“Matador Mini”
The Bolero Cardigan
For children aged 4-18

I will be writing the faded Matador version for adults soon.

customizable sizing


Yarn: Malabrigo Arroyo (DK weight) in color
English Rose Amount needed: 2.5, 3, 3.5, 4 hanks

Needles: Size 4 US (3.5mm) circular (32inch cord) for ribbing, Size 6 US (4mm) circular (32+ inch cord) for body.

Gauge: on size 6 US needles in 10cm/4 inch blocked swatch in stockinette stitch 22 st / 32 rows

Level: intermediate
interesting construction

Inspiration:

My lovely daughter is 9. As a typical 9-year-old little girl she is in the “Pinkalicious” stage of life. Her room is pink, her clothes are pink, her accessories are pink. What is mom to do? But design a pink sweater. Trendy little princess as she is, she was pretty easy to design for as she loves just about anything I make.

Matador is an oversized cardigan with fitted sleeves.
The cables on the collar add just enough interest to keep you knitting happily. We had to add the cabled design on the sleeves as well. They really show off on a fitted sleeve.
Malabrigo yarn is my favorite yarn to work with, it is super wash therefore, easy care for a child, but strong and durable. Unlimited palette
of interesting hues offers endless
options. It’s a perfect work horse for this cardigan.

Skills/Tools required:

¬ Cabling/ Chart reading recommended/ cable needle or 1 DPN same size as knitting needles
¬ Seaming/darning needle needed
¬ Cast on long tail, back loop cast on, cast off, provisional cast on
¬ Picking up stitches!!!!
¬ Knit/purl stitches

Notes about construction:

I am obsessed with knitting sideways. It offers unparalleled possibilities for different sweaters and cardigans. I love the stitches running in different directions adding another dimension and interest to the garment.
This cardigan is knitted flat starting at the left sleeve, up to middle point of the bicep (upper arm muscle), then stitches are cast on for the front via the back loop cast on, and subsequently cast on for the back. You will knit the back, left sleeve and front until its time to bind off the front and work back stitches only. Once the back section is completed, the front stitches are cast on again. You will then mimic what you did for the left shoulder and sleeve on the right side. Finishing with the right sleeve.
Collar is knitted separately and seamed to body. The bottom ribbing is done last by picking up stitches along the bottom edge.


Shown in pictures knitted: body XS and XS sleeve on a 9 yrs. Petite girl

Sizing/Measuring:

Sideways construction allows for very easy customization.
It’s a mix and match sizing depending on your needs.
1. Measure the widest part of arm, and knit that exact size sleeve. You want the sleeve to be fitted as per my pattern, but ha-ha it’s your knit, so if you like a looser fitting sleeve- measure widest part of arm, add 2 inches and knit closest size !
Length of sleeve will depend on your measurement from wrist to mid biceps (upper arm muscle), and will vary based on your child’s needs. Knit length accordingly.
There is no sleeve shaping for children.

1. Measure chest at widest point, usually nipple line, add 10 inches for the oversized positive ease fit.
2. Measure length of desired garment from under armpit to just below waist, mid hip.

Main body sizing:

Length of Cardigan:
Dependent on the size sleeve you choose:
XS: 14 inches
S: 15 inches
M: 16 inches
L :17 inches
XL: 18 inches

This is without the bottom ribbing, add 3 inches for bottom trim.

Body Width:
Kids chest sizing varies but I adapted sizing from “Vogue knitting” to be:
XS: for kids 4-6 yrs. old, chest size 25 in finished garment 35 in
S: for kids 8-10 yrs. old, chest size 28 in finished garment 38 in
M: for kids 12 to 14 yrs. old, chest size 32in finished garment 42 in
L: for kids 16 to 18 yrs. old, chest size 34 in finished garment 44 in

Collar width is 4 inches.

SEE PICTURE ( last)FOR FLAT SCHEMATICS