Crochet baby boy-girl cardigan pattern, this lovely little cardi is simple and easy to make and has been designed for both baby boys and by adding a frill for baby girls.
Crocheted in a two cluster stitch, I have used a light worsted #3 (double knitting for UK) yarn and 4.00mm hook size.
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Formats
UK crocheters and USA crafters can both enjoy this pattern as two easy formats have been used to write this free crochet baby boy-girl cardigan pattern.
Yarn
I have used Stylecraft Special DK #3 yarn in cram, turquoise and fondant for the sample of the free crochet baby boy-girl cardigan pattern, but there are lots more beautiful colours to choose from.
For great results for this free crochet baby boy-girl cardigan pattern it is always best to use the recommended yarn in the pattern materials section.
Hook Size Used
Pattern asks for a 4.00mm hook size, you can use sizes higher or lower to make the crochet baby boy-girl cardigan pattern bigger or smaller though if you want.
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Copyrights
The written instructions and pictures for this free crochet baby boy-girl cardigan pattern are the sole property of crochetncreate. The pattern is copyright protected © 2024 and cannot be copied or reproduced in any way. You are welcome to sell your finished items made from this pattern. My photos are copyright protected and are not to be used to sell your items.
Free Crochet Baby Boy-Girl Cardigan UK
Pattern Number CNC523
Skill Level: Intermediate
Abbreviations UK
WS. Wrong Side
RS. Right Side
ch. Chain
dc. Double Crochet
htr. Half Treble Crochet
tr. Treble Crochet
rpt. Repeat
ss. Slip Stitch
yrh. Yarn Round Hook
DNT. Do not Turn.
Inc. Increase
tch. Turning Chain
tr2tog.
Leaving the last loop of each tr on hook, work 2tr into next 1ch space, yrh and draw through all loops.
Base of ch. Work into first stitch
3ch counts as first tr
2ch counts as first tr2tog
Size to fit approx: 20 Inch Chest, 6-12 month Baby
Finished length from shoulder approx 11 inches
Finished Sleeve length from under arm to cuff 5.5 inches
Materials
For great results it is always best to use the recommended yarn, I have used approximately for each cardigan:-
120 grams of Stylecraft Special DK in colour 1
Small amounts of Stylecraft Special DK in colour 2
4.00mm crochet hook, 6 buttons.
TENSION – 3 tr2tog and 3 rows of pattern measures approx 1 Inch
**********************************
Scroll down the page for the USA format
UK INSTRUCTIONS:
Boys Cardigan – Worked in one piece starting with the yoke.
# # Using colour 1 make 63ch, (RS) 1htr into 3rd ch from hook, 1htr into the next 8ch, (front) 3htr into next ch, 1htr into next 9ch, (shoulder) 3htr into next ch, 1htr into next 21ch, (back) 3htr into next ch, 1htr into the next 9ch, (shoulder) 3htr into next ch, 1htr into the next 9ch. (front) Turn. (69htr)
2nd Row – (Inc Row) Working into back loop of stitch only, make 2ch, 1htr into the stitch at the base of the 2ch * 1htr into each htr to next 3htr group, 1htr into next htr, 3htr into centre htr of 3htr group, * rpt from * to * to last 3htr group, 1htr into next htr, 3htr into centre htr of 3htr group, 1htr into each htr to end. Turn leaving 2tch un-worked. (77htr)
3rd to 11th Row – Rpt 2nd Row. Turn. You will be increasing 8 stitches on each row and will have 149htr in all at the end of the 11th Row. Turn.
12th Row (Divide for armholes) – Working into back loop of of stitch only, make 2ch, 1htr into the stitch at base of the 1ch, 1htr into next htr, * 2htr into next htr, 1htr into each of next 2htr, * rpt from * to * to centre htr on 3htr group, 2htr into centre htr, miss 31htr, (sleeve) 1htr into centre htr of next 3htr group, 1htr into next htr, rpt from * to * to centre htr of next 3htr group, 2htr into centre htr of 3htr group, miss 31htr, 1htr into centre htr of next 3htr group, 1htr into next htr, rpt from * to * to last htr, 1htr into last htr. Turn. (115htr)
13th Row – Working into back loop of stitch only, make 2ch, 1htr into the stitch at the base of the 2ch, 1htr into each htr to end. Turn.
