Easy Children’s Crochet Cardigan Pattern-Butterfly

Cozy Girl’s Crochet Cardigan Pattern: Perfect for Ages 2 to 12

I'm excited to introduce my very first crochet children's cardigan pattern that will add both warmth and style to your child’s wardrobe—the Children’s' Crochet Cardigan! While I’ve previously designed a children's sweater, the Trendy Crochet Sweater, this is my first time creating a cardigan specifically for kids. This adorable, versatile chunky yarn crochet cardigan is designed to keep your little ones cozy and stylish from toddler to pre-teen years, with sizes ranging from 2 to 12 years.

This kids’ crochet cardigan is a timeless addition to any child’s wardrobe. It features a relaxed fit and delightful textured details that make it both comfortable and fashionable. Imagine the joy on your little one’s face as they slip into this cozy crochet cardigan, perfect for layering over dresses, pairing with jeans, or throwing on for chilly evenings at home. The classic design ensures it will be a cherished piece for years to come. 

Get the free pattern below or purchase the ad-free PDF version of this pattern on Etsy and Ravelry. The PDF is designed for printing and this way you can support me! And don’t forget to PIN IT on your Pinterest board.

The Design

The Girls' Crochet Cardigan features a simple yet versatile design suitable for all occasions. Its relaxed fit allows little ones to move, play, and stay comfortable while keeping warm. The cardigan incorporates thoughtful design elements, such as textured stitches and ribbed cuffs, which give it a stylish yet practical garment.

Whether your child is getting dressed up for a family event, heading to school, playing or just relaxing at home, this cardigan is the ideal layering piece. It adds a cozy touch to any outfit and keeps your child snug in cooler weather. 

The beauty of this pattern lies in its customizability—you can easily adapt it by experimenting with yarn colors, adding unique buttons, or even incorporating fun accents like pockets or patches to make the cardigan as unique as the child who will wear it.

Perfect for Crocheters of All Levels

One of the best features of this pattern is its accessibility for crocheters of all skill levels. The step-by-step instructions are clear and easy to follow, whether you're a beginner trying your hand at something new or an experienced crocheter looking for a simple yet beautiful design. The design is simple yet stylish, making it a perfect project for anyone seeking a practical and stylish addition to a child’s wardrobe.

This cardigan pattern is also great for those who want to practice shaping and working with thicker yarn. The straightforward construction allows for easy modifications, so you can experiment with different details or adjustments to match your personal style preferences. Whether you're adding a custom touch or keeping it classic, the Girls' Crochet Cardigan is sure to become a go-to project for kids' clothing.

The Joy of Handmade Clothing for Kids

There’s something incredibly special about creating handmade garments, especially for children. Each stitch represents time, care, and love, making the finished product much more meaningful than any store-bought piece. Handmade garments often become cherished keepsakes, passed down from one child to the next, or even across generations.

Kids who wear handmade items tend to appreciate the uniqueness of their clothes, as well as the time and effort that went into making them. They also benefit from the comfort and warmth that only a handmade piece can provide. When you crochet a cardigan for a special child in your life, you're giving them more than just a piece of clothing—you’re gifting them something filled with sentiment and love that can last for years to come.

This cardigan is part of the Awesome Autumn Blog Hop hosted by Melena of Straight Hooked. The event features 30 crochet patterns from different designers, with a new pattern unveiled daily. There is a mix of patterns, with some patterns offered for free while others are 50% off.

Below are some of the patterns in the blog hop

Scroll down below to see the step by steps instructions on how to get the patterns

This pattern is available on Etsy and Ravelry.

And don’t forget to PIN IT on your Pinterest board.

Yarn

Yarn Choice :Why Use Weight 5 Yarn?

For this project, I chose weight 5 yarn, also known as bulky yarn. Why bulky yarn? It’s the perfect combination of warmth, comfort, and speed. If you’re like me and enjoy seeing your projects come together quickly, you’ll appreciate how fast this cardigan takes shape. Chunky yarn works up much faster than lighter-weight yarns, making it ideal for those who want to create something beautiful in a shorter amount of time.

Weight 5 yarn is also soft and plush, providing the kind of coziness we all look for in a cardigan, especially in cooler weather. It holds its shape well, ensuring that the cardigan maintains its structure without feeling stiff. Additionally, this yarn adds beautiful texture to your stitches, making the cardigan functional and visually appealing.

