Little Nydia Cardigan
Little Nydia Cardigan
Knit a charming little cardigan that looks intricate but is shockingly simple!
The Little Nydia Cardigan is a top-down raglan knit featuring an elegantly simple lace stitch that’s both easy to memorize and completely addictive—you’ll find yourself saying, “Just one more row…” until it’s done!
🍃 The Story Behind Little Nydia
Some people are just knit-worthy—the kind of people you can’t help but knit for. For me, one of those people has always been my husband’s cousin, someone I’ve watched grow from a shy preteen into a kind and confident woman. She has always appreciated every handmade gift, no matter how small. So when she announced she was expecting her first child, my immediate response was, “I’m going to knit for the baby!”
Time flew, and before I knew it, her baby was a toddler—but once I had the idea for this cardigan, everything clicked into place. The knitting flew by in less than a month because every stitch felt like a celebration of this special little girl. When I finally saw her wearing it—running around, playing, and completely living in it—I knew I had created something truly special.
This pattern has since been tested by knitters all over the world, with little ones falling in love with their cardigans. Some refused to take them off, others ran around like tiny models. My little model even put hers through a rigorous toddler durability test during the photo shoot—snacks, dirt, and all! But no worries: a little lint rolling and a quick spot cleaning later, and the cardigan was good as new.
And let’s be honest—who doesn’t love a mini-me moment? If you’re already imagining how cute this cardigan would look on you, guess what? There’s a grown-up version of the Nydia Cardigan available too. Because why should kids have all the fun?
🍃 Why You’ll Love Knitting This:
✅ Effortless Elegance: The lace detail adds a touch of refinement without the need for complex charts (but supplemental charts are included for visual knitters!)
✅ Knits Up Fast: Because of its small size, this project flies off the needles!
✅ Adventurous Beginner-Friendly & Video Supported: If you can knit and purl, you can master this cardigan with video tutorials to guide you for unique techniques.
✅ Top-Down, Seamless Construction: No piecing together, no tedious seaming. Just cast on, knit, and finish with ease!
🍃 Perfect For:
✔️ Newer sweater knitters ready to try a little lace
✔️ Knitters looking to learn elevated finishing techniques
✔️ Experienced knitters who want a quick, satisfying project
✔️ Handmade gifts that look stunning but don't take forever
Testermonials
“I love this pattern / project SOOOO much. I look forward to making an adult size for myself. I just have to decide between pullover and cardigan, or at least which to make first ;)”
“Beautifully formatted; the way information is separated, the inclusion of techniques & steps in highlighted boxes near where they’re used and the space for notes all point to a user-forward design sensibility.”
“This will make a beautiful little gift! It was fun to see all of the baby sizes. Videos as usual were extremely helpful for expert finishing. Especially helpful were the buttonholes, and that pesky last stitch!”
🍃 What You Get:
📥 Instant PDF download
📏 9 sizes, with finished chest circumferences ranging 18.75–30.5" (47–76 cm) to fit babies, toddlers, and kids aged 3 months to 12 years
🎥 Video tutorials (preview the playlist on YouTube!)
👇🏼 More size information and a list of materials that you’ll need is in the Pattern Details section below!
Ready to cast on?
Download the Little Nydia Cardigan pattern now and start knitting a piece that’s as fun to make as it is to wear! And if you want to twin with your little one, don’t forget to check out the adult Nydia Cardigan too!
Test Knitter Photo Gallery
THANK YOU to the test knitters who helped make this pattern possible. Below is a gallery of their beautiful cardigans, shown in the order of the size made. ❤️ Click or tap the photos to enlarge them and scroll through. Tester usernames are for Ravelry unless otherwise noted.
Pattern Details
Description
The Little Nydia Cardigan—an adorable, miniaturized version of the adult cardigan with the same name—is the perfect sweater for all the knitworthy kiddos in our lives. Its classic shape and fit ensure it will be wearable with a variety of items in any little one's wardrobe; they need layering pieces too!
Worked seamlessly from the top down with short row neckline and compound raglan shaping, this cardigan features lateral braids that separate the ribbed edgings from the focal stitch pattern, a simple yet luxurious all-over lace texture. The tiny size together with a DK weight yarn make for a fun, quick-to-knit garment that will be a joy to see on the intended recipient. If you're knitting for a child old enough to pick out their own clothes, pair their favorite color with some fun buttons to make it the sweater they want to wear over and over!
Sizes
1 (2, 3, 4, 5) [6, 7, 8, 9]
To Fit Ages: 3–6 months (6–12 months, 12–18 months, 18–24 months, 2–4 years) [4–6 years, 6–8 years, 8–10 years, 10–12 years]
Finished Chest Circumferences
In Inches: 18.75 (19.5, 20.25, 21.75, 22.5) [24, 26, 29, 30.5]”
In Centimeters: 47 (49, 50.5, 54.5, 56) [60, 65, 72.5, 76] cm
Circumferences are for the finished cardigan worn closed. Cardigan is intended to fit with approximately 2" (5 cm) of positive ease at the chest. Sample shown in size 5 on a 2-year-old.
Yarn
295 (346, 407, 462, 501) [639, 747, 900, 1018] yards / 270 (317, 373, 422, 458) [584, 683, 823, 931] meters plied, DK weight yarn
Sample shown in Hazel Knits Lively DK [DK weight, 90% superwash merino wool, 10% nylon] in colorway 'Loden.' 'Golden Fleck' acrylic buttons made by Twin Mountain Handcrafts in custom size.
Needles
US 6 (4 mm) circular needle, 32" (80 cm), or needle size necessary to obtain correct gauge
US 4 (3.5 mm) circular needle, 32” (80 cm), or needle size .5 mm smaller than gauge needle
Appropriate needle(s) in both sizes for your preferred method of knitting small circumferences in the round
Gauge
22 sts and 30 rows/rounds = 4” (10 cm) in textured lace pattern using larger needles, blocked
Notions
(8) Stitch markers, for raglan lines
(2) Removable markers, to mark short row turns (optional) and centers of underarms
Crochet hook, size D (3.25 mm) or slightly smaller
Tapestry needle
Waste yarn or two spare circular needles/cords, for placing sleeve stitches on hold
Sewing needle and thread (ball point needle and 100% polyester thread recommended)
6 (6, 8, 8, 8) [10, 10, 12, 12] 7/16" (11 mm) or ½" (12 mm) buttons
