Crochet Baby Cardigan Pattern: Little One Cardigan

I’m excited to share the first pattern in the fourth annual Christmas in July Make Along and the second pattern by the Underground Crafter Design Team! The Little One Cardigan is an adorable crochet baby cardigan pattern made with just two skeins of yarn. The beautiful cable details make this an heirloom type project and a perfect gift.

This post contains affiliate links. I may receive compensation (at no added cost to you) if you make a purchase using these links. I am a King Cole Brand Ambassador and this post is part of our ongoing collaboration.

I sometimes sharing patterns by guest designers who choose to remain anonymous as the Underground Crafter Design Team. These indie designers transfer the rights to a particular pattern over to Underground Crafter so I can share their work with you — but only if I don’t reveal their names. Think of these patterns as fun secrets!

The stunning cable details on the Little One Cardigan take this pattern to the next level! This project combines easy single crochet with cabled sections and uses just two skeins of King Cole Paradise Beaches DK yarn. This beautiful and soft acrylic blend yarn comes in generous skeins and in lovely colors.

Paradise Beaches DK is available from your local yarn shop or online at LoveCrafts or Wool Warehouse UK. Paradise Beaches DK (a solid color yarn) is interchangeable with Beaches DK (a variegated yarn), Island Beaches DK (a semi-solid color yarn), and Tropical Beaches DK (just like Beaches DK, but twice as much yarn in a skein). All four of these yarns have the same fiber content, care instructions, and yarn thickness, and the colors coordinate well.

Scroll down to get the free pattern for Little One Cardigan. This is the first pattern in the fourth annual Christmas in July Make Along with Underground Crafter. You can get all the details, including links to all 31 included patterns, and enter the giveaway for your chance to win a great prize in this blog post. Each pattern can be finished in less than a day! To join the Christmas in July Make Along:

• Sign up for the Underground Crafter newsletter to get regular updates, including links to new Make Along patterns, each week. When you sign up, you’ll also get access to my subscriber vault which includes exclusive free PDF patterns, a coupon code for your choice of any crochet or knitting pattern or ebook from my Ravelry shop, and coupon codes from other indie designers and crafts businesses. 
• You can join in by crocheting, knitting, sewing, or making the projects as you have time.
• Share your progress and post pictures of your finished projects. Tag your projects and posts #CIJMakeAlong2022 on all social media.
• If you’d like to chat with other crafters, join the Underground Crafters Facebook group.
• If you need more handmade holiday inspiration, check out the weekly roundups with even more free patterns for gift ideas.
• By the end of the Make Along, you’ll have up to 31 awesome projects. Get ready for the handmade holiday season while having fun with us!
• Use this button below on your Ravelry project pages or elsewhere on social media. Right click (on desktop) or tap and hold (on mobile) to save.

If you make your own Little One Cardigan, I’d love to see it! Share your progress and questions by tagging me on Facebook as @Underground Crafter, Instragram as @ucrafter, or Twitter as @ucrafter. You can also share a picture in the Underground Crafters Facebook group. Sign up for my weekly newsletter and get a coupon code for your choice of one of my premium patterns and private access to my vault of subscriber goodies. Plus, you’ll never miss one of my free patterns again!

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Little One Cardigan

Crochet Baby Cardigan Pattern by Underground Crafter

This cozy crochet baby cardigan pattern is available in three infant and toddler sizes. Luscious cables add texture and make this an heirloom-worthy project. This pattern is part of the fourth annual Christmas in July Make Along with Underground Crafter.

Sizes

• 6 Months (12 Months, 18 Months). Photographed sample is 6 Months size.
  • 6 Months: 20” (51 cm) finished chest measurement.
  • 12 Months: 21” (53.5 cm) finished chest measurement.
  • 18 Months: 22” (56 cm) finished chest measurement.

