» photos: J. Velasquez » model: Braelyn C.

Braelyn's Cardigan

By Rebecca Velasquez

When thinking about creating a summer piece for the wee-ist among us, my mind automatically goes to lightweight cardigans. But not just any cardigan...it has to be sweet and dainty and perfect. With the birth of my niece quickly approaching, I began to flip through pages of pictures from when my daughter was so round and small, all the time, studying her precious face and darling dresses. This cardigan, Braelyn's Cardigan, is the piece I wish my daughter would have had. It is now, what my darling niece, Braelyn, has.

Sizes

3-6 months [9-12 months, 18-24 months, 2-3, 4-5, 6-7]
Size Shown in Picture: 3 months

Finished Measurements

Chest: 18[20.25, 22.5, 26, 29.25, 32.5] inches
Length: 8[9, 10, 14, 15.75, 17.5] inches

Materials

Bristol Yarn Gallery Lyndon Hill [85% Pima Cotton 15% Silk; 218 yards/198 meters per 1.75 ounce/50 gram hank];

#101 Green; 1[1, 1, 2, 2, 2] balls

Recommended hook sizes

US D/3.25 mm for sizes 3-6 months & 2-3; US E/3.5 mm for sizes 9-12 months & 4-5; US F/3.75mm for sizes 18-24 months & 6-7

Notions

4 Stitch markers
Yarn needle
¹/₂ inch button – 1, 3, or 5 (your choice)

Gauge

1 flower motif = 2 inches square with D hook
1 flower motif = 2¹/₄ inches square with E hook
1 flower motif = 2¹/₂ inches square with F hook

Pattern Notes

It is important to read through all notes and instructions before beginning.

Construction

This cardigan is created one motif at a time, joining as you go.
Work in rows from bottom to top and right to left to ensure correct placement and minimize confusion.
When following the diagram for motif placement,

on Row 3[3, 3, 4, 4, 4], place a marker in the point at the red arrows on both the right and left side of the cardigan. This marker indicated the placement of a 3-point joining worked later to form the underarm.
on Row 4[4, 4, 5, 5, 5], DO NOT JOIN to row below at the points that are marked by letters.

Special Stitches

Full Petal: Ch 5, dc in back ridge of fifth ch from hook, sk next sc, dc in next sc.

Joining Petal: When joining motifs, always place motifs with WS together. Ch 2, sc around third ch (center) of petal to be joined, ch 2, dc in back ridge of second ch before joining sc, skip next sc, dc in next sc.

(Click chart to view larger sized image)

Chart

Skills Required

Basic crochet stitches, ability to follow instructional diagram.

INSTRUCTIONS

First Row – First Motif

Create a ring using the Magic Ring/Loop method (Picture Tutorial).
Rnd 1: 12 Sc in ring, pull tight; join with slip st to first sc.
Rnd 2: Ch 7, dc in back ridge of fourth ch from hook, skip next sc, dc in next sc (First petal made), work 4 Full Petals, ch 5, dc in back ridge of fifth ch from hook; join with slip st in same ch as dc of first petal, finish off.

First Row - Additional Motifs

Rnd 1: Work same as First Motif. Rnd 2: Ch 7, dc in back ridge of fourth ch from hook, skip next sc, dc in next sc (First petal made), work 3 Full Petals, work Joining Petal, ch 5, dc in back ridge of fifth ch from hook; join with slip st in same ch as dc of first petal, finish off.

Second Row – First Half Motif

Row 1: Ch 3, dc in third ch from hook.
Row 2: Ch 1, turn; 7 sc around ch-3.
Row 3 (RS): Ch 7, dc in back ridge of fourth ch from hook, skip next sc, dc in next sc, work 1 Full Petal, work Joining petal.

Second Row - Additional Motifs

Rnd 1: Work same as First Motif.
Rnd 2: Ch 7, dc in back ridge of fourth ch from hook, skip next sc, dc in next sc (First petal made), work 1 Full Petal, work 3 Joining Petals, ch 5, dc in back ridge of fifth ch from hook; join with slip st in same ch as dc of first petal, finish off.

Second Row – Second Half Motif

Row 1: Ch 3, dc in third ch from hook.
Row 2: Ch 1, turn; 7 sc around ch-3.
Row 3 (RS): Ch 5, turn; sc around third ch (center) of petal to be joined, ch 2, dc in back ridge of second ch before joining sc, skip next sc, dc in next sc, work Joining Petal, work 1 Full Petal; finish off.

