Easy Crochet Cardigan for Kids – Free Pattern 18 Months to 12 Years

Looking for an easy crochet cardigan for kids that can grow with your handmade wardrobe? This simple open-front cardigan is designed in six sizes from 18–24 months through 10–12 years.

The cardigan is worked from the top down using a beginner-friendly raglan construction. That means there are no separate front and back body panels to sew together. Once the yoke is finished, the sleeves are separated and the body is worked in one piece.

Add the optional patch pockets for an extra-cozy everyday cardigan, or leave them off for an even simpler project. The relaxed fit works well over T-shirts, dresses, and lightweight layers.

Why You’ll Love This Easy Crochet Cardigan For Kids

• Clear step-by-step sections make the project easier to follow.
• Materials, sizing, finishing, and customization notes are easy to find.
• The pattern includes practical tips for a neat handmade result.

Project Details

• Skill Level: Confident Beginner
• Estimated Time: 8–14 hours depending on size
• Sizes: 18–24 months, 2–4 years, 4–6 years, 6–8 years, 8–10 years, 10–12 years
• Fit: Relaxed with approximately 2–4 inches of positive ease
• Crochet Terminology: US terms
• Construction: Top-down open-front raglan cardigan with sleeves worked from the armholes

Finished Size Chart

Size	Finished Chest	Approx. Length
18–24 Months	24 in (61 cm)	13–14 in (33–36 cm)
2–4 Years	27 in (69 cm)	15–16 in (38–41 cm)
4–6 Years	28.5 in (72 cm)	17–18 in (43–46 cm)
6–8 Years	31 in (79 cm)	19–20 in (48–51 cm)
8–10 Years	33.5 in (85 cm)	21–22 in (53–56 cm)
10–12 Years	36 in (91 cm)	23–24 in (58–61 cm)

For the best fit, compare these measurements with a cardigan or sweater that already fits the child comfortably.

Materials

• Worsted weight #4 yarn
• 5 mm (H/8) crochet hook
• Yarn needle
• Scissors
• 4 stitch markers
• Flexible measuring tape

Hook Size

Use a 5 mm (H/8) crochet hook.

If your gauge is too tight, move up to a 5.5 mm hook. If your stitches are too loose, try a 4.5 mm hook.

Yarn

Use worsted weight #4 yarn.

A soft acrylic, wool-acrylic blend, or washable wool yarn works well for an everyday children’s cardigan.

Approximate yarn quantities:

Size	Approximate Yardage
18–24 Months	450–550 yards
2–4 Years	600–700 yards
4–6 Years	750–850 yards
6–8 Years	900–1,000 yards
8–10 Years	1,050–1,150 yards
10–12 Years	1,200–1,350 yards

For a cozy everyday look, try mustard, oatmeal, dusty rose, sage, terracotta, cream, or a lightly speckled neutral yarn.

Gauge

14 hdc = 4 inches

10 rows = 4 inches

Take time to check your gauge before beginning, especially when making a wearable project for a child.

Abbreviations

• ch = chain
• sc = single crochet
• hdc = half double crochet
• sl st = slip stitch
• st(s) = stitch(es)
• inc = increase
• dec = decrease
• BLO = back loop only
• ch-1 sp = chain-1 space

Before You Start / Pattern Notes

The cardigan is worked from the neckline downward in turned rows.

The four raglan corners are created with chain-1 spaces.

Every raglan increase row adds stitches to the fronts, sleeves, and back.

Chain 2 at the beginning of a half double crochet row does not count as a stitch.

The cardigan is designed to be worn open, so no buttons or buttonholes are required.

Numbers in the pattern are listed in this order:

18–24M (2–4Y, 4–6Y, 6–8Y, 8–10Y, 10–12Y)

Free Easy Crochet Cardigan for Kids Pattern

Part 1 — Starting the Raglan Yoke

Chain:

32 (38, 44, 44, 50, 56)

Foundation Row

Starting in the 3rd chain from the hook, work the following:

18–24M: 5 hdc, ch 1, 5 hdc, ch 1, 10 hdc, ch 1, 5 hdc, ch 1, 5 hdc.

