Free Knitting Patterns for Baby Cardigans

50 Free Knitting Patterns for Baby Cardigans. Knitting baby cardigans is a lovely way to celebrate a new arrival. We’ve compiled a collection of over 50 adorable and snug baby cardigan knitting patterns for you to explore. Whether you prefer straightforward, timeless styles or contemporary pieces, these complimentary patterns are bound to spark ideas for your next baby knitting project. So, grab your knitting needles and dive into the world of sweet and cozy creations!


Free Knitting Patterns for Baby Cardigans

Over 50 completely free baby cardigan knitting patterns to download now! From beginner knitting patterns for baby cardigans to more experienced patterns with lace and cables. Cute ideas that will get your craving to get your needles clicking together as soon as possible.

Create one of these free knit cardigans for a new baby in your life, a beautiful handmade gift to keep baby warm.


Table of Contents


Can a beginner knit a baby cardigan?

Definitely! If you’re just starting out and wondering if you can tackle a baby cardigan, the answer is a yes. While cardigans might seem a bit more intricate than knitting a scarf or potholder, there are plenty of beginner-friendly designs out there.

In fact, opting for a baby cardigan is a smart move. They’re more manageable compared to adult-sized ones and won’t take forever to finish. Check out garter stitch baby cardigan for a good place to start.

Quick tip: Before you dive in, take a moment to check the pattern’s skill level and familiarize yourself with any listed techniques.


Supplies for Knitting a Baby Cardigan

Here are some things you might need for knitting your baby cardigan:

Yarn: Opt for something soft, hypoallergenic, and easy to wash.

Knitting needles: Check your pattern for the right type and size. After making a gauge swatch, adjust your needle size as needed to match the correct gauge.

Other Essentials: Don’t forget scissors, stitch markers, tapestry needles, buttons, and maybe some embroidery thread for those special touches.


Best Yarns for Baby Cardigans

When choosing yarn for baby cardigans, it’s crucial to pick the right one. Look for baby-friendly yarn that’s soft, hypoallergenic, and durable. Since babies can be messy, selecting a machine-washable and dryable yarn is a big time-saver.

Pro tip: If you’re unsure whether your yarn is soft enough for a baby, try rubbing it against your cheek or neck. If it feels comfy to you, chances are it’ll feel the same for the baby.


50 Amazing Free Baby Cardigan Knitting Patterns

Elijah

Size: 3 months, 6-12 months, 12-18 months, 2 years, 4 years, 6 years

The Elijah Cardigan takes inspiration from those magical childhood moments of looking towards the sky, counting clouds, and watching the leafy green tree tops sway under the blue sky. Bright green garter ridges pop out of the contrasting hues of blue in this adorable striped sweater. Knit using Deluxe Worsted Superwash this machine-washable yarn will welcome your little ones to do just what kids do! From exploring their surroundings to creating beautiful art, you’ll both be filled with joy while they’re wearing the Elijah cardigan! This project is also a wonderful gift for a baby shower.

50 free baby cardigan knitting patterns easy

Left of Center Cardi
Size: 3 mos (6 mos, 12 mos, 18 mos, 2 yrs)
The Left of Center Cardi is an adorable knit for little ones. An interesting, textured stripe pattern worked in Little Bird Colors makes this project a joy to knit.
Free Knitting Patterns for Baby Cardigans Stripes

Cabled Raglan Cardigan
Sizes: 0-3(3-6, 6-12, 12-18, 18-24) months
Raglan baby cardigan with cabled features.
Free Knitting Pattern for a Baby Cardigan with Cable Features

Dipped Detail Cardigan
Sizes: 6, 12 and 18 months.
Free baby cardigan knitting pattern for a lightweight yarn for detailed eyelet lace panels knit in contrast with basic garter stitch.
Free Knitting Patterns for Baby Cardigans Dipped Detail

Beginner Cardi

Super beginner garter stitch cardigan to knit in cotton yarn.

beginner garter stitch baby cardigan

Jacket and Booties Set
Sizes: (premature) 0/1 – 1/3 – 6/9 – 12/18 months (2 – 3/4) years
The set consists of: Knitted baby jacket and slippers with lace pattern and garter stitch.
Free baby knitting pattern set including a lace cardigan and booties.

