Free Crochet Baby Cardigan Pattern (0–3 Months) with Matching baby hat Pattern
Soft, sweet, and stitched with love, the Sugarplum Baby Cardigan with matching baby hat pattern is the perfect outer layer for little ones aged 0–3 months.
Designed with simplicity in mind, this beginner-friendly pattern works up quickly and effortlessly, making it ideal for last-minute gifts or those precious naptime projects.
Or to crochet a baby shower gift, using basic crochet stitches
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The Easy Baby Cardigan sweater is worked seamlessly from the top down with basic half double crochet stitches and absolutely no seaming required.
The cardigan made in the Aran weight is a lovely cosy cardigan. Keeping baby warm and cosy.
If you want to crochet a lighter newborn cardigan in DK weight yarn for those smaller babies, or warmer months, then I suggest you visit Megans NewBorn, and 0-3 months baby Cardigan Pattern HERE
Table of contents
Finished Size Of the Cardigan for Baby
Why You’ll Love This Baby Cardigan Pattern
- Easy-to-follow instructions – ideal for beginners
- Seamless yoke construction
- Worked top down in one piece
- Sleeves are now worked in the round for a better fit
- Perfect for Aran weight yarn in any color combo
- This is a Great baby cardigan for boys – just switch up the colors in this for your crochet cardigan baby!
Sizes:
- To fit: 0–3 months
- Baby Chest: approx. 16–17 inches, makes this the perfect cardigan size for baby cardigan.
- Length: 8–9 inches from neckline to hem
- Sleeve length: approx. 5-6 inches
Notes:
- Chest is the actual body measurement; the cardigan should be slightly wider for comfort and ease of movement — about 1–2 inches of positive ease. So measure the piece when you have created the armholes.
- Sleeve length is measured from the underarm to the wrist.
- Cardigan length is measured from the shoulder to the hem.
Materials
- Just over 175g of aran yarn weight
- 5.00mm crochet hook (US size 7 / G) I am an extremely loose crocheter so consider going UP a hook size
- Yarn / tapestry needle
- Scissors
- tape measure
- stitch markers
- Optional: Buttons (I used 4) or ribbon ties
Gauge
- Gauge: Approx. 14 hdc = 4″ (10 cm)
Always check your gauge! Adjust your hook size if needed for this crochet baby cardigan pattern.
Stitches & Abbreviations (US Terms)
- ch – chain
- hdc – half double crochet
- sl st – slip stitch
- sc – single crochet
- st(s) – stitch(es)
- 3hdc – 3 half double crochets in the same stitch (increase)
- Ch 2 at the beginning of a row does not count as a stitch
Each raglan increase adds 2 stitches (3 hdc into 1 stitch) × 4 = 8 stitches total increase per row.
This structure builds the yoke with raglan shaping perfectly.
The FREE Crochet Cardigan Pattern Starts HERE
Ch 40.
Row 1: Hdc in 3rd ch from hook and in each ch across. (38 hdc) Turn.
Row 2: Ch 2 (does not count as a stitch), hdc in next 6 sts, 3hdc in next st (raglan increase), hdc 5, 3hdc in next st (raglan increase), hdc 12, 3hdc in next st (raglan increase), hdc 5, 3hdc in next st (raglan increase), hdc 6; turn (46sts)
Row 3:
Ch 2, hdc 7, 3hdc in next st, hdc 7, 3hdc in next st, hdc 14, 3 hdc in next st, hdc 7, 3hdc in next st, hdc 7sts
(54 sts) Turn
Row 4: Ch 2, hdc in next 8, 3hdc in next st, hdc in next 9, 3 hdc in next st, hdc in next 16, 3 hdc in next st, hdc in next 9, 3 hdc in next st, hdc in last 8sts (62 sts) Turn
Row 5: Ch 2, hdc in next 9, 3hdc in next st, hdc in next 11, 3hdc in next st, hdc in next 18, 3hdc in next st, hdc in next 11, 3hdc in next st, hdc in last 9sts (70 sts) Turn
Row 6: Ch 2, hdc in next 10, 3hdc in next st, hdc in next 13, 3hdc in next st, hdc in next 20sts, 3hdc in next st, hdc in next 13, 3hdc in next st, hdc in last 10sts.(78 sts) Turn.
Row 7: Ch 2, hdc in next 11, 3hdc in next st, hdc in next 15, 3hdc in next st, hdc in next 22sts, 3hdc in next st, hdc in next 15, 3hdc in next st, hdc in last 11sts.(86 sts) Turn.
