Knitting patterns for baby cardigans knit with one ball of yarn. Many of the patterns are free. Updated 6/8/26
To get the knitting patterns, scroll down the page to the individual pattern you want and click on the link to that pattern.
These patterns are not my designs but links to other designers who have generously shared their patterns. If you have questions about how to knit a specific pattern, please contact the designer directly.
All links on this site are for informational purposes, but please note that some links are to affiliate sellers that pay me a small commission on purchases.
Follow me for more patterns:
Free Patterns
Soft Cabled Cardigan
Baby buttoned cardigan knit flat with a 4 row repeat cable texture. Sizes Newborn to 12 months use just one skein of 100g of DK weight yarn. Additional sizes 18 months to 4 years also included. Designed by Cygnet.
Tiny Amy Baby Cardigan
Short-sleeved baby cardigan knit with mock cable details and customizable button band. Size Premature, Newborn. Uses one skein of DK weight yarn. Designed by Sarah Ronchetti.
Chloe Garter Stitch Baby Jacket
Easy baby cardigan with circular yoke knit flat in one piece with garter stitch. Size newborn. Uses one skein of DK weight yarn. Designed by marianna mel.
Purl Textured Cardigan
One skein baby cardigan knit flat in 2 row repeat garter ridge texture. Size 0 to 3 months. Rated very easy by Ravelrers. Knit with one skein of DK weight yarn. Designed by Jacqueline Gibb.
Garter Baby Cardigan
Baby sweater knit flat in garter stitch. Sizes Newborn to 6 months use just one skein of 100g of Aran weight yarn. Additional size of 9 months also included. Web version is free. PDF is for purchase. Designed by Louise Bollanos for Handy Little Me.
Easy and Lacy Baby Bolero
Baby shrug knit flat in one rectangle with a 6 row repeat lace framed with ribbing and then seamed. Sizes 3-6 months, 6-18 months, 2-4 years. Uses one skein 93 to 135 Yards of Worsted Weight Yarn. Designed by Christy Hills.
Baby Jiffy Knit Sweater
Baby cardigan knit seamlessly from the top down and embellished with bobbles. Size 6 to 9 months. with some instructions for adapting to other sizes. Uses one skein DK weight yarn. Designed by Cathy Waldie.
Little Amandine Cardigan
Baby cardigan with cable design on front, knit seamlessly from the top down. Sizes 3 months to 12 years. The 3 to 24 months sizes use one 100g skein of Fingering weight yarn. Designed by Sophie Vuong.
Lace Baby Cardigan
Baby sweater with collar, lace, and pretty picot edging. Size 6-12 months. Uses just one skein of DK weight yarn. Designed by Annanitato Lolo.
Belle Cardigan
Easy short-sleeved baby cardigan in garter stitch and stockinette. Sizes 0-6 Months and 6-12 Months use one 100g skein of DK weight yarn. 12-24 Months and 24-36 Months use two skeins. Designed by Cygnet.
INSTRUCTIONS: At the pattern site, make sure the price is 0. Add the pattern to your basket. Then "check out" without payment to get the link to download the pattern
More Free Patterns
Tadpole's Sweater
Baby cardigan with buttons on side front. Knit with a 5 row repeat fluted triangle texture. One size fits lots according to designer. Uses just one skein 450 yards (411 m) of Fingering weight yarn. Tadpole's Purple Sweater Designed by Tinks and Frogs Rue.
Oh Baby! Cardi
Baby cardigan sweater knit top down with a button band created as you knit! Sizes Newborn, 6 Month, 12 Month. Uses just one skein 154 - 250 yards (141 - 229 m) of DK yarn. Great showcase for multi-colored yarn. Designed by Roberta Rich.
Baby Cabled Cardi
Baby cardigan sweater with buttoned at the top with an 8 row repeat all over cable pattern on the lower section and sleeves. Uses just one skein 328yds/300m of DK yarn for 3 and 6 months. Additional sizes to 24 months. Designed by Premier Yarns.
Sprinkles Cardigan
Cropped baby cardigan knit with a simple lace border. There's also a long-sleeved version. Sizes 0-3 months, 3-6 months in the short-sleeved version only uses 1 skein of the recommended fingering weight yarn. Additional sizes to 18 months. Designed by Sarah Hatton for West Yorkshire Spinners.
Blossom Baby Cardigan
Easy baby cardigan with 8 row repeat lace below bodice. Body knit flat in one piece with button band knit as you go. Sleeves knit separately. Only a few stitches picked up at neck. Sizes Newborn to 12 months. Uses one 100g skein of DK weight yarn for at least up to 6 months. Designed by LJM Designs.
Lily's Cardigan
Seamless baby cardigan with scalloped lace, crew neck, and cap sleeves. Size 6-12 month. Uses one skein of DK or sport weight yarn. Designed by Stitchlogue by Calista Yoo. Pictured project by MaryRainforest
Shrug Bug
Quick baby cardigan knit flat with one skein 60 - 80 yards (55 - 73 m) of the recommended Super Bulky weight yarn. Sizes baby 6 months to one year old. Designed by Gina Bonomo.
Eliza Baby Cardigan
Sleeveless baby cardigan vest with 4 row repeat lace skirt. Uses one skein of the recommended Super Bulky weight yarn for first two sizes. Sizes 6 months, 1-2 years, 3-4 years. Designed by Kristina Larson.
- Get the free knitting pattern
- Get the recommended Malabrigo Yarn Rasta yarn at Amazon
- See the Ravelry page
Wee Anna Lynn
Baby cardigan knit top down, with buttons down the side and the choice of long or short sleeves. Size Newborn. Uses less than one skein 400 yards (366 m) fingering yarn. Designed by Taiga Hilliard. Pictured projects by the designer and cicisfun
Danika Baby Jacket
Baby cardigan perfect for boys or girls, knit with a 4 row repeat star stitch variation and options with collar and without. Newborn size. Uses one 56g ball of DK weight yarn. Designed by marianna mel. Matching hat, mittens, and booties are also available.
Mitered Colorblock Baby Cardigan
Baby cardigan sweater knit in garter stitch and features mitered front and back for a colorful effect when you use self-striping yarn or stash yarn. Uses one skein Aran weight yarn for sizes 6 months, 12 months. Also includes sizes 18 months and 24 months. Designed by Sandi Rosner.
Patterns for Purchase
8 / Wrap cardigan
Baby cardigan with front that wraps and ties, a cute picot edge, and a seed stitch band for easy style. 3 sizes. Newborn and 6 months sizes use one 100g skein of Fingering weight yarn. Designed by Little French Knits.
One-Skein Wonders® for Babies: 101 Knitting Projects for Infants & Toddlers
From mittens and hats to tees, sweaters, hoodies, pants, dresses, socks, and bootees, you’ll find the perfect wearable for every child and every occasion. You’ll also discover beautiful bibs, blankets, and sleep sacks, plus adorable stuffed toys, blanket buddies, and more.
- See more pics and get book on Amazon (Kindle and Prime available)
- Or get the book at Alibris
- See more One Skein Wonders books
Frivolité Cardigan
Pretty shrug for girls, with a frilled border on body and sleeves knit top down, seamlessly. Sizes 2 to 14 years old. Sizes up to at least 8 years (pictured) knit from one skein of Fingering weight yarn. Designed by Atelier des Glenettes.
