Can I use a different yarn for this baby cardigan crochet pattern?

Yes! While I recommend worsted weight yarn (#4) for this design, you can use any yarn of a similar weight. Just make sure to check your gauge and adjust your hook size if needed.

What skill level is this baby cardigan pattern?

This is a beginner-friendly baby cardigan crochet pattern. It uses basic stitches like double crochet and a simple v-stitch repeat. If you’ve made a few easy baby patterns before, you’ll feel confident with this one.

How do I customize this for a baby boy or baby girl?

This pattern works great for either! To make a baby girl cardigan crochet pattern, try soft pastels or add decorative buttons. For a baby boy cardigan crochet pattern, go with classic blues, greens, or neutrals.

Does this cardigan work for newborn sizes?

Yes! The pattern includes sizing from newborn baby cardigan crochet pattern through 24 months.

How is the cardigan constructed?

This is a top down baby cardigan crochet pattern, so you start at the neckline and work your way down the body. The sleeves are added at the end and worked in the round.

Can I sell finished cardigans made from this pattern?

Absolutely! Feel free to sell finished items made from this pattern. I just ask that you credit me as the designer when you can.

Baby cardigan crochet pattern for beginners

This baby cardigan crochet pattern is a beginner-friendly project made with simple stitches, easy shaping, and a cozy everyday fit. With sizes from newborn to 24 months, it’s a sweet handmade cardigan for baby gifts, special occasions, and everyday wear.

Quick answer:
This baby cardigan crochet pattern is an advanced beginner project made with worsted weight yarn and an H-8 (5 mm) crochet hook. It includes 4 sizes from newborn to 24 months, uses simple stitches and minimal seaming, and features a cozy baby cardigan fit.

Best for: Advanced beginners
Style: Classic baby cardigan
Includes: Size chart, written instructions, gauge, and video tutorial

Why you’ll love this baby cardigan crochet pattern

Beginner-friendly design using basic stitches and simple repeats
Includes four sizes from 0–3 months through 12–24 months
Minimal seaming for easier construction and finishing
Worked in worsted weight yarn for a cozy, practical fit
Easy to customize the length and trim
Includes a step-by-step video tutorial for extra support

Free baby cardigan crochet pattern details

Here’s a quick overview of the materials, sizing, gauge, and pattern notes before you begin.

Skill level

Advanced beginner — You should be comfortable with basic stitches like double crochet, simple increases and decreases, and working in rows and rounds.

Materials needed

Crochet hook: Size H-8 (5 mm) or the size needed to match gauge
Yarn: Worsted weight yarn (#4); soft acrylic or cotton works great
Yarn needle: For weaving in your ends
Scissors: For cutting your yarn
Stitch markers: Helpful for keeping track of rounds and V-stitches

Size chart

This free baby cardigan crochet pattern includes four sizes from newborn to 24 months. Use the chart below to help you choose the best fit for your baby or gift recipient.

Size	Chest	Waist	Back Length	Crossback	Armhole Depth
0-3 Months	16″	18″	6″	7.25″	3.25″
3-6 Months	17″	19″	7″	7.75″	3.5″
6-12 Months	18″	20″	7.5″	8.25″	3.75″
12-24 Months	20″	21″	8.5″	8.75″	4.25″

Baby cardigan crochet pattern size chart

Gauge

17 stitches and 10 rows = 4 inches

If you have more stitches, try a larger hook size
If you have fewer stitches, try a smaller hook size

Crochet abbreviations

dc = double crochet
dc2tog = double crochet decrease
sc = single crochet
sc2tog = single crochet decrease
st/sts = stitch/stitches
sl st = slip stitch
ch/chs = chain/chains
rnd/rnds = round/rounds
rem = remaining

Pattern notes

Repeat the stitches between asterisks (*) until the end of the row or round
The sleeves are worked in the round
Use stitch markers to keep track of v-stitches and sleeve openings
Customize the length by adding or removing body rows
The pattern is written in US crochet terms.

Special stitch: V-stitch

V-stitch: In the same stitch, make dc, ch 1, dc.

Bright pink crochet baby cardigan with white edging modeled by a baby, shown for a beginner baby cardigan crochet pattern with video tutorial.

Baby cardigan crochet pattern instructions (all sizes)

Rows 1 and 2 are the same for every size: 0–3 months, 3–6 months, 6–12 months, and 12–24 months.

