Knitting patterns for baby cardigan sweaters butttoned only at the top. Most patterns are free. Most patterns are free.
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.
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Free Patterns
Ombre Cardigan
Striped baby top-down raglan cardigan. Sizes 12 (18, 24) mos. Worsted weight yarn. Designed by Premier Yarns Design Team
Lace Baby Cardigan and Blanket
Matching baby cardigan/matinee coat and baby blanket/shawl knit with a 4 row repeat lace pattern. Sizes Cardigan: Preemie, Newborn, 0-3m, 3-6m, 6-9m, 9-12m. Blanket 89 cm x 110 cm / 35” x 43¼”. Fingering weight yarn. Lacy Shawl & Matinee Jacket in Snuggly 4 Ply in Sirdar Snuggly - 5484.
Flower Lace Cardigans
Baby and child cardigan sweaters trimmed with lace and bobble flowers on the collar and hem. Options for Collared Cardigan and Round Neck Cardigan. Sizes Age 0-6 Months, 6-12 Months, 1-2 Years, 2-3 Years, 4-5 Years, 6-7 Years. Cardigans in Sirdar Snuggly Baby Bamboo DK (4732). DK weight yarn.
INSTRUCTIONS: At the pattern site, select the free pdf option. 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
Gentle Breeze Baby Jacket
Baby cardigan knit with a wavy zigzag pattern. Sizes 0 - 3 months and 6 months. DK weight yarn. Designed marianna mel for marianna's lazy daisy days.
Taylor's Jacket Cardigan
Baby and child cardigan jacket with hood knit in garter stitch and closed with 2 buttons at top. Quick knit in bulky weight yarn. Sizes 6 months (1 yr, 2-3 yrs, 4 yrs) . Designed by Kaz for Lion Brand. Quick knit in bulky weight yarn.
Kindling Cardigan
Top down baby and child cardigan with a wavy cable dotted with bobbles, topped off with a leaf accent at the end of the cable. Sizes6m (12m, 18m, 2, 4, 6) DK weight yarn. Designed by Terri Kruse for Knitty.
Scrappy Socky Stripey Cardi
This baby cardigan is a great way to use up leftover sock yarn and uses three different leftover yarns – one solid, one variegated, and one self-striping. Sizes 0-6 mos (6-12 mos, 18 mos, 2 yrs). Rated easy by Ravelrers. Fingering weight yarn. Designed by Fawn Pea.
Bibi Baby Jacket
Baby cardigan knit with an easy lace stitch on the bottom. Knitted from the bottom up - with only 2 small sleeve seams to join! Sizes newborn and 3-6 months. DK weight yarn. Designed marianna mel for marianna's lazy daisy days.
Leaf and Lace Baby Set
Baby layette with matching hat, jacket and booties featuring leaf lace motifs. Sizes Preemie, Newborn, 0/3, 6/12 months. Designed by Patons
- Get the free knitting pattern
- See the Ravelry page
- Get the recommended Softee Baby Yarn
- See more Layette Knitting Patterns
Springtime Cardi And Tam
Baby cardigan knit in seed stitch and garter stitch with matching hat knit flat and seamed. Sizes: 6 mos, 12 mos, 24 months (2 yrs). DK weight yarn. Designed Irina Poludnenko for Lion Brand.
- Get the free knitting pattern - download link below kit info
- Get the recommended Ice Cream® Yarn at Amazon
Snowflake Kimono
Baby cardigan knit in garter stitch with intarsia design on front and back. Knit flat and seamed. Sizes (runs large!) 3-6 months, 6-9 months, 12 months, 18 months, 24 months. Worsted weight yarn. Designed Ann Smith for Cascade Yarns.
Eloise Eyelet Cardi
Cardigan for ages 3 months to 4 years with a circular yoke of eyelets. Knit flat and seamed. Aran weight yarn. Sizes 3-6 months, 12 months, 24 months (2 years), Child 3, Child 4. Designed Lion Brand Yarn. Pictured projects by designer and Stephelainek
Garter Yoked Cardigan
Free for a limited time. Baby cardigan with a yoke of garter stitch and eyelets, fastened with 3 buttons on yoke. Sizes Months (0-3; 3-6; 6-9; 9-12; 12-18); Years (1-2). Designed by Sirdar. DK weight yarn. From #5326 Snuggly Heirloom brochure by Sirdar
READ INSTRUCTIONS! If the digital download price is not 0, the offer is over.
Snuggly Duffle Coat
Free for a limited time. Baby hooded duffle coat knit in pieces then seamed. Cardigan features 4 buttons at the neckline for quick donning, and double moss (aka moss in USA) stitch as textured edging. Sizes Months (0-3; 3-6; 6-9; 9-12; 12-18); Years (1-2). Designed by Sirdar. DK weight yarn. From #5322 Snuggly Heirloom brochure by Sirdar
READ INSTRUCTIONS! If the digital download price is not 0, the offer is over.
More Free Patterns
Baby Cardigan and Hat
Baby cardigan sweater with matching hat knit with a triangle texture. Sizes 1m, 3m, 6m. Designed by Panda Yarns. Fingering weight yarn.
Arches Baby Cardigan
Lace baby sweater with penwork arches on the body and the cuff. An extended button tab is used for closure at the yoke. Sizes 6 months, 12 months, 18 months, 24 months. Designed by Diane Zangl for Cascade Yarns. Worsted weight yarn.
Here's My Heart Cardi
Lace baby sweater with lace hearts and picot edge. Sizes 6 Mo., 18 Mo. Designed by Susie Bonell for Cascade Yarns. DK weight yarn.
