Looking for a free hooded baby cardigan pattern? This easy and adorable knit is perfect for any little one! If you love this pattern check out all of our other free sweater patterns here.
A Special Gift: The Inspiration Behind This Free Hooded Baby Cardigan Pattern
There’s something special about knitting a baby gift, isn’t there? Every stitch holds love, anticipation, and the joy of welcoming a little one into the world. When a dear friend of mine was expecting, I knew I wanted to make something meaningful. The only catch? They had decided to keep the baby’s gender a surprise until birth!
That’s where the free hooded baby cardigan pattern came in. I needed a project that was cute, cozy, and completely gender-neutral. A cardigan with a hood seemed like the perfect balance of practical and adorable, offering a versatile layering piece for any season.
I chose Premier Cotton Fair (affiliate link) for this project because, let’s be honest, new parents have enough on their plates without worrying about hand-washing delicate knits. This yarn is machine washable, lightweight, and available in a range of lovely colors. It’s also incredibly soft—perfect for a newborn’s delicate skin. While cotton yarns can sometimes split, I found that Premier Cotton Fair (affiliate link) stayed well-plied most of the time, making it easy to work with.
Why You’ll Love This Free Hooded Baby Cardigan Pattern
If you’re looking for a fun, stress-free knit, this free hooded baby cardigan pattern is a fantastic choice. It’s an advanced beginner pattern, meaning it has just enough detail to keep things interesting but not so much that you’ll be pulling your hair out.
Here’s why this pattern is a winner:
✔️ Minimal shaping – The only shaping involved is on the sleeves and hood, making it a great confidence-builder if you’re new to garment knitting.
✔️ Perfect movie knit – I love a pattern that lets me knit while watching a good movie, and this one is just that! No constant stitch counting or tricky stitch patterns—just simple, satisfying knitting.
✔️ Easily customizable – Want to add a pop of personality? Stripes, color blocking, or even tiny embroidered details would take this cardigan to the next level.
And seriously—if someone makes a striped version of this free hooded baby cardigan pattern, PLEASE tag me on Instagram! I need to see it!
The Yarn Choice: Why I Used Premier Cotton Fair
The right yarn can make or break a baby knit, and I knew I needed something that would check all the boxes: soft, breathable, and easy to care for. Premier Cotton Fair (affiliate link) was my top pick for several reasons:
🧶 Machine washable – Because new moms don’t need any extra hand-wash-only stress.
🧶 Lightweight – Ideal for layering, which is great for unpredictable baby temperatures.
🧶 Soft and smooth – No scratchy wool here! This is gentle enough for newborn skin.
🧶 Holds up well – Some cotton yarns split constantly, but Premier Cotton Fair (affiliate link) only split on me a handful of times, making it a pleasure to knit with.
If you’re considering using a different yarn, just make sure it’s similar in weight and has good stitch definition to keep that crisp, clean look.
The Trickiest Part: Kitchener Stitch for the Hood
The main challenge in this free hooded baby cardigan pattern? The Kitchener stitch at the top of the hood. If you’re not familiar, Kitchener stitch is a grafting method that creates a seamless join between two pieces of fabric. It gives a polished look and prevents a bulky seam right at the top of the baby’s head.
If Kitchener stitch makes you nervous, don’t worry! There are plenty of tutorials online, and once you get the rhythm, it’s actually pretty satisfying. My tip? Say the steps out loud while you do them—”knit off, purl on; purl off, knit on”—until it becomes second nature.
How to Customize Your Free Hooded Baby Cardigan
One of the best parts about this free hooded baby cardigan pattern is that it’s a blank canvas. If you want to put your own spin on it, here are a few ideas:
🌈 Stripes: Whether thin or wide, stripes would look absolutely adorable. Use bold contrasts or soft pastels for a different look.
🎨 Color blocking: Try making the body one color and the sleeves another for a modern, playful effect.
💡 Textured stitches: A simple garter ridge or ribbing along the hem could add even more visual interest.
🧵 Buttons: Wooden, colorful, or even novelty-shaped buttons can add a finishing touch to this free hooded baby cardigan pattern.
Don’t be afraid to experiment! That’s the beauty of handmade items—you can make them truly unique.
Why a Handmade Baby Cardigan is the Perfect Gift
When you knit something by hand, you’re not just giving a garment—you’re giving time, effort, and love. A store-bought sweater can never match the heart behind a handmade piece.
This free hooded baby cardigan pattern makes an excellent baby shower gift, a thoughtful handmade keepsake, or even a donation to a NICU or charity project. And because it’s a simple yet stylish design, it’s sure to be a go-to layering piece for any little one.
If you’re on the fence about knitting baby clothes, let me tell you—there’s nothing cuter than a tiny cardigan with a hood. The way it frames those chubby little cheeks? Absolutely heart-melting!
Get Started on Your Free Hooded Baby Cardigan Pattern
Ready to cast on? You can grab the free hooded baby cardigan pattern right here: [insert link to free sweater pattern page on your blog].
Before you start, here are a few quick reminders:
✔️ Choose a soft, machine-washable yarn like Premier Cotton Fair (affiliate link) for easy care.
✔️ Don’t stress about the Kitchener stitch—it’s totally doable with practice!
✔️ Have fun with customizations! Stripes, buttons, and textures can all make this pattern uniquely yours.
I’d love to see your finished cardigans! If you make this free hooded baby cardigan pattern, be sure to tag me on Instagram so I can admire your handiwork. Happy knitting!
Materials and Info
Size: 0-3m, 3-6m (6-12m, 12m) 18m, 24m
Materials: Approximately 2, 2 (3, 3) 4, 4 balls of Premier Cotton Fair 317yd/290m 3.5oz/100g, 8 3/8in buttons, yarn needle, stitch markers
Needle Size: 2(US) 3mm & 4(US) 3.5mm straight and dpn
Gauge (tension): 28sts & 36 rows to make 10cm square in stockinette, using size 4(US) 3.75mm needles
Chest Measurement: 41, 44 (47, 50) 52, 54 cm
METHOD
This pattern is for a drop sleeve style that is worked flat from the bottom up with 10cm of ease in stockinette stitch (knit right side row, purl wrong side row).
Baby John Hooded Cardigan Pattern
BACK
Cast on 74, 78 (82, 86) 88, 92 sts using the smaller circular needles
Work 2, 2 (2, 2.5) 2.5, 2.5 cms of (k1, p1) rib.
Switch to larger size circular needles.
Work in stockinette until your work measures 14, 15.5 (17.5, 19.5) 21, 22.5 cm measured from the cast-on edge. Place markers on each end of the row to mark armhole.
Continue working until work measures 23, 25 (28, 31) 33, 35 cms from cast on edge ending after completing a wrong side row.
SHOULDERS
Bind off 22, 23 (24, 25) 26, 27 place next 30, 32 (34, 36) 36, 38 sts on stitch holder, bind off 22, 23 (24, 25) 26, 27 .
LEFT FRONT
Cast on 35, 37 (39, 41) 42, 44 sts using smaller needle
Work 2, 2 (2, 2.5) 2.5, 2.5 cms of (k1, p1) rib.
Switch to larger size circular needles.
Work in stockinette stitch until your work measures 14, 15.5 (17.5, 19.5) 21, 22.5 cm measured from the cast-on edge. Place marker on sleeve end of the row to mark armhole.
Continue working until work measures 23, 25 (28, 31) 33, 35 cms from cast on edge, ending after completing a wrong side row
SHOULDERS
Bind off 22, 23 (24, 25) 26, 27 sts, place remaining 13, 14 (15, 16) 16, 17 sts on a stitch holder.
RIGHT FRONT
Cast on 35, 37 (39, 41) 42, 44 sts using smaller needle
Work 2, 2 (2, 2.5) 2.5, 2.5 cms of (k1, p1) rib.
Switch to larger size circular needles.
Work in stockinette stitch until your work measures 14, 15.5 (17.5, 19.5) 21, 22.5 cm measured from the cast-on edge. Place marker on sleeve end of the row to mark armhole.
Continue working until work measures 23, 25 (28, 31) 33, 35 cms from cast on edge, ending after completing a wrong side row
SHOULDERS
Place 13, 14 (15, 16) 16, 17 sts on stitch holder, bind off 22, 23 (24, 25) 26, 27 sts.
SLEEVES (MAKE 2)
Cast on now 36, 38 (38, 40) 42, 44 sts on smaller circular/straight needles.
Work 2, 2 (2, 2.5) 2.5, 2.5 cms of (k1, p1) rib.
Switch to larger size circular needles
Work in tockinette for 4 rows.
Next row: inc 1 sts on each end every other row 6, 7 (8, 7) 7, 7 times, then every 4th row 2, 3 (4, 6) 7, 8 times. 54, 58 (62, 66) 70, 74 sts]
Continue working in lace pattern until work measures 11.5, 13.5 (15.5, 17.5) 19, 20.5 cms from cast on edge. Bind of all stitches.
HOOD
Join both shoulder seams, using yarn on a tapestry/yarn needle.
Place all neck stitches on larger needles 13, 14 (15, 16) 16, 17 left front, 30, 32 (34, 36) 36, 38 back, 13, 14 (15, 16) 16, 17 right front, for a total of 56, 58 (64, 68) 68, 72 sts on your needles
With right side facing, increase 22, 26 (28, 30) 34, 32 sts evenly for an ending stitch count of 78, 84 (92, 98) 102, 104
Continue in stockinette stitch until your work measures 14, 15 (16, 17.5) 18, 18.5 ins from start of hood, ending after completing a wrong side row.
Decrease rows
Row 1 – k36, 39 (43, 46) 48, 49 ssk, k2, k2tog, k36, 39 (43, 46) 48, 49
Row 2 – work in stockinette stitch
Row 3 – k 35, 39 (43, 45) 47, 48 ssk, k2, k2tog, k35, 39 (43, 45) 47, 48
Row 4 – work in stockinette stitch
Continue in this manner until your work measures 17.5, 19 (20, 21) 22, 22.5 from start of hood, ending after completing a wrong side row.
Do not bind off. Divide hood stitches equally onto 2 needles and kitchener stitch the hood closed.
FRONT RIB EDGES
Using smaller needles, with right side facing, pick up and knit 2sts for every 3 rows from the bottom of left all the way around the hood and back down the right front.
Work these stitches in k1p1 ribbing for 4 rows.
Mark for buttons as follows, pm 3sts from the bottom, then place the remaining 7 markers every 2.5, 2.5 (3, 3) (3.5, 3.5) cms along the ribbed band.
Button hole row: work in k1p1 to first marker, yo, k2tog, [work in k1p1 to next marker, yo, k2tog] repeat [to] until all button holes are complete.
Work in k1p1 ribbing for 4 more rows.
Bind off in pattern.
FINISHING
Sew the sleeves on, side seams and sleeve seams. I prefer to use the mattress stitch because it almost appears seamless. Weave in all ends. Sew the buttons on along the left front edge across from the buttonholes
Stitch Key and Tutorials
ABBREVIATIONS
K – knit
P – purl
PM – place marker
SM – slip marker
K2tog -knit 2 stitches together
YO – yarn over
SSK – slip, slip, knit the slipped sts together.
M1- Insert the left needle under the strand that runs between two stitches from back to front, then knit this strand
Kitchener Stitch:
Hold the two pieces of knitting parallel to one another with the wrong sides facing. Thread the working yarn with a yarn needle. *Insert the yarn needle knitwise into the first stitch on the front knitting needle. Draw through the stitch and slip the stitch off of the front needle. Insert the yarn needle purlwise into the next stitch on the front knitting needle. Draw through the stitch. Leave the stitch on the needle. Insert the yarn needle purlwise into the first stitch on the back knitting needle. Draw through the stitch and slip the stitch off of the back needle. Insert the yarn needle knitwise into the next stitch on the back knitting needle. Draw through the stitch. Leave the stitch on the needle. Repeat these steps beginning at the * until all of your stitches have been grafted together.
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