Some people are just knit-worthy. You know the ones—the people you can’t help but knit for. For me, that’s always been my husband’s cousin, someone I’ve watched grow from a shy preteen into a kind and confident woman. She’s always cherished every handmade gift, no matter how small, so when she announced she was expecting her first child, my first thought was, “I’m going to knit for the baby!”

Time flew, and before I knew it, her baby was a toddler. But once I had the idea and the perfect yarn, everything clicked into place. The knitting flew by in less than a month because every stitch felt like a celebration of this special little girl. When I finally saw her wearing it—running around, playing, and completely living in it—I knew I’d made something truly special.

This is that knit. It’s a top-down, raglan cardigan with an elegantly simple lace stitch that’s both easy to memorize and completely addictive. You’ll find yourself saying, “Just one more row…” until it’s done—and then you’ll want to see it out in the wild, being worn and loved the way it was meant to be.

My little model put hers through a rigorous toddler durability test during our photo shoot—snacks, dirt, and all! But no worries: a little lint rolling and a quick spot clean later, the cardigan was good as new.

Since then, this pattern has been tested by knitters all over the world, and the stories that came back made my heart so full. Little ones refusing to take their cardigans off. Toddlers twirling around like tiny runway models. Kids who insisted on wearing theirs everywhere. That’s the thing about knitting for children—when you get it right, they know, and they’ll show you in the best possible ways.

And let’s be honest—who doesn’t love a mini-me moment? If you’re already imagining how cute this cardigan would look on you, guess what? There’s a grown-up version of the Nydia Cardigan available too. Because why should kids have all the fun?

Why you’ll love this pattern

• Designed for babies, toddlers, and kids: Nine sizes cover ages 3 months to 12 years, so you can knit for the tiniest newborn or a tween who’s already developing their own style. One pattern, a decade of possibilities.

• A touch of lace, a lot of charm: The simple lace stitch looks beautifully intricate but is surprisingly easy to learn, adding a little something special without needing complex charts. (But don’t worry, charts are included if you’re a visual knitter!)

• A surprisingly quick knit: The combination of DK weight yarn and a small human-sized project means this cardigan knits up faster than you’d expect, making it perfect for a last-minute gift or a quick dose of satisfaction.

• Guidance every step of the way: If you can knit and purl, you can make this. With detailed video tutorials to walk you through any new techniques, you’ll never feel lost.

• Seamlessly satisfying: It’s a top-down, seamless knit, which means no fussy seaming or piecing together. Just cast on, knit, and finish with ease!

What you get

This pattern is packed with everything you need to knit with confidence and actually enjoy the process. Inside the digital PDF, you’ll find

• Written instructions and charts that are easy to follow, covering all nine sizes.
• Video tutorials linked throughout, so you can see exactly how each technique works (preview the playlist on YouTube!).
• Sizing for little ones from 3 months all the way up to 12 years old.
• Notes and resources tucked in where they’re most useful.
• Built-in checkboxes and note spaces to keep track of where you are (because we all get interrupted).

Knitting for a brand-new baby, a busy toddler, or a kid who’s finally old enough to pick out their own buttons? New to sweater knitting or just looking for something satisfying that won’t take months? This pattern has you covered.

View the test knitter gallery on my website! ♥

The Knitty-Gritty

Description
The Little Nydia Cardigan—an adorable, miniaturized version of the adult cardigan with the same name—is the perfect sweater for all the knitworthy kiddos in our lives. Its classic shape and fit ensure it will be wearable with a variety of items in any little one’s wardrobe; they need layering pieces too!

Worked seamlessly from the top down with short row neckline and compound raglan shaping, this cardigan features lateral braids that separate the ribbed edgings from the focal stitch pattern, a simple yet luxurious all-over lace texture. The tiny size together with a DK weight yarn make for a fun, quick-to-knit garment that will be a joy to see on the intended recipient. If you’re knitting for a child old enough to pick out their own clothes, pair their favorite color with some fun buttons to make it the sweater they want to wear over and over!

Sizes
1 (2, 3, 4, 5) [6, 7, 8, 9]

To Fit Ages: 3–6 months (6–12 months, 12–18 months, 18–24 months, 2–4 years) [4–6 years, 6–8 years, 8–10 years, 10–12 years]

Finished Chest Circumferences

• In Inches: 18.75 (19.5, 20.25, 21.75, 22.5) [24, 26, 29, 30.5]”
• In Centimeters: 47 (49, 50.5, 54.5, 56) [60, 65, 72.5, 76] cm

Circumferences are for the finished cardigan worn closed. Cardigan is intended to fit with approximately 2” (5 cm) of positive ease at the chest. Sample shown in size 5 on a 2-year-old.

Yarn
295 (346, 407, 462, 501) [639, 747, 900, 1018] yards / 270 (317, 373, 422, 458) [584, 683, 823, 931] meters plied, DK weight yarn

Sample shown in Hazel Knits Lively DK [DK weight, 90% superwash merino wool, 10% nylon] in colorway ‘Loden.’ ‘Golden Fleck’ acrylic buttons made by Twin Mountain Handcrafts in custom size.

Needles

• US 6 (4 mm) circular needle, 32” (80 cm), or needle size necessary to obtain correct gauge
• US 4 (3.5 mm) circular needle, 32” (80 cm), or needle size .5 mm smaller than gauge needle
• Appropriate needle(s) in both sizes for your preferred method of knitting small circumferences in the round

Gauge
22 sts and 30 rows/rounds = 4” (10 cm) in textured lace pattern using larger needles, blocked

Notions

• (8) Stitch markers, for raglan lines
• (2) Removable markers, to mark short row turns (optional) and centers of underarms
• Crochet hook, size D (3.25 mm) or slightly smaller
• Tapestry needle
• Waste yarn or two spare circular needles/cords, for placing sleeve stitches on hold
• Sewing needle and thread (ball point needle and 100% polyester thread recommended)
• 6 (6, 8, 8, 8) [10, 10, 12, 12] 7/16” (11 mm) or ½“ (12 mm) buttons

Techniques you’ll learn or use

• Swatching in the round (without actually knitting in the round!)
• Long-tail cast on
• Lateral braid (also known as Estonian or Vikkel braid)
• Short rows
• Compound raglan shaping
• Bind off in pattern with knit and purl stitches
• Picking up stitches along a vertical edge
• Tidying the last bound-off stitch
• No-turn, one-row buttonholes (Elizabeth Zimmermann’s method)
• Picking up underarm stitches without holes
• Hiding the last bound-off stitch in the round
• Sewing buttons onto a hand knit garment

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