Wrap your little one in handmade warmth and charm with this adorable crochet baby cardigan! Featuring a delicate shell stitch body and sleeves, a cozy ribbed yoke, and a sweet little flower detail, this cardigan is perfect for layering on any occasion. It’s designed to be a delightful project for those comfortable with basic stitches and ready for a bit of lace.
Skill Level: Intermediate (familiarity with basic stitches, working top-down, and understanding shell stitch patterns is helpful).
Materials:
- Yarn: DK (Light Worsted) weight yarn. A soft baby acrylic, cotton, or a blend is highly recommended for comfort and drape.
- Main Color (MC): White (or your chosen primary color) – approx. 200-300 yards, depending on size.
- Accent Color (AC): Coral (for the flower) – small amount.
- Crochet Hook: Size G/6 (4.0 mm) or size needed to obtain gauge.
- Yarn Needle: For weaving in ends and attaching embellishments.
- Scissors
- Stitch Markers: Essential for marking the start of rows/rounds and increase points on the yoke.
- Small Buttons: 2-3 pearl-like buttons (approx. 8-10mm) for the front closure.
Gauge (Crucial!):
Achieving the correct gauge is essential for the cardigan to fit properly.
- Yoke Gauge: 4 rows of hdc should measure approximately 1 inch.
- Shell Stitch Gauge: 3 shell rows should measure approximately 2 inches.
- Adjust your hook size if necessary to meet these gauges.
Finished Size (Approximate, 6-12 Months):
- Chest Circumference: 18-20 inches
- Length (Shoulder to Hem): 9-10 inches
- Sleeve Length (Underarm to Cuff): 6-7 inches
- Adjustments for other sizes: Guidance will be provided.
Abbreviations (US Crochet Terms):
- ch: chain
- sl st: slip stitch
- sc: single crochet
- hdc: half double crochet
- dc: double crochet
- sk: skip
- sp: space
- st(s): stitch(es)
- beg: beginning
- rep: repeat
- inc: increase (work 2 sts in the same st)
- MC: Main Color
- AC: Accent Color
- Shell: (dc 2, ch 1, dc 2) in same st/sp
- ( ): repeat instructions in parentheses a specified number of times
- [ ]: total stitches in a row/round
Pattern for Sweet Shell Stitch Baby Cardigan
This cardigan is worked from the top down, starting with the yoke.
Part 1: The Yoke (Top Down, Worked in Rows)
Initial Chain: Ch 76 (for 6-12 months). This chain count should allow for 4 even sections and enough room for increases.
Row 1 (Foundation): Hdc in 3rd ch from hook and in each ch across. [74 hdc]
- Ch 2 (counts as hdc), turn.
Row 2 (First Yoke Increase Row): Hdc in first st. Hdc in next 10 sts (Right Back Panel). (Hdc 2 in next st, ch 1, Hdc 2 in next st) in next st (Corner 1). Place stitch marker in ch-1 sp. Hdc in next 15 sts (Right Sleeve). (Hdc 2 in next st, ch 1, Hdc 2 in next st) in next st (Corner 2). Place stitch marker in ch-1 sp. Hdc in next 20 sts (Front Panel). (Hdc 2 in next st, ch 1, Hdc 2 in next st) in next st (Corner 3). Place stitch marker in ch-1 sp. Hdc in next 15 sts (Left Sleeve). (Hdc 2 in next st, ch 1, Hdc 2 in next st) in next st (Corner 4). Place stitch marker in ch-1 sp. Hdc in next 10 sts. Hdc 2 in last st (Left Back Panel). [86 hdc, 4 ch-1 sps] Ch 2, turn.
Row 3 (Yoke Increase Row): Hdc in first st. Hdc in each hdc until you reach the first ch-1 sp. (Hdc 2 in ch-1 sp, ch 1, Hdc 2 in ch-1 sp) in ch-1 sp (Corner 1). Hdc in each hdc until you reach the next ch-1 sp. (Hdc 2 in ch-1 sp, ch 1, Hdc 2 in ch-1 sp) in ch-1 sp (Corner 2). Hdc in each hdc until you reach the next ch-1 sp. (Hdc 2 in ch-1 sp, ch 1, Hdc 2 in ch-1 sp) in ch-1 sp (Corner 3). Hdc in each hdc until you reach the next ch-1 sp. (Hdc 2 in ch-1 sp, ch 1, Hdc 2 in ch-1 sp) in ch-1 sp (Corner 4). Hdc in each hdc until last st. Hdc 2 in last st. Ch 2, turn.
Repeat Row 3 for a total of 5-7 yoke rows (including Row 2). The cardigan in the picture appears to have about 6-7 rows for the yoke before the armholes are divided. Measure the yoke depth to ensure it’s about 4-5 inches from the neckline to the corner point.
