Hi! Today, I’m excited to guide you through the step-by-step creation of an adorable ITSY-BITSY crochet cardigan. This vertical pattern is perfect for creating a unique and charming garment for the little ones in your life. Not only will this cardigan keep your little ones warm and comfortable, but it will also dress them in style and elegance.
But wait! If you prefer working with knitting needles instead of crochet hooks, don’t worry. You can find the knit version of this same cardigan by clicking on this link, the PINK LADY Knit Cardigan. No matter your preference, there’s no excuse not to try crafting this versatile and elegant garment for the little ones.
Throughout this tutorial, I’ll share everything you need to know to complete this exciting knitting project. So, prepare to create something truly special and let your creativity soar! Grab your crochet hook, and let’s get started!
Materials
✔︎ 2 balls of 50 gr. of KATIA Basic Merino (50 gr = 120 m). Color 80. DK/Light weight. You can also use 1 ball of 100 gr. of Katia Merino Classic, as it is practically the same yarn.
✔︎ 5 mm crochet hook (or the size needed to get the gauge ).
✔︎ Tapestry needle
✔︎ 1 wooden button
Techniques, stitches and abbreviations
- st /sts. Stitch/ stitches
- Chain (ch)
- Slip stitch (SS)
- Slip stitch through the back loop only (SS-back)
- Slip stitch through the front loop only (SS-front)
Gauge
18 stitches x 24 rows in Crochet Garter Stitch
How to crochet Garter Stitch?
You can chain as many stitches as you want and/or need to do this stitch. For our tension sample, we are going to chain 25 stitches.
Row 1: work in Slip Stitch (SS) until the end.
Row 2: ch 1, work in Slip stitch through the front loop only (SS-front) until the end.
Row 3: ch 1, work in Slip stitch through the back loop only (SS-back) until the end.
To continue working on this stitch, you just have to continue repeating rows 2 and 3 as many times as needed until you reach the desired length.
Once you’ve knitted several rows, you’ll notice the formation of horizontal ridges on the right side of your work. Each of these ridges consists of two rows and serves as a helpful way to keep track of the number of rows you’ve crocheted.
While you follow the online tutorial or the PDF pattern for this project, you’ll find that I refer to the number of “ridges” you should have before moving on to the next step. You must become proficient at counting these ridges precisely, so take a close look at the illustration and practice counting them audibly. By doing so, you’ll be well-prepared to confidently approach the pattern and craft something genuinely beautiful.
Observing our sample, we can clearly count a total of 16 ridges, indicating that we’ve finished 32 rows.
Tallas disponibles
Apart from the free 3-month size provided in this tutorial, the ITSY-BITSY crochet jacket comes in various sizes suitable for both babies and girls.
- For babies, these sizes are available: 3 months, 6 months, 9 months, 12 months, and 18 months.
- For girls, the sizes offered are: 2 years, 4 years, and 6 years.
Each size is individually available for purchase, allowing you to select the precise size you require. Alternatively, you have the option to buy the pattern containing all eight sizes at an irresistible price. This way, you can choose the perfect size for your little one, ensuring she’ll be comfortable in her new cardigan.
To access the PDF pattern, click here or on the image below!
The PDF pattern comes with added benefits that will greatly facilitate the process of crocheting your cardigan:
Downloadable pattern
You can easily access and retrieve the pattern at your convenience, without relying on a mobile network connection.
Ready to print
Print it out to keep it conveniently by your side during your crocheting sessions, allowing you to make notes, track progress, and more.
Detailed row-by-row instructions
In-depth, row-by-row instructions provide you with precise guidance at every stage. This means you won’t have to make any calculations on your own.
Detailed measurements
You will have all the detailed measurements of the garment, width, total length, armhole length, neckline, sleeve, etc.
Creating the ITSY-BITSY Baby Crochet Cardigan: A Step-by-Step Guide
You will find all the instructions to make this Baby Crochet Cardigan in size 3 months in the following images and text. You can also watch the video tutorial:
Crochet the cuff
Create a foundation chain of 29 stitches. Starting on the second chain from the hook, work 28 Slip Stitches (SS).