Row 1: Make your starting chain (58, 62, 66, 70). Dc in the 3rd ch from the hook and in each remaining chain. Turn.
Stitch counts: 56, 60, 64, 68

Row 2: Ch 2, 2 dc in next st, dc in next st, repeat across. Turn.
Stitch counts: 84, 90, 96, 102

0–3 month size

Row 3: Ch 2, dc in 13, v-stitch, dc in 14, v-stitch, dc in 26, v-stitch, dc in 14, v-stitch, dc in 13, turn (88 sts)
Row 4: Ch 2, dc in 14, v-stitch, dc in 16, v-stitch, dc in 28, v-stitch, dc in 16, v-stitch, dc in 14, turn (96 sts)
Row 5: Ch 2, dc in 15, v-stitch, dc in 18, v-stitch, dc in 30, v-stitch, dc in 18, v-stitch, dc in 15, turn (104 sts)
Row 6: Ch 2, dc in 16, v-stitch, dc in 20, v-stitch, dc in 32, v-stitch, dc in 20, v-stitch, dc in 16, turn (112 sts)
Row 7: Ch 2, dc in 17, v-stitch, dc in 22, v-stitch, dc in 34, v-stitch, dc in 22, v-stitch, dc in 18, turn (120 sts)
Row 8: Ch 2, dc in 18, dc in next st, skip 22 sts, dc in next (first sleeve), dc in 36, dc in next, skip 22 sts, dc in next (second sleeve), dc in 18, turn (76 sts)
Rows 9–22: Ch 2, dc in each st, turn (76 sts)
Row 23: Ch 2, skip a st, 4 dc in next st, skip a st, sl st in next st, repeat across. Fasten off and weave in ends.

Sleeves (0–3 month):
Join yarn at back of armhole.

Rnd 1: Ch 2, dc evenly around sleeve opening, join
Rnds 2–14: Ch 2, dc in each st, join
Rnd 15: Ch 2, skip a st, 4 dc in next st, skip a st, sl st in next st, join. Fasten off and weave in ends.

3–6 month size

Row 3: Ch 2, dc in 14, v-stitch, dc in 15, v-stitch, dc in 28, v-stitch, dc in 15, v-stitch, dc in 14, turn (94 sts)
Row 4: Ch 2, dc in 15, v-stitch, dc in 17, v-stitch, dc in 30, v-stitch, dc in 17, v-stitch, dc in 15, turn (102 sts)
Row 5: Ch 2, dc in 16, v-stitch, dc in 19, v-stitch, dc in 32, v-stitch, dc in 19, v-stitch, dc in 16, turn (110 sts)
Row 6: Ch 2, dc in 17, v-stitch, dc in 21, v-stitch, dc in 34, v-stitch, dc in 21, v-stitch, dc in 17, turn (118 sts)
Row 7: Ch 2, dc in 18, v-stitch, dc in 23, v-stitch, dc in 36, v-stitch, dc in 23, v-stitch, dc in 18, turn (126 sts)
Row 8: Ch 2, dc in 19, dc in next st, skip 23 sts, dc in next (first sleeve), dc in 38, dc in next, skip 23 sts, dc in next (second sleeve), dc in 19, turn (80 sts)
Rows 9–22: Ch 2, dc in each st, turn (80 sts)
Row 23: Ch 2, skip a st, 4 dc in next st, skip a st, sl st in next st, repeat across. Fasten off and weave in ends.

Sleeves (3–6 month):
Join yarn at back of armhole.

Rnd 1: Ch 2, dc evenly around sleeve opening, join
Rnds 2–15: Ch 2, dc in each st, join
Rnd 16: Ch 2, skip a st, 4 dc in next st, skip a st, sl st in next st, join. Fasten off and weave in ends.

6–12 month size

Row 3: Ch 2, dc in 15, v-stitch, dc in 16, v-stitch, dc in 30, v-stitch, dc in 16, v-stitch, dc in 15, turn (100 sts)
Row 4: Ch 2, dc in 16, v-stitch, dc in 18, v-stitch, dc in 32, v-stitch, dc in 18, v-stitch, dc in 16, turn (108 sts)
Row 5: Ch 2, dc in 17, v-stitch, dc in 20, v-stitch, dc in 34, v-stitch, dc in 20, v-stitch, dc in 17, turn (116 sts)
Row 6: Ch 2, dc in 18, v-stitch, dc in 22, v-stitch, dc in 36, v-stitch, dc in 22, v-stitch, dc in 18, turn (124 sts)
Row 7: Ch 2, dc in 19, v-stitch, dc in 24, v-stitch, dc in 38, v-stitch, dc in 24, v-stitch, dc in 19, turn (132 sts)
Row 8: Ch 2, dc in 20, dc in next st, skip 24 sts, dc in next (first sleeve), dc in 40, dc in next, skip 24 sts, dc in next (second sleeve), dc in 20, turn (84 sts)
Rows 9–24: Ch 2, dc in each st, turn (84 sts)

