Speedy snail baby cardigan, matches my speedy snail baby blanket to make a lovely gift. Worked from the rib upwards in one piece, I am sure you will enjoy.
Crocheted in double knitting light worsted weight # 3 yarn.
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The pattern has been written for 4 sizes by using different hooks, I have used stylecraft special DK #3 light worsted weight yarn for the speedy snail baby cardigan.
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The written instructions and pictures for the free crochet speedy snail baby cardigan pattern are the sole property of crochetncreate. The pattern is copyright protected © 2025. 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.
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Speedy Snail Baby Cardigan UK
Pattern Number CNC551
Skill Level: Intermediate
Abbreviations UK
WS. Wrong Side
RS. Right Side
ch. Chain
dc. Double Crochet
tr. Treble Crochet
dtr. Double Treble Crochet
rpt. Repeat
ss. Slip Stitch
BLO. Back Loop Only
DNFO. Do Not Fasten off
Group. (1dc, 2tr) into same space or stitch
Base of ch. Work into first stitch
Approx Sizes to fit:
Newborn 14 inch chest – 3.00mm & 3.50mm crochet hooks
0 to 3 months 16 inch chest – 3.50mm & 4.00mm crochet hooks
3 to 6 months 18 inch chest – 4.00mm & 4.50mm crochet hooks
6 to 12 months 20 inch chest – 4.50mm & 5.00mm crochet hooks
Materials
For great results it is always best to use the recommended yarn, I have used approximately:-
130 grams of Stylecraft Special DK yarn
5 small buttons
Speedy Snail
Small amounts of yarn in colours 1 & 2 and 5.00mm hook
***********************************************
Scroll down the page for the USA format
UK INSTRUCTIONS:
Rib – (back & fronts worked in one piece) With the smaller of the hooks (see sizes) make 8ch, work 1dc into 2nd ch from hook, 1dc into each ch to end. Turn. (7dc)
2nd Row – 1ch, working into BLO work 1dc into the stitch at the base of the 1ch, 1dc into each dc to end. Turn.
Rpt 2nd Row until you have worked 85 rows in all from beginning. DNFO
Body – 1ch, work 1dc into the stitch at the base of the 1ch, 1dc into each row end to end. Turn. (85dc)
Change to larger hook. (see sizes)
Second Row – 2ch, work 2tr into the stitch at the base of the 2ch, * miss 2dc, (1dc, 2tr) into next dc, * rpt from * to * to last 3dc, miss 2dc, work 1dc into last dc. Turn. (28 Groups)
Pattern Row – 2ch, work 2tr into the stitch at the base of the 2ch, * miss 2tr, work (1dc, 2tr) into next dc, * rpt from * to * to last 2tr and 2ch, miss 2tr, work 1dc into top of 2ch. Turn.
Rpt Pattern Row until 17 rows have been worked in all. Turn.
First Front – 2ch, work 2tr into the stitch at the base of the 2ch, rpt from * to * on the Pattern Row over next 5 groups, miss 2tr, 1dc into next dc. Turn. (6 groups)
Rpt Pattern Row until 9 rows have been worked in all from armhole. Turn.
Shape Neck – Work Pattern Row until last 2 groups, miss 2tr, work 1dc into dc. Turn leaving 2tr and 2tch un-worked.
Next Row – ss over (dc, 2tr, 1dc) make 2ch, work 2tr into the stitch at the base of the 2ch, continue with the Pattern Row to end. Turn.
Next Row – 2ch, work 2tr into the stitch at the base of the 2ch, rpt from * to * on the Pattern Row until last 2 groups, miss 2tr, 1dc into next dc. Fasten off.
Back – Return to the armhole edge, miss 2tr, join yarn to next dc, make 2ch, work 2tr into the stitch at the base of the 2ch, rpt from * to * on the Pattern Row over next 13 groups, miss 2tr, work dc into next dc. Turn. (14 groups)
Rpt Pattern Row until 12 rows have been worked in all from armhole. Fasten off.
Second Front – Return to the armhole edge, miss 2tr, join yarn to next dc, make 2ch, work 2tr into the stitch at the base of the 2ch, continue with the Pattern Row over next 5 groups, miss 2tr, work dc into top of 2ch. Turn.
