purlJam

# BARNYARD FRIENDS BABY CARDIGAN

A sweet cardigan for baby featuring adorable intarsia cows and goats on the back, worked in soft DK cotton. Perfect for little ones aged 3 months, this cardigan combines simple stockinette stitch with charming animal motifs.

## MATERIALS

- **Yarn:** DK weight cotton (100% cotton or cotton blend), approximately 200g total
  - Main Colour (MC - Cream): 150g
  - Contrast Colour 1 (CC1 - Brown for cows): 25g
  - Contrast Colour 2 (CC2 - Grey for goats): 25g
  - Small amounts of black for facial details
- **Needles:** 
  - 4.0mm (UK 8, US 6) needles for main body
  - 3.5mm (UK 9/10, US 4) needles for ribbing
- **Notions:**
  - 5 buttons, approximately 12mm diameter
  - Tapestry needle for seaming
  - Stitch markers
  - Stitch holders or waste yarn
- **Optional:** Embroidery thread for facial features if preferred over duplicate stitch

## GAUGE

22 stitches and 28 rows = 10cm (4") in stocking stitch on 4.0mm needles

**IMPORTANT:** Check your tension carefully. Tension is critical for proper fit, especially for baby garments.

## SIZES

This pattern is written for 3 months only.

**Finished Measurements:**
- Chest circumference: 48cm (19")
- Length from shoulder: 25cm (10")
- Sleeve length: 15cm (6")

## ABBREVIATIONS

- **k** - knit
- **p** - purl
- **st(s)** - stitch(es)
- **RS** - right side
- **WS** - wrong side
- **st st** - stocking stitch (knit on RS, purl on WS)
- **k2tog** - knit 2 stitches together (decrease)
- **ssk** - slip, slip, knit (slip 2 sts knitwise one at a time, insert left needle through front loops and knit together)
- **m1** - make 1 stitch (lift bar between stitches and knit into back of it)
- **inc** - increase by knitting into front and back of stitch
- **pm** - place marker
- **sm** - slip marker
- **cont** - continue
- **rem** - remaining
- **rep** - repeat
- **beg** - beginning

## NOTES

1. This cardigan is worked flat in separate pieces (back, two fronts, and sleeves), then seamed together.

2. The cow and goat motifs are worked using the intarsia technique on the back piece. For beginners to colourwork, use separate small balls of yarn for each colour section rather than carrying yarn across the back.

3. When working intarsia, twist yarns together at colour changes to prevent holes.

4. For a simpler project, you may omit the animal motifs and work the entire cardigan in the main colour, or add the animals using duplicate stitch after completing the cardigan.

5. All pieces begin with a rib edge for a neat finish and to prevent curling.

6. The button band is worked as you knit the right front; the buttonhole band is picked up and worked after assembly.

7. Weave in ends as you work for easier finishing.

## BACK

Using 3.5mm needles and MC, cast on 54 sts.

**Rib edging:**
Row 1 (RS): *K2, p2; rep from * to last 2 sts, k2.
Row 2 (WS): *P2, k2; rep from * to last 2 sts, p2.
Rep these 2 rows twice more (6 rows total).

Change to 4.0mm needles.

**Body:**
Beginning with a knit row, work in st st until piece measures 14cm (5.5") from cast-on edge, ending with a WS row.

**Begin chart:**
Next row (RS): K12 MC, work Row 1 of Cow chart over next 12 sts, k6 MC, work Row 1 of Goat chart over next 12 sts, k12 MC.

Continue as established, working through all 22 rows of both charts, then continue in MC only.

Work straight in st st until piece measures 23cm (9") from cast-on edge, ending with a WS row.

**Shoulder shaping:**
Cast off 5 sts at beg of next 4 rows. (34 sts rem)
Cast off 6 sts at beg of next 2 rows. (22 sts rem)

Place remaining 22 sts on holder for back neck.

## LEFT FRONT

Using 3.5mm needles and MC, cast on 26 sts.

**Rib edging:**
Row 1 (RS): *K2, p2; rep from * to last 2 sts, k2.
Row 2 (WS): *P2, k2; rep from * to last 2 sts, p2.
Rep these 2 rows twice more (6 rows total).

Change to 4.0mm needles.