Materials

• King Cole Paradise Beaches DK yarn (70% acrylic/30% polyamide, 3 oz/100 g, 278 yd/255 m) – 1 skein each in 3001 White Lady (CA) and 3005 Blue Jamaica (CB), or approximately 278 yd (255 m) each in any light weight, acrylic blend yarn.
  • Paradise Beaches DK is available from your local yarn shop or online at LoveCrafts or Wool Warehouse UK.
• US Size H-8/5 mm crochet hook, or size needed to obtain gauge.
• US Size I-9/5.5 mm crochet hook, or size needed to obtain gauge.
• Straight pins.
• Yarn needle.
• 0.5” (1/2”) buttons – 4 (4, 5) buttons.
• 4 (4, 5) stitch markers.
• Sewing needle and thread (for attaching buttons).

Gauge

• With larger hook, 17 sc for 19 rows measures 4” (10 cm) square. For best fit, always check your gauge and make a swatch large enough to take an undistorted center measurement.

Abbreviations Used in This Pattern

• CA – Color A
• CB – Color B
• ch – chain
• FPdc – front post double crochet – Yo, insert hook from side, around the back and out the other side of stitch indicated, yo, pull loop through, [yo, pull through 2 loops on hook] twice. A helpful video tutorial for this stitch is available below.

• If you can’t see the video tutorial for the FPdc above, click HERE to watch it on YouTube.
• FPtr – front post treble crochet – Yo twice, insert hook from side, around the back and out the other side of stitch indicated, yo, pull loop through, [yo, pull through 2 loops on hook] 3 times. A helpful video tutorial for this stitch is available below.

• If you can’t see the video tutorial for the FPtr above, click HERE to watch it on YouTube.
• rep – repeat
• sc – single crochet
• sc2tog – single crochet 2 stitches together (decrease) – Insert hook in stitch indicated, yo, pull loop through, insert hook in next stitch, yo, pull loop through, yo, pull through 3 loops on hook. Yarn Obsession has a helpful tutorial for this stitch here.­
• sl st – slip stitch
• st(s) – stitch(es)
• yo – yarn over
• * Repeat instructions after asterisk as indicated.
• [] Repeat instructions between brackets as indicated.

Pattern Notes

• Larger hook is used for all parts except for the trim. Smaller hook is used for trim only.
• Front and Back are worked in one piece from bottom to top. Sleeves are worked separately and then seamed using the mattress stitch.
• A helpful video tutorial for working a single crochet around the side of your project is available below.

• If you can’t see the video tutorial for working a single crochet around your project above, click HERE to watch it on YouTube.
• A helpful video tutorial for seaming with the mattress stitch is available below.

• If you can’t see the video tutorial for seaming with the mattress stitch above, click HERE to watch it on YouTube.

Pattern Instructions

Sweater Body

Bottom Decorative Cable

• Cable is worked lengthwise then stitches are picked up along the long side to work bottom to top.
• Row 1 (RS): With CA and larger hook, ch 9, skip first ch, sc in each remaining ch. (8 sc)
• Row 2: Turn, ch 1, sc in first st and in each sc across.
• Row 3: Turn, ch 1, sc in first and next sc, [FPdc around sc in row below] 4 times, sc in next and last sc.
• Row 4: Turn, ch 1, sc in first st and in each st across.
• Row 5: Turn, ch 1, sc in first and next sc, [FPdc around each FPdc in row below] 4 times, sc in next and last sc.
• Row 6: Turn, ch 1, sc in first st and in each st across.
• Row 7: Turn, ch 1, sc in first and next sc, skip first and second FPdc in row below, FPtr around each of third and fourth FPdc in row below, working in front of sts just worked, FPtr around each of first and second FPdc in row below (previously skipped), sc in next and last sc.
• Row 8: Turn, ch 1, sc in each st across.
• Rows 9-12: Rep Rows 5-6.
• Rows 13-78 (84, 90): Rep Rows 7-12. Fasten off CA.