Rpt Pattern Row until 9 rows have been worked in all from armhole. Turn.
Shape Neck – ss over (dc, 2tr, 1dc) make 2ch, work 2tr into the stitch at the base of the 2ch, continue with the Pattern Row to end. Turn.
Next Row – Work Pattern Row to last 2 groups, miss 2tr, work 1dc into dc. Turn leaving 2tr and 2ch un-worked.
Next Row – ss over (dc, 2tr, 1dc) make 2ch, work 2tr into the stitch at the base of the 2ch, continue with the Pattern Row to end. Fasten off.
With WS facing join both front shoulders to back by over sewing together.
Sleeves x 2 – Join yarn to base of armhole, (between the 2 missed tr) make 2ch, work 2tr into same space as 2ch, work 5 more groups (see abbrev) evenly up first half of armhole, followed by 5 groups evenly down second half of armhole, ss to first of 2ch on beginning of row. Turn. (11 groups)
Slip stitching to first of 2ch and turning at the end of each row, rpt Pattern Row until 14 rows have been worked in all. Turn.
Change to smaller hook size.
Starting with 1ch, work 1dc into next tr, 1dc into each stitch to end, ss to first dc. Turn. (33dc)
Cuff – Make 5ch, work 1dc into 2nd ch from hook, 1dc into each of next 3ch, ss into each of next 2dc on sleeve. Turn. (4dc)
Row 2 – 1ch, miss 2ss, working into BLO, work 1dc into each of next 4dc. Turn.
Row 3 – 1ch, 1dc into BLO into the stitch at the base of the 1ch and each of next 3dc, ss into next 2dc. Turn.
Rpt Rows 2 & 3 around cuff to end, ss last row and starting chain row together. Fasten off.
Using the larger hook size.
Button/Buttonhole Bands – With RS facing, rejoin yarn to lower edge on right hand front, make 1ch, work 1dc into stitch at the base of the 1ch, 33dc evenly into row ends up first front to neck edge, 3dc into corner, 7dc evenly into row ends along neck, 25dc evenly along back, 7dc evenly into row ends along neck, 3dc into corner, 34dc evenly into row ends down second front edge. Turn.
Working 3dc into corners and starting with 1ch, work 1dc into the stitch at the base of the 1ch, work 1dc into each dc around cardigan to end. Turn.
Buttonhole Row – 1ch, 1dc into the stitch at the base of the 1ch, 1dc into next dc, 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 of next 43dc, 3dc into corner, 1dc into each dc to end. Turn. (5 Buttonholes made)
Working 3dc into corners and starting with 1ch, work 1dc into the stitch at the base of the 1ch, 1dc into each dc and 2dc into each 2ch spaces to end. Fasten off.
Finishing – Weave in and trim off all loose ends of yarn, attach buttons to correspond with buttonholes.
Speedy Snail – With colour 1 make a magic circle, make 3ch, work 17tr into circle, pull loose thread to close circle, ss to top of 3ch. Turn. (17tr + 3ch)
Second Row – 1ch, 1dc into the stitch at the base of the 1ch, 1dc into each tr to end, ss to first dc. Turn. Fasten off. (18dc)
Third Row – Join colour 2 yarn to first dc, make 1ch, 1dc into the stitch at the base of the 1ch, 1dc into each of next 7dc. Turn. (8dc)
Tail – Make 4ch, work 1dc into 2nd ch from hook, 1dc into each of next 2ch, 1dc into each of next 8dc to end. Fasten off. Turn. (11dc)
Head – Work (3ch, 2tr, 2dtr) into the dc on the second row (see picture 1), ss to first dc on fourth row. (see picture 2) Turn.
Next Row – 1ch, 1dc into the stitch at the base of the 1ch, 1dc into next 4 stitches, make 4ch, 1dc into 2nd ch from hook, 1dc into each of next 2ch, ss to same dc, make 4ch, work 1dc into 2nd ch from hook, 1dc into each of next 2ch, ss to top of 3ch. Fasten off.
