Cinnamon Diamond Tunisian Crochet Cardigan Free Pattern

Cinnamon Diamond Tunisian Crochet Cardigan Free Pattern

Introduction

This little cardigan is made for the smallest member of the family — babies from 0 to 6 months — and for the crocheter who wants something cozy without a complicated pattern. It is worked in the smooth, slightly ridged Tunisian knit stitch, which looks like stockinette and feels soft and springy against delicate skin. The warm cinnamon body is framed by striped spice-market borders in paprika, turmeric and cardamom, with tiny surface-crocheted diamonds scattered across the back and fronts for a vintage 1970s touch. Boxy, short-sleeved and open-fronted, it is the perfect easy layer over a onesie on a cool morning.

Materials Needed

• Yarn: Worsted weight cotton (Category 4), approximately 400 yards total:
  • Color A (Cinnamon): 200 yards
  • Color B (Paprika): 80 yards
  • Color C (Turmeric): 60 yards
  • Color D (Cardamom): 60 yards
• Hook: 6.0 mm (J-10) Tunisian crochet hook with cable, or size needed to obtain gauge
• Notions: 3 small buttons (about 1/2 inch), yarn needle, scissors, stitch markers
• Finished size: Chest circumference 20 inches (51 cm), length 10 inches (25 cm), sleeve length from underarm 6 inches (15 cm). Fits 0–6 months (chest 16–18 inches).

Abbreviations

• ch — chain
• sc — single crochet
• sl st — slip stitch
• st(s) — stitch(es)
• tks — Tunisian knit stitch (insert hook under the front vertical bar of the next stitch, yarn over, pull up a loop)
• RS — right side

Gauge

14 stitches and 14 rows = 4 inches (10 cm) in Tunisian knit stitch. Work a small swatch, measure it flat without stretching, and change hook size if needed to match.

Tips Before You Start

• Tunisian work curls at the edges. Block each rectangle before seaming and the curl will relax.
• Keep your return pass loops loose — tight loops make the fabric stiff and shrink your gauge.
• Use a cable long enough to hold all stitches comfortably; the back panel's 36 stitches should slide freely.
• Mark the right side of each rectangle with a stitch marker so you always know which face is out when seaming.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Back (Color A)

Row 1 (RS): Ch 36, tks across (36 sts).

Rows 2–30: Tks across (36 sts).

Bind off. Piece measures about 10 inches wide and 8 1/2 inches tall.

Left Front (Color A)

Row 1 (RS): Ch 18, tks across (18 sts).

Rows 2–30: Tks across (18 sts).

Bind off.

Right Front (Color A)

Work same as left front: ch 18, then tks across for Rows 1–30 (18 sts). Bind off.

Sleeves (Color A) — make 2

Row 1 (RS): Ch 24, tks across (24 sts).

Rows 2–20: Tks across (24 sts).

Bind off. Each sleeve measures about 6 3/4 inches wide and 5 3/4 inches tall.

Striped Border (Colors B, C, D)

Join Color B at the bottom right corner of the right front. Work sc evenly around the entire outer edge (fronts, neck, back neck, bottom) in stripes:

Rows 1–2: Sc evenly around in B (work 1 sc in each row end and each stitch along the edges).

Rows 3–4: Sc evenly around in C.

Rows 5–6: Sc evenly around in D.

Rows 7–8: Sc evenly around in B. Fasten off.

Diamond Motifs (Color D)

Using surface crochet, work small diamonds (about 1 inch) in slip stitch, outlining each diamond shape directly on the finished fabric: 3 diamonds scattered on the back and 2 on each front. Fasten off and weave in ends on the wrong side.

Assembly

Sew shoulder seams. Sew sleeves to armholes. Sew side and sleeve seams.

Neckline Edging (Color C)

Join C at the neckline and work 1 round of sc evenly around the neck opening. Fasten off.

Button Loops (Color C)

On the right front border, work 3 ch-3 loops evenly spaced. Sew buttons on the left front opposite the loops.

Assembly and Finishing

With wrong sides together, sew the shoulder seams using a whipstitch or mattress stitch, matching the outer edges of the back to each front. Set in the sleeves by aligning the center of each sleeve top with the shoulder seam and sewing around the armhole. Sew the side seams from underarm to bottom hem, then sew the sleeve seams from underarm to cuff. Weave in all ends on the wrong side, distributing them so they don't pull. Block the finished cardigan by misting it lightly and patting it flat to the measurements above — this smooths the Tunisian curl and opens up the striped border. Let it dry completely before adding the buttons.

Pro Tips and Variations

• Color swap: Make the body in Cardamom and the diamonds in Cinnamon for a cooler, earthy palette.
• Bigger size: Add 6 stitches to the back and 3 to each front, and add rows evenly to body and sleeves to grow the cardigan toward 6–12 months.
• Diamond detail: Work the diamonds in chain stitch instead of slip stitch for a raised, embroidered look, or add a tiny cross-stitch at each diamond center.