Baby Girl Fair Isle Cardigan
I love to knit for babies. Not just for the usual reasons of it being fast and immediately gratifying, but because I love while I’m knitting to think about the baby herself, her budding life and the amazing road ahead of her. I love to think about the explosion of feelings the baby’s parents are experiencing and the cocoon of love they are busy creating for their little one. And I love to think that all of these thoughts and good wishes are soaking right into the gift I’m knitting!
I wanted to design a sweater that would reflect these thoughts, that would feel almost as precious as the baby herself. I wanted it to be delicate and pretty, but practical too, a small version of something that I would want to wear. In short, I wanted to design a super special baby sweater!
Of course a super special baby sweater would have to be made out of something incredibly soft and beautiful and so I turned to Blue Sky’s Royal Alpaca. Spun from a very rare quality of luxury alpaca fiber, this yarn is as sumptuous as cashmere and as singular as the baby herself! Royal Alpaca comes in a vintage palette of gentle colors, from petal pink to warm cocoa, perfect for heirloom baby gear. (You’ll only need one skein for the newborn or 6 month size and two skeins for the 12 month size.)
So things didn’t get too serious, I decided to add a burst of happy color around the yoke in a simple fair isle pattern. When just a little bit of yarn is needed, we love to use mini skeins of embroidery or needlepoint yarn, like Gumnut’s Blossoms crewel yarn or Koigu’s KPM Needlepoint Yarn. It’s 100% wool and comes in such a huge array of rich and sophisticated colors that choosing four is a real pleasure.
Our Baby Girl Fair Isle Cardigan is sized for newborns, 6 and 12 month olds. The pattern includes a complete list of materials, detailed finished measurements, beautiful photographs, and thorough instructions for making your own very special sweater.
Designed by Purl Soho designer, Whitney Van Nes.
Share your progress and connect with the community by tagging your pics with #PurlSoho, #PurlSohoBusyHands, and #PurlSohoBabyGirlFairIsleCardigan. We can’t wait to see what you make!
Materials
In addition to a Baby Colorwork Cardigan pattern, you’ll need…
- 1 (1, 2) skeins of Blue Sky Alpaca’s Royal Alpaca.
- Gumnut’s Blossoms, 100% Wool. 1 skein of each color. For the YELLOW colorway use #709, 706, 703 and 990. For the RED colorway use # 857, 829, 787, and 785. For the PINK colorway use #909, 907, 843, and 901.
- US 2 (3 mm) 20-inch circular needle.
- US 3 (3.25 mm) 20-inch circular needle.
- US 2 double pointed needles.
- US 3 double pointed needles.
- 4 small stitch holders
- A size “B” crochet hook.
- 2 small buttons
Shop our wonderful collection of fingering-weight yarn to find a suitable substitute for this project, and remember that it’s always a good idea to check your gauge before you cast on… Our All About Gauge Tutorial shows you how!
Gauge
7 stitches = 1 inch in stockinette stitch on larger needle
Sizes
Newborn (6 months, 12 months)
Pattern
Update: A Reinvented Classic!
October 30, 2018
Update: A New Palette!
April 9, 2021
Looking for more inspiration? Explore all of our free knitting patterns and knitting tutorials, buy one of our many knitting kits and yarn bundles, and shop for beautiful yarn. We have over 35 gorgeous natural fiber yarns in 100’s of magnificent colors, designed to bring integrity, beauty, and joy to your next knitting project and only available at Purl Soho!
This is beautiful! I'd love to make it for my granddaughter who is 3 years old. Could you please provide instructions for that size and maybe also some larger sizes?
This pattern is very cute and I love that you chose non-traditional baby colours. I think that this style of sweater would look equally cute on a boy- I hope that the "girl" name doesn't discourage anyone!
Consider creating an adult pattern at some point; these are such lovely sweaters!
What a gorgeous little cardigan/sweater. Would look lovely on any sweet babe. Jacinta
I think my baby boy would look smashing in this sweater!
And please consider creating the pattern in child's' sizes (especially size 3-4)!
I just love these so much! Any chance you could give the measurements for the 12 month size before I purchase the pattern? My daughter is 18 months but tiny and I'm hoping the 12 months will fit her.
Thanks!
… stunning colour on the projects from molly and whitney … and a lovely redesign of the purlbee header … happy days all around … inspiration does abound!
