Little Pebbles V-Neck Cardigan

A relaxed, beginner-friendly V-neck cardigan for babies, worked in separate pieces from the bottom up. A simple seed-stitch texture runs over the body and sleeves; hems, cuffs, and button bands are 1x1 rib. Set-in sleeves are seamed in after knitting. Five sizes are given; the 12-month size is the third number in each set of parentheses.

Skill level: Beginner. You will knit, purl, work seed stitch, decrease (k2tog and ssk), pick up stitches, and seam.

Materials

Yarn: Worsted weight (CYC #4), a soft superwash wool or washable wool-blend recommended for baby garments.

• Yardage: 250 (300, 350, 400, 475) yd / 230 (275, 320, 365, 435) m
• Sample equivalent: about 2 (2, 2, 3, 3) skeins of 200 yd / 100 g worsted, or 3 (3, 4, 4, 5) skeins of 100 yd / 50 g worsted

Needles:

• US 5 / 3.75 mm, straight or circular, for ribbing and button bands
• US 7 / 4.5 mm, straight or circular, for seed stitch
• 24" (60 cm) circular in both sizes is handy for picking up the button bands; pieces themselves are worked flat

Notions:

• 4 (4, 5, 5, 6) buttons, ⅝" (16 mm) diameter
• Tapestry needle
• Stitch markers
• Stitch holders or spare yarn (optional)
• Sewing needle and thread to match buttons

Gauge

20 stitches and 26 rows = 4" (10 cm) in Seed Stitch on US 7 / 4.5 mm needles, blocked.

5 stitches = 1" (2.5 cm); 6½ rows = 1" (2.5 cm).

Work a 6" (15 cm) swatch, bind off, wet-block, and measure the center 4" (10 cm). Change needle size if needed to match gauge. Gauge affects size and yarn amount.

Sizes

3 (6, 12, 18, 24) months

The 12-month size is the third number. Instructions are written for the smallest size, with larger sizes in parentheses. When only one number is given, it applies to all sizes.

To fit chest: 16 (17, 18, 20, 21)" / 40.5 (43, 45.5, 51, 53.5) cm

Finished chest (buttoned, relaxed fit): 20 (21½, 24, 26, 28½)" / 51 (54.5, 61, 66, 72.5) cm

Finished length (back, hem to shoulder): 10 (11, 12, 13, 14)" / 25.5 (28, 30.5, 33, 35.5) cm

Length to underarm: 6¼ (7, 7½, 8, 8¾)" / 16 (18, 19, 20.5, 22) cm

Armhole depth: 3¾ (4, 4½, 5, 5¼)" / 9.5 (10, 11.5, 12.5, 13.5) cm

Sleeve length to underarm: 6 (6½, 7½, 8½, 9½)" / 15 (16.5, 19, 21.5, 24) cm

Upper arm circumference: 8 (8¾, 9½, 10½, 11¼)" / 20.5 (22, 24, 26.5, 28.5) cm

Designed with 4–7" (10–18 cm) of positive ease so it layers over clothes and leaves room to grow. Choose the size by finished chest and the child’s actual chest measurement, not age alone.

Abbreviations

Notes

• Cardigan is worked flat, in pieces, from the bottom up: Back, Right Front, Left Front, and two identical Sleeves. Pieces are seamed, then button bands are picked up around the front opening.
• Seed Stitch (even number of sts):
  • Row 1 (RS): *K1, p1; rep from * to end.
  • Row 2 (WS): *P1, k1; rep from * to end.
  • Repeat Rows 1–2. You are always knitting the purl stitches you see and purling the knit stitches you see.
• After shaping, the seed pattern may shift by one stitch at the edges. That is expected. Keep working stitches as they present (knit the purls, purl the knits) and the texture will stay correct.
• 1x1 Rib (even number of sts): *K1, p1; rep from * to end, every row.
• Selvedge: The first and last stitch of every row are worked in pattern. Use these edge stitches for seaming.
• V-neck: On each front, neck decreases begin on the same row as armhole shaping. Read the front instructions all the way through before you start the armholes.
• Right Front is the piece on the wearer’s right (buttonholes). Left Front is the wearer’s left (buttons).
• Stitch counts are given after every shaping step, with a check so you can confirm your number.
• When a size does not need a particular action, it is written as a dash or as “0 times.”
• Baby safety: Sew buttons on with several firm passes of thread and knot on the inside. Check buttons regularly. If the garment is for a child who mouths clothing, substitute securely applied snaps.

