Free Simple Crochet Baby Cardigan Pattern Newborn (Easy & Beginner-Friendly)
This simple newborn crochet baby cardigan and tiny baby cardigan pattern is designed for those early days after being born, when babies are still in that scrunched-up stage and standard sizes often don’t fit.
A tiny baby and newborn crochet baby cardigan pattern is a small, top-down garment designed to fit just-born babies comfortably during the first few weeks of life.
When everything feels too big for a just-born baby, a properly sized crochet cardigan makes all the difference in keeping them warm and comfortable.
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Created as a soft, comfortable layering piece, this free crochet baby cardigan pattern helps keep baby warm without bulk, making it ideal for tiny babies, newborns, and early weeks at home.
It’s a practical and beginner-friendly design, perfect for new mums looking for a well-fitting, easy-to-make baby cardigan.
Thats why It’s an ideal choice for new mums who want a practical, easy-to-wear garment that fits properly during those first precious weeks.
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 cardigan pattern to make for the vital first weeks, because we couldn’t find anything that actually fitted my neices tiny newborn baby. And she wanted me to make her a little crocheted baby set
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.
- You will use basic crochet stitches, no fancy crochet techniques are required.
And yes, these patterns are completely free pattern on this website. IF you want a full written all sizes pattern to download and keep you can buy this at ETSY – HERE
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, Easy Newborn crochet Baby cardigan Pattern
Simple, Seamless & Skill Level – for a Confident Beginner
- This baby cardigan is crocheted raglan style 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
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.
- Chest (around) 12″–12.5″
Finished Chest Width (flat) 13″–13.5″
Armhole Depth- 3″
Sleeve Length to Underarm– 6.5″ - Length of Cardigan– 9 inches
Tiny Baby Cardigan Crochet Pattern (5lbs)
Yarn: Light DK weight yarn (approx. 45g)
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
Chest (around) – 12″–13″
Finished Chest – 14″
Armhole Depth – 4″
Sleeve Length to Underarm -7″
Length of Cardigan – 9.5 inches
Yarn: DK weight yarn (approx. 65g)
Hook: 4.0 mm
Gauge: 7 dc x 4 rows = 2″ x 2″
(Chain counts as Stitch, work the LAST dc into the top of the Ch2 )
Foundation: Ch 42
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
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.
EASY 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.
- 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
You can follow the same classic cardigan design across all sizes, making it simple to crochet a new one as your baby grows or to create a matching set in different sizes.
These patterns are also available to BUY as a full PDF download AD FREE from my ETSY SHOP HERE
Why You love This Baby Cardigan
- 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. - 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. - 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. - 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. - 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. - 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. - This little cardigan has been crochetede 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 FREE Baby Crochet Patterns here
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hi there
I’m having trouble with the row adding up to 56.
After chaining 2, I go to the second stitch, but I still have a stitch left over…
Hi Nadine – Chain counts as a Stitch in the end numbers, and you work the LAST dc into the top of the Ch2,
When working on the cardigan the newborn size these stitches are not adding up after the row of 56 Stitches. I restarted it three times and there’s always one extra stitch
Remember the Chain 3 Is counted as a stitch!
Thank you so much for replying! I wasScared you wouldn’t reply and I couldn’t find an email for you so again thank you so much!
It’s okay! I am always around. The BEST place to find me quicker is online. Lisaauchcrochet on Facebook will get you a quicker response, too!