I love this pattern so much! I'm going to purchase it even if my girl is almost 2… I hope I can figure out how to make it bigger. But if you considered to create the pattern for older babies I might wait…
I never liked typical baby colours, that's why it attracted me so much, it's absolutely beautiful.
I love the coloring, it's kind of vintage! Thanks!
they are absolutely stunning little cardigans!
Yes, please ! An adult pattern would be lovely !
Oh my, this is just gorgeous. You people really have a way with colours. Love it 😉
That is soooo beautiful – love the colour 🙂
Absolutely lovely! I've been looking for a not-too-detailed fair isle type pattern for a few weeks now for a gender neutral newborn cardigan, and think this one might be perfect!
They are very beautiful!! 🙂
Anne and I are on the same page, I would love to see this in adult size. Just enough color to make it fun while keeping it a nice 'neutral' to keep at the office. Please??
So sweet, I would love to size it up for my 9yo!
Wish you would offer the option to buy the pattern in PDF form. Wonderful sweater can it be sized up for toddlers?
I would love you to have this sweater is Toddler sizes!!! Gorgeous. I love it.
I too would love to see this in an adult size. Any chance of that sometime VERY soon?
Please do consider making a pattern for adults, these are just beautiful!
I never think to use needle point in a Fair Isle pattern but this looks really delightful. I'll keep that in mind when I ever get around to making a Fair Isle sweater.
These are so beautiful. I vote with the other comments for an adult size pattern, please? By the way I love the new Purl Bee header. It's very colorful and it reminds me of some of the great project you guys have offered over the years. I especially LOVE the seeing quilt again…that one was a beauty.
Knitting clothes have always been the best type of clothes to wear especially for my children because young ones are very sensitive to cold temperature, especially now that its still snowing in our place. We don't have a baby in our family but we have a toddler. She is so cute when she wears these kinds of clothes. Love them. The colors are very enticing.
Is the fair isle design done as actual fair isle knitting or is it stitched over after the sweater is complete?
LOVE IT!
I would love to see an adult version of this too!
I am planning to make this for my 2 new nephews with some boy colors.
oh my goodness, how wonderful! I have no children small enough for this, sadly, I wish there was a pattern for one in my size (which is still pretty small, seeing as I still fit in girls and juniors cloths…)!
Hi Milly,
Yes, the fair isle is actual fair isle (not stitched on top).
Would anyone be able to recommend a website or book where I could find simple childrens' sweater patterns? I've tried Lions Brand and Ravelry, but haven't found anything I like. I have some good books for baby knits (mainly Debbie Bliss), but there's not much out there for toddlers and young children that I've been able to find. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!
Like many others, would LOVE you to expand sizing on this to toddler 4 or so. Thx
WOW
I have a 2 year old- does the pattern come any biggers? So so sweet
I agree that these sweaters would make wonderful adult patterns.
I would keep them similar, with a gauge and needle adjusted to mimic the same slightly bulky quality that the baby versions have, buttoned at the top and flaring loosely below, almost like a "swing" shape. The color mix is brilliant and timely, no matter the size and age.
Who cares about babies, I want one!
Absolutely gorgeous. And could be adapted easily with different colors for baby boys. I am in love with this sweater!
so so so cute!
OMG!!! These sweaters are so gorgeous, so sweet, so vintage, so modern, so GREAT! Whitney, you are genius of color and knitting (and I am sure hundreds of other categories)! I will buy this wonderful pattern even though I have no baby girls on the horizon. Just gotta have it!! Thank you, oh brilliant pattern maker!
Thank u so much for Idea!! Kisses :* from italy!!! byeeee
Hi, I just have 2 quick questions… I was wondering if this sweater was top-down or bottom up ( I have a thing for top-down construction) and wanted to know before buying. The pattern page doesn't say.
Also, if I wanted to use the embroidery thread in other projects, how many strands did you have to put together to equal the width of the yarn you used?
I see it is listed as a fingering, and I usually use fingerings or sport weights in my knitting. Thanks, it seems like an easy way to add a dash of color- and I couldn't believe how many colors to pick from too! What a great array of rainbow!
Thanks, Juli
Just beautiful little sweaters!! Please, please toddler and child sizes!! I have three grandchildren from 3 months to 5yrs. Would love to knit one for each. How cute would that be!!!!