Back

With smaller needles (US 5 / 3.75 mm), CO 46 (50, 56, 60, 66) sts.

Work in 1x1 Rib until piece measures 1" (2.5 cm) from the cast-on edge, ending after a WS row.

Change to larger needles (US 7 / 4.5 mm).

Work in Seed Stitch until piece measures 6¼ (7, 7½, 8, 8¾)" / 16 (18, 19, 20.5, 22) cm from the cast-on edge, ending after a WS row.

Shape armholes

Next row (RS): BO 3 (3, 4, 4, 5) sts, work in Seed Stitch to end. 43 (47, 52, 56, 61) sts.

Next row (WS): BO 3 (3, 4, 4, 5) sts, work in Seed Stitch to end. 40 (44, 48, 52, 56) sts. (46 − 3 − 3 = 40 ✓; 50 − 3 − 3 = 44 ✓; 56 − 4 − 4 = 48 ✓; 60 − 4 − 4 = 52 ✓; 66 − 5 − 5 = 56 ✓)

Dec row (RS): K1, ssk, work in Seed Stitch to last 3 sts, k2tog, k1. 2 sts decreased.

Next row (WS): Work in Seed Stitch.

Rep the last 2 rows 1 (2, 2, 3, 3) more time(s) — 2 (3, 3, 4, 4) dec rows total.

36 (38, 42, 44, 48) sts. (40 − 4 = 36 ✓; 44 − 6 = 38 ✓; 48 − 6 = 42 ✓; 52 − 8 = 44 ✓; 56 − 8 = 48 ✓)

Continue even in Seed Stitch until armhole measures 3¾ (4, 4½, 5, 5¼)" / 9.5 (10, 11.5, 12.5, 13.5) cm, ending after a WS row.

Shape shoulders

Next row (RS): BO 10 (11, 12, 13, 14) sts, work in Seed Stitch to end. 26 (27, 30, 31, 34) sts.

Next row (WS): BO 10 (11, 12, 13, 14) sts, work in Seed Stitch to end. 16 (16, 18, 18, 20) sts. (36 − 10 − 10 = 16 ✓; 38 − 11 − 11 = 16 ✓; 42 − 12 − 12 = 18 ✓; 44 − 13 − 13 = 18 ✓; 48 − 14 − 14 = 20 ✓)

BO remaining 16 (16, 18, 18, 20) back-neck sts.

Fronts

Right Front (wearer’s right; buttonholes later)

With smaller needles, CO 24 (26, 30, 32, 36) sts.

Work in 1x1 Rib until piece measures 1" (2.5 cm) from the cast-on edge, ending after a WS row.

Change to larger needles.

Work in Seed Stitch until piece measures 6¼ (7, 7½, 8, 8¾)" / 16 (18, 19, 20.5, 22) cm from the cast-on edge, ending after a WS row. (Same length as Back to the underarm.)

Shape armhole and V-neck (at the same time)

On the Right Front, the neck edge is at the beginning of RS rows and the armhole edge is at the beginning of WS rows. Neck and armhole shaping run together. Read this whole section before knitting it.

Row 1 (RS) — begin V-neck: K1, ssk, work in Seed Stitch to end. 23 (25, 29, 31, 35) sts. (1 neck decrease)

Row 2 (WS) — bind off armhole: BO 3 (3, 4, 4, 5) sts, work in Seed Stitch to end. 20 (22, 25, 27, 30) sts. (23 − 3 = 20 ✓; 25 − 3 = 22 ✓; 29 − 4 = 25 ✓; 31 − 4 = 27 ✓; 35 − 5 = 30 ✓)

Now work the two shapings as follows:

Armhole decreases: On RS rows, work in pattern to last 3 sts, k2tog, k1. Work this armhole decrease on the next 2 (3, 3, 4, 4) RS rows.

V-neck decreases: On every RS row, k1, ssk, then work in pattern to the armhole edge (including any armhole decrease due on that row). Continue until 9 (9, 11, 11, 13) neck decreases have been worked in total, counting the decrease already made on Row 1. That means 8 (8, 10, 10, 12) more neck decreases.

