🧶 How to Knit a Baby Cardigan or Jacket (Facial Stitch with Crochet) for Newborns and More

Here’s a detailed guide on how to knit a baby cardigan or jacket using the facial stitch (also known as front post double crochet) with crochet techniques, suitable for newborns and scalable for larger baby sizes:

🧶 How to Knit a Baby Cardigan or Jacket (Facial Stitch with Crochet) for Newborns and More

👶 Ideal for:

• Newborns to 12-month-olds

• You can size up with yarn weight, hook size, or stitch counts.

✨ Materials You Will Need:

• Yarn: Soft baby-friendly yarn (acrylic, bamboo, or cotton blends are best). Use lightweight (3) or DK yarn for newborns.

• Hook: 3.5 mm to 4.5 mm crochet hook (depending on yarn label).

• Tapestry needle: For sewing parts.

• Buttons (optional): 3-5 small buttons if you’re making a buttoned cardigan.

• Scissors

• Measuring tape

🧵 Understanding the Facial Stitch (Front Post Double Crochet – FPdc)

Facial stitch in this context refers to front post double crochet (FPdc). It creates a raised, textured rib that resembles knitwear.

To make a FPdc:

1. Yarn over (yo), insert your hook from front to back to front around the post of the indicated stitch.

2. Yo and pull up a loop (3 loops on hook).

3. Yo and pull through 2 loops, then again through the last 2 loops.

This stitch is often used in ribbing and gives a beautiful texture to jackets and cardigans.

📏 Sizing Guidelines (Approximate Chest Measurements)

🧶 Pattern Outline (Top-Down Raglan Cardigan with FPdc Trim)

This is a basic raglan-style baby cardigan worked top-down, with facial (FPdc) stitches used on the trim or body for texture.

✅ Step-by-Step Instructions:

🔹 Step 1: Yoke (Top of Cardigan)

1. Foundation Chain: Chain 52 (adjust depending on size).

2. Row 1 (Set-up Row): DC in the 3rd ch from hook and across. (50 DC)

3. Row 2–6: Begin raglan shaping.

   • Place stitch markers to separate back, fronts, and sleeves.

   • Increase at raglan points (dc, ch1, dc at each corner).

4. Maintain symmetry. Repeat until the yoke measures ~3.5” for newborn.

🔹 Step 2: Separate Sleeves

• Work body stitches only, skip sleeve stitches, and chain underarm stitches.

• Join front and back with underarm chains.

🔹 Step 3: Body Section

• Continue in DC rows or alternate rows of DC and FPdc for texture.

• Optional: Do the last 4-6 rows in alternating FPdc and BPdc (back post double crochet) for a ribbed bottom edge.

🔹 Step 4: Sleeves

• Join yarn at the underarm and work in rounds or rows.

• Make each sleeve about 5” for newborns.

• Add ribbing with FPdc/BPdc at cuff.

🔹 Step 5: Edging and Button Band

• Use FPdc for vertical edging (button bands).

• Do 1 row SC around the entire front and neckline.

• Add buttonholes on one side: (ch 2, skip 2, SC in next stitch).

• Sew on buttons on the opposite side.

🧼 Finishing

• Weave in all ends using tapestry needle.

• Gently wash and block the cardigan to shape.

• Add any appliqué or trim if desired.

🧵 Tips:

• Keep checking fit against a baby garment if unsure.

• Use stitch markers liberally when shaping raglan or sleeves.

• Keep stitches loose to allow stretch and comfort.

🧒 To Size Up:

• Use a thicker yarn and larger hook.

• Add more stitches to foundation chain and more rows to body and sleeves.

• Adjust raglan increases proportionally.

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