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| Photo above © OGE Knitwear Designs |
Ciqala Arrowhead Sweater – P117 by OGE Knitwear Designs is a beautiful baby cardigan featuring a delicate arrowhead lace detail around the yoke.
Worked from the bottom up, the design combines classic baby-cardigan styling with an eye-catching lace feature. Its unisex shape and sizes from newborn through 18 months make it a versatile layering project for cooler weather.
Pattern Availability Update
Ciqala Arrowhead Sweater – P117 is currently available as a paid downloadable knitting pattern from OGE Knitwear Designs. Older links may lead to former pattern marketplaces, so we have updated this guide to point readers toward the designer's current legitimate source.
Ciqala Arrowhead Sweater at a Glance
Pattern: Ciqala Arrowhead Sweater – P117
Designer: OGE Knitwear Designs
First Published: August 2017
Craft: Knitting
Category: Baby Cardigan / Sweater
Skill Level: Intermediate
Sizes: 0–3, 3–6, 6–12 and 12–18 months
Yarn Weight: Sport / 5–6 ply
Needle Size: US 5 / 3.75 mm
Gauge: 25 stitches × 30 rows = 4 inches / 10 cm
Construction: Bottom-up with sleeves joined at the yoke
Current Availability: Paid PDF pattern
About the Ciqala Arrowhead Sweater
The defining feature of Ciqala is the arrowhead lace pattern around the yoke. It adds decorative interest to an otherwise classic baby cardigan shape without overwhelming the small garment.
The result is a sweater that can work equally well for everyday layering or as a more special hand-knitted baby gift.
OGE Knitwear Designs describes the cardigan as having a classic unisex appearance, so yarn colour can completely change the personality of the finished project.
Baby Sizes
The pattern includes four sizes:
- 0–3 months
- 3–6 months
- 6–12 months
- 12–18 months
Because babies of the same age can vary considerably in size, check the pattern's finished measurements and schematic rather than selecting a size only from the age label.
Yarn Requirements
The original pattern calls for Sport weight / 5–6 ply yarn. The designer specifies 100% superwash extrafine merino with approximately 125 m / 136 yards per 50g ball.
Main-colour requirements are:
- 0–3 months: 2 × 50g balls
- 3–6 months: 3 × 50g balls
- 6–12 months: 4 × 50g balls
- 12–18 months: 4 × 50g balls
Each size also requires one 50g ball of the contrast colour.
If substituting another yarn, matching the designer's gauge is more important than simply choosing another yarn carrying the same weight label.
Needles and Gauge
The pattern calls for:
US 5 / 3.75 mm extra-long straight or circular needles
The published stockinette gauge is:
25 stitches × 30 rows = 4 inches / 10 cm
Gauge is particularly important in a baby garment because even a small difference can noticeably change the finished chest measurement.
How the Ciqala Cardigan Is Constructed
Ciqala is worked from the bottom up.
The sleeves are knitted separately and then joined to the body when the knitting reaches the yoke. The decorative arrowhead lace becomes the focal point of this upper section.
One appealing feature of the construction is the limited amount of finishing: the designer states that the sleeve seams are the only seams required.
The Arrowhead Lace Yoke
The lace yoke is what gives Ciqala its distinctive identity. The geometric arrowhead motif creates a decorative transition across the upper cardigan while still allowing the garment to retain a clean, classic shape.
Using a contrasting yarn can make this section especially prominent, while a more subtle combination can produce a softer, understated result.
Written Instructions and Charts
The official pattern includes both written and charted instructions, together with a schematic.
This is useful for knitters who prefer one method of following lace patterns over another.
Amazing Knitting does not reproduce those charts or the designer's row-by-row instructions. Use the official pattern for the exact stitch counts, shaping and lace sequence.
Other Materials
In addition to yarn and needles, the designer lists:
- Stitch holders
- 3 buttons
- 14 stitch markers
Having the stitch markers ready before beginning the yoke can make it easier to keep track of pattern sections and shaping.
Skills That Help
OGE Knitwear Designs classifies Ciqala as an Intermediate project. Useful skills include:
- Casting on and binding off
- Knit and purl stitches
- Increasing and decreasing
- Following lace instructions
- Reading a knitting chart
- Working garment shaping
- Joining sleeves to a yoke
- Basic seaming
- Making buttonholes
- Blocking a finished garment
Choosing Colours
Ciqala uses a main colour together with a contrasting colour, making yarn selection an enjoyable part of planning the project.
A strong contrast can emphasize the arrowhead yoke, while closely related shades can make the lace detail appear more subtle.
For a baby garment, also consider softness and washing requirements. A beautiful yarn that is difficult to care for may not always be the most practical choice for frequently worn baby clothing.
Is Ciqala Arrowhead Sweater Free?
No. Ciqala Arrowhead Sweater – P117 is currently a paid knitting pattern.
It is available directly from OGE Knitwear Designs and is also listed by established pattern marketplaces. Prices can vary by store and currency, so check the current official listing rather than relying on an older price.
Get the Official Ciqala Arrowhead Sweater Pattern
The designer's own store is the preferred source for the current pattern.
View the Official Ciqala Pattern →
Looking for a Free Baby Cardigan?
If you reached this page specifically looking for a free baby cardigan knitting pattern, Amazing Knitting has many other baby sweater and cardigan projects to explore.
Explore Free Baby Cardigan Patterns →
You can also browse free baby sweaters, lace baby cardigans, and baby knitting patterns from the Amazing Knitting archive.
Before You Start
Download the current official pattern before buying yarn and check the schematic and finished measurements for your chosen size. Make a gauge swatch, prepare your contrast colour, and read through the yoke section before beginning the project.
Since both written and charted instructions are supplied, decide which format you find easiest to follow before reaching the arrowhead lace.
Pattern credit: Ciqala Arrowhead Sweater – P117 was designed and published by OGE Knitwear Designs. The existing project photograph on this Amazing Knitting page is credited to OGE Knitwear Designs. Amazing Knitting does not reproduce the designer's copyrighted charts or row-by-row knitting instructions.