WS rows: work even in Seed Stitch (unless an armhole bind-off already used Row 2).

When all armhole and neck decreases are complete, 10 (11, 12, 13, 14) sts remain.

Check: 24 − 3 (armhole BO) − 2 (armhole dec) − 9 (neck dec) = 10 ✓ 26 − 3 − 3 − 9 = 11 ✓ 30 − 4 − 3 − 11 = 12 ✓ 32 − 4 − 4 − 11 = 13 ✓ 36 − 5 − 4 − 13 = 14 ✓

Work even in Seed Stitch on remaining sts until armhole measures 3¾ (4, 4½, 5, 5¼)" / 9.5 (10, 11.5, 12.5, 13.5) cm, matching the Back, ending after a WS row.

BO remaining 10 (11, 12, 13, 14) shoulder sts.

Left Front (wearer’s left; buttons later)

With smaller needles, CO 24 (26, 30, 32, 36) sts.

Work in 1x1 Rib until piece measures 1" (2.5 cm) from the cast-on edge, ending after a WS row.

Change to larger needles.

Work in Seed Stitch until piece measures 6¼ (7, 7½, 8, 8¾)" / 16 (18, 19, 20.5, 22) cm from the cast-on edge, ending after a WS row.

Shape armhole and V-neck (at the same time)

On the Left Front, the armhole edge is at the beginning of RS rows and the neck edge is at the end of RS rows. Mirror of the Right Front.

Row 1 (RS) — bind off armhole and begin V-neck: BO 3 (3, 4, 4, 5) sts, work in Seed Stitch until 3 sts rem, k2tog, k1. 20 (22, 25, 27, 30) sts. (24 − 3 − 1 = 20 ✓; 26 − 3 − 1 = 22 ✓; 30 − 4 − 1 = 25 ✓; 32 − 4 − 1 = 27 ✓; 36 − 5 − 1 = 30 ✓)

Row 2 (WS): Work in Seed Stitch.

Now work the two shapings as follows:

Armhole decreases: On RS rows, k1, ssk, work in pattern to the neck edge (including any neck decrease due on that row). Work this armhole decrease on the next 2 (3, 3, 4, 4) RS rows.

V-neck decreases: On every RS row, work in pattern until 3 sts rem, k2tog, k1. Continue until 9 (9, 11, 11, 13) neck decreases have been worked in total, counting the decrease already made on Row 1. That means 8 (8, 10, 10, 12) more neck decreases.

WS rows: work even in Seed Stitch.

When all armhole and neck decreases are complete, 10 (11, 12, 13, 14) sts remain. (Same check as Right Front.)

Work even in Seed Stitch on remaining sts until armhole matches the Back, ending after a WS row.

BO remaining 10 (11, 12, 13, 14) shoulder sts.

Sleeves

Make 2 alike.

With smaller needles, CO 30 (32, 34, 36, 38) sts.

Work in 1x1 Rib until piece measures 1" (2.5 cm) from the cast-on edge, ending after a WS row.

Change to larger needles. Work 2 rows even in Seed Stitch.

Inc row (RS): K1, kfb, work in Seed Stitch to last 2 sts, kfb, k1. 2 sts increased.

Work 5 rows even in Seed Stitch.

Rep the last 6 rows (inc row + 5 even rows) 4 (5, 6, 7, 8) more times — 5 (6, 7, 8, 9) inc rows total.

40 (44, 48, 52, 56) sts. (30 + 10 = 40 ✓; 32 + 12 = 44 ✓; 34 + 14 = 48 ✓; 36 + 16 = 52 ✓; 38 + 18 = 56 ✓)

Continue even in Seed Stitch until Sleeve measures 6 (6½, 7½, 8½, 9½)" / 15 (16.5, 19, 21.5, 24) cm from the cast-on edge, ending after a WS row.

Shape sleeve cap

Next row (RS): BO 3 (3, 4, 4, 5) sts, work in Seed Stitch to end.

Next row (WS): BO 3 (3, 4, 4, 5) sts, work in Seed Stitch to end. 34 (38, 40, 44, 46) sts. (40 − 6 = 34 ✓; 44 − 6 = 38 ✓; 48 − 8 = 40 ✓; 52 − 8 = 44 ✓; 56 − 10 = 46 ✓)

Dec row (RS): K1, ssk, work in Seed Stitch to last 3 sts, k2tog, k1. 2 sts decreased.