Choosing this type of yarn means you're creating a durable, long-lasting garment that will stay looking great through countless wears and washes. Plus, the tactile feel of the chunky yarn adds an extra level of comfort that kids will love.

Yarn Substitution

This cardigan uses Premier Bloom Chunky Big Self-Striping Floral Print Yarn.

If you can’t find this yarn, use your favorite weight 5 yarn. The best alternatives to this yarn, include Premier Yarns Canyon Colors, Lion Brand Mandala Expressions, Hobbii Amigo Chunky, Loops & Threads Charisma, or Bernat Softee Chunky.

Share Your Creations!

Don’t forget to share your finished projects with us! Use the hashtag #KidsCrochetCardigan on social media and tag us @CraftyCreationsKnits. to show off your beautiful creations. We love seeing how each crocheter puts their own spin on our patterns, and your work might inspire others to take on this fun project too.

Crochet Children Construction

This cardigan is made by constructing individual pieces that are sewn together at the end. The five main components are the back panel, two front panels, and two sleeves. Once these pieces are completed, they are sewn together to form the cardigan. After assembly, the front ribbing and lower ribbing are crocheted directly onto the cardigan for a polished, finished look.

Step-by-Step Construction

1. Back Panel
   Begin by crocheting the back panel. This will be the largest piece and provide the main structure of the cardigan. The panel is worked from the bottom up, Once complete, fasten off and set the piece aside.

2. Front Panels (Left and Right)
   The front panels are worked separately, one for each side of the cardigan. Each front panel will be slightly narrower than the back panel and will have the neckline shaping. After finishing both front panels, fasten off and set them aside.

3. Sleeves (Left and Right)
   Next, crochet the two sleeves. Each sleeve is worked in rows, from the cuff upwards toward the shoulder. Once you reach the required length for each sleeve, fasten off and set them aside.

4. Seaming the Pieces
   After you have completed all five main pieces (back panel, front panels, and sleeves), it's time to assemble the cardigan.

• First, sew the front panels to the back panel at the shoulders.

• Next, attach the sleeves to the armholes.

• Finally, sew the side seams and the underarm seams to complete the body of the cardigan.

5. Adding the Front Ribbing
   Once the cardigan is fully assembled, you will add the front ribbing. Start at the bottom corner of one front panel and work your way up along the front edge, around the neckline, and back down the other front panel. The ribbing is worked in rows using a simple ribbed stitch pattern, such as single crochet or half-double crochet, to create a neat and stretchy edging.

6. Adding the Lower Ribbing
   Finally, crochet the lower ribbing directly onto the bottom edge of the cardigan. This will help give the cardigan a finished look and provide additional structure. Like the front ribbing, the lower ribbing is worked in rows using a ribbed stitch pattern.

1. Once the ribbing is complete, weave in any remaining ends, and your cardigan is ready!

Skill Level

Intermediate

Materials

Premier Bloom Chunky Big Self-Striping Floral Print Yarn 100% Acrylic 218 yds (200 m), 7 oz (200 g) in Bluebell 

Bulky Weight (5)

Hook 7 mm and 5 mm

ScissorsP

Tapestry Needle

Tape Measure

The amount used: 

 Age       2       4      6       8       10      12

Yards - 872, 920, 1015, 1065, 1097, 1145

Meters - 797, 841, 928, 974, 1003, 1047

Gauge

13 sts x 14 rows = 4” x 4” (10 cm x 10 cm)

Make a swatch and change hook size as needed to obtain gauge 

Finished Measurements

    2 yrs          4 yrs          6 yrs          8 yrs        10 yrs         12 yrs       

Chest         23   25 27          28.5 30                 32

Length         16               17               18            19             21                  21 

Abbreviations

Ch - chain

Hdc - half double crochet

Scblo - single crochet back loop only

Hdc2tog - half double crochet 2 together

Notes

• Ch 3 at the beg of rows counts as a st

• Ch 3 at the beg of the sleeve row does not count as a st

• Ch 2 at the beginning of the row does not count as a stitch

• The body of the cardigan is worked vertically in one piece starting with one front panel, then the back, and lastly second front panel. The sleeves are made separately by picking sts around the armhole.

• The collar is made separately by picking up sts around the front.

• You will need to know how to make half double crochet back loop only, front post double crochet, back post double crochet, and criss-cross stitch.