Crochet Cardigan & Top in Stylecraft Soft Baby Easy Stripes and Bambino DK 10159

Crochet Cardigan & Top in Stylecraft Soft Baby Easy Stripes and Bambino DK – Pattern 10159

Pattern 10159 from Stylecraft is a beginner-friendly crochet pattern offering two charming baby and toddler designs: a granny square cardigan and a granny square top. Both garments are built from the same easy motif construction, making this an ideal introduction to garment crochet for those new to the craft. Sizes range from birth to 5 years, fitting chest measurements of 41–61 cm (16–24 inches), so the pattern grows with the child.

The pattern is described as featuring 2 easy granny square designs, and both the cardigan and the top are constructed using a striped circular motif worked in the round. This modular approach — assembling a garment from individual motifs — is a classic and satisfying crochet technique that keeps each step simple and manageable, even for beginners.

Yarns Used

• Stylecraft Soft Baby Easy Stripes DK – used as the main colour (MC) for the striped effect within each motif
• Stylecraft Bambino DK – used as the contrast colour (CC) to frame and join the motifs
• Both yarns are DK weight, making them lightweight and gentle — ideal for babywear

Hook Size

• A 4mm crochet hook is specified for working the motifs

The Striped Motif – Construction Detail

Each garment is made up of 12 striped motifs. Each motif begins with a foundation ring of 6 chain stitches joined with a slip stitch. The motif is then worked outward in rounds:

• Round 1 is worked in the main colour (MC) — Stylecraft Soft Baby Easy Stripes DK — creating 12 x 2-treble clusters (2tr cls) evenly spaced around the ring. The round begins with a 2-chain start and the first cluster counts as the first 2tr cl, with 11 further clusters completing the round, joined with a slip stitch to the top of the first cluster.
• Round 2 introduces the contrast colour (CC) — Stylecraft Bambino DK — joined in any space between clusters. This round again works 12 x 2-treble clusters, each separated by a 2-chain space, creating the characteristic open, lacy structure of a granny-style motif.

The 2-treble cluster (2tr cl) is a fundamental crochet stitch group in which two treble crochets are worked together into the same space, sharing a final top stitch. This creates a neat, slightly textured fabric with good drape — particularly well suited to baby garments. The combination of cluster stitches and chain spaces is the defining characteristic of the classic granny square construction, here adapted into a circular motif rather than a traditional square.

Design 1 – The Granny Square Cardigan

The cardigan is assembled from the striped circular motifs and includes sleeves. Size-specific finished measurements are as follows:

• Actual chest: 48–64 cm (approx 19–25¼ inches)
• Full length: approximately 24.5–42 cm (9½–16½ inches)
• Sleeve length: approximately 17–31 cm (6½–12 inches)

The cardigan is sized across five age ranges: 0–6 months, 6–12 months, 12–24 months, 2–3 years, and 4–5 years, making it a versatile pattern to return to as children grow.

Design 2 – The Granny Square Top

The top is a shorter, sleeveless or short-sleeved companion design, also constructed from the same striped motifs. Finished