Work the next two rows in Slip stitch through the back loop only (SS-back).
Don’t forget to crochet a turning chain at the start of each row.
In the upcoming row, we will initiate the garter stitch, alternating between one row of SS-front and one row of SS-back.
To crochet this stitch, work the next row in SS-front and from there, start alternating SS-back and SS-front rows.
Work in this way 7 more rows or until you can count 3 ridges.
Crochet the sleeve to the armhole
Once the cuff area is formed, it’s vital to alter the stitch direction to ensure the right side of the garter stitch is visible when the cuff is folded over.
This step is critical for achieving the desired finish in our ITSY-BITSY crochet garment. By changing the stitch direction, we create a textured look that not only enhances the cuff’s appearance but also its functionality, adding a stylish touch to our cardigan. As you knit carefully, you’ll notice how this small change significantly impacts the final result.
To achieve this, with the wrong side of the work facing you, work the next row in SS-front all the way through.
Afterward, continue alternating between rows of SS-back and SS-front until you can count 14 ridges from the cuff.
Struggling to distinguish between a SS-back and SS-front row while crocheting? Don’t worry!
I have a trick that will make it crystal clear. Whenever the right side of your work is facing you (the side with the ridges), you should work SS-front. And whenever the wrong side of your work is facing you, you should work SS-back. With this simple trick, you’ll never have to doubt yourself again!
Right side → SS-front
Wrong side → SS-back
Work the body of the crochet cardigan
ow that you’ve completed the first sleeve, it’s time to add stitches on each side to begin shaping one of the fronts and the back. This next step will bring the garment to life and start to reveal its shape.
At the end of the last wrong side row, chain 19 stitches.
Turn your work and starting on the second chain from the hook, work 18 SS into the chain, 28 SS- front to the end. At the end of the row, chain 19 stitches to form the front.
A partir de la segunda cadeneta desde la aguja, teje 18, 28 PE- detrás, 18 PE-delante.
Starting from the second chain from the hook, work 18 SS, 28 SS-back, 18 SS-front.
Odd rows. ch 1, 1 SS, 17 SS-back, 28 SS-front, 18 SS-back.
Even rows. ch 1, 1 SS, 17 SS-front, 28 SS-back, 18 SS-front.
Knit in this way until you have completed 10 more ridges since you started knitting the front and back. You will have a total of 24 ridges.
Create the Neck Opening and work the First Front
Let’s concentrate on finishing the first front by working with only the initial 27 stitches.
Chain 1, 1 SS, 17 SS-front, and 9 SS-back.
From this point forward, continue working until you’ve formed 4 more ridges, alternating between SS-front and SS-back in each row to create the pattern of the ridges. If you look at the pictures, the first stitches near the neck should be garter stitch on the right side, and the last stitches should be garter stitch on the wrong side.
Even rows from 62 to 68. ch 1, 1 SS, 17 SS-front, 9 SS-back.
Odd rows from 61 to 67. ch 1, 1 SS, 8 SS-front, 18 SS-back.
To complete the first front, work 3 additional rows with all the stitches in SS-back. Cut the yarn at the end.
If you prefer a row-by-row approach and want to closely follow the instructions, you can buy the ITSY-BITSY Crochet Cardigan pattern in the tutorial size (3 months) for a budget-friendly price of 2.99€. Alternatively, you can choose from various baby and girl sizes, each available for just 3.99€. Select the size that suits your needs.
Continue working the back of the cardigan
Continue knitting the stitches that will make up the back. Skip 5 stitches and insert the hook in the sixth stitch, incorporating a new yarn to start crocheting.
In the first row, work 14 SS-back, 18 SS-front.
Continue crocheting, forming the pattern until you have 10 more ridges. At the end of the row cut the yarn.
Crochet the second front piece
At this stage, we will temporarily set aside our main work and shift our focus to knitting a new section, which will serve as the other front panel, including the eyelet for the button. Once this piece is complete, we’ll join it to our crochet jacket.
While this cardigan is relatively easy to knit, it is essential to approach this particular step with great care to ensure a successful outcome.
