Preemie Milan Cardigan

This Cardigan is worked in one piece starting from the top and working down, then joining to make the sleeves and edging. It is made using the lemon peel stitch.

The pattern with sizes newborn to 10 years can be purchased here

Written in English US terms with abbreviations for UK

sc = single crochet (double crochet in UK)

hdc = half double crochet (half treble crochet UK)

dc = double crochet (treble crochet UK)

fphdc = front post half double crochet (front post half treble crochet UK)

bphdc = back post half double crochet (back post half treble crochet UK)

ch = chain

hdc2tog = half double crochet 2 together

Materials

210 metres of dk / weight 3 yarn

3.5 and 4mm hook

5 x 15mm buttons

Gauge

With 4mm hook

Row 1: Ch10, sc in second chain from hook, *dc, sc* x 4. (9) Turn

Row 2:: ch1, dc, *sc, dc* x 4. (9) Turn

Row 3: ch1, sc, *dc, sc* x 4. (9) Turn

Repeat rows 2 and 3 until 6 rows are worked, square should measure 2” x 2”

Pattern notes

Working in the first stitch the ch1 does not count as a stitch so always, ch1 and sc / fpdc / hdc in the first stitch.
Row 1 is right side facing, place a stitch marker after making the first row.
The ch1 corner is counted in the final stitch count.

Chain 50

Row 1: hdc in the third chain from hook, hdc to end. (48) Turn

Rows 2-3: ch1, *fphdc, bphdc* repeat to end. (48) Turn

Row 4: ch1, *sc, dc* x 3, [dc, ch1, dc] in the next, *sc, dc* x 5, [dc, ch1, dc] in the next, *sc, dc* x 6, [dc, ch1, dc] in the next, *sc, dc* x 5, [dc, ch1, dc] in the next, *sc, dc* x 3. (56 including ch1s) Turn

Row 5: ch1, *sc, dc* x 3, sc 1, [dc, ch1, dc] in the ch1 space, *dc, sc* x 6, [dc, ch1, dc] in the ch1 space, *dc, sc* x 7, [dc, ch1, dc] in the ch1 space, *dc, sc* x 6, [dc, ch1, dc] in the ch1 space, *dc, sc* x 3, dc 1. (64 including ch1s) Turn

Row 6: ch1, *sc, dc* x 4, [dc, ch1, dc] in the ch1 space, *sc, dc* x 7, [dc, ch1, dc] in the ch1 space, *sc, dc* x 8, [dc, ch1, dc] in the ch1 space, *sc, dc* x 7, [dc, ch1, dc] in the ch1 space, *sc, dc* x 4. (72 including ch1s) Turn

Row 7: ch1, *sc, dc* x 4, sc 1, [dc, ch1, dc] in the ch1 space, *dc, sc* x 8, [dc, ch1, dc] in the ch1 space, *dc, sc* x 9, [dc, ch1, dc] in the ch1 space, *dc, sc* x 8, [dc, ch1, dc] in the ch1 space, *dc, sc* x 4, dc 1. (80 including ch1s) Turn

Row 8: ch1, *sc, dc* x 5, [dc, ch1, dc] in the ch1 space, *sc, dc* x 9, [dc, ch1, dc] in the ch1 space, *sc, dc* x 10, [dc, ch1, dc] in the ch1 space, *sc, dc* x 9, [dc, ch1, dc] in the ch1 space, *sc, dc* x 5. (88 including ch1) Turn

Row 9: ch1, *sc, dc* x 5, sc 1, [dc, ch1, dc] in the ch1 space, *dc, sc* x 10, [dc, ch1, dc] in the ch1 space, *dc, sc* x 11, [dc, ch1, dc] in the ch1 space, *dc, sc* x 10, [dc, ch1, dc] in the ch1 space, *dc, sc* x 5, dc 1. (96 including ch1s) Turn

Row 10: ch1, *sc, dc* x 6, [dc, ch1, dc] in the ch1 space, *sc, dc* x 11, [dc, ch1, dc] in the ch1 space, *sc, dc* x 12, [dc, ch1, dc] in the ch1 space, *sc, dc* x 11, [dc, ch1, dc] in the ch1 space, *sc, dc* x 6. (104 including ch1s) Turn

Row 11: (divide armholes) ch1, *sc, dc* x 6, sc 1, [dc, sc] in the ch1 space, skip 24, [dc, sc] in the ch1 space, *dc, sc* x 13, [dc, sc] in the ch1 space, skip 24, [dc, sc] in the ch1 space, *dc, sc* x 6, dc 1. (60) Turn

Row 12: ch1, *sc, dc* repeat across. (60) Turn

Repeat row 12 until work measures 6” from shoulder ending with a right side row.

Bottom Edging

Row 1: Ch1, hdc in the same, hdc to end. (60) Turn

Rows 2-3: ch1, fphdc in base of ch1, bphdc, *fphdc, bphdc* repeat the end. (60) Turn

Continue to the button band

Button/Buttonhole Bands

(the buttonholes can be made either side)

Button band

Row 1: With right side facing, join yarn to the bottom of the right side of the front edge, ch1, hdc evenly to the top. Turn (approx 4 hdc every 3 rows works well)

Row 2-3: Ch1, *fphdc, bphdc* repeat to end. Turn

Buttonhole band

Row 1: With right side facing, join yarn to top of left side, ch1, hdc evenly down to the bottom. Turn

Mark out where you want the buttonholes with stitch markers or scrap yarn

Row 2: ch1, *fphdc, bphdc* repeat to end (where the markers are ch2, to make a buttonhole). Turn

Row 3: ch1, *fphdc, bphdc* repeat to end, (ignoring the ch2).

Fasten off and sew your buttons on to match the button holes and weave in all ends.

Sleeves

With the wrong side facing, join yarn to the first unworked sc at the side of the arm.

Row 1: ch1, *sc, dc* repeat across, slst to the first. (28) Turn

Repeat row 1 until the sleeve measures 6” from the shoulder, ending with a right side row.

Cuffs

With the right side facing

Row 1: ch1, hdc2tog, *hdc 3, hdc 2tog* x 5, hdc1, slst to first. (22)

Rows 2-3: ch1, *fphdc, bphdc* repeat to end, slst to first. (22)

Fasten off and repeat for the other sleeve.

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