18-24 months Crochet Baby Cardigan Pattern FREE
A crochet baby cardigan pattern for 18–24 months idesigned for toddlers who need a reliable, everyday layer that can handle regular wear, washing, and active play.
At this stage, for slightly older babies clothing is worn for longer periods and needs to be both practical and durable with frequent washings while still remaining comfortable.
This free crochet baby cardigan pattern for 18–24 months is worked top-down in one piece using basic stitches, making it beginner-friendly and easy to customise. With classic raglan shaping and minimal seaming, the design creates a sturdy yet soft cardigan that keeps its shape through repeated use.
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The finished cardigan has a slightly more relaxed fit than smaller sizes, making it ideal for layering and allowing extra room as toddlers continue to grow.
Why This Crochet Baby Cardigan Pattern Works
- ✔ Beginner-friendly using simple stitches
- ✔ Minimal seaming with top-down construction
- ✔ Designed for active toddlers in the 18–24 months stage
- ✔ Slightly relaxed fit for layering and extended wear
Size Options
For smaller sizes, you can follow the tiny baby and newborn crochet baby cardigan pattern, the 0–3 months crochet baby cardigan pattern, the 6–12 months crochet baby cardigan pattern, or the 12–18 months crochet baby cardigan pattern
Designed for the 18–24 Month Stage
At this stage, toddlers need clothing that:
- Allows full freedom for walking, climbing, and play
- Holds its shape through frequent wear
- Layers easily over tops and outfits
- Provides a slightly longer-lasting fit as they grow
Crochet Hook 4.00mm , Double knit baby yarn 135 grams
Ch 75,
ROW 1: dc in 4th ch from hook, dc in the next 10ch sts (Front), 3dc in next ch, dc in the next 11ch sts (Shoulder), 3dc in next ch, 1dc in the next 24ch sts (Back), 3dc in next ch, dc in the next 11ch sts (Shoulder), 3dc in next ch, 1dc in the next 11ch sts (Front) Turn. (80 dc ).
ROW 2: Ch3, dc in the next 11sts, 3dc in next ch, dc in the next 13 sts, 3dc in next ch, 1dc in the next 26sts, 3dc in next ch, dc in the next 13sts, 3dc in next ch, 1dc in the next 12sts, Turn.
ROW 3: Ch3, dc in the next 12sts, 3dc in next ch, dc in the next 15sts, 3dc in next ch, 1dc in the next 28sts, 3dc in next ch, dc in the next 15sts, 3dc in next ch, 1dc in the next 13sts, Turn.
ROW 4: Ch3, dc in the next 13sts, 3dc in next ch, dc in the next 17sts, 3dc in next ch, 1dc in the next 30sts, 3dc in next ch, dc in the next 17sts, 3dc in next ch, 1dc in the next 14sts, Turn.
ROW 5: Ch3, dc in the next 14sts, 3dc in next ch, dc in the next 19sts, 3dc in next ch, 1dc in the next 32sts, 3dc in next ch, dc in the next 19sts, 3dc in next ch, 1dc in the next 15sts, Turn.
Row 6: Ch3, dc in the next 15sts, 3dc in next ch, dc in the next 21sts, 3dc in next ch, 1dc in the next 34sts, 3dc in next ch, dc in the next 21sts, 3dc in next ch, 1dc in the next 16sts, Turn.
ROW 7: Ch3, dc in the next 16sts, 3dc in next ch, dc in the next 23sts, 3dc in next ch, 1dc in the next 36sts, 3dc in next ch, dc in the next 23sts, 3dc in next ch, 1dc in the next 17sts, Turn.
ROW 8: Ch3, dc in the next 17sts, 3dc in next ch, dc in the next 25sts, 3dc in next ch, 1dc in the next 38sts, 3dc in next ch, dc in the next 25sts, 3dc in next ch, 1dc in the next 18sts, Ch3 Turn. (136 sts)
ROW 9: On this Row, you are going to create the Armholes.
ch3, 1dc in next 19dc, ch2, skip next 27 sts, 1dc in each of next 42sts, ch2, skip next 27sts, dc in each st to end. (82sts)
Row 10: Ch3, dc in each stitch, TURN
Row 11: Repeat Row 10 until work measures approx 13 inch from the shoulder.
Finishing on a RIGHT SIDE ROW. DO NOT FASTEN OFF
START 1st row of BORDER: With Right Side facing start at the bottom corner with a 4.00mm hook,
1st Border Row: Ch1, 1slst into the base of ch1, work slip stitch (slst) evenly into row ends up the first front edge to the front top corner, work (slst, ch1, sc) into corner stitch, continue working 1sc into each ch around the neck to next top corner, (sc, ch1, slst) into the corner, continue working evenly in slip stitch (slst) into row ends down the second front edge, to bottom corner, (sc, ch1, sc) into corner, ch1, work 1sc into each dc along the bottom of the cardigan to end, slst to first sc on beginning of row.
TURN your work, and work the following ROWS only Back and forth on the front sides. The first row is worked into the back loops of the slip stitches.
Cardigan Front Edging and Buttonhole Rows:
NOTES BEFORE BUTTONHOLE ROWS
Remember:
Loops on the LEFT for BOY,
Loops on the RIGHT for GIRL.
- Adjust the following rows depending on which side you are creating the Buttonholes
- Before working the next 2 rows of the Front of the Cardigan, you may wish to mark out the buttonhole placements evenly before starting the buttonhole row.
- Make the buttonholes evenly spaced in the positions where you want them to appear on the cardigan.
Row 2: Ch1, 1sc into the base of ch1, 1sc into each sc to last st
Row 3 of Border: work 1sc into the base of ch1 sc to the first buttonhole *make 2ch (OR ch1, depending on the size of buttons being used), miss 1sc, 1sc into each of next 8sc*) Repeat for as many buttonholes as you would like, sc to the second last st ch1, slip to join. FASTEN OFF HERE,
2ND SIDE:
Join yarn at the other side of the cardigan.Ensure you are working in the opposite direction from the last row worked.
ROw 1: Ch1, 1sc into the base of ch1, 1sc into each sc to last st
Row 2: Ch1, 1sc into the base of ch1, 1sc into each sc to last st
Row 3: Ch1, 1sc into the base of ch1, 1sc into each sc to last st
Sleeves:
Rnd 1: Join yarn to the centre of one of the underarm sts, between the 2 chain sts you made in ROW 8, and make sure this row is worked in the opposite direction that Row 8 was worked. Ch3, (counts as the first dc) Work Dc evenly around the armhole (You will work 2dc into a SIDE POST of a ROW 10 Double Crochet stitch at the armhole. Slip stitch to join to ch3 to join, TURN
Rnd 2:Ch 3, dc into the base of the chain and dc in each st around, Slip stitch to join, TURN
Rnd 3: Ch 3, dc into the base of the chain, and dc in each st around, Slip stitch to Join, TURN
Rnd 4-Rnd 9: Ch 3, dc into the base of the chain, and dc in each st around, Slip stitch to Join, TURN
Rnd 10: Ch3, From now on DO NOT WORK the first dc st into the base, but in the next dc st, dc in each st around, TURN (by doing this you will decrease 1 stitch per round)
Rnd 11: to Rnd 16: Repeat Rnd 5
Row 17: Ch1, 1sc in each dc to end, sl st to first sc. Turn.
Row 18: Ch1, 1sc in each dc to end, sl st to first sc. FASTEN OFF. Weave in ends
EASY Crochet Baby Cardigan Pattern in All Sizes
This free crochet baby cardigan pattern is available in multiple sizes, so you can make the perfect fit for every stage from tiny newborns to growing toddlers.
- Tiny Baby & Newborn Crochet Baby Cardigan Pattern
- 0–3 Months Crochet Baby Cardigan Pattern
- 6–12 Months Crochet Baby Cardigan Pattern
- 12–18 Months Crochet Baby Cardigan Pattern
These patterns are also available to BUY as a full PDF download AD FREE from my ETSY SHOP HERE