I too love knitting for babies! makes me sad that I'm not having any more.
A quite popular question – should the shirt cuffs be hidden under cardigan sleeves, or rather they should stay visible?
So many of us have asked about larger sizes for this adorable sweater. Will we ever get an answer?
To everyone asking about other sizes of this pattern,
We're so happy that so many people are excited about this pattern and want to make it in different sizes! While we'd love to accommodate everyone it does take time for us to write and test a pattern like this so we don't have an ETA on releasing larger sizes. We will try to make them available in the future though.
Thanks everyone for all the nice comments!
– The Purl Bee
I just thought you would like to know that we've featured this lovely pattern on Baby Gift Hot List. http://www.baby-gift-hot-list.com/baby-girl-fair-isle-cardigan.html
This is so precious. I'm rather inclined to make it for my forthcoming niece or nephew, perhaps in taupe with accents of robin's egg blue. Oh goodness, I can feel the creative gears turning!
*starts plotting*
What a gorgeous baby sweater .!!
I think it would look as lovely on a baby boy ! Why did you call it baby girl cardigan ?
I ll try to arrange a 2 yo size for my daughter. Thank you so much
Have you come up with bigger sizes yet? It looks like people have been asking for it for many months. It is beautiful and I would love to make it for my three granddaughters, age 1, 2 and 4.
Absolutely lovely sweater pattern. Sorry to repeat the request others have made but I would LOVE to have this pattern for adult sizes as well!
Hi Again Readers-
To those asking for other sizes of the pattern- We are planning on developing larger sizes and they should be available in the next few months.
Thank you so much for your enthusiasm!
– Molly
Hi! Did you ever develop larger sizes for this pattern? I’m looking for a 2T and 3T. Thanks!
Hi Kayla,
Thanks for writing in! At present we have not made larger sizes of this sweet sweater but we will certainly keep your request in mind!
Best,
Cassy
Molly,
Please let me know when you will have the pattern for toddlers 2T or 3T.
Thank you!
Madeleine
Hi Madeline,
Thanks for writing in! We actually just reworked this pattern and the new pattern includes sizes up to 2 years along with more button options! The new pattern for this lovely sweater can be found here: https://www.purlsoho.com/create/2018/10/30/baby-fair-isle-cardigan-in-posy/
Best,
Cassy
Is there any way to get the pattern in a online format since I am traveling and not home to get snail mail? Thanks?
Hi Trina.
Unfortunately we only have patterns in hard copy format, sorry!
Laura
Superbe gilet, trs jolies harmonies de couleurs bravo et bonne continuation
Precious!! Please consider adding toddler sizes!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Hi Jennifer,
During some recent site reconstruction your question got deleted, but not lost! For other readers, here's what Jennifer asked…
If I wanted to make the 12 month size and the matching hat (I guess baby size) will 1 skein x 5 colors of the Gumnut's be enough? Or will I need 2 skeins of each color? Thanks!
To answer your question,…I imagine that you're referring to the Little Fair Isle Hat when you say the "matching hat", but they're not actually matching. The fair isle pattern and the yarn is different. You could certainly match the two, however, by using the same yarn and colors. I'm not totally sure if you'll have enough of the Gumnut for both. You may need 10 skeins, but you'll definitely have enough of the Royal Alpaca! (By the way, the twelve month size requires two skeins of Royal Alpaca, not one!)
Thanks so much for your question and please let us know if you have more!
Whitney
Hi there- just found this gorgeous pattern- and – like a lot before me- would absolutely love to have a toddler, Kid and adult size! Any chance this might be coming up soon?!
Hi Daniela-
We don't have this on the docket at the moment but we'll keep it in mind going forward.
Thanks for the suggestion!
Molly
I would like to add to the request, please add toddler sizes to this beautiful pattern!
Thank you
This is a beautiful sweater. I am still wishing for this pattern in larger size. Would love to make this for my 3 year old granddaughter. I haven't found a similar pattern. Please do a version in larger sizes.
Yes, yes, yes….please make this pattern in bigger sizes. I’d love to make one for my 9 year old daughter. It’s so incredibly sweet.
Please, please please consider modifying this pattern for child and adult sizes!! I love it and want to make one for me and each of my kiddos. Thanks
I want this sweater for adults. When will the pattern for an adult lady be available?
Hi Robyn!
