How to Make a CROCHET PATTERN for a Baby Cardigan

Creating a crochet pattern for a baby cardigan involves a mix of design planning, stitch knowledge, and accurate sizing. Here’s a detailed guide on how to make your own crochet baby cardigan pattern, from concept to finished pattern writing.

How to Make a CROCHET PATTERN for a Baby Cardigan

Step 1: Plan the Design

1.1 Choose Style:
Decide on the cardigan type:

Open front or buttoned
Raglan, set-in sleeve, or drop shoulder
Hooded or collarless
Texture: Plain, lace, bobble stitch, stripes, etc.

1.2 Choose Yarn & Hook:

Yarn weight: DK (light worsted) or worsted weight is common
Fiber: Cotton or soft acrylic for babies
Hook size: Usually 4.0 mm – 5.5 mm (G – I)

1.3 Select Stitches:
Choose basic and decorative stitches:

Single crochet (sc), half double crochet (hdc), double crochet (dc)
Puff, shell, or bobble stitches for texture
Ribbing for cuffs/borders: slip stitch, back loop sc, or front/back post stitches

Step 2: Take Measurements and Make a Gauge Swatch

2.1 Standard Baby Sizes (0–3 months):

Chest: 16 in (40.5 cm)
Total length: 8–9 in (20–23 cm)
Sleeve length: 6–7 in (15–18 cm)

2.2 Gauge Swatch:
Make a 4″ x 4″ (10×10 cm) swatch in your chosen stitch.
Measure how many stitches and rows fit in 4″.

Example:
Gauge: 16 stitches x 12 rows = 4″ (10 cm) using hdc

Step 3: Draft the Construction

You can construct the cardigan in one of several ways:

Option A: Top-Down Raglan (Most Common)

Made in one piece from neckline down with yoke increases.

Sections:

Chain for neckline
Use stitch markers to divide into:
Front Left / Sleeve / Back / Sleeve / Front Right
Increase at raglan points each row (e.g., 2 dc, ch 1, 2 dc)
When yoke is deep enough, separate sleeves and continue body

Option B: Seamed Panels (Front, Back, Sleeves)

Create each piece separately and seam them together.

Step 4: Do the Math

Use your gauge to calculate stitch counts:

Multiply desired width by stitches per inch
Example: 16″ chest ÷ 2 = 8″ front
If gauge = 4 sts/inch: 8″ x 4 = 32 stitches per front panel

Step 5: Write the Pattern

Write the pattern row by row or round by round.

Include:

Materials needed (yarn brand/weight, hook, buttons)
Gauge swatch instructions
Finished measurements
Abbreviations used
Stitch count at end of rows
Assembly instructions (if seamed)
Optional embellishments (like button bands or edging)

Example Snippet of a Baby Cardigan Pattern (Top-Down Raglan):

Size: 0–3 months Yarn: DK weight, 200g Hook: 4.0 mm (G) Gauge: 16 sts x 12 rows = 4” in hdc

Abbreviations: ch = chain hdc = half double crochet st = stitch rep = repeat

Yoke: Ch 46. Row 1: Hdc in 2nd ch from hook and each ch across (45 sts). Row 2: Ch 1, turn. *Hdc in each st to raglan marker, (hdc, ch 1, hdc) in ch-1 space* repeat 4 times, hdc to end. Rep Row 2 until you have 10 raglan rows or desired yoke depth.

Separate sleeves: Work across front, skip sleeve sts, chain underarm, work across back, skip other sleeve, chain underarm, work other front.

Continue body in hdc rows until desired length.