Knitting patterns for baby cardigan sweaters butttoned only at the top. Most patterns are free. Most patterns are free. Updated 3/1/25
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
Cardigan and Beanie 7332
Baby cardigan knit with a 2 row repeat cable rib texture with matching beret hat with cable rib brim and cable column on the crown. Sizes Newborn to 24 months. DK weight yarn. Designed by Saprotex International Design Studio
Gentle Breeze Baby Jacket
Baby cardigan knit with a wavy zigzag pattern. Sizes 0 - 3 months and 6 months. DK weight yarn. Designed by marianna mel for marianna's lazy daisy days.
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.
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.
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.
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
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.
Girl's Swing Jacket
Child sized cardigan buttoned at the top. Sizes 2T, 4T and 6. Perfect showcase for multicolored yarn. DK weight yarn. Designed by Sassy Skein
More Free Patterns
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
Cloverfield Cardigan
Cardigan in baby and toddler sizes inspired by clover meadows with a garter yoke and bobble and embroidered flowers. Sizes 18 months [2T, 3T]. Aran weight yarn. Designed by Vickie Howell
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.
Baby Top Down Cardigan
Knit in one piece. Sizes 6, 12, 18, 24 months. From Bernat.
Patterns for Purchase
Sarah-Jane Cardigan Set
Lace baby cardigan with matching headband and booties. Sizes Newborn Baby or Reborn Doll. DK weight yarn. Designed by PreciousNewbornKnits
Flower Lace Cardigans
No longer free.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.
Baby's Smocked Cardigan and Headband
Baby cardigan sweater knit with broken rib with smocked stitch on yoke and cuffs with matching smocked headband with knit flower. Sizes sizes 3/6, 9/12, 18/24 months. Sport weight yarn. Designed by Mary Maxim
Baby Bird Cardigans
Baby and toddler size cardigan sweaters, one featuring ducklings, and the other a chick with snail and flower. Duckling cardigan sizes 6 months to 3 years. Chick cardigan Size: 24 months. Designed by AnaSwet.
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.
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.
