Absolutely! Here’s a detailed, step-by-step pattern for crocheting a basic baby cardigan, suitable for a 6-12 month old. You can adjust hook size and yarn weight to alter the size.
Materials:
- Yarn: Approximately 300-400 yards of DK or light worsted weight yarn (baby-friendly, soft yarn is recommended).
- Crochet Hook: Size H/8 (5.0 mm) or size appropriate for your chosen yarn.
- Buttons: 3-4 buttons, approximately 0.75-1 inch in diameter.
- Yarn Needle: For weaving in ends.
- Scissors.
- Stitch Markers (optional, but helpful).
Abbreviations:
- ch: chain
- sc: single crochet
- hdc: half double crochet
- dc: double crochet
- sl st: slip stitch
- st(s): stitch(es)
- rep: repeat
- sk: skip
Gauge (Important!):
- Before you start, create a 4×4 inch swatch using the yarn and hook you’ve selected. Measure your swatch to ensure your tension matches the pattern’s intended size. Adjust your hook size if necessary.
Pattern:
1. Yoke (Top-Down Construction):
- Chain: Chain 60. (Adjust this number if you need a wider/narrower neck. Make sure your starting chain is a multiple of 4 plus 4).
- Row 1: Hdc in the 3rd chain from the hook and in each chain across. (58 hdc)
- Row 2: Ch 2 (counts as first hdc), hdc in next st, ch 1, sk 1, hdc in next st, rep from * to * across. (29 hdc, 28 ch-1 spaces)
- Row 3: Ch 2, hdc in next st, hdc in ch-1 space, hdc in next st, hdc in ch-1 space, repeat across. (58 hdc)
- Row 4 (Increase Row): Ch 2, hdc in next st, (hdc, ch 1, hdc) in next st (marking the raglan increase point), hdc in next 12 sts, (hdc, ch 1, hdc) in next st, hdc in next 14 sts, (hdc, ch 1, hdc) in next st, hdc in next 12 sts, (hdc, ch 1, hdc) in next st, hdc in last 2 sts. (66 hdc, 4 ch-1 spaces)
- Row 5: Ch 2, hdc in each st across, and (hdc, ch 1, hdc) in each ch-1 space. (74 hdc, 4 ch-1 spaces)
- Rows 6-16: Repeat Row 5, increasing by 8 hdc each row (2 hdc and 1 ch-1 space in each of the 4 increases). (162 hdc, 4 ch-1 spaces at end of row 16)
2. Separate Sleeves:
- Row 17: Ch 2, hdc in next st, hdc to first ch-1 space, sk all stitches between the ch-1 spaces (this is the sleeve gap), hdc in the next ch-1 space, hdc across the back, sk all stitches between the next ch-1 spaces, hdc in the next ch-1 space, hdc to end. (Body only)
- Row 18-30: Ch 2, hdc in each st across. (Continue until body is the desired length.)
- Sleeves:
- Reattach yarn to the first sleeve opening.
- Hdc around the sleeve opening, placing hdc in the skipped stitches from the yoke.
- Continue hdc in rounds, decreasing slightly if needed to create a tapered sleeve, until the sleeve is the desired length.
- Repeat for the second sleeve.
- For sleeve cuffs, work a few rounds of single crochet, or a ribbed pattern (alternating front post double crochet and back post double crochet).
3. Body Edging:
- Work a round of sc around the entire edge of the cardigan (fronts, neck, and bottom).
- Button Band (Right Front):
- Work several rows of sc along the right front edge to create a firm band. Work enough rows to create a band that is the correct width for your chosen buttons.
- Buttonhole Band (Left Front):
- Work the same number of rows as the right front, but create buttonholes at regular intervals.
- To create a buttonhole: sc a few sts, ch 2, sk 2 sts, sc to the end of the row. On the next row, sc into the chain spaces.
4. Neck Edging:
- Work a few rounds of sc or hdc around the neck opening to create a neat edge.
5. Finishing:
- Weave in all loose ends.
- Sew the buttons onto the right front, aligning them with the buttonholes.
Tips and Adjustments:
- Size Adjustment: To make the cardigan larger or smaller, adjust the starting chain and the number of increase rows.
- Sleeve Length: Adjust the number of rounds for the sleeves to make them longer or shorter.
- Button Placement: Adjust the number and placement of buttons to your preference.
- Stitch Patterns: You can use different stitch patterns for the body and sleeves, such as double crochet or a textured stitch.
- Ribbing: Adding ribbing (alternating front post and back post double crochet) to the cuffs and bottom edge can create a more polished look.
Enjoy crocheting your baby cardigan!