Eye – With colour yarn of your choice make 2ch, 2dc into 2nd ch from hook, fasten off leaving a small length of thread, use thread to gather around top of dc and make into an eye.
Finishing – Sew in and tie off loose ends of yarn, attach eye to centre of head.
USA format below:-
Speedy Snail Baby Cardigan USA
Pattern Number CNC551
Skill Level: Intermediate
Abbreviations USA
WS. Wrong Side
RS. Right Side
ch. Chain
sc. Single Crochet
dc. Double Crochet
trc. Treble Crochet
rpt. Repeat
sl st. Slip Stitch
BLO. Back Loop Only
DNFO. Do Not Fasten off
Group. (1sc, 2dc) in same space or stitch
Base of ch. Work in first stitch
Approx Sizes to fit:
Newborn 14 inch chest – 3.00mm & 3.50mm crochet hooks
0 to 3 months 16 inch chest – 3.50mm & 4.00mm crochet hooks
3 to 6 months 18 inch chest – 4.00mm & 4.50mm crochet hooks
6 to 12 months 20 inch chest – 4.50mm & 5.00mm crochet hooks
Materials
For great results it is always best to use the recommended yarn, I have used approximately:-
130 grams of Stylecraft Special DK yarn
5 small buttons
Speedy Snail
Small amounts of yarn in colors 1 & 2 and 5.00mm hook
An equivalent yarn would be a light worsted #3
************************************************
USA INSTRUCTIONS:
Rib – (back & fronts worked in one piece) With the smaller of the hooks (see sizes) ch8, work 1sc in 2nd ch from hook, 1sc in each ch to end. Turn. (7sc)
2nd Row – ch1, working in BLO work 1sc in the stitch at the base of the ch1, 1sc in each sc to end. Turn.
Rpt 2nd Row until you have worked 85 rows in all from beginning. DNFO
Body – ch1, work 1sc in the stitch at the base of the ch1, 1sc in each row end to end. Turn. (85sc)
Change to larger hook. (see sizes)
Second Row – ch2, work 2dc in the stitch at the base of the ch2, * skip 2sc, (1sc, 2dc) in next sc, * rpt from * to * to last 3sc, skip 2sc, work 1sc in last sc. Turn. (28 Groups)
Pattern Row – ch2, work 2dc in the stitch at the base of the ch2, * skip 2dc, work (1sc, 2dc) in next sc, * rpt from * to * to last 2dc and ch2, skip 2dc, work 1sc in top of ch2. Turn.
Rpt Pattern Row until 17 rows have been worked in all. Turn.
First Front – ch2, work 2dc in the stitch at the base of the ch2, rpt from * to * on the Pattern Row over next 5 groups, skip 2dc, 1sc in next sc. Turn. (6 groups)
Rpt Pattern Row until 9 rows have been worked in all from armhole. Turn.
Shape Neck – Work Pattern Row until last 2 groups, skip 2dc, work 1sc in sc. Turn leaving 2dc and 2tch un-worked.
Next Row – sl st over (sc, 2dc, 1sc) ch2, work 2dc in the stitch at the base of the ch2, continue with the Pattern Row to end. Turn.
Next Row – ch2, work 2dc in the stitch at the base of the ch2, rpt from * to * on the Pattern Row until last 2 groups, skip 2dc, 1sc in next sc. Fasten off.
Back – Return to the armhole edge, skip 2dc, join yarn to next sc, ch2, work 2dc in the stitch at the base of the ch2, rpt from * to * on the Pattern Row over next 13 groups, skip 2dc, work sc in next sc. Turn. (14 groups)
Rpt Pattern Row until 12 rows have been worked in all from armhole. Fasten off.
Second Front – Return to the armhole edge, skip 2dc, join yarn to next sc, ch2, work 2dc in the stitch at the base of the ch2, continue with the Pattern Row over next 5 groups, skip 2dc, work sc in top of ch2. Turn.
Rpt Pattern Row until 9 rows have been worked in all from armhole. Turn.
Shape Neck – sl st over (sc, 2dc, 1sc) ch2, work 2dc in the stitch at the base of the ch2, continue with the Pattern Row to end. Turn.
