An easy and beautiful kids’ cardigan for sizes 2-10 that is worked in one piece using the granny stitch technique.
If you’re familiar with our famous granny stitch cardigan for adults, then you’ll be excited to crochet this adorable matching kids’ version! This is a great project to make as a gift for Christmas or even as a birthday gift!
It can seem intimidating to crochet a cardigan, especially if it’s your first time.
You’ll come to realize that this specific cardigan for kids is actually done in one piece and is worked in rows. This makes it much easier for a beginner to take on this project as it’s not crocheted in rounds, which takes more time to get confident in doing.
About This Project
If you are familiar with the granny square, then you’ll be able to make this pattern pretty quickly.
The key difference about the granny square is that it uses the granny stitch technique worked in rounds. This specific cardigan is worked in rows, hence why it’s one of the easier garments to crochet.
Before we get into the pattern, there are two important points to note about this project. The first one is being aware that this is not a seamless cardigan, but the only seaming you’ll need to do is the ribbing.
And the second point is the ribbing piece of this project. Ribbing is a great add on to this cardigan as it gives it some shaping to the finished piece.
Prefer the PDF Version in All Sizes?
Grab the ad-free, printable PDF pattern in kids sizes 2-10.
You can view it on your computer, phone or tablet or download and print it at home.
The Granny Stitch Cardigan for Adults
If you’re interested to make this cardigan for adults, then check out the post below!
Skill Level
Since this project uses the granny stitch, which is relatively easy to learn and is worked in rows, I would consider this project suitable for an adventurous beginner.
Materials Needed
- – 258 yards of heavy worsted or aran weight yarn (for size 2 kids cardigan) Red Heart Super Saver Yarn in Frosty Green Fleck is shown
- – H/5.00mm hook
- – Buttons of your choice about .75’ in diameter (store bought or made with yarn, as pictured)
- – Scissors
- – Tapestry needle (useful for weaving in ends
- – Stitch markers (useful for tracking certain stop and starting points throughout the sweater.
Gauge
The gauge for this project is 13sts and 7 rows of dc per 4” square.
Abbreviation Used
- Ch-chain
- Dc-double crochet
- Ch-space – Chain space, meaning
- the open space created by chains
- in the previous row.
- Rep-repeat
- Sc-single crochet
- st/sts-stitch/stitches
Notes
- This pattern is written in US terms
- Repeats are shown inside of asterists(**)
Pattern Direction for Kids Cardigan Size 2
First Sleeve
Ch 20
Row 1: Skip 2 ch and dc2. *ch2, skip 2sts, dc3* Repeat for the rest of the row.
Row 2: Ch4 and turn. Skip your first solid section and dc3 into your ch-space. *ch2, skip 3sts (solid section) and dc3 into the next ch-space* Repeat until finished with the last ch-space in the row. Ch2, skip 2sts and dc into the end of the row.
Row 3: Ch2 and turn. Dc2 into your first ch-space. *ch2, skip 3sts(solid section) and dc3 into the next ch-space* Repeat for the whole row.
Increase Row
Row 4: Ch2 and turn. Dc in the next 2 dc in the solid section from your previous row. ch2, dc3 into the first ch-space (This increases the side of the sleeve.) *ch2, skip 3sts(solid section) and dc3 into the next ch-space* Repeat until finished with the last ch-space in the row. Ch2 and dc 3 into the last 3sts of the row.
Rows 5-8: Repeat rows 2-3
Row 9: Repeat row 4
Rows 10-13: Repeat rows 2-3
Row 14: Repeat row 4
Size 2: repeat row 2 (15 total sleeve rows)
Size 4: Repeat rows 2-3 2x (18 total sleeve rows)
Size 6: Repeat rows 2-3 2x, repeat row 4, and then repeat row 2 one more time. (20 total sleeve rows)
Size 8: Repeat rows 2-3 2x, repeat row 4, and then repeat rows 2-3 one more time. (21 total sleeve rows)
Size 10: Repeat rows 2-3 2x, repeat row 4, and then repeat rows 2-3 2x again. (23 total sleeve rows)
Starting Cardigan Body: First Front+Back Section
Starting from the end of your last sleeve row, ch23.