Next row (WS): Work in Seed Stitch.

Rep the last 2 rows 8 (9, 10, 11, 12) more times — 9 (10, 11, 12, 13) dec rows total.

16 (18, 18, 20, 20) sts. (34 − 18 = 16 ✓; 38 − 20 = 18 ✓; 40 − 22 = 18 ✓; 44 − 24 = 20 ✓; 46 − 26 = 20 ✓)

Next row (RS): BO 2 sts, work in Seed Stitch to end.

Next row (WS): BO 2 sts, work in Seed Stitch to end. 12 (14, 14, 16, 16) sts.

BO remaining 12 (14, 14, 16, 16) sts.

Button Bands

Block all pieces lightly to measurements (see Finishing) before picking up, so the front edges are even.

Sew both shoulder seams first (mattress stitch or backstitch), using the bound-off shoulder edges. You need the joined neckline to pick up a continuous band.

With smaller needles (US 5 / 3.75 mm), RS facing, and beginning at the Right Front lower corner (wearer’s right hem):

1. Pick up and knit 48 (54, 58, 64, 68) sts evenly up the Right Front edge (hem to shoulder), at a rate of about 3 sts for every 4 rows.
2. Pick up and knit 16 (16, 18, 18, 20) sts across the Back neck, 1 st per bound-off st.
3. Pick up and knit 48 (54, 58, 64, 68) sts evenly down the Left Front edge (shoulder to hem).

112 (124, 134, 146, 156) sts. (48 + 16 + 48 = 112 ✓; 54 + 16 + 54 = 124 ✓; 58 + 18 + 58 = 134 ✓; 64 + 18 + 64 = 146 ✓; 68 + 20 + 68 = 156 ✓)

If your picked-up total is 1 st off, inc or dec 1 st on the first rib row so the count is even (needed for 1x1 rib).

Row 1 (WS): *K1, p1; rep from * to end.

Row 2 (RS): *K1, p1; rep from * to end.

Row 3 (RS) — buttonhole row: Work 1x1 Rib along the Right Front only, making 4 (4, 5, 5, 6) buttonholes between the hem and the start of the V-neck. Place the first buttonhole about ½" (1.5 cm) from the hem and the last at the beginning of V-neck shaping; space the others evenly between them.

Buttonhole: Yo, k2tog. Work the yarn over as a knit or purl on the next row, whichever keeps 1x1 rib.

After the last buttonhole, continue in 1x1 Rib across the remaining Right Front (the V-neck slope), Back neck, and entire Left Front. No buttonholes on the Left Front.

Rows 4–6: Work in 1x1 Rib.

Band should measure about 1" (2.5 cm). If you need a slightly wider band for your buttons, work 2 more rib rows.

BO loosely in rib.

Finishing

1. Block. Wet-block or steam-block pieces to the schematic measurements. Seed stitch does not grow much; pin gently and let dry fully. Blocking before seaming makes the edges easier to match.
2. Shoulder seams. Already sewn before the button bands. Reinforce if needed.
3. Set in sleeves. With RS together (or RS facing for mattress stitch), match the center of the sleeve cap to the shoulder seam. Match each sleeve-cap bind-off to the corresponding armhole bind-off. Ease the cap into the armhole and sew with mattress stitch. The cap is slightly shorter than the armhole depth, which is correct for a set-in sleeve.
4. Side and sleeve seams. Sew each side seam from hem to underarm, then each sleeve seam from cuff to underarm, using mattress stitch. Match the rib-to-seed change on body and sleeves.
5. Weave in ends.
6. Buttons. Sew 4 (4, 5, 5, 6) buttons to the Left Front band, opposite the buttonholes. Use sewing thread (not yarn) and pass through each button several times. Knot securely on the inside. For a boy, you may reverse buttonholes to the Left Front and buttons to the Right Front if you prefer traditional placement; the pattern as written places buttonholes on the Right Front.
7. Final press. Lightly steam the seams if the yarn allows. Do not flatten the seed stitch.

Care: Follow the ball band. For superwash wool, machine wash cold gentle and lay flat to dry. Recheck buttons after every wash.

Schematic (measurements)