Newborn Baby Cardigan FREE Pattern
The Star is Born Newborn Baby crochet Cardigan is a timeless design, made to fit snugly on brand-new babies when store-bought outfits are still too big.
Worked top-down in a classic raglan style, this pattern features a simple single crochet yoke paired with the delicate texture of the star stitch on the body and sleeves.
This newborn crochet cardigan is not only a beautiful crocheted keepsake, but also a practical choice for those wanting to crochet something with a little extra love and texture for a new baby.
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Table of contents
I originally designed this tiny cardigan for my friend’s daughter who had twins and when her babies arrived, even the smallest store-bought clothes were too big, so I picked up my hook and made this snug-fitting cardigan—and it turned out just right.
The result is a timeless baby cardigan that looks delicate but holds up well for everyday wear—a thoughtful handmade gift that’s both practical and precious.
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See the Full Pattern details Page HERE
Materials you will need to crochet the Simple baby Cardigan
How much yarn will you need to crochet the baby cardigan?
I used just under 100grms of Double Knit /light worsted and a 4.50 mm crochet hook (US G6 and Light Worsted) – you can crochet the matching bonnet with 100grms ball of yarn.
- The finished chest size is 16 inches around. (newborn)
- OR for a slightly bigger baby cardigan a 4.50mm crochet hook with Aran weight / worsted approx 20 inches around
- 3 small buttons
- tapestry/yarn needle
Skill Level: Intermediate or Easy if you have worked with the Star Stitch before.
Measurements:
The Cardigan will fit the Newborn to fit 16 inches with ease around the chest.
Abbreviations:
ch = chain, sc = single crochet, hdc = half double crochet
st(s) = stitch (es)
Special Stitches:
How to Crochet the Star Stitch
Each complete star stitch is formed by pulling through five stitches together. Pay close attention to where the yarn is pulled through to shape the eye of the star. On a star stitch row, the initial chain of three counts as part of the first star stitch.
The star stitch is typically worked in multiples of 2 + 2 stitches. This means for each star you create, you need two stitches, plus an additional two stitches to maintain the pattern balance. If you’re starting with a foundation chain, you may need to add two extra chains to ensure the first row works properly.
How to Work a Full Star Stitch Pattern 2 ROW repeat
- Insert hook into the eye of the last stitch, pull up a loop (2 loops on hook).
- Insert hook into the last diagonal loop of the previous star stitch, yarn over, and pull through (3 loops on hook).
- Insert hook into the base of the last star stitch, yarn over, and pull through (4 loops on hook).
- Insert hook into the next stitch, yarn over, and pull through (5 loops on hook).
- Insert hook into the following stitch, yarn over, and pull through (6 loops on hook).
- Yarn over and pull through all six loops on the hook, then chain 1 to form the eye of the star.
Repeat these steps across the row. Secure the last stitch of the row with a slip stitch, then chain 1 to transition to the next row.
Row 2: Completing the Star Stitch Pattern
- Work 2 half double crochet (hdc) stitches into each star eye from the previous row.
- Finish the row by working 2 hdc into the last star eye and 1 hdc into the final stitch for a clean edge.
Notes: Read Pattern instructions carefully before starting
The main raglan top down of the crochet baby cardigan is made in simple single crochet stitches, with increaces at each corner
- In last worked star of every row, replace the ch1 (eye) with a half double crochet HDC
- Chain 2 on the half double crochet row of star stitch does NOT count as a stitch.
- Always finish the HDC row with 1 hdc into the last star’s eye, and hdc into the top of the previous row chain to secure.
- Chain 3 on the star stitch row counts as part of the first star stitch.