Row 8: Ch 2, hdc in next 12, 3hdc in next st, hdc in next 17, 3hdc in next st, hdc in next 24sts, 3hdc in next st, hdc in next 17, 3hdc in next st, hdc in last 12sts.(94 sts) Turn.
Row 9: Ch 2, hdc in next 13, 3hdc in next st, hdc in next 19, 3hdc in next st, hdc in next 26sts, 3hdc in next st, hdc in next 19, 3hdc in next st, hdc in last 13sts.(102 sts) Turn.
Row 10: Ch 2, hdc in next 14, skip the next 22sts, hdc in next 30sts, skip the next 22sts, hdc in last 14sts. Turn. (58 sts)
Body – Worked Even in Rows
Row 11: Ch 2, hdc across. (58 sts)
Rows 13– until 8-9 inches: Repeat Row 12 ( I had 23 ROWS in total). If using a contrasting colour, Fasten off HERE; if using the same color for edging, you will continue to finish the edge.
Sleeves:
NOTES: For the FIRST 5 ROUNDS, always start the HDC into the base of ch,
Rnd 6 onwards Always make the FIRST hdc in the next st, not in the base of chain, you will slst to join to the ch2 at start, TURN work and work the next row effectively decreasing 1 stitch per round. until arm length is achieved
Row 1- Row 5: Join to underarm (ensuring you are working in the opposite direction of the last row of sleeves at the armhole), ch2. hdc evenly around the sleeve, slst to join, TURN (25sts)
Row 5-13: Ch 2, hdc in next stitch, around, slst to join, TURN, Check arm length HERE (at Least 6 inches)
Row 14: sc in each stitch around, slst to join
Repeat for the other sleeve.
Border & Finishing your baby cardigan
- continue working if you are Using the same yarn or , Join yarn at the lower corner of the front edge, contrasting color
- Button holes, Use a marker to place where you want the buttonholes to be. When you reach these marker, Ch2 ,and continue Working 1 round of sc evenly around the front opening and neckline. Work 3 sc in each corner to keep edges flat with this pattern for your crochet cardigan baby.
- I worked 1 ROW along the bottom of the cardigan.
- Optional: Add an applique or ribbon tie for closure.
- Weave in all ends and block lightly if needed.
Easy Crochet Baby Hat to Match the Cardigan (FREE PATTERN)
You can add a contrasting colour to the brim or continue in thesame colour.
Simple Crochet Baby Hat Pattern (0–3 Months)
Yarn: Aran weight yarn
Hook: 5.0 mm crochet hook (or size needed to meet gauge)
Gauge: Approx. 14 hdc = 4″ (10 cm)
Finished Size: 13.5–14″ circumference, 5.5″ height (fits 0–3 months)
Stitches Used (US terms):
- ch – chain
- sl st – slip stitch
- hdc – half double crochet
- hdc blo – half double crochet in back loop only
Pattern Notes:
- Hat is worked in joined rows. At the end of each round, you’ll slip stitch to join and turn to work back in the opposite direction.
- Begin with 11 hdc and increase evenly until 44 stitches are reached.
- Once 44 stitches are reached, continue without increasing until the hat measures approx. 5.5 inches tall.
- The brim is worked in back loops only for 1 round, followed by 2 rounds of regular hdc.
Crown & Body
Row 1: Ch 2 (does not count as a stitch here and throughout), work 11 hdc in second ch from hook. Sl st to first hdc to join. Turn. (11 hdc)
Row 2: Ch 2, 2 hdc in each stitch around. Sl st to join. Turn. (22 hdc)
Row 3: Ch 2, hdc in next st, 2 hdc in next st; repeat from * to * around. Sl st to join. Turn. (33 hdc)
Row 4: Ch 2, hdc in next 2 sts, 2 hdc in next st; repeat from * to * around. Sl st to join. Turn. (44 hdc)
Rows 5– until hat height = 5.5 inches: Ch 2, hdc in each stitch around. Sl st to join. Turn.
Repeat this round until the hat measuresapproximatelyx. 5.5 inches in height from crown to edge.
Fold Up Brim for Baby Hat
Next Round (Back Loops Only): Ch 2, hdc in the back loop only of each stitch around. Sl st to join. Turn. (44 hdc blo)
Next 2 Rounds: Ch 2, hdc in each stitch around. Sl st to join. Turn. (44 hdc)
Fasten off an weave in all ends,
More Free Crochet Baby Patterns
Easy Baby Hat Pattern – Free & Newborn Friendly
Crochet Baby Booties with DK Yarn – Free Pattern
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