Tia

If you are after a speedy knit that doesn't break the bank but still produces a fabulous end result then Tia, Zoë Halstead's cardigan, is the perfect project for you. To make it extra special, why not use cute novelty buttons – the little princess in your life is bound to adore it!

Using 3.25mm needles, cast on 67 (69, 73) sts
❑ K eight rows
❑ Change to 4mm needles and beg with a k row, work in st st until work meas 18.5 (21, 22) cm from beg, ending with a RS row
❑ Now work in garter st (k every row) until work meas 29.5 (32.5, 34.5) cm from beg ending with a WS row

SHAPE SHOULDERS
❑ Cast off 7 (8, 8) sts at the beg of the next two rows
❑ Cast off 7 (7, 8) sts at the beg of the next two rows
❑ Cast off eight sts at the beg of the next two rows
Leave rem 23 (23, 25) sts on a spare needle or stitch holder

Using 3.25mm needles, cast on 31 (32, 34) sts
❑ ** K eight rows
❑ Change to 4mm needles and beg with a k row, work in st st until work meas 18.5 (21, 22) cm from beg, ending with a RS row **
❑ Now work in garter st until Left front is 9 (11, 13) rows shorter than back to shoulder shaping, ending with a RS row

SHAPE NECK
❑ *** K the first three sts then leave these sts on a safety pin, k to end
❑ Dec one st at neck edge on next four rows, then foll 2 (2, 3) alt rows. 22 (23, 24) sts
❑ K 0 (2, 2) rows straight, ending at armhole edge

SHOULDER
❑ Cast off 7 (8, 8) sts at beg of next row
❑ K one row
❑ Cast off 7 (7, 8) sts at beg of next row
❑ K one row
❑ Cast off rem eight sts ***

Using 3.25mm needles, cast on 31 (32, 34) sts
❑ Work as for Left front from ** to **
❑ Now work in garter st until Right front is 8 (10, 12) rows shorter than Back to shoulder shaping, ending with a WS row

SHAPE NECK
❑ Work as for Left front from *** to ***

NECK TRIM
Join shoulder seams
❑ With RS facing sl three sts from safety pin at front neck of Right front onto a 3.25mm needle, rejoin yarn and pick up and k11 (13, 15) sts up Right front neck, k23 (23, 25) sts of Back neck, pick up and k11 (13, 15) sts down Left front neck and then k three sts from safety pin. 51 (55, 61) sts
❑ K five rows
❑ Cast off fairly loosely

ARMHOLE BORDERS
With RS facing and 3.25mm needles, pick up and k52 (54, 60) sts evenly along row ends of garter st yoke of front and back
K seven rows
Cast off fairly loosely

BUTTON BAND
❑ With RS facing and 3.25mm needles, pick up and k66 (72, 77) sts evenly all along row ends of Left front edge and neck trim
❑ K seven rows
❑ Cast off fairly loosely

BUTTONHOLE BAND
❑ With RS facing and 3.25mm needles, pick up and k66 (72, 77) sts evenly all along row ends of right front edge and neck trim
❑ K two rows
❑ Buttonhole row: k2, yfwd, k2tog, [k12 (14, 16), yfwd, k2tog] twice, k to end
❑ K four rows
❑ Cast off fairly loosely

Weave in all ends. Sew side seams and row ends of armhole borders at underarm. Sew buttons to button band to correspond with buttonholes.

Click any of the images below to see a larger, clearer shot

Age: 1-2 (2-3, 3-4) years
To fit chest: 52 (54, 56) cm
Actual size: 61 (63, 66) cm
Length: 31 (34, 36) cm