Top-Down Raglan Baby Cardigan (DK/light worsted)

Size range: Newborn (0-3, 3-6, 6-12, 12-18 months). This is a simple, classic top-down raglan cardigan worked in DK/light-worsted yarn with a neat ribbed button band. Knit in the round to the underarms, then separate sleeves and body. Instructions give exact cast-on and stitch targets per size, measurements, yardage, needle sizes (US/UK old/metric) and fully written raglan increase and finishing steps.

Finished measurements (approx)

• Chest circumference: 16 (17.5, 18.5, 19, 20.5) in / 40.5 (44.5, 47, 48.5, 52) cm
• Body length (shoulder to hem): 7.75 (9, 10, 11, 12) in / 20 (23, 25.5, 28, 30.5) cm
• Sleeve length (center of raglan seam to cuff): 6 (7, 8, 9, 10) in / 15 (18, 20.5, 23, 25.5) cm

Yarn

DK / light-worsted weight. Approximate amounts by size (allow extra for stripes or textured stitches):

• Newborn: 150 yds (137 m) — ~50 g
• 0-3 months: 200 yds (183 m) — ~75 g
• 3-6 months: 250 yds (229 m) — ~100 g
• 6-12 months: 300 yds (274 m) — ~115 g
• 12-18 months: 350 yds (320 m) — ~140 g

Notes: yardage is approximate; use 100 g skeins of a common DK yarn (~220-250 yds/100 g) to estimate number of skeins.

Needles

• Main: US 6 / UK 4 / 4.0 mm; 16” (40 cm) circular for body (magic loop or longer circular) and DPNs or 40” magic loop for sleeves.
• Smaller for ribbing: US 5 / UK 6 / 3.75 mm (or US 5 / 3.75 mm) (use same cable length as preferred for sleeves/body).

Notions

• Stitch markers (4), removable markers preferred
• Tapestry needle, stitch holders or waste yarn
• 6 matching buttons (size ~12 mm) for newborn, up to 8 for larger sizes
• Waste yarn for provisional cast-on optional

Gauge

22 sts and 30 rows = 4 in / 10 cm in stockinette stitch on US 6 / 4.0 mm. IMPORTANT: swatch in stockinette and in rib if you plan to change needle sizes for ribbing.

Abbreviations (US)

• K = knit
• P = purl
• K2tog = knit 2 together
• SSK = slip, slip, knit (left-leaning decrease)
• M1R = make one right (lift bar from left needle, knit through back loop)
• M1L = make one left (lift bar from left needle, knit through front loop) — or use your preferred paired M1 method
• PM = place marker
• SM = slip marker
• CO = cast on
• BO = bind off

Pattern notes

This is a top-down raglan worked in the round. You will cast on a small number of stitches for the neck, place 4 markers to mark raglan lines, and work increase rounds (adds 8 stitches per increase round) until you reach the stitch count/yoke depth listed. Then split for sleeves and body: place sleeve stitches on holders and CO a few underarm stitches, join to work body in the round. Body is worked to desired length and finished with ribbing. Sleeves are joined and worked in the round and finished with ribbing. Button band is worked after blocking by picking up and knitting along the front edges, or work a provisional cast-on for the neck and work band in pattern as preferred.

Size-specific stitch targets and cast-on

For clarity: each size lists (cast-on total stitches) then target total stitches after raglan increases and recommended raglan increase rounds. Gauge = 5.5 sts per inch (22 sts = 4”).

• Newborn: CO 56 sts. Work 4 raglan increase rounds — target total 88 sts (22 sts per section).
• 0-3 months: CO 64 sts. Work 4 raglan increase rounds — target total 96 sts (24 sts per section).
• 3-6 months: CO 68 sts. Work 4 raglan increase rounds — target total 100 sts (25 sts per section).
• 6-12 months: CO 72 sts. Work 4 raglan increase rounds — target total 104 sts (26 sts per section).
• 12-18 months: CO 80 sts. Work 4 raglan increase rounds — target total 112 sts (28 sts per section).

Alternate method: instead of fixed rounds, work increase rounds until yoke depth (measured from cast-on) reaches approximately 4.25 (4.5, 5, 5.5, 6) in / 11 (11.5, 12.5, 14, 15) cm OR until total stitch count equals the target above.

Cast-on & raglan yoke

1. Using smaller needles (US 5 / 3.75 mm), CO the number of stitches for your size using your preferred cast-on (long-tail recommended). Join carefully to work in the round, being careful not to twist.
2. PM between sections as follows: divide cast-on by 4 and place markers so you have: Front1 marker Sleeve1 marker Back marker Sleeve2 marker (i.e., 4 markers marking the raglan 'seams'). Example for newborn CO56: 14 sts / marker / 14 / marker / 14 / marker / 14 / marker.
3. Switch to US 6 / 4.0 mm needle. Round 1 (set-up): *K to 1 stitch before marker, M1R, K1, SM, K1, M1L; repeat from * at each marker to end of round. (This increases 8 stitches per round.)
4. Round 2: Knit all stitches (or knit as pattern if you prefer a textured yoke).
5. Repeat Rounds 1 and 2 for the number of raglan increase rounds specified above (or until yoke depth target is reached). After the last increase round, you will have the target total stitch count listed for your size.

