A new easy all in one baby cardigan knitting pattern, the Alix Girl Cardigan, is now available to view for free on my blog or you can purchase add free PDF from my shop, Etsy or Ravelry shop.
Read all about the easy top-down raglan construction and what you need to make it or grab the printable PDF and start knitting this all in one baby cardigan knitting pattern free.
No time right now? Pin this easy all in one baby cardigan knitting pattern free for later!
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Knitting a beautiful cardigan for your little one is a rewarding project, and this free pattern is perfect for creating a charming and practical layer for girls of all ages. This cardigan features delicate eyelet details along the cuffs, collar, hem, and sides, adding a touch of elegance to a cozy, everyday piece. Designed for sizes ranging from 3 months to 14 years, it’s a versatile pattern that can grow with your child, making it a go-to knit for years to come.
Made with worsted-weight yarn, this cardigan provides warmth without being too bulky, making it ideal for layering in any season. The three-button closure at the top keeps it secure while allowing for easy movement, making it perfect to wear over dresses or casual outfits. Whether you’re knitting for a baby or an older girl, this design is timeless, stylish, and practical.
Best of all, this adorable cardigan pattern is completely free on the blog! Whether you’re a seasoned knitter or just starting out, the straightforward instructions and classic design make this an enjoyable project. Grab your needles, pick your favorite worsted-weight yarn, and start knitting a sweet and stylish cardigan that any little girl will love to wear.
Alix All In One Baby Cardigan Knitting Pattern Construction
The cardigan is worked in a classic top-down raglan construction starting at the collar.
The yoke is then worked down increasing until you reach the point to separate for the sleeves. Leaving the sleeve stitches on the side, you’ll work down the body before going back to finish off the sleeves.
Stitches for the button band are then picked up and worked in garter stitch. The buttonhole side is worked in the same easy eyelets as the collar and bottom edge. No buttonholes are needed as the eyelets double as buttonholes.
Downloadable PDF Alix Girl Cardigan Knitting Pattern
Grab the printable PDF of the Alix Girl Cardigan Knitting Pattern now in my shop, Etsy shop or on Ravelry shop:
Before You Start Your All In One Baby Cardigan Knitting Pattern
Materials
- 4.5 mm/ US 7 circular knitting needles.
- Caron Simply Soft (Worsted weight, 100% acrylic, 288m/315yd, 170g) in Country Blue colorway: 2 (2, 2, 3, 3) (4, 4, 5, 6, 6, 7, 7) skeins
- Tapestry needle to weave in the ends
- 4 Stitch markers
- 2 stitch holders (you can use interchangeable needle cables or pieces of scrap yarn to hold the sleeve stitches while you work on the body)
Size
The baby/kid sweater knitting pattern is available in the following sizes: 3 months, 6 months, 12 months, 18 months, 24 months, 4 years, 6 years, 8 years, 10 years, 12 years, 14 years and 16 years.
Sizes are noted throughout the pattern in the following way: 3 (6, 12, 18, 24) months (4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14,16) years.
The pictures illustrate the 18 months.
Final garment measurements are:
- Bust measurement: 50 (51, 53, 57, 62) (67, 72, 76, 80, 84, 89, 91) cm / 19.75 (20, 21, 22.25, 24.5) (26.25, 28.5, 29.75, 31.5, 33.25, 35, 35.75)”
- Sleeve length: 17 (18, 21, 22, 23) (28, 31, 33, 36, 40, 42, 44) cm / 6.75 (7, 8.25, 8.5, 9) (11, 12.25, 13, 14.25, 15.75, 16.5, 17.25)”
- Total length: 21 (23, 25, 28, 30) (35, 38, 44, 49, 52, 55, 57) cm / 8 (9, 10, 11, 12) (13.75, 14.75, 17.25, 19.5, 20.5, 21.75, 22.5)”
You can easily adjust the length to your desired length, just try on the cardigan before the final eyelet border and add / remove rounds.
