Free Simple EASY Crochet Baby Cardigan Pattern

The perfect tiny cardigan for your just-born baby.

This free crochet baby cardigan pattern was designed for the earliest, scrunched-up newborn stage—when nothing seems to fit except a baby onesie.

These free crochet patterns are ideal for beginners who want to make a simple baby crochet cardigan.

I created this easy and fast crochet baby jacket pattern to make for the vital first weeks, because we couldn’t find anything that actually fitted my neices tiny newborn baby.

The Tiny 5lb+ baby Cardigan and and the Small Newborn crochet cardigan patterns are perfect for those first precious days just out of the hospital.

And fits perfectly.

The just born easy baby cardigan makes the most welcome gift to crochet for a new baby and makes the Perfect Baby shower gift.

You can also Purchase and AD FREE Newborn Baby Cardigan (2 sizes), Baby Hat and Matching Booties Patterns from RAVELRY – View to BUY HERE

The perfect tiny cardigan for your just-born baby. (2 sizes, baby cardigan to fit 5+lb and 5-10 lb baby) is perfect for those precious days just out of the hospital.

This free crochet baby cardigan pattern was designed for the earliest, scrunched-up newborn stage—when nothing seems to fit right except a baby onesie.

This baby cardigan design is made with DK yarn (Double knitting Yarn) and a 4 mm Crochet hook size, the pattern is simple, seamless, and beginner-friendly—plus it includes full instructions for tiny baby (5+lbs) and Small Newborn sizes.

basic crochet stitches, no fancy crochet techniques are required.

And yes, they are a completely free pattern on this website.

It’s been a lifesaver for so many of you over the years—and it’s still one of the most loved patterns.

If you’re crocheting for a new baby or putting together a handmade gift set, this cardigan is a classic choice.

The seamless baby cardigan is a quick crochet project and works beautifully in soft pastel or neutral shades, and pairs perfectly with other baby garments and essentials like crochet booties or a baby bonnet.

Materials and Sizing – What You’ll Need to Make This Cardigan

This newborn crochet cardigan was designed with simplicity and comfort in mind. It uses minimal yarn and very basic supplies, making it an ideal project even for beginners.

Yarn:
Double Knit (DK) weight yarn — approx. 50g.
Choose a soft, baby-friendly yarn like Stylecraft Special DK, Paintbox Baby DK, or any lightweight acrylic or cotton blend bamboo yarnthat’s gentle on newborn skin.

Hook: 4.00 mm crochet hook (US G/6)
Make sure to check your tension — a tighter or looseer tension can affect the fit.

Gauge: 4dc = 1 inch in a ROW 2dc ROWS = 1 inch

• scissors
• Yarn needle for sewing in ends
• 1 small button (optional, for closure)

Pattern Notes & Construction of the Simple Baby Crochet Pattern

Simple, Seamless & Skill Level – Confident Beginner

This baby cardigan is crocheted from the top down in one piece using basic double crochet stitches (US terms).

There’s no awkward shaping, and no sewing together panels,just a soft and stretchy fabric that fits snugly on a tiny newborn.

You’ll start by working a yoke with raglan increases, then separate for the body and sleeves.

The body is worked straight down in rows, while the sleeves are added by working into the armholes after the body is complete.

Tiny & Small Newborn Size Chart for crochet Baby Sweaters and cardigans

Size	Chest Circumference	Finished Chest	Sleeve Length	Body Length- at LEAST
Tiny baby 5lb+	12″–12.5″	13″–13.5″	3″	6.5″
Small Newborn (5–9 lb)	12″–13″	14″	4″	7″

Finished chest allows for ~1″ of ease. Adjust hook size for fit.

Notes:

• Finished chest allows for ~1 inch of ease over baby’s body.
• Sleeve length is adjustable; the pattern includes 6–9 rounds of dc for a soft, slightly flared sleeve.
• Body length is designed to hit jmid-hip for Small Newborn.
• Use a larger hook or heavier DK yarn for slightly roomier fit if needed.

Tiny Baby Cardigan Crochet Pattern (5lbs)

Yarn: Light DK weight yarn (approx. 40g)
Hook: 4.0 mm
Gauge: 7 dc x 4 rows = 2″ x 2″

Foundation: Ch 37
Row 1: Dc in 3rd ch from hook, dc in next 4 chs, 3 dc in next ch, dc in next 5 chs, 3 dc in next ch, dc in next 12 chs, 3 dc in next ch, dc in next 5 chs, 3 dc in next ch, dc in last 5 chs. Turn. (44 dc)
Row 2: Ch 2, dc in next 5 sts, 3 dc in next st, dc in next 7 sts, 3 dc in next st, dc in next 14 sts, 3 dc in next st, dc in next 7 sts, 3 dc in next st, dc in last 6 sts. Turn. (52 dc)
Row 3: Ch 2, dc in next 6 sts, 3 dc in next st, dc in next 9 sts, 3 dc in next st, dc in next 16 sts, 3 dc in next st, dc in next 9 sts, 3 dc in next st, dc in last 7 sts. Turn. ( 60 dc)
Row 4: Ch 2, dc in next 7 sts, 3 dc in next st, dc in next 11 sts, 3 dc in next st, dc in next 18 sts, 3 dc in next st, dc in next 11 sts, 3 dc in next st, dc in last 8 sts. Turn. (68 dc)

Row 5: Ch 2, dc in next 8 sts, 3 dc in next st, dc in next 1 3sts, 3 dc in next st, dc in next 20 sts, 3 dc in next st, dc in next 13 sts, 3 dc in next st, dc in last 9 sts. Turn. (76 dc)

Armhole Separation – Row 6:
Row 6: Ch 2, dc in next 10 sts, ch 4, skip 15 sts, dc in next 24 sts, ch 4, skip 15 sts, dc in last 11 sts. Turn. (54 sts)

Body Rows:
Row 7: Ch 2, dc in each st and ch across. Turn. (54 sts, including the ch2)
Rows 8–14: Ch 2, dc across. Fasten off at approx. 7.5″ length.

