Charlie Baby Cardigan - Free Knitting Pattern

The photo above @ peterlinzi

Looking for a sweet and practical free baby cardigan knitting pattern? The Charlie Baby Cardigan Jacket by marianna mel is a classic little knitted cardigan designed for newborns and young babies.

With its simple styling and DK-weight yarn, Charlie works beautifully for both baby boys and girls. The pattern includes several small baby sizes and also offers options for different front styles, making it a versatile project for baby gifts, coming-home outfits, and everyday wear.

Charlie Baby Cardigan Pattern at a Glance

Pattern: Charlie Baby Cardigan Jacket

Designer: marianna mel

Published by: Marianna's Lazy Daisy Days

Craft: Knitting

Category: Baby Cardigan / Jacket

Yarn Weight: DK

Suggested Needle Size: US 6 / 4.0 mm

Gauge: 22 stitches = 4 inches in stocking stitch

Sizes: Newborn, 0–3 months, 3–6 months

Pattern Availability: Free

About the Charlie Baby Cardigan

Charlie is a charming baby cardigan designed by marianna mel of Marianna's Lazy Daisy Days. Its classic shape makes it suitable for either a baby boy or girl, and the smallest size was designed especially with newborn babies in mind.

This is also a useful pattern for knitters who enjoy making handmade baby gifts. The small dimensions keep the project manageable, while the straightforward styling makes it easy to personalize through your choice of yarn color and buttons.

Charlie Baby Cardigan Sizes

The pattern currently includes three baby sizes:

• Newborn
• 0–3 months – approximately 17-inch chest
• 3–6 months – approximately 18½-inch chest

The original newborn version has approximate finished measurements of 16 inches (41 cm) wide, 8½ inches (21.5 cm) long, and a 5-inch (13 cm) sleeve length.

Always check the designer's current pattern instructions before choosing a size, since the original pattern page is the authoritative source for measurements and any later updates.

Yarn for the Charlie Baby Cardigan

Charlie is designed for DK-weight yarn, sometimes also described as 8-ply depending on where you live.

A soft, comfortable yarn suitable for baby garments is a practical choice. Since baby clothes are frequently worn directly over lightweight clothing, consider softness, washability, and care requirements when selecting your yarn.

You can also change the personality of this little cardigan simply through color: classic white and cream create a traditional look, while soft pastels or brighter modern shades can make the same design feel completely different.

Needles and Gauge

The pattern lists:

• US 6 / 4.0 mm knitting needles
• Gauge: 22 stitches = 4 inches in stocking stitch

Matching the designer's gauge is particularly important for a small baby garment, where even a relatively small difference in tension can noticeably affect the finished size.

Different Front Options

One interesting feature of the Charlie pattern is that it has developed over time. In addition to the original cardigan, the designer added instructions for a fully buttoned front version in all of the available sizes.

There is also an option for making a shorter cropped version, which the designer suggests can work especially well when worn over a little dress.

Check the current original pattern page to see the available variations before deciding which version you would like to knit.

A Lovely Baby Gift Project

Small cardigans are especially useful projects for baby showers, newborn gifts, and handmade keepsakes. Charlie's simple styling also means that it can be made ahead of time when you do not yet know whether the new baby will be a boy or girl.

Pairing the cardigan with coordinating baby accessories can also turn a single knitted garment into a complete handmade gift set.

Matching Charlie Baby Knits

The designer has created other pieces to coordinate with the Charlie cardigan, including matching baby booties, a hat, mittens, and a blanket.

This makes Charlie particularly useful if you enjoy creating coordinated newborn sets rather than knitting just one garment.

Is the Charlie Baby Cardigan Pattern Free?

Yes. The Charlie Baby Cardigan Jacket by marianna mel is currently available as a free knitting pattern.

Amazing Knitting does not reproduce the designer's knitting instructions. Please visit the original pattern source to view the complete instructions, measurements, variations, and any updates from the designer.

Get the Free Charlie Baby Cardigan Pattern

Visit Marianna's original Charlie Baby Cardigan page for the complete free knitting pattern.

Get the Free Charlie Baby Cardigan Pattern →

Pattern credit: Charlie Baby Cardigan Jacket was designed by marianna mel and published through Marianna's Lazy Daisy Days. Pattern availability, sizing, and technical details are controlled by the designer and may change over time.

