This sweet smocked cardigan sweater for babies, toddlers, and preschoolers is knit flat, with a button band worked from picked-up stitches. Sleeves begin with a short-row sleeve cap and are finished in the round. The smocked portion of this sweater is easy to do but looks quite impressive! This sweater works equally well whether worn as a casual cover-up or over an Easter dress.

Materials:

• 350 (425, 510, 600, 725, 840) yds fingering-weight yarn. Sample pictured at left was made from Happy-Go-Lucky HGL Sock yarn 75% merino / 25% nylon 460 yds / 100g skein The bright blue sweater was made from Knit Picks Stroll Tonal sock yarn. The light blue sweater was made from a discontinued yarn called Pickles baby merino
• US Size 3 / 3.25mm needles, straights or circular
• Set of dpns, US Size 3 / 3.25mm (sleeves only)
• 3 stitch holders or scrap yarn
• 2 traveling stitch markers
• up to 5 stationary markers to mark button holes
• 3-5 buttons, depending on size made and
button size, between 1/2” - 7/8” in diameter

Skills Needed:

• Knitting flat (sweater body) and in the round (sleeves only)
• Working short rows (pattern uses wrap & turn technique)
• Smocking stitch is described in detail and video demonstration link is provided
• Decreases
• Casting on a backward loop
• Picking up stitches

Finished Chest Sizes: 18.5 (20, 21, 22, 23, 23.75) - sweater is intended to be worn with a bit of positive ease (finished chest measurement will be 1-2” larger than actual chest measurement.)

Many thanks to JudyeNaz, LTimms, RubySparkles, offbeat chic, and Elin76, who tested this pattern and offered valuable feedback!