Cuddle-Me Baby Cardigan (Top-Down DK Raglan)

A seamless, top-down baby cardigan with tidy garter button bands worked as you go. Calm, comfy, and super giftable.

Skill level: Adventurous beginner. Techniques: long-tail cast on, knit/purl, M1L/M1R increases, knitting flat and in the round, simple buttonholes (yo, k2tog), basic finishing.

Sizes and finished measurements

Sizes: A(0–3 mo), B(3–6 mo), C(6–12 mo), D(12–18 mo). Designed ease ~2 in/5 cm.

• Finished chest: A 18 in/46 cm; B 19 in/48 cm; C 20 in/51 cm; D 21.5 in/55 cm.
• Yoke depth (approx): A 4.5 in/11.5 cm; B 4.75 in/12 cm; C 5.25 in/13.5 cm; D 5.75 in/14.5 cm.
• Body length from underarm (to hem): A 4.5 in/11.5 cm; B 5 in/13 cm; C 5.5 in/14 cm; D 6 in/15 cm.
• Sleeve length from underarm: A 5 in/12.5 cm; B 5.5 in/14 cm; C 6 in/15 cm; D 6.5 in/16.5 cm.

Materials

• Yarn: DK weight (Category 3). Suggested fibers: superwash merino, cotton blend, or acrylic blend suitable for babies. Approx usage by size (allow extra for swatching/variations):
  • A: 220 yd/201 m; ~3.35 oz/95 g
  • B: 270 yd/247 m; ~4.1 oz/115 g
  • C: 320 yd/293 m; ~4.8 oz/135 g
  • D: 380 yd/347 m; ~5.6 oz/160 g
• Needles (include US/UK Old/Metric):
  • Larger for main fabric: US 6 / UK 8 / 4.0 mm circular (24–32 in/60–80 cm). Sleeves: US 6 / UK 8 / 4.0 mm DPNs or a long circular (32–40 in/80–100 cm) for magic loop.
  • Smaller for ribbing/neckband: US 5 / UK 9 / 3.75 mm.
• Notions: 6 stitch markers (4 raglan, 2 optional for bands), stitch holders or waste yarn, tapestry needle, 5–6 buttons 0.5 in/12 mm, blocking tools.

Gauge

22 sts and 30 rows = 4 in/10 cm in stockinette after washing and laying flat to dry, on larger needles. Adjust needle size to match gauge.

Abbreviations

• k, p = knit, purl
• st(s) = stitch(es)
• pm/sm = place/slip marker
• M1L/M1R = make 1 left/right (lift bar between sts and knit through the back/front loop respectively)
• yo = yarn over
• k2tog = knit 2 together
• ssk = slip, slip, knit (left-leaning decrease)
• RS/WS = right/wrong side

Notes

• Work flat for yoke/body with 5-st garter bands at each front edge. Buttonholes are worked on the buttonhole band as you go.
• Raglan increases happen on RS rows only: at each marker, work one increase on each side of the marker (no dedicated raglan stitch).
• Buttonhole side: by default, place buttonholes on the beginning-of-row band (right front as worn). For left-front buttonholes, work them on the last 5 sts of RS rows instead.
• Buttonhole recipe (within the 5-st garter band): k2, yo, k2tog, k1.

Construction overview

Top-down raglan. Cast on across neck and both fronts. Increase to yoke depth, divide for sleeves, work body flat, then sleeves in the round. Minimal finishing.

Pattern

1) Neckband and setup

1. With smaller needle, CO 54 sts using a stretchy cast-on. This count includes both 5-st garter bands.
2. Work 6 rows garter stitch (knit all sts) to form the neckband.
3. Setup row (RS, switch to larger needle): k5 (left band), k6 (left front), pm, k8 (left sleeve), pm, k16 (back), pm, k8 (right sleeve), pm, k6 (right front), k5 (right band). Sections now are: band 5 | front 6 | sm | sleeve 8 | sm | back 16 | sm | sleeve 8 | sm | front 6 | band 5.

2) Yoke increases

Increase counts by size (number of RS increase rows): A 14; B 15; C 15; D 17. After working these, if yoke depth is still short, work additional rows even (no increases) until reaching the depth listed under Sizes.

