🧶 EASY & FAST CROCHET BABY CARDIGAN TUTORIAL

Sure! Here’s a detailed guide on how to make a crochet baby cardigan that’s easy, fast, and perfect for beginners. This pattern is worked in one piece (top-down), so there’s minimal sewing and you can finish it quickly — often in just a few hours!

🧶 EASY & FAST CROCHET BABY CARDIGAN TUTORIAL

✅ Skill Level:

Beginner to Easy (you should know basic stitches: chain, single crochet, double crochet)

🧵 Materials Needed:

Yarn: DK (Light Worsted / #3) or worsted weight yarn (#4) – about 200g for a newborn to 6-month size
(Cotton or soft acrylic yarn recommended for babies)
Hook: 4.0 mm (G/6) or 4.5 mm (7) depending on yarn and tension
Stitch Markers (optional, but helpful)
Scissors
Tapestry Needle
Buttons (3–5 small buttons, 1 cm size)

🧷 Crochet Stitches Used:

ch = chain
sc = single crochet
dc = double crochet
sl st = slip stitch
inc = increase (2 dc in the same stitch)

📏 Sizes:

This tutorial gives the 0–3 month size. To adjust, simply add rows to make it longer or start with a longer chain for wider sizes. Common baby cardigan sizes:

Newborn–3 months: chest ~16″, length ~9″
6–12 months: chest ~18″, length ~11″

✂️ Step-by-Step Instructions:

1️⃣ Yoke (Top Part)

You’ll crochet the cardigan top-down in rows, starting at the neckline.

💡 Foundation Chain:

Ch 52 (for newborn size)
Row 1: dc in the 4th ch from the hook, dc in each ch across (you’ll have 50 dc)
Turn your work.

2️⃣ Marking Raglan Increases (Dividing for Sleeves)

Row 2:

ch 2 (counts as first dc), dc in next 7 stitches
Place stitch marker (this is your first raglan point)
dc in next stitch (increase), ch 1, dc in same stitch again (this creates a “V”)
dc in next 10 stitches, place marker
dc, ch 1, dc (increase)
dc in next 12 stitches, place marker
dc, ch 1, dc
dc in next 10 stitches, place marker
dc, ch 1, dc
dc in remaining 8 stitches, turn

You’ve now marked the 4 points where you’ll increase to shape the yoke.

3️⃣ Continue Raglan Increases

Rows 3 to 10: Repeat the same pattern as Row 2
Always do dc, ch 1, dc in each ch-1 space from the previous row
dc in every other stitch

➡️ After about 10 rows, the piece should have taken a rectangular yoke shape with sections for front, sleeves, and back.

4️⃣ Separate for Body & Sleeves

Row 11:

Work dc across the front until you reach the first raglan ch-1 space
Skip all stitches for the sleeve, and jump directly to the next ch-1 space (armhole)
Continue dc across the back
Skip the second sleeve, and dc across the last front section

Now you have only the body on your hook — the sleeves are on hold.

5️⃣ Body of Cardigan

Rows 12–20 (or as long as you want): Work dc in each stitch across
Turn at the end of each row

➡️ You can add a ribbed border by switching to sc or hdc in BLO (back loop only) for the last 2 rows.

6️⃣ Sleeves (Optional or Short-Sleeve)

If you want short sleeves, you can leave them as is or just sc around the armholes for 2-3 rows.

For long sleeves:

Join yarn at underarm
Work in rounds around the armhole, using dc or hdc
Decrease 1 stitch every 2-3 rounds to taper the sleeve
Repeat until sleeve is desired length (about 5–6 inches for newborn)

7️⃣ Neckline & Button Band

Work sc evenly around the neckline
For the button band (front opening edges), do 2 rows of sc
On one side, sew buttons
On the other side, create buttonholes by skipping 1–2 stitches and chaining 2 (repeat every few rows depending on how many buttons you want)

8️⃣ Finishing

Weave in all ends with a tapestry needle
Sew on buttons securely
Optional: add a decorative edging around sleeves and bottom using shell stitch or picot

🎀 Optional Embellishments

Crochet flower, bow, or applique
Contrast color for edging
Striped rows

🧼 Care Instructions

Use machine-washable yarn for easy care
Wash on gentle cycle and lay flat to dry

✅ Summary Pattern (Abbreviated Version)

Would you like a printable PDF version or a diagram/chart? I can also provide a video tutorial recommendation if you prefer to follow along visually.

Watch video: