Forsythia is a sweet, light-weight baby cardigan that incorporates the broderie anglaise stitch pattern. Knit top down, Forsythia starts at the neck and works raglan increases until sufficiently long to divide sleeves and body. After completing the body, sleeve stitches are returned to the needle and underarm stitches are picked up. Sleeves are knit straight down and then nipped in at the wrist using a pleating technique. The neckline, button bands, hem, and cuff are worked in 1x1 rib. This pattern is written in a checklist format so you can check off as you go! No second-guessing where you are in your pattern.

Cardigan measurements:

Chest width, taken flat: 10”
Length: 11”
Sleeve length from collar to cuff: 12”
Sleeve length from underarm to cuff: 6”
Sleeve width, taken flat: 3.75”
Back of neck: 4.5”
Armhole depth: 6”

Size: Approximately 9-12 months

Gauge:

Size A (Suggested: US 2)

7 stitches x 8 rows = 1 inch in the broderie anglaise stitch pattern

Materials Needed:

• Sport weight yarn (Suggested: Purl Soho Good Wool, pattern uses less than 1 skein. I’ve also made this with Retrosaria Mondim fingering weight yarn with pleasing results; however the gauge will be different and overall size will be smaller.)
• 7 small buttons
• Tapestry needle
• 8 stitch markers
• Waste yarn for holding stitches
• 29” or longer size A needle (suggested: US 2)
• 29” or longer size B needle (suggested: US 1)
• DPNs for pleating at sleeve cuff (size A, but a bit smaller or larger won’t make a difference).
• Thread or embroidery floss for buttons

Techniques Used

Long tail cast on
Broderie anglaise stitch pattern
Back loop cast on
kfb increase
M1L increase
M1R
Magic loop knitting for sleeves
Pick up and knit stitches
Box pleating
Bind off
Neaten up last bind off stitch
YO, k2tog for buttonholes

Pattern includes links to demonstration videos for special techniques.