For this new section, you can either continue with the end from the inside of your ball or start with a new ball, depending on your preference.
Create a foundation chain of 28 stitches. Work the first row in Slip Stitch (SS) starting on the second chain from the hook.
Row 2. ch 1, SS 1, SS-back until the end.
Row 3. Eyelet row . ch 1, SS 1, ch 1, skip 1 st, SS-back until the end.
From now on, work this way:
Even rows . ch 1, SS 1, 17 SS-front, 9 SS-back.
Odd rows . ch 1, SS 1, 8 SS-front, 18 SS-back.
Work in this way until you have completed 4 ridges from the eyelet.
The yarn must be right where the picture shows, next to the garter stitch area on the wrong side, opposite the eyelet.
Join the front piece to the main work
You should now have two fabric pieces: the smaller one you’ve just completed, with the yarn tail on the right side, and the larger one, with the yarn tail also on the same side.
To join the two pieces, continue crocheting with the yarn of the front piece as follows: ch 1, SS 1, 17 SS-front, 9 SS-back. At the end, chain 5 sts.
Now, continue working the stitches from the back with the same yarn: 14 SS-back, 18 SS-front.
The two sections have now been connected!
In the next row, when you reach the chain stitch of the previous row, you must work 1 SS inot each of the stitches.
Now you only have to continue crocheting until completing 10 more ridges, always keeping the garter stitch strip in the center area.
Work the other sleeve of the crochet cardigan
After finishing the front and back sections of our baby crochet cardigan, we will focus on working with the 28 center stitches to create the other sleeve.
Work 1 ch, 1 SS, 17 SS-front, 28 SS-back in the next wrong side row.
Even if there are remaining stitches to complete the row, don’t worry; we will leave them unworked to shape the sleeve.
Turn the work and crochet 1 ch, 28 SS-front.
From this point onward, you’ll focus exclusively on these 28 stitches, working in garter stitch until you’ve completed 14 ridges.
Crochet the other cuff
Now, it’s time to work the cuff. Just as we did with the first one, we will change the stitch direction to ensure that the right side is visible when folded.
Work 1 ch, SS-front to the end in the next wrong side row.
Work in crochet garter stitch for 6 more rows or until you have completed 4 ridges.
Crochet the last 3 rows to SS-back.
Finally, cut the yarn, leaving it with a substantial length. You will use this same yarn to sew under the sleeves and along the sides of the crochet cardigan.
Final touches
Thread the long leftover yarn through a tapestry needle and use it to sew an invisible seam under the sleeves and along the sides. You can find a demonstration of creating this seam in the cardigan video tutorial, starting at 11:30.
At last, sew the button in place, ensuring it aligns perfectly with the eyelet. Once that’s complete, fold in the cuffs, and ta-da!! Your very own ITSY-BITSY crochet cardigan is ready to be proudly worn, combining comfort and style 😎.
This tutorial offers a unique and straightforward approach to crafting a baby cardigan. Rather than starting at the neck or bottom, as is traditional, we begin with one sleeve. The use of garter stitch crochet on both the wrong and right side adds a charming and distinctive touch.
Whether you’re an experienced crocheter or just starting your crochet journey, I hope this tutorial and pattern have sparked your creativity and motivated you to dive in and knit your very own ITSY-BITSY cardigan. 😊
I trust that you enjoyed this tutorial and feel inspired to start your next crochet project. If the adorable ITSY-BITSY cardigan has captured your heart, I invite you to share your experience and achievements on social media – I would be thrilled to see your personal interpretation! Remember to include the hashtags #creativaatelier, #rebecaITSY-BITSY, and #ITSY-BITSYCardigan so that we can all admire your creation. Your unique touch will make it truly special! 💖🧶
¡Besos!
Knitted Baby Cardigan – PINK LADY –
All I can say is that you are brilliant and amazing . Your designs are so unique in construction. They are my favourites. I can’t wait to try this😊❤️
Hi Libby! Thank you so much for your kind words! I’m glad to hear that you like my designs and I hope you have a great time trying this one out.🤗