Eva Cardigan junior - Petite Knit child

A sweet, wearable kids' cardigan with all the thoughtful construction details you’d expect from PetiteKnit — and one that looks beautiful in so many yarns.

The Eva Cardigan Junior is worked top-down, so you can easily adjust length as you go (handy when knitting for fast-growing little people). The upper back is shaped first, then the shoulders are worked from picked-up stitches, and the whole yoke comes together with increases along the V-neck. The sleeves are knitted in the round, and the neat 2x2 rib placket gives it that classic, polished finish.

If you're looking for a cardigan that layers well, washes easily in wool fibres, and feels lovely against the skin — this is a great choice. Sizing & Fit

This cardigan is designed with 18–24 cm of positive ease, meaning it’s intentionally roomy, soft, and easy for kids to move in.

Designed to fit chest circumference:
1–2 yrs: 53 cm
2–3 yrs: 54 cm
3–4 yrs: 56 cm
4–5 yrs: 57 cm
5–6 yrs: 59 cm
6–7 yrs: 62 cm
7–8 yrs: 64 cm
8–9 yrs: 68 cm
9–10 yrs: 72 cm
10–11 yrs: 75 cm
11–12 yrs: 78 cm
12–13 yrs: 80 cm
13–14 yrs: 82 cm

Finished garment chest measurement:
71 (73) 77 (79) 83 (85) 89 (96) 98 (100) 101 (103) 104 cm

Length (mid-back, excl. neck rib):
36 (38) 41 (43) 46 (48) 50 (52) 53 (54) 55 (56) 57 cm

If the child’s chest measurement doesn’t match their age, simply choose based on chest measurement and adjust the length to suit. Yarn Type Needed

This pattern is designed for a DK / 8-ply wool that knits to:

Gauge:
20 sts × 30 rows = 10 cm in stockinette stitch on 4 mm needles

Choose any DK yarn you love that meets the gauge — we’re always happy to help you pick a fibre that will wear well for kids.

If you'd like help choosing yarn, just message us or pop into The Wool Shop in Rangiora. Approximate Yarn Meterage Needed

To help you shop confidently, here are the approximate quantities converted to metres based on a DK yarn of ~108–120 m per 50 g:

Cardigan yarn required:
250 (250) 300 (350) 350 (400) 400–450 (450) 450 (500) 500 (550) 550 g
≈ 540 (540) 648 (756) 756 (864) 864–972 (972) 972 (1080) 1080 (1188) metres

(If your yarn has different metreage, we’ll help you adjust.) Needles

4 mm circular needles — 60 and/or 80 cm

3.5 mm circular needles — 40 / 60 / 80 / 100 cm

Double-pointed needles in both sizes (or use Magic Loop) Gauge

20 stitches × 30 rows = 10 cm in stockinette on 4 mm needles.

A blocked swatch is essential to ensure the cardigan fits true to the measurements. Difficulty

★★★★☆ — great for confident knitters who enjoy top-down shaping and picking up stitches. What You’re Getting

A printed PetiteKnit pattern, ready to pop into your project bag.
No digital file is included.