Cardigan

Sizes 3 months (6 months) 12 months (1.5 years) 2 years (4 years) 6 years (8 years).

Circumference of the finished garment when fastened: 46 (50) 53 (56) 60 (64) 68 (72) cm. 


Tip: When choosing a size, do not rely solely on age; choose a size with a chest circumference that is 5-8 cm larger than your child's chest circumference. The length of the cardigan and sleeve length can be adjusted.

To knit the children's cardigan you will need:
wool, half-wool, or cotton yarn; for best results, use smooth yarn. The sample is knitted with KnitPicks Swish DK (100% merino wool, 112 m / 50 g): for the short-sleeved cardigan - 250 (250) 300 (350) 400 (450) 500 (550) m.; for the long-sleeved cardigan - 300 (350) 350 (450) 500 (550) 650 (750) m.;
circular needles No. 4, 40-100 cm long;
circular needles No. 3.5, 100 cm long;
one set of double-pointed needles No. 4
one set of double-pointed needles No. 3.5 (only for the short-sleeved cardigan);
3 stitch markers;
leftover yarn (long threads for temporary stitch removal);
hook No. 3.5;
buttons 3 (3) 4 (4) 4 (5) 5 (6) pcs., 15-18 mm in diameter (if you extend the cardigan by more than 3 cm, you will need one more piece.)

Abbreviations used:
st. - stitch;
row - row;
circ. row - circular row;
short. row - short row
inc. - increase;
knit st. - knit stitch;
purl st. - purl stitch;
decrease left- slip one stitch knitwise onto the right needle, slip another as knit onto the right needle, insert the left needle into the two slipped stitches from left to right through the front of these two stitches and knit both stitches together through the back loop;
decrease right - slip one as knit onto the right needle, slip one as knit onto the right needle, insert the left needle into the two slipped stitches and knit them together as purl through the back loop);
*...* - repeat the stitches between the asterisks.

Knitting density (after shaping and blocking)
stockinette stitch, needles No. 4: 22 st. and 30 rows = 10 x 10 cm
closing stitches with a cord, needles No. 3.5: 24 rows = 10 cm
How to knit a density sample with closing stitches with a cord
Knit your sample in stockinette stitch, finishing with a purl row. Close the stitches with a cord, using the instructions for closing the neck stitches with a cord (see below "Processing the knitted child's cardigan"), knit only 2 rows. After blocking the sample, count how many rows are in 10 cm, without the cord.
Video "How to cast on and close stitches with a cord"

Tip: Spend some time and be sure to knit a sample to determine the knitting density; change the needle size if necessary.

Notes on the pattern:
Step 1: The knitting begins from the top of the back, with a hexagonal floral motif, in circular rows, from the center of the flower. When the hexagon is wide enough, the stitches of its upper half are moved to a thread - these are the armhole and neck stitches, and they are no longer knitted.
Step 2: From the remaining stitches on the needles, knit several rows to widen the sides, form armholes, and add length to the back. Then, cast on stitches on each side of the armhole using a temporary cast on.
Step 3: Knit the lower part of the back and front until the desired length is reached.
Step 4: The front pieces are formed with short rows, which become shorter and shorter. There are 3 options for finishing depending on the size and desired length. After finishing the short rows, finish the edges with ribbing.
Step 5: The raglan sleeve is knitted on the stitches set aside from the armhole and the stitches cast on with a temporary cast on. The sleeve is formed from the neck to the underarms with short rows, then the remaining part is knitted in circular rows. Sleeves can be made long or short.
Step 6: Close the stitches along the neck edge with a cord.