Commence Skirt – Working through both loops of stitch from now on, work 1ch, 1dc into the stitch at the base of the 1ch, * make 1ch, miss 1htr, 1dc into next htr, * rpt from * to * to end. Turn. (57 1ch spaces)
Second Row – 3ch, * tr2tog (see abbrev) into next 1ch space, 1ch, miss 1dc, * rpt from * to * to last 1ch space and dc, work tr2tog into 1ch space, 1tr into last dc. Turn. (57 tr2tog)
Third Row – 1ch, 1dc into the stitch at the base of the 1ch, * make 1ch, miss tr2tog, 1dc into next 1ch space, * rpt from * to * to last tr2tog and 3tch, make 1ch, miss tr2tog, work 1dc into top of 3ch. Turn.
Fourth Row – 3ch, * tr2tog into next 1ch space, 1ch, miss 1dc, * rpt from * to * to last 1ch space and dc, tr2tog into 1ch space, 1tr into last dc. Turn.
Rpt Third & Fourth Rows until 8 tr2tog rows have been worked or work measures approx 10 Inches from shoulder. Fasten off.
Sleeves x 2 – With WS facing join yarn to side of htr under arm, make 1ch, 1dc into same space, * work 1ch, miss 1htr, 1dc into next htr, * rpt from * to * across sleeve to last htr, make 1ch, miss 1htr, 1dc into side of htr on opposite side, make 1ch, ss to first dc. Turn. (18, 1ch spaces)
Row 2 – 2ch, 1tr into 1ch space at the base of 2ch, make 1ch, * tr2tog into next 1ch space, 1ch, miss 1dc, * rpt from * to * to last 1ch space, tr2tog into 1ch space, make 1ch, ss to first tr on beginning of row. Turn. (18 tr2tog)
Row 3 – 1ch, 1dc into the stitch at the base of the 1ch, * make 1ch, miss tr2tog, 1dc into next 1ch space, * rpt from * to * to last tr2tog, make 1ch, miss tr2tog, ss to first dc. Turn.
Rpt Rows 2 & 3 until 8 tr2tog rows have been worked or underarm sleeve seam measures approx 5 Inches. Turn. Fasten off.
Cuff – Join in colour 2, make 1ch, 1dc into the stitch at the base of the 1ch, 1dc into each 1ch space and tr2tog to end, ss to first dc on beginning of row. Turn. (36dc)
Starting with 1ch, 1dc into the stitch at the base of the 1ch, work 1dc into each dc to end, ss to first dc on beginning of row.
Rpt last row once. Fasten off. # #
Edging Including Button/Buttonhole Bands – (you can if you want use a larger hook for this row, but remember to change back to 4.00mm hook for following rows) With RS facing join colour 1 to bottom edge of cardigan, ss loosely into each tr2tog and 1ch space to end, work 42ss evenly into row ends up first front edge, 1ss into each stitch around neck and 42ss evenly down second front edge, ss to first ss on beginning of row. DNT. Fasten off.
Next Row – With RS of work facing, join in colour 2, to bottom of right hand side of cardigan, make 1ch, work 1dc into the stitch at the base of the 1ch, 1dc into each ss up first front edge, 3dc into corner, 1dc into each ss around neck, 3dc into corner, 1dc into each ss down second front edge, 3dc into corner, 1dc into each ss along bottom of cardigan, 1dc into corner, ss to first dc. Turn.
Buttonhole Row – 1ch, work 1dc into the stitch at the base of the 1ch, 1dc into dc along bottom edge, 3dc into corner, 1dc into each of next 2dc, * make 2ch, miss 2dc, 1dc into each of next 6dc, * rpt from * to * 4 more times, make 2ch, miss 2dc, 3dc into corner, 1dc into each dc around neck, 3dc into corner, 1dc into each dc down second front edge, 1dc into corner, ss to first dc on beginning of row. Fasten off. (6 Buttonholes made)
Working from neck down with RS facing join colour 2 to left hand side of button band, make 1ch, 1dc into the stitch at the base of the 1ch, 2dc into each 2ch space and 1dc into each dc down first front edge, 3dc into corner, 1dc into each dc along bottom of cardigan, 3dc into corner, 1dc into each dc up second front edge, 1dc into corner. Fasten off.