2–4Y: 6 hdc, ch 1, 6 hdc, ch 1, 12 hdc, ch 1, 6 hdc, ch 1, 6 hdc.

4–6Y: 7 hdc, ch 1, 7 hdc, ch 1, 14 hdc, ch 1, 7 hdc, ch 1, 7 hdc.

6–8Y: 7 hdc, ch 1, 7 hdc, ch 1, 14 hdc, ch 1, 7 hdc, ch 1, 7 hdc.

8–10Y: 8 hdc, ch 1, 8 hdc, ch 1, 16 hdc, ch 1, 8 hdc, ch 1, 8 hdc.

10–12Y: 9 hdc, ch 1, 9 hdc, ch 1, 18 hdc, ch 1, 9 hdc, ch 1, 9 hdc.

Turn.

The four chain-1 spaces mark your raglan corners. Place a stitch marker in each space if helpful.

Raglan Increase Row

Ch 2.

Hdc in each stitch until you reach the first ch-1 space.

In the ch-1 space work:

(hdc, ch 1, hdc)

Continue working hdc in every stitch and work (hdc, ch 1, hdc) into each of the remaining three raglan spaces.

Hdc to the end of the row. Turn.

Repeat the Raglan Increase Row:

• 18–24M: 14 more times
• 2–4Y: 15 more times
• 4–6Y: 15 more times
• 6–8Y: 17 more times
• 8–10Y: 18 more times
• 10–12Y: 19 more times

At the end of the yoke, the cardigan should reach comfortably from the neckline to the underarm.

Part 2 — Separate the Sleeves

On the next row, you will work across the first front, skip the first sleeve, work across the back, skip the second sleeve, and finish across the second front.

Do not work into the four raglan chain spaces on this separation row.

Yoke Stitch Counts Before Separation

Size	Each Front	Each Sleeve	Back
18–24M	19	33	38
2–4Y	21	36	42
4–6Y	22	37	44
6–8Y	24	41	48
8–10Y	26	44	52
10–12Y	28	47	56

Separation Row

Ch 2 and hdc across the first front section.

Chain 4 (5, 6, 6, 7, 7) for the underarm.

Skip all stitches of the first sleeve.

Hdc across the back section.

Chain 4 (5, 6, 6, 7, 7).

Skip all stitches of the second sleeve.

Hdc across the final front section. Turn.

Body Stitch Counts

You should now have approximately:

84 (94, 100, 108, 118, 126) body stitches.

Part 3 — Crochet the Body

Ch 2 and hdc in every stitch and underarm chain across. Turn.

Continue working even in hdc for:

• 18–24M: 18 rows
• 2–4Y: 22 rows
• 4–6Y: 27 rows
• 6–8Y: 31 rows
• 8–10Y: 35 rows
• 10–12Y: 39 rows

You can add or remove a few rows if you prefer a shorter or longer cardigan.

Bottom Hem

Switch to sc.

Row 1: Ch 1, sc across. Turn.

Rows 2–4: Ch 1, sc BLO across. Turn.

Fasten off.

This creates a simple textured hem.

Part 4 — Sleeves

Join yarn at the center of one underarm.

Work hdc evenly around the sleeve opening, including one stitch in each underarm chain.

Join with sl st.

Your approximate starting sleeve stitch counts are:

37 (41, 43, 47, 51, 54) sts.

Sleeve Shaping

Ch 2 and hdc around.

To decrease, work one hdc decrease near the beginning of the round and one near the end of the round.

