Free Crochet Pattern For Newborn Baby Cardigan (Megans Easy Crochet Cardigan)

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I Originally made Megans Newborn Cardigan pattern for my daughter’s newborn preemie baby boy which fitted perfectly, just out of the hospital, when everything else seemed to drown them.

I have crocheted this newborn baby cardigan pattern for my grandson, and found over the years it has hands down been the most requested gift to crochet for a newborn, usually made with a little matching crochet baby hat and booties pattern 

We used the little cardigan sweater jacket on top of a little all-in-one vest, and an all-in-one soft cotton romper suit. Finished off with a little cardigan hat and booties Set. See Pic Below.

Megan’s newborn baby cardigan pattern was one of the very first newborn patterns I ever wrote. So it remains Special to me.

I have crocheted this baby cardigan so many times, with many types of yarn and hooks.

I have also found mums who want to choose their own yarn! So I will give you SEVERAL ideas of different sizes you can crochet the cardigan with bigger hooks and yarn.

When I am asked to crochet a cardigan for a newborn. Normally I would crochet a baby jacket in the 0-3 months size.

I would also like to direct you to the Harper 101 Crochet Baby Cardigan, hat, and booties Baby set 0- 3 months. 

The Baby Cardigan Hat and Booties are ALL free Crochet Patterns on my website
BABY HAT
BOOTIES PATTERN
BABY CARDIGAN

Megan’s baby cardigan is one of those easy crochet patterns that are now imprinted in my memory and I just find myself making it time and time again.

 NOTE: If adjusting the size: just ensure you reach the Measurements I have provided for the crocheted baby sweater pattern noting changes.

Whether making the cardigan for a Preemie or a  Newborn Baby.

How to Crochet a Cardigan for Beginners Step By Step – Use the video to keep you on track whilst crocheting the cardigan

Baby Cardigan Basic Construction.

The Cardigan is worked from the Neck DOWN, although you will need a tapestry needle/yarn needle there is minimal sewing, as the sleeves are raglan style and you will work the sleeves straight onto the armholes created at the end of the increacing.

When you create the last row of the border ensure you are working the piece Right Side.

I’m going to be honest have given up with gauge, I always get the gauge right but then when making something I go completely off tension! So I have provided measurements for the baby cardigan so please make sure you’re hitting the measurements for size to fit.

Preemie Crochet CARDIGAN PATTERN PREEMIE size to fit approx 5+ lbs

HOOK SIZE to use – If you use a 4.00 mm hook your chest measurement will be 14 inches, I suggest going to the SMALL BABY Pattern Below if you require it a bit bigger

#If you use a 4.5mm hook and Double knit yarn will give you a measurement of approximately 15 inches around the chest  (I crochet extremely loosely please check CHEST measurement at ROWS where you add the armpits = Chest Circumference)

Abbreviations Used Throughout the Patterns US termsCh = chain
Sc =single crochet
Sc2tog = work 2 single crochet together (decrease)
Dc = double crochet
2dctog – Work 2 Double Crochet Sts together
Rep = repeat
St = stitch
Sl st = slip stitch.

The Starting  Chain should be loosely made

TO START: Chain 37(neck )

(If you know how to do a standing double crochet this helps eliminate the gap created by the chain 3)

Row 1: Dc in 3rd ch from hook,  and Dc in next 4chs, 3dc in next st, (corner made), dc in next 5 sts, 3dc in next ch, (corner made), dc in the next 11sts, 3dc in the next ch,(corner made) dc in the next 5 sts, 3 dc in the next ch, (corner made) dc in last  5  sts turn. (43sts)

Row 2: ch 3, dc in next 5 sts, 3dc in next st, dc in next 7 sts, 3dc in next st, dc in next 13 ch, 3dc in next ch, dc in next 7sts, 3dc in next, dc in last  6 sts. Turn. (51sts)

Row 3: ch 3, dc in next 6sts, 3dc in next ch, dc in next 9 sts, 3 dc in next ch,dc in next 15 sts, 3 dc in next st, dc in next 9 sts, 3 dc in next ch, dc in last 7 sts. Turn. (59sts)

Row 4: ch 3, dc in next  7sts, 3dc in next ch, dc in next 11 sts, 3 dc in next ch, dc in next 17 sts, 3 dc in next st, dc in next 11 sts, 3 dc in next ch, dc in last  8sts. Turn. (67sts)