Next Row – Work Pattern Row to last 2 groups, skip 2dc, work 1sc in sc. Turn leaving 2dc and ch2 un-worked.
Next Row – sl st over (sc, 2dc, 1sc) ch2, work 2dc in the stitch at the base of the ch2, continue with the Pattern Row to end. Fasten off.
With WS facing join both front shoulders to back by over sewing together.
Sleeves x 2 – Join yarn to base of armhole, (between the 2 skipped dc) ch2, work 2dc in same space as ch2, work 5 more groups (see abbrev) evenly up first half of armhole, followed by 5 groups evenly down second half of armhole, sl st to first of ch2 on beginning of row. Turn. (11 groups)
Slip stitching to first of ch2 and turning at the end of each row, rpt Pattern Row until 14 rows have been worked in all. Turn.
Change to smaller hook size.
Starting with ch1, work 1sc in next dc, 1sc in each stitch to end, sl st to first sc. Turn. (33sc)
Cuff – ch5, work 1sc in 2nd ch from hook, 1sc in each of next ch3, sl st in each of next 2sc on sleeve. Turn. (4sc)
Row 2 – ch1, skip 2 sl st, working in BLO, work 1sc in each of next 4sc. Turn.
Row 3 – ch1, 1sc in BLO in the stitch at the base of the ch1 and each of next 3sc, sl st in next 2sc. Turn.
Rpt Rows 2 & 3 around cuff to end, sl st last row and starting chain row together. Fasten off.
Using the larger hook size.
Button/Buttonhole Bands – With RS facing, rejoin yarn to lower edge on right hand front, ch1, work 1sc in stitch at the base of the ch1, 33sc evenly in row ends up first front to neck edge, 3sc in corner, 7sc evenly in row ends along neck, 25sc evenly along back, 7sc evenly in row ends along neck, 3sc in corner, 34sc evenly in row ends down second front edge. Turn.
Working 3sc in corners and starting with ch1, work 1sc in the stitch at the base of the ch1, work 1sc in each sc around cardigan to end. Turn.
Buttonhole Row – ch1, 1sc in the stitch at the base of the ch1, 1sc in next sc, * ch2, skip 2sc, 1sc in each of next 6sc, * rpt from * to * 4 more times, ch2, skip 2sc, 3sc in corner, 1sc in each of next 43sc, 3sc in corner, 1sc in each sc to end. Turn. (5 Buttonholes made)
Working 3sc in corners and starting with ch1, work 1sc in the stitch at the base of the ch1, 1sc in each sc and 2sc in each ch2 spaces to end. Fasten off.
Finishing – Weave in and trim off all loose ends of yarn, attach buttons to correspond with buttonholes.
Speedy Snail – With color 1 make a magic circle, ch3, work 17dc in circle, pull loose thread to close circle, sl st to top of ch3. Turn. (17dc + ch3)
Second Row – ch1, 1sc in the stitch at the base of the ch1, 1sc in each dc to end, sl st to first sc. Turn. Fasten off. (18sc)
Third Row – Join color 2 yarn to first sc, ch1, 1sc in the stitch at the base of the ch1, 1sc in each of next 7sc. Turn. (8sc)
Tail – ch4, work 1sc in 2nd ch from hook, 1sc in each of next ch2, 1sc in each of next 8sc to end. Fasten off. Turn. (11sc)
Head – Work (ch3, 2dc, 2trc) in the sc on the second row (see picture 1), sl st to first sc on fourth row. (see picture 2) Turn.
Next Row – ch1, 1sc in the stitch at the base of the ch1, 1sc in next 4 stitches, ch4, 1sc in 2nd ch from hook, 1sc in each of next ch2, sl st to same sc, ch4, work 1sc in 2nd ch from hook, 1sc in each of next ch2, sl st to top of ch3. Fasten off.
Eye – With color yarn of your choice ch2, 2sc in 2nd ch from hook, fasten off leaving a small length of thread, use thread to gather around top of sc and make in an eye.
Finishing – Sew in and tie off loose ends of yarn, attach eye to centre of head.
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 crochetncreate@btinternet.com
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speedy snail baby cardigan