Take a traditional, top-down baby cardigan, add a little lace detail, tweak the sleeves to three-quarter length, and you have a sweet, modern classic.

The sweater is sized for 6, 12, 18 and 24 months, and is generously sized to get the maximum wear. The simplicity of both the design and the lace make this a great first sweater/first lace project.

The sweater is worked top-down with garter stitch trim at the neck, cuffs and bottom edge. There are no seams to sew or stitches to pick up. The sleeves are worked in the round.

The finished chest measurements are 18.5 (20.25, 23, 25)“.

The sample is worked in Superwash Merino DK by Cloudborn Fibers; you will need 1 (2, 2, 2) skeins, or 221 (442, 442, 442) yards of DK weight yarn.

A US size 6 (4mm) 24” circular needle, four removable stitch markers in Color A, four removable stitch markers in Color B, waste yarn or stitch holders, a yarn needle, and four 5/8” buttons are the tools needed to complete the project.

Buttons are optional. If you choose not to use buttons, skip the directions for working buttonholes. If you choose to use buttons, make sure they are sewn securely.

Thanks to Lisa for tech editing.