Little Petal Perfection Cardigan: A Free Crochet Pattern

Isn’t this little pink cardigan just darling? With its unique V-neck, ruffled sleeves, and delicate shell stitch skirt, this “Little Petal Perfection Cardigan” is absolutely perfect for a baby girl. The contrasting trim and little ties add a sweet finishing touch, making it ideal for layering or dressing up any outfit.

This pattern is designed for confident beginners or intermediate crocheters. If you’re comfortable with basic stitches and shaping, you’ll find this a joyful project to create!

Let’s get started on crocheting this adorable piece!

Skill Level: Easy-Intermediate Yarn Weight: DK (light worsted) yarn in main color (Light Pink) and a small amount of contrasting color (Purple). Hook Size: 4.0mm (G/6) crochet hook (or size needed to obtain gauge) Other Materials:

Yarn needle for weaving in ends
Small amount of contrasting yarn for the flower embellishment and tie beads (optional)
Stitch markers (helpful for marking increases)

Gauge: 5 dc and 3 rows = 1 inch (2.5 cm) in double crochet (for the upper bodice). It’s important to check your gauge to ensure the cardigan will be the correct size. Adjust your hook size if necessary.

Finished Size (approximate): 0-3 months (with notes for adjustments) For larger sizes, you’ll need to adjust your starting chain and the number of rows/rounds for both the bodice and skirt.

Stitches Used:

ch: chain
sl st: slip stitch
sc: single crochet
hdc: half double crochet
dc: double crochet
V-stitch (V-st): (dc, ch 1, dc) in the same stitch/space
Shell Stitch (Shell): (2 dc, ch 1, 2 dc) in the same stitch/space

Pattern Notes:

This cardigan is worked in one piece from the top down, starting with the back, then adding the fronts, and finally joining to work the body and sleeves.
Ch 2 at the beginning of a dc row/round counts as a dc. Ch 1 does NOT count as a stitch unless specified.
The V-neck shaping is created by increasing at the front edges.
The lower body and sleeves use a lacy shell stitch pattern.

Let’s Begin! The Yoke / Bodice (Main Color: Light Pink)

We’ll start by crocheting the back of the yoke, then add the fronts.

Back Panel: Starting Chain: Ch 32 (Adjust for desired back neck width).

Row 1: Dc in the 3rd ch from hook (counts as 2 dc). Dc in each ch across. Turn. (31 dc)

Row 2: Ch 2 (counts as dc), dc in each dc across. Turn.

Repeat Row 2 for approximately 6-8 rows, or until the back panel measures about 3.5-4 inches in height. Fasten off.

Front Panels (Make 2 identical): Starting Chain: Ch 12 (Adjust for desired front width).

Row 1: Dc in the 3rd ch from hook (counts as 2 dc). Dc in each ch across. Turn. (11 dc)

Row 2 (Increase for V-Neck): Ch 2, dc in the first dc. Dc in each dc across to the last 2 dc. 2 dc in the last dc. Turn. (1 dc increased) This increase will create the V-neck opening.

Repeat Row 2 for approximately 4-6 rows, or until the front panel matches the height of the back panel. Fasten off.

Joining the Bodice Pieces

Now we’ll join the two front panels to the back panel to form the full yoke.

Layout: Place the back panel flat. Place one front panel on each side, aligning the top edges. The increased edges of the front panels will form the V-neck opening.

Joining Row: Using Main Color (Light Pink): Ch 2. Dc across the first front panel. Ch 2 (for armhole). Dc across the back panel. Ch 2 (for armhole). Dc across the second front panel. Turn. You have now joined the pieces. The two Ch 2 spaces create the armholes.

Working the Body (Main Color: Light Pink)

Now we’ll continue working in rows to shape the body, below the armholes.

Row 1 (Pattern Establishment): Ch 2, dc in the first dc. Skip 1 st, Shell Stitch (2 dc, ch 1, 2 dc) in the next st. Repeat from * to * across, working into dc and into the ch-2 spaces (treat each ch-2 space as one “stitch” or simply work a shell into it). In the very last space/stitch, work 2 dc. Turn. Adjust your stitch count slightly on this first row to ensure an even number of shell repeats across the entire circumference. Aim for a multiple of 5 stitches + 2 for the shell pattern.

Row 2: Ch 2, dc in the first st. Shell Stitch (2 dc, ch 1, 2 dc) in the ch-1 space of the next Shell from the previous row. Repeat from * to * across. Work 2 dc into the last Shell’s ch-1 space. Turn.

Repeat Row 2 until the body of the cardigan reaches your desired length (typically around 9-10 inches from the shoulder for 0-3 months), ending on a wrong side row.

Edging the Body (Contrasting Color: Purple)

Attach Contrasting Color (Purple): Join Contrasting Color yarn to the bottom corner of the cardigan.

Row 1 (Bottom Edging): Ch 1, sc in the first st. Skip 2 sts, Shell Stitch (2 dc, ch 1, 2 dc) in the next st, skip 2 sts, sc in the next st. Repeat from * to * across the entire bottom edge. Turn.

Row 2 (Front Edging): Ch 1, sc evenly up the front edge of the cardigan, around the V-neck, and down the other front edge. Fasten off. Ensure your sc stitches are evenly spaced to create a neat edge.

The Sleeves (Main Color: Light Pink)

Join yarn in the armhole.

Round 1: Ch 2, dc around the armhole opening, making sure to evenly space your stitches. Join with a sl st to the top of the beginning ch 2. Count your stitches for the sleeve. It should be a multiple of 5 + 2 for the shell pattern.

Round 2 (Shell Pattern): Ch 2, dc in the first st. Skip 1 st, Shell Stitch (2 dc, ch 1, 2 dc) in the next st. Repeat from * to * around. Skip 1 st, dc in the last st. Join with a sl st to the top of the beginning ch-2.

Round 3 (Shell Pattern): Ch 2, dc in the first st. Shell Stitch (2 dc, ch 1, 2 dc) in each ch-1 space of the Shells from the previous round across. Dc in the top of the turning chain. Join with a sl st.

Repeat Round 3 for approximately 2-3 more rounds, or until the sleeve reaches desired length (for short ruffled sleeves).

Sleeve Edging (Contrasting Color: Purple): Attach Contrasting Color (Purple): Join yarn to the last stitch of the sleeve. Next Round: Ch 1, sc in the first st. Skip 2 sts, Shell Stitch (2 dc, ch 1, 2 dc) in the next st, skip 2 sts, sc in the next st. Repeat from * to * around. Join with a sl st to the first sc. Fasten off.

Repeat for the second sleeve.

Video tutorial

Finishing and Embellishments

Tie Cords (Make 2):
- With Contrasting Color (Purple), chain a long length (approx. 8-10 inches).
- Optional Bead: At the end of each tie, make a tiny cluster: Ch 3, 4-5 dc in the 3rd ch from hook. Sl st to the first dc. Fasten off.
- Sew one tie to each front edge of the cardigan, just below the V-neck.
Optional Flower Embellishment:
- With Contrasting Color (Purple) and a smaller hook (e.g., 3.0mm):
  - Ch 2. 5 sc in the 2nd ch from hook. Join with a sl st to first sc.
  - (Ch 2, 2 dc in same st, ch 2, sl st in same st) Repeat 5 times around the circle, working into each sc. You’ll form 5 small petals.
  - Fasten off, leaving a tail for sewing.
- Sew the flower onto the front of the cardigan, near one of the ties.
Weave in all ends: Use your yarn needle to neatly weave in all loose ends.