More Baby Knitting Inspiration

Looking for another small project? Explore more baby cardigan knitting patterns, baby sweater knitting patterns, and baby booties knitting patterns from the Amazing Knitting archive.

Before You Start

Visit the designer's original pattern page before buying yarn or beginning your project. Confirm the latest size information, gauge, materials, button requirements, and instructions for the version of Charlie you plan to knit.

Baby Cardigan - Free Knitting Pattern

Photos above © MmeUlma & © sorrelwood

Looking for a simple and charming baby wrap cardigan knitting pattern? This garter-stitch cardigan is a classic crossover design that is worked largely in one piece, making it especially appealing to knitters who prefer simple construction and minimal finishing.

The cardigan has a soft wrap-over front and a timeless handmade look that works beautifully for newborn gifts, baby showers, and everyday baby wear.

Baby Wrap Cardigan at a Glance

Pattern Type: Baby Wrap Cardigan

Craft: Knitting

Category: Baby Cardigan / Wrap Sweater

Main Stitch: Garter Stitch

Construction: Worked mainly in one piece

Direction: Bottom-up, beginning with the back

Original Source: MmeUlma / Madam Ulma

About This Baby Cardigan

This little cardigan uses a wrap-over construction rather than a traditional button-front shape. The crossover front gives the garment a soft, comfortable look while also making it easy to layer over other baby clothes.

The design was originally shared through the MmeUlma blog and became popular online through knitting and Pinterest communities.

Worked in One Piece

One of the most appealing features of this cardigan is its construction. The garment is worked largely in one piece, beginning at the back and building upward.

One-piece baby garments can be especially attractive to knitters because they reduce the number of separate pieces that need to be assembled at the end.

This also helps create a clean, simple silhouette that suits the minimalist style of the cardigan.

Garter Stitch Texture

The cardigan is worked in garter stitch, one of the most useful and beginner-friendly knitting textures.

Garter stitch creates a soft, ridged fabric that lies flat naturally and does not curl at the edges in the same way as stockinette stitch.

That makes it a practical choice for baby garments, where soft texture and simple finishing are often desirable.

Why Wrap Cardigans Work Well for Babies

Wrap-style cardigans are popular for babies because the crossover front creates a flexible fit and avoids a bulky center-front opening.

They can also be layered over bodysuits, sleepsuits, and lightweight tops, making them useful through changing temperatures.

The simple shape also works well in both traditional baby colors and more modern, gender-neutral shades.

A Good Project for Newer Garment Knitters

Because the design relies on garter stitch and relatively simple construction, this type of cardigan can be a good transition project for knitters who are comfortable with scarves, blankets, or baby accessories and want to try a small garment.

The main skills typically involved include basic knit stitches, shaping, and managing the wrap-front construction.

Choosing Yarn for a Baby Cardigan

The original source page is no longer consistently accessible, so the current yarn specification cannot be verified reliably.

If you are recreating a similar wrap cardigan, choose a soft yarn suitable for baby garments and pay close attention to washability, fiber comfort, and gauge.

Always follow the original pattern specifications if you have a saved copy of the pattern, since yarn weight and needle size directly affect the finished size.

What About the Original Free Pattern?

This Amazing Knitting page originally linked to a free pattern page from MmeUlma.

At the moment, the original external page is no longer reliably accessible without a Google sign-in, so we cannot confirm whether the pattern is still publicly available in its original form.

Amazing Knitting does not reproduce the original designer's knitting instructions.

Original Pattern Source

The button below points to the original MmeUlma page that was linked from this article. Its current accessibility may vary.

Visit the Original Baby Cardigan Source →

Source note: This design was originally shared through MmeUlma. The original source page is currently not consistently accessible, so Amazing Knitting has intentionally avoided adding unverified sizing, yarn, needle, or gauge information.

More Baby Cardigan Knitting Inspiration

Explore more baby cardigan knitting patterns, baby wrap cardigan ideas, and baby sweater knitting patterns from the Amazing Knitting archive.

Before You Start

If you have access to the original MmeUlma instructions, use the designer's specified yarn, needle size, gauge, and measurements rather than relying on substitutions from other baby cardigan patterns.