I’m not sure that we have plans for adjusting this pattern to larger sizes. Feel free to check out our full selection of adult size sweaters here! Also, I might suggest that you check out the Sweatshirt Sweater here, which would maybe be somewhat easy to add some fair isle to the top of the yolk.
Happy Knitting!
Thomas
I see some others have already inquired, but has there been any reconsideration to adding toddler sizes to the pattern?
Hi Jolene,
Thank you so much for asking! The answer is yes, we are developing a new design for older kids, although the exact age range hasn’t been decided. The release date is also to-be-determined, but the design is definitely in the works!
Thanks again for asking and please let us know if you have any more questions!
Whitney
Hello! I am a reasonably confident knitter but have not tackled fair isle before, do you think this is suitable for a first time fair isle project?
Hi Katrina,
Yes! The Fair Isle pattern in this sweater is quick, simple and straightforward… And very satisfying when you’re finished!
Plus, we’d be happy to answer any questions you have along the way. Thanks for this one and let us know how it goes!
Whitney
When I click through for the pattern for this lovely cardigan I get a 404 Page Not Found error. Could you redirect me to where I can find this pattern please?
Thanks!
Maggie
Hello Maggie,
Thank you for writing in! We are delighted that you like this pattern (it’s one of my favorites!) and are sorry that the link does not take you to the correct page! Please give this one a try: https://www.purlsoho.com/baby-girl-fair-isle-cardigan-pattern-1.html
If you have further trouble please let us know.
Best wishes,
Kumeko
It looks like the mink skeins of crewel yarn are no longer available? Can you recommend a different yarn to use? It would be nice to just buy the minis skeins as so little of each is needed. I love the yellow colorway
Hi Sarah,
You are quite right! We now recommend using Koigu’s KPM mini skeins. They come in a huge number of colors and a similar gauge to the Blue Sky Royal Alpaca. We love all of the fabulous combinations that can be created with this yarn!
Happy knitting!
Cassy
Hi! I buy the pattern and I don’t get how I’ll Attach the Sleeve with the body. Please help me! 😉
Hi Jordana,
Thanks for writing in! This is a tricky part of the pattern and can be a bit confusing. For those having trouble with this part, as I have, I have a solution! Firstly, you will knit up until your first set of grafting stitches. Match up your grafting points for the sleeve and the body. Next, you will slip the sleeve stitches on to your left needle, making sure you are keeping the sections for grafting together. Now knit across the sleeve stitches. Knit across the back and do the same for the next sleeve. You are now oriented! I hope this helps!
Best,
Adam
Hi Adam!
Your explanation was very helpful however I need some hand holding as it’s my first sweater.
Does the “grafting point” on the body begin at those 10 stitches I put on the stitch holder? So I knit for 25(28,32) stitches then I start knitting the 36(40,44) stitches of the sleeve, leaving those 10 underarm stitches on both body and sleeve off to the side on the stitch holders?
thanks!
Adrienne
Hi Adrienne,
Thanks for the question. You’ll want to knit across the front until you get to the stitches on hold for your body. Next, you’ll pick up a sleeve and match the 10 held body stitches to the held sleeve stitches. Using your working yarn from your body you’ll want to knit across the sleeve stitches, joining them to the front body. Repeat this for the other sleeve after working across the back and you’ll have joined all the pieces. Hope this helps! Feel free to write in again if you have any other questions!
-Adam
Hi – was the update with larger sizes ever finished? I made this for my daughter when she was an infant, and I’d love to make her a larger one. Thanks!
Hello Georgia,
Thanks for writing in! Currently we haven’t been able to make this pattern in larger sizes, but this has been a popular request. We will keep your suggestion in mind for the future!
Best,
Adam
My favorite sweater! I’m hoping for larger sizes, toddler3 to5/6. I have made the baby one and would love to make matching sister sweaters.
Hi Susan,
Thanks for the lovely words! We will keep your request in mind for future projects! You are not the first to ask!
Best,
Adam
Hi there – adding my voice to the others that love this pattern and can’t wait to see it in toddler sizing!! Please consider it – I think it is the perfect fall/winter project to tackle!
Hi Roo,
Thanks for the suggestion! We will keep your request in mind for future projects!
Best,
Cassy
I love this sweater and now want to make one larger than 12 mo, I need about 18 month. I was wondering if I could use a different yarn with different gauge and it would be larger? If so, can you suggest a yarn?