**Body:**
Beginning with a knit row, work in st st until piece measures 23cm (9") from cast-on edge, ending with a WS row.

**Shoulder and neck shaping:**
Row 1 (RS): Cast off 5 sts, k to end. (21 sts)
Row 2 (WS): Purl.
Row 3: Cast off 5 sts, k to last 3 sts, k2tog, k1. (14 sts)
Row 4: Purl.
Row 5: K to last 3 sts, k2tog, k1. (13 sts)
Row 6: Purl.
Row 7: Cast off 6 sts, k to last 3 sts, k2tog, k1. (6 sts)
Row 8: Purl.

Cast off remaining 6 sts.

## RIGHT FRONT

Using 3.5mm needles and MC, cast on 26 sts.

**Rib edging:**
Row 1 (RS): *K2, p2; rep from * to last 2 sts, k2.
Row 2 (WS): *P2, k2; rep from * to last 2 sts, p2.
Rep these 2 rows twice more (6 rows total).

Change to 4.0mm needles.

**Body:**
Beginning with a knit row, work in st st until piece measures 23cm (9") from cast-on edge, ending with a RS row.

**Shoulder and neck shaping:**
Row 1 (WS): Cast off 5 sts, p to end. (21 sts)
Row 2 (RS): Knit.
Row 3: Cast off 5 sts, p to end. (16 sts)
Row 4: K1, ssk, k to end. (15 sts)
Row 5: Purl.
Row 6: K1, ssk, k to end. (14 sts)
Row 7: Cast off 6 sts, p to end. (8 sts)
Row 8: K1, ssk, k to end. (7 sts)

Cast off remaining 7 sts.

## SLEEVES (make 2)

Using 3.5mm needles and MC, cast on 34 sts.

**Rib edging:**
Row 1 (RS): *K2, p2; rep from * to last 2 sts, k2.
Row 2 (WS): *P2, k2; rep from * to last 2 sts, p2.
Rep these 2 rows twice more (6 rows total).

Change to 4.0mm needles.

**Body:**
Beginning with a knit row, work in st st AND AT THE SAME TIME increase 1 st at each end of 5th row, then every following 6th row 4 times. (44 sts)

Work straight until sleeve measures 15cm (6") from cast-on edge, ending with a WS row.

Cast off all sts loosely.

## BUTTON BANDS

**Button band (left front for girls, right front for boys):**

With RS facing, using 3.5mm needles and MC, pick up and knit 62 sts evenly along front edge from cast-on edge to beginning of neck shaping.

Row 1 (WS): K2, *p2, k2; rep from * to end.
Row 2 (RS): P2, *k2, p2; rep from * to end.
Rep these 2 rows once more.

Cast off in rib pattern.

**Buttonhole band (right front for girls, left front for boys):**

With RS facing, using 3.5mm needles and MC, pick up and knit 62 sts evenly along front edge from beginning of neck shaping to cast-on edge.

Row 1 (WS): K2, *p2, k2; rep from * to end.
Row 2 (RS): P2, k2, p2, k2tog, yo, *[p2, k2] twice, p2, k2tog, yo; rep from * 3 more times, rib to end. (5 buttonholes made)
Row 3: Work in rib as established.
Row 4: Work in rib as established.

Cast off in rib pattern.

**Buttonhole placement note:** The first buttonhole is placed approximately 3cm from the bottom edge, with the remaining 4 buttonholes spaced approximately evenly (about 4.5cm apart) up the front band.

## FINISHING

**Assembly:**

1. Block all pieces gently to measurements using a damp cloth or steam. Allow to dry completely.

2. Join shoulder seams using mattress stitch or your preferred seaming method.

3. **Neckband:** With RS facing, using 3.5mm needles and MC, beginning at right front neck edge, pick up and knit 8 sts up right front neck, knit across 22 held back neck sts, pick up and knit 8 sts down left front neck. (38 sts)
   
   Row 1 (WS): K2, *p2, k2; rep from * to end.
   Row 2 (RS): P2, *k2, p2; rep from * to end.
   Rep these 2 rows once more.
   
   Cast off in rib pattern.