• RS increase row: k5; [knit to 1 st before next marker, M1R, sm, M1L] worked at each of the four raglan markers; knit to last 5 sts, k5. (+8 sts)
• WS row: k5, purl to last 5 sts, k5 (maintain garter bands).
• Buttonholes: Work on RS every 12 rows for sizes A/B (make 5 total), and every 14 rows for sizes C/D (make 6 total), beginning on the first RS increase row. Buttonhole within the first 5 sts of the row as: k2, yo, k2tog, k1. If placing on left front, do this over the last 5 sts of RS rows instead.

Section stitch counts just before dividing (excluding the 5+5 band sts):

• A (n=14): Fronts 20 sts each; Sleeves 36 sts each; Back 44 sts.
• B (n=15): Fronts 21 sts each; Sleeves 38 sts each; Back 46 sts.
• C (n=15): Fronts 21 sts each; Sleeves 38 sts each; Back 46 sts.
• D (n=17): Fronts 23 sts each; Sleeves 42 sts each; Back 50 sts.

3) Divide for body and sleeves (RS)

Underarm cast-on per size: A/B cast on 4 sts at each underarm; C/D cast on 6 sts at each underarm.

1. Knit across left band (5) and left front; slip left sleeve sts to holder; using backward-loop or cable cast-on, CO underarm sts as per size; knit across back; slip right sleeve sts to holder; CO underarm sts; knit across right front and right band. Place removable markers at each underarm if desired.
2. Body stitch counts after divide (including both 5-st bands and both underarms): A 102; B 106; C 110; D 118.
3. Sleeve stitches to start in the round later (each): A 40; B 42; C 44; D 48.

4) Body

1. Work even in stockinette (knit RS, purl WS) keeping 5-st garter bands at each edge until body measures from underarm: A 4.5 in/11.5 cm; B 5 in/13 cm; C 5.5 in/14 cm; D 6 in/15 cm. Continue buttonholes at your chosen interval until you have 5 total (A/B) or 6 total (C/D).
2. Change to smaller needle. Work 1x1 rib (k1, p1) for 1 in/2.5 cm. BO in pattern, not too tightly.

5) Sleeves (work both alike in the round)

1. With larger needles for small circumference, place held sleeve sts on needle. With RS facing, pick up and knit the number of underarm sts you cast on for the body (A/B 4, C/D 6), plus 1 extra stitch at each underarm edge to close gaps (pick up 2 extra total). On next round, work ssk over the first extra and k2tog over the second extra to return to the target stitch count listed above.
2. Begin round at center of underarm. Sleeve stitch counts to work from after closing gaps: A 40; B 42; C 44; D 48.
3. Tapering decreases:
   • A: [k1, ssk, knit to last 3 sts, k2tog, k1] every 6th round, 6 times total (ends with 28 sts). Then knit even to length.
   • B: Same decrease every 6th round, 7 times (to 28 sts). Then knit even.
   • C: Same decrease every 8th round, 7 times (to 30 sts). Then knit even.
   • D: Same decrease every 8th round, 8 times (to 32 sts). Then knit even.
4. Work until sleeve measures from underarm: A 5 in/12.5 cm; B 5.5 in/14 cm; C 6 in/15 cm; D 6.5 in/16.5 cm.
5. Change to smaller needle. Work 1x1 rib for 1 in/2.5 cm. BO in pattern.

6) Finishing

• Weave in ends. Gently block to finished measurements.
• Sew buttons opposite buttonholes, spacing to match. Ensure no loose threads remain on baby knits.

Schematic reference (approx)

• Neck opening width (flat): ~10–12 in/25–30 cm across sizes.
• Body width at chest (flat): A 9 in/23 cm; B 9.5 in/24 cm; C 10 in/25.5 cm; D 10.75 in/27.5 cm.

Customization tips

• Neck snugness: Work neckband on smaller needle (as written). For a wider neck, add 2 extra neckband rows before beginning raglan increases.
• Length: Add body rows before ribbing; each extra 6 rows adds ~0.8 in/2 cm.
• Stripe idea: 4-row stripes throughout yoke/body; carry yarn neatly at edges inside the garter band.

Care

Follow yarn label. Typically, cool wash and lay flat to dry for best shape retention.

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