How to knit a hexagon flower
Both hexagons start with 12 st. cast on with a hook in a ring (see instructions http://мамины-ручки. рф/forum/viewtopic.php?p=1703#p1703)
Small hexagon flower (for sizes from 3 to 12 months):
1st circ. row: purl st.
2nd circ. row: *yarn over, 1 knit st.* 12 times — 24 st.
3rd circ. row: purl st.
4th circ. row: *yarn over, 2 knit st.* 12 times — 36 st.
5-6th circ. rows: *1 purl, 2 knit st.* 12 times.
7th circ. row: *1 purl, 2 knit st., yarn over, 1 purl, yarn over, 2 knit st.* 6 times — 48 st.
8-11th circ. rows: *1 purl, 2 knit st., 3 purl, 2 knit st.* 6 times.
12th circ. row: *yarn over, 1 knit st., yarn over, 2 knit st., 3 purl, 2 knit st.* 6 times — 60 st.
13th circ. row: *yarn over, 3 knit st., yarn over, 1 knit st., decrease left, 1 purl, knit 2 st. together as knit, 1 knit st.* 6 times.
14th circ. row: *yarn over, 5 knit st., yarn over, 1 knit st., slip one st., knit next 2 st. as knit, pull the slipped st. over the knitted ones, 1 knit st.* 6 times.
15th circ. row: *yarn over, 7 knit st., yarn over, slip one as knit, knit next 2 st. as knit, pull the slipped st. over the knitted ones* 6 times.
16th circ. row: yarn over, knit 2 st. together as knit, 7 knit st., 1 purl; *9 knit st., 1 purl.* 5 times.
17th circ. row: 9 knit st., yarn over, 1 purl; *yarn over, 9 knit st., yarn over, 1 purl.* 5 times — 71 st.
18th circ. row: yarn over, 10 knit st., 1 purl; *11 knit st., 1 purl.* 5 times — 72 st.
19th circ. row: 11 knit st., yarn over, 1 purl; *yarn over, 11 knit st., yarn over, 1 purl.* 5 times — 83 st.
20th circ. row: yarn over, 12 knit st., 1 purl; *13 knit st., 1 purl.* 5 times — 84 st.
21st circ. row: 13 knit st., yarn over, 1 purl; *yarn over, 13 knit st., yarn over, 1 purl.* 5 times — 95 st.
22nd circ. row: yarn over, 14 knit st., 1 purl; *15 knit st., 1 purl.* 5 times — 96 st.
23rd circ. row: 15 knit st., yarn over, 1 purl; *yarn over, 15 knit st., yarn over, 1 purl.* 5 times — 107 st.
24th circ. row: yarn over, 16 knit st., 1 purl; *17 knit st., 1 purl.* 5 times — 108 st.
25th circ. row: 17 knit st., yarn over, 1 purl; *yarn over, 17 knit st., yarn over, 1 purl.* 5 times — 119 st. (last row for size 3 months)
26th circ. row: yarn over, 18 knit st., 1 purl; *19 knit st., 1 purl.* 5 times — 120 st.
27th circ. row: 19 knit st., yarn over, 1 purl; *yarn over, 19 knit st., yarn over, 1 purl.* 5 times — 131 st. (last row for size 6 months)
28th circ. row: yarn over, 20 knit st., 1 purl; *21 knit st., 1 purl.* 5 times — 132 st.
29th circ. row: 21 knit st., yarn over, 1 purl; *yarn over, 21 knit st., yarn over, 1 purl.* 5 times — 143 st. (last row for size 12 months)

