Free Knitting Pattern - Basic Raglan Sleeved Baby Cardigan

I'm trying to make life simplier for us knitters so here is a free pattern for a basic raglan sleeved baby cardigan.

Feel free to use it and enjoy it, change it and make it your own, however I'd prefer if you didn't sell your finished items as I've chosen not to profit from this pattern it would only be fair if you didn't either!

To Fit (Age)	0-3 months	3-6 months
To Fit Chest Size	16 inches	18 inches
Actual Chest Size	20 inches	22 inches
Full Lenght to Shoulder	9 1/2 inches	10 1/2 inches
Sleeve Lenght (Adjustable)	6 inches	6 1/2 inches

Figures in brackets refer to the larger size

Abreviations

K Knit

P Purl

Sl1 Slip one stitch

Psso Pass slip stitch over the knitted one

K2tog Knit 2 together

sts Stitches

Yrn fwd Yarn forward, wrap yarn around needle making a stitch

M1 Make 1 stitch

Back

Using 3 1/4 mm needesl cast on 55 (59) sts

1^st Row: K1, *p1, k1, repeat from * to end

2^nd Row: P1, *k1, p1, repeat from * to end

These 2 rows form 1 x 1 rib, repeat a further 4 times (10 rib rows in total)

Change to 4mm needles and work in stocking stitch throughout (1 row knit, 1 row purl) until the back measures 5 (6) inches ending with a wrong side row

Shape Raglan

Cast off 2 (3) sts at the beginning of the next two rows.

Next row: K2, sl1, k1, psso, knit to the last 4 stitches, K2tog, K2

Next row: purl to end

Repeat these two rows until 17 (19) stitches remain

Cast off

Left Front

Using 3 1/4mm needles cast on 31 (33) sts

Work 10 rows in 1x1 rib as given for the back

Next row: knit to last 6 sts, place these stitches on a stitch holder or safety pin for button border

Working on the remaining 25 (27) sts and commencing with a purl row work in stocking stitch unitl the piece measures 5 (6) inches ending with a wrong side row.

Shape Raglan and Neck Edge

Next Row: Cast off 2 (3) sts, knit to last 3sts, K2tog, K1

Next Row: purl

Decrease raglan edge as set for back at beginning of next and every alternative row and at the same time decrease 1 stitch as set at neck edge in 9^th (7^th) and every following 10^th (8^th) row 3 (4) times

4 (3) sts remain

Next row: purl

Next row: K2 (1) sl1, k1, psso [3(2)sts]

For smaller size only

Next row: k1, sl1, k1, psso

Next row: purl

For both sizes

Next row K2tog, Fasten Off

Right Front

Using 3 1/4mm needles cast on 31 (33) sts

Work 4 rows in 1 x 1 rib

Next row: K1, p1, k1, yrn fwd, k2tog, rib to end

Work 4 rows in 1 x 1 rib

Next row: rib to last 6 sts, leave these remaining 6 stitches on a stitch holder or safety pin

Change to 4mm needles and working in stocking stitch until the front measures 5 (6) inches ending on a wrong side row:

Shape Raglan and Neck Edge

Next row: K1, sl1, k1, psso, knit to end

Next row: Cast off 2 stitches, purl to end

Work to match left front reversing shapings.

Sleeves (Both Alike)

Using 3 1/4mm needles cast on 29 (29) stitches

Work in 1 x 1 rib for 7 rows

Next row: Rib 2(2) m1, *rib 5 (5) m1, repeat from * to last 2 stitches, rib 2(2) [35 (35)sts]

Change to 4mm needles and working in stocking stitch throughout increace at each end of 5^th and every following 6^th row to 45 (47) sts

Continue to work in stocking stitch without shaping until sleeves measures 6 (6 1/2) inches ending with a ws row

Shape Raglan

Cast off 2 (3) sts at the beginning of the next 2 rows [41 (43) sts]

Next row: k2, sl1, k1, psso, knit to last 4 sts, k2tog, k2

Next row: purl

Repeat the last 2 rows until 7 (7) sts remain

Cast off

Make up

Using matress stitch to sew up the seams join the sleeves to the back and fronts, sew side seams

Button Border (Left front border)

Using 3 1/4mm needles cast on 1 st and with right side facing pick up the 6 stitches from the safety pin (7 sts) and proceed as follows:

Next row: k1, *p1, k1, repeat from * to end

Next row: p1, *k1, p1, repeat from * to end

Repeat the last 2 rows until the button border is long enough to reach up the front and to the middle of the back piece, cast off in rib and sew in place.

Sew button border in place, place first button to match the buttonhole on the right front rib, place the top button on the border just before the neck shaping commences, and the middle button between these two buttons.

Buttonhole Border (Right front border)

Using 3 1/4mm needles cast on 1 st and with wrong side facing pick up the 6 stitches from the safety pins and proceed as follows:

Next row