Main Body

• Row 1: With RS facing, with larger hook, join CB with sl st to begin working across long edge of Decorative Cable. Ch 1, work 68 (72, 76) sc evenly across (see Pattern Notes).
• Row 2: Turn, ch 1, sc in first st and in each st across. – 68 (72, 76) sc
• Rep previous row, 2 (3, 3) times more.
• Next row: Turn, ch 1, sc2tog across first 2 sts, sc in next st and each st across to last 2 sts, sc2tog across last 2 sts. – 66 (70, 74) sc
• Next row: Turn, ch 1, sc in first st and in each st across.
• Rep previous row, 2 (3, 3) times more.
• Rep previous 4 (5, 5) rows, 3 (3, 3) times more. – 60 (64, 68) sc on final row
• Next row: Turn, ch 1, sc2tog across first 2 sts, sc in next st and each st across to last 2 sts, sc2tog across last 2 sts. – 58 (62, 66) sc
• Next row: Turn, ch 1, sc in first st and each st across. – 58 (62, 66) sc

Begin Armhole Split

• Continue working on the same piece; fronts and back will be worked separately onto the last row of the main sweater body.

First Front

• Row 1: Turn, ch 1, sc across first 8 (8, 10) sc only, leaving remaining sc unworked. – 8 (8, 10) sc
• Row 2: Turn, ch 1, sc2tog across first 2 sts, sc in each remaining sc. – 7 (7, 9) sc
• Row 3: Turn, ch 1, sc2tog across first 2 sts, sc in each st to last 2 sc, sc2tog across last 2 sc. – 5 (5, 7) sc
• Row 4: Turn, ch 1, sc in first st and in each st across. – 5 (5, 7) sc
• Row 5: Turn, ch 1, sc2tog across first 2 sc, sc in each remaining st. – 4 (4, 6) sc
• Row 6: Turn, ch 1, sc in first st and in each st to last 2 sc, sc2tog across last 2 sts. – 3 (3, 5) sc
• For size 18 months only: Rep previous 2 rows. 3 sc on final row. Continue for all sizes.
• Next Row: Turn, ch 1, sc2tog across first 2 sc, sc in last sc. (2 sc)
• Next Row: Turn, ch 1, sc2tog across 2 sc, fasten off CB. (1 st)

Back

• Row 1: Going back to bottom of Armhole Split, skip next 4 sc, join CB with sl st in next sc, ch 1, sc across 34 (38, 38) sc only, leaving remaining sc unworked. – 34 (38, 38) sc
• Row 2: Turn, ch 1, sc2tog across first 2 sc, sc to last 2 sc, sc2tog across last 2 sc. – 32 (36, 36) sc
• For size 12 months only: Rep previous row once more. 34 sc on final row. Continue for all sizes.
• Next Row: Turn, ch 1, sc in first st and in each st across. – 34 (36, 36) sc
• Rep previous row until 17 (17, 19) rows total worked for Back.

First Shoulder

• Row 1: Turn, ch 1, sc in first 10 sc only, leaving remaining sc unworked. (10 sc)
• Row 2: Turn, ch 1, sc2tog across first 2 sc, sc in each remaining sc. (9 sc)
• Row 3: Turn, ch 1, sc in first st and each st across to last 2 sc, sc2tog across last 2 sc. Fasten off CB. (8 sc)

Second Shoulder

• Row 1: Going back to top of Back, skip next 12 (14, 16) sc, join CB with sl st in next sc, ch 1, sc across 10 sc. (10 sc)
• Row 2: Turn, ch 1, sc in first st and in each st to last 2 sc, sc2tog across last 2 sc. (9 sc)
• Row 3: Turn, ch 1, sc2tog across first 2 sc, sc in each remaining sc. Fasten off CB. (8 sc)