Second Row – First Motif

Rnd 1: Work same as First Motif.
Rnd 2: Ch 7, dc in back ridge of fourth ch from hook, skip next sc, dc in next sc (First petal made), * ch 5, dc in back ridge of fifth ch from hook, skip next sc, dc in next sc; repeat from * once more, [ch 2, with WS of previous petal facing, sc around third ch (center) of petal on previous Motif, ch 2, dc in back ridge of second ch before joining sc, skip next sc, dc in next sc] twice, ch 2, with WS of previous petal facing, sc around third ch (center) of petal on previous Motif, ch 2, dc in back ridge of second ch before joining sc; join with slip st in same ch as dc of first petal, finish off.

Remaining Rows

Continue to follow chart through Row 6[6, 6, 9, 9, 9], being careful not to join at points marked by letters.

Last Row

Work across, joining petals with matching letters to form sleeves and cardigan front. Motifs will be joined at 4 points; subsequent Motifs will be joined at 5 points; Half Motifs at center front will be joined at 1 point.

Body Edging

Rnd 1: With RS facing and working in center ch of points, join yarn with sl st in point marked with a unknown on back neck, sc in same ch; ch 9, sc in next point of next Motif, ch 4, sc in next point of same Motif, [ch 9, sc in point of next Motif] 3 times, creating back neck curve, ch 4, sc in next point of same Motif, [ch 9, sc around point of next Motif] 2 times, creating front neck curve.
Turn piece so you are now working down the left front, 2 sc around remaining ch-2 of petal, 3 sc around center of Half Motif, ch 6, sc in point of next Motif, ch 6, 3 sc around center of Half Motif, ch 6, sc in point of next Motif] 1[1, 1, 2, 2, 2] times.
To make bottom front corner, ch 5, place marker in ch just made, [ch 4, sc in next point of same Motif] 2 times.
[Ch 9, sc in next point of next Motif, ch 4, sc in next point of same Motif] across bottom.
To make bottom front corner, ch 5, place marker in ch just made, ch 4, sc in next point of same Motif, ch 6, 3 sc around center of Half Motif, [ch 6, sc in point of next Motif, ch 6, 3 sc around center of Half Motif] 1[1, 1, 2, 2, 2] times, 3 sc around remaining ch-2 petal.
[Ch 9, sc in point of next Motif] 2 times, creating front neck curve, ch 4, sc in next point of same Motif, [ch 9, sc in point of next Motif] 3 times, creating back neck curve, ch 4; join with slip st in first sc.
Rnd 2: Ch 1, turn; * sc in each sc and in each ch around to marker, 3 sc in marked sc replace marker in second sc just made; repeat from * once more, sc in each sc and ch around; join with slip st to first sc.
Determine button placement. Each buttonhole will be 2 sts, place stitch marker in top stitch of desired location.
Rnd 3: Ch 1, turn; * sc in each sc around to buttonhole marker, remove marker, ch 2, skip next 2 sc, sc in next sc and in each sc to next buttonhole marker; repeat from * as many times as needed for number of buttons, [sc in each sc to corner marker, 3 sc in marked sc, replace marker in second sc of corner] twice, sc in each sc around; join with slip st in first sc.
Rnd 4: Ch 1, turn; sc in each sc around, working 2 sc in each buttonhole and working 3 sc in center sc of each corner; join with slip st to first sc.
Rnd 5: Ch 1, turn; sc in each sc around, working 3 sc in center sc of each corner; join with slip st to first sc, finish off.

Sleeve Edging

Rnd 1: With RS facing, join yarn with slip st at point of any Full Motif; ch 1, sc in same point. ch 6, 3 sc around center of Half Motif, ch 6, * sc in point of next Motif, ch 6, 3 sc around center of Half Motif, ch 6; repeat from * around; join with slip st to first sc.
Rnd 2: Ch 1, turn; sc in each sc and ch around; join with slip st to first sc.
Rnds 3-5: Ch 1, turn; sc in each sc around; join with slip st to first sc.
Finish off.

FINISHING

Sew buttons to button band adjacent from buttonholes
Weave in all ends. Block to measurements.

Rebecca Velasquez designs from her home in Texas. She stays busy raising her 4 children and spends any spare time playing with fibre: crocheting, spinning and knitting. Keep up with her active life on her blog.