Pastel Basketweave Baby Cardigan Free Knit Pattern
Pastel Basketweave Baby Cardigan Free Knit Pattern
Introduction
This sweet little raglan cardigan is made for the smallest members of the family, sized for babies from newborn to twelve months. The soft basketweave texture gives it a cozy, hygge feel while the pastel mint and pink palette keeps it fresh and modern. Knit in sport weight cotton, it is breathable and gentle against delicate skin, perfect for layering over a onesie on cooler days. The finished cardigan is light, slightly boxy, and finished with a pretty crochet edge and five tiny buttons.
Materials Needed
- Yarn: Sport weight (CYC 2) cotton, approx. 350 (400, 450) yds total. MC (pastel mint): 300 (340, 380) yds. CC (pastel pink): 50 (60, 70) yds.
- Knitting needles: US 4 (3.5 mm) circular needle, 24" long, and a set of US 4 (3.5 mm) double-pointed needles, or size needed to match gauge.
- Crochet hook: 3.5 mm (US E) for the edging and button loops.
- Notions: 4 stitch markers, stitch holders or scrap yarn, 5 small buttons (about ½" / 12 mm), tapestry needle, scissors.
- Finished size: 0-3 (3-6, 6-12) months. Chest circumference: 18 (20, 22)" / 45.5 (51, 56) cm. Length: 10 (11, 12)" / 25.5 (28, 30.5) cm. Sleeve length: 6 (7, 8)" / 15 (18, 20.5) cm.
Abbreviations
- CO: cast on
- k: knit
- p: purl
- kfb: knit into the front and back of the same stitch (makes one new stitch)
- st(s): stitch(es)
- RS: right side (the outside of the cardigan)
- WS: wrong side (the inside of the cardigan)
- BO: bind off
- MC: main color (pastel mint)
- CC: contrast color (pastel pink)
- sc: single crochet
- ch: chain
- sl st: slip stitch
- rep: repeat
Gauge
24 sts and 32 rows = 4" (10 cm) in basketweave pattern, blocked. Knit a small swatch in the basketweave pattern, block it, and count your stitches and rows over 4" to check that your gauge matches before you begin.
Tips Before You Start
- The basketweave pattern needs a multiple of 8 sts plus 4. When you divide for the body and sleeves, keep this in mind and adjust by a stitch or two if needed so the blocks line up neatly.
- Place a marker at each raglan line before you begin the yoke increases. The four markers make it easy to see where each kfb increase belongs.
- Cotton has little stretch, so bind off loosely on the body and sleeves to keep the openings comfortable for baby.
- Work the crochet edging with a relaxed hand. If the edge pulls in, go up one crochet hook size so the cardigan still lies flat.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Basketweave Pattern (multiple of 8 sts + 4)
Row 1 (RS): *k4, p4; rep from * to last 4 sts, k4.
Row 2: *p4, k4; rep from * to last 4 sts, p4.
Row 3: *p4, k4; rep from * to last 4 sts, p4.
Row 4: *k4, p4; rep from * to last 4 sts, k4.
Repeat Rows 1-4 for the pattern.
Yoke (MC)
Set-up: CO 60 (68, 76) sts. Place markers to divide the stitches for the fronts, sleeves, and back, then work in the basketweave pattern while shaping the raglan.
Row 1 (RS): k1, [k to 1 st before marker, kfb, k1, slip marker, k1, kfb] 4 times, k to end.
Row 2: purl.
Repeat Rows 1-2 until you have 148 (164, 180) sts, ending with a WS row. Break yarn.
Divide for Body and Sleeves
Place the first 23 (26, 29) sts on a holder for the right front. Place the next 30 (34, 38) sts on a holder for the right sleeve. CO 4 (4, 6) sts for the underarm, knit across 42 (46, 50) sts for the back, place the next 30 (34, 38) sts on a holder for the left sleeve, CO 4 (4, 6) sts, then knit across 23 (26, 29) sts for the left front. You now have 100 (108, 120) sts on the needle.
Body
Work in the basketweave pattern until the piece measures 6 (6.5, 7)" from the underarm, ending with a WS row. Change to CC. Knit 2 rows. BO loosely.
Sleeves (make 2)
With MC, pick up and knit 30 (34, 38) sts from the holder, then pick up and knit 4 (4, 6) sts along the underarm. You now have 34 (38, 44) sts. Work in the basketweave pattern in rounds, adjusting the stitch count to a multiple of 8, until the sleeve measures 5 (6, 7)" from the underarm. Change to CC. Knit 2 rounds. BO loosely.
Crochet Edging (CC)
With RS facing, join CC with a sc at the right front neck edge. Work sc evenly along the right front edge, back neck, left front edge, and bottom edge. Work 2 more rounds of sc, working 3 sc in each corner. Fasten off.
Button Loops
With CC, ch 3, skip 1 sc, sl st to next sc. Repeat to make 5 loops evenly spaced along the right front edge (for a girl) or the left front edge (for a boy).
Assembly and Finishing
Block the body and sleeves to the finished measurements. Sew the underarm seams. Sew 5 buttons opposite the button loops. Weave in all ends neatly on the wrong side.
Pro Tips and Variations
- Swap the pastel pink edging for a soft lemon or lavender to create a different look with the same mint body.
- For a warmer version, knit the body and sleeves in a sport weight merino blend instead of cotton.
- Add a little extra length to the body for older babies by working a few more rows before the CC knit rows.
