Introduction
There are few things that brighten a kitchen table quite like a little yellow cardigan coming together stitch by stitch. This sunny duckling sweater was born from one of those last-minute “I need something truly special” moments we all know too well, and it has that cheerful, homemade charm that makes people gasp a little when they find out you made it. The butter yellow color is pure springtime happiness, and the tiny crocheted duck waddling across the front is the detail everyone will remember.
About This Baby Cardigan Crochet Pattern
This cheerful little cardigan grows from the top down in one cozy piece, using raglan construction — you begin at the neckline and work toward the hem. The body needs no seaming afterward; it comes off the hook in one piece. Midway through, the sleeves rest on hold and get finished in the round — smooth and seamless.
That pretty texture in the photos? Just alternating rows of single and half double crochet forming sweet little ridges — no tricky stitchwork at all. With those two basic stitches in your toolbox, this sweater is yours for the making.
The duck is made separately and sewn on after blocking, so all that personality comes with zero stress to the main build — even the tiny orange feet, which are just a few surface slip stitches worked right onto the fabric. Couldn’t be sweeter.
Skill Level
On the skill scale, this one’s intermediate. Flat rows, rounds, raglan shaping, picking up stitches along an edge — if those are all old friends, you’ll feel right at home. Two simple garments under your belt? You’ll do wonderfully here. Each step follows the last in a clear, logical order, with me guiding you all the way.
Finished Measurements
This cardigan fits babies aged 6 to 12 months.
– Chest circumference (buttoned): 20 inches / 51 cm
– Total length (back neck to hem): 10.5 inches / 26.5 cm
– Sleeve length (underarm to cuff): 6.5 inches / 16.5 cm
– Upper arm circumference: 7 inches / 18 cm
Materials Needed for This Crochet Baby Sweater
Yarn:
– Worsted weight (Category 4)
– Main Color (MC): Approximately 280 yards / 256 meters of butter yellow
– Contrast Color 1 (CC1): Small amount of white for the duck
– Contrast Color 2 (CC2): Small amount of orange for the beak and feet
Yarn Suggestions:
– Lion Brand Pound of Love (100% acrylic). Soft and machine washable. You will need 2 skeins.
– Cascade 220 Superwash (100% superwash wool). Excellent stitch definition. 2 skeins needed.
– Paintbox Yarns Simply DK held doubled to achieve worsted gauge.
Hooks:
– US size G-6 / 4.00 mm for body and sleeves
– US size F-5 / 3.75 mm for neckband and cuffs
– US size E-4 / 3.50 mm for the duck applique
Notions:
– 6 wooden buttons, approximately 15 mm / 5/8 inch diameter
– Yarn needle
– 4 locking stitch markers
– Scissors
– Blocking mats and pins
Gauge
With the larger hook (G-6 / 4.00 mm) in the body stitch pattern:
16 stitches and 18 rows = 4 inches / 10 cm after blocking.
Please make a gauge swatch. Chain 22, work the body stitch pattern for 22 rows, block, and measure the center section. Gauge matters for garment fit. One hook size difference changes the chest measurement by about 1.25 inches.
Abbreviations
- beg = beginning
- BLO = back loop only
- ch = chain
- dc = double crochet (yarn over, insert hook, pull up a loop, yarn over and pull through 2 loops twice)
- hdc = half double crochet (yarn over, insert hook, pull up a loop, yarn over and pull through all 3 loops)
- inc = increase (work 2 stitches in the same stitch)
- MC = main color
- CC1 = contrast color 1 (white)
- CC2 = contrast color 2 (orange)
- MR = magic ring
- pm = place marker
- rem = remaining
- rep = repeat
- RS = right side
- sc = single crochet (insert hook, pull up a loop, yarn over and pull through both loops)
- sl st = slip stitch
- sm = slip marker
- sp = space
- st(s) = stitch(es)
- tch = turning chain
- tog = together
- WS = wrong side
- yo = yarn over
- sc2tog = single crochet two together (insert hook in next stitch, draw up a loop, insert hook in following stitch, draw up a loop, yarn over and pull through all 3 loops)
Special Stitches and Techniques
Body Stitch Pattern (worked flat):
– Row A (RS): Chain 1, turn. Single crochet in each stitch across.
