A hand-knit baby cardigan is one of the nicest things you can make for a new baby. It's small enough to finish in a few weeks, it doesn't take much yarn, and parents often keep it for years. Whether you want to knit a cardigan with buttons, a wrap cardigan or a simple baby sweater, a few choices made before you cast on will make your first one a success.
Checklist: decide this before you cast on
- Which size are you knitting? When in doubt, go one size up so the cardigan fits longer.
- Will it be a button-up cardigan, a wrap cardigan or a pullover sweater?
- Do you prefer knitting in pieces (back, fronts, sleeves) or in one piece from the top down?
- Is your yarn soft and easy to wash?
- Can you knit and purl, and do you know how to increase and decrease?
Three types of baby cardigan compared
| Button-up cardigan | Wrap cardigan | Pullover sweater | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dressing the baby | Easy, opens all the way | Very easy, you lay the baby on it | Over the head, so it needs a wide neck or a button at the shoulder |
| Construction | Back, two fronts, sleeves | Fronts overlap, closes at the side | Front, back, sleeves |
| Level | Beginner with some experience | Advanced beginner | Beginner with some experience |
| Finishing | Buttonholes and buttons | Ties or one button | Neckband and ribbing |
Which yarn is best for a baby cardigan?
Baby clothes get washed a lot, so a machine-washable yarn saves the parents a lot of hassle. You also want something soft that doesn't itch on sensitive skin. Always read the care instructions on the label so you can pass them on with the gift.
Durable Comfy is 100% microfiber acrylic, feels very soft and has a recommended needle size of 3-4 mm (US 2½-6). With 266 m (291 yd) per 100 g ball, a small cardigan doesn't take many balls. For a slightly thicker, faster knit, Durable Cosy Fine (58% cotton, 42% acrylic) works on 4-4.5 mm needles (US 6-7). For a summer cardigan, a plain cotton such as Durable Coral wears nice and cool, but it stretches less than acrylic.
How easy a cardigan is to wash depends a lot on the fiber. Our guide on how to wash wool and other yarns explains the differences.
Baby sizes and how to choose one
English-language patterns size baby clothes by age: newborn, 0-3 months, 3-6 months, 6-12 months and so on. (European patterns often use the baby's length in cm instead: size 56 is roughly newborn, 62 is about 0-3 months and 68 about 3-6 months.) A newborn size only fits for a few weeks. If you're knitting a gift for a new baby, 3-6 months is often the smarter choice, because the cardigan will then last a whole season.
Don't go by the size label alone. Check the finished chest measurement and length in your pattern, because designers add different amounts of ease. As a rough guide, a baby's chest measures about 41 cm (16 in) at 3 months, 43 cm (17 in) at 6 months and 46 cm (18 in) at 12 months; a cardigan is usually knit a few centimeters (1-2 in) bigger than that.
Knit a gauge swatch of about 10 x 10 cm (4 x 4 in) before you start. If your swatch has more or fewer stitches than the pattern says, change your needle size. On a garment this small, half a centimeter per piece can quickly add up to a full size.
Knitting in pieces or in one piece
Many classic baby patterns are knit in separate pieces that you sew together at the end. That's easy to follow for beginners: each piece is a rectangle with a few decreases for the neck and armholes. Seaming takes some patience, and the seams show on the inside.
A top-down cardigan is knit from the neck down in one piece, usually with a raglan: four lines where you keep increasing, so the yoke shapes itself. You can try it on as you go and there's hardly any sewing at the end. If you'll be using a circular needle for this, our guide on how to knit a hat helps you get used to knitting in the round.
Stitches that work well for baby cardigans
For the cuffs, hem and front bands, choose a stitch that doesn't curl, such as garter stitch (knit every row) or ribbing (for example k1, p1 or k2, p2). Stockinette stitch (knit on the right side, purl on the wrong side) curls at the edges, so use it only for the body and sleeves between the borders. Want to see the basic stitches side by side? Have a look at knitting stitches for beginners, or start with how to knit for beginners if you've never held needles.
Buttons and finishing
Choose small, flat buttons and sew them on firmly with a double strand of thread. Check them again after the first wash. To make a buttonhole in the front band, work a yarn over followed by knit two together (yo, k2tog); that gives a small, neat hole. Weave in all ends on the inside so there are no loose loops for little fingers to get caught in.
When the knitting is done, dampen the cardigan lightly (following the care instructions of your yarn) and let it dry flat on a towel. The stitches even out and the edges lie flat.
FAQ
How much yarn do I need for a baby cardigan?
It depends on size, pattern and yarn. A small cardigan for newborn to 6 months often takes 100-200 g of DK-weight yarn, roughly 250-500 m (275-550 yd). Your pattern gives the exact amount.
What size should I knit for a newborn?
A newborn size fits right away but is outgrown quickly. As a gift, 3-6 months is often more practical.
Is a baby cardigan hard to knit for beginners?
Not if you can knit, purl and decrease. A cardigan knit in pieces with ribbing and stockinette is a good first garment.
What's the difference between a cardigan and a wrap cardigan?
A regular cardigan closes in the middle with buttons. On a wrap cardigan the fronts overlap and it closes at the side, which makes dressing the baby extra easy.
Can a baby cardigan go in the washing machine?
That depends on the yarn. Acrylic and cotton can usually be machine washed, but always follow the care instructions on the label.
Start your first baby cardigan
Choose the type of cardigan and the size first, then find a pattern that matches your experience. A soft, washable yarn and a gauge swatch make the difference between a cardigan that almost fits and one that lasts all winter. Want to make a matching gift? A crochet baby blanket goes well with it.
