Type
Knitting
Difficulty
intermediate
Category
custom
AI Thinking Process
Planning
1. **Design Strategy**: Creating an Aran-weight baby cardigan with 3 cables on the front panels and plain stockinette sleeves. This is a beginner pattern, so I'll use simple construction with straightforward cable patterns, minimal shaping, and clear instructions. The cardigan will be worked flat in pieces (back, two fronts, two sleeves) and seamed together. Using a classic Aran cable (6-stitch cable) repeated 3 times on each front for visual interest while keeping the back and sleeves simple.
2. **Construction Plan**: Bottom-up construction with separate pieces. Back panel will be plain stockinette for simplicity. Each front will feature 3 evenly-spaced 6-stitch cables with reverse stockinette or garter stitch between. Sleeves will be plain stockinette worked flat and seamed. Raglan or set-in sleeve construction - I'll choose set-in sleeves for easier shaping at beginner level. Ribbed edges for professional finish. Button band worked separately or picked up.
3. **Quality Assurance**: Must ensure cable pattern doesn't pull in too much (will account for in stitch count). Need clear cable instructions for beginners. Verify all increases/decreases for armhole and neck shaping. Ensure button placement is practical. Provide multiple sizes for babies (3-6 months, 6-12 months, 12-18 months).
4. **Final Calculations**:
- Worsted weight gauge: 18 sts × 24 rows = 4" in stockinette
- Baby sizes: 3-6M (chest 16"), 6-12M (chest 18"), 12-18M (chest 20")
- With ease: finished chest measurements 18", 20", 22"
- Back width: 9", 10", 11" = 41, 45, 50 sts
- Each front: 4.5", 5", 5.5" = 20, 23, 25 sts (adjusted for cables)
- Sleeve width at upper arm: 7", 8", 9" = 32, 36, 41 sts
Verification
[PRE-FLIGHT CHECKS]
1. **Completeness**: Pattern will include title, description, materials, gauge, sizes, abbreviations, pattern notes, instructions for all pieces, assembly, and finishing.
2. **Consistency**: Gauge 18 sts/4" × 24 rows/4". Back: 41/45/50 sts ÷ 18 × 4 = 9.1"/10"/11.1" ✓. Each front with cables: approximately 4.5"/5"/5.5" width ✓. Total circumference matches chest measurements.
3. **Constraints**: 3 cables on each front panel, plain sleeves, Aran/worsted weight, beginner-friendly instructions.
4. **Safety**: Will double-check all shaping math, cable stitch counts are divisible correctly, button counts are appropriate for size.
Pattern
<pattern> # Aran Baby Cardigan with Cables A classic baby cardigan featuring three elegant cable panels on each front, worked in cozy Aran-weight yarn. Plain stockinette sleeves and back keep this project beginner-friendly while the cables add beautiful texture and visual interest. Perfect for layering over baby's favorite outfits! ## Sizes 3-6 months (6-12 months, 12-18 months) ## Finished Measurements - **Chest circumference**: 18 (20, 22)" / 45.5 (51, 56) cm, buttoned - **Length**: 9.5 (10.5, 11.5)" / 24 (26.5, 29) cm - **Sleeve length**: 6 (7, 8)" / 15 (18, 20.5) cm ## Materials - **Yarn**: Approximately 400 (500, 600) yards / 365 (457, 549) m of worsted weight yarn (Aran weight, #4 Medium) - Sample shown in Plymouth Yarn Encore Worsted - **Needles**: - US 7 (4.5 mm) straight or circular needles for main body - US 6 (4 mm) straight or circular needles for ribbing - Or size needed to obtain gauge - **Notions**: - Cable needle (CN) - Stitch holders or waste yarn - Tapestry needle for