Large hexagon flower (for sizes from 1.5 to 8 years):
1st circ. row: purl st.
2nd circ. row: *yarn over, 1 knit st.* 12 times — 24 st.
3rd circ. row: purl st.
4th circ. row: *yarn over, 2 knit st.* 12 times — 36 st.
5-7th circ. rows: *1 purl, 2 knit st.* 12 times.
8th circ. row: *1 purl, 2 knit st., yarn over, 1 purl, yarn over, 2 knit st.* 6 times — 48 st.
9th circ. row: *1 purl, 2 knit st., 3 purl, 2 knit st.* 6 times.
10th circ. row: *1 purl, 2 knit st., yarn over, 3 purl, yarn over, 2 knit st.* 6 times — 60 st.
11th circ. row: *1 purl, 2 knit st., 5 purl, 2 knit st.* 6 times.
12th circ. row: *1 purl, 2 knit st., yarn over, 5 purl, yarn over, 2 knit st.* 6 times — 72 st.
13-15th circ. rows: *1 purl, 2 knit st., 7 purl, 2 knit st.* 6 times.
16th circ. row: *yarn over, 1 knit st., yarn over, 2 knit st., 7 purl, 2 knit st.* 6 times — 84 st.
17th circ. row: *yarn over, 3 knit st., yarn over, 1 knit st., decrease left (see abbreviation), 5 purl, knit 2 st. together as knit, 1 knit st.* 6 times.
18th circ. row: *yarn over, 5 knit st., yarn over, 1 knit st., decrease left, 3 purl, knit 2 st. together as knit, 1 knit st.* 6 times.
19th circ. row: *yarn over, 7 knit st., yarn over, 1 knit st., decrease left, 1 purl, knit 2 st. together as knit, 1 knit st.* 6 times.
20th circ. row: *yarn over, 9 knit st., yarn over, 1 knit st., slip one st., knit next 2 st. as knit, pull the slipped st. over the knitted ones, 1 knit st.* 6 times.
21st circ. row: *yarn over, 11 knit st., yarn over, slip one st., knit next 2 st. as knit, pull the slipped st. over the knitted ones* 6 times.
22nd circ. row: yarn over, knit 2 st. together as knit, 11 knit st., 1 purl; *13 knit st., 1 purl.* 5 times.
23rd circ. row: 13 knit st., yarn over, 1 purl; *yarn over, 13 knit st., yarn over, 1 purl.* 5 times — 95 st.
24th circ. row: yarn over, 14 knit st., 1 purl; *15 knit st., 1 purl.* 5 times — 96 st.
25th circ. row: 15 knit st., yarn over, 1 purl; *yarn over, 15 knit st., yarn over, 1 purl.* 5 times — 107 st.
26th circ. row: yarn over, 16 knit st., 1 purl; *17 knit st., 1 purl.* 5 times — 108 st.
27th circ. row: 17 knit st., yarn over, 1 purl; *yarn over, 17 knit st., yarn over, 1 purl.* 5 times — 119 st.
28th circ. row: yarn over, 18 knit st., 1 purl; *19 knit st., 1 purl.* 5 times — 120 st.
29th circ. row: 19 knit st., yarn over, 1 purl; *yarn over, 19 knit st., yarn over, 1 purl.* 5 times — 131 st.
30th circ. row: yarn over, 20 knit st., 1 purl; *21 knit st., 1 purl.* 5 times — 132 st.
31st circ. row: 21 knit st., yarn over, 1 purl; *yarn over, 21 knit st., yarn over, 1 purl.* 5 times — 143 st.
32nd circ. row: yarn over, 22 knit st., 1 purl; *23 knit st., 1 purl.* 5 times — 144 st.
33rd circ. row: 23 knit st., yarn over, 1 purl; *yarn over, 23 knit st., yarn over, 1 purl.* 5 times — 155 st. (last row for size 1.5 years)
34th circ. row: yarn over, 24 knit st., 1 purl; *25 knit st., 1 purl.* 5 times — 156 st.
35th circ. row: 25 knit st., yarn over, 1 purl; *yarn over, 25 knit st., yarn over, 1 purl.* 5 times — 167 st. (last row for size 2 years)
36th circ. row: yarn over, 26 knit st., 1 purl; *27 knit st., 1 purl.* 5 times — 168 st.
37th circ. row: 27 knit st., yarn over, 1 purl; *yarn over, 27 knit st., yarn over, 1 purl.* 5 times — 179 st. (last row for size 4 years)
38th circ. row: yarn over, 28 knit st., 1 purl; *29 knit st., 1 purl.* 5 times — 180 st.
39th circ. row: 29 knit st., yarn over, 1 purl; *yarn over, 29 knit st., yarn over, 1 purl.* 5 times — 191 st. (last row for size 6 years)
40th circ. row: yarn over, 30 knit st., 1 purl; *31 knit st., 1 purl.* 5 times — 192 st.
41st circ. row: 31 knit st., yarn over, 1 purl; *yarn over, 31 knit st., yarn over, 1 purl.* 5 times — 203 st. (last row for size 8 years)

How to knit the children's cardigan "flower"

Step 1. Knit the upper part of the back

On double-pointed needles No. 4 cast on 12 st. in a ring with a hook, place a marker at the beginning of the row.

Knit the hexagonal flower:
Knit 25 (27) 29 (33) 35 (37) 39 (41) circ. rows for the small or large flower (according to your size), using the guidelines above. 
Change needles to circular.

Then divide the work into the lower parts of the cardigan, sleeves, and neck:
26 (28) 30 (34) 36 (38) 40 (42) circ. rows: yarn over, 18 (20) 22 (24) 26 (28) 30 (32) knit st., 1 purl; 1 (1) 1 (2) 2 (3) 3 (4) knit, place a marker for the beginning of the neck, 17 (19) 21 (21) 23 (23) 25 (25) knit, place a marker for the end of the neck, 1 (1) 1 (2) 2 (3) 3 (4) knit, 1 purl; *19 (21) 23 (25) 27 (29) 31 (33) knit, 1 purl.* 4 times — 120 (132) 144 (156) 168 (180) 192 (204) st.