Baby Jacket
Sizes: 3, 6, 12, 18 and 24 months
Free knitting pattern for baby cardigans with short sleeve and cable details.
Free knitting pattern for baby cardigans with short sleeve and cable details

Parker
Sizes: 6, 9, 12 and 18 months
Our brightly striped baby cardigan Parker knits up quickly and features a great K1, P1 cast on. Intermediate ripple stitch baby cardigan knitting pattern.
Free Knitting Pattern for a Baby Cardigan with Ripple Stitch

Checco’s Dream
Size: 1/3 – 6/9 – 12/18 months (2 – 3/4) years
Knitted jacket with seamless sleeves in seed st for baby and children.
Knitted jacket with seamless sleeves in seed st for baby and children

Baby Bear Knit Hoodie
Sizes: 6, 12 and 18 months.
Easy baby cardigan knitting pattern with hoodie free

Arches Baby Cardigan
Sizes: 6 (12, 18, 24) months
Openwork arches are featured prominently on the body of this dainty baby’s cardigan. The sleeves are Stockinette stitch, with the arch motif repeated once immediately above the cuff. An extended button tab is used for closure at the yoke. Sleeves are indented for ease in dressing and all edges are finished in garter stitch.
Free Knitting Pattern for a Lace Baby Cardigan

Speckle
Size: 3, 6, 9 and 12 months
An easy multicolor baby cardigan, Speckle is knit using slipped stitches, which means only one color is used in each row. No carrying colors!
Free Baby Knitting Pattern for a Colorwork Slip Stitch Baby Cardigan

Garter Stitch Baby Cardigan
Sizes: 6 months (12 months ,18 months, 24 months)
Easy garter stitch baby cardigan free knitting pattern.
Free knitting pattern for an easy garter stitch baby cardigan

In the Details Knit Hoodie
Sizes: 6, 12, 18 and 24 months
Free Baby Knitting Pattern for a Cardigan with a Hoodie

Baby Ferris
Sizes: Newborn, 3 months, 6 months, 9 months and 12 months
Baby cardigan featuring U-shaped plackets with ribbed stitches framed by graceful cables.
Baby cardigan featuring U-shaped plackets with ribbed stitches framed by graceful cables

Hot Cakes
Sizes: 0-3 months (6-9 months, 12-18 months)
Classic baby cardigan knitting pattern with round neck.
Free knitting pattern for a classic baby cardigan

Quick Stitch Cardigan
Sizes: 3 months, 6 months
The Quick Stitch Cardigan is the perfect last minute baby gift!
Free Knitting Pattern for an Easy Stitch Baby Cardigan

Classic Baby Jacket

Sizes: 0-3 months, 3-6 months and 6-12 months
Pretty textured baby cardigan/jacket free knitting pattern.
Free knitting pattern for an easy classic baby cardigan

Easy Rib Baby Jacket
Sizes: 0-3 months, 3-6 months and 6-12 months.
Easy baby cardigan knitting pattern with a rib stitch.
Free Knitting Pattern for a Easy Rib Baby Jacket

Little Explorer
Sizes: (premature) 0/1 – 1/3 – 6/9 – 12/18 months (2 – 3/4) years
Knitted baby jacket with cables, garter stitch and raglan, worked top down.
Garter stitch raglan baby cardigan free knitting pattern

Baby Duck
Sizes: 1/3 – 6/9 – 12/18 months (2 – 3/4) years
The set consists of: Knitted baby jacket with raglan and socks.
Free knitting pattern for an easy baby raglan cardigan

Knit Baby Jacket and Hat Set
Sizes: Newborn, 3 months and 6/12 months.
Quick like a bunny! Knit this super sweet matching hat and sweater set, topped with bunny ears!
Free Knitting Pattern for Baby Cardigan and Hat Set

Bunny Hugs
Size: 3 – 6/9 – 12/18 months (2 – 3 years)
Baby knit jacket with textured pattern and shorts.
Free knitting pattern for a baby jacket and pants set

Cute Garter Stitch Baby Cardigan
Size: Newborn, 6 months, 12 months, 2 years, 3 years and 4 years
Easy garter stitch baby cardigan.
Free Knitting Pattern for Baby Cardigans Easy

Cable Cardi
Sizes: 0-3 months, 6 months, 12 months, 2 years, 3 years and 4 years
Cabled baby cardigan.
Free Knitting Pattern Baby Cardigan with Cables

Baby Blooms Cardigan
6-9 mo (12 mo, 18 mo, 2 yrs, 3 yrs)
Free knitting pattern for a striped baby cardigan.
Free Knitting Pattern for a Striped Baby Cardigan

2 Color Baby Cardi
Size: 0-6 months (9-12 months)
A pretty cardigan to knit for baby in stockinette stitch in two colors, looks great working with different toned yarns in the same hue.
Free Knitting Pattern for a 2 Color Baby Cardigan

Baby Bloom Set

Cardigan Sizes: 3-6 months (12-18 months, 24 months)

Treat the little one in your life to this elegant matching set! Clusters of bobbles decorate the hemline of the Baby Bloom Cardigan and Hat, making us think of little flowers blooming in springtime. Stockinette and garter stitch are perfect additions to the textured bobbles, making this set fab for photos! Bella Cash is super soft, easy to care for, and strong, making it an excellent yarn choice for fast moving babies and toddlers.

free baby cardigan and hat set knitting patterns

Five A Day Cardigan
Sizes: 6, 12, 18 and 24 months
Knit a classic fair isle yoke inspired cardigan with a fruit themed motif, using baby safe Bernat Softee Baby yarn.
Striped Baby Cardigan Free Knitting Pattern