– Row B (WS): Chain 1, turn. Half double crochet in each stitch across.
Alternate these two rows throughout the body and yoke.
Raglan Increase Row:
At each of the 4 raglan markers, work: sc in stitch before marker, move marker up, 2 sc in next stitch, sc in next stitch. This adds 8 stitches total per increase row.
Pattern Notes Before You Begin
- The cardigan is worked flat from the top down. Do not join into a round during yoke construction.
- Chain 1 at the beginning of every row does NOT count as a stitch.
- Raglan markers are placed in the chain stitch between each section. Move them up each row.
- Stitch counts in parentheses show total working stitches, not including turning chains.
- When dividing for sleeves, place sleeve stitches on scrap yarn holders.
- Block the finished garment before sewing on buttons and the duck applique.
Step by Step Crochet Pattern Instructions
Neckband
With smaller hook (F-5 / 3.75 mm) and MC, chain 66.
Setup Row (WS): Single crochet in second chain from hook and in each chain across. (65 sc)
Row 1 (RS): Chain 1, turn. Single crochet in each stitch across. (65 sc)
Row 2 (WS): Chain 1, turn. Single crochet in back loop only of each stitch across. (65 sc)
Row 3 (RS): Chain 1, turn. Single crochet in each stitch across. (65 sc)
Do not cut yarn. Switch to larger hook (G-6 / 4.00 mm).
The BLO row creates a fold ridge. Later, you will fold the neckband in half and sew it down for a clean finish.
Yoke Setup Row
Yoke Setup Row (RS): With larger hook, chain 1, turn.
Single crochet 10 (right front), chain 1 (raglan spine, place marker), single crochet 10 (right sleeve), chain 1 (raglan spine, place marker), single crochet 25 (back), chain 1 (raglan spine, place marker), single crochet 10 (left sleeve), chain 1 (raglan spine, place marker), single crochet 10 (left front).
Total: 65 sc plus 4 ch-1 raglan spines.
Yoke
Raglan increases happen every RS row. WS rows are worked even in hdc with no increases.
Yoke Row 1 (WS): Chain 1, turn. Half double crochet in each stitch and in each chain-1 spine across. (69 hdc)
From this point, treat the chain-1 spine from the previous row as a regular stitch. Place a locking marker in each spine stitch and move it up every row.
Yoke Row 2 (RS, increase): Chain 1, turn. Single crochet to 1 stitch before marker, 2 sc in next st, sc in spine stitch, 2 sc in next stitch repeat 4 times, sc to end. (77 sc)
Yoke Row 3 (WS, even): Chain 1, turn. Half double crochet in each stitch across. (77 hdc)
Yoke Row 4 (RS, increase): Work as Row 2 increase. (85 sc)
Yoke Row 5 (WS, even): Half double crochet across. (85 hdc)
Yoke Row 6 (RS, increase): Work increase. (93 sc)
Yoke Row 7 (WS, even): Half double crochet across. (93 hdc)
Yoke Row 8 (RS, increase): Work increase. (101 sc)
Yoke Row 9 (WS, even): Half double crochet across. (101 hdc)
Yoke Row 10 (RS, increase): Work increase. (109 sc)
Yoke Row 11 (WS, even): Half double crochet across. (109 hdc)
Yoke Row 12 (RS, increase): Work increase. (117 sc)
Yoke Row 13 (WS, even): Half double crochet across. (117 hdc)
Yoke Row 14 (RS, increase): Work increase. (125 sc)
Yoke Row 15 (WS, even): Half double crochet across. (125 hdc)
Yoke Row 16 (RS, increase): Work increase. (133 sc)
Yoke Row 17 (WS, even): Half double crochet across. (133 hdc)
Yoke Row 18 (RS, increase): Work increase. (141 sc)
Yoke Row 19 (WS, even): Half double crochet across. (141 hdc)
Yoke Row 20 (RS, increase): Work increase. (149 sc)
Yoke Row 21 (WS, even): Half double crochet across. (149 hdc)
Yoke Row 22 (RS, increase): Work increase. (157 sc)
Yoke Row 23 (WS, even): Half double crochet across. (157 hdc)
Yoke Row 24 (RS, increase): Work increase. (165 sc)
Yoke Row 25 (WS, even): Half double crochet across. (165 hdc)
Yoke Row 26 (RS, increase): Work increase. (173 sc)
Yoke Row 27 (WS, even): Half double crochet across. (173 hdc)
Yoke Row 28 (RS, increase): Work increase. (181 sc)
Yoke Row 29 (WS, even): Half double crochet across. (181 hdc)
Checkpoint: The piece should measure approximately 4 inches from the top of the neckband to the bottom of the yoke.
