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-14. Get the Part 1 of the free pattern below or purchase the ad-free, printable PDF with stitch charts here. (Part of the free pattern 2 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.
Last May I shared a crochet cardigan pattern for women called the Campfire Cardigan that was made from two granny stitch hexagons. I have loved seeing how many of you have made your own versions since! (You can always share your stitches with me on Instagram by tagging me--@makeanddocrew. I really enjoy seeing what you're up to.)
Every time my sweet 5-year-old seen me crocheting recently she asks:
"Who are you making that for, Mommy?"
Since I share mostly free crochet 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.)
The Yarn
When I got my hands on a new yarn from Lion Brand called Touch of Butta, I knew it would be the perfect inspiration for a super soft child's crochet cardigan pattern made with a similar construction to the Campfire Cardigan. It's hard to tell in the photos, but this yarn has a slight chenille quality. (If you look at the photos on LionBrand.com, you can see what I mean a bit.)
It's extremely soft and easy to crochet with AND machine washable and dry-able--a requirement for anything my kids are going to wear. (I enjoy pinning those cute "photoshoot" girls' crochet sweaters, but let's be honest, I'd much rather spend my precious free time crocheting than hand washing some cashmere toddler crochet sweater.)
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!
I chose this particular color, which is aptly called "Pink" in celebration of Lion Brand's color of the month for February. I could gaze at this collection of "Antique" (pink) yarns all day! Plus, all pink yarns are on sale right now at LionBrand.com, making this the perfect time to whip up this child's crochet cardigan.
The Cardigan
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 one for each of the girls in a family in a different color. You'll see that the pattern to modify for newborns, toddlers, preschoolers and older girls--everyone can have one!
(You can always find all my free crochet patterns for babies and kiddos here! And if you want a crochet cardigan for yourself, find all my free crochet sweater patterns here!)
The Pattern & Construction
The construction of this pattern is really quite simple because it's based on two hexagons that are folded and seamed to form the front, back and shoulders of this child's crochet cardigan. The 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.
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. These 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 just 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.
When you're ready, you can find Part 2 of the XO Child's Crochet Cardigan here. (And if you want everything in one place the printable PDF has the complete pattern, charts and photo tutorial.)
Please do not publish or share this pattern as your own. You may make items to sell with this pattern. In exchange, please link back to this pattern. Do NOT use my photos as your own sales photos. Now go make something awesome!
The XO Child's Crochet Cardigan
Free Crochet Pattern for Girls - Part 1
Purchase the ad-free, printable PDF with stitch charts and schematic here.
Pin it for later here.
Find Part 2 of the free pattern here.
Explanation:
Make a crochet sweater for your favorite kiddo out 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. Make it in a solid color as shown or jazz it up with stripes in different colors. Either way, this pattern works up quickly for an adorable cardigan that your child can wear year round.
Don’t let the pattern length intimidate you. Once you understand the basic idea of how the rows and rounds are worked, you’ll be off to the races with this simple sweater! Skills necessary include double crochet and crocheting in the round.
Supplies:
This pattern contains affiliate links at no extra cost to you.
• 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
Child’s Sizes*:
newborn-6 months (1-4, 4-6, 8-10, 12-14)
Chest Circumference: 18 (22.5, 27, 31.75, 36.25)”
*See ad-free, printable PDF for schematic with measurements, if desired.
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.
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
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.
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-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, dc in each dc to end of round,(2 dc , ch 2, 2 dc) in next ch-1 sp corner, dc in each dc to end of round, sl st to 3rd ch from beginning of round to join. (11 dc per side)
Round 4: Ch 4 (counts as 1 dc and 1 ch-1 sp here and throughout), sk 1 dc, dc in next dc, [ch 1, sk 1 dc, dc in next dc] to corner, * [ch 1, dc, ch 2, dc, ch 1] in corner sp, dc in next dc, [ch 1, sk 1 dc, dc in next dc] to corner; rep from * 4 more times, [ch 1, dc, ch 2, dc, ch 1] in corner sp, dc in next dc, [ch 1, sk 1 dc, dc in next dc] to last st, ch 1, sk last st, sl st to 3rd ch from beginning of round to join. (7 ch-1 sp per side, 42 ch-1 sps total, 8 dc per side, 48 dc total)
Round 5: Ch 3, dc in each dc and ch-1 sp to corner, [(2 dc , ch 2, 2 dc) in next ch-2 sp corner, dc in each dc and ch-1 sp to corner] 5 times, (2 dc , ch 2, 2 dc) in next ch-2 sp corner, dc in each dc and ch-1 sp to end of round, sl st to 3rd ch from beginning of round to join. (19 dc per side)
Sizes (1-4, 4-6, 8-10, 12-14) only:
Round 6: Rep Round 4 (11 ch-1 sp per side, 66 ch-1 sps total, 12 dc per side, 70 dc total)
Round 7: Rep Round 5 (27 dc per side)
Sizes (4-6, 8-10, 12-14) only:
Round 8: Rep Round 4 (15 ch-1 sp per side, 90 ch-1 sps total, 16 dc per side, 96 dc total)
Round 9: Rep Round 5 (35 dc per side)
Sizes (8-10, 12-14) only:
Round 10: Rep Round 4 (19 ch-1 sp per side, 114 ch-1 sps total, 20 dc per side, 120 dc total)
Round 11: Rep Round 5 (43 dc per side)
Size 12-14 only:
Round 12: Rep Round 4 (23 ch-1 sp per side, 138 ch-1 sps total, 24 dc per side, 144 dc total)
Round 13: Rep Round 5 (51 dc per side)
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.
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.
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.
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 child's crochet cardigan pattern where we'll add length to the sweater, and create a hood and pockets. Head to Part 2 here!
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!
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
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
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
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. 😉
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
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