Butterfly Baby Cardigan
Seamless top down cardigan with butterfly stitches on the sleeves and lower front and back. Designed by Pyropagan Knits. Worsted weight yarn. Pictured project by mkmclearen who used bulky yarn to increase the size.
Bunny Hat and Cardigan
Easy matching baby set of bunny hat and and cardigan sweater knit in garter stitch. Sizes Newborn, 3 months, 6-12 months. Designed by Yarnspirations. Uses 420 to 628 yards of sport weight yarn per set.
Rosebud
Seamless, one-piece baby cardigan knitted top down, in garter stitch with a ruffle at the hem. Changes in needle size create the graceful shape. Sizes 3, 6, 12, 18 months. Designed by The Noble Thread. Fingering weight yarn.
Olive You Baby
Baby sweater for boy or girl, knit top down, with an offset button front and cable panel. Sizes 0-3 months 3-6 months, 6-12 months, 12-18 months. Designed by Taiga Hilliard Designs. Worsted weight yarn. Pictured project by freshstitches. Available in English and Italian
Baby Top Down Cardigan
Knit in one piece. Sizes 6, 12, 18, 24 months. From Bernat.
Autumn Leaves
Nikki Van De Car designed this baby cardigan for sizes 6-9, 9-12, 12-15 months. Get Nikki’s book What to Knit When You’re Expecting
- Get the free knitting pattern
- View the pictured project
- Get Nikki’s book What to Knit When You’re Expecting
Maile
Nikki Van De Car designed this baby cardigan for 3 months, 20-in chest circumference.
Leaf Love Baby Sweater
Another baby cardigan by Taiga Hilliard Designs’s for any boy or girl, knit top down, with an offset button front and lace panel. Sizes 0-3 months 3-6 months,6-12 months, 12-18 months
- Get the free knitting pattern
- Get the recommended yarn for this project on Etsy
- Get the pictured handmade buttons on Etsy
Ode to Doris
Seamless baby sweater with a 4 row repeat lace body knit from the top down with raglan shaping and a rounded garter stitch neckline. Sizes newborn / 1 month. Rated easy by Ravelrers. Designed by Kelly van Niekerk. DK weight yarn.
Linnie
Seamless baby sweater knit from the top down with raglan shaping and a garter stitch yoke that's perfect for a contrasting or variegated yarn. Sizes newborn / 1 month. Rated very easy by Ravelrers. Designed by Justyna Lorkowska. DK weight yarn. Available in English and Polish.
Offset Front Baby Cardigan
Long-sleeved sweater knit top down with an offset front. Sizes 0-3 months (3-6 months, 6-12 months, 12-18 months). Designed by Taiga Hilliard Designs. Worsted weight yarn. Rated easy by Ravelrers. Pictured project by lisadoggett
Watermelon Baby Cardigan
Sleeveless summer baby cardigan with watermelon slice yoke with eyelets to look like seeds. Really easy construction - knitted top down with no picking up or seaming necessary. One size to fit approx 0-3 months. Rated very easy by Ravelrers. Designed by Stitchylinda Designs.
- Get the free knitting pattern
- Get the recommended James C. Brett Cotton On DK Yarn at Deramore’s
- See a Watermelon Purse Knitting Pattern in Bitty Bags post
Buttoned Up Cardi with Hood
This easy hooded baby cardigan sweater by Lorna Miser is knit in garter stitch. Sizes 6 months to 24 months.
- Get the free knitting pattern
- Get the recommended Baby Hugs Medium Yarn at Red Heart
- See more Garter Stitch Patterns for Babies
Sirdar Baby Cardigans and Booties 5386
May only be free for a limited time. Baby cardigan sweaters knit in garter stitch with options for crew neck or Peter Pan collar. Matching booties in garter stitch with options for cuffs. Sizes: 0-3(3-6, 6-9, 9-12, 12-18, 18-24) months. DK weight yarn. Designed by Sirdar.
Baby Cardigan and Hat
Long-sleeved sweater with offset front and straight topped hat knit in garter stitch. Sizes Newborn to 6 Months. Suitable for beginners according to the designer Phildar. DK weight yarn.
Patterns for Purchase
Angel Lace Baby Cardigan Layette
Matching baby set of lace baby cardigan sweater buttoned at top, bonnet lace border and ruffled brim, cuffed booties. Also includes a matching blanket not pictured according to designer. Sizes 0-3 months | 3-6 Months | 6-9 Months | 9-12 months. Sport weight yarn. Designed by Marcelline Simonotti of TBeeCozy.
Lil Miss Cardigan
Baby cardigan sweater sizes newborn to 3 years. Knit from the top down with cables on the yoke and buttoned only at the top. Sizes 0/1, 1/3, 6/9, 12/18 months, 2 (3) years. Sport weight yarn. Designed by Raimonda Bagdoniene.
Ciqala Arrowhead Sweater
Baby cardigan sweater is knitted from the bottom up, sleeves knitted separately, and then joined to the yoke. The only seaming required are the sleeve seams. The arrowhead lace detail on the yoke adds a lovely touch. Both written and charted instructions are included. Sizes 0 – 3 months -- 3 - 6 months -- 6 - 12 months -- 12 - 18 months. Sport weight yarn. Designed by OgeDesigns.
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.
Baby Maebry Cardigan
Baby and toddler sweater knit top down in one piece in stockinette and garter stitch with a border in daisy stitch. Sizes 3 months, 6 months, 12 months, 18 months, 2 years. Designed by OGE Knitwear Designs. DK weight yarn.
Mayfair Lane Baby Coat With Hood
Baby hooded cardigan knit with double moss stitch in sport yarn. Sizes 6-12 months, 12-18 months, 18-24 months, 2 -3 years. Designed by OGE Designs