Divide for Body and Sleeves
Dividing Row (RS): Chain 1, turn.
Single crochet 24 (right front), chain 6 (underarm bridge), skip 24 right sleeve stitches and 1 spine stitch (place the 24 sleeve stitches on scrap yarn), single crochet 1 spine stitch, single crochet 53 (back), single crochet 1 spine stitch, skip 24 left sleeve stitches and 1 spine stitch (place the 24 sleeve stitches on scrap yarn), chain 6 (underarm bridge), single crochet 1 spine stitch, single crochet 24 (left front).
Next Row (WS): Chain 1, turn. Half double crochet in each stitch and each chain across. (115 hdc)
Body
Continue working alternating sc rows (RS) and hdc rows (WS) with no shaping until body measures 5.5 inches from the underarm divide. End with a WS row.
Stitch count remains 115 throughout.
Body Border:
Switch to smaller hook (F-5 / 3.75 mm).
Border Row 1 (RS): Chain 1, turn. Single crochet in each stitch across. (115 sc)
Border Row 2 (WS): Chain 1, turn. Single crochet in back loop only of each stitch across. (115 sc)
Border Row 3 (RS): Chain 1, turn. Single crochet in each stitch across. (115 sc)
Fasten off.
Sleeves (Make 2)
Place 24 held sleeve stitches back on larger hook. Join MC at center underarm with a slip stitch.
Round 1 (RS): Chain 1. Single crochet in each of the 24 sleeve stitches, then single crochet in each of the 6 underarm chain stitches. Join with slip stitch to first sc. (30 sc)
Round 2: Chain 1. Half double crochet in each stitch around. Join. (30 hdc)
Round 3: Chain 1. Single crochet in each stitch around. Join. (30 sc)
Round 4: Chain 1. Half double crochet around. Join. (30 hdc)
Rounds 5 through 10: Continue alternating sc and hdc rounds. (30 sts each round)
Round 11 (decrease): Chain 1. Sc2tog, single crochet to last 2 stitches, sc2tog. Join. (28 sc)
Round 12: Half double crochet around. Join. (28 hdc)
Rounds 13 through 18: Work even in alternating rounds. (28 sts)
Round 19 (decrease): Sc2tog, single crochet to last 2 stitches, sc2tog. Join. (26 sc)
Round 20: Half double crochet around. Join. (26 hdc)
Rounds 21 through 24: Work even. (26 sts)
Cuff Border:
Switch to smaller hook.
Cuff Round 1: Single crochet around. Join. (26 sc)
Cuff Round 2: Single crochet in back loop only around. Join. (26 sc)
Cuff Round 3: Single crochet around. Join. (26 sc)
Fasten off. Weave in ends.
Front Band
With RS facing and smaller hook, join MC at bottom right front corner.