Leaf Lace Baby Sweater - Free Pattern

The photo above © Marlene

Looking for an elegant free baby knitting pattern with a traditional lace finish? The Bernat Leaf & Lace Set combines a beautiful knitted baby jacket with a matching hat and booties, creating a complete handmade outfit for a new baby.

Worked in soft Bernat Softee Baby yarn, the design uses delicate leaf-inspired lace details to give the set a classic heirloom appearance. You can knit the complete matching set or choose just the jacket, hat, or booties for a smaller project.

Bernat Leaf & Lace Baby Set at a Glance

Pattern: Bernat Leaf & Lace Set

Brand: Bernat

Publisher: Yarnspirations

Craft: Knitting

Set Includes: Baby Jacket, Hat/Bonnet and Booties

Skill Level: Intermediate

Yarn: Bernat Softee Baby

Needles: US 4 / 3.5 mm and US 5 / 3.75 mm

Gauge: 24 stitches and 32 rows = 4 inches in stockinette stitch

Sizes: 3 months and 6/12 months

Pattern Availability: Free download

About the Leaf & Lace Baby Set

The Bernat Leaf & Lace Set is more than a single baby sweater pattern. It is a coordinated knitting set consisting of a jacket, matching hat or bonnet, and baby booties.

A repeating foliage-inspired lace motif gives the pieces their distinctive appearance. The combination of soft baby yarn and decorative eyelet work creates a traditional style that works especially well for baby gifts, special occasions, and handmade keepsakes.

Baby Jacket

The jacket is the centerpiece of the set. It combines a classic baby-cardigan shape with decorative lace details and a shaped yoke.

According to the current pattern, the jacket is worked in one piece from the neck edge down. This top-down approach reduces some of the assembly normally associated with garments knitted as several separate pieces.

The finished cardigan can be paired with the matching accessories or worn by itself as a lightweight knitted baby layer.

Matching Hat and Baby Booties

One of the nicest features of this pattern is the ability to create a complete coordinated outfit.

The matching headwear carries the lace theme from the jacket, while the tiny booties repeat the decorative texture on a much smaller scale.

You do not have to make all three pieces at once. The accessories can also work as individual projects when you want something smaller or have limited knitting time.

Available Baby Sizes

The current Yarnspirations pattern provides two size options:

• 3 months
• 6/12 months

When knitting baby garments, always use the measurements in the current pattern rather than relying only on the age label. Babies of the same age can vary considerably in size.

Yarn for the Leaf & Lace Set

The pattern is designed for Bernat Softee Baby, a lightweight yarn intended for baby garments and accessories.

The amount of yarn required depends on the size and whether you are knitting only the jacket or the complete jacket, hat, and booties set.

If you substitute another yarn, choose one that can achieve the required gauge and that is appropriate for garments worn by babies.

Needles and Gauge

The pattern lists two knitting needle sizes:

• US 4 / 3.5 mm
• US 5 / 3.75 mm

The published gauge is:

24 stitches × 32 rows = 4 inches in stockinette stitch

Matching gauge is especially important when making the jacket because it determines whether the finished garment will correspond to the intended baby size.

Additional Materials

In addition to yarn and knitting needles, the current pattern calls for several finishing supplies, including:

• Stitch holders
• Stitch markers
• US F/5 / 3.75 mm crochet hook
• 2 buttons
• Yarn needle
• Ribbon for the bonnet

Check the official pattern before purchasing materials because requirements can vary by size and by which pieces of the set you plan to make.

The Leaf Lace Design

The decorative stitch pattern is what gives this baby set its name. Yarn overs, decreases, and other lace techniques create repeating shapes reminiscent of small leaves.

This openwork detail adds visual interest without requiring different yarn colors, so a single soft shade can still produce a highly decorative garment.

Soft green emphasizes the botanical theme beautifully, while white, cream, pastel pink, blue, or other baby-friendly shades can give the same pattern a completely different appearance.

Skill Level and Techniques

Yarnspirations currently classifies the Leaf & Lace Set as an Intermediate knitting pattern.

Depending on which pieces you make, you may encounter techniques such as:

• Knit and purl stitches
• Yarn overs
• Knitted increases
• Knitted decreases
• Lace pattern repeats
• Stitch markers and stitch holders
• Garment shaping
• Picking up or managing stitches
• Basic finishing

Reading the entire pattern before casting on is particularly useful when working a lace design because increases and decreases need to remain correctly aligned with the pattern repeat.