Part 2: Dividing for Sleeves and Body
Next Row (Divide for Body): Ch 2. Hdc in each hdc until you reach the first corner ch-1 sp. Hdc 1 in corner ch-1 sp. Ch 2 (this creates the armhole space). Sk ALL sts between this corner and the next corner (Sleeve 1 sts). Hdc 1 in the next corner ch-1 sp. Hdc in each hdc across the Front Panel until you reach the next corner ch-1 sp. Hdc 1 in corner ch-1 sp. Ch 2 (this creates the second armhole space). Sk ALL sts between this corner and the next corner (Sleeve 2 sts). Hdc 1 in the next corner ch-1 sp. Hdc in each hdc until the end of the row. Do NOT turn. You will now begin working the body in rows for the cardigan opening.
Part 3: The Cardigan Body (Worked in Rows)
The body will be worked in rows, from one side of the front opening to the other.
Next Row (Shell Stitch Base): Ch 3 (counts as dc). Sk first st. Dc in next 2 sts. *Sk 2 sts, Shell (dc 2, ch 1, dc 2) in next st.* Rep from * to * across. When you reach the armhole chain, work the shell pattern into the chain (e.g., sk 2 sts from the body, then Shell into 1st ch of armhole, then sk 2nd ch of armhole and work into next body st). Adjust to maintain the pattern. End the row with dc in last 3 sts. Ch 3, turn.
Next Row (Shell Stitch Pattern): Dc in first 2 dc. *Shell (dc 2, ch 1, dc 2) in the ch-1 sp of next Shell.* Rep from * to * across. End with dc in last 3 dc. Ch 3, turn.
Repeat the Shell Stitch Pattern Row until the cardigan body reaches your desired length (approx. 9-10 inches from the shoulder, or longer if desired for a dress-like cardigan). The picture shows a relatively short cardigan.
Final Body Row (Optional – for a solid hem): Ch 1. Sc in each dc and in each ch-1 sp around. Sl st to join. Fasten off MC.
Part 4: The Sleeves (Worked in Rounds)
Join MC yarn to the center of the underarm ch-2 space.
Round 1 (Sleeve Base): Ch 2 (counts as hdc). Hdc in each hdc around the armhole opening and into the 2 ch-sp. Sl st to join. [Approx. 30-36 hdc]
Round 2 (Shell Stitch Base): Ch 3 (counts as dc). Sk 1 st. Dc in next 2 sts. *Sk 2 sts, Shell (dc 2, ch 1, dc 2) in next st.* Rep from * to * around. Sl st to 3rd ch of beg ch-3 to join. You may need to adjust the last repeat to fit evenly around the round.
Round 3 (Shell Stitch Pattern): Ch 3 (counts as dc). Dc in first 2 dc. *Shell (dc 2, ch 1, dc 2) in the ch-1 sp of next Shell.* Rep from * to * around. Sl st to 3rd ch of beg ch-3 to join.
Repeat Round 3 until the sleeve reaches desired length (approx. 6-7 inches from underarm, or shorter for short sleeves).
Final Sleeve Cuff (Optional – as seen in picture): The picture shows a solid cuff. Ch 1. Sc in each dc and in each ch-1 sp around. Sl st to join. Work another 1-2 rounds of sc for a thicker cuff if desired. Fasten off MC and weave in ends. Repeat for the second sleeve.
Part 5: Edging & Finishing Touches
Front Bands & Neckline Edging: Join MC yarn to the bottom right corner of the cardigan front. Row 1: Ch 1. Sc evenly up the front opening, around the neckline, and down the other front opening. Aim for 2 sc per hdc row and 1 sc per dc row of the yoke/body. Row 2 (Buttonholes): For one front band (e.g., the right side when wearing), Ch 1, sc in first few sts. *Ch 2 (sk 2 sts for buttonhole), sc in next few sts.* Repeat for 2-3 buttonholes, evenly spaced. Sc to end. Row 2 (Non-Buttonhole Side): For the other front band, Ch 1, sc in each st across. Fasten off MC.
Small Flower Embellishment (Using AC – Coral): Center: Ch 2. 6 sc in 2nd ch from hook. Sl st to join. Petals: *Ch 2, dc 1, ch 2, sl st in same sc (or next sc).* Repeat from * to * 5 more times for 6 petals. Fasten off AC, leave a long tail.
Assembly:
- Weave in all remaining yarn ends securely.
- Sew the small pearl buttons onto the front band opposite the buttonholes, aligning them perfectly.
- Sew the coral flower onto the top front of the cardigan, near the buttons, as seen in the picture.
Blocking (Recommended!): Gently block your cardigan to open up the shell stitch, even out your tension, and enhance drape. Wet the cardigan thoroughly, gently squeeze out excess water, lay flat, and shape it to the correct dimensions. Let it dry completely.