seaming - 5 (5, 6) buttons, approximately ½" / 13 mm diameter - Stitch markers (optional, helpful for cable placement) ## Gauge 18 sts × 24 rows = 4" / 10 cm in stockinette stitch on larger needles, blocked **IMPORTANT**: Take time to check your gauge. Gauge determines the finished size of your garment. ## Abbreviations - **k**: knit - **p**: purl - **st(s)**: stitch(es) - **RS**: right side - **WS**: wrong side - **inc**: increase by knitting into front and back of stitch - **k2tog**: knit 2 stitches together (right-leaning decrease) - **ssk**: slip, slip, knit (left-leaning decrease) - **C6F**: Cable 6 Front - slip 3 sts to cable needle and hold in front, k3, k3 from cable needle - **BO**: bind off - **CO**: cast on - **rep**: repeat - **approx**: approximately ## Pattern Notes - Cardigan is worked flat in separate pieces (back, two fronts, two sleeves) and seamed together. - Cable pattern is worked on Right and Left Fronts only; back and sleeves are plain stockinette. - The cable pattern repeats every 6 rows and uses a simple 6-stitch cable. - Instructions are given for smallest size, with larger sizes in parentheses. If only one number is given, it applies to all sizes. - Slip first stitch of each row purlwise for neater seaming (optional but recommended). ## Cable Pattern (over 6 sts) **Row 1 (RS)**: K6 **Row 2 (WS)**: P6 **Row 3**: K6 **Row 4**: P6 **Row 5**: C6F **Row 6**: P6 Repeat Rows 1-6 for cable pattern. --- ## BACK ### Ribbing With smaller needles, CO 41 (45, 50) sts. **Row 1 (WS)**: *K1, p1; rep from * to last st, k1. **Row 2 (RS)**: *P1, k1; rep from * to last st, p1. Rep Rows 1-2 for 1" / 2.5 cm, ending with a WS row. **Stitch count check**: 41 (45, 50) sts ### Body Change to larger needles. **Next row (RS)**: Knit. **Next row (WS)**: Purl. Continue in stockinette st (knit on RS, purl on WS) until piece measures 5.5 (6, 6.5)" / 14 (15, 16.5) cm from cast-on edge, ending with a WS row. ### Armhole Shaping **Next row (RS)**: BO 3 (3, 4) sts, knit to end. [38 (42, 46) sts remain] **Next row (WS)**: BO 3 (3, 4) sts, purl to end. [35 (39, 42) sts remain] **Decrease row (RS)**: K1, ssk, knit to last 3 sts, k2tog, k1. [33 (37, 40) sts] **Next row (WS)**: Purl. Rep last 2 rows 1 (2, 2) more time(s). [31 (33, 36) sts] **Math check**: 41 - 3 - 3 - 2 - 2 = 31 sts for size 1 ✓ Continue even in stockinette st until armhole measures 4 (4.5, 5)" / 10 (11.5, 12.5) cm, ending with a WS row. ### Shoulder and Neck Shaping **Next row (RS)**: BO 4 (4, 5) sts, k5 (6, 6), BO center 13 (13, 14) sts, k5 (6, 6), BO remaining 4 (4, 5) sts. Place remaining shoulder sts on holders or leave on needle to bind off later during finishing. **Final back stitch count**: 0 sts (all bound off or on holders) --- ## LEFT FRONT ### Ribbing With smaller needles, CO 23 (25, 28) sts. **Row 1 (WS)**: *K1, p1; rep from * to last st, k1. **Row 2 (RS)**: *P1, k1; rep from * to last st, p1. Rep Rows 1-2 for 1" / 2.5 cm, ending with a WS row. ### Body with Cable Pattern Change to larger needles. **Set-up row (RS)**: K2 (3, 4), [p1, k6, p1] 3 times, k3 (3, 4). **Set-up row (WS)**: P3 (3, 4), [k1, p6, k1] 3 times, p2 (3, 4). **Stitch count breakdown**: 2+1+6+1+1+6+1+1+6+1+3 = 29 sts... RECALCULATING for correct fit. **CORRECTED - Left Front stitch distribution:** For proper cable placement with 3 cables of 6 sts each = 18 sts for cables + 5 (7, 10) sts for background = 23 (25, 28) sts ✓ **Set-up row (RS)**: K1 (2, 3), [k6 (cable), k1 (2, 2)] 3 times, k0 (0, 1). Let me recalculate for clarity: - Size 1: 23 sts = 1 + (6+1) + (6+1) + (6+1) + 1 = 1 + 7 + 7 + 7 + 1 = 23 ✓ - Size 2: 25 sts = 2 + (6+1) + (6+1) + (6+2) + 1 = 2 + 7 + 7 + 8 + 1 = 25 ✓ - Size 3: 28 sts = 3 + (6+2) + (6+2) + (6+2) + 1 = 3 + 8 + 8 + 8 + 1 = 28 ✓ **Pattern row setup for Left Front:** **Row 1 (RS)**: K1 (2, 3), k6, k1 (1, 2), k6, k1 (1, 2), k6, k1 (2, 3). **Row 2 (WS)**: Purl all sts. **Row 3 (RS)**: K1 (2, 3), k6, k1 (1, 2), k6, k1 (1, 2), k6, k1 (2, 3). **Row 4 (WS)**: Purl all sts. **Row 5 (RS - Cable row)**: K1 (2, 3), C6F, k1 (1, 2), C6F, k1 (1, 2), C6F, k1 (2, 3). **Row 6 (WS)**: Purl all sts. Repeat Rows 1-6 for cable pattern until piece measures 5.5 (6, 6.5)" / 14 (15, 16.5) cm from cast-on edge, ending with a WS row. ### Armhole Shaping **Next row (RS)**: BO 3 (3, 4) sts, work in pattern to end. [20 (22, 24) sts] **Next row (WS)**: Purl. **Decrease row (RS)**: K1, ssk, work in pattern to end. [19 (21, 23) sts] **Next row (WS)**: Purl. Rep last 2 rows 1 (2, 2) more time(s). [18 (19, 21) sts] **Math check**: 23 - 3 - 2 - 2 = 16... RECALCULATING: 23 - 3 = 20, 20 - 1 = 19, 19 - 1 = 18 ✓ Continue even in pattern until armhole measures 3 (3.5, 4)" / 7.5 (9, 10) cm, ending with a WS row. ### Neck Shaping **Next row (RS)**: Work to last 5 (5, 6) sts, place these sts on holder for neck. [13 (14, 15) sts remain] **Next row (WS)**: Purl. **Decrease row (RS)**: Work to last 3 sts, k2tog, k1. [12 (13, 14) sts] **Next row (WS)**: Purl. Rep last 2 rows 2 times more. [10 (11, 12) sts] Continue even until armhole measures same as back to shoulder, ending with a WS row. ### Shoulder Shaping **Next row (RS)**: BO 4 (4, 5) sts, work to end. [6 (7, 7) sts] **Next row (WS)**: Purl. **Next row (RS)**: BO remaining 6 (7, 7) sts. **Math check shoulder**: 10 = 4 + 6 ✓, 11 = 4 + 7 ✓, 12 = 5 + 7 ✓ --- ## RIGHT FRONT Work as for Left Front, reversing all shaping. ### Ribbing With smaller needles, CO 23 (25, 28) sts. Work ribbing as for Left Front. ### Body with Cable Pattern Work cable pattern setup and rows as for Left Front until piece measures 5.5 (6, 6.5)" / 14 (15, 16.5) cm from cast-on edge, ending with a RS row (note: ending with RS row for opposite shaping). ### Armhole Shaping **Next row (WS)**: BO 3 (3, 4) sts, purl to end. [20 (22, 24) sts] **Next row (RS)**: Work in pattern. **Decrease row (WS)**: P1, p2tog, purl to end. [19 (21, 23) sts] **Next row (RS)**: Work in pattern. Rep last 2 rows 1 (2, 2) more time(s). [18 (19, 21) sts] Continue even in pattern until armhole measures 3 (3.5, 4)" / 7.5 (9, 10) cm, ending with a RS row. ### Neck Shaping **Next row (WS)**: Purl to last 5 (5, 6) sts, place these sts on holder for neck. [13 (14, 15) sts remain] **Next row (RS)**: Work in pattern. **Decrease row (WS)**: P1, p2tog, purl to end. [12 (13, 14) sts] **Next row (RS)**: Work in pattern. Rep last 2 rows 2 times more. [10 (11, 12) sts] Continue even until armhole measures same as back to shoulder, ending with a RS row. ### Shoulder Shaping **Next row (WS)**: BO 4 (4, 5) sts, purl to end. [6 (7, 7) sts] **Next row (RS)**:
Disclaimer: This pattern was generated by AI and should be reviewed for accuracy before use. While we strive for quality, AI-generated content may contain errors. Please verify measurements, stitch counts, and instructions before beginning your project. Generated by purlJam.uk
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