Believe it or not, this four-season child’s crochet cardigan pattern is made from two simple hexagons! Crochet one for all the stylish girls in your life. Sizes newborn, baby, toddler, and up to child size 14.
Get Part 1 of the free pattern below or purchase the ad-free, printable PDF with stitch charts here. (Part 2 of the free pattern can be found here.)
This free child’s crochet cardigan pattern is part of a collaboration with Lion Brand Yarn. This post contains affiliate links.
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My Inspiration for a Toddler Crochet Hexagon Cardigan
Every time my sweet 5-year-old sees me crocheting recently she asks:
“Who are you making that for, Mommy?”
Since I share mostly free crochet sweater patterns for women here on the blog, the answer is usually, “for me” or “so I can teach other people how to make it.”
But she’s inquired so many times lately that I finally asked her if was really hoping she’d be the recipient of a project soon.
“Yes!” she exclaimed, almost relieved that I finally caught on. (Poor kid is caught in a bit of a cobbler’s-children-have-no-shoes situation, I think.)
So I designed a kid-sized cardigan that’s made with a similar construction to the popular Campfire Cardigan.
A Hexagon Cardi for Babies, Toddlers, and Kids
The chain spaces in this girl’s sweater make it the perfect weight to wear pretty much year round, but wouldn’t it be especially cute for Valentine’s Day or Easter?
I love the idea of making a kid’s hexagon cardigan for each of the girls in a family in a different color. You’ll see that the pattern shows how to modify for newborns, toddlers, preschoolers, and older children–everyone can have one!
New to making cardigans? Don’t miss How to Crochet a Sweater for our best beginner tips.
Pattern and Construction
The construction of this toddler crochet sweater is really quite simple because it’s based on two hexagons that are folded and seamed to form the front, back, and shoulders.
The free pattern looks a bit lengthy, but please trust me that once you get the hang of the two types of rows used in this sweater, it’s really much simpler than it appears in writing.
The Free XO Child’s Hexagon Cardigan Crochet Pattern – Part 1
Find Part 2 of the free pattern here.
Explanation:
Make a crochet sweater for your favorite kiddo and teach her geometry while you’re at it! You’ll love watching this lightweight child’s cardigan come together as it’s magically constructed from two simple hexagons.
Choose a solid color as shown or jazz it up with stripes in different colors. Either way, this pattern works up quickly for an adorable hexagon cardigan that your child can wear year round.
Skills necessary include double crochet and crocheting in the round.
Supplies + Materials:
• Lion Brand Feels Like Butta (Weight: 4/medium – 218 yds, 3.5 oz)
– Pink (215-101) – 2 (3, 4, 5, 6) skeins [(approx. 171 (247, 323, 415, 518) g)]
• Tapestry needle
• Size H (5.0 mm) crochet hook
• Stitch markers or safety pins
The Best Yarn for a Child’s Cardigan
When I got my hands on a new yarn from Lion Brand called Feels Like Butta, I knew it would be the perfect material for a super soft toddler hexagon cardigan pattern.
It’s hard to tell in the photos, but this yarn has a slight chenille quality. It’s extremely soft and easy to crochet. It’s also machine washable and dry-able–a requirement for anything my kids are going to wear.
The thing I love most about this yarn though is that the color palette has a really nice range of “baby” colors and more sophisticated adult shades. See all the delicious colors here!
Child, Toddler, and Baby Sweater Measurements
See ad-free, printable PDF for the schematic with measurements, if desired.
| Sweater Size | Sweater Chest Circumference |
| 0-6 months | 18″ |
| 1-4 | 22.5″ |
| 4-6 | 27″ |
| 8-10 | 31.75″ |
| 12-14 | 36.25″ |
If in between sizes, choose larger size. You then may want to work fewer sleeve rounds and body “length” rows to accommodate smaller limbs and torso. When your little one grows, just add an extra couple of rounds to grow with her!
Sample pictured is a size 4-6 on a 5-year-old girl.
(You can always find all my free crochet patterns for babies and kiddos here!)
Gauge:
14 sts x 6.3 rows = 4”
Abbreviations and Glossary (US Terms):
ch – chain
sl st – slip stitch
dc – double crochet
dc2tog – double crochet two together (see photo below in sleeve section)
sp – space
tch – turning chain
st(s) – stitch(es)
RS – right side
WS – wrong side
rep – repeat
PM – place marker
Get the Printable PDF + Stitch Charts
If you’re the type of crocheter who prefers looking at a chart alongside the written pattern, I’ve included TWO stitch charts in the ad-free, printable PDF.
