Free Crochet Baby Cardigan Pattern with Braid Texture

This crochet baby cardigan is a sweet and practical addition to any little one's wardrobe, perfect for chilly days in fall or winter. Designed to be lightweight yet cozy, it’s easy to adjust the size for any baby age or even to fit adults! The cardigan stands out with its delicate braid-like texture that adds a special touch, making it look as neat and stylish as knitwear.

Save

You can make this cardigan using minimal yarn and simple techniques, making it quick and fun for any crochet enthusiast. The process involves creating front panels, a back rectangle, and sleeves that come together seamlessly with slip stitches. A soft mix of cotton, acrylic, and wool ensures the cardigan is snug, breathable, and perfect for colder months. If you want, you can add edging, ties, or even buttons, giving this crochet piece a customizable and versatile appeal.

Credit WONDER NETTING

Materials & Tools Needed

Yarn: A little over two skeins of Portoello yarn from Hobby (50g/120m per skein), a mix of cotton, acrylic, and wool in dusty pink color.
Hook:
- 5 mm crochet hook for the main body.
- 3 mm crochet hook for the cuff and edging.
Other Tools:
- Scissors.
- Yarn needle.

Finished Size & Customization Ideas

Size: Designed for approximately a 3-month-old baby.
- Front panel: Height of 22 cm, width of 19 cm.
- Back panel: Width of 24 cm, height of 21 cm. (Includes additional width for side ties.)
- Sleeves: Total sleeve height after cuff addition is 15 cm. Folded cuff width is 10 cm.
Customization:
- Reference a baby sweater for adjustments in width, height, or sleeve length.
- Measurements in centimeters are recommended (rather than stitch counts) for accuracy and ease of resizing.
- Easily adapt the pattern to make cardigans for other ages or adults.

Pattern Abbreviations & Terminology

Ch = Chain
Sl st = Slip Stitch
Sc = Single Crochet
YO-sl st = Yarn Over Slip Stitch (unique stitch used for braid-like texture)
BLO = Back Loop Only
Rep = Repeat

Save

Step-by-Step Detailed Crochet Instructions

Part 1: Front Panels

Foundation Row:
- Start with a slip knot and make a foundation chain of 12 chains (or adjust according to the desired height).
- Focus more on the measurement in cm rather than the number of chains for accuracy.
Row 1:
- YO and insert hook into the second chain from the hook.
- Pull up a loop through the chain and use the loop to go through the other two loops on your hook (YO-sl st).
- Continue using this YO-sl st across the row.
Row 2:
- Ch 1, turn work, and continue using YO-sl st, working BLO (back loop only of the braid-like stitch made).
- At the end of this row, start increasing:
  - Ch 3, turn work, and add 2 YO-sl st from the second loop from the hook.
  - Crochet across as usual, working BLO.
Rows 3+ (Increasing Row):
- Rep Row 2, adding 2 increases per even row (one increase at the start, one at the end).
- Continue increasing every even row until you reach 22 cm in height with 10 raised braids visible.
Rows (Without Increasing):
- After achieving the height, work rows without increases. This means at the ends where you used ch 3, now ch 1 only.
- Continue until the width of the front panel reaches 19 cm, ending with 12 braid rows.
Repeat the same steps for the second front panel.

Save

Part 2: Back Panel

Foundation Row:
- Count the stitches from the tallest part of the front panel (in this case, 33 stitches) and add 1 to that count.
- Chain 34 stitches and start working YO-sl st from the second chain from the hook across the row.
Rows (Without Increases):
- Ch 1, turn work, and use YO-sl st BLO, measuring width and height instead of counting stitches.
- Continue working rows until the panel reaches:
  - Width: 24 cm (wider than the front panel).
  - Height: 21 cm.
End with ch 1, cut yarn.

Save

Part 3: Sleeves

Foundation Row:
- Chain 21 stitches (or adjust per desired sleeve length in cm), starting from the second loop from the hook and work YO-sl st across the row.
Rows:
- Ch 1, turn work, and work YO-sl st BLO until the sleeve’s rectangle reaches:
  - Width: 20 cm when unfolded (10 cm folded).
  - Height: 12.5 cm before adding cuffs.
Cuffs:
- Switch to the 3 mm hook.
- Attach yarn at the bottom of the sleeve and make a chain of 7 chains.
- Starting from the second chain from the hook, work 6 sc down.
- Insert hook into the free loop above the braid, make a sl st, then make another sl st into the next loop above the braid.
- Turn work, skipping the sl stitches, and work 6 sc BLO back up.
- Continue working this cuff pattern all around the sleeve edge.
End with ch 1, cut yarn.

Save

Part 4: Assembly

Attach Front Panels to Back Panel:
- Place the front panels onto the back panel, and using either a yarn needle or crochet hook, attach them at the sides:
  - Work sl sts into the spaces between the braids and into the loops above the braids.
Attach Sleeves to Body:
- Align the sleeve wrong side facing up and match its rows to the side seams of the body.
- Use sl sts to join:
  - Find the middle of the sleeve and attach half the rows to the front panel and the other half to the back panel.
  - With odd rows, attach the middle one directly into the seam.
Finish Side Seams:
- On each side of the cardigan, work sl sts along the side seam and sleeve seam.

Part 5: Edging & Ties

Edging:
- Start from the corner of the front panel and work single crochet stitches all around the edge.
- When reaching areas with increases, work 2 sc into steps and 1 sc into the top of each braid.
- Complete 2 rounds of sc or more, and finish with sl sts all around for a clean edge.
Ties:
- Chain 35 chains. Start from the second loop from the hook and work sl sts all the way down.
- Leave longer yarn tails for sewing and attach to the desired areas.

Save

Final Touches

Weave in all ends.
Optional: Add an inner tie or buttons for added convenience.

Finished Cardigan

The baby cardigan is complete! The braid-like texture makes the cardigan look unique and cozy. This pattern is beginner-friendly and can be easily customized for any size or age.