Decrease according to the following schedule:

Size	Sleeve Rounds	Decrease Schedule	Approx. Cuff Sts
18–24M	18	Decrease every 3rd round	25
2–4Y	21	Decrease every 3rd round	27
4–6Y	28	Decrease every 4th round	29
6–8Y	32	Decrease every 4th round	31
8–10Y	36	Decrease every 4th round	33
10–12Y	40	Decrease every 4th round	34

Try the sleeve against the child’s arm or a well-fitting sweater before finishing the cuff.

Sleeve Cuff

Work 1 round of sc.

Then work 3 additional rounds of sc BLO.

Fasten off and weave in the end.

Repeat for the second sleeve.

Part 5 — Front and Neck Band

Join yarn at the lower corner of the right front.

Work sc evenly up the right front edge, around the back neckline, and down the left front edge.

Turn.

Rows 2–4: Ch 1, sc BLO across the entire front and neck band.

Fasten off.

This simple edging helps the cardigan keep its shape while creating a clean open front.

Part 6 — Optional Patch Pockets

Make 2.

Chain:

13 (15, 15, 17, 17, 19)

Starting in the second chain from the hook, hdc across.

You will have:

12 (14, 14, 16, 16, 18) sts.

Continue in hdc for:

10 (11, 12, 13, 14, 15) rows.

Pocket Top

Work 2 rows of sc BLO across the top edge.

Fasten off, leaving a long sewing tail.

Attach the Pockets

Place one pocket on each front approximately 1–2 inches above the lower hem.

Make sure both pockets are positioned at the same height.

Sew around both sides and the bottom edge, leaving the top open.

Finishing

Weave in all remaining yarn ends securely.

Check the underarm joins for any small gaps and close them with matching yarn if necessary.

Gently shape the neckline, front band, pockets, cuffs, and hem.

Light blocking can help the cardigan sit more evenly. Follow the care instructions for your chosen yarn.

Check the finished garment against the child’s measurements before wearing.

Finished Size

This cardigan is available in six sizes:

• 18–24 Months: approximately 24-inch chest
• 2–4 Years: approximately 27-inch chest
• 4–6 Years: approximately 28.5-inch chest
• 6–8 Years: approximately 31-inch chest
• 8–10 Years: approximately 33.5-inch chest
• 10–12 Years: approximately 36-inch chest

Because children grow at different rates, always choose the size based primarily on chest measurement rather than age alone.

Tips and Customization Ideas

Make It Longer

Add extra body rows before working the lower hem for a longer cardigan that reaches farther over the hips.

Make a Cropped Version

Work fewer body rows for a shorter cardigan that pairs nicely with dresses and high-waisted skirts.

Try a Speckled Yarn

A lightly speckled mustard, oatmeal, or cream yarn gives this simple pattern extra texture without adding complicated stitches.

Use Contrasting Pockets

Make the pockets in a second color for a playful children’s version.

Add Stripes

Change yarn color every 4–6 rows to create a striped cardigan.

Leave Off the Pockets

The cardigan works just as well without pockets if you want an even faster project.

Make Matching Sibling Cardigans

Because the pattern includes six sizes, you can use coordinating colors to make matching cardigans for siblings of different ages.

Care Tips

Follow the washing instructions printed on your yarn label.

For handmade children’s garments, gentle washing and laying flat to dry can help preserve the shape of the cuffs, neckline, and front band.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is this Easy Crochet Cardigan For Kids beginner-friendly?

Check the Skill Level and Pattern Notes sections before you begin. Read through the full pattern once, then keep a stitch marker and your materials nearby as you work.

What yarn should I use for this crochet project?

Use the yarn weight and fiber recommendations listed in the Yarn section. Matching the suggested yarn weight will help you stay closer to the intended size and fabric.

Can I change the colors?

Yes. Color changes are one of the easiest ways to personalize this project without changing the core construction. Keep the same yarn weight for the most consistent result.

How can I keep my stitch counts accurate?

Count at the end of each row or round, move your stitch marker as you work, and correct missed increases or decreases before continuing to the next section.

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