Row 25: Ch 2, skip a st, 4 dc in next st, skip a st, sl st in next st, repeat across. Fasten off and weave in ends.

Sleeves (6–12 month):
Join yarn at back of armhole.

Rnd 1: Ch 2, dc evenly around sleeve opening, join
Rnds 2–17: Ch 2, dc in each st, join
Rnd 18: Ch 2, skip a st, 4 dc in next st, skip a st, sl st in next st, join. Fasten off and weave in ends.

12–24 month size

Row 3: Ch 2, dc in 16, v-stitch, dc in 17, v-stitch, dc in 33, v-stitch, dc in 17, v-stitch, dc in 16, turn (106 sts)
Row 4: Ch 2, dc in 17, v-stitch, dc in 19, v-stitch, dc in 34, v-stitch, dc in 19, v-stitch, dc in 17, turn (114 sts)
Row 5: Ch 2, dc in 18, v-stitch, dc in 21, v-stitch, dc in 36, v-stitch, dc in 21, v-stitch, dc in 18, turn (122 sts)
Row 6: Ch 2, dc in 19, v-stitch, dc in 23, v-stitch, dc in 38, v-stitch, dc in 23, v-stitch, dc in 19, turn (130 sts)
Row 7: Ch 2, dc in 20, v-stitch, dc in 25, v-stitch, dc in 40, v-stitch, dc in 25, v-stitch, dc in 20, turn (138 sts)
Row 8: Ch 2, dc in 21, dc in next st, skip 25 sts, dc in next (first sleeve), dc in 42, dc in next, skip 25 sts, dc in next (second sleeve), dc in 21, turn (88 sts)
Rows 9–26: Ch 2, dc in each st, turn (88 sts)
Row 27: Ch 2, skip a st, 4 dc in next st, skip a st, sl st in next st, repeat across. Fasten off and weave in ends.

Sleeves (12–24 month):
Join yarn at back of armhole.

Rnd 1: Ch 2, dc evenly around sleeve opening, join
Rnds 2–19: Ch 2, dc in each st, join
Rnd 20: Ch 2, skip a st, 4 dc in next st, skip a st, sl st in next st, join. Fasten off and weave in ends.

Adding the collar

With the cardigan facing you, attach your yarn to the left edge of the neckline. Ch 2, dc2tog, dc in next st, repeat across to the other edge. Fasten off and weave in ends.

Adding trim to the cardigan

Attach yarn at the bottom of the left front. Single crochet up the edge, around the neckline, and down the right front. Finish off and weave in the ends.

Finishing

Double-check that all ends are woven in securely. Block your cardigan if desired for a polished final look.

Frequently asked questions

Is this a beginner-friendly baby cardigan crochet pattern?
This baby cardigan crochet pattern is best for advanced beginners who are comfortable with basic stitches, simple increases and decreases, and following stitch counts.

What sizes does this baby cardigan crochet pattern include?
This free baby cardigan crochet pattern includes four sizes: 0–3 months, 3–6 months, 6–12 months, and 12–24 months.

What yarn should I use for this baby cardigan crochet pattern?
This pattern uses worsted weight (#4) yarn. Soft acrylic or cotton yarn works well for baby garments.

Is this baby cardigan crochet pattern free?
Yes, this is a free baby cardigan crochet pattern available on the blog with written instructions for all sizes and a video tutorial.

Can I adjust the length of the baby cardigan?
Yes, you can customize the length by adding or removing rows in the body section before finishing the trim.

How is this baby cardigan crochet pattern constructed?
The cardigan body is worked flat, and the sleeves are worked in the round with minimal seaming.

Video tutorial

A step-by-step video tutorial is included to walk you through the construction of the cardigan. The tutorial shows the 0–3 month size, and the same steps apply to all sizes in the pattern.

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📌 Don’t forget to pin this pattern for later!
Happy crocheting! 🧶
— Melissa