Strawberry Hill Toddler Cardi
Light enough for spring or summer, the Strawberry Hill Cardi is oh-so-comfy for your little one! With its cute buttons and stitch pattern, mom is sure to love it too.
Designed by Melissa Matthay
Material List
- NaturallyCaron.com Spa 75% microdenier acrylic, 25% Bamboo, 3 oz/85g, 251 yds/230m ball): 9 (12, 15) oz #0001 Rose Bisque
- One pair Knitting Needles in each size US 7 (4.5mm), or size to obtain gauge and One pair size US 6 (4mm)
- 3 (3, 4) Buttons, ¾-inch diameter
- Yarn Needle
Project Instructions
Step: 1
SIZES
Toddler’s 2 (3-4, 5-6)
Step: 2
KNITTED MEASUREMENTS
Chest 24 (26, 28)-inches/61 (66, 71) cm
Step: 3
Length 13 (15, 17½)-inches/33 (38, 44.5) cm
Step: 4
GAUGE
In Stockinette stitch, using US size 7 (4.5mm) needles, 20 sts and 24 rows = 4-inches/10cm
Step: 5
STITCHES USED
Garter stitch (Garter st)
Step: 6
Stockinette stitch (St st)
Step: 7
Twist to left (TL): Skip first st, knit in back of second st on left-hand needle, knit in first st and slip both sts to right-hand needle.
Step: 8
Twist to right (TR): Skip first st, knit in front of second st on left-hand needle, knit in first st and slip both sts to right-hand needle.
Step: 9
Smock Pattern (multiple of 4 sts plus 2)
Step: 10
Row 1 (RS): K1, *k1, p2, k1; repeat from * across, end with k1.
Step: 11
Row 2 (WS): P1, *p1, k2, p1; repeat from * across, end with p1.
Step: 12
Row 3 (RS): K1, *TL, TR; repeat from * across, end with k1.
Step: 13
Row 4: P1, *k1, p2, k1; repeat from * across, end with p1.
Step: 14
Row 5: K1, p1, *TR, p2; repeat from * across, end with TR, p1, k1.
Step: 15
Row 6: P1, *k1, p2, k1; repeat from * across, end with p1.
Step: 16
Row 7: K1, *TR, TL; repeat from * across, end with p1.
Step: 17
Rows 8, 10, 12 and 14: *P2, k2; repeat from * across, end with p2.
Step: 18
Row 9, 11 and 13: *K2, p2; repeat from * across, end with k2.
Step: 19
Repeat Rows 1-14 for smock pattern
Step: 20
BACK
Using size 6 needles, cast on 90 (98, 106) sts. Knit 4 rows. Change to size 7 needles. Work even in St st until piece measures 7½ (9, 11)-inches from beginning, end with a WS and decrease 32 (36, 40) sts evenly across last row58 (62, 66) sts. Begin smock pattern and work until piece measures 8½ (10, 12)-inches from beginning, end with a WS row.
Step: 21
Shape Armholes
Continuing in smock pattern, bind off 4 (4, 4) sts at beg of next 2 rows50 (54, 58) sts.
Step: 22
Work even until armhole measures 4½ (5, 5½)-inches, end with a WS.
Step: 23
Bind off loosely.
Step: 24
LEFT FRONT
Using size 6 needles, cast on 44 (48, 52) sts. Knit 4 rows. Change to size 7 needles. Work even in St stuntil piece measures 7½ (9, 11)-inches from beginning, end with a WS row and decrease 14 (14, 14) sts evenly across last row 30 (34, 38) sts. Begin smock pattern and work until piece measures 8½ (10, 12)-inches from beginning, end with a WS row.
Step: 25
Shape Armhole
Continuing in smock pattern, bind off 4 (4, 4) sts at armhole edge once26 (30, 34) sts.
Step: 26
Work until armhole measures 2½ (3, 3)-inches from beginning, end with a RS row.
Step: 27
Shape Neck
(WS) Bind off 6 (7, 8) sts, work in pattern to end20 (23, 26) sts.
Step: 28
At neck edge, decrease 1 st every other row 5 (5, 5) times15 (18, 21) sts.
Step: 29
Work even until armhole measures same as Back to shoulder.
Step: 30
Bind off loosely.
Step: 31
RIGHT FRONT
Work as for Left Front, reversing all shaping.
Step: 32
SLEEVES
Using size 6 needles, cast on 34 (34, 36) sts. Knit 4 rows. Change to size 7 needles. Work even in St st until piece measures 2-inches from beginning, end with WS row. Increase 1 st each side of next RS row, then every 6 rows 4 (5, 6) times44 (46, 50) sts. Work even until piece measures 7 (9, 11)-inches from beginning, end with a WS row.
Step: 33
Shape Cap
Continuing in St st, bind off 4 (4, 4) sts at beg of next 2 rows36 (38, 42) sts.
Step: 34
Decrease 1 st each side of next RS row, then every other row 6 (7, 7) times22 (22, 26) sts.
Step: 35
Next row (RS): K1, k2tog across, end with k112 (12, 14)
Step: 36
Purl next row.
Step: 37
Next row (RS): K2tog across.
Step: 38
Bind off sts purlwise.
Step: 39
FINISHING
Block pieces to measurements. Sew shoulder seams. Set in Sleeves; sew sleeve and side seams.
Step: 40
Button Band
With RS facing, using smaller needles, pick up and k 58 (66, 74) sts along Left Front edge.
Step: 41
Knit 3 rows.
Step: 42
Work in k2, p2 rib for 4 rows.
Step: 43
Knit 3 rows
Step: 44
Bind off sts knitwise.
Step: 45
Buttonhole Band
Place markers for 3 (3, 4) buttonholes on Right Front edge along smocked section, with first one ½-inch from neck edge. Work first 5 rows as for Button Band.
Step: 46
Next row: *Work in pattern to marker, k2tog, yo; repeat from * for remaining buttonholes, work in pattern to end.
Step: 47
Work remainder of band as for Button Band.
Step: 48
Sew buttons to Button Band opposite buttonholes.
Step: 49
Collar
With RS facing, using size 6 needles, pick up and k 52 (56, 60) sts around neck edge.
Step: 50
Row 1: Knit
Step: 51
Row 2: K3, purl across to last 3 sts, k3.
Step: 52
Repeat Rows 1 and 2 a total of 3 (4, 5) times.
Step: 53
Next row: Knit, increasing 10 (10 12) sts evenly across row.
Step: 54
With size 7 needles, bind off sts knitwise.
Step: 55
Using yarn needle, weave in ends.
Tips
Use photo as a guide and follow manufacturer’s instructions for all products used.
Make this project even more personal by choosing some very special buttons.

