Pattern status: Original design draft. Gauge and fit testing required.
Introduction
The mustard bobbles on this baby cardigan form raised horizontal bands across a cream background. This baby cardigan crochet pattern uses DK yarn, a top-down raglan yoke, short sleeves, and four front buttons. Designed for babies aged 6–12 months, the project uses a 4 mm crochet hook and intermediate-level shaping techniques.
Project Information
| Skill Level | Intermediate |
|---|---|
| Size | 6–12 months |
| Hook Size | 4 mm and 3.5 mm |
| Yarn Weight | DK / Light Worsted |
| Finished Chest Target | 50.7 cm |
| Gauge Target | 15 hdc × 12 rows = 10 cm |
| Construction | Top-down raglan |
| Estimated Time | 8–12 hours |
Materials and Tools
- Cream DK yarn: 150 g purchasing allowance
- Mustard yellow DK yarn: 50 g purchasing allowance
- Crochet hooks: 4 mm and 3.5 mm
- Buttons: Four washable buttons, 12–15 mm
- Stitch markers: Six
- Tapestry needle
- Scissors and measuring tape
Crochet Abbreviations
- ch – Chain
- sc – Single crochet
- hdc – Half double crochet
- dc – Double crochet
- BO – Bobble stitch
- BLO – Back loop only
- hdc2tog – Half double crochet decrease
- FO – Fasten off
Bobble stitch: Work four unfinished double crochet stitches into one stitch. Yarn over and pull through all five loops. Each completed bobble counts as one stitch.
Free Baby Cardigan Crochet Pattern
Step 1: Crochet the Raglan Yoke
Yarn: Cream DK
Hook: 4 mm
Chain 49. Work in turned rows. Turning chains do not count as stitches.
Divide the 48 stitches into five sections: 8 front, 8 sleeve, 16 back, 8 sleeve, and 8 front. Place markers between sections. Each raglan increase row adds eight stitches.
Row 1: 48 hdc (48)
Row 2: Raglan increases (56)
Row 3: Hdc across (56)
Row 4: Raglan increases (64)
Row 5: Hdc across (64)
Row 6: Raglan increases (72)
Row 7: Hdc across (72)
Row 8: Raglan increases (80)
Row 9: Hdc across (80)
Row 10: Raglan increases (88)
Row 11: Hdc across (88)
Row 12: Raglan increases (96)
Row 13: Hdc across (96)
Row 14: Raglan increases (104)
Row 15: Hdc across (104)
Row 16: Raglan increases (112)
Step 2: Separate the Sleeves
Row 17: Hdc 16, skip 24 sleeve stitches, ch 6, hdc 32, skip 24 sleeve stitches, ch 6, hdc 16 (76).
Row 18: Hdc across (76).
Row 19: Hdc across (76).
Step 3: Crochet the Mustard Bobble Stripes
Bobble row: With mustard yarn, repeat [hdc 3, BO 1] nineteen times (76).
Row 20: Mustard bobble row (76)
Rows 21–23: Cream hdc (76 each)
Row 24: Mustard bobble row (76)
Rows 25–27: Cream hdc (76 each)
Row 28: Mustard bobble row (76)
Rows 29–31: Cream hdc (76 each)
Stop after Row 31 for the specified length target, then proceed to the hem. Measure the garment before continuing.
Step 4: Crochet the Bottom Hem
Hook: 3.5 mm
Row 1: Sc across (76)
Row 2: Sc in BLO (76)
Row 3: Sc in BLO (76)
Row 4: Sc in BLO (76)
Fasten off and weave in the yarn tail.
Step 5: Crochet the Sleeves (Make 2)
Join cream yarn at the underarm. Work in joined rounds across 24 reserved sleeve stitches and six underarm stitches.
Round 1: Hdc around (30)
Round 2: Hdc around (30)
Round 3: Hdc around (30)
Round 4: Mustard [hdc 4, BO 1] × 6 (30)
Rounds 5–7: Cream hdc (30 each)
Round 8: Mustard bobble round (30)
Rounds 9–11: Cream hdc (30 each)
Step 6: Crochet the Sleeve Cuffs
Using cream yarn and a 3.5 mm hook:
Round 1: Sc around (30)
Round 2: Sc in BLO (30)
Round 3: Sc in BLO (30)
Round 4: Sc in BLO (30)
Step 7: Add the Button Bands
Work three rows of single crochet along each front edge. On the buttonhole band, distribute four chain-2 openings, skipping two stitches for each opening. Test the openings with the selected buttons before attaching them.
Step 8: Crochet the Neckline Edging
Work one row of evenly spaced single crochet around the neckline, followed by one row of single crochet in the back loops only. Fasten off.
Assembly Instructions
- Lay the cardigan flat.
- Check the raglan shaping.
- Measure the finished chest.
- Inspect the neckline.
- Compare both sleeves.
- Close small underarm gaps.
- Mark four button positions.
- Sew the buttons securely.
- Weave in all yarn ends.
- Wash according to the yarn label and dry flat.
7 Technical Crochet Tips
- Stitch markers: Mark all four raglan corners. Missing an increase changes the stitch count.
- Gauge: Check the yoke after Row 16. The calculated depth is approximately 13.3 cm.
- Underarm: Avoid bulky bobbles directly at the underarm join.
- Bobble stitches: Count each bobble as one completed stitch.
- Buttonholes: Test every opening against the actual button diameter.
- Alignment: Pin both front edges before attaching the buttons.
- Yarn ends: Weave tails through several stitches and reverse direction to secure them.
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Conclusion
This baby cardigan crochet pattern combines a cream raglan body with mustard bobble stripes, short sleeves, and four front buttons. Before publishing it as a tested pattern, crochet a complete sample and verify the gauge, garment measurements, yarn consumption, and buttonhole fit.
Share your finished project on Pinterest and Instagram using #MustardDaisyBabyCardigan.
Pattern note: Original photo-inspired reconstruction. Physical sample testing is still required. Secure all buttons carefully and inspect for loose parts before infant use.
