There’s something incredibly special about a handmade baby cardigan. It’s not just a piece of clothing; it’s a hug made of yarn. This pattern, inspired by the bright, cheerful design you see, will guide you through creating a charming and textured baby cardigan that’s perfect for keeping a little one warm and stylish. We’ll be using a simple yet beautiful stitch to give it a lovely, puffy texture, along with classic ribbing and a clean button placket.
This “Sunshine Saquito” pattern is designed to be very detailed, breaking down each step so you can crochet with confidence. Grab your yarn and hook—let’s get started on this wonderful project!
Materials You’ll Need:
- Yarn: Approximately 250-300 yards of DK or light worsted weight (Category 3 or 4) yarn. Choose a soft, machine-washable acrylic or cotton blend that’s gentle on baby’s skin. The bright yellow color is a lovely choice!
- Crochet Hook: A size H/8 (5.00 mm) hook, or the size needed to obtain the correct gauge.
- Buttons: 3 to 4 small buttons (about 1/2 inch / 1.5 cm diameter).
- Scissors
- Yarn Needle: For weaving in ends and sewing on the buttons.
Abbreviations (US Terms):
- ch: chain
- sl st: slip stitch
- sc: single crochet
- dc: double crochet
- st(s): stitch(es)
- Puff st: puff stitch (explained below)
- sk: skip
- sp: space
- rep: repeat
- Rnd: round
- RS: right side
- WS: wrong side
Special Stitch: Puff Stitch
This is the main stitch used for the body of the cardigan. It creates a beautiful, solid texture.
- To make a Puff Stitch (Puff st): Yarn over, insert hook into the indicated stitch, yarn over and pull up a loop (3 loops on hook). Repeat from * to * two more times (7 loops on hook). Yarn over and pull through all 7 loops on the hook. Ch 1 to close the stitch.
Part 1: The Yoke
The yoke is worked in a single piece, from the neckline down. This is where we will create the increases to form the body and armholes. The pattern is for a 6-12 month size.
Starting with your yarn and H/8 hook:
- Foundation: Ch 50.
- Row 1 (WS): Hdc in the 2nd ch from the hook and in each ch across. Ch 1, turn. (49 hdc)
- Row 2 (RS): Sc in the first 7 sts (Front Panel). * (Sc, ch 2, sc) in the next st (corner increase). * Sc in the next 10 sts (Sleeve). Rep from * to *. Sc in the next 15 sts (Back). Rep from * to *. Sc in the next 10 sts (Sleeve). Rep from * to *. Sc in the remaining 7 sts (Front Panel). Ch 1, turn. (57 sc, 4 ch-2 spaces)
- Row 3 (WS): Sc in each sc and in each ch-2 sp across. Ch 1, turn. (65 sc)
- Row 4 (RS): Sc in the first 8 sts. (Sc, ch 2, sc) in the next st. Sc in the next 12 sts. *Rep from * to *. Sc in the next 17 sts. *Rep from * to *. Sc in the next 12 sts. *Rep from * to *. Sc in the remaining 8 sts. Ch 1, turn. (73 sc, 4 ch-2 spaces)
- Row 5 (WS): Sc in each sc and in each ch-2 sp across. Ch 1, turn. (81 sc)
- Row 6 (RS): Sc in the first 9 sts. (Sc, ch 2, sc) in the next st. Sc in the next 14 sts. *Rep from * to *. Sc in the next 19 sts. *Rep from * to *. Sc in the next 14 sts. *Rep from * to *. Sc in the remaining 9 sts. Ch 1, turn. (89 sc, 4 ch-2 spaces)
- Row 7 (WS): Sc in each sc and in each ch-2 sp across. Ch 1, turn. (97 sc)
- Row 8 (RS): Sc in the first 10 sts. (Sc, ch 2, sc) in the next st. Sc in the next 16 sts. *Rep from * to *. Sc in the next 21 sts. *Rep from * to *. Sc in the next 16 sts. *Rep from * to *. Sc in the remaining 10 sts. Ch 1, turn. (105 sc, 4 ch-2 spaces)
- Row 9 (WS): Sc in each sc and in each ch-2 sp across. Ch 1, turn. (113 sc)
You should now have a total of 113 stitches. The yoke is complete and ready to separate the body from the sleeves.
Part 2: The Body
Now, we will join the front and back sections to form the body of the cardigan, leaving spaces for the armholes. This is also where we will introduce the puff stitch pattern.
- Row 10 (RS): Ch 2 (does not count as a st). Puff st in the first st. Sk 1 st, Puff st in the next st. Rep from * to * across the first front panel (ending with a Puff st in the last st of the panel). Ch 1, sk the sleeve stitches and ch 1 to join to the next front panel. Puff st in the first st of the back panel. Sk 1 st, Puff st in the next st. Rep from * to * across the back panel. Ch 1, sk the sleeve stitches and ch 1 to join to the next front panel. Puff st in the first st of the last front panel. Sk 1 st, Puff st in the next st. Rep from * to * across the last front panel. Ch 1, turn.
- Row 11 (WS): Ch 2 (does not count as a st). Puff st in the first Puff st from the previous row. Sk the ch-1 sp, Puff st in the next Puff st. Rep from * to * across the entire row. Ch 1, turn.
Repeat Row 11 for a total of 10-12 rows for the body, or until the cardigan is your desired length.
Fasten off and weave in your ends.
Part 3: The Sleeves (Make 2)
The sleeves are worked in the round directly into the armhole spaces.
- Round 1: Attach yarn to the center of one of the underarm spaces. Ch 2 (does not count as a st). Puff st in the same sp. Sk 1 st, Puff st in the next st. Rep from * to * around the armhole, working stitches evenly. Sl st to the first Puff st to join. Ch 1, turn.
- Round 2: Puff st in the first Puff st from the previous round. Sk the ch-1 sp, Puff st in the next Puff st. Rep from * to * around. Sl st to the first Puff st to join. Ch 1, turn.
- Repeat Round 2 until the sleeve reaches your desired length, leaving about 2 inches for the cuff (approximately 10-12 total rounds).
For the Cuff:
- Next Round: Ch 1, sc in each Puff st and in each ch-1 sp around. Sl st to join. (Total stitches should be an even number).
- Next Round: Ch 1, sc in each st around. Sl st to join.
- Next Round: Ch 1. Sc in the first st. Sc in the next st. Rep from * to * around. Sl st to join.
Fasten off and weave in your ends. Repeat for the second sleeve.
Part 4: The Finishing Touches
Now it’s time to add the trim and buttons to complete your project.
The Button Placket and Collar:
- Attach yarn to the bottom right corner of the cardigan (when looking at the RS).
- Row 1: Sc evenly up the front panel, around the neckline, and down the other front panel.
- Row 2 (for Buttonholes): Ch 1, turn. Sc in the first few sts. Ch 2, sk 2 sts (this creates a buttonhole), sc in the next several sts. Repeat from * to * for 3-4 buttonholes, spaced evenly up the front panel. Sc to the end of the row.
- Row 3: Ch 1, turn. Sc in each sc and work 2 sc in each ch-2 sp (to close the buttonholes). Sc around the neckline and down the other front panel.
Fasten off and weave in your ends.
Video tutorial
Adding the Buttons:
- Lay the cardigan flat and line up the buttonholes on the right front panel with the corresponding stitches on the left front panel.
- Using your yarn needle and a length of yarn, securely sew the buttons in place opposite each buttonhole.
And there you have it! A beautiful, warm, and handmade baby cardigan, perfect for a little one to wear and cherish. This pattern is easily adjustable for different sizes by changing the starting chain and the number of stitches between the increase points in the yoke. Enjoy your finished piece!