Newborn Baby Cardigan Crochet Pattern
Written using US crochet terms
Starting at Yoke / Neck
Ch 43,
Row 1: sc in 2nd chain from hook and in each chain, ch1 turn.(42sts)
Row 2: Ch1, sc in the first 7 sts, 3 sc in next st, sc in next 5 sts, 3sc in next st, sc in next 14 sts, 3sc in next sts, sc in next 5 sts, 3sc in next st, sc in last 7 sts. Turn (50)
Row 3:Ch1, sc in the first 8sts, 3sc in next st, sc in next 7sts, 3sc in next st, sc in next 16 sts 3sc in next st,sc in next 7 sts, 3sc in next sts, sc in last 8 sts. Turn (58)
Row 4: Ch1, sc in the first 9sts, 3sc in next st, sc in next 9 sts, 3sc in next st, sc in next 18 sts 3sc in next st,sc in next 9 sts, 3sc in next sts sc in last 9 sts. Turn (66)
Row 5: Ch1, sc in the first 10sts, 3sc in next st, sc in next 11 sts, 3sc in next st, sc in next 20 sts, 3sc in next st,sc in next 11 sts, 3sc in next sts, sc in last 10sts. Turn (74)
Row 6: Ch1, sc in the first 11sts, 3sc in next st, sc in next 13 sts, 3sc in next st, sc in next 22sts, 3sc in next st,sc in next 13 sts, 3sc in next sts, sc in last 11 sts. Turn (82)
Row 7: Ch1, sc in the first 12sts, 3sc in next st, sc in next 15 sts, 3sc in next st, sc in next 24 sts, 3sc in next st,sc in next 15sts, 3sc in next sts, sc in last 12 sts. Turn (90)
Row 8: Ch1, sc in the first 13sts, 3sc in next st, sc in next 17 sts, 3sc in next st, sc in next 26 sts, 3sc in next st,sc in next 17sts, 3sc in next sts, sc in last 13 sts. Turn (98)
Row 9: Ch1, sc in the first 14sts, 3sc in next st, sc in next 19 sts, 3sc in next st, sc in next 28 sts, 3sc in next st,sc in next 19sts, 3sc in next sts, sc in last 14sts. Turn (106)
Row 10: Ch1, sc in the first 15sts, 3sc in next st, sc in next 21 sts, 3sc in next st, sc in next 30 sts, 3sc in next st, sc in next 21sts, 3sc in next sts, sc in last 15sts. Turn (114)
Row 11: Ch1,sc in the first 16sts, 3sc in next st, sc in next 23 sts, 3sc in next st, sc in next 32 sts, 3sc in next st,sc in next 23sts, 3sc in next sts, sc in last 16sts. Turn (122)
(you are going to skip stitches to make the armholes here)
Row12: ch1, sc in the first 18 sts, ch4, skip 25 sts, sc in next 36 sts, ch4, skip 25sts, sc in last 18sts ch3, turn. (80sts)
Row 13: ch4, complete 1 whole star stitch as described in special stitches above, and work in star st evenly across, to create 39 whole stars, finishing with a hdc in last eye, (Do not chain1) and a HDC in the top of chain from previous row
Row 14: ch2, 2hdc in each eye of previous rows star, (80 hdc) 1hdc in last eye, and sc intoto top of previous rounds ch to finish.
Row 15 to Row 25:
Repeat rows 13 and 14 finishing with row 13 to give a lacy edge.
Do Not Fasten off but turn work and now you will single crochet evenly along the front sides and neck edge,
BORDER Simple option
Simple border: You can just work evenly in a single crochet up the side – along the top of the neck and back down the opposite side, working 3 sc sts into the corners.
NOTING BUTTONHOLE PLACEMENTS! – (use stitch markers to identify on the side you are making the buttonholes
On the Right side loops for girl, left side loops for boy – you will create small loop button holes { sc,ch1,} in one stitch (3 times) evenly spaced along the single crochet Rows.
Border Option 2:
Some of our eagle-eyed readers have noted my different finishing on the cream cardigan *** I like to work on each side separately, although this means more weaving in of endings
Row 1: slip stitch UP the outer side of the cardigan, chain 1 TURN.
Row 2: single crochet back down the slips stitches just made by working into the front loops of the slip stitches.
And create the Buttonholes on the side required by working a
Row 3: Sc in each stitch however NOTE buttonhole placements. On the Right side loops for girl, left side loops for boy – you will create small loop button holes { sc,ch1,} in one stitch (3 times) evenly spaced along the single crochet Rows.
Then I will work single crochet row around the Neck piece.
Fastening off and Weaving in ends neatly
Sleeves:
Join yarn middle of under arm and
Row 1: chain 3 to start star stitch Row. Work 16 stars, use the slip st to make the last pull through of star, DO NOT CH1 TO CLOSE LAST STAR ST, SLIP TO JOIN TO TOP OF BEGINNING CHAIN, Ch2, turn. (15 stars created)
Row 2: Work 2 hdc in each eye of previous rows, star eye, to end, sl st to join TURN
Repeat Rows 1 and 2 until 11 rows complete, finishing with a Row 1 (or until approx 5.5 inches from shoulder)
Fasten off and leave a long tail to sew the seams of the sleeves together. Fasten off and weave in ends neatly.
Finishing: sew buttons securely into position
Care Instructions: Hand wash or wash on cool setting. Leave to dry.
I personally love the Star Stitch and have Free Crochet Patterns available to make a crochet baby’s blanket and bonnet using this easy decorative stitch