Crochet charts are super helpful in quickly understanding the stitch repeats, where to seam the hexagons, and where to attach your yarn in each section of the pattern. (Sometimes a picture is quite literally worth a thousand words, you know?)
You can pick up the ad-free, printable PDF with both stitch charts and a sweater schematic here.
Helpful Resources + Tutorials
If you’re new to learning how to crochet, check out these beginner guides that will level-up your skills.
- Crochet Supplies – what to buy and what you can skip
- How to Read Crochet Patterns – tackle your next project with confidence
- How to Check Your Crochet Gauge – skipping this step is a common beginner mistake
- How to Weave in Your Ends – make this necessary evil less painful with these tips
- Blocking Your Crochet – why it matters and how to do it
Overall Pattern + Sizing Notes:
• Pattern is written in smallest size with larger sizes following in parenthesis. newborn-6 months (1-4, 4-6, 8-10, 12-14)
• Ch 3 at the beginning of a row/round always counts as a dc.
• Ch 4 at the beginning of a row/round always counts as a dc and a ch-1 sp.
The photo below shows how your hexagon will progress as you crochet it.
Front Hexagons
Notes:
• See photo above (or chart in pattern PDF) for visual instruction.
Make 2.
Foundation: Ch 4, sl st to first ch to join.
Round 1: Ch 3 (counts as 1 dc here and throughout), 2 dc in ring, ch 1, [3 dc in ring, ch 1] 5 times, sl st to 3rd ch from beginning of round to join. (3 dc per side, 18 dc total)
Round 2: Ch 3, dc in each dc to ch-1 sp, [(2 dc , ch 2, 2 dc) in next ch-1 sp corner, dc in each dc to next ch-1 sp corner] 5 times, (2 dc , ch 2, 2 dc) in next ch-1 sp corner, sl st to 3rd ch from beginning of round to join. (7 dc per side)
Round 3: Ch 3, dc in each dc to ch-2 sp, [(2 dc , ch 2, 2 dc) in next ch-2 sp corner, dc in each dc to next ch-1 sp corner] 5 times, dc in each dc to end of round, sl st to 3rd ch from beginning of round to join. (11 dc per side)
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All sizes:
Fasten off.
Front + Back Hexagon Extensions
Notes:
• See photo below or stitch chart in printable, ad-free PDF for hexagon with completed extensions.
• Rows 1 and 2 extend two sides of hexagon to create front edge and center back of sweater. When working Row 1, check to make sure ch-1 sps line up with ch-1 spaces from last ch-1 sp row of hexagon.
With RS of hexagon facing, attach yarn in first dc of side 3.
Row 1: Ch 4, sk 1 dc, dc in next dc, [ch 1, sk 1 dc, dc in next dc] to last dc of side, turn. [9 (13, 17, 21, 25) ch-1 sp on this side, 10 (14, 18, 22, 26) dc on this side side]
Row 2: Ch 3, dc in each dc and ch-1 sp to end of row, being sure to work 1 dc in 3rd ch from beginning of Row 1. [19 (27, 35, 43, 51) dc]
Fasten off.
With RS of hexagon facing, attach yarn in first dc of side 5. Rep Rows 1 and 2. Fasten off.
Repeat entire sequence on second hexagon.
The photo below shows how to fold a finished hexagon so that it’ll transform into a child’s sweater.
Joining Hexagons
Notes:
• Hexagons are joined using a series of chs to mimic the look of Round 4 of hexagon.
• See photos below for visual explanation.
The photos below show how to join the hexagons in your toddler crochet sweater.
With RS facing in, fold first hexagon so that side 3 and side 5 are aligned. PM in 1st (2nd, 2nd, 3rd, 4th) dc from center back along upper shoulder side of hexagon. Rep with second hexagon.
Shoulder Seam:
Attach yarn in one corner sp at end of sleeve. Ch 2, sl st to join in opposite corner sp, sl st 2 into first dc on same side; * ch 2, sl st to join on opposite side, sl st 2 on same side; ch 2, sk 2 dc on opposite side; rep from * to marked sts. Fasten off.
Rep on second hexagon.
Back Seam:
With WS still facing out, line up Center Back of both hexagons. (Sweater front and back (sides 3 & 5), are identical at this point, so choose one to seam. Seamed section will become sweater back.)
Attach yarn in one corner sp at top of neck. Ch 2, sl st to join in opposite corner sp, sl st 2 into first dc on same side; * ch 2, sl st to join on opposite side, sl st 2 on same side; ch 2, sk 2 dc on opposite side; rep from * corner sps at bottom of sweater. Fasten off.
The photo below shows how to double crochet two together in the sleeve of the hexagon cardigan.
Sleeves
Notes:
• In order to evenly place ch-1 sps around Round 1, treat ch-2 sp at each hexagon corner as a dc to skip. Similarly, horizontal dc of shoulder seam counts as 1 dc to skip. See photo grid above.
• See photo above for visual explanation of dc2tog.
Turn sweater RS out. Attach yarn in top of ch 3 of the last hexagon round. (This will be at bottom side of sleeve on what was previously considered Side 1. See chart in printable PDF for extra visual explanation.)
Round 1: Ch 4, sk 1 dc, [dc in next dc, ch 1, sk 1 dc] to end of round, sl st to 3rd ch from beginning of round to join. [12 (16, 20, 24, 28) ch 1 sps & dc]
Newborn-6 Month Size only:
Round 2 : Ch 3, dc in each dc and ch-1 sp around, sl st to 3rd ch from beginning of round to join. (24 dc)
Round 3: Ch 4, sk 1 dc, [dc in next dc, ch 1, sk 1 dc] to end of round, sl st to 3rd ch from beginning of round to join. (12 ch-1 sps and dc)
Round 4 (dec): Ch 3, dc in first ch-1 sp, dc2tog over next dc and ch-1 sp, dc in each dc and ch-1 sp until 2 ch-1 sps remain, dc2tog over next ch-1 sp and dc, dc in last ch-1 sp, sl st to 3rd ch from beginning of round to join. (22 dc)
Round 5: Rep Round 3. (11 ch-1 sps and dc)
Rounds 6 & 7: Rep Rounds 2 & 3.
Round 8 (dec): Rep Round 4. (20 dc)
1-4 Year Size only:
Round 2 (dec): Ch 3, dc in first ch-1 sp, dc2tog over next dc and ch-1 sp, dc in each dc and ch-1 sp until 2 ch-1 sps remain, dc2tog over next ch-1 sp and dc, dc in last ch-1 sp, sl st to 3rd ch from beginning of round to join. (30 dc)
Round 3: Ch 4, sk 1 dc, [dc in next dc, ch 1, sk 1 dc] to end of round, sl st to 3rd ch from beginning of round to join. (15 ch-1 sps and dc)
Round 4: Ch 3, dc in each dc and ch-1 sp around, sl st to 3rd ch from beginning of round to join. (30 dc)
Round 5: Rep Round 3.
Round 6 (dec): Rep Round 2. (28 dc)
Rounds 7-9: Rep Rounds 3-5.
Round 10: Rep Round 2. (26 dc)
4-6 Year Size only:
Round 2 (dec): Ch 3, dc in first ch-1 sp, dc2tog over next dc and ch-1 sp, dc in each dc and ch-1 sp until 2 ch-1 sps remain, dc2tog over next ch-1 sp and dc, dc in last ch-1 sp, sl st to 3rd ch from beginning of round to join. (38 dc)
Round 3: Ch 4, sk 1 dc, [dc in next dc, ch 1, sk 1 dc] to end of round, sl st to 3rd ch from beginning of round to join. (19 ch-1 sps & dc)
Rounds 4-9: Repeat Rounds 2-3, 3 times. (16 ch-1 sps & dc after Round 9)
Round 10 (dec): Rep Round 2. (30 dc)
8-10 Year Size only:
Round 2 (dec): Ch 3, dc in first ch-1 sp, dc2tog over next dc and ch-1 sp, dc in each dc and ch-1 sp until 2 ch-1 sps remain, dc2tog over next ch-1 sp and dc, dc in last ch-1 sp, sl st to 3rd ch from beginning of round to join. (46 dc)
Round 3: Ch 4, sk 1 dc, [dc in next dc, ch 1, sk 1 dc] to end of round, sl st to 3rd ch from beginning of round to join. (23 ch-1 sps & dc)
Rounds 4-5: Rep Rounds 2 & 3. (22 ch-1 sps & dc at the end of Round 5)
Round 6 (dec): Rep Round 2. (42 dc)
Round 7 (dec): Ch 4, skip next dc, dc2tog, ch 1, skip next dc, [dc in next dc, ch 1, skip next dc] to last 3 dc, dc2tog, ch 1, sl st to 3rd ch from beginning of round to join. (20 ch-1 sps & dc).
