Children’s Cora Cocoon Cardigan

Cora Cocoon

Difficulty Level = Beginner

The Cora Cocoon is a gorgeously slouchy, super cool cardie. It’s worn draped over the shoulders like a shawl and has cozy, fitted sleeves which sit on the forearms.

Our Facebook group is a great place to get help, share your tips and creations! We are a friendly bunch, and we love to help and see what you have made.

Please read the full instructions before getting started.

Wash, dry, and press your fabric before starting your project. A bit of prep now prevents shrinking and means your garment will stay the same size you made it.

Never leave a child or baby unattended or allow to sleep in a garment made from one of our patterns with ties, snaps, buttons, or anything they could remove, choke on, or get caught on. Always use caution if you are unsure. We love our patterns, but we love your bundles of joy more!

Size Range

Newborn – 12yrs

Size Chart

This pattern is drafted to the sizes listed below. If your child is between sizes, choose the larger size and adjust the pattern to remove the extra width/height to achieve the intended fit.

Finished Measurements (Inches)

• Overall fit – This is a very loose and slouchy piece. It is designed to just drape over your shoulders while wearing it. There is no fitting around the shoulders. It is worn more like a shawl. The full length sleeves are worn from just under the elbow to the wrist. The 3/4 sleeves are worn from just under the elbow to about halfway down the forearm to the wrist. Above the elbow is the drape of the body part of the sleeve.
• Measure, measure, measure – Please measure your model and check their measurements against BOTH the size chart and the finished garment measurements. 
• Muslin – To get a perfect fit, make a muslin (test garment) out of practice/old fabric to see if you want to make any fit adjustments. 
• Picking your size – When picking your size, if you fall between sizes, go for the size with the correct bust measurement. That way the shoulders, arms and upper back are likely to fit well. Then, grade out or in to the correct waist and hip size.
• Height adjustment – The child’s versions are designed for the height on the size chart. If you wish to make the cardigan longer or shorter, simply lengthen or shorten the body piece along the sides that have the sleeve markings on them, keeping the sleeve markings in the middle (e.g. add or remove length from both the top and bottom of this piece.
• If you get stuck with fitting, see our favorite resources on our Pinterest Sewing Fitting Advice board.  

Your fabric for this version needs to be a stretch/knit fabric. It can be any weight; however, best results and fit are achieved with a light or medium weight fabric. 

• Your fabric will need to have at least 40% stretch to get the fit as it is designed. To check how much stretch your fabric has, take a piece of fabric, and pull along its stretch. If it allows you to stretch it at least 40% longer than its original length, then it has at least 40% stretch. I.e. A 2-inch piece of fabric (unstretched) should be able to be stretched to 2.8 inches.
• The stretch recovery of your fabric is just as important as the stretch percentage. This will ensure your cardigan maintains its shape and fit for as long as possible and not become saggy rather than drapey. To test the stretch recovery (elasticity), simply check that when you stretch your piece of fabric it returns back to its original size. 
• It can be 2 or 4-way stretch fabric
• A fabric with 4-way stretch (stretches in all directions) will give more drape than a 2-way stretch (only stretches in one direction). It will also swing and swish around your body more.
• Light to medium weight stretch fabrics such as jersey, silk satin with elastine, silk jersey with elastine will give a lovely drape and swing.
• Fabrics such as stretch wool or knitted fabrics will look more ‘cardi’ like.

Fabric Requirements 60 inches/150 cm wide (in YARDS)

* If you are using a narrower fabric, a directional print, or a fabric with nap you may need more.
** Make sure to wash, dry, and press all fabrics before cutting out in case they shrink.

You will also need:

• Thread to match

Tools needed are sewing machine, scissors, pins or clips, and a ruler. A serger/overlocker is optional but not required.

Settings

The pattern is a separate download. Choose either the US letter paper, A4 paper, or A0 paper size based on the printer you wish to use. If you are in the US or Canada then your printer will likely use US letter paper. Other regions normally use A4 paper. Some people prefer to print their patterns at a print shop: A0 is best in this case.

Print at 100%.

On the second page, you will find a 1-inch and a 3-inch square test box. Print this page first, on its own, and measure these squares.

Once you are happy that the test box is accurate, print the rest of the pattern pages.

Please follow this video for information and assistance on assembling this pattern.

Also, please note that some Rebecca Page patterns and projects also come with cut files and a printable design page which you can use to plan your project if you wish. These are provided in a separate section below to avoid any confusion!

Cut each of the pieces according to the directions on the pattern piece. Seam allowances are all included so just cut them as is.

Cutting Charts – All pattern pieces are included, however if you prefer to cut using a cutting chart, the dimensions for the rectangular pieces (in INCHES) are below: 

TIP – If you use the cutting chart, rather than printing, it is helpful to print out the sleeve markings from the pattern pages.  The sleeve is attached without stretching either the bodice or the sleeve, but we highly recommend using the pattern markings for the most accurate measurements.  

Cutting Checklist:

• Main Body – cut 1
• Collar – cut 2
• Sleeves – cut 2 full sleeves, or 2 ¾ sleeves, or no sleeves.

NOTE – To cut fabric on the fold, fold your fabric over parallel to the selvage edges. Align the pattern piece so it is on the fold of the fabric. Cut around the edges, leaving the fold. If you have folded your fabric correctly the fold will be parallel to the two edges of the fabric that are finished. The raw edges (e.g. the ones you could pick at and threads would come off) will be at a right angle to your fold.

⅜ inch seam allowance included

Sewing –

1. SLEEVES – Fold Sleeve right sides together and stitch or serge side seams. Repeat for second Sleeve.  Fold Sleeves in half, wrong sides together, matching raw edges.  
2. BODY – Fold Body of cardigan in half, right sides together and stitch (not serge) from the hem line to Sleeve markings. Repeat for second side seam. Check fit here an adjust side seam as necessary. 
3. SLEEVED VERSIONS – Insert Sleeve, right sides together and stitch or serge.  Repeat for second Sleeve. Optionally, finish the Body side seam by serging or using an overcast stitch. 
4. SLEEVELESS VERSION – Press side seam open and press armscye seam allowance to the wrong side.  Topstitch armscye.  
5. COLLAR – Stitch or serge short ends of Collar together to create a circle. Fold Collar in half, wrong sides together, aligning raw edges. On right side of cardi, align raw edges of Collar with raw edge of cardi. Stitch or serge. Press seam allowance towards cardigan. Optionally, topstitch Collar seam allowance in place.

Congratulations, your Cora Cocoon is done. Enjoy! 

We would love to hear how you got on and see photos of your finished project!

Join us at our Facebook Group, tag us on Instagram, or use the hashtag #rpcoracocoon.

Thank you for using a Rebecca Page pattern.

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