Plymouth Yarn Baby Cardigan Knitting Pattern

Baby Cardigan in Plymouth Yarn Hot Cakes – Pattern F825

This free downloadable knitting pattern (F825) from Plymouth Yarn produces an adorable baby cardigan sized for infants from 0–3 months up to 12–18 months. With a finished chest measurement of 19 (21.5, 23) inches and a length of 10 (11, 12) inches, this little sweater is designed to be a practical and charming addition to any baby's wardrobe. The pattern is rated intermediate in difficulty, making it a satisfying project for knitters who are comfortable with basic shaping techniques and are ready to practice skills like neck shaping, three-needle bind-off, and working separate front and back pieces seamed together.

What Is Being Made

The finished object is a classic set-in or drop-shoulder style baby cardigan worked in pieces — a Right Front, Left Front, Back, and two Sleeves — which are then joined using a three-needle bind-off at the shoulders. The cardigan features a neat ribbed hem and cuffs, a shaped neckline, and button band finishing. The sample shown in the pattern is knitted in color 5 – Pastel Mix, giving the garment a soft, variegated look perfectly suited to a baby gift or layette set. Five buttons complete the front opening.

Materials Required

• Yarn: 1 (1, 1) – 200g Cake of Plymouth Yarn Hot Cakes, shown in color 5 – Pastel Mix. Hot Cakes is a worsted weight yarn, and its generous 200g cake format means the entire cardigan can typically be completed from a single cake across all three sizes — an economical and convenient choice for baby knitting.
• Needles: US Size 5 (smaller) and US Size 7 (larger) straight or circular needles, plus spare needles or stitch holders for the three-needle bind-off at the shoulders.
• Notions: 5 buttons for the front band closure.

Gauge

Achieving the correct gauge is essential for a well-fitting baby garment. The pattern calls for 20 stitches = 4 inches in stockinette stitch on US Size 7 needles. Knitters should always swatch and adjust needle size as needed before beginning.

Stitches and Techniques Used

• 1x1 Ribbing: Used for the lower hems and sleeve cuffs, this classic elastic stitch is worked by alternating knit and purl stitches across the row. In this pattern, it is worked over 8 rows on the smaller US Size 5 needles before transitioning to the main body fabric. The ribbing creates a tidy, stretchy edge that helps the garment maintain its shape around the wrists and body hem.
• Stockinette Stitch (St st): The main body fabric of the cardigan is worked in stockinette stitch — knit on right-side rows, purl on wrong-side rows — on the larger US Size 7 needles. This smooth, classic fabric is ideal for showcasing the color variations of Plymouth Yarn Hot Cakes.
• Neck Shaping: Both the Right Front and Left Front feature neck shaping achieved by binding off stitches at the neck edge and then working decreases on every alternate row a total of four times. This creates a clean, gently curved neckline appropriate for a baby garment.
• k2tog (Knit Two Together): This standard right-leaning decrease is used during neck shaping to reduce stitch counts smoothly and neatly.
• yo (Yarn Over): Listed among the pattern abbreviations, the yarn over is referenced for use in the button band or buttonhole construction, creating neat, small openings for the five buttons.
• Three-Needle Bind-Off: The shoulder seams are joined using the three-needle bind-off technique, which simultaneously joins and binds off live stitches from two needles held