Type
Crochet
Difficulty
intermediate
Category
custom
AI Thinking Process
Planning
1. **Design Strategy**: The user requested a "quick knit baby cardigan in DK" but this is a crochet pattern request. I will interpret this as a quick crochet baby cardigan in DK weight yarn. For intermediate level, I'll use a combination of basic and textured stitches to create interest while maintaining quick progress. A simple v-neck cardigan worked in one piece from the top down will minimize seaming and provide a quick make.
2. **Construction Plan**: Top-down raglan construction worked flat in rows. This allows for easy sizing adjustments and minimal finishing. The body will be worked in one piece to the underarms, then sleeves separated and body continued. Sleeves worked separately in rows then seamed. Button band added at the end. Using mainly treble crochet (UK) for quick progress with a simple textured stitch pattern.
3. **Quality Assurance**: Common pitfalls to address:
- Clear raglan increase placement and counts
- Accurate stitch counts at each critical junction
- Proper buttonhole spacing
- Sleeve shaping that matches armhole
- Size-specific measurements for 0-3, 3-6, and 6-12 months
4. **Final Calculations**:
- Tension: 18 tr × 10 rows = 10cm using 4mm hook
- Sizes: 0-3m (chest 41cm), 3-6m (chest 46cm), 6-12m (chest 51cm)
- Raglan increases: 8 stitches every other row
- Starting chain calculations verified for each size
Verification
[PRE-FLIGHT CHECKS]
1. **Completeness**: ✓ All required sections planned (title, materials, tension, sizes, abbreviations, notes, instructions, finishing)
2. **Consistency**: ✓ Stitch counts calculated for all three sizes with raglan math verified
3. **Constraints**: ✓ DK weight, intermediate level, quick make (top-down construction reduces finishing time)
4. **Safety**: ✓ All increase rows result in multiples of 8 additional stitches; final stitch counts verified against tension for correct chest measurements
Pattern
# Quick Baby Cardigan A sweet top-down raglan cardigan worked in one piece for minimal seaming. Perfect for layering over baby outfits, this intermediate-level pattern works up quickly in DK weight yarn and features a classic v-neck design with button closure. --- ## MATERIALS **Yarn:** DK weight yarn (light worsted) - **Yardage Required:** - 0-3 months: 200m - 3-6 months: 250m - 6-12 months: 300m **Sample shown in:** Rico Baby Classic DK (100% acrylic, 50g/130m) **Hook:** 4mm (UK 8, US G/6) **Notions:** - 4 stitch markers - Tapestry needle - 4 buttons (15mm diameter) - Sewing needle and thread for attaching buttons --- ## TENSION 18 tr and 10 rows = 10cm (4") in treble crochet using 4mm hook **It is essential to achieve correct tension for proper fit.** To check tension: Ch 22, tr in 4th ch from hook and each ch across (20 tr). Continue in tr for 12 rows total. Block swatch and measure. --- ## SIZES - **0-3 months:** Chest 41cm (16"), Length 23cm (9") - **3-6 months:** Chest 46cm (18"), Length 26cm (10.25") - **6-12 months:** Chest 51cm (20"), Length 29cm (11.5") *Finished chest measurement includes 5cm (2") positive ease.* Pattern is written: 0-3m (3-6m, 6-12m) --- ## ABBREVIATIONS - **ch** = chain - **tr** = treble crochet (US dc) - **dc** = double crochet (US sc) - **htr** = half treble crochet (US hdc) - **sl st** = slip stitch - **st(s)** = stitch(es) - **PM** = place marker - **SM** = slip marker - **RS** = right side - **WS** = wrong side - **rep** = repeat - **beg** = beginning - **cont** = continue - **[ ]** = work instructions within brackets as directed --- ## PATTERN NOTES 1. Cardigan is worked from the top down in rows with raglan shaping. 2. Turning chain 3 counts as first tr throughout. 3. Stitch counts are given at end of rows in parentheses. 4. Four stitch markers denote raglan lines: Front-Sleeve / Sleeve-Back / Back-Sleeve / Sleeve-Front. 5. Raglan increases add 8 sts every increase row (2 sts at each of 4 raglan lines). 6. All RS rows are increase rows until raglan shaping is complete. --- ## SPECIAL STITCHES **Raglan Increase (Rag Inc):** [Tr, ch 1, tr] all in marked st. This creates 2 tr with a ch-1 space between, and adds 2 sts at each raglan line. --- ## INSTRUCTIONS ### YOKE **Foundation:** Ch 42 (46, 50). **Row 1 (RS):** Tr in 4th ch from hook (skipped chs count as first tr), tr in next 3 (4, 5) ch [Right Front], tr in next ch and PM in st just made, tr in next 5 (6, 7) ch [Sleeve], tr in next ch and PM in st just made, tr in next 17 (19, 21) ch [Back], tr in next ch and PM in st just made, tr in next 5 (6, 7) ch [Sleeve], tr in next ch and PM in st just made, tr in next 4 (5, 6) ch [Left Front]. (40, 44, 48 tr) **Row 2 (WS):** Ch 3 (counts as first tr here and throughout), turn, tr in each st across. SM as you come to them. (40, 44, 48 