crochet easy baby sweater cardigan jacket: Video tutorial

Here’s a pattern for a simple crochet baby cardigan. This pattern is designed to be easy for beginners, using basic crochet stitches and a straightforward construction.

Materials:

DK weight yarn (approximately 200-250 yards)
Size E/4 (3.5 mm) crochet hook
3-4 small buttons
Yarn needle

Gauge:

Not critical for this project. However, approximately 20 double crochet stitches and 10 rows should measure 4 inches (10 cm). Adjust your hook size if needed to achieve a similar gauge.

Finished Size:

This pattern is written for a 0-6 month size. Adjustments for larger sizes (6-12 months, 12-18 months) are provided in parentheses.

Abbreviations:

ch: chain
sc: single crochet
hdc: half double crochet
dc: double crochet
sl st: slip stitch
st(s): stitch(es)
sk: skip
rep: repeat
RS: right side
WS: wrong side

Special Stitch:

Half Double Crochet Decrease (hdc dec): Yarn over, insert hook into next stitch, yarn over, pull up a loop (3 loops on hook), insert hook into next stitch, yarn over, pull up a loop (4 loops on hook), yarn over, pull through all 4 loops on hook.

Pattern Notes:

The cardigan is worked in rows from the top down.
The front and back are worked together until the armholes, then the body is worked as one piece.
Sleeves are worked separately and sewn on.
The buttonholes are worked into the front band.

Cardigan Instructions:

Yoke:

Row 1: Ch 41 (45, 49), hdc in the third ch from hook, hdc in each ch across. (39, 43, 47 hdc)
Row 2: Ch 2 (counts as hdc), turn, hdc in the next 7 (8, 9) sts, 2 hdc in the next st (increase), hdc in the next 5 (6, 7) sts, 2 hdc in the next st (increase), hdc in the next 11 (13, 15) sts, 2 hdc in the next st (increase), hdc in the next 5 (6, 7) sts, 2 hdc in the next st (increase), hdc in the last 7 (8, 9) sts. (43, 47, 51 hdc)
Row 3: Ch 2 (counts as hdc), turn, hdc in each st across.
Row 4: Ch 2 (counts as hdc), turn, hdc in the next 8 (9, 10) sts, 2 hdc in the next st, hdc in the next 7 (8, 9) sts, 2 hdc in the next st, hdc in the next 13 (15, 17) sts, 2 hdc in the next st, hdc in the next 7 (8, 9) sts, 2 hdc in the next st, hdc in the last 8 (9, 10) sts. (47, 51, 55 hdc)
Row 5: Ch 2 (counts as hdc), turn, hdc in each st across.
Row 6: Ch 2 (counts as hdc), turn, hdc in the next 9 (10, 11) sts, 2 hdc in the next st, hdc in the next 9 (10, 11) sts, 2 hdc in the next st, hdc in the next 15 (17, 19) sts, 2 hdc in the next st, hdc in the next 9 (10, 11) sts, 2 hdc in the next st, hdc in the last 9 (10, 11) sts. (51, 55, 59 hdc)
Row 7: Ch 2 (counts as hdc), turn, hdc in each st across.
Row 8: Ch 2 (counts as hdc), turn, hdc in the next 10 (11, 12) sts, 2 hdc in the next st, hdc in the next 11 (12, 13) sts, 2 hdc in the next st, hdc in the next 17 (19, 21) sts, 2 hdc in the next st, hdc in the next 11 (12, 13) sts, 2 hdc in the next st, hdc in the last 10 (11, 12) sts. (55, 59, 63 hdc)
Row 9: Ch 2 (counts as hdc), turn, hdc in each st across.
Row 10: Ch 2 (counts as hdc), turn, hdc in the next 11 (12, 13) sts, 2 hdc in the next st, hdc in the next 13 (14, 15) sts, 2 hdc in the next st, hdc in the next 19 (21, 23) sts, 2 hdc in the next st, hdc in the next 13 (14, 15) sts, 2 hdc in the next st, hdc in the last 11 (12, 13) sts. (59, 63, 67 hdc)

Divide for Body and Sleeves:

Row 11: Ch 2 (counts as hdc), turn, hdc in the next 12 (13, 14) sts (front), sk the next 13 (14, 15) sts (sleeve), hdc in the next 21 (23, 25) sts (back), sk the next 13 (14, 15) sts (sleeve), hdc in the last 12 (13, 14) sts (front). (45, 49, 53 hdc)
Row 12: Ch 2 (counts as hdc), turn, hdc in each st across.
Row 13: Ch 2 (counts as hdc), turn, hdc in each st across.
Row 14: Ch 2 (counts as hdc), turn, hdc in each st across.
Row 15: Ch 2 (counts as hdc), turn, hdc in each st across.
Row 16: Ch 2 (counts as hdc), turn, hdc in each st across.
Row 17: Ch 2 (counts as hdc), turn, hdc in each st across.
Row 18-24 (26, 28): Ch 2 (counts as hdc), turn, hdc in each st across.

Front Bands:

Row 1: Ch 1, turn, sc in each st across.
Row 2: Ch 1, turn, sc in each st across.
Repeat Row 2 three more times.
Buttonhole Row: Ch 1, turn, sc in the first 2 sts, ch 2, sk the next 2 sts, sc in the next 7 sts, ch 2, sk the next 2 sts, sc to end.
Next Row: Ch 1, turn, sc in the first 2 sts, 2 sc in the ch-2 space, sc in the next 7 sts, 2 sc in the ch-2 space, sc to end.
Last Row: Ch 1, turn, sc in each st across.

Sleeves (Make 2):

Row 1: Join yarn at the armhole, ch 2 (counts as hdc), hdc evenly around the armhole opening. (26, 28, 30 hdc)
Row 2: Ch 2 (counts as hdc), turn, hdc in each st around.
Row 3: Ch 2 (counts as hdc), turn, hdc in each st around.
Row 4: Ch 2 (counts as hdc), turn, hdc in the next 6 (7, 8) sts, hdc dec, hdc in the next 10 (10, 10) sts, hdc dec, hdc in the next 6 (7, 8) sts. (24, 26, 28 hdc)
Row 5: Ch 2 (counts as hdc), turn, hdc in each st around.
Row 6: Ch 2 (counts as hdc), turn, hdc in each st around.
Row 7: Ch 2 (counts as hdc), turn, hdc in the next 5 (6, 7) sts, hdc dec, hdc in the next 8 (8, 8) sts, hdc dec, hdc in the next 5 (6, 7) sts. (22, 24, 26 hdc)
Row 8-14 (16, 18): Ch 2 (counts as hdc), turn, hdc in each st around.
Cuff:
Row 15 (17, 19): Ch 1, turn, sc in each st around.
Row 16 (18, 20): Ch 1, turn, sc in each st around.
Fasten off.