4. Place markers 10cm (4") down from shoulder seam on front and back for armholes.

5. Set in sleeves between markers, matching centre of sleeve to shoulder seam. Sew in place using mattress stitch.

6. Sew side and sleeve seams using mattress stitch.

7. **Add animal features:** Using black yarn and duplicate stitch or small straight stitches, embroider eyes, nostrils, and mouth details on the cow and goat motifs. For cow spots, add a few random black patches using duplicate stitch. For goat horns, use small straight stitches.

8. Weave in all remaining ends securely.

9. Sew buttons opposite buttonholes using matching thread.

10. Give cardigan a final gentle press with a damp cloth if needed, avoiding ribbing and button bands.

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## INTARSIA CHARTS

**COW CHART** (12 sts wide × 22 rows tall)

Work from bottom to top, right to left on RS rows, left to right on WS rows.

```
Row 22: 12 MC
Row 21: 12 MC
Row 20: 3 MC, 6 Brown, 3 MC
Row 19: 2 MC, 8 Brown, 2 MC
Row 18: 2 MC, 8 Brown, 2 MC
Row 17: 1 MC, 10 Brown, 1 MC
Row 16: 1 MC, 10 Brown, 1 MC
Row 15: 1 MC, 10 Brown, 1 MC
Row 14: 1 MC, 10 Brown, 1 MC
Row 13: 1 MC, 10 Brown, 1 MC
Row 12: 1 MC, 10 Brown, 1 MC
Row 11: 1 MC, 10 Brown, 1 MC
Row 10: 1 MC, 10 Brown, 1 MC
Row 9: 2 MC, 8 Brown, 2 MC
Row 8: 2 MC, 8 Brown, 2 MC
Row 7: 2 MC, 8 Brown, 2 MC
Row 6: 3 MC, 6 Brown, 3 MC
Row 5: 3 MC, 6 Brown, 3 MC
Row 4: 4 MC, 4 Brown, 4 MC
Row 3: 4 MC, 4 Brown, 4 MC
Row 2: 5 MC, 2 Brown, 5 MC
Row 1: 12 MC
```

Add black spots using duplicate stitch after completing: small irregular patches on body.
Eyes: Two small black stitches on Row 18, at positions 4 and 9
Nostrils: Two small black dots on Row 9

**GOAT CHART** (12 sts wide × 22 rows tall)

Work from bottom to top, right to left on RS rows, left to right on WS rows.

```
Row 22: 4 MC, 1 Grey, 2 MC, 1 Grey, 4 MC (horns)
Row 21: 4 MC, 1 Grey, 2 MC, 1 Grey, 4 MC
Row 20: 3 MC, 6 Grey, 3 MC (head)
Row 19: 2 MC, 8 Grey, 2 MC
Row 18: 2 MC, 8 Grey, 2 MC
Row 17: 2 MC, 8 Grey, 2 MC
Row 16: 2 MC, 8 Grey, 2 MC
Row 15: 2 MC, 8 Grey, 2 MC
Row 14: 3 MC, 6 Grey, 3 MC
Row 13: 3 MC, 6 Grey, 3 MC (neck)
Row 12: 3 MC, 6 Grey, 3 MC
Row 11: 2 MC, 8 Grey, 2 MC (body)
Row 10: 2 MC, 8 Grey, 2 MC
Row 9: 2 MC, 8 Grey, 2 MC
Row 8: 2 MC, 8 Grey, 2 MC
Row 7: 2 MC, 8 Grey, 2 MC
Row 6: 3 MC, 6 Grey, 3 MC
Row 5: 3 MC, 6 Grey, 3 MC
Row 4: 4 MC, 4 Grey, 4 MC
Row 3: 4 MC, 4 Grey, 4 MC
Row 2: 5 MC, 2 Grey, 5 MC
Row 1: 12 MC
```

Eyes: Two small black stitches on Row 18, at positions 4 and 9
Nose and mouth: Small black details on Row 15
Beard (optional): A few hanging stitches at Row 14, position 6

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**Chart reading tips:**
- Each square represents one stitch
- Read RS (odd) rows from right to left
- Read WS (even) rows from left to right
- Use separate balls or bobbins of each colour
- Twist yarns at colour changes to avoid holes

**CONGRATULATIONS!** You've completed your Barnyard Friends Baby Cardigan. This special handmade garment will be treasured for years to come!

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*Pattern designed for beginner knitters with basic colourwork. Please respect copyright - this pattern is for personal use only.*