How to Knit a Baby Cardigan

Top-down cardigans are a favourite among knitters for good reason — you start at the neckline, work your way down, and avoid most seaming entirely. This version uses three colours to create a cheerful, professional-looking baby jacket.

Materials

• Yarn in 3 colours
• 3.5 mm knitting needles (adjust to match your tension)
• Stitch markers
• Buttons for the front band
• A crochet hook or tapestry needle for finishing

Step 1: Neckline and Garter Border

Cast on 74 stitches. Knit 6 rows of garter stitch (all purl rows) to create a neat, non-curling neckline border.

Step 2: Set Up the Raglan Sections

Divide the stitches into sections — front, sleeve, back, sleeve, front — with increases at four raglan points:

• Slip 1, purl 5 stitches (button band)
• Yarn over (increase), knit 10 (sleeve), yarn over
• Purl 2 (gap), yarn over, knit 20 (back), yarn over
• Repeat for second sleeve and front panel

Continue increasing at these four raglan points on every right-side row for approximately 40 rows. The sleeve sections will grow from 10 to about 50 stitches.

Step 3: Separate the Sleeves

Place sleeve stitches on holders or waste yarn. Knit each sleeve separately for about 10 rows, decreasing 1 stitch from both sides to shape. Change to your second colour (e.g., sea green) and continue for about 30 rows with gradual decreases. Finish with the third colour and bind off. Join the sleeve seam.

Repeat for the second sleeve.

Step 4: The Body

Join the front and back stitches. Add a few increases near the armholes to give the baby room to move. Continue knitting straight, maintaining the button bands and pattern, until the cardigan reaches your desired length.

Step 5: Finishing

• Add an extra border row to prevent curling at the bottom hem
• Bind off all stitches evenly
• Sew any remaining seams with invisible stitching
• Attach buttons along the button band
• Optionally add crochet motifs or decorative elements