Free knitting patterns for raglan baby cardigans knit in one piece with no seams or minimal seaming. Most have no or few picked up stitches. Most patterns are free. Updated 5/19/25
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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.
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Free Patterns
Growing Garden Cardigan
Baby and toddler sized cardigan knit seamlessly from the top in dotted stripes. Sizes Newborn to 24 Months. Great stash buster for DK weight yarn. Designed by Sandi Rosner
Abril's Rainbow Cardigan
Baby and child sized cardigan sweater knit bottom up seamlessly with an 8 row repeat Double Twist Check stitch that's perfect for knitting with a contrasting variegated yarn. No picking up stitches. Aran weight yarn. Sizes Newborn to 6 years. Designed by Natys. Pictured project by Galaz
Leaf Love Baby Cardigan
Baby sweater with an offset button front and leaf lace panel in a 10 row repeat. Knit seamlessly in one piece. No picking up stitches. Aran weight yarn. Sizes Newborn to 18 months. Designed by Taiga Hilliard. Pictured project by Lonestarknits
Diamonds for Baby Cardigan
Striped gansey inspired cardigan with an 8 row repeat diamond texture worked from the top down with raglan sleeves in one piece, with no seams. There are a few stitches picked up for sleeves. Sizes 3-6 months. Sport weight yarn. Designed by Vraja Leader. May only be free for a limited time.
Keep on Truckin' Baby Cardigan
Seamless cardigan knit from the bottom-up with a cute truck picture on the back, sized from newborn to 2 years old. There are stitches picked up for button bands and neck band. Worsted weight yarn. Designed by Elizabeth Smith.
Little Coffee Bean Cardigan
Striped baby cardigan with top-raglan construction makes this a completely seamless design. There are stitches picked up for button band. Worsted weight yarn. Sizes 3 (6, 12) months. Designed by Elizabeth Smith.
Vanilla Baby Cardigan
Easy baby cardigan knit seamlessly in garter stitch. No picking up stitches. Aran weight yarn. Sizes Newborn to 6 years. Designed by Taiga Hilliard. Pictured project by pielinda
Skara
2 row repeat ribbed baby cardigan knit seamlessly top down in one piece. There are stitches picked up for button band. Sport weight yarn. Sizes Newborn to 24 months. Designed by Agnes Brandels. Available in English, Danish, Dutch, Finnish, German, Norwegian, Swedish. The pattern for the blanket is also free but not available in English.
Mabel Cardigan
Baby and toddler cardigan in two colors with clustered stitch yoke and hem knit seamlessly from the top down. A few stitches are picked up for part of sleeves. Sizes Newborn to 4 years. Worsted weight yarn. Designed by Fiona Alice.
More Free Patterns
Wee Bean Baby Cardigan
Easy baby cardigan with striped yoke knit seamlessly in one piece. No picking up stitches. Aran weight yarn. Sizes Newborn to 18 months. Designed by Taiga Hilliard. Pictured project by gdedo
Wee Ashley Cardigan
Baby cardigan with textured stripes knit seamlessly from the top down. A few stitches are picked up for part of sleeves. Options are also given for knitting sleeves flat and seaming. Sizes Newborn is free. Other sizes available for purchase. DK weight yarn. Designed by Kelly van Niekerk. Pictured project by sofiecat
Simnia Cardigan
Baby cardigan with a stitch that looks like sea shells. It is a repeat of six stitches and is easy to memorise. Knit seamlessly from the top down in one piece. Sport or DK weight yarn. Sizes Newborn to 12 months. Designed by Janet Harvey.
Gidday Baby Cardigan
Baby cardigan with striped garter stitch circular yoke and stockinette body. Cardigan knit seamlessly from the top down in one piece. DK weight yarn. Sizes Newborn and 3 months. Designed by Georgie Nicolson. Pictured project by IshaLeigh
Sunnyside Baby Sweater
Baby cardigan knit from the top down in one piece. Options are included: cables (pictured) or lace. The smaller sizes (including the pictured project) make a great single skein project for that special ball of fingering weight yarn! Sizes 3 months to 24 months. Designed by Tanis Fiber Arts. Pictured project by cherylmac
F207 Top Down Baby Sweater
Garter eyelet lace at cuffs, neckband, and bottom trim this seamless top down baby cardigan with no picking up stitches. Sizes 3 months (6 months, 1 year). Designed by JoAnne Turcotte for Plymouth Yarn. Aran weight yarn. Pictured project by JaneBG1923
Elliston Baby Cardigan
Easy baby cardigan knit seamlessly from the top down with mostly knit stitches. No picking up stitches. Sizes Newborn(3 months,6 months,9-12 months, 18-24 months,2-3 years,4-6 years). Designed by Taiga Hilliard. Aran weight yarn. Pictured project by Kejbica
Button Stitch Baby Cardigan
Seamless baby cardigan knit top down with Estonian Button Stitch for texture. No picking up stitches. Size 0-6 months. Designed by Knit Paint Sew. DK weight yarn. Web version is free.
Beth's Cables
Seamless baby cardigan with cables that run down the raglan sleeves and sides. Knitted top down in one piece. Just pick up 3 stitches for sleeves. Sizes 3 months to 12 months. Designed by Knit-a-Zoo. DK weight yarn.
Gladiolus
V-neck ribbed baby cardigan knit seamlessly top down in one piece. There are stitches picked up for button band, sleeves, shoulders. Sizes Newborn to 24 months. Designed by Knit-a-Zoo. DK weight yarn. Available in English, Danish, Dutch, Finnish, German, Norwegian, Swedish
Patterns for Purchase
Layla Jacket
Shawl collared cardigan for girls knit seamlessly from the top down. Sizes Cardigan Newborn to 8 years. DK weight yarn. Designed by heaventoseven Designs.
Bleu Belle Coat and Hat
Baby cardigan jacket with cable detail knit seamlessly from the top down. Matching hat. Sizes Cardigan Newborn to 4 years. DK weight yarn. Designed by OGE Knitwear Designs.
Denlise Cardigan
Easy baby and child sized cardigan is worked seamlessly from the top down. Looks like there are no stitches picked up. Sizes Newborn to 8 years. Aran weight yarn. Designed by heaventoseven.
Baby Cardigan and Romper
Seamless top down sweater can be knitted with or without sleeves. Oneseie is knitted in garter stitch with a small amount of seaming required. Rated easy by Ravelrers. Sizes Cardigan -- 3 to 6 months, 6 to 12 months, 12 to 18 months : Onesie -- 0 to 3 months, 6 to 9 months, 9 to 12 months. DK weight yarn. Designed by OGE Knitwear Designs.
Aida Baby Cardigan
Simple leaf lace adorns the front borders of this baby sweater knit in one piece seamlessly from the top down. Rated easy by Ravelrers. Sizes 3-9 months, 9 - 12 months, 12-18 months. DK weight yarn. Designed by OGE Knitwear Designs. Pictured projects by katleonard and the designer.
Balina Top Down Cardigan
Perfect pattern for the confident beginner who is ready to try knitting a top down sweater according to the designer. Sleeves can be knitted in the round, or for those knitters not ready to tackle working with a set of double pointed needles, there are also instructions included for the sleeves to be knitted flat. Rated easy by the designer. Sizes 1-3 months, 3-6 months, 6-12 months. DK weight yarn. Designed by OGE Knitwear Designs. Pictured projects by the designer and mermade.
