Little Girl's Lacy Diamond Cardigan

You're little girl will love this sweet cardigan that is light and beautiful for any occasion. This is a very easy button up cardigan, quick to knit with very little shaping this cardigan will make an ideal gift.

Size 18 months - 24 months.

To Fit: 19-20”

Finished Chest: 24”

Finished Length: 12”

You will need:

Worsted weight yarn 100 grms – 2 balls

Knitting Needles: 5 mm (US 8) straight needles, 

Stitch markers,

5  ¾” button,

yarn needle.

GAUGE: 18 sts = 4”; 24 rows = 4” in St st (knit on Right Side, purl on Wrong Side).

CHECK YOUR GAUGE. Use any size needles to obtain the gauge.

Special Abbreviation:

M1 = Make 1 (Increase) – Lift strand between needles to left-hand needle and work strand through the back loop, twisting it to prevent a hole, (knit or purl as indicated by pattern st).

ABBREVIATIONS:

k = knit

k2tog = knit next 2 sts together

p = purl

yo = yarn over
Yfwd = yarn forward
Sl 1 = slip 1
PSSO = pass slipped stitch over

Back

Cast on 54 sts.

Work in k2, p2, rib until piece measures 1.5” from beginning, end with a Wrong Side row.

Lacy Diamond patterm.
Rows 1 (RS):  *k5, k2tog, yfwd, k1, yfwd, sl 1, k1, psso, k5; rep from * to last 2 sts, K2.
Row 2: and all alternate rows, purl
Row 3: *k4, k2tog, yfwd, k3, yfwd, sl1, k1, psso, k4 ; rep from * to last 2 sts, K2.
Row 5: *k3, k2tog, yfwd, k5, yfwd, sl1, k1, psso, k3 ; rep from * to last 2sts, K2.
Row 7: *k2, k2tog, yfwd, k7, yfwd, sl1, k1, psso, k2 ; rep from * to last 2 sts, K2
Row 9: *k3, yfwd, sl1, k1, psso, k5, k2tog, yfwd, k3 ; rep from* to last 2 sts, K2
Row 11: k4, yfwd.sl1, k1, psso, k3, k2tog, yfwd, k4 ; rep from* to last 2 sts, K2
Row 13: k5, yfwd, sl1, k1, psso, k1, k2tog, yfwd, k5 ; rep from* to last 2 sts, K2
Row 15: k6, yfwd, sl1, k2tog, psso, yfwd, k6 ; rep from* to last 2 sts, K2
Row 16: purl

Repeat rows 1 through 16  until 5 complete diamonds are worked making sure to end on row 16.

Cast off.

Left Front

Cast on 28 sts.

Work same as back ribbing until piece measures 1.5” from beginning, end with a Wrong Side row.

Work diamond pattern as given for the back until 4 complete diamonds have been worked ending on row 15 ( Right Side row).

Shape Neck

Next Row (Wrong Side): Cast off 4 sts (neck edge), purl to end of row—24 sts.

Next Row (Right Side): row 1 of diamond pattern.

Next Row: Cast off 2 sts, purl to end of row—22 sts.

Next Row: row 3 of diamond pattern.
Next Row: Cast off 2 sts, purl to end of row - 20 sts.
Next Row: row 5 of diamond pattern.
Next Row : Cast off 2 sts, purl to end of row - 18 sts,
Next Row: row 7 of diamond pattern.
Next Row: Cast off 1 st, purl to end of row—17 sts.

Next Row: row 9 of diamond pattern.
Next Row: Cast off 1 st, purl to end of row- 16 sts.
Next Row: row 11 of diamond pattern.
Next Row: Cast off 1 st, purl to end of row- 15 sts.

Work even in diamond pattern, until piece measures same as back.

Cast off.

Right Front

Cast on 28  sts.

Work same as back ribbing until piece measures 1.5” from beginning, end with a Wrong Side row.Work diamond pattern as given for the back until 4 complete diamonds have been worked ending on row 16 ( Wrong Side row).
Keeping diamond pattern straight shape neck as follows:

Shape Neck

Next Row (Right Side): Cast off 4 sts (neck edge), diamond row 1—24, sts.

Next Row (Wrong Side): Purl.

Next Row: Cast off 2 sts, diamond pattern to end of row—22 sts.

Next Row: Purl.

Repeat last 2 rows 2 more times— 18 sts.

Next Row: Cast off 1 st, diamond pattern to end of row— 17 sts.

Next Row: Purl.

Repeat last 2 rows 2 more times—15 sts remain.

Work even in diamond pattern, until piece measures same as back.

Cast off.

Sleeves (Make 2)

Cast on 28 sts.

Work same as back ribbing until piece measures 1.5” from beginning, end with a Right Side row.

Increase row (Wrong Side): K2, *p1, pf& b, k1, kf&b repeat from * to last 2 sts, p1, pf&b-44sts.

Lacy Diamond patterm.
Rows 1 (RS):  *k5, k2tog, yfwd, k1, yfwd, sl 1, k1, psso, k5; rep from * to last 2 sts, K2.
Row 2: and all alternate rows, purl
Row 3: *k4, k2tog, yfwd, k3, yfwd, sl1, k1, psso, k4 ; rep from * to last 2 sts, K2.
Row 5: *k3, k2tog, yfwd, k5, yfwd, sl1, k1, psso, k3 ; rep from * to last 2sts, K2.
Row 7: *k2, k2tog, yfwd, k7, yfwd, sl1, k1, psso, k2 ; rep from * to last 2 sts, K2
Row 9: *k3, yfwd, sl1, k1, psso, k5, k2tog, yfwd, k3 ; rep from* to last 2 sts, K2
Row 11: k4, yfwd.sl1, k1, psso, k3, k2tog, yfwd, k4 ; rep from* to last 2 sts, K2
Row 13: k5, yfwd, sl1, k1, psso, k1, k2tog, yfwd, k5 ; rep from* to last 2 sts, K2
Row 15: k6, yfwd, sl1, k2tog, psso, yfwd, k6 ; rep from* to last 2 sts, K2
Row 16: purl

Repeat rows 1 through 16  until 4 complete diamonds are worked making sure to end on row 16.

Cast off.

FINISHING

Sew shoulder seams.

Place markers on side edges of fronts and back, 5½” from shoulder seam. Sew top of sleeves between markers.

Sew side and sleeve seams.

Neckband

Row 1: With Right Side facing and circular needle,

beginning at right front edge, pick up and k60 (62, 64, 66) sts evenly spaced across neck edge.

Work 4 rows in K2, P2 rib

Cast off in ribbing pattern.

Buttonband

Cast on 8 sts and work in K2, P2 rib until band reaches length required to reach top of neck ribbing when slightly stretched.

Buttonhole band

Cast on 8 sts work in K2, P2, rib and working evenly space button holes in your favourite method. If you are unsure  see an earlier blog post on recomended buttonholes

Sew button to right

front edge opposite buttonhole. Weave in ends.