Gauge
The gauge for this pattern, in stockinette stitch, is 18 st by 22 rows for a 10 cm by 10 cm square (4” by 4”).
Abbreviations & Instructions
- st = stitch
- k = knit
- p = purl
- yo = yarn over
- M1R= make one right; single right-leaning knit increase
- M1L = make one left; single left-leaning knit increase
- k2tog = knit 2 stitches together
- M1RP = make one right purlwise; single right-leaning purl increase
- M1LP = make one left purlwise; single left-leaning purl increase
Repeat instructions between [] the indicated number of times or until the end of the round/row.
The final number of stitches is indicated at the end of the round/row between < >.
Special Stitches and Techniques
- M1R (knitwise): Insert your left needle from back to front, under the bar between the stitches (thus lifting it onto the left needle). Knit this bar through the front loop (this twists it into a nice little tight loop).
- M1L (knitwise): Insert the left needle from front to back, under the bar between the stitches (thus lifting it onto the left needle). Knit this bar through the back loop (this twists it into a nice little tight loop).
- M1RP (purlwise): Insert the left needle under the strand between the left and right needles from back to front, lifting the horizontal strand onto the needle. With the working yarn in the back, insert the right needle through the front of the stitch. Wrap the yarn under, then over the right needle to purl the stitch.
- M1LP (purlwise): Insert the left needle under the strand between the left and right needles from front to back, lifting the horizontal strand onto the needle. With the working yarn in the back, insert the right needle through the back of the stitch. Wrap the yarn under, then over the right needle to purl the stitch.
If you are not familiar with this increase technique, I find this tutorial very helpful.
Cardigan Construction
The cardigan is worked in a classic top-down raglan construction starting at the collar.
The yoke is then worked down increasing until you reach the point to separate for the sleeves. Leaving the sleeve stitches on the side, you’ll work down the body before going back to finish off the sleeves.
Stitches for the button band are then picked up and worked in garter stitch. The buttonhole side is worked in the same easy eyelets as the collar and bottom edge. No buttonholes are needed as the eyelets double as buttonholes.
The Actual Alix All In One Baby Cardigan Knitting Pattern Free
With your 4.5 mm / US 7 needles cast on 50 (52, 56, 54, 56) (60, 58, 60, 64, 68, 68, 68) st. Work in rows back and forth.
Knit 2 rows.
Eyelet row: k1, [yo, k2tog] until last st, k1.
Knit 2 rows.
From now on you will start making increases to shape the shoulders of your knit cardigan.
Tip: Place stitch markers to help you know where to increase on the next row without counting
Place markers at each comma below (without working the stitches):
- 3 months: 9 st, 6 st, 20 st, 6 st, 9 st
- 6 months: 9 st, 8 st, 18 st, 8 st, 9 st
- 12 months: 10 st, 8 st, 20 st, 8 st, 10 st
- 18 months: 9 st, 8 st, 20 st, 8 st, 9 st
- 24 months: 11 st, 6 st, 22 st, 6 st, 11 st
- 4 years: 12 st, 6 st, 24 st, 6 st, 12 st
- 6 years: 12 st, 4 st, 26 st, 4 st, 12 st
- 8 years: 13 st, 4 st, 26 st, 4 st, 13 st
- 10 years: 14 st, 4 st, 28 st, 4 st, 14 st
- 12 years: 15 st, 4 st, 30 st, 4 st, 15 st
- 14 years: 16 st, 2 st, 32 st, 2 st, 16 st
- 16 years: 16 st, 2 st, 32 st, 2 st, 16 st
You now have 4 st markers.