Girls Cardigan – Rpt from # # to # # from boys cardigan.
Bottom Frill – Join colour 1 to WS of bottom edge on right hand side of cardigan, make 3ch, missing all 1ch spaces, work 4tr into each tr2tog along bottom to end. Turn.
Starting with 3ch, work 1tr into each tr to end. Fasten off.
Edging Including Button/Buttonhole Bands – (you can if you want use a larger hook for this row, but remember to change back to 4.00mm hook for following rows) With RS facing join colour 1 to the start of the last row, ss loosely into each tr along bottom of cardigan to end, work 46ss evenly into row ends up first front edge, 1ss into each stitch around neck and 46ss evenly down second front edge, ss to first ss on beginning of row. DNT. Fasten off.
Next Row – With RS of work facing, join in colour 2, to bottom of right hand side of cardigan, make 1ch, work 1dc into the stitch at the base of the 1ch, 1dc into each ss up first front edge, 3dc into corner, 1dc into each ss around neck, 3dc into corner, 1dc into each ss down second front edge, 3dc into corner, 1dc into each ss along bottom of cardigan, 1dc into corner, ss to first dc on beginning of row. Turn.
Buttonhole Row – 1ch, work 1dc into the stitch at the base of the 1ch, 1dc into each dc along bottom of cardigan, 3dc into corner, 1dc into each dc up first front, 3dc into corner, 1dc into dc around neck, 3dc into corner, * make 2ch, miss 2dc, 1dc into each of next 6dc, * rpt from * to * 4 more times, make 2ch, miss 2dc, 1dc into each of remaining dc, 1dc into corner, ss to first dc on beginning of row. Fasten off. (6 Buttonholes made)
Working from neck down with RS facing join yarn to left hand side of button band, make 1ch, 1dc into the stitch at the base of 1ch, 1dc into each dc down first front of cardigan, 3dc into corner, 1dc into each dc along bottom of cardigan, 3dc into corner, 1dc into each dc and 2dc into each 2ch space up second side of front edge. Fasten off.
Finishing – Close small gaps under both arms, weave in any loose ends of yarn, attach buttons to correspond with buttonholes.
USA format below:-
Free Crochet Baby Boy-Girl Cardigan USA
Pattern Number CNC523
Skill Level: Intermediate
Abbreviations USA
WS. Wrong Side
RS. Right Side
ch. Chain
sc. Single Crochet
hdc. Half Double Crochet
dc. Double Crochet
rpt. Repeat
sl st. Slip Stitch
yo. Yarn Over
DNT. Do not Turn.
Inc. Increase
tch. Turning Chain
dc2tog.
Leaving the last loop of each dc on hook, work 2dc in next ch1 space, yo and draw through all loops.
Base of ch. Work in first stitch
ch3 counts as first dc
ch2 counts as first dc2tog
Size to fit approx: 20 Inch Chest, 6-12 month Baby
Finished length from shoulder approx 11 inches
Finished Sleeve length from under arm to cuff 5.5 inches
Materials
For great results it is always best to use the recommended yarn, I have used approximately for each cardigan:-
120 grams of Stylecraft Special DK in color 1
Small amounts of Stylecraft Special DK in color 2
An equivalent yarn would be a light worsted #3
4.00mm crochet hook, 6 buttons.
GAUGE – 3 dc2tog and 3 rows of pattern measures approx 1 Inch
**********************************
Scroll down the page for the USA format
USA INSTRUCTIONS:
Boys Cardigan – Worked in one piece starting with the yoke.