Row 5: ch 3, dc in next 8sts,  3dc in next ch, dc in next 13 sts, 3 dc in next ch, dc in next 19 sts, 3dc in next st, dc in next 13 sts, 3dc in next ch, dc in last  9 sts. turn. (75sts)

Row 6: ch2, 1dc in next 9 sts, 3dc in next dc, 1dc in next 15sts, 3dc in next dc, 1dc in next 21sts, 3dc in next dc, dc in next 15sts, 3dc in next dc, 1dc in last 10sts  turn. (83sts)

You will now create the Armholes

Row 7: Ch2, 1dc in next 10 sts  ch4, SKIP the next 18sts, dc in the next 24sts, ch4, skip 17sts, dc in next 11sts, turn. (53 sts )

Row 8: Ch3,  dc in each dc and each chain across. ch 2, turn.

Rows 9 to 14: or (until Length at least 7+ inches is achieved)   Ch2, dc in each dc across. Turn

BORDER NOTES:

The  EASIEST BORDER of the cardigan is simply made by working sc evenly around the edges of the cardigan. Either in the same color or join a contrasting color.

Pay special attention to creating buttonholes on the side of the cardigan for girls or boys.

YOu will Create the buttonhole loops on the chosen sides by (sc, ch 2, sc in next st)  and Working 3 sc into the CORNER stitches, (this helps to keep them laying flat, put 3 sc in last st of the neck, sc across bottom of the sweater,  2sc in last st and join to first sc. finish off.

GIRLS Buttons Band( I usually just make 1 Buttonhole at the top of the neck opening)

ROW 1: ch1, 1sc in same st as ch1, working UP right front, Evenly space 3 x  ( sc ch1 sc = buttonhole made  ) loops. Fasten off

Alternative BOYS Button band for Boys

Row 1: ch1, 1sc in same st as ch1, working DOWN LEFT, create the button hole loops   Evenly spaced by working 3 x( sc ch1 sc = buttonhole made) loops. Fasten off

NOTE: you can make a border of 3 single crochet ROWS by working up and down the fronts and neck, making your buttonholes on the 2nd ROW.

SLEEVES

•  Join yarn to center stitch at the bottom of the armhole, and pick up evenly around the Armhole. Make sure you work in the opposite direction of the last row of sleeves (ROW 6 skipped sts) you can work the sleeves in alternate rows, back and forward by, slip st to join, ch2, TURN, Or  you can work them all in the round with a Slst to join, ch2  and no turn
• Make 1 dc into the POST of the Last ROW at the side of the armhole as you work around.  Work 8 rows of DC around. As follows

Join Yarn in ANY underarm st.

Rnd 1 to Rnd 8:  *Ch2, skip 1st space, dc in each stitch around, slip to join, TURN* Repeat * to * work like this for 8 ROUNDS (this will decrease 1 stitch each row)

Rnd 9:  sc around the sleeve. To finish

Repeat for the second sleeve.

Fasten off and Finish weaving in all ends

To finish the cardigan off I folded down the top neck corners and sewed securely in place with matching color of yarn.

Weave in all ends

I sometimes like to fold over the very Tops of the baby cardigan at the neck. If you wish to do this  Just secure the folded-over fronts to the cardigan with some yarn  sewed securely in place Just remember to Weave in all end

SMALL NEWBORN Crochet CARDIGAN PATTERN (Approx) 8- 10lbs) 

Use a 4.00mm hook and DK Yarn, (If using ARAN weight and a 5.00 mm hook you will create a slightly bigger cardigan I made for my grandson to fit for weeks through 3 and 5 )

Small Newborn Finished measurements

The Start Chain should be loosely made, and the ch3 counts as a st If you know how to crochet a standing chain for double crochet, you can make that instead of the chain at the start (the standing double crochet at the start eliminates any gaps)

NOTE: If you know how to do a standing double crochet, this helps eliminate the gap created by chain 3 Working the last st of rows into the top of ch3 at the start

TO Start Chain 42 (neck )