Knit A Simple Style Baby Cardigan and Hat
Sizes: 6-9 months (12 months, 2-3 years)
Cute baby and toddler knit set with a matching garter stitch cardigan and hat set.
Free Knitting Pattern for a Simple Style Baby Cardigan and Hat

Daisy Cardigan

Sizes: 3-6 mo (6-12 mo, 18-24 mo)

The Daisy Cardigan is a soft and snuggly layering piece perfect for any wee one in your life. Knit in Cotton Supreme Sapling, this sweater is quick to knit and would be a great gift.

free baby cardigan knitting patterns easy garter stitch

Knit Hoodie
Sizes: 6 months, 12 months, 18 months and 24 months
This adorable hoodie with matching buttons is lightweight and warm.
Knit Hoodie Free Knitting Pattern for Baby

Baby’s Hoodie
Sizes: 6 (12-18-24) months
Simple stocking stitch baby hoodie free pattern.
Free Knitting Pattern for an Easy Baby Hoodie

Patons Top Down Vintage Cardigans
Sizes: 3 months, 6 months, 12 months and 18 months
Cardigan for babies and toddlers with beautiful, simple details.
Free Knitting Pattern for a Patons Top Down Vintage Cardigan for Babies

Picot edge baby jacket
Sizes: 0-3 months, 3-6 months
Beautiful little baby jacket with a picot edge.
Picot edge baby jacket free knitting pattern

Seamless Baby Cardigan
Size: 0-3, (6-12, 18-24) months
Super cute and easy striped baby cardigan knitting pattern.
Seamless Baby Cardigan Free Knitting Pattern

Top Down Cardigan
Sizes: 6 months, 12 months, 18 months and 24 months
Knit this neutral in one easy piece for the perfect family photo cardigan!
Free Knitting Pattern for a Top Down Baby Cardigan

Rah Rah Baby Hat and Cardi

Sizes: Hat is sized to fit Children 3 mos (6 mos, 12-24mos, 4T) 
Cardigan is sized to fit Babies 3 mos (6 mos, 12 mos, 24 mos, 4T) 
Both shown in 6 mos size 

baby hat and cardigan knitting pattern set free

Harlequin

To fit sizes: 0, 3, 6, 12, 18 and 25 months. Colorwork yoke in a harlequin pattern.

Harlequin style baby cardigan free pattern

Top Down Cardigan
Sizes: 6 months, 12 months, 18 months and 24 months
Simple garter stitch baby cardigan pattern.
Simple garter stitch baby cardigan pattern free

Cozy Cardi
Sizes: 3-6 mos (9-12 mos, 18-24 mos, 3-4 yrs, 5-6 yrs)
This cardigan is worked from side to side. The cardigan fronts and hood are worked in one piece, and then the sleeves and back are worked separately. Once seamed, the bottom band is picked up and knit along the bottom and the front is edged with crochet which also forms the button loops.
Easy garter stitch hoodie baby cardigan knitting pattern

Year-Round Baby Cardigan
Sizes: 6 months, 12 months, 18 months and 2 months
Easy baby cardigan pattern to knit in a garter stitch with pockets.
Easy baby cardigan pattern to knit in a garter stitch with pockets.

Opera Baby Cardigan
Sizes: A Newborn- B 3 months – C 6 months – D 12 months
Easy and cute striped baby cardigan to knit.
Free Knitting Pattern for an Easy Striped Baby Cardigan

Garter Stitch Hooded Jacket

Sizes 6(12-18-24) mos.
A great pattern for a buttoned and hooded jacket with versions available for both girls and boys.
Garter Stitch Hooded Jacket Free Knitting Pattern

Seeds of Spring
Sizes: 6, 12, 18 and 24 months
Here’s the perfect sweater to take along so that baby is comfy and warm. Perfect for sweet girls or charming boys!
Seeds of Spring Free Baby Sweater Knitting Pattern

Easy Cardi

Cute and easy free cardigan knitting pattern with short sleeves.

Free short sleeved baby cardigan knitting pattern

Picket Cardigan
Sizes: 3, 6 12 and 24 months
Baby cardigan with Celtic cable.
Free knitting pattern for a cable baby cardigan

Pink Lady
Easy garter and stockinette stitch baby cardigan knitting pattern
Easy Garter and Stockinette Stitch Baby Cardigan Free Knitting Pattern

Art Class Cardigan

Cute and colorful! The Art Class Cardigan will inspire a future artist when knit in vibrant Deluxe Stripes. Thanks to its machine washability, you won’t need to fret if your little one gets a bit of finger paint on this cardi! Simple, top-down construction, a touch of broken ribbing, and precious buttons make this pattern irresistible. This is the perfect baby cardigan for beginners. Sizes: 3, 6, 12 and 24 months.

free and easy beginner baby cardigan knitting pattern

Short Sleeve Lace

A baby cardigan pattern with short sleeves and lace details.

Free short sleeved baby cardigan pattern
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