Rounds 8-11: Rep Rounds 6 & 7, 2 times. (16 ch-1 sps & dc after Round 11)
Round 12: Ch 3, dc in each ch-1 sp and dc around, sl st to 3rd ch from beginning of round to join. (32 dc)
12-14 Year Size only:
Round 2 (dec): Ch 3, dc in first ch-1 sp, dc2tog over next dc and ch-1 sp, dc in each dc and ch-1 sp until 2 ch-1 sps remain, dc2tog over next ch-1 sp and dc, dc in last ch-1 sp, sl st to 3rd ch from beginning of round to join. (54 dc)
Round 3 (dec): Ch 4, skip next dc, dc2tog, ch 1, skip next dc, [dc in next dc, ch 1, skip next dc] to last 3 dc, dc2tog, ch 1, sl st to 3rd ch from beginning of round to join. (26 ch-1 sps & dc).
Rounds 4-11: Rep Rounds 2 & 3, 4 times. (18 ch-1 sps & dc after Round 11)
Round 12 (dec): Rep Round 2. (34 dc)
All Sizes:
Round 9 (11, 11, 13, 13): Ch 1, sc in each dc around, sl st to first sc to join. [20 (26, 30, 32, 34) sc]
Fasten off.
Now you’re ready for Part 2 of this toddler crochet cardigan pattern where we’ll add length to the sweater, and create a hood and pockets. Head to Part 2 here!
More Free Crochet Hexagon Cardigan Patterns
Did you love learning about how to crochet a hexagon cardigan? Ready to make a grown-up-sized one for yourself? Check out these free patterns!
More Free Crochet Sweater Patterns
Crochet sweater patterns don’t need to be difficult. In fact, most of ours are made with very simple shapes. Dive into the wonderful world of crochet garments with cardigans, pullovers, ponchos, shrugs and more!
See more free crochet sweater patterns →
Hazel says
Hi, this pattern is super cute, but after my third row I always seem to be missing 4 stitches. What am I doing wrong?
Sandra Boyett says
Jess, this is my first attempt at crocheting a cardigan. I have the two hexagons made, but now I am at a total loss trying to follow the instructions. I am making it a size 12-14. Is there a tutorial of something similar that might help me? I e to have gotten this far and have to give up on it. I am disabled and have just started crocheting again and it has been quite helpful and enjoyable.
Jess @ Make and Do Crew says
Hey Sandra,
Responding to your email now. 🙂
Jess
Megan says
Again you are amazing!! One question when it comes to the sizing. I want to make this for my soon to be 5 year old niece. I’m confused reading this. Is 12-14 the size I should be following. How should I make it
Jess @ Make and Do Crew says
Hey Megan,
I’d prob make her the 4-6 size. My daughter in the pics is five years old and wearing the 4-6 size. 🙂
Jess
Mary says
That pink is stunning! Such a cute project. I wish I would have had this when my daughter was smaller. 🙂
Jess @ Make and Do Crew says
Isn’t this pink cute?! I’m hoping to make a larger version of this sweater pattern, so maybe it’s not too late to make one for your daughter. 😉
Sheltie Times says
Great sweater. I love seeing yarn I can find.
Jess @ Make and Do Crew says
I agree! I really try to use yarn that’s accessible to as many people as possible. I really, really enjoyed using this new yarn and I hope you do too!
Jess
Trish says
As usual you come up with the niftiest items and your instructions are clear and easy to follow. I want to make this for my grand-daughter, but not in pink. She likes purple! Unfortunately I will have to wait until my shoulder heals and then I will be able to wield my trusty crochet hook again. My fingers just itched for yarn when I saw this pattern!! Can’t wait to get started on it. Thanks for all your creative ideas, and thanks for sharing them with us.
Jess @ Make and Do Crew says
Oh Trish, I am rooting for your healing! I imagine it’s really hard to be without your trusty hook. I think this pattern will look beautiful in purple! (My daughter would love that too!)
Jess
Sarah Smith says
This is lovely ?
Will make one for my granddaughter x
Jess @ Make and Do Crew says
Thank you, Sarah! What a lucky granddaughter!
Jess
Grace says
Can’t wait to make this for my girls, I made the Campfire cardigan in a childsize, I assume it’s a similar concept!