A Beautiful Handmade Baby Gift

A coordinated knitted set can make a particularly thoughtful baby-shower, newborn, or keepsake gift.

If you have time, knitting the jacket, hat, and booties together creates an impressive matching outfit. If you prefer a smaller project, the jacket or accessories can also stand alone.

The classic lace texture gives the finished pieces a traditional appearance that can work well as an heirloom-style baby set.

Is the Bernat Leaf & Lace Pattern Free?

Yes. The Bernat Leaf & Lace Set is currently available from Yarnspirations as a 100% free pattern download.

Yarnspirations notes that an item associated with the pattern has been discontinued, but the knitting pattern itself remains available to download for free.

Amazing Knitting does not reproduce the copyrighted pattern instructions. Please use the official Yarnspirations page for the complete pattern.

Get the Free Leaf & Lace Baby Set Pattern

Visit Yarnspirations to download the current pattern and view the latest sizing, materials, instructions, and pattern updates.

Get the Free Leaf & Lace Set Pattern →

Pattern credit: Leaf & Lace Set is a Bernat knitting pattern published by Yarnspirations. Pattern availability, sizing, materials, and technical information are controlled by the publisher and may change over time.

More Baby Knitting Inspiration

Explore more baby cardigan knitting patterns, baby booties knitting patterns, and baby hat knitting patterns from the Amazing Knitting archive.

Before You Start

Visit the current Yarnspirations pattern page before buying yarn or beginning the project. Confirm the size you want to make, yarn quantity, needle sizes, gauge, buttons, ribbon, and any revised instructions before casting on.

Ducky Hoodie - Knitting Pattern

The photo above © sofiecat

Looking for a playful hooded baby and child knitting pattern? The design shown here is Duck Soup by annypurls, a clever nearly seamless jacket with a distinctive knotted hood, decorative i-cord closures, and generous sizing designed to give growing children extra wear.

Originally published in 2008, Duck Soup combines practical construction with whimsical details. It can be worn first as a roomy little coat and later as a more fitted cardigan as the child grows.

Duck Soup Hoodie Pattern at a Glance

Pattern: Duck Soup

Designer: annypurls

Craft: Knitting

Category: Baby / Child Hooded Jacket

Construction: Top-down and nearly seamless

Yarn Weight: Bulky

Gauge: 16 stitches and 24 rows = 4 inches in stockinette

Main Needle Size: US 8 / 5.0 mm

Additional Needle Size: US 2 / 2.75 mm

Yardage: Approximately 400–900 yards (366–823 m)

Sizes: 3 months to 4/5 years

Pattern Availability: Paid pattern

About the Duck Soup Hoodie

Duck Soup is a hooded jacket designed by annypurls for babies, toddlers, and young children. The pattern stands out because of its playful knotted hood and handmade i-cord closures.

The jacket is worked mostly back and forth on a circular needle, while the sleeves are knitted in the round. This keeps seaming to a minimum and gives the finished garment a clean construction.

A Jacket Designed to Grow with a Child

One of the most interesting features of Duck Soup is its generous fit. The design was intentionally created so that a child could wear it in more than one way as they grow.

It can begin as a roomy three-quarter-length coat with folded cuffs and a folded hood brim. Later, those sections can be unfolded so the same garment works more like a fitted cardigan.

That makes this pattern especially appealing for knitters who want to put time into a handmade garment that can be worn for more than a very short baby-size window.

Available Sizes

The current Ravelry listing includes the following sizes:

• 3 months
• 6 months
• 18 months
• 2–3 years
• 4–5 years

Always check the original pattern page before choosing a size, since the designer's current listing is the authoritative source for measurements and construction details.

Yarn and Yardage

The jacket is designed primarily for bulky-weight yarn. The original samples used Classic Elite Yarns Countess for the main garment.

Depending on size, the listed total yarn requirement is approximately:

400–900 yards (366–823 meters)

Small amounts of contrasting yarn can also be used for the decorative i-cord closures, making this a nice project for adding colorful accents.

Needles and Gauge

The published main gauge is:

16 stitches × 24 rows = 4 inches in stockinette stitch

The listing includes US 8 / 5.0 mm needles for the main bulky-weight fabric and US 2 / 2.75 mm for smaller details.

