Easy Baby Cardigan Knitting Pattern (One Piece)
THIS ARTICLE CONTAINS AFFILIATE LINKS THAT SUPPORT HANDY LITTLE ME CONTENT AND FREE PATTERNS.Make your little one a cardigan for the warmer weather with this easy baby cardigan knitting pattern.
This garter stitch cardigan would make a special gift for a baby shower and give you the perfect opportunity to show off your knitting skills.
Please scroll down to view the free pattern or grab the ad-free printable PDF pattern in my shop here.
Easy Baby Cardigan Knitting Pattern
Skill Level – Easy
Grab the inexpensive, ad-free, PDF printable pattern in my shop here.
You can also find this pattern in this Ebook here – 10 Baby Knitting Patterns Ebook.
Notes
The classic baby cardigan knits up quickly, and the simple design makes it a relaxing and enjoyable knit.
The baby jacket is knit in one piece, with the borders for the arms and trims picked up and knitted later.
The main pieces of the cardigan are knit in the MC – Main color.
The front band and sleeve bands are knit in the CC – Coordinating colors.
You could, however, knit this in only one color.
Copyright Info
- Please do not copy, sell, redistribute, or republish this pattern.
- If you wish to share this pattern, link to the pattern page only.
- You may sell items produced using this pattern.
- Do NOT use the copyrighted photos for your product listing.
- For the copyright T&C, please read my Terms of Use.
Size Information
Sizes
- This pattern is for babies ages from newborn 0-3 months, 3-6 months, and 6-9 months.
- The first set of numbers applies to the small size, the second set to the medium size, and the third to the large size.
Gauge – 20 sts and 40 rows in 4×4 inches/10×10 cm using 4.5 mm (US 7) needles and in garter stitch.
The Supplies You Need
Yarn
- DK Baby Yarn.
- Main Colour/Yarn A – 1 (1, 2) x skeins of Baby DK yarn = 100g/250m/273ds.
- Total yards needed for the main color – 273 (273, 546) yards.
- Coordinating Colour/ Yarn B (trim) – 1 (1, 1) x skein of DK Baby yarn = 100g/250m/273ds.
- Yarn Weight Guide (+ Conversion Chart)
Needles
Notions
- Tape measure
- Darning needle/tapestry needle
- Scissors
- Stitch holder
Other Materials
- 3 (4, 4) Buttons
Abbreviations / Knitting Abbreviations And Terms (US And UK) List
- Approx – Approximately
- Beg – Begin(ning)
- Cont – Continue(ing)
- CC – Coordinating color
- Dec – Decrease (K2tog)
- Foll – Following
- Inc – Increase (KFB)
- KFB – Knit into the front and back of the stitch
- K – Knit
- K2tog – Knit 2 sts together
- MC – Main color
- Rem – Remaining
- Rep – Repeat
- St(s) – Stitch(es)
- YF – Yarn Forward
Knitted Baby Cardigan Pattern Instructions
BACK
- With Yarn B (CC) cast on 50 (56/62) sts.
- Work 5 rows in garter stitch.
- Change to Yarn A (MC) and work in garter stitch until the piece measures 4.75″ (5.5”/6”) from the cast-on edge.
- Shape the sleeves > Cast on 17 (19/21) sts of the beg of the next 2 rows.
- Continue until the work measures 8.25″ (9”/9.75”).
RIGHT FRONT + SLEEVE
- Knit 30 (34/38) sts, turn, and leave rem 54 (60/66) sts on a stitch holder.
- * Working on 30 (34/38) sts, knit 4 (4/6) rows straight, inc at neck edge on next and every alt row until there are 41 (46/51) sts on the needle.
- Cont straight until the sleeve measures 7″ (7.5”/8”) in-depth, ending at the sleeve edge.
- Cast off 17 (19/21) sts and continue on the rem 24 (27/30) sts until work measures 16″ (17.75”/19.25”).
- Change to Yarn B (CC) and work in garter stitch for 5 rows.
- Cast off.
LEFT FRONT + SLEEVE
- Place 24 (26/28) sts onto a stitch holder for the back of the neck.
- Rejoin the yarn to the rem 30 (34/38) sts at the neck edge, and knit to the end of the row.
- Work from * to match the right front. (See above)
SLEEVE BANDS
- With the right side of the work facing, using Yarn B (CC) pick up 37 (41/45) sts along the sleeve edge.
- Knit 4 rows.
- Cast off.
FRONT BAND
- Using Yarn B (CC) and with the right side of the work facing you, pick up and knit 31 (35, 39) stitches up right front, 15 (16, 19) stitches up right neck, 24 (26, 28) stitches from stitch holder, 15 (16, 18) stitches down left neck and 31 (35, 39) stitches down left front. (116 (128, 144) sts.
- Knit 2 rows.
- Buttonholes > Knit to last 33 (37/41) sts *yarn forward, K2tog, K5 (6/7) sts * Rep from * to * once more. (you can do this again if you want to add more buttons) Knit to the end.
- Knit 1 row
- Cast off.
MAKING UP
- Sew in all of the ends.
- Lay the pieces out flat, and with the right side of the work facing, sew the sleeve and side seams together.
- Then, sew on the buttons that will fit into the opposite buttonholes. –How To Knit A Buttonhole (5 Best Ways)
Could you share your work with us?
I love seeing your finished projects on social media.
If you enjoyed this knitted baby cardigan, I’d love to see yours on Instagram, be sure to tag me @handylittleme or #handylittleme to be featured.
If you are on Facebook, stop over to the Handylittleme Facebook group and share a photo,
I’d love to see your work.
You can also find us on Pinterest and Etsy.
Happy knitting!
Resources and tutorials you may find helpful in following this pattern:
This adorable chunky cardigan pattern is excellent for any advanced beginner knitters.
- Knitting cast-on methods
- Knitting Lessons
- How to cast on knitting
- How to cast off knitting for total beginners (step by step)
- How to knit garter stitch
- How to knit the purl stitch (for beginners + a video tutorial)
- How to knit stockinette stitch (for beginners)
- How to read knitting patterns for beginners
- Knitting abbreviations and terms (US and UK)
- How to knit rib stitch patterns (1×1 and 2×2 ribbing)
- How to knit two stitches together – K2tog
- You should be comfortable picking up stitches (how to pick up stitches in knitting).
- KFB knitting – How to make an increase
More Baby Knitting Patterns
You may also be interested in these baby knits (free knitting patterns), which are also made from 100% cotton:
- Easy Baby Sweater Knitting Pattern For Beginners
- Knitted Baby Cardigan (Free Knitting Pattern)
- How To Knit Baby Booties (Step By Step)
- How To Knit A Baby Hat (Straight Needles)
- Baby Blanket Pattern (Patchwork + 4 Stitch Patterns)
- Stuffed Bunny Pattern {With Crochet Overalls}
- Baby Slippers Knitting Pattern
- 25 Knitting Patterns For Baby Sweaters Knit In One Piece
- Bunny Softie Pattern (Easy To Knit)
- How To Knit A Baby Blanket (Free And Easy For Beginners)
- Sheep Baby Booties Knitting Pattern
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