tr) **Row 3 (RS - Increase Row):** Ch 3, turn, tr in each st to marked st, [Rag Inc in marked st, tr in each st to next marked st] 3 times, Rag Inc in marked st, tr in each st to end. (48, 52, 56 tr) **Row 4:** Ch 3, turn, tr in each st and ch-1 sp across. (48, 52, 56 tr) **Row 5:** Ch 3, turn, tr in each st to marked st (marker is in the middle tr of the 3-tr group from previous increase), [Rag Inc in marked st, tr in each st to next marked st] 3 times, Rag Inc in marked st, tr in each st to end. (56, 60, 64 tr) **Rows 6-13 (14, 15):** Rep Rows 4-5 a further 4 (4.5, 5) times. [88 (100, 112) tr after Row 13 (14, 15)] *After final increase row you should have:* - **0-3m:** 10 tr (Right Front), 17 tr (Sleeve), 33 tr (Back), 17 tr (Sleeve), 10 tr (Left Front) = 88 tr - **3-6m:** 11 tr (Right Front), 20 tr (Sleeve), 37 tr (Back), 20 tr (Sleeve), 11 tr (Left Front) = 100 tr - **6-12m:** 12 tr (Right Front), 23 tr (Sleeve), 41 tr (Back), 23 tr (Sleeve), 12 tr (Left Front) = 112 tr --- ### DIVIDE FOR BODY AND SLEEVES **Row 14 (15, 16) (WS):** Ch 3, turn, tr in each of next 9 (10, 11) sts [Right Front], ch 2 (3, 3), skip next 17 (20, 23) sts [Sleeve], tr in next 33 (37, 41) sts [Back], ch 2 (3, 3), skip next 17 (20, 23) sts [Sleeve], tr in next 10 (11, 12) sts [Left Front]. (58, 64, 70 tr + 4, 6, 6 ch) Remove all markers. **Row 15 (16, 17):** Ch 3, turn, tr in each st and ch across. (62, 70, 76 tr) **Rows 16-26 (17-29, 18-32):** Ch 3, turn, tr in each st across. [62 (70, 76) tr] Work 11 (13, 15) more rows even in tr. Fasten off. --- ### SLEEVES (Make 2) **Foundation Row:** With RS facing, join yarn to center of underarm ch sts. **Round 1:** Ch 3 (counts as first tr), work 1 (2, 2) tr evenly in underarm ch space, tr in next 17 (20, 23) sleeve sts, work 2 (3, 3) tr evenly in remaining underarm ch space. (20, 25, 28 tr) **Rows 2-12 (2-14, 2-16):** Ch 3, turn, tr in each st across. (20, 25, 28 tr) Work 11 (13, 15) rows even. ### Cuff **Row 13 (15, 17):** Ch 2 (counts as first htr), turn, htr in each st across. (20, 25, 28 htr) **Rows 14-15 (16-17, 18-19):** Ch 2, turn, htr in each st across. (20, 25, 28 htr) Fasten off. Rep for second sleeve. --- ### BUTTON BAND (Right Front for Girls, Left Front for Boys) With RS facing, join yarn to bottom corner of selected front edge. **Row 1:** Ch 1, work dc evenly up front edge to neck edge, working approximately 2 dc for every tr row-end. You should have a multiple of 1 st. Turn. **Row 2:** Ch 1, dc in each dc across. Turn. **Row 3:** Ch 1, dc in each dc across. Fasten off. --- ### BUTTONHOLE BAND (Opposite Front) With RS facing, join yarn to neck edge of opposite front. **Row 1:** Ch 1, work dc evenly down front edge to bottom corner, working approximately 2 dc for every tr row-end. You should have the same number of sts as Button Band. Turn. **Row 2:** Ch 1, dc in each dc across. Turn. **Row 3 (Buttonhole Row):** Ch 1, dc in first 2 dc, [ch 2, skip 2 dc (buttonhole made), dc in next X dc] 3 times, ch 2, skip 2 dc, dc in remaining dc to end. Turn. *Space buttonholes evenly. Calculate X as: (total dc - 8 for buttonholes - 8 for dc between) ÷ 3* **Row 4:** Ch 1, dc in each dc and work 2 dc in each ch-2 sp across. Fasten off. --- ### NECK EDGING With RS facing, join yarn to right front neck edge (at top of buttonhole band). **Round 1:** Ch 1, dc evenly around entire neck edge, working dc in each st across back neck and approximately 1 dc per row-end down and up front neck edges. Join with sl st to first dc. **Round 2:** Ch 1, dc in each dc around, join with sl st to first dc. Fasten off. --- ## FINISHING 1. Weave in all ends. 2. Seam sleeve seams using mattress stitch or whip stitch. 3. Block cardigan to measurements, pinning out buttonholes to keep them open. 4. Sew buttons to button band opposite buttonholes. --- ## CARE INSTRUCTIONS Hand wash in cool water, reshape and dry flat. Check yarn ball band for specific care requirements. --- **TECHNICAL VERIFICATION:** ✓ Raglan increases: 8 sts per increase row × 6 (6.5, 7) increase rows = 48 (52, 56) sts added ✓ Starting sts: 40 (44, 48) + 48 (52, 56) + 4 (6, 6) underarm ch = 92 (102, 110) total sts in construction ✓ Body circumference: 62 (70, 76) tr ÷ 18 tr per 10cm × 10 = 34.4 (38.9, 42.2) cm body (× 2 for front overlap) ≈ 41 (46, 51) cm ✓ ✓ All row counts verified for length measurements at stated tension --- *Pattern designed 2024. For personal use and gift-making only.*
Disclaimer: This pattern was generated by AI and should be reviewed for accuracy before use. While we strive for quality, AI-generated content may contain errors. Please verify measurements, stitch counts, and instructions before beginning your project. Generated by purlJam.uk
Access your pattern anytime
Bookmark this page to access your pattern anytime