Second Front

• Row 1: Going back to bottom of Armhole Split, skip next 4 sc, join CB with sl st in next sc, ch 1, sc across remaining 8 (8, 10) sc. – 8 (8, 10) sc
• Row 2: Turn, ch 1, sc in first st and in each st to last 2 sc, sc2tog across last 2 sc. – 7 (7, 9) sc
• Row 3: Turn, ch 1, sc2tog across first 2 sc, sc in next st and in each st to last 2 sc, sc2tog across last 2 sc. – 5 (5, 7) sc
• Row 4: Turn, ch 1, sc in first st and in each st across. – 5 (5, 7) sc
• Row 5: Turn, ch 1, sc in first st and in each st across to last 2 sts, sc2tog across last 2 sc. – 4 (4, 6) sc
• Row 6: Turn, ch 1, sc2tog across first 2 sc, sc in each remaining sc. – 3 (3, 5) sc
• For size 18 months only: Rep previous 2 rows. 3 sc on final row. Continue for all sizes.
• Row 7: Turn, ch 1, sc in first sc, sc2tog across last 2 sc. (2 sc)
• Row 8: Turn, ch 1, sc2tog across 2 sc, fasten off CB. (1 st)

Front Decorative Cable (Make 2)

• Rep Bottom Decorative Cable until 54 (54, 60) rows completed.
• Using straight pins to temporarily secure, place the Decorative Cable along the inner portion of the sweater, leaving the top 2.5” (2.5”, 3”)/6.5 cm (6.5 cm, 7.5 cm) of the Decorative Cable unattached. (This top portion will be attached to the sleeves.) Using yarn needle, seam Front Decorative Cable, leaving the top 2.5” (2.5”, 3”)/6.5 cm (6.5 cm, 7.5 cm) unseamed, as described. Repeat for opposite side.
• Using yarn needle, seam back shoulders to tops of corresponding Decorative Cable.

Sleeves (Make 2)

Wrist Decorative Cable

• Rep Bottom Decorative Cable until 36 (36, 36) rows completed.
• Row 1: With RS facing, with larger hook, join CB with sl st to begin working across long edge of Decorative Cable, ch 1, work 28 (28, 30) sc evenly across (see Pattern Notes).
• Row 2: Turn, ch 1, sc in first st and in each across. – 28 (28, 30) sc
• Rep previous row, 2 (4, 1) times more.
• Next row: Turn, ch 1, 2 sc in first sc, sc to last sc, 2 sc in last sc. – 30 (30, 32) sc
• Next 4 rows: Turn, ch 1, sc in first st and in each st across.
• Rep previous 5 rows, 3 (3, 4) times more. 36 (36, 40) sc on final row.
• Next row: Turn, ch 1, sc2tog across first 2 sc, sc to last 2 sc, sc2tog across last 2 sc. – 34 (34, 38) sc
• Rep previous row, 3 times more. 28 (28, 32) sc on final row. Fasten off CB.
• Using straight pins to temporarily secure, set in and seam sleeves.

Trim

• Round 1: With smaller hook and RS facing, join CA to bottom of sweater with sl st, ch 1, work evenly around bottom, inner edges and neckline, making 2 sc in each bottom corner, sl st to first sc.
• Traditionally, buttonholes are on the left side for boys and the right side for girls. You can choose either side for your buttonholes. With stitch markers, mark 4 (4, 5) evenly spaced buttonhole positions.
• Round 2: Ch 1, sc in each sc around, with 2 sc at each bottom corner and skipping 1 sc at each inner curve of neckline, except at buttonhole positions, [ch 2, sk 2 sc].
• Round 3: Ch 1, sc in each sc around with 2 sc at each corner, skipping 1 sc at each inner curve of neckline, except at buttonhole position, [2 sc in each ch-2 sp]. Fasten off. Note: Once a buttonhole is completed, before continuing, double check that your chosen buttons fit well.
• Using sewing thread and needle, attach buttons adjacent to buttonholes.
• With yarn needle, weave in all ends securely.

© 2022 Underground Crafter. This pattern is for personal use only. You may use the pattern to make unlimited items for yourself, for charity, or to give as gifts. You may sell items you personally make by hand from this pattern. Do not violate Marie’s copyright by distributing this pattern or the photos in any form, including but not limited to scanning, photocopying, emailing, or posting on a website or internet discussion group. If you want to share the pattern, point your friends to this link: https://undergroundcrafter.com/2022/07/01/crochet-baby-cardigan-pattern-little-one-cardigan/ Thanks for supporting indie designers!