Free Crochet Baby Cardigan Pattern: Easy Granny Stitch Vest

Welcome to this lovely and free crochet baby cardigan pattern featuring the classic, beloved granny stitch. This sweet v-neck cardigan style easily doubles as a cozy vest, making it a versatile staple piece for any little one's wardrobe. Designed using double knit (8 ply) weight yarn, this design can be beautifully worked up in three essential infant sizes: 0-3 months, 6-9 months, and 12 months. Rather than changing stitch counts across complicated schematics, this pattern features a clever hook size adjustment strategy to perfectly scale your sizing instead. Work up a precious heirloom using soft yarn with beautiful stitch definition, add your button bands, and polish it off with your favorite medium-to-large buttons for the perfect finish. Happy crocheting!

Materials Required

• Yarn: Double knit (8 ply or size 3) yarn
• Crochet Hooks: 3mm, 4mm, and 5mm
• Buttons: 5 buttons (medium to large size)
• Yarn needle
• Scissors

Sizing & Gauge Guide

This clever pattern alters sizing dynamically simply by changing your hook choice. Follow the guide below to configure your sizing:

• 0-3 Month Size: Use a 3mm crochet hook
• 6-9 Month Size: Use a 4mm crochet hook
• 12 Month Size: Use a 5mm crochet hook

Main Cardigan Body Pattern

Video tutorial For guidance:

Chain 51 +2

Row 1: 1dc in 3rd chain from hook, 1 dc in next 2, ch1 skip 1, v in next, *ch1 skip 1, 3dc*, Repeat from * to * 2 times. Ch1, skip 1, v. *ch1 skip 1, 3dc*, Repeat from * to * 2 times. Ch1, skip 1, v. *ch1 skip 1, 3dc*, Repeat from * to * 2 times. Ch1, skip 1, v. ch1, skip 1, 3dc.

Row 2: Ch2, make 3dc in next ch1 space, ch1 , v in ch1 space of v, ch 1 work in spaces b\w 3 dc clusters, ch1, v in middle of v. repeat. Make 1dc in last 3dc cluster and ch2 (turning chain from 1st row).

Row 3: Ch2, make 3dc in next ch1 space, ch1, make 3dc in next ch1 space, ch1, v in ch1 space of v, ch 1 work in spaces b\w 3 dc clusters, ch1, v in middle of v. repeat. Make 3dc cluster in last space.

Row 4: Ch2, cluster in next space, ch1, cluster in next space, ch1, v, *ch1, cluster*, from * to *. Repeat 5 more times. Ch1, v. *ch1, cluster*, from * to *. Repeat 5 more times. Ch1, v. *ch1, cluster*, from * to *. Repeat 5 more times. Ch1, v. *ch1, cluster*, from * to *. Repeat 1 more times. Ch1, dc on ch2.

Row 5: Ch2, cluster in next space, *ch1, cluster in next space*, repeat 1 more times from * to *. ch1, v, *ch1, cluster*, from * to *. Repeat 6 more times. Ch1, v. *ch1, cluster*, from * to *. Repeat 6 more times. Ch1, v. *ch1, cluster*, from * to *. Repeat 6 more times. Ch1, v. *ch1, cluster*, from * to *. Repeat 2 more times.

Row 6: Ch2, cluster in next space, *ch1, cluster in next space*, repeat 1 more times from * to *. ch1, v, *ch1, cluster*, from * to *. Repeat 7 more times. Ch1, v. *ch1, cluster*, from * to *. Repeat 7 more times. Ch1, v. *ch1, cluster*, from * to *. Repeat 7 more times. Ch1, v. *ch1, cluster*, from * to *. Repeat 2 more times. Ch1, dc on ch2.

Row 7: Ch2, cluster in next space, *ch1, cluster in next space*, repeat 2 more times from * to *. ch1, v, *ch1, cluster*, from * to *. Repeat 8 more times. Ch1, v. *ch1, cluster*, from * to *. Repeat 8 more times. Ch1, v. *ch1, cluster*, from * to *. Repeat 8 more times. Ch1, v. *ch1, cluster*, from * to *. Repeat 3 more times.

