Easy Top-Down Baby Cardigan Crochet Pattern
The Sweet Sugar Baby Cardigan is a delight to crochet and a FREE Crochet Pattern.
Easy and simple top-down raglan style baby cardigan crochet pattern, perfect for newborns, or gifting to a new baby.
This easy-to-make baby cardigan uses just basic stitches and is worked seamlessly from the neck down.
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Table of contents
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SEE the Patern Page to purchase on Ravelry HERE
Skill Level
Easy
You will need to know how to work single crochet (sc), double crochet (dc), and how to work into the base of a turning chain.
OR to eliminate holes at the start of each row a standing single crochet and have Basic familiarity with top-down garment construction is recommended.
New mums love this baby cardigan and it is a popular custom order for a coming home outfit.
Measurements of the Crochet Baby Cardigan
- To fit: 0–3 months
- Finished chest circumference: Approx. 17 in (43 cm)
- Finished length: Approx. 9½ in (24 cm)
Gauge
- 9 dc = 2 in (5 cm)
Note: Check your gauge and adjust your hook size if necessary.
Materials – What you will need to crochet the baby cardigan
- Baby Double Knit (DK) #4 yarn – approx. 100g
(Example used: standard baby DK yarn) - Crochet hook:
- 3.5 mm (for body)
- 4.0 mm (for foundation chain and optional for larger size)
- 3 small buttons
- Yarn needle
- Stitch markers (optional)
Abbreviations (US Terms)
- ch = chain
- st(s) = stitch(es)
- sc = single crochet
- dc = double crochet
- (sc, dc) = single crochet and double crochet worked in the same stitch
- skip 1 st – skipped stitches
Special Stitch – sc, dc ( single crochet and double crochet) All worked in the same stitch creates the pattern for the body and sleeves.
This is one of the BEST crochet stitch to use making a baby sweater or cardigan as it creates a nice close, and creates no holes in your work
Free Crochet Baby Cardigan Pattern Notes
- The cardigan is worked from the top down in rows to form a raglan yoke. The body is then worked flat, and the sleeves are worked in rows and seamed.
- Turning chains do not count as stitches unless noted.
- Increase stitches are made by working 3 stitches into the same space.
- For the textured body and sleeves, a repeating pattern of (sc, dc) in the same stitch, skip 1 is used.
- Work into the base of the turning ch when starting dc rows until the textured pattern begins.
Sweet Sugar Baby Cardigan (0–3 Months)
Crochet Pattern Starts HERE
Yoke
With 4.0 mm hook, ch 57. Switch to 3.5 Or if a tight crocheter, keep with the 4.00mm hook to continue.
Row 1:
Sc in 2nd ch from hook, sc in next 8 chs, (3 sc) in next ch, sc in next 6 chs, (3 sc) in next ch, sc in next 22 chs, (3 sc) in next ch, sc in next 6 chs, (3 sc) in next ch, sc in last 9 chs. Ch 2, turn. (64 sts)
Row 2:
Dc in base of ch 2, dc in next 9 sts, (3 dc) in next st, dc in next 8 sts, (3 dc) in next st, dc in next 24 sts, (3 dc) in next st, dc in next 8 sts, (3 dc) in next st, dc in last 10 sts. Ch 1, turn. (72 sts)
Row 3:
Sc in first 11 sts, (3 sc) in next st, sc in next 10 sts, (3 sc) in next st, sc in next 26 sts, (3 sc) in next st, sc in next 10 sts, (3 sc) in next st, sc in last 11 sts. Ch 2, turn. (80 sts)
Row 4:
Dc in first 12 sts, (3 dc) in next st, dc in next 12 sts, (3 dc) in next st, dc in next 28 sts, (3 dc) in next st, dc in next 12 sts, (3 dc) in next st, dc in last 12 sts. Ch 1, turn. (88 sts)
Row 5:
Sc in first 13 sts, (3 sc) in next st, sc in next 14 sts, (3 sc) in next st, sc in next 30 sts, (3 sc) in next st, sc in next 14 sts, (3 sc) in next st, sc in last 13 sts. Ch 2, turn. (96 sts)
Row 6:
Dc in first 14 sts, (3 dc) in next st, dc in next 16 sts, (3 dc) in next st, dc in next 32 sts, (3 dc) in next st, dc in next 16 sts, (3 dc) in next st, dc in last 14 sts. Ch 1, turn. (104 sts)
Row 7:
Sc in first 15 sts, (3 sc) in next st, sc in next 18 sts, (3 sc) in next st, sc in next 34 sts, (3 sc) in next st, sc in next 18 sts, (3 sc) in next st, sc in last 15 sts. Ch 1, turn. (112 sts)
Row 8:
Dc in first 16 sts, (3 dc) in next st, dc in next 20 sts, (3 dc) in next st, dc in next 36 sts, (3 dc) in next st, dc in next 20 sts, (3 dc) in next st, dc in last 16 sts. Ch 1, turn. (120 sts)
Divide for Armholes
Row 9:
Sc in first 18 sts, skip next 22 sts, sc in next 40 sts, skip next 22 sts, sc in last 18 sts. Ch 1, turn.