# # Using color 1 ch63, (RS) 1hdc in 3rd ch from hook, 1hdc in the next 8ch, (front) 3hdc in next ch, 1hdc in next 9ch, (shoulder) 3hdc in next ch, 1hdc in next 21ch, (back) 3hdc in next ch, 1hdc in the next 9ch, (shoulder) 3hdc in next ch, 1hdc in the next 9ch. (front) Turn. (69hdc)
2nd Row – (Inc Row) Working in back loop of stitch only, ch2, 1hdc in the stitch at the base of the ch2 * 1hdc in each hdc to next 3hdc group, 1hdc in next hdc, 3hdc in centre hdc of 3hdc group, * rpt from * to * to last 3hdc group, 1hdc in next hdc, 3hdc in centre hdc of 3hdc group, 1hdc in each hdc to end. Turn leaving 2tch un-worked. (77hdc)
3rd to 11th Row – Rpt 2nd Row. Turn. You will be increasing 8 stitches on each row and will have 149hdc in all at the end of the 11th Row. Turn.
12th Row (Divide for armholes) – Working in back loop of of stitch only, ch2, 1hdc in the stitch at base of the ch1, 1hdc in next hdc, * 2hdc in next hdc, 1hdc in each of next 2hdc, * rpt from * to * to centre hdc on 3hdc group, 2hdc in centre hdc, skip 31hdc, (sleeve) 1hdc in centre hdc of next 3hdc group, 1hdc in next hdc, rpt from * to * to centre hdc of next 3hdc group, 2hdc in centre hdc of 3hdc group, skip 31hdc, 1hdc in centre hdc of next 3hdc group, 1hdc in next hdc, rpt from * to * to last hdc, 1hdc in last hdc. Turn. (115hdc)
How to Shape Armholes
or see the video above.
13th Row – Working in back loop of stitch only, ch2, 1hdc in the stitch at the base of the ch2, 1hdc in each hdc to end. Turn.
Commence Skirt – Working through both loops of stitch from now on, ch1, 1sc in the stitch at the base of the ch1, * ch1, skip 1hdc, 1sc in next hdc, * rpt from * to * to end. Turn. (57 ch1 spaces)
Second Row – ch3, * dc2tog (see abbrev) in next ch1 space, ch1, skip 1sc, * rpt from * to * to last ch1 space and sc, work dc2tog in ch1 space, 1dc in last sc. Turn. (57 dc2tog)
Third Row – ch1, 1sc in the stitch at the base of the ch1, * ch1, skip dc2tog, 1sc in next ch1 space, * rpt from * to * to last dc2tog and 3tch, ch1, skip dc2tog, work 1sc in top of ch3. Turn.
Fourth Row – ch3, * dc2tog in next ch1 space, ch1, skip 1sc, * rpt from * to * to last ch1 space and sc, dc2tog in ch1 space, 1dc in last sc. Turn.
Rpt Third & Fourth Rows until 8 dc2tog rows have been worked or work measures approx 10 Inches from shoulder. Fasten off.
Sleeves x 2 – With WS facing join yarn to side of hdc under arm, ch1, 1sc in same space, * ch1, skip 1hdc, 1sc in next hdc, * rpt from * to * across sleeve to last hdc, ch1, skip 1hdc, 1sc in side of hdc on opposite side, ch1, sl st to first sc. Turn. (18, ch1 spaces)
Row 2 – ch2, 1dc in ch1 space at the base of the ch2, ch1, * dc2tog in next ch1 space, ch1, skip 1sc, * rpt from * to * to last ch1 space, dc2tog in ch1 space, ch1, sl st to first dc on beginning of row. Turn. (18 dc2tog)
Row 3 – ch1, 1sc in the stitch at the base of the ch1, * ch1, skip dc2tog, 1sc in next ch1 space, * rpt from * to * to last dc2tog, ch1, skip dc2tog, sl st to first sc. Turn.
Rpt Rows 2 & 3 until 8 dc2tog rows have been worked or underarm sleeve seam measures approx 5 Inches. Turn. Fasten off.
Cuff – Join in color 2, ch1, 1sc in the stitch at the base of the ch1, 1sc in each ch1 space and dc2tog to end, sl st to first sc on beginning of row. Turn. (36sc)
Starting with ch1, 1sc in the stitch at the base of the ch1, work 1sc in each sc to end, sl st to first sc on beginning of row.