Row gauge is especially important in this design because it affects the depth of the armholes and the overall fit.

Knotted Hood and I-Cord Closures

The details are what make Duck Soup memorable. Instead of a conventional hood, the design finishes with a playful knot at the top.

The front uses knotted i-cord buttons together with i-cord loops, creating decorative frog-style closures rather than standard buttons.

The original pattern also includes a photo tutorial for making these closures.

Construction and Skills

Duck Soup is worked top-down and is described as nearly seamless. Depending on your experience, the project may involve:

• Top-down garment construction
• Raglan-style shaping
• Knitting back and forth on circular needles
• Knitting sleeves in the round
• I-cord
• Decorative frog closures
• Picking up or managing stitches around garment edges

The combination makes it more involved than a very basic baby cardigan, but also gives the finished jacket much more character.

Is Duck Soup a Free Knitting Pattern?

No. The Duck Soup pattern by annypurls is currently a paid pattern on Ravelry.

At the time this Amazing Knitting page was originally created, availability or external links may have been presented differently. We now direct readers to the designer's current Ravelry listing so they can see the latest price and availability.

Amazing Knitting does not reproduce the designer's copyrighted knitting instructions.

View the Duck Soup Pattern

Visit the original Ravelry page to see the current pattern details, price, sizing information, designer notes, and purchase options.

View the Duck Soup Pattern →

Pattern credit: Duck Soup was designed by annypurls. Pattern price, availability, sizing, and technical details are controlled by the designer and may change over time.

More Baby and Child Hoodie Knitting

Explore more baby hoodie knitting patterns, baby cardigan knitting patterns, and child sweater knitting patterns from the Amazing Knitting archive.

Before You Start

Check the original Ravelry listing before buying yarn or beginning the project so you can confirm the current price, size information, materials, gauge, and any pattern updates from the designer.

Cashmere Baby Cardigan - Free Knitting Pattern

 Photos above © Pierrot Yarns

What beautiful knitting baby cardigan (free pattern)! I found it on Pinterest...

This pattern available in English and Japanese. Both versions are fully charted using standard knitting and/or crochet symbols.

Download Pattern: Cashmere Baby Cardigan

Baby Cardigan and Romper - Knitting Pattern

Designed by © OGE Knitwear Designs

What beautiful baby cardigan and romper knitting pattern! I found it on Etsy...

Seamless top down sweater can be knitted with or without sleeves. Oneseie is knitted in garter stitch with a small amount of seaming required. Rated easy by Ravelrers. Sizes Cardigan -- 3 to 6 months, 6 to 12 months, 12 to 18 months : Onesie -- 0 to 3 months, 6 to 9 months, 9 to 12 months. DK weight yarn.

Full Post: Baby Cardigan and Romper 

Sheep Yoke Baby Cardigan - Free Knitting Pattern

Photos above © FrenchPressKnits

What a beautiful knitting baby cardigan(free pattern)! I found it on Ravelry... This sweater was inspired by one in Gibson-Roberts’ and Robson’s Knitting in the Old Way. This version is much simplified and resized for baby.

Download Pattern: Sheep Yoke Baby Cardigan 

Balina Top Down Cardigan - Knitting Pattern

Photos above © OGE Knitwear Designs & © mermade

What beautiful baby cardigan knitting pattern! I found it on Etsy...

Perfect pattern for the confident beginner who is ready to try knitting a top-down sweater according to the designer. Sleeves can be knitted in the round, or for those knitters not ready to tackle working with a set of double-pointed needles, there are also instructions included for the sleeves to be knitted flat. Rated easy by the designer. Sizes 1-3 months, 3-6 months, 6-12 months. DK weight yarn.

Full Post: Balina Top Down Cardigan

Baby Maebry Cardigan - Knitting Pattern

Designed by © OGE Knitwear Designs

What beautiful knitting baby cardigan pattern! I found it on Pinterest...

Baby and toddler sweater knit top-down in one piece in stockinette and garter stitch with a border in daisy stitch. Sizes 3 months, 6 months, 12 months, 18 months, 2 years.

Full Post: Baby Maebry Cardigan

Baby Yoda for Babies - Knitting Pattern

Designed by © Arianna Soloway

What beautiful baby cardigan knitting pattern! I found it on Ravelry...

