Zinnia Mini Cardigan

The Zinnia Mini Cardigan is the girls’ version of the Zinnia Cardigan, inspired by one of my favorite flowers: the Pompon Zinnia, a hardy, colorful plant whose petals grow in geometric layers that form a rosette.

In this design, those petals become a yoke full of lace and texture that steals the show. The result is a sweet, timeless and comfortable cardigan. Its relaxed fit leaves plenty of room to move, and its beautiful finishing details make it perfect for school, outings or any special occasion.

Details you’ll love:
-Petal yoke: an addictive texture you’ll want to make more than once.
-Cut-Away Provisional Chains: a special technique inspired by steeking. It lets you work the petals in the round and then free the fronts, leaving a clean, firm and secure edge. Good to know: in this design you only cut the chains, never your fabric.
-Finishing: the neckband, hem, front bands and cuffs are worked in a texture that mimics ribbing and gives the whole project a polished look.

Love this texture? You can also make it in other versions: see the Zinnia family

Construction: top-down (worked from the neck to the hip), combining a circular yoke with raglan shaping for a better fit, in one piece and seamless.

Skill level: Intermediate to Advanced (includes video tutorials for the whole process)

Language: This pattern is available in English and Spanish.

Terminology: This pattern is written in US crochet terms.

Video tutorials: The videos are spoken in Spanish and include English subtitles. You can also turn on simultaneous voice translation.

Sizes: 3, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12 and 14 years

Finished chest circumference: 3: 23.4 in (59.5 cm) / 4: 25.4 in (64.5 cm) / 6: 27.6 in (70 cm) / 8: 30.3 in (77 cm) / 10: 32.3 in (82 cm) / 12: 34.6 in (88 cm) / 14: 36.4 in (92.5 cm).

Fit and ease: relaxed and comfortable, with 1.4 to 4.9 in (3.5 to 12.5 cm) of positive ease depending on size.

Yarn: Sport weight (#2 Fine). For the plum sample I used Gonca by Kartopu (100% acrylic, 328 yd / 300 m per 3.5 oz / 100 g).

Yardage: from 640 yd / 585 m (approx. 195 g) to 1608 yd / 1470 m (approx. 490 g), depending on size.

Hooks: US 7 (4.5 mm), or size needed to obtain gauge, and US G-6 (4 mm), or half a size smaller than the hook used to obtain gauge.

Gauge: 23 sts and 22 rows = 4x4 in (10x10 cm), unblocked, in Moss Stitch with a US 7 (4.5 mm) hook.

Notions: 5 buttons, 0.4 to 0.6 in (1 to 1.5 cm) in diameter, or 6 if you’d like to add an optional extra one. To cover them with crochet, use 0.4 in (1 cm) buttons (video included).

Pattern release date: November 2026