Row 8: Ch2, cluster in next space, *ch1, cluster in next space*, repeat 2 more times from * to *. ch1, dc in v, ch1, skip the stitches b/w 1st and 2nd v. dc in 2nd v. *ch1, cluster*, from * to *. Repeat 9 more times. Ch1, dc in v. ch1, skip stitches b/w 3rd and 4th v and make dc in 4th v. *ch1, cluster*, from * to *. Repeat 3 more times. Ch1, dc on ch2.

Row 9: Ch2, cluster in next space, *ch1, cluster in next space*, repeat 3 more times from * to *, , *ch1, cluster*, from * to *. Repeat 10 more times. , *ch1, cluster*, from * to *. Repeat 4 more times.

Row 10: Ch2, cluster in next space, *ch1, cluster in next space*, repeat 18 more times from * to *. Ch1, dc on ch2. (20 clusters)

Row 11: Ch2, cluster in next space, *ch1, cluster in next space*, repeat 19 more times from * to *. Ch1, . (21 clusters).

Row 12: Ch2, cluster in next space, *ch1, cluster in next space*, repeat 18 more times from * to *. Ch1, dc on ch2. (20 clusters)

Row 13: Ch2, cluster in next space, *ch1, cluster in next space*, repeat 19 more times from * to *. Ch1, . (21 clusters).

Row 14: Ch2, cluster in next space, *ch1, cluster in next space*, repeat 18 more times from * to *. Ch1, dc on ch2. (20 clusters)

Row 15: Ch2, cluster in next space, *ch1, cluster in next space*, repeat 19 more times from * to *. Ch1, . (21 clusters).

Row 16: Ch2, cluster in next space, *ch1, cluster in next space*, repeat 18 more times from * to *. Ch1, dc on ch2. (20 clusters)

Row 17: Ch2, cluster in next space, *ch1, cluster in next space*, repeat 19 more times from * to *. Ch1, . (21 clusters).

Row 18: Ch2, cluster in next space, *ch1, cluster in next space*, repeat 18 more times from * to *. Ch1, dc on ch2. (20 clusters)

Row 19: Ch2, cluster in next space, *ch1, cluster in next space*, repeat 19 more times from * to *. Ch1, . (21 clusters).

Row 20: Ch2, cluster in next space, *ch1, cluster in next space*, repeat 18 more times from * to *. Ch1, dc on ch2. (20 clusters)

Important Stitch Notes:

The start and end formatting of even numbers of rows are exactly the same, and the layout of odd numbers of rows are exactly the same.

• Even Number Rows (2, 4, 6, 8...): Always have ch2 at the start and dc as the last stitch at the end of the row.
• Odd Number Rows (1, 3, 5, 7...): Always have ch2 and a cluster at the start of the row, and a cluster as the very last stitch of the row as well.

Double Crochet Border & Button Band

Row 1: Join your yarn on the left front side. Make 1 dc in each stitch and completely work around the bottom edge, going toward the right front opening. At the front bottom corner, make a V-stitch to create a clean, curved edge. Make 2 dc in each stitch up the front side. After *6 dc, ch2, skip a stitch* to create a built-in buttonhole. Repeat across the front edge. (Follow the video for better understanding).

Make a V-stitch in the corner at the neckline start point, make 1 dc in each stitch across the neck line, work a V-stitch on the other side of the neck line, then work 2dc in each stitch for the remaining side across the front edge. Make a V-stitch in the final stitch. Join to the top of your starting chain by making a slip stitch (ss).

Row 2: Ch1, sc in each stitch across. Make a V-stitch variation (sc, ch1, sc) directly in the corners. Sl st to the starting chain to join. Finish off.

Finishing Touches

To finalize your garment, securely sew your 5 selected buttons to the side opposite your buttonholes. Make sure to firmly block your completed project; this ensures the cardigan relaxes into its beautiful final shape, improves structural drape, and prevents the dynamic granny stitches from over-stretching over time.