Sleeves (x2): When working a new round, skip the first st, this helps decrease 1st, per round for shaping the sleeve
Join in underarm.
Rnd 1: Ch 2, dc in 4 chs + around armhole. Sl st. Turn.
Rnd 2–Rnd 7: Dc around. Sl st to join. TURN continue working for cuff

Cuff:
Rnd 1: sc in each st around,

Finishing Border and Buttonholes

Buttonhole Placement:
Mark where buttonholes will go.
Buttonholes: (ch 1, skip 1 st, sc in next)

• For a boy: Buttonholes on left front when worn
• For a girl: Buttonholes on right front when worn

You can join a new contrasting colour for the Edging Border

Edging – Row 1:
Join yarn to RS lower right front corner.
Work 1 row of sc evenly around entire cardigans border, working the single crochet into the sides of the front edges stitches,neck edge, and bottom edging, with 3 sc in each corner.
At each marked button hole: ch 1, skip 1, sc next.
Sl st to join, fasten off, and using your yarn/ tapestry needle weave in ends.

Small Newborn Simple Baby Cardigan Crochet Pattern

Yarn: DK weight yarn (approx. 45g)
Hook: 4.0 mm
Gauge: 7 dc x 4 rows = 2″ x 2″

Foundation: Ch 40
Row 1: Dc in 3rd ch from hook, dc in next 5 chs, 3 dc in next ch, dc in next 6 chs, 3 dc in next ch, dc in next 12 chs, 3 dc in next ch, dc in next 6 chs, 3 dc in next ch, dc in last 6 chs. Turn. (48 dc)
Row 2: Ch 2, dc in next 6 sts, 3 dc in next st, dc in next 8 sts, 3 dc in next st, dc in next 14 sts, 3 dc in next st, dc in next 8 sts, 3 dc in next st, dc in last 7 sts. Turn. (56 dc)
Row 3: Ch 2, dc in next 7 sts, 3 dc in next st, dc in next 10 sts, 3 dc in next st, dc in next 16 sts, 3 dc in next st, dc in next 10 sts, 3 dc in next st, dc in last 8 sts. Turn. (64 dc)
Row 4: Ch 2, dc in next 8 sts, 3 dc in next st, dc in next 12 sts, 3 dc in next st, dc in next 18 sts, 3 dc in next st, dc in next 12 sts, 3 dc in next st, dc in last 9 sts. Turn. (72 dc)
Row 5: Ch 2, dc in next 9 sts, 3 dc in next st, dc in next 14 sts, 3 dc in next st, dc in next 20 sts, 3 dc in next st, dc in next 14 sts, 3 dc in next st, dc in last 10 sts. Turn. (80 dc)

Armhole Separation – Row 6:
Row 6: Ch 2, dc in next 11 sts, ch 4, skip 15 sts, dc in next 26 sts, ch 4, skip 15 sts, dc in last 12 sts. Turn. ( 58 sts)

Body Rows:
Row 7: Ch 2, dc in each st and ch across. Turn. ( 58 dc)
Rows 8–Rows 15: Ch 2, dc across. Fasten off at approx. 8″ length.

Sleeves (x2):
Join in underarm.
R1: Ch 2, dc in 4 chs + around armhole. Sl st. Turn. (24 sts)
Rnd 2–Rnd 9: Dc around. Sl st to join. TURN continue working for cuff

Cuff: Rnd 1: Ch1, sc in each st around, Fasten Off

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Finishing Border and Buttonholes

Buttonhole Placement:
Mark where buttonholes will go.
Buttonholes: (ch 1, skip 1 st, sc in next)

• For a boy: Buttonholes on left front when worn
• For a girl: Buttonholes on right front when worn

You can join a new contrasting colour for the Edging Border

Edging – Row 1:
Join yarn to RS lower right front corner.
Work 1 row of sc around entire cardigans border , with 3 sc in each corner.
At each marked buttonhole: ch 1, skip 1, sc next.
Sl st to join, fasten off, and weave in ends.

Why You love This Baby Cardigan

1. It fits the baby’s first week of life
   Most “newborn” cardigans are too big straight off the hook. This pattern is written with real post-birth sizing in mind—Small Newborn—so it hugs baby gently when their limbs are still curled and they’re swimming in store-bought clothes.
2. It’s quick and easy to make I can make one watching a movie!
   Top-down construction, no shaping, and basic stitches mean it’s a pattern you can make in an evening—perfect for last-minute gifting or making several for donation.
3. It looks polished, even for beginners
   Despite being simple, the finished result looks professional and clean. Optional fold-down neckline and seamless finish give it a timeless, handmade charm.
4. It works with almost any DK yarn
   No need to hunt down expensive specialty yarns. You can use any soft DK-weight yarn—cotton blends, acrylics, or your favorite stash standby.
5. It’s endlessly customizable
   Longer sleeves? Fancy edging? Change the button band? Easy. This pattern adapts well without losing its shape, so makers feel confident tweaking it.
6. It’s part of a matching set
   If you’re designing gift sets or hospital outfits, it pairs beautifully with hats, booties, and baby blankets. One pattern = many gifting opportunities.
7. Makers trust it
   It’s been tested and remade by thousands. When you find something that just works, you don’t mess with it—you bookmark it, pin it, and use it again and again.

You can see more of my Baby Crochet Cardigan Patterns here