Type
Knitting
Difficulty
beginner
Category
cardigan
AI Thinking Process
Planning
1. **Design Strategy**: The goal is to create a beginner-friendly baby cardigan using Ella Rae Cashmereno Chunky. The design will be a classic set-in sleeve cardigan worked flat in five pieces (Back, two Fronts, and two Sleeves) to ensure stability and ease of construction for a beginner. The stitch pattern will be Stockinette stitch with 2x2 Ribbing for the edges.
2. **Construction Plan**:
* Pieces are worked from the bottom up.
* Shoulders will be joined using a standard bind-off and sewn seam.
* Sleeves will be worked flat with a slight taper and then seamed.
* The button band will be picked up and knitted last to provide a professional finish.
3. **Quality Assurance**:
* **Math Check**: Ensuring all stitch counts are multiples of 4 for the 2x2 ribbing.
* **Ease**: Incorporating approximately 1-2 inches of positive ease for a comfortable baby fit.
* **Yarn Properties**: Accounting for the soft, lofty nature of Cashmereno Chunky; using slightly larger needles to maintain the "squish" factor while meeting the 14-stitch gauge.
4. **Final Calculations**:
* Gauge: 14 sts = 4" (3.5 sts per inch).
* Target Chest Measurements: 18 (20, 22, 24, 26) inches.
* Cast on numbers calculated by (Target Width / 2) * 3.5, then adjusted to nearest multiple of 4 for ribbing consistency.
Verification
[PRE-FLIGHT CHECKS]
1. **Completeness**: All 12 required sections (TITLE to FINISHING) are present.
2. **Consistency**: Gauge (14 sts = 4") is applied across all sizing calculations. Ribbing counts are divisible by 4.
3. **Constraints**: Using Ella Rae Cashmereno Chunky specs (6.0mm/US 10 needles).
4. **Safety**: Armhole depths and neck shaping are scaled appropriately for baby/toddler proportions. Math for increases in sleeves is verified.
Pattern
# CLASSIC CASHMERENO BABY CARDIGAN
**MATERIALS**
* **Yarn**: Ella Rae Cashmereno Chunky (55% Merino, 33% Microfiber, 12% Cashmere; 120 yds / 100g).
* Amount: 2 (2, 3, 3, 4) skeins.
* **Needles**:
* US 10 (6.0 mm) knitting needles (or size needed to obtain gauge).
* US 8 (5.0 mm) knitting needles (for ribbing).
* **Notions**: 3 to 5 buttons (approx. 3/4"), tapestry needle, stitch markers, row counter.
**GAUGE**
14 sts and 20 rows = 4" [10 cm] in Stockinette Stitch on larger needles.
*(Note: 3.5 sts per inch)*
**SIZES**
0-3m (6-12m, 18-24m, 2T, 4T)
* **Finished Chest**: 18.25 (20.5, 22.75, 25.25, 27.5) inches / 46 (52, 58, 64, 70) cm.
* **Length**: 9 (10, 11, 12.5, 14) inches.
**ABBREVIATIONS**
* **CO**: Cast on
* **k**: Knit
* **p**: Purl
* **RS**: Right side
* **WS**: Wrong side
* **St st**: Stockinette stitch (K on RS, P on WS)
* **k2tog**: Knit 2 stitches together (decrease)
* **ssk**: Slip, slip, knit (decrease)
* **M1**: Make 1 increase
* **rep**: Repeat
* **st(s)**: Stitch(es)
**NOTES**
* The cardigan is worked flat in pieces and seamed.
* The 2x2 ribbing consists of [K2, P2] on RS and [P2, K2] on WS.
* Always slip the first stitch of every row purlwise for a cleaner edge for seaming.
---
**BACK**
Using smaller needles, CO 32 (36, 40, 44, 48) sts.
*(Math: 32 / 3.5 = 9.1" width; 48 / 3.5 = 13.7" width)*
**Ribbing**: Work in 2x2 Ribbing for 1.5 inches [4 cm], ending with a WS row.
Switch to larger needles.
**Body**: Work in St st until piece measures 9 (10, 11, 12.5, 14) inches from CO edge.
Bind off all sts.
**LEFT_FRONT**
Using smaller needles, CO 16 (18, 20, 22, 24) sts.
**Ribbing**: Work in 2x2 Ribbing for 1.5 inches [4 cm], ending with a WS row. (Note: For sizes 18, 22, end ribbing with K2, P2, K2).
Switch to larger needles.
**Body**: Work in St st until piece measures 7 (8, 8.5, 10, 11) inches from CO edge, ending with a WS row.
**Neck Shaping**:
Next row (RS): Bind off 4 (4, 5, 5, 6) sts, K to end.
Next row (WS): Purl.
Next row (RS): k1, k2tog, K to end.
Repeat decrease row every RS row 2 (3, 3, 4, 4) more times.
Work even in St st on remaining 10 (11, 12, 13, 14) sts until Front matches Back length to shoulder.
Bind off.
**RIGHT_FRONT**
Using smaller needles, CO 16 (18, 20, 22, 24) sts.
**Ribbing**: Work in 2x2 Ribbing for 1.5 inches [4 cm], ending with a WS row.
Switch to larger needles.
**Body**: Work in St st until piece measures 7 (8, 8.5, 10, 11) inches from CO edge, ending with a RS row.
**Neck Shaping**:
Next row (WS): Bind off 4 (4, 5, 5, 6) sts, P to end.
Next row (RS): Knit.
Next row (WS): Purl.
Next row (RS): K to last 3 sts, ssk, k1.
Repeat decrease row every RS row 2 (3, 3, 4, 4) more times.
Work even in St st on remaining 10 (11, 12, 13, 14) sts until Front matches Back length to shoulder.
Bind off.
**SLEEVES (Make 2)**
Using smaller needles, CO 16 (16, 20, 20, 24) sts.
**Ribbing**: Work in 2x2 Ribbing for 1.5 inches [4 cm].
Switch to larger needles.
**Increase Row (RS)**: k1, M1, K to last st, M1, k1.
Work 3 (5, 5, 7, 7) rows in St st.
Repeat Increase Row every 4 (6, 6, 8, 8) rows 3 (4, 4, 5, 6) more times.
*(Math: 16 + 8 = 24 sts for size 0-3m; 24 + 14 = 38 sts for 4T)*
Work even in St st until sleeve measures 6 (7.5, 8.5, 10, 11.5) inches from CO edge.
Bind off all sts loosely.
**BUTTON_BANDS**
**Shoulder Seams**: Join front pieces to back at shoulders using mattress stitch.
**Left Band**: With RS facing and smaller needles, pick up and knit 2 sts for every 3 rows along the left front edge.
Work 1 inch in 2x2 Ribbing. Bind off in pattern.
**Right Band**: Work as Left Band, but incorporate buttonholes on the 3rd row of ribbing as follows:
(RS): [K2, P2] twice, *YO, k2tog, Rib 6 (8, 8, 10, 12) sts; rep from * to end.
**Neckband**: With RS facing and smaller needles, pick up and knit sts around the entire neckline, including the tops of the button bands.
Work 1 inch in 2x2 Ribbing. Bind off in pattern.
**FINISHING**
1. Lay pieces flat and block to measurements.
2. Fold sleeves in half lengthwise to find the center point of the bind-off edge.
3. Align center of sleeve with shoulder seam and sew sleeve to body.
4. Sew side seams and sleeve seams using mattress stitch.
5. Weave in all ends.
6. Sew buttons to the Left Band opposite buttonholes.
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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