Thank you,
Susan
Hi Susan,
Thanks for the question. For an 18 month old size and a chest measurement of approximately 24″ I suggest you follow the largest size for a gauge of 6 stitches per inch and the smallest size for a gauge of 5 stitches per inch. Hope this helps!
-Adam
Thank you!
Could you tell me if I am supposed to continue the raglan shaping while knitting the yoke fair isle pattern? The pattern says nothing about this although I am supposed to end up with 60 stitches less. And also the pattern says to remove the markers for the sleeves. Thanks!
Hello Jamie,
Thank you for writing in! For the yoke there are K2tog’s in your 5 stitch fair isle chart. When you are finished with the Fair Isle portion of the Yoke you should have 82(91,100) stitches. I hope this clears things up. Let me know if you have any further questions!
-Marilla
Any update on a toddler size for the fair isle cardigan? I’ve made two of these and they are beautiful however now my granddaughter is wearing 18-24 month.
Hello Rosemary,
Thank you for this great suggestion. I will certainly pass it along! In the meantime may I suggest checking out our Friendly Fair Isle Sweater Pattern. I know it is a pretty deferent look, but still very cute and it comes in Toddler and Kids Sizing.
I hope this is helpful!
-Marilla
I made this for my grandson in Koigu using the mini skeins for the yoke. It turned out really well and they loved it. I’d add a picture but not sure how. It’s a pretty easy pattern and Koigu is great to work with. Wondering if line weight could be substituted?
Hello Theresa,
I’m so happy to hear you had such a great experience! Line weight and Koigu kpm have a similar gauge so I think it should work. As always, I would still knit a gauge swatch before jumping in to your project.
Let us know how it goes!
Warmly,
-Marilla
Hi
Is there anyway to get this pattern for bigger kids? I have a 5 yr old and would love to make this for her!! Thank you
Hello Sophie,
Thank you for your interest. This pattern certainly would be adorable on a 5 year old. We do not currently have this patter in a larger size, but I will pass along your interest.
Happy knitting!
-Marilla
I too am very interested in a larger size (2T) for this pattern. I would just love to make this sweater for my baby granddaughter!
It really is beautiful!
Hello Laurie,
Thank you for reaching out- I will certainly pass along your request!
Happy knitting,
Marilla
I need some help understanding this pattern. At the end of the “Right Sleeve” section, for the 12 month sizing, I should have 54 stitches (check), then I knit so it is 7” long (check), but the next instruction – no matter how many times I read it – makes no sense to me. It says K5…ok…then it says to put the last 10 stitches on a stitch holder. (?!)….what happened to the other 49 stitches???
Does this mean I actually knit 44 stitches, then leave the last 10 on a stitch holder?
Or does this mean I knit 5, then put 10 on a stitch holder, and then knit the remaining 39?
The last line says I should have 44 stitches remaining…but I don’t get that math in any of the 2 above options.
I would only have 44 stitches if I *only* put 10 stitches on a stitch holder … but then why does it say to K5???
Please help!
Hello Marie,
Thank you for reaching out! Your 10 stitches that you will be putting on hold will be your underarm stitches. When you get to this row you will knit your 5 stitches and then you will put the LAST 10 stitches on a holder. This means the 10 stitches that you just knit, so the 5 stitches you just knit and five stitches before you beginning of round stitch marker. this gives you 44 stitches (54-10 =44) .
I hope this clears things up and let us know if you have any further questions!
Happy knitting,
Marilla
If we are using the KPM skeinettes should this be doubled as instructed for the Gumnuts yarn or use a single strand of it?
Thanks
Hi Jennifer,
Thanks for reaching out! The KPM skeinettes should be used as a single strand for this pattern.
I hope that clears things up!
Julianna
Hi, can this cardigan be knit in your cotton pure?
Hi Carol,
Thanks for reaching out! You could certainly use our Cotton Pure to knit this little sweater, but you would have to adjust a bit for the thicker gauge. If you were looking for a cotton-blend yarn to use instead of the Posy, I’d suggest our Sweetgrass, which is much closer in gauge to the Posy than Cotton Pure! With either substitution, I’d suggest knitting a gauge swatch first, to make sure that you’re using the correct needles to get to the proper gauge called for in the pattern.
Take care and happy knitting!
Warmly,
Kelsey