Pick up and single crochet evenly along the right front edge, across the back neckband, and down the left front edge. Pick up approximately 3 stitches for every 4 rows along vertical edges and 1 stitch in each stitch across the back neck.
Estimated pickup: 54 stitches up right front, 25 stitches across back neck, 54 stitches down left front = 133 stitches total.
Band Row 1 (WS): Chain 1, turn. Single crochet in each stitch across. (133 sc)
Band Row 2 (RS, buttonhole row): Chain 1, turn. Single crochet 1, chain 2, skip 2 stitches, single crochet 7 repeat 5 more times, chain 2, skip 2 stitches, single crochet across remaining stitches. (6 buttonholes made)
Band Row 3 (WS): Chain 1, turn. Single crochet in each stitch and 2 sc in each chain-2 space across. (133 sc)
Band Row 4 (RS): Single crochet across. (133 sc)
Band Row 5 (WS): Single crochet in back loop only across. (133 sc)
Band Row 6 (RS): Single crochet across. (133 sc)
Band Row 7 (WS): Single crochet across. (133 sc)
Band Row 8 (RS): Single crochet across. (133 sc)
Fasten off. Fold band to WS at the BLO ridge and whipstitch in place.
Duck Applique
Use a size E-4 / 3.50 mm hook for all applique pieces.
Duck Body (CC1 white):
Make a magic ring.
Round 1: 6 sc in MR. Pull ring closed. (6 sc)
Round 2: 2 sc in each stitch around. (12 sc)
Round 3: Sc 1, 2 sc in next st 6 times. (18 sc)
Round 4: Sc 2, 2 sc in next st 6 times. (24 sc)
Rounds 5 and 6: Single crochet around. (24 sc)
Round 7: Sc 2, sc2tog 6 times. (18 sc)
Flatten the piece with the magic ring at top center. Slip stitch across open bottom edge to close into a half-circle. Fasten off with a 12-inch tail.
Duck Head (CC1 white):
Make a magic ring.
Round 1: 6 sc in MR. (6 sc)
Round 2: 2 sc in each stitch around. (12 sc)
Round 3: Sc 1, 2 sc in next st 6 times. (18 sc)
Rounds 4 and 5: Single crochet around. (18 sc)
Slip stitch to close. Fasten off with a 10-inch tail.
Beak (CC2 orange):
Make a magic ring.
Round 1: 4 sc in MR. (4 sc)
Round 2: 2 sc in each stitch around. (8 sc)
Slip stitch to close. Fasten off with a tail.
Eye: Embroider a small French knot or satin stitch dot with black yarn.
Feet: Using CC2 and a size F-5 hook, surface slip stitch three short lines radiating from a central point directly on the sweater at the base of where the duck will sit. Make 2 feet, spaced about 0.5 inch apart.
Assembly: Sew head to top of body, overlapping slightly. Sew beak to front of head. Sew assembled duck to lower right front of sweater, about 1 inch above hem.
Finishing
Weave in all ends securely.
Blocking: Soak the sweater in cool water for 20 minutes. Gently press out excess water in a towel. Do not wring. Lay flat on blocking mats, pin to finished measurements, and let dry completely.
Sew buttons to left front band, aligning with buttonholes. Sew through all layers for security.
Sew duck applique in place after blocking.
Size Customization Tips
For 12 to 18 months: Add 2 additional yoke increase rows before dividing for sleeves. Add 2 inches to body length and 0.5 inch to sleeve length.
For 0 to 3 months: Remove 3 yoke increase rows. Reduce body length by 1.5 inches. Reduce sleeve length by 1 inch.
Care Instructions
Hand wash in cool water with gentle soap, or machine wash on delicate in a mesh bag if using superwash or acrylic yarn. Lay flat to dry. Do not tumble dry.
What a happy little project this is. That bright duckling yellow against soft white and orange just sings springtime, and there is no better feeling than watching a tiny sweater you’ve made with your own two hands get worn by someone you love. I hope this one becomes a favorite in your project basket.
