Easy FREE Baby Cardigan Crochet Pattern for 0–3 Months
An easy baby cardigan crochet pattern is a simple sweater worked with basic stitches and minimal shaping.
This free crochet pattern for the cardigan is worked top-down for 0–3 months using beginner-friendly stitches like double crochet.
I’ve designed several baby cardigan patterns over the years, and the simple top-down sweaters remain the easiest starting point for beginners.
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They crochet up quickly, require very little sewing.
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Why This Is an Easy Baby Cardigan Pattern
When people first start crocheting clothing, baby garments are the best place to begin.
Baby cardigans are small, quick to finish, and use very simple construction, and basic crochet stitches.
This pattern was designed to beginner friendly because it uses:
- Basic double crochet stitches
- A simple top-down construction
- Minimal shaping
- No complicated sewing
You start at the neckline and crochet downward to form the yoke, body, and sleeves.
That means you can try the cardigan on a baby as you go, which is how traditional crochet baby sweaters have been made for generations.
Skill Level – EASY – Pattern Notes
- 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
- in your preferred color choices Baby Double Knit (DK) #4 yarn – approx. 100g (Example used: standard baby DK yarn)
- Crochet hook:
- 3.5 mm Crochet Hook (for body)
- 4.0 mm (for foundation chain and optional for larger size)
- 3 small buttons
- Yarn / tapestry needle
- Stitch markers (optional)
Abbreviations (US Crochet 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
How Top-Down Baby Cardigans Work
Top-down crochet sweaters are one of the easiest garment styles to make.
Instead of crocheting separate pieces and sewing them together, the sweater is worked from the neckline downward.
The yoke increases create space for:
- Front panels
- Back panel
- Sleeves
Once the yoke is finished, the sleeves are separated and the body continues in rows.
This technique is widely used in modern crochet baby cardigan patterns because it is simple and easy to adjust.
NOTES : For the Free Crochet Baby Cardigan Pattern
- 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 Pattern (0–3 Months)
Finished Size of the baby cardigan
Designed to fit 0–3 month babies
Approximate finished measurements:
- Chest: 16–18 inches
- Length: 9–10 inches
Crochet Pattern Full Instructions
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 Edge 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
This easy crochet baby cardigan pattern is a great first garment project. The simple stitches and top-down construction make it beginner friendly while still creating a classic baby sweater.
Once you’ve made one, you’ll quickly see why crochet baby cardigans remain one of the most popular handmade baby gifts.
The Christies Baby Blanket is a lovely easy baby blanket that will create a beautiful set for a new baby,
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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