Body
Row 10:
(Sc, dc) in first st, skip 1 st; repeat from * to end, ch 1, turn.
Row 11:
Skip first st, (sc, dc) in next st, skip 1 st; repeat from * to end, finishing with (sc, dc) in last st. Ch 1, turn.
Repeat Row 11 for 10 more rows (12 rows total).
Switch to 4.0 mm hook at Row 16. Continue until body measures approx. 9½ in (24 cm), ending on the right side (RS) of work.
Do not fasten off.
Front & Neck Edging of the baby cardigan
Buttonhole Edging (Evenly Spaced on Yoke – 3 Buttons Total)
With a 4.00mm hook, join yarn at the bottom corner of the right front edge (for boys; left front for girls).
Row 1: Work slip st UP the sides of the front of the BODY of the row of single crochet evenly up the right front edge, TURN
POSITION MARKERS WHERE YOU WANT THE BUTTON HOLES TO BE: Buttonholes should sit near Row 1 (neckline), Row 4–5 (center), and Row 8 (just before armhole)
Row 2:
Sc in each stitch around and for the buttonholes at the makers
- Buttonholes: (ch 1, skip 1 st, sc in next few sts) × 3 (or whatever amount of Buttonholes you want on the cardigan)
- Working into the LOOPS facing you from the slip stitches, sc in the FLO, to the bottom. DO NOT FASTEN OFF, TURN
Opposite Side of Cardigan ROW 1: Sc in each stitch including a sc in each ch1 space, to the bottom, work 3 sc into the TOP of the cardigan and work sc evenly around the neck, 3sc on top of cardigan, sc in sides of yoke on opposite side and Slip stitch along the sides of the BODY of the cardigan, ch1 TURN
Row 2: sc in front loops of slips sts, sc in each sc of previous round, at end of ROW Ch1 TURN,
Row 3: sc in each stitch back down front of cardigan, working 3 sc into the bottom stitch, and work sc along the bottom edge of the Cardigan to next side, sl st to join. FASTEN off, weaving in ends.
Sleeves for the cardigan (Make 2)
Leaving a Long tail that you will use to sew the sleeve seams together.
Join yarn with 3.50 mm hook at the underarm.
Row 1:
Sc evenly around the armhole to make 26 sts. Ch 1, turn.
Row 2:
Sc and dc in base of ch-1, skip 1 st, (sc, dc) in next st; repeat from * around. End with sc , dc in last st. Ch 1, turn.
Repeat Row 2 for a total of 16 rows. DO not Fasten OFF, Return to the beginning long tail of sleeve and SEW the 2 sides together
Cuff (Worked in Rounds)
Return to the loop you left off and continue for cuff.
Round 1:
Ch1, Sc evenly around. Join with sl st.
Round 2:
Sc in next 4 sts, skip 1 st; repeat around. Join with sl st.
Round 3:
Sc in each st around. Fasten off.
Weave in all ends.
Finishing Options
- The pink cardigan shown is finished with just ONE simple sc edging around the neckline and fronts. with 3 buttons, or you can just use 1 button at the top neck like the white baby cardigan shown below
- You can customize with decorative buttons, contrasting edging, or ribbon ties.
Enjoy your beautiful handmade cardigan! If you do crochet the baby sweater cardigan and post on social media (especially IF you are selling finished items) I will share across my social media accounts. #lisaauchcrochet
Heres are some more of my crochet baby sweaters in different sizes, perfect for a little girl or a boy. All of these Baby crochet pattern are available for free on my website.
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