A crochet baby cardigan pattern for 6–12 months needs to be practical, durable, and comfortable for active babies who are starting to move, crawl, and explore.
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As babies become more active, a crochet cardigan needs to move with them while still providing a comfortable, secure fit.
The free crochet baby cardigan pattern is designed with that in mind, using a simple top-down construction that allows for easy adjustments as your baby grows.
Worked in one piece with basic stitches and classic raglan shaping, this pattern is beginner-friendly while still creating a polished, wearable finish.
The result is a soft, flexible cardigan that’s perfect for layering in everyday use.
All Sizes of the Double Crochet Baby Cardigan worked in DK Yarn and a 4.00mm crochet hook are Available
This simple baby cardigan crochet pattern is available in multiple sizes, so you can make the perfect fit as your baby grows:
Larger sizes include the 12-18 months baby cardigan pattern, and 18- 24 months cardigan pattern for a toddler
This Baby Cardigan pattern is Designed for the 6–12 Months Stage
At this age, babies are more active, so this cardigan is designed to:
Allow free arm movement
Sit comfortably without riding up
Layer easily over baby clothes
Finished Size of the easy Baby Cardigan 6-12 months
Measurement
6–12 Months
Chest (around)
19 in
Center Back Neck to Wrist
13 in
Back Waist Length
7.25 in
Cross Back
8.5 in
Shoulder to Shoulder
8.5 in
Arm Length to Underarm
7.5 in
Armhole Depth
4.25 in
Sleeve Width
6.25 in
Length of Cardigan
12 in
The 6-12 months baby Cardigan is worked from the TOP DOWN, raglan style, and the sleeves are worked directly onto the armholes created. You can have as many buttons as you wish, just make sure you place markers along the front edging before starting to mark where you want to create the buttonhole.
ABBREVIATIONS (US TERMS)
ch – chain
sl st – slip stitch
sc – single crochet
dc – double crochet
3dc – work 3dc stitches into specified stitch
st(s) – stitch(es)
sp – space
sk – skip
rep – repeat
rnd – round
RS – right side
WS – wrong side
Materials
Crochet Hook 4.00mm hook
YARN DK yarn 100Grms
Small button (or you can have multiple buttons, just remember to create the button holes up the right side for boys or girls.
Markers (for positioning buttonhole loops)
Cardigan Ch 63,
ROW 1: dc in 4th ch from hook, dc in the next 8ch sts (Front), 3dc in next ch, dc in the next 9ch sts (Shoulder), 3dc in next ch, 1dc in the next 20ch sts (Back), 3dc in next ch, dc in the next 9ch sts (Shoulder), 3dc in next ch, 1dc in the next 9ch sts (Front) Turn. (68 dc ).
ROW 2: Ch3, dc in the next 9sts, 3dc in next ch, dc in the next 11 sts, 3dc in next ch, 1dc in the next 22sts, 3dc in next ch, dc in the next 11sts, 3dc in next ch, 1dc in the next 10sts, Turn.
ROW 3: Ch3, dc in the next 10sts, 3dc in next ch, dc in the next 13sts, 3dc in next ch, 1dc in the next 24sts, 3dc in next ch, dc in the next 13sts, 3dc in next ch, 1dc in the next 11sts, Turn.
ROW 4: Ch3, dc in the next 11sts, 3dc in next ch, dc in the next 15sts, 3dc in next ch, 1dc in the next 26sts, 3dc in next ch, dc in the next 15sts, 3dc in next ch, 1dc in the next 12sts, Turn.
ROW 5: Ch3, dc in the next 12sts, 3dc in next ch, dc in the next 17sts, 3dc in next ch, 1dc in the next 28sts, 3dc in next ch, dc in the next 17sts, 3dc in next ch, 1dc in the next 13sts, Turn.
Row 6: Ch3, dc in the next 13sts, 3dc in next ch, dc in the next 19sts, 3dc in next ch, 1dc in the next 30sts, 3dc in next ch, dc in the next 19sts, 3dc in next ch, 1dc in the next 14sts, Turn.
ROW 7: Ch3, dc in the next 14sts, 3dc in next ch, dc in the next 21sts, 3dc in next ch, 1dc in the next 32sts, 3dc in next ch, dc in the next 21sts, 3dc in next ch, 1dc in the next 15sts, Turn.
ROW 8: Ch3, dc in the next 15sts, 3dc in next ch, dc in the next 23sts, 3dc in next ch, 1dc in the next 34sts, 3dc in next ch, dc in the next 23sts, 3dc in next ch, 1dc in the next 16sts, Ch3 Turn. (124 sts)
ROW 9: On this Row, you are going to create the Armholes.
ch3, 1dc in next 16 dc, ch2, skip next 25 sts, 1dc in each of next 38sts, ch2, skip next 25sts, dc in each st to end. (78sts)
Row 10: Ch3, dc in each stitch, TURN
Row 11: Repeat Row 10 until work measures approximately 12 inches 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: Ch 3, dc into the base of the chain, and dc in each st around, Slip stitch to Join, TURN
Rnd 5: 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 6: to Rnd 12: Repeat Rnd 5
Row 13: Ch1, 1sc in each dc to end, sl st to first sc. do not turn
Row 14: Ch1, 1sc in each dc to end, sl st to first sc. FASTEN OFF. Weave in ends
Lisa Auch – Crochet Pattern Designer LisaAuch is a professional crochet designer with over twenty years of experience creating beginner-friendly baby crochet patterns that transform simple stitches into timeless, wearable designs. With a background in visual arts and education, she combines creativity with teaching skill to make her instructions clear, practical, and easy for beginners to follow.
Since founding Lisa Auch Crochet in 2011, she has built a fantastic resourse for free crochet patterns specializing in baby clothes, hats, bonnets, booties, blankets, and accessories. Her baby crochet hat patterns free are among her most popular designs, loved for their classic style and reliable fit.
Today, Lisa is recognized as a leading voice in the crochet community. She continues to publish new patterns, step-by-step tutorials, and educational resources, helping crocheters of every level build confidence while keeping the traditions of crochet alive.
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