Try our cute and cosy baby cardigan knitting pattern
If you're looking for a new knitted garment project to sharpen your skills we've got just the thing with this adorable free baby cardigan knitting pattern.
This baby cardigan knitting pattern is written in multiple sizes, from premature babies to up to 12 months. We've made our version in a pastel green yarn but you can use whatever colour you like to make it suitable for any recipient.
The baby knitting pattern is worked in stocking stitch throughout with garter edging and two vibrant stripes worked into the raglan shoulder shaping and sleeve cuffs. You can brush up on our stocking stitch and garter stitch tutorials here.
It is knitted in pieces using raglan shaping, so 5 stitch holders are needed in order to make a nice, neat neckline. If you don’t have stitch holders, a great alternative is to use some waste yarn in a contrasting colour.
This adorable knitted cardigan is part of a 3 piece knitted baby layette pattern collection, with the other items being a cute knitted hat and snuggly baby blanket. Each includes stitches and techniques that will help hone your knitting skills and produce amazing professional quality-looking projects.
Best knitting yarn for babies
Often baby knitting patterns are stitched using specific baby knitting yarn – it's softer and slightly lighter. It’s perfect for babies with its soft feel as well as being easy to care for. Usually all you need to do is wash at 40 degrees and optionally tumble dry on a cool setting. It can also be ironed on a cool setting if desired.
We've rounded up our favourite baby yarns to use for any project – there are so many lovely options to choose from.
Skill level: Advancing beginner
Measurements
To fit: Premature (newborn: 0-3 months: 3-6 months: 6-12 months)
To fit chest: 30 (35:41:46:51) cm
Actual chest: 40 (45:51:56:61) cm
Full length: 23 (24.5:26.5:27.5:29) cm
Sleeve length: 8 (12:15:17:20) cm
Materials
DK yarn in shades (A) Sage x 1 (1:1:1:2) 100g ball (B) Pure White x 1 (1:1:1:1) 100g ball
3.25mm and 4mm pair of knitting needles
Tension
22 sts and 30 rows to 10cm square over st st using 4mm needles
Abbreviations
Cont continue; g gram; k knit; p purl; rem remaining; rep repeat; RS right side; ssk slip 2 stitches knitwise, knit stitches together through back of loop; st stitch; st st stocking stitch; tog together; tbl through back loop; WS wrong side; yo yarn over * repeat the instructions following the single asterisk as directed; [ ] repeat the instructions within the brackets as many times as directed.
Unsure about what some of the abbreviations mean? Check out our full knitting abbreviations glossary.
Baby cardigan free knitting pattern
Body
Using 3.25mm needles and B, cast on 88 (100:112:124:132) sts.
K3 rows.
Change to 4mm needles and A, beginning with a K row, work in st st, until work measures 14cm from cast on edge, ending on a WS row.
Divide for armholes
Next row (RS): Using B, K18 (21:24:27:29), cast off 3 sts, pm, cast off 3 sts, K39 (45:51:57:61), cast off 3 sts, pm, cast off 3 sts, K17 (20:23:26:28).
18 (21:24:27:29) sts for each Front and 40 (46:52:58:62) sts for Back.
Right front
Next row (WS): P across first 18 (21:24:27:29) sts, slip next 40 (46:52:58:62) sts onto a holder for Back and next 18 (21:24:27:29) sts onto another holder.
18 (21:24:27:29) sts
Next row (RS): Using A, K1, ssk, k to end. 17 (20:23:26:28) sts
Next row (WS): P to last 3 sts, p2tog tbl, p1.16 (19:22:25:27) sts
Next row: Using B, K1, ssk, k to end. 15 (18:21:24:26) sts
Next row: P to last 3 sts, p2tog tbl, p1. 14 (17:20:23:25) sts
Next row (RS): Using A, K1, ssk, k to end. 13 (16:19:22:24) sts
Next row (WS): P to end.
Next row: Using B, K1, ssk, k to end. 12 (15:18:21:23) sts
Next row: P to end.
Rep last 4 rows 1 (2:3:4:5) times more. 10 (11:12:13:13) sts
Next row (RS): Using A, K1, ssk, k to end. 9 (10:11:12:12) sts
Next row (WS): P to end.
Right front neck
Next row (RS): Using B, K1, ssk, k3, k across next K3 (4,5,6,6) sts and slip onto holder. 5 sts.
Next row: P to end.
Next row: Using A, K1 sl1, k2tog, psso, k1. 3 sts.
Next row: Using B, K2tog, k1. 2 sts.
Next row: P to end.
Next row: Using A, k2tog, fasten off.
Back
With WS facing, P across 40 (46:52:58:62) sts left on holder for back.
Next row (RS): Using A, K1, ssk, k to last 3 sts, k2tog, k1. 38 (44:50:56:60) sts
Next row (WS): P1, p2tog, p to last 3 sts, p2tog tbl, p1. 36 (42:48:54:58) sts
Next row: Using B, K1, ssk, k to last 3 sts, k2tog, k1. 34 (40:46:52:56) sts
Next row: P1, p2tog, p to last 3 sts, p2tog tbl, p1. 32 (38:44:50:54) sts
Next row (RS): Using A, K1, ssk, k to last 3 sts, k2tog, k1. 30 (36:42:48:52) sts
Next row (WS): P to end.
