Mikey's first-ever design is a baby crochet cardigan sized for children aged 3 to 6 months. It uses Red Heart Bitty Stripes, with one sample being Rainbow Mist and the other being Seaweed. Revised Nov 6, 2025.
Crochet your very first baby-size sweater for someone you love or to help a charity near you!
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The downloadable version is ad-free and contains 16 pages of information, including blown-up photographs, a starting crochet diagram, schematics, and written instructions. You can also read the instructions below.
If you love this jacket, you can pair it beautifully with a baby blanket we have.
In This Article
Want to Learn Crochet... I Can Help
Learn to Crochet - Right Handed
Learn to crochet with Mikey from The Crochet Crowd. Get started instantly with a crochet hook and ball of yarn. I will provide additional tips to make your journey much more enjoyable.
Materials
- Regular yarn that isn't fluffy. People tend to get confused about the colours if they are changing, a solid colour yarn is best for learning.
- Suggested yarns are Red Heart Super Saver or Bernat Super Value Yarn.
Tools
- If you are unsure, a regular yarn like Red Heart Super Saver or Bernat Super Value with a 5.5 mm / I/9 crochet hook will be great.
Instructions
- Choose a crochet hook that matches the yarn suggestion.
- Learn how to hold the yarn in the yarn feeding hand.
- How to create a slip knot.
- How to hold the crochet hook and rotate it for easy crochet stitching.
- How to chain.
- How to single crochet.
- How to half double crochet.
- How to double crochet.
- How to treble crochet.
Suggested patterns to try your new skills:
Notes
There is no need to speed through the process. Take your time and enjoy the stitching journey.
Crochet a baby cardigan sized for 3 to 6 months. Be sure to test the gauge as it’s a wearable. This works from the top going down. A strategic fold creates the arm holes.
Materials Needed
Red Heart Super Saver Bitty Stripes, 283 g / 10 oz, 471 m / 515 yds
- A - Rainbow Mist (Sample A) - 1 Ball
- A - Seaweed (Sample B) - 1 Ball
Cardigan Uses: 207 g / 344 m, 7.3 oz / 376 yds
Hook 4 mm / US F/6 or hook size to match gauge.
Gauge 15 sc and 17 rows = 4” [10 cm]
Size: 3 to 6 Months, 16” chest measurement.
Additional Items
- 2 buttons - ⅝” diameter.
- Strong Thread, colour coordinating with the colour of the buttons.
Abbreviations
- Approx = Approximate(ly)
- Beg = Begin(ning)
- Ch = Chain(s)
- Dcbp = Double Crochet Back Post
- Dcfp = Double Crochet Front Post
- Rep = Repeat
- Rnds = Rounds
- RS = Right Side
- Sc = Single Crochet
- Sc2tog = Single Crochet 2 Together
- Sk = Skip
- Sl St = Slip Stitch
- Sp(s) = Space(s)
- St(s) = Stitch(es)
- WS = Wrong Side
Instructions
Ch 50.
1st row: RS. 1 sc in 2nd ch from hook. 1 sc in next 7 ch. (1 sc. Ch 1. 1 sc - corner made) in next ch. 1 sc in next 7 ch. (1 sc. Ch 1. 1 sc - corner made) in next ch. 1 sc in next 15 ch. (1 sc. Ch 1. 1 sc - corner made) in next ch. 1 sc in next 7 ch. (1 sc. Ch 1. 1 sc - corner made) in next ch. 1 sc in last 8 ch. Turn. 53 sc. ch-1 sps not included.
TIP: I highly recommend placing stitch markers in the corners so you can clearly see them in the future. Move the stitch markers up each time a row is completed.
2nd row: Ch 1. 1 sc in each sc to next ch-1 sp. (1 sc. Ch 1. 1 sc) in next ch-1 sp. 1 sc in each sc to next ch-1 sp. (1 sc. Ch 1. 1 sc) in next ch-1 sp. 1 sc in each sc to next ch-1 sp. (1 sc. Ch 1. 1 sc) in next ch-1 sp. 1 sc in each sc to next ch-1 sp. (1 sc. Ch 1. 1 sc) in next ch-1 sp. 1 sc in each sc to end of row. Turn. 61 sc.
3rd row: Ch 1. 1 sc in first st. [1 dcfp around next st. 1 dcbp around next st]. Rep [ ] to next corner. {(1 sc. Ch 1. 1 sc) in next corner. 1 dcfp around next st. [1 dcbp around next st. 1 dcfp around next st]. Rep [ ] to next corner.} Rep { } twice more. (1 sc. Ch 1. 1 sc) in next corner. [1 dcfp around next st. 1 dcbp around next st.] Rep [ ] to last st. 1 sc in last st. Turn. 69 sts.
4th row: Ch 1. 1 sc in first st. 1 dcbp around next st. [1 dcfp around next st. 1 dcbp around next st]. Rep [ ] to next corner. {(1 sc. Ch 1. 1 sc) in next corner. 1 dcbp around next st. [1 dcfp around next st. 1 dcbp around next st]. Rep [ ] to next corner.} Rep { } twice more. (1 sc. Ch 1. 1 sc) in next corner. 1 dcfp around next st. [1 dcbp around next st. 1 dcfp around next st.] Rep [ ] to last st. 1 sc in last st. Turn. 77 sts.
5th row: Rep 3rd row: 85 sts.
6th row: Rep 4th row: 93 sts.