Remove the marker for the circ. row, knit 2 more st. (this circ. row turned out 2 st. longer, this is also the last complete circ. row of the back, from now on, knit flat).

Place the next 19 (21) 23 (26) 28 (31) 33 (36) st. on a long thread - these are the right armhole stitches, remove the marker for the beginning of the neck. Use another 2 threads. Place the next 17 (19) 21 (21) 23 (23) 25 (25) neck stitches (up to the marker for the end of the neck) on the first thread, remove the marker. Place the next 19 (21) 23 (26) 28 (31) 33 (36) st. on the second - these are the left armhole st. 
Turn the work.

Step 2. Forming the armhole

The armholes are formed by knitting the stitches from the lower part of the hexagon - the stitches that remain on the lower needle. Do not touch the upper part of the hexagon (the armhole and neck stitches removed to the thread).

1st row (purl row, row with inc.): 2 purl, remove the marker; *1 knit st., yarn over, 19 (21) 23 (25) 27 (29) 31 (33) purl, yarn over, place the marker (increase point)* 2 times; 1 knit st., yarn over, 9 (21) 23 (25) 27 (29) 31 (33) purl, yarn over, 1 knit st., 2 purl — 6 st. increased, this is 71 (77) 83 (89) 95 (101) 107 (113) st. of the lower part of the cardigan.
2nd row: knit all stitches in the pattern - knit st. and yarn overs from the previous row - knit, purl st. - purl, knit 2 st. after the marker, move the marker.
3rd row (purl row, row with inc.): 2 purl; *1 knit st., yarn over, purl to the marker, yarn over, move the marker* 2 times; 1 knit st., yarn over, purl to the last 3 st., yarn over, 1 knit st., 2 purl — 6 st. increased.
4th row (knit row): knit all stitches in the pattern, yarn overs knit.

Repeat the last 2 rows another 1 (1) 1 (2) 2 (2) 2 (2) times — 83 (89) 95 (107) 113 (119) 125 (131) st.

Cast on the front armhole stitches:
Do not turn the work after the last knit row. Using a temporary cast on, cast on 18 (20) 22 (25) 27 (30) 32 (35) st. of the right armhole front — a total of 101 (109) 117 (132) 140 (149) 157 (166) st. Turn the work.

Next purl row (row with inc.): 3 knit, (2 purl, 2 knit) x 2 times, *purl to the marker of the increase, yarn over, remove the marker, 1 knit st., yarn over* 2 times; purl to the end — 4 st. increased.
(From this row, increasing the work in 2 columns only on the back - no more increasing at the beginning and end of the row for the armhole)

Do not turn the work after the last knit row. Using a temporary cast on, cast on 18 (20) 22 (25) 27 (30) 32 (35) st. of the left armhole front — a total of 123 (133) 143 (161) 171 (183) 193 (205) st. in total.

Step 3. Knit the lower part of the back and front pieces.

1st row (knit row): 3 purl, (2 knit, 2 purl) x 2, knit the remaining cast on st. as knit, then knit all stitches in the pattern to the last 11 st., (2 purl, 2 knit) x 2, 3 purl.
2nd row (purl row, row with inc.): 3 knit, (2 purl, 2 knit) x 2, *knit purl to the marker, yarn over, remove the marker, 1 knit st., yarn over* 2 times, knit purl to the last 11 st., (2 knit, 2 purl) 2 times, 3 knit st. — 4 st. increased.
3rd row (knit row): knit all stitches in the pattern, yarn overs knit.

Repeat the last 2 rows another 0 (2) 3 (1) 2 (5) 8 (10) times for the length as in the pattern, or, if you want to extend the cardigan, knit the desired length minus 2.5 (2.5) 2.5 (3) 3 (3) 3 (3) cm from the center of the back — the maximum number of rows is 13 (15) 17 (17) 19 (21) 23 (25), counting from the row where you temporarily cast on st. for the right front armhole. The number of rows affects the width of the front pieces at the neck; if you knit more than the maximum number, the front pieces will be too wide. (if you still want it longer, you can increase the length further)

Next purl row (row with inc.): 3 knit, (2 purl, 2 knit) x 2, *knit purl to the marker, yarn over, remove the marker, 1 knit st., yarn over* 2 times, knit purl to the last 11 st., (2 knit, 2 purl) 2 times, 3 knit st. — 4 st. increased.