Row 1: Dc in 3rd ch from hook,  and Dc in next 5chs, 3dc in next st, (corner made) dc in next 6 sts, 3 dc in next ch, (corner made) dc in the next 12sts, 3 dc in the next ch,(corner made) dc in the next 6 sts, 3 dc in the next ch, (corner made)  dc in last  6 sts turn. (48sts)

Row 2: ch 3, (counts as a dc st) dc in next 6 sts,  3dc in next st, dc in next 8 sts, 3dc in next st, dc in next 14 ch, 3dc in next ch, dc in next 8sts, 3dc in next, dc in last  7sts. Turn. (56sts)

Row 3: ch 3, (counts as a dc st) dc in next 7sts, 3dc in next ch, dc in next 10 sts, 3 dc in next ch,dc in next 16 sts, 3 dc in next st,dc in next 10 sts, 3 dc in next ch, dc in last 8 sts.  turn.

Row 4: ch 3, (counts as a dc st) dc in next  8sts , 3dc in next ch, dc in next 12 sts, 3 dc in next ch, dc in next 18 sts, 3 dc in next st, dc in next 12 sts, 3 dc in next ch, dc in last  9sts. turn.

Row 5: ch 3, (counts as a dc st) dc in next 9sts,  3dc in next ch, dc in next 14 sts, 3 dc in next ch, dc in next 20 sts, 3 dc in next st, dc in next 14 sts, 3 dc in next ch, dc in last  10 sts. turn.

Row 6: Ch2, (counts as a dc st) dc in next 10sts,  3dc in next ch, dc in next 16 sts, 3 dc in next ch, dc in nxt 22sts, 3 dc in next st, dc in next 16 sts, 3 dc in next ch, dc in last 11 sts. Turn

DIVIDE for ARMS At this point I prefer to use stitch markers here to help keep track of where the armholes are being made.

Row 7:  Ch2,  dc in next 12sts, ch 4, (underarm) skip 18sts, dc in next 26sts ch 4, (underarm) skip 18 sts, dc in each remaining st to end. TURN

Row 8: Ch2,  dc in each dc and each chain across turn.

Rows 9 to 17: (or until the length is Achieved = 8.5 inches),  ch 2, dc in each dc across. TURN

Notes:

• The EASIEST BORDER of the cardigan is simply made by working sc evenly around the edges of the cardigan. Either in the same color or join a contrasting color.
• Pay Special Attention to creating buttonholes on the side of the cardigan for girls or boys.
• YOu will Create the buttonhole loops on the chosen sides by (sc, ch 2, sc in next st)  and Working 3 sc into the CORNER stitches, (this helps to keep them laying flat, put 3 sc in last st of neck,sc across bottom of the sweater,  2sc in last st and join to first sc. finish off.

GIRLS Button Band

ROW 1: ch1, 1sc in same st as ch1, working UP right front, Evenly space 3 x  ( sc ch1 sc = buttonhole made  ) loops. Fasten off

BOYS Button band for Boys 

Row 1: ch1, 1sc in same st as ch1, working DOWN LEFT, create the buttonhole loops   Evenly spaced by working 3 x( sc ch1 sc = buttonhole made) loops. Fasten off

NOTE: you can make a border of 3 single crochet ROWS by working up and down the fronts and neck, making your buttonholes on the 2nd ROW.

SLEEVES

•  Make sure you work in the opposite direction of the last row of sleeves (ROW 6 skipped sts) you can work the sleeves in alternate rows, back and forward by, slip st to join, ch2, TURN, Or  you can work them all in the round with a Slst to join, ch2  and no turn
• Join yarn to center stitch at the bottom of the armhole, and pick up evenly around the Armhole.
• (Make 1 dc into the POST of the Last ROW at the side of the armhole as you work around) .

Work 10 rows of DC around. As follows *Ch2, skip 1st space, dc in each stitch around, slip to join, TURN* Repeat for 9 more Rows (this will decrease 1 stitch each row)

Row 11:, sc around the sleeve. To finish. Repeat for the second sleeve

Finish.  To finish the cardigan off I folded down the top neck corners and sewed securely in place with matching color of yarn.

Weave in all ends

Crochet Baby Blanket Pattern with a unique Crochet Stitch – Crystal Waves Crochet Baby Blanket FREE PATTERN (crochet-patterns-free.com)

And ALL of my FREE Blanket Patterns Can be found HERE
Baby Blanket Crochet Patterns FREE HERE