7th row: Rep 3rd row: 101 sts.
8th row: Rep 4th row: 109 sts.
9th row: Rep 3rd row: 117 sts.
10th row: Rep 4th row: 125 sts.
Baby Sweater Counts
Counts by Lauren Parchen
Stitch Counts
| Row | Total St Count | Right Front | Over Shoulder | Back | Over Shoulder | Left Front |
| 1 | 53 | 9 | 9 | 17 | 9 | 9 |
| 2 | 61 | 10 | 11 | 19 | 11 | 10 |
| 3 | 69 | 11 | 13 | 21 | 13 | 11 |
| 4 | 77 | 12 | 15 | 23 | 15 | 12 |
| 5 | 85 | 13 | 17 | 25 | 17 | 13 |
| 6 | 93 | 14 | 19 | 27 | 19 | 14 |
| 7 | 101 | 15 | 21 | 29 | 21 | 15 |
| 8 | 109 | 16 | 23 | 31 | 23 | 16 |
| 9 | 117 | 17 | 25 | 33 | 25 | 17 |
| 10 | 125 | 18 | 27 | 35 | 27 | 18 |
Make Sleeve Holes
Divide Sleeves and Body: 11th row: RS. Ch 1. 1 sc in the first 18 sts before next corner sp. 1 sc in next ch-1 sp. Ch 6. 1 sc in next ch-1 sp. 1 sc in next 35 sts to next corner. 1 sc in next ch-1 sp. Ch 6. 1 sc in next ch-1 sp. 1 sc in last 18 sts to the end of the row. Turn. 87 sts, includes the ch-6 spaces for count.
TIP: Each ch-6 counts as its own stitch in the next row. Use the ch, not the space itself.
12th row: Ch 1. 1 sc in each sc and ch across. Turn. 87 sc.
13th row: Ch 1. 1 sc in each sc across. Turn. 87 sc.
Rep 13th row until cardigan measures 9.5” from neckline to bottom, finishing on the WS. Fasten off.
Make Sleeves - 2
For sleeves, a pet peeve is to have slip stitching in the sleeves that is obvious when taking photos. We will work in a continuous round, starting under the armpit on the RS of the work to begin. Use stitch markers to count the rounds.
You will need to get 36 stitches around the hole of the sleeve opening. Start directly on the sweater with the RS facing.
- If you don’t have 36 stitches and need more, just place two sc into the same stitch under the armpit region.
- If you have too many stitches, place sc2tog in the armpit region to bring it to 36 stitches.
Having just one stitch off in the sleeves will be noticeable. Take your time in getting yourself set up.
TIP: There is no colour strategy for the sleeves. I used the yarn directly out of the ball and let the colours fall where they may.
1st rnd: Attach A with standing sc to any stitch near the middle of an armpit area. Evenly space 36 sc around - standing sc is included as 36 sc. Do not join at the end. 36 sc.
Place a stitch marker at the end of the last round and keep moving up the stitch marker each time you pass in order to count the number of rows used.
2nd to 6th rnds: 1 sc in each st around. 36 sc.
TIP: Use the armpit region to do sc2tog stitches when decreasing. Follow the location to the armpit to guess where it is.
7th rnd: You will need to reduce the round by 2 sts. Place 2 sc2tog in the armpit region when going around, and do 1 sc in the remaining sc. 34 sc.
8th to 11th rnds: 1 sc in each st around. 34 sc.
12th rnd: You will need to reduce the round by 2 sts. Place 2 sc2tog in the armpit region when going around, and do 1 sc in the remaining sc. 32 sc.
13th to 16th rnds: 1 sc in each st around. 32 sc.
17th rnd: You will need to reduce the round by 2 sts. Place 2 sc2tog in the armpit region when going around, and do 1 sc in the remaining sc. 30 sc.
18th and 19th rnds: 1 sc in each st around. 30 sc. Do not fasten off at the end of the 19th rnd.
Ribbed Cuff
20th rnd: 1 dcfp around next sc. 1 dcbp around next sc. Rep from * around. 30 sts.
21st & 22nd rnd: 1 dcfp around next dcfp. 1 dcbp around next dcbp. Rep from * around. 30 sts.
Next: Sl st in the next 3 sts. Fasten off.
Rep sleeve instructions for the 2nd sleeve.
Final Edging
You will complete the bottom and front edges as double crochet. On the top collar, do only single crochet.
I recommend starting the edge on the side where it naturally goes to the back if the item is flat. If the baby is photographed from the front or back, the yarn colour at the join will be hidden under one arm.
1st rnd: RS. With A, join with sl st. Ch 2 (doesn’t count as st). 1 dc in same st as join. Evenly space the dc across the bottom to the front corner. 5 dc in the corner. Evenly space dc up the front edge to look the same distance as the bottom. On the upper corner turning into the collar, place (1 dc, 1 hdc, 2 sc) into corner only. 1 sc around the top collar to next corner to go back to down. In the upper corner to go down, place (2 sc. 1 hdc, 1 dc) into the corner. Evenly space dc going down the front edge. At the corner place 5 dc and circle the remaining bottom edge with dc. Join with sl st to beg dc. Fasten off.
Add Two Buttons
Use the photograph for an estimated location of where to place.
Try A Different Sweater
This baby sweater, the Hurry Down Crochet Pullover, is sized for 6 months and 12 months. Once the baby outgrows the A Little Bit of Love Cardigan, the next size is in a different format.
Have you completed this project. Show me!