Forest Cardigan forms part of my Mzansi - South Africa on my Needles collection, available as a stand-alone pattern or as an eBook in which you will get all 15 patterns for $20!

This pattern has been Tech Edited by Caitlyn Livingstone
All sizes have been test knitted

Story
During the design process, often an idea comes first and then I seek out the perfect yarn to make the vision come true. However, sometimes I see the yarn and it sparks a memory or a thought which becomes the design. This time it was the yarn. When I saw the Gnome’s Home colourway by Carle of Nurturing Fibers it made me think of being a child in the forests. While visiting Cape Town as children, we would often walk in the forests around the mountain and explore the magical woods, looking for fairies and gnomes amongst the trees. The world through the eyes of a child is a wonderful place. My aunt had a book about gnomes, and I always imagined that if I looked hard enough I would see their homes or a small sign that they were sharing the forest with us. The magic of a child’s imagination should be guarded and encouraged for as long as possible.

PATTERN INFO

Description
The cardigan is a top-down raglan construction, worked in stocking stitch with a moss stitch edge. The hood is then added to the completed body. The button band is picked up and knitted in moss stitch along the sides and over the hood. Optional pockets can be added as desired.

Difficulty Level: Beginner
This is a very simple cardigan and would be a great introduction into garment knitting. There is no shaping required.

Skills Needed:
Cable cast-on, stocking stitch, kfb increases, k2tog decreases, moss stitch, picking up stitches, 3 needle bind off, button holes (optional).

Needles
4.5mm/US 7 circular needle with 80–100cm/30–40” cable 4mm/US 6 circular needle with 80–100cm/30–40” cable

Yarn
Worsted weight, 100% Superwash Merino
I used Nurturing Fibres Softspun Worsted 100% Superwash Merino 100g (100g; 170m/186y)

MC: Bark
CC: Gnome’s Home
Yardage per size
12–18 months: MC: 320g (544m/595yd) CC: 80g (136m/149yd)
18–24 months: MC: 350g (595m/650yd) CC: 80g (136m/149yd)
3–4 years: MC: 380g (646m/706yd) CC: 80g (136m/149yd)
5–6 years: MC: 400g (680m/744yd) CC: 100g (170m/186yd)
7–8 years: MC: 420g (714m/780yd) CC: 100g (170m/186yd)
9–10 years: MC: 430g (731m/800yd) CC: 100g (170m/186yd)

Notions
Buttons if desired
Darning needle
Waste yarn

Sizes
12–18m (18–24m, 3–4yrs, 5–6yrs, 7–8yrs, 9–10yrs)

Finished Measurements
Pattern is written with 3” positive ease so it is like a coat. Chest: 56 (59, 67, 71, 76, 82) cm / 22 (23, 26, 27.5, 30, 31)”
Length: 39 (41, 44, 46, 49, 55) cm / 15.5 (16, 17, 18,19, 21.5)”

Gauge
Stocking stitch with 4.5mm needles: 19 stitches and 28 rows per 10cm/4” blocked
Row gauge is important to ensure the position on the arm holes and the final length is correct.

Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions or queries cameronsallyjane@gmail.com