Turn, skip 2ch and dc2. *ch2, skip 2 sts and dc3* Rep across your chain and across the top of your sleeve, then ch2 and dc into the end of the row. (This gets the front section started)
Ch26
Turn, skip 2ch and dc2. *ch2, skip 2 sts and dc3* Rep across your chain and across the top of your sleeve, then ch2 and dc into the end of the row. (This gets the back section started, which is slightly longer than the front. You should have one more ch-space in the back than in the front).
Continue in the granny square stitch using your color pattern for 7 more rows. This will give you a front section that is 9 rows wide. When finished with this section, you should be at the bottom of the sweater back (where your work is one row wider).
Back-Only Section
For the next row, work 40 stitches up the row, and then stop. This row should leave you almost in the middle of the sleeve.
Crochet 4 more rows at this width (ending up at the neck of the sweater again).
Second Front and Back Section
Ch47
Turn, skip 2ch and dc2 *ch2, skip 2 sts and dc3* Repeat across the entire width of the sweater, joining with the existing rows when you get to them (the pattern should remain unbroken).
With your second front section started, continue in the granny square stitch for 8 more rows so that both front sections match. You should finish this portion at the bottom of the sweater back.
Second Sleeve
Setup: Crochet a the next row for 68 stitches (ending by working 3dc into a ch-space) and then stop. Ch4 and turn. Skip the first 3 sts and dc3 into the first ch-space.
Work the granny square stitch until the width is the same as the first sleeve. This counts as the first row of the second sleeve.
Crochet 0 rows at the same width
First decrease row: ch3 and turn. Skip the first 3 sts and dc3 into the first ch-space. Work the granny square stitch across the row until the last dc3. Dc into the end of the row without any chain stitches, so that the row is decreased on each side.
Crochet 4 rows at this width, starting with a ch4 and skipping a dc in the next row.
Repeat a decrease row followed by 4 normal rows.
Work another decrease row followed by 3 rows.
Sizes 2: Bind Off
Seaming
Fold the sweater in half so that the sleeves are lined up. Using slip stitches, seam from the wrist to the underarm and then down to the bottom of the sweater on both sides.
Note: with the back of the sweater being slightly longer than the front, you can decide to ease the two sides together and seam them completely down to the bottom, or you can choose to seam most of the way down to the bottom and leave a slight vent or slit on each side.
Cuffs
At the wrist, join the yarn and chain one single crochet around the wrist for four rounds, closing the round with the slip, stitch each time bind off and repeat on the other side.
Border and Hem
Round 1: join the yarn at one of the bottom corners and work, a single crochet border around the entire opening of the sweater: up one side and around the neck line down the other side and around the bottom of the sweater, using extra stitches at the corners as needed.
Round 2: Place stitch markers about 3/4 of the way up the sweater front on both sides and then for this round double crochet from the bottom of the sweater up each side to the stitch markers, using single crochet stitches, everywhere else as before.
Repeat rows 1-2 1 more time, before finishing with a round of just sc (repeating round 1 one last time).
Note: on rows after using dc stitches you’ll need to work 2 more sc on the bottom of the sweater to go across the width of the dc stitches.
Buttons
If making your own buttons, ch15 and then bind off. leaving a long tail (7-8”) on each end of your chain.
Roll up your chain stitches into a button shape. Using a tapestry needle and the yarn tail on the outside of your roll, stitch through the button multiple times in each direction, catching different stitches and parts of the yarn so that the button keeps its shape securely without holding it longer, and so the size is compressed to .75” in diameter. When finished, thread the rest of the tail down through the middle of the button so it hangs beside the other one.
Repeat until you have your desired number of buttons.
Evenly space the buttons along one side of the sweater front on the bottom ¾. Use the two tails to tie the buttons securely on, and test to ensure they can be buttoned along the dc stitches on the opposite side. Trim excess off the ends as needed.
Final Thoughts
Thank you so much for taking the time to spend your precious crochet time with me! I hope you enjoyed making this adorable kids cardigan that is perfect to wear all year round.
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