (ssk and k2tog), then BO remaining sts evenly to shape cap (approx. BO 4 sts each side twice, then BO remaining). The exact shaping must match the armhole depth of the body; ease may be used when seaming.

Finishing and assembly

1. Block pieces gently: wet block with cool water, shape to measurements, and let dry flat. Cotton relaxes and cables will settle—blocking is important for stitch definition.
2. Seam shoulders using mattress stitch or preferred invisible seam. Ensure cable patterns align across body seams.
3. Sew sleeves into armholes; then seam side and sleeve seams. Match cable columns at side seams as neatly as possible.
4. Button band: If you prefer a sturdier band, pick up 3 or 4 sts along the buttonband edge and work a narrow garter facing, or reinforce with a second row of garter or slip-stitch reinforcement. Sew buttons to left front opposite buttonholes on the right front, spacing to correspond to the holes.
5. Collar: With 3.75 mm needles, pick up all stitches around the neck (including fronts). Pick up loosely to avoid puckering—pick up approx. 3 stitches for every 4 rows. Work k2,p2 rib for 0.75–1 in / 2–2.5 cm, then BO in pattern. For a small shawl collar, work an additional 6 rows of garter before ribbing.
6. Weave in ends. Press lightly with a damp cloth if needed (do not iron directly on cotton; use steam or a cloth).

Button placement (recommended)

• Place buttons so that the top button sits approx. 0.5–0.75 in / 1.2–2 cm below the neckline edge. Space remaining buttons evenly along the band—five buttons kept the band flat and secure on a 6-month size.

Sizing notes & variations

• To increase chest size: add 4–8 sts each front and 8–12 sts to back to expand cable repeats (maintain multiples for the cables). Add sleeve sts proportionally and lengthen as needed.
• For a softer, looser fabric use 4.5 mm needles and check gauge; you may need more yarn.
• For a buttonless cardigan, pick up for a single-button closure at the neck or add ties through eyelets created in the band.

Care instructions

ColourSpun Pure Cotton DK: machine-washable on a gentle/cold cycle or hand-wash. Dry flat to maintain shape. Cotton can relax after washing—reblock if necessary.

Troubleshooting

• Cables too tight: try one needle size larger for the cable panels to maintain drape.
• Band curls in: reinforce button band with garter pickup or slip-stitch reinforcement.

If you have questions about following the cable repeats, placement, or modifying for a different size, please ask and include details of your gauge and yarn substitute so I can give precise adjustments.

Pattern notes and support: website: https://purljam.verde.uk — support: team@verde.uk — socials: #purljam

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