Step 4. Forming the front pieces of the children's cardigan

Next, continue to form the cardigan with short rows. How you continue depends on whether you have enough length in your garment and whether you have reached the maximum number of rows, counting from the temporary cast on for the right armhole — 14 (16) 18 (18) 20 (22) 24 (26) rows after the last purl row.

Option 1: You have reached the desired length of the cardigan from the center of the back, but have not yet reached the maximum number of rows of the front pieces. Use this option for sizes from 3 months to 6 years if you repeated 2-3 rows provided above, or added another 6 (4) 4 (8) 8 (4) 0 (-) additional rows.

Option 2: You have reached the maximum number of rows of the front pieces (i.e., the front pieces are wide enough near the neck), but the desired length has not been achieved. Use this option for size 8 years, or for sizes 4 (6), if you added 6 (2) additional rows, but the desired length has not been achieved. Not recommended for smaller sizes.

Option 3: You repeated 2-3 rows provided above, and at the same time, you achieved the desired length and maximum number of rows of the front piece. Not suitable for size 8 years.

Follow the correct option below: (Note: pay attention to how to knit short rows, no holes should form, more details here)

Option 1:
Use this option if you have reached the desired length of the cardigan, but you have less than 14 (16) 18 (18) 20 (22) 24 (-) rows on the front piece, counting from the temporary cast on for the right armhole. (This option is not suitable for size 8 years - the cardigan will be too short)

Further, the front pieces are knitted separately. Remove 2 markers of increases on the back.

Knit the left front piece
Form the lower edge:
The front pieces are not wide enough - continue to add width. At the same time, form the lower edges with short rows so that the length for the lower part of the back and sides remains the same.

1st short row (knit row): Knit in pattern to the first yarn over from the previous row, make a yarn over. Place marker A between the first st. on the left needle (purl st. in the center of the increases on the back) and the next yarn over. (Leave the st. and yarn over on the left needle, this marker will be needed when knitting the ribbing) Turn the work. 
2nd short row (purl row): yarn over, knit in pattern to the end of the row
3rd short row (knit row): Knit in pattern to the 1st st. before the yarn over from the previous row, turn the work.

Repeat the last 2 rows until you have 14 (16) 18 (18) 20 (22) 24 (-) rows from the temporary cast on for the left armhole.

Form the central part and lower edge of the left front piece:
In addition to forming the lower edge, as before, you will gradually decrease the number of stitches on the front piece, starting from the neck - so that the width at the neck remains the same, and you fill in the lower part of the piece.

1A short row (purl row): yarn over, knit in pattern to the last 3 st., turn. 
2A short row (knit row): yarn over, knit in pattern to the 1st st. before the yarn over from the previous row, turn.
3A short row (purl row): yarn over, knit in pattern to 2 st. before the yarn over from the previous row, turn.

Repeat the last 2 rows until there are about 18 (20) 24 (26) 28 (32) 36 (-) working st. between the yarn over at the beginning of the purl row and the end of this row (may be 1-2 st. more or less, depending on the length of the cardigan - record your number of stitches, you will need it for knitting the right front piece)

Form the curved edge on the left front piece:
1B short row (knit row): yarn over, knit in pattern to the 1st st. before the yarn over from the previous row, turn.
2B-3B short rows: yarn over, knit in pattern to the 3rd st. before the yarn over from the previous row, turn.
4B-5B short rows: yarn over, knit in pattern to the 3 (3) 4 (5) 3 (4) 4 (4) th st. before the yarn over from the previous row, turn.

Only for sizes from 2 to 8 years:
6B-7B short rows: yarn over, knit in pattern to - (-) - (-) 4 (4) 5 (5) st. before the yarn over from the previous row, turn.

All sizes:
8B short row (purl row): yarn over, *knit in pattern to the next yarn over, 
if the next st. after the yarn over is a purl st.: decrease right, 
if the next st. after the yarn over is a knit st.: decrease left*
repeat from * to * until there are yarn overs, continue knitting in pattern to the end. (decrease left is only used for ribbing around the neck)

Do not break the yarn - it will be used for knitting ribbing.