Next row: Using B, K1, ssk, k to last 3 sts, k2tog, k1. 28 (34:40:46:50) sts
Next row: P to end.
Rep last 4 rows 3 (4:5:6:7) times more. 16 (18:20:22:22) sts
Next row (RS): Using A, K1, ssk, k to last 3 sts, k2tog, k1. 14 (16:18:20:20) sts
Next row (WS): P to end.
Slip rem sts onto a holder for Back Neck.
Left front
With WS facing, P across 18 (21:24:27:29) sts left on holder for Left Front.
Next row (RS): Using A, K to last 3 sts, k2tog, k1. 17 (20:23:26:28) sts
Next row (WS): P1, p2tog, p to end. 16 (19:22:25:27) sts
Next row: Using B, k to last 3 sts, k2tog, k1. 15 (18:21:24:26) sts
Next row: P1, p2tog, p to end. 14 (17:20:23:25) sts
Next row (RS): Using A, K to last 3 sts, k2tog, k1. 13 (16:19:22:24) sts
Next row (WS): P to end.
Next row: Using B, k to last 3 sts, k2tog, k1. 12 (15:18:21:23) sts
Next row: P to end.
Rep last 4 rows 1 (2: 3: 4: 5) times more. 10 (11:12:13:13) sts
Next row (RS): Using A, K to last 3 sts, k2tog, k1. 9 (10:11:12:12) sts
Next row (WS): P to end.
Left front neck
Next row (RS): Using B, K3 (4:5:6:6) and slip onto holder, k3 k2tog, k1. 5 sts.
Next row: P to end.
Next row (RS): Using A, K1 sl1, k2tog, psso, k1. 3 sts.
Next row: P to end.
Next row: Using B, K2tog, k1. 2 sts.
Next row: P to end.
Next row: Using A, k2tog, fasten off.
Sleeves (both the same)
Using 3.25mm needles and B, cast on 30 (36:40:44:48)sts.
Knit 3 rows.
Change to 4mm needles and A, work 2 rows in st st, beginning with a K row.
Change to B, work 2 rows in st st.
Change to A, work 2 rows in st st.
Change to B, work 2 rows in st st.
Change to A, cont in st st (throughout) until sleeve measures 8 (12:15:17:20) cm from cast on edge, ending with WS row.
Shape raglan
Using B, cont in st st and cast off 3 sts at the beg of next 2 rows. 24 (30:34:38:42)sts.
Next row (RS): Using A, K1, ssk, k to last 3 sts, k2tog, k1. 22 (28:32:36:40)sts.
Next row: P to end.
Next row: Using B, K to end.
Next row: P to end.
Rep last 4 rows 3 (2:3:3:4) times more. 16 (24:26:30:32)sts.
Next row (RS): Using A, K1, ssk, k to last 3 sts, k2tog, k1. 14 (22:24:28:30) sts.
Next row: P to end.
Next row (RS): Using B, K1, ssk, k to last 3 sts, k2tog, k1. 12 (20:22:26:28) sts.
Next row: P to end.
Rep last 2 rows 0 (2:2:3:3) times more. 12 (12:14:14:16)sts.
Next row (RS): Using A, K1, ssk, k to last 3 sts, k2tog, k1. 10 (10:12:12:14) sts
Next row: P to end.
Slip rem sts onto a holder.
Join all raglan seams.
Right front edge
With RS facing, using 3.25mm needles and B, pick up and k 48 (50:54:58:58) sts, evenly up Left front edge.
Knit 5 rows.
Cast off knit wise.
Left front edge
With RS facing, using 3.25mm needles and B, pick up and knit 48 (50:54:58:58)sts, evenly down right front edge.
Knit 3 rows.
Buttonband row (RS): K2, [yo, k2tog, k4 (4,6,6,6)] 3 times, k to end.
Knit 1 row.
Cast off knit wise.
Neckband
With RS facing, using 3.25mm needles and B, knit across 3 (4: 5: 6: 6 ) sts left on holder for Left Front, pick up and knit 5 sts evenly along Left front edge, knit across 10 (10:12:12:14)sts left on holder for first sleeve, knit across 14 (16:18:20:20) sts left on holder for Back, knit across 10 (10: 12:12:14)sts left on holder for second sleeve, pick up and knit 5 sts evenly down Right front, knit across 3 (4:5:6:6) sts left on holder for Right Front. 50 (54:62:66:70) sts. K 3 rows. Cast off.
Making up
Join side and sleeve seams. Weave in ends. Attach 3 buttons to Right front edge, matching buttons to buttonholes. Block to given measurements.
Knitted baby layette collection
Now that you've completed your baby cardigan, why not try making another item from this knitted baby layette collection? The baby hat and baby blanket knitting patterns are perfect for beginners and so much fun to make.
Do you love knitting? Share your creations with us by tagging @primamag in your pictures on Instagram!
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