RS Increase Row: [Knit until last st before marker, M1R, k1, slip marker, k1, M1L] four times, knit until end of row. <58 (60, 64, 62, 64) (68, 66, 68, 72, 76, 76, 76) st>
WS Increase Row: [Purl until last st before marker, M1RP, k1, slip marker, k1, M1LP] four times, purl until end of row. <66 (68, 72, 70, 72) (76, 74, 76, 80, 84, 84, 84) st>
Repeat RS Increase Row followed by WS Increase Row 1 (2, 1, 3, 3) (3, 4, 4, 3, 3, 3, 3) times. <82 (100, 88, 118, 120) (124, 138, 140, 128, 132, 132, 132) st>
Work RS Increase Row followed by plain WS stockinette row (purl across) 9 (8, 10, 8, 9) (10, 10, 11, 14, 15, 16, 17) times. <154 (164, 168, 182, 192) (204, 218, 228, 240, 252, 260, 268) st>
Split for Sleeves
Place stitches for the sleeves on stitch holders: Knit until first marker, place stitches on holder until next marker, knit stitches until next marker, place stitches on holder until next marker, knit stitches until end of row. <90 (92, 96, 102, 112) (120, 130, 136, 144, 152, 160, 164) st on working needle>
Continue working with only the body st in stockinette until you reach 11 (13, 15, 17, 19) (22, 24, 29, 33, 35, 37, 38) cm / 4.25 (5.25, 6, 6.75, 7.5) (8.75, 9.5, 11.5, 13, 13.75, 14.5, 15)” from the armpits.
Knit 2 rows.
Eyelet row: k1, [yo, k2tog] until last st, k1.
Knit 2 rows.
Cast off technique and weave in the ends.
Sleeves
Repeat for both sleeves. Sleeves are worked in the round.
Go back to the stitches you left on the side. Join yarn at the armpit and start on the right side. Add a stitch marker to mark the beginning of the round. You have 32 (36, 36, 40, 40) (42, 44, 46, 48, 50, 50, 52) st
Tip: Leave a tail when joining that you can use to sew up the small gap that always forms at the armpit.
Knit 1 (0, 5, 0, 2) (3, 9, 14, 20, 23, 15, 12) rounds in stockinette.
*Decrease round = K1, k2tog, knit until last 3 st, ssk, k1.
Knit 3 (3, 3, 3, 3) (5, 5, 5, 5, 5, 7, 7) rounds in stockinette.
Repeat from * 7 (8, 8, 10, 10) (8, 8, 8, 8, 9, 8, 9) times. <16 (18, 18, 18, 18) (24, 26, 28, 30, 30, 32, 32) st.>
Purl 1 round.
Knit 1 round.
Eyelets: k1, [yo, k2tog] until last st, k1.
Purl 1 round.
Knit 1 round.
Cast off and weave in the ends.
Button Bands
Right Side (when worn)
Along the right side of the cardigan, pick up 36 (42, 46, 50, 54) (62, 68, 78, 88, 94, 100, 102) st.
Kni 2 rows.
Eyelets: k1, [yo, k2tog] until last st, k1.
Knit 2 rows.
Cast off and weave in the end.
Left Side
Along the left side of the cardigan, pick up 36 (42, 46, 50, 54) (62, 68, 78, 88, 94, 100, 102) st.
Knit 5 rows.
Cast off and weave in the ends.
Blocking
You are done with the knitting part. Make sure to weave in all the ends.
To make your cardigan even prettier, help even your stitches and open up your eyelets, wet block your project. Don’t skip this step as it can make a huge difference. Read my detailed tutorial on why block, how-to, and all my tips and tricks if you need help.
Finishing Touches
Attach 3 buttons at the top of the cardigan on the garter stitch button band. Align them with the eyelets as these will serve as buttonholes.
Use the first eyelet at the collar then skip 2 eyelets before adding the next button. Repeat for the last button.
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You may not share, sell or claim my patterns as your own. You can make finished items to sell (i.e. on Etsy, at craft fairs) from my patterns but I ask that you link back to my blog knittingwithchopsticks.com and provide credit for the pattern. Copyright 2025
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Thank you!