Separate sleeves and body

1. After finishing raglan increases, place sleeve stitches on waste yarn or stitch holders. Sleeve stitches = (total sts / 4). Example newborn: 22 sts to sleeve 1, 22 sleeve 2.
2. Join body: With right side facing, join to work the body in the round by casting on underarm stitches where sleeves were separated. CO underarm stitches: Newborn and 0-3: CO 6 sts; 3-6, 6-12, 12-18: CO 8 sts. (These create little underarm gussets.)
3. Arrange stitches on needle as: Front stitches + CO underarm sts + Back stitches + CO underarm sts. Place a marker at the beginning of the round.

Body

1. Work in stockinette in the round (knit every round) until body measures approx 5 (6, 6.5, 7.5, 8.5) in / 12.5 (15, 16.5, 19, 21.5) cm from underarm (or desired length), ending at the center back marker.
2. Switch to smaller needles (US 5 / 3.75 mm) and work 1x1 rib (K1, P1) for 1 in / 2.5 cm, or 3/4 in for newborn if you prefer a shorter band.
3. Bind off loosely in rib pattern. We recommend a stretchy bind-off (e.g., tubular or sewn bind-off) to keep edge elastic.

Sleeves

1. Transfer sleeve stitches from holders to needles and pick up the underarm CO sts so each sleeve is in the round (sleeve sts + underarm sts). 
2. Place a marker for beginning of round and work stockinette in the round, decreasing gradually if desired: For a tapered sleeve, decrease 2 sts evenly across the sleeve every 1.25 in / 3 cm until you reach about 30 (32, 34, 36, 38) sts or desired cuff circumference. Use K2tog or SSK paired decreases to maintain shape (e.g., decrease once at each side of sleeve). Alternatively work sleeves straight for a looser fit.
3. When sleeve length from underarm measures 6 (7, 8, 9, 10) in / 15 (18, 20.5, 23, 25.5) cm (or desired length), switch to smaller needles and work 1x1 rib (K1, P1) for 1 in / 2.5 cm, then bind off loosely in rib.

Button band (two options)

Option A — pick up and knit

1. With RS facing and smaller needles (US 5), pick up and knit approx one stitch for every cast-on or every other row along right front edge from hem to neck. Work 1x1 rib down the band for same length as body rib and bind off. Repeat for left front but create buttonholes on this side.
2. Buttonhole placement: Space 6 (7, 7, 8, 8) buttonholes evenly from hem upward, leaving 1/2 in / 1 cm from hem and neck. Make buttonholes as follows when working right-to-left on band rows: K1, (YO, K2tog), continue in pattern. Adjust placement to fit buttons.

Option B — i-cord or facing

Worked similarly: pick up fewer stitches and work an i-cord or narrow 2x2 rib band; add buttonholes across the row by working YO, K2tog (or use bound-off slits and sewn buttonhole method).

Finishing

• Weave in ends with tapestry needle.
• Block gently to measurements: steam/block lightly to even stitches and set rib.
• Sew on buttons opposite buttonhole positions. Use secure stitches and reinforce with a small ribbon or backing if desired.
• Sew underarm seams if needed (if you prefer to sew a small seam where gussets join), though a well-done CO underarm will often create a neat join without sewing.

Tips & troubleshooting

• If your gauge is too loose, go down one needle size; if too tight, go up one size. Check both stitch and row gauge.
• To adjust length, add or subtract rounds to body or sleeves. Keep increases and decreases symmetrical.
• If you prefer a cleaner neckline, work a provisional cast-on for neck and graft or pick up later to work a neat finishing band.
• To add shaping or a yoke pattern, substitute the stockinette yoke increases with a small lace or textured stitch but keep increases evenly placed at raglan markers.

Abbreviated quick-reference (knitters who want to skim)

CO as size stated on US 5; join; switch to US 6 and work raglan increase rounds (K to 1 st before marker, M1R, K1, SM, K1, M1L) every other round for 4 full increase rounds (or until yoke depth is right). Place sleeve sts on holders, CO underarm sts, continue body in the round to desired length, rib and BO. Sleeves: transfer sts, work to length, rib and BO. Pick up and work button bands; sew buttons.

Yarn & needle equivalences (quick)

• Needles: US 6 = UK 4 = 4.0 mm; US 5 = UK 6 = 3.75 mm.
• DK yarn: typical 220-250 yds / 100 g; yardage given above in both yd and m and approximate grams.

Contact & pattern notes

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