Free Crochet Baby Cardigan Pattern 12–18 Months (Easy)
A crochet baby cardigan pattern for 12–18 months is designed to fit active toddlers, offering a comfortable and durable layer for everyday wear.
At the toddler stage, clothing needs to keep up with constant movement, making a practical and flexible crochet cardigan a must-have.
This free crochet baby cardigan pattern for 12–18 months is worked top-down in one piece using basic stitches, making it easy to follow for beginners.
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It features classic raglan shaping and minimal seaming, creating a soft, comfortable cardigan that holds its shape through daily use.
The finished design is slightly roomier than smaller sizes, allowing for easy layering over clothing while still maintaining a neat, well-fitted look.
Why This Crochet Baby Cardigan Pattern Works
- ✔ Beginner-friendly using simple stitches
- ✔ Minimal seaming with top-down construction
- ✔ Designed for active toddlers in the 12–18 months stage
- ✔ Slightly roomier fit for layering and movement
Other Size Options for the Simple Crochet Baby Cardigan
For smaller sizes, you can follow the tiny baby crochet cardigan pattern or the newborn crochet baby cardigan pattern.
You can also make this design using the 0–3 months crochet baby cardigan pattern for a smaller fit. 6-12 months cardigan pattern
Larger Baby Cardigan patterns to fit, 12-18 months, 18-24 months toddler,
Designed for the 12–18 Month Stage
At this stage, babies are more active and need clothing that:
- Allows full movement for crawling and walking
- Stays in place during play
- Layers comfortably over everyday outfits
⭐ 12–18 Months Baby Cardigan Size Chart
- Chest 20–21 inches
- Center Back Neck to Wrist 14 inches
- Back Waist Length 8 inches
- Cross Back 9 inches
- Shoulder to Shoulder 9 inches
- Arm Length to Underarm 8.5 inches
- Armhole Depth 4.75 inches
- Sleeve Width 6.75 inches
- Length of Cardigan 13 inches
Ch 69,
ROW 1: dc in 4th ch from hook, dc in the next 9ch sts (Front), 3dc in next ch, dc in the next 10 ch sts (Shoulder), 3dc in next ch, 1dc in the next 22ch sts (Back), 3dc in next ch, dc in the next 10ch sts (Shoulder), 3dc in next ch, 1dc in the next 10ch sts (Front) Turn. (74 dc ).
ROW 2: Ch3, dc in the next 10sts, 3dc in next ch, dc in the next 12 sts, 3dc in next ch, 1dc in the next 24sts, 3dc in next ch, dc in the next 12sts, 3dc in next ch, 1dc in the next 11 sts, Turn. (82sts)
ROW 3: Ch3, dc in the next 11sts, 3dc in next ch, dc in the next 14sts, 3dc in next ch, 1dc in the next 26sts, 3dc in next ch, dc in the next 14sts, 3dc in next ch, 1dc in the next 12sts, Turn.
ROW 4: Ch3, dc in the next 12sts, 3dc in next ch, dc in the next 16sts, 3dc in next ch, 1dc in the next 28sts, 3dc in next ch, dc in the next 16sts, 3dc in next ch, 1dc in the next 13sts, Turn.
ROW 5: Ch3, dc in the next 13sts, 3dc in next ch, dc in the next 18sts, 3dc in next ch, 1dc in the next 30sts, 3dc in next ch, dc in the next 18sts, 3dc in next ch, 1dc in the next 14sts, Turn.
Row 6: Ch3, dc in the next 14sts, 3dc in next ch, dc in the next 20sts, 3dc in next ch, 1dc in the next 32sts, 3dc in next ch, dc in the next 20sts, 3dc in next ch, 1dc in the next 15sts, Turn.
ROW 7: Ch3, dc in the next 15sts, 3dc in next ch, dc in the next 22sts, 3dc in next ch, 1dc in the next 34sts, 3dc in next ch, dc in the next 22sts, 3dc in next ch, 1dc in the next 16sts, Turn.
ROW 8: Ch3, dc in the next 16sts, 3dc in next ch, dc in the next 24sts, 3dc in next ch, 1dc in the next 36sts, 3dc in next ch, dc in the next 24sts, 3dc in next ch, 1dc in the next 17sts, Ch3 Turn. (130 sts)
ROW 9: On this Row, you are going to create the Armholes.
ch3, 1dc in next 18dc, ch2, skip next 26 sts, 1dc in each of next 40sts, ch2, skip next 26sts, dc in each st to end. (82sts)
Row 10: Ch3, dc in each stitch, TURN (82sts)
Row 11: Repeat Row 10 until work measures approx 12 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: Ch 3, dc into the base of the chain, and dc in each st around, Slip stitch to Join, TURN
Rnd 5: Ch 3, dc into the base of the chain, and dc in each st around, Slip stitch to Join, TURN
Rnd 6: Ch 3, dc into the base of the chain, and dc in each st around, Slip stitch to Join, TURN
Rnd 7: Ch 3, dc into the base of the chain, and dc in each st around, Slip stitch to Join, TURN Rnd 8: 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 9: to Rnd 14: Repeat Rnd 5
Row 15: Ch1, 1sc in each dc to end, sl st to first sc. Turn. Row 16: Ch1, 1sc in each dc to end, sl st to first sc. FASTEN OFF. Weave in ends
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
- 18–24 Months Crochet Baby Cardigan Pattern