Baby cardigan with hood inspired by the Star Wars The Mandalorian baby alien. The sleeves roll up and the hood cinches down for an adjustable fit. Bulky weight yarn.

Full Post: Baby Yoda for Babies

Baby Hooded Wrap Cardigan - Knitting Pattern

Photos above © parksidepurler

What beautiful knitting hooded crap cardigan pattern! I found it on Etsy.

A quick and very easy pattern, perfect for the new to knitting (If you can cast on, knit, increase and cast off, you can knit this beautiful Baby Hooded Wrap Cardigan).

Full Post: Baby Hooded Wrap Cardigan 

Pink Lady (Knitted Baby Cardigan) - Free Knitting Pattern

Photos above © Creativa Atelier

Today I want to show you a different way of making a Knitted Baby Cardigan. As many of you know, we have made cardigans starting from the neck, starting from the bottom and seaming different pieces together, but the interesting thing about today’s tutorial is that the knitted garment is not going to be shaped the usual way of making horizontal lines but instead vertical. On this occasion, we are going to learn to make a Knitted Baby Cardigan using a pattern that starts by knitting a sleeve and ending with the other one.

Full Post: Pink Lady

Gai Baby Cardigan/Sweater - Free Knitting Pattern

I strongly recommend reading this free knitting pattern. It’s written in an easy-to-follow way and includes the key measurements, yarn quantities, needle size guidance, and step-by-step directions so you can move through the project with confidence. If you enjoy baby knitting patterns and want something you can actually finish and wear, this one is definitely worth your time.

Full Post: Gai Baby Cardigan

Preemie Wrap Cardigan Knitting Pattern

The photo above © Angela Louise Wood

Download this knitting pattern for free and make a lovely wrap over cardigan for your baby. The cardigan is knitted in one piece, starting from the waist and working up to the neckline. You will need a stitch holder to keep some stitches on hold. The yarn used is double knit baby wool and the needles are 4mm, either straight or circular.

Download Pattern: Preemie Wrap Cardigan 

Fuss Free Baby Cardigan - Free Pattern

Photos above © grandmasuzibobs

I found this beautiful knitting cardigan pattern list on Ravelry.

A simple and fuss free baby cardigan, ideal for a knitter who is new to seamless knitting, this tiny garment allows for lots of customization to suit baby girls and boys alike.

Download Pattern: Fuss Free Baby Cardigan

Easy Garter Stitch Sideways Baby Cardigan - Free Knitting Pattern

The photo above © DROPS Design

What beautiful knitting pattern! Knitted wrap cardigan in garter st and crochet edge for baby in DROPS BabyMerino. Size premature - 4 years.

Full Post: Bedtime Stories

Beautiful And Easy Knitting Pattern For Sweater/Cardigan/Baby Blanket/Shawl

Photos above © knit with me

What beautiful knitting pattern for Sweater/Cardigan/Baby Blanket/Shawl. I found it on Pinterest.

I like this tutorial, a very beautiful pattern...

Full Post: Easy Knitting Pattern 

Eyelet Yoke Baby Cardigan - Free Pattern

Photos above © AliciaPaulson

What beautiful cardigan (free knitting pattern)! I found it on Ravelry...

This pattern is written for most Sport or finer Double Knitting yarns. The finished size isn’t exact or crucial, so within reason, you can adapt it to your own yarn and tension.

Full Post: Eyelet Yoke Baby Cardigan

Baby Cardigan with Cables - Free Pattern

Photos above © Cheval Blanc

I found this beautiful knitting Cardigan on Pinterest.

Free Knitting Baby Pattern Cardigan with Cable. Need Intermediate skill level.

Available sizes: 0-3 months, 6 months, 12 months, 2 years, 3 years and 4 years Cardigan for children.

Download Pattern: Baby Cardigan with Cables

Linnie Cardigan - Free Knitting Pattern

The photo above © Justyna Lorkowska

What beautiful knitting baby cardigan (free knitting pattern)! I found it on Ravelry...

Linnie is a seamless cardigan knit utilizing the top-down raglan shaping method. It is perfect if you wish to destash some sock yarn lying around somewhere in your house :-)

Download Pattern: Linnie