Designed with children in mind, the Malinois is the perfect everyday children’s cardigan. The fine dense gauge holds up well to wear and tear, while also being lightweight. As a bonus, the recommended cotton yarn is easy to care for. While seamless, the saddle shoulder construction has a lot of inherent structure to help the cardigan maintain its shape over time. With a classic fit, a hardy double knitted buttonband, and a lovely braided cable detail, it’s easy to dress up or down, and looks great on children of any gender.

This pattern is part of a bundle discount with the Malinois Cardigan (for adults), both patterns can be purchased for a total of $13. No coupon code needed. Past purchases count towards the bundle price.

This pattern is a great way to test out a new construction, or some new techniques. Everything is thoroughly explained, including an illustrated construction overview. The pattern also includes links to video tutorials for the special techniques used.

Instructions for the cable detail are both written and charted.

Professionally tech edited by Hannah, of Works of Our Hands.

Construction:The Malinois is a saddle shoulder construction, worked flat, top-down, and seamlessly. The shoulders are shaped with short rows, both in the front and the back. The set-in sleeves are picked up around the armhole, a sleeve cap is shaped with short rows, and then the sleeve is knit in the round. Finally, stitches are picked up and a double knit buttonband is worked. The pattern includes instructions for buttonholes using any size and quantity of buttons.

Sizing: Graded to fit children 2-16 years of age.

Finished garment circumference:

25.25”, 27”, 29”, (30.75”, 32.25”, 34.5”) {35.5”, 36.25”} / 63.5 cm, 67.5 cm, 72.5 cm, (76.5 cm, 80.5 cm, 86 cm) {88.5 cm, 90.5 cm}

Meant to be worn with 4” / 10 cm of positive ease at the bust.

Alternatively, choose the size whose cross back measurement is closest to the child’s cross back measurement.

See size chart and schematic in the photos.

Gauge:
30 stitches and 42 rows in 4” / 10 cm in stockinette stitch on (Larger) needles, after blocking.

Needles & Notions:
(Larger) US 2 / 2.75 mm circular needles, or size needed to obtain gauge after blocking.

(Smaller) US 1 / 2.25 mm circular needles, or 1 size smaller than (Larger) needles.

7 stitch markers, 2 removable stitch markers per button you plan to use, darning needle, scissors, tape measure, cable needle, waste yarn or stitch holders, 4 (.5” / 1.5 cm) buttons or desired size and quantity of buttons. 2 hole or shank buttons work best, as they are less likely to distort the vertical buttonholes.

Yarn:
Rowan Summerlite 4 ply 4, 4, 5, (6, 6, ,7) {8, 8} skeins (191 yards / 171 meters per 50 g), 100% cotton.

I used 100% cotton for my son’s sample because he is sensitive to wool, and it’s easy to wash.

My daughter’s is made with Filcolana Arwetta, which is slightly thinner, and has more yardage per ball, I needed to go up a US 2.5 / 3 mm needle to get gauge, but it also worked beautifully.

Filcolana Arwetta 3, 4, 4 (5, 5, 6) {6, 7} skeins (230 yards / 210 meters per 50g), 80% Merino 20% Nylon.