Rpt last row once. Fasten off. # #
Edging Including Button/Buttonhole Bands – (you can if you want use a larger hook for this row, but remember to change back to 4.00mm hook for following rows) With RS facing join color 1 to bottom edge of cardigan, sl st loosely in each dc2tog and ch1 space to end, work 42sl st evenly in row ends up first front edge, 1sl st in each stitch around neck and 42sl st evenly down second front edge, sl st to first sl st on beginning of row. DNT. Fasten off.
Next Row – With RS of work facing, join in color 2, to bottom of right hand side of cardigan, ch1, work 1sc in the stitch at the base of the ch1, 1sc in each sl st up first front edge, 3sc in corner, 1sc in each sl st around neck, 3sc in corner, 1sc in each sl st down second front edge, 3sc in corner, 1sc in each sl st along bottom of cardigan, 1sc in corner, sl st to first sc. Turn.
Buttonhole Row – ch1, work 1sc in the stitch at the base of the ch1, 1sc in sc along bottom edge, 3sc in corner, 1sc in each of next 2sc, * ch2, skip 2sc, 1sc in each of next 6sc, * rpt from * to * 4 more times, ch2, skip 2sc, 3sc in corner, 1sc in each sc around neck, 3sc in corner, 1sc in each sc down second front edge, 1sc in corner, sl st to first sc on beginning of row. Fasten off. (6 Buttonholes made)
Working from neck down with RS facing join color 2 to left hand side of button band, ch1, 1sc in the stitch at the base of the ch1, 2sc in each ch2 space and 1sc in each sc down first front edge, 3sc in corner, 1sc in each sc along bottom of cardigan, 3sc in corner, 1sc in each sc up second front edge, 1sc in corner. Fasten off.
Girls Cardigan – Rpt from # # to # # from boys cardigan.
Bottom Frill – Join color 1 to WS of bottom edge on right hand side of cardigan, ch3, skipping all ch1 spaces, work 4dc in each dc2tog along bottom to end. Turn.
Starting with ch3, work 1dc in each dc to end. Fasten off.
Edging Including Button/Buttonhole Bands – (you can if you want use a larger hook for this row, but remember to change back to 4.00mm hook for following rows) With RS facing join color 1 to the start of the last row, sl st loosely in each dc along bottom of cardigan to end, work 46sl st evenly in row ends up first front edge, 1sl st in each stitch around neck and 46sl st evenly down second front edge, sl st to first sl st on beginning of row. DNT. Fasten off.
Next Row – With RS of work facing, join in color 2, to bottom of right hand side of cardigan, ch1, work 1sc in the stitch at the base of the ch1, 1sc in each sl st up first front edge, 3sc in corner, 1sc in each sl st around neck, 3sc in corner, 1sc in each sl st down second front edge, 3sc in corner, 1sc in each sl st along bottom of cardigan, 1sc in corner, sl st to first sc on beginning of row. Turn.
Buttonhole Row – ch1, work 1sc in the stitch at the base of the ch1, 1sc in each sc along bottom of cardigan, 3sc in corner, 1sc in each sc up first front, 3sc in corner, 1sc in sc around neck, 3sc in corner, * ch2, skip 2sc, 1sc in each of next 6sc, * rpt from * to * 4 more times, ch2, skip 2sc, 1sc in each of remaining sc, 1sc in corner, sl st to first sc on beginning of row. Fasten off. (6 Buttonholes made)
Working from neck down with RS facing join yarn to left hand side of button band, ch1, 1sc in the stitch at the base of ch1, 1sc in each sc down first front of cardigan, 3sc in corner, 1sc in each sc along bottom of cardigan, 3sc in corner, 1sc in each sc and 2sc in each ch2 space up second side of front edge. Fasten off.
Finishing – Close small gaps under both arms, weave in any loose ends of yarn, attach buttons to correspond with buttonholes.
All pattern sizing, yarn weights, gauges etc on this website are approx as everybody crochets differently. Every effort is made to ensure the free crochet patterns are correct, but I am only human so mistakes may be made, if you find one please let me know by e-mail on [email protected]
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