Knit the right front piece:
Form the lower edge:
Move the work to the other end of the needles. Join the new yarn to the neck from the purl side and knit the following way.

1A short row (purl row): knit in pattern to the first yarn over on the left needle, knit the yarn over as purl. Place marker B between the first st. on the left needle (knit st. in the center of the increases on the back) and the next yarn over. (Leave the st. and yarn over on the left needle, this marker will be needed when knitting the ribbing). Turn the work. 
2A short row (knit row): yarn over, knit in pattern to the end of the row
3A short row (purl row): knit in pattern to the 1st st. before the yarn over from the previous row, turn the work.
4A short row (knit row): yarn over, knit in pattern to 2 st. before the yarn over from the previous row, turn.

Repeat the last 2 rows until there are about 18 (20) 24 (26) 28 (32) 36 (-) working st. between the yarn over at the beginning of the knit row and the end of this row (the number of st. as on the left front piece -1).

Form the curved edge on the right front piece:
1B short row (purl row): yarn over, knit in pattern to the 1st st. before the yarn over from the previous row, turn.
2B-3B short rows: yarn over, knit in pattern to the 3rd st. before the yarn over from the previous row, turn.
4B-5B short rows: yarn over, knit in pattern to the 3 (3) 4 (5) 3 (4) 4 (4) th st. before the yarn over from the previous row, turn.

Only for sizes from 2 to 8 years:
6B-7B short rows: yarn over, knit in pattern to - (-) - (-) 4 (4) 5 (5) st. before the yarn over from the previous row, turn.

All sizes:
8B short row (knit row): yarn over, *knit in pattern to the next yarn over, 
if the next st. after the yarn over is a knit st.: knit 2 st. together as knit 
if the next st. after the yarn over is a purl st.: knit 2 st. together as purl*
repeat from * to * until there are yarn overs, continue knitting in pattern to the end. (2 st. together as purl is only used for ribbing around the neck)

Break the yarn.

Option 2:
Use this option if you knitted 14 (16) 18 (18) 20 (22) 24 (26) rows of the front piece, counting from the temporary cast on for the right armhole, but did not reach the desired length of the cardigan.

Next knit row (last complete row): knit all stitches in pattern, knit yarn overs as knit.

Form the center of the front pieces:
The front pieces are wide enough at the neck - you will knit short rows gradually decreasing the number of working stitches of the front pieces, starting from the top while at the same time adding length to the cardigan.

1st short row (purl row with inc.): 3 knit, (2 purl, 2 knit) x 2, *knit purl to the marker, yarn over, move the marker, 1 knit st., yarn over* x 2, knit purl to the last 11 st., knit in pattern to the last 3 st, turn.
2nd short row (knit row): yarn over, knit in pattern to the last 3 st, turn.
3rd short row (purl row): yarn over, *knit in pattern to the marker, yarn over, move the marker, 1 knit st., yarn over* x 2, knit in pattern to 2 st. before the yarn over from the previous row, turn.
4th short row (knit row): yarn over, knit in pattern to 2 st. before the yarn over from the previous row, turn.
5th short row (purl): yarn over, *knit in pattern to the marker, yarn over, move the marker, 1 knit st., yarn over* x 2, knit in pattern to 2 st. before the yarn over from the previous row, turn.

Repeat the last 2 rows until there are 3 cm left from the required length (for size 8 years: three times the length shown in the pattern) in the last purl row remove the marker for the increases.

Then knit the front pieces separately.

Knit the left front piece:
Form the lower and central parts of the front piece:
In this section, you will continue to decrease the number of working stitches in the center of the front piece and at the same time decrease the number of working stitches in the lower part. 
As a result, the width of the upper part and the length of the lower part will remain the same, while you fill in the lower part.

1A short row (knit row): yarn over, knit in pattern to the first yarn over from the previous row, knit the yarn over as knit. Place marker A between the first st. on the left needle (purl st. in the center of the increases on the back) and the next yarn over. (Leave the st. and yarn over on the left needle, this marker will be needed when knitting the ribbing). 
Turn the work.
2A short row (purl row): yarn over, knit in pattern to 2 st. before the yarn over from the previous row, turn.
3A short row (knit row): yarn over, knit in pattern to 1 st before the yarn over from the previous row, turn.
4A short row (purl row): yarn over, knit in pattern to 2 st before the yarn over from the previous row, turn.

Repeat the last 2 rows until there are about 18 (20) 24 (26) 28 (32) 36 (36) working stitches between the yarn over at the beginning of the purl row and the end of this row (may be 1-2 st. more or less, depending on the length of the cardigan - record your number of stitches, you will need it for knitting the right front piece)

Form the curved edge on the left front piece:
1B short row (knit row): yarn over, knit in pattern to 1 st before the yarn over from the previous row, turn.
2B-3B short rows: yarn over, knit in pattern to 3 st before the yarn over from the previous row, turn.
4B-5B short rows: yarn over, knit in pattern to 3 (3) 4 (5) 3 (4) 4 (4) th st before the yarn over from the previous row, turn.

Only for sizes from 2 to 8 years:
6B-7B short rows: yarn over, knit in pattern to - (-) - (-) 4 (4) 5 (5) st before the yarn over from the previous row, turn.

All sizes:
8B short row (purl row): yarn over, *knit in pattern to the next yarn over, 
if the next st after the yarn over is a purl st.: decrease right, 
if the next st after the yarn over is a knit st.: decrease left*
repeat from * to * until there are yarn overs, continue knitting in pattern to the end. (decrease left is only used for ribbing around the neck)
Do not break the yarn - it will be used for knitting ribbing.

Knit the right front piece:
Form the lower and central parts of the front piece:
Move the work to the other end of the needles. Starting from the neck, from the purl side, slip all stitches to the yarn over that started the previous short row, on this side of the front piece to the right needle, slip the yarn over. Join the new yarn and knit the right front piece as follows.

1A short row (purl row): knit in pattern to the next yarn over, knit the yarn over as purl. Place marker B between the first st. on the left needle (knit st. in the center of the increases on the back) and the next yarn over. (Leave the st. and yarn over on the left needle, this marker will be needed when knitting the ribbing). Turn the work. 
2A short row (knit row): yarn over, knit in pattern to the last 3 st., turn.
3A short row (purl row): yarn over, knit in pattern to the 1st st. before the yarn over from the previous row, turn.
4A short row (knit row): yarn over, knit in pattern to 2 st. before the yarn over from the previous row, turn.
Repeat the last 2 rows until there are about 18 (20) 24 (26) 28 (32) 36 (-) working st. between the yarn over at the beginning of the knit row and the end of this row (the number of st. as on the left front piece -1).

Form the curved edge on the right front piece:
1B short row (purl row): yarn over, knit in pattern to 1 st. before the yarn over from the previous row, turn.
2B-3B short rows: yarn over, knit in pattern to 3 st. before the yarn over from the previous row, turn.
4B-5B short rows: yarn over, knit in pattern to 3 (3) 4 (5) 3 (4) 4 (4) th st. before the yarn over from the previous row, turn.

Only for sizes from 2 to 8 years:
6B-7B short rows: yarn over, knit in pattern to - (-) - (-) 4 (4) 5 (5) st. before the yarn over from the previous row, turn.

All sizes:
8B short row (knit row): yarn over, *knit in pattern to the next yarn over, 
if the next st after the yarn over is a knit st.: knit 2 st. together as knit 
if the next st after the yarn over is a purl st.: knit 2 st. together as purl*
repeat from * to * until there are yarn overs, continue knitting in pattern to the end. (2 st. together as purl is only used for ribbing around the neck)
Break the yarn.

For all options and all sizes:
Edge ribbing:
1st row (knit row): starting from the neck of the left front piece, with the remaining yarn, and from the purl side, pick up and knit purl 1 st. for every two rows along the edge of the neck of the left front piece, purl to the last st. of the left sleeve, P1 (knit 1 purl through the back of the 1st st. of the back), purl to the last st. of the back, P1, purl st. of the right sleeve, pick up and knit purl 1 st. for every two rows along the edge of the neck of the right front piece.
2nd row (knit row, closing the stitches with a cord): Using a chain or the backward loop method, cast on 4 st. before the st. on the left needle (the new st. are the cord st.). Change the right needle to No. 3.5, *3 knit, decrease left, return 4 st back to the left needle, yarn over* repeat until you run out of neck stitches and 4 st of the cord remain. Close them as knit.

Weave in all ends, shape and block the finished cardigan, gently stretching the ribbing. 
Sew on the buttons.