Liten kofta (small cardigan)

Size 3-6 months

A classic, buttoned baby cardigan with a garter ridge round yoke section. The cardigan is
worked back and forth from the bottom up. Sleeves are knit flat and seamed to make
joining easier. However, you can easily convert them to work in the round by casting on 2
fewer stitches than indicated. I always knit sleeves flat when working a yoke since its so
hard to work those first rows otherwise. The choice is yours.

Finished measurements:
Chest = 46 cm/18
Length from shoulder to hem = 23 cm/9
Sleeve length = 14 cm/5.5 from underarm

Yarn: 300 350 m/328 382 yards of fingering weight yarn
Sample shown in Sandnes Garn Mini Alpakka (100% alpaca, 164 yds/150 m per 50 g skein) in Off-white (#1012), 2
skeins.

Notions:
3 mother-of-pearl buttons approx. 12 mm/0.5
Sewing thread and needle to sew buttons
Tapestry needle

Pattern and photos are Gralina Frie 2013. This pattern is for personal and non-profit use only.

Stitch markers
Stitch holders or waste yarn

Needles: US 1 (2.5 mm) and US 2 (3.0 mm) circular needles, 60 cm/24 or longer

Gauge:
26 stitches and 36 rows = 10 cm x 10 cm (4 x 4) on US 2 (3.0 mm) needles in Stockinette stitch after blocking.

Abbreviations:
st(s) = stitch(es)
k = knit
p = purl
k2tog = knit 2 stitches together
m1 = make 1 stitch as follows: insert the left needle from front to back into the horizontal strand between the two
stitches and knit the stitch through the back loop
rem = remaining
RS = right side
WS = wrong side
CO = cast on
BO = bind off
PM = place marker.

BODY
With US 1 (2.5 mm) needles, CO 116 sts. Do not join.
Work 12 rows in garter stitch (k on each row).

Change to US 2 (3.0 mm) needles.
Beginning with a knit row, work in stockinette stitch (k on RS, p on WS) until piece measures 12 cm/4.75 from cast
on edge, ending with a WS row.

Next Row (RS): K29, PM, k58, PM, k29.

Divide for armholes:
Next Row (WS): *P to 2 sts before marker, BO 4 sts removing marker; rep from * once more, p to end. Set body
aside, without breaking yarn.

SLEEVES (make 2)

With US 1 (2.5 mm) needles, CO 38 sts. Do not join.

Work 8 rows in garter stitch

Change to US 2 (3.0 mm) needles.
Beginning with a knit row, work in stockinette stitch for 6 rows.

Increase Row (RS): K2, m1, k to last 2 sts, m1, k2.
Continuing in stockinette stitch, repeat Increase Row every 6th row 5 more times = 50 sts on your needles.

Work evenly in stockinette stitch until sleeve measures 14 cm/5.5 from cast on edge, ending with a WS row.

Next Row (RS): BO 3 sts, k to end.
Next Row: BO 3 sts, p to end = 44 sts.
Break yarn. Slip rem sts onto a stitch holder.

Pattern and photos are Gralina Frie 2013. This pattern is for personal and non-profit use only.

YOKE
With RS facing, using your working yarn from the body, work as follows:

Row 1 (RS): K27 to armhole, PM, insert and knit the 44 sts from one of your sleeves, PM, k54 from the back, PM,
insert and knit the 44 sts from second sleeve, PM, k to end = 196 sts.
Row 2 - 5: K to end (2 garter ridges from the RS).
Row 6: P to end.
Row 7: K to end.
Row 8: P to end.
Row 9: K to end.

Decrease Row 10: K5, *k2tog, k6*, repeat from * to last 7 sts, k2tog, k5 = 172 sts.
Row 11 - 13: K to end (2 garter ridges from the RS).
Row 14: P to end.
Row 15: K to end.
Row 16: P to end.
Row 17: K to end.

Decrease Row 18: K2, k2tog, k4, *k2tog, k3, k2tog, k3, k2tog, k4*, repeat from * to last 4 sts, k2tog, k2 = 140 sts.
Row 19 - 23: K to end (3 garter ridges from the RS)
Row 24: P to end.
Row 25: K to end.
Row 26: P to end.
Row 27: K to end.

Decrease Row 28: K2, *k2tog, k1, k2tog, k2*, repeat from * to last 5 sts, k2tog, k3 = 100 sts.
Row 29 - 31: K to end (2 garter ridges from the RS).
Row 32: P to end.
Row 33: K to end.
Row 34: P to end.
Row 35: K to end.

Decrease Row 36: K2, *k2tog, k1*, repeat from * to end = 68 sts

Change to US 1.5 2.5mm needles.
Work 5 rows in garter stitch

BO all sts loosely, using larger needles if necessary.

BUTTONHOLE BAND (right side):
With RS facing, using US 1 (2.5 mm) needles, pick up and knit 52 sts along the front edge as follows:
Pick up 1 st for each garter ridge in the hem (5 sts), pick up 2 sts for every 3 rows along the stockinette edge, 1 st
for each garter ridge on the yoke section and 3 sts for each of the stockinette parts in between, 1 st for each garter
ridge in the neck (4 sts) = 52 sts.

Work 2 rows in garter stitch

Next Row (WS): K3, *BO 2 sts, k6*, repeat from * 2 more times, k to end = 3 buttonholes made.
Next Row (RS): K to first buttonhole, *CO 2 sts, k7*, repeat from * 2 more times, k3.

Work 2 rows in garter stitch
BO all sts with average tension (you dont want the edge to flare or pull).

Pattern and photos are Gralina Frie 2013. This pattern is for personal and non-profit use only.

BUTTON BAND (left side):

Pick up the same number of sts as for left front and in the same manner, yet mirrored.
Work 6 rows in garter stitch
BO all sts.

FINISHING:
Join sleeve seams. Graft underarms. Weave in all endings. Soak and block lightly.
Sew buttons to left front band opposite buttonholes. Enjoy!

SCHEMATIC:

Pattern and photos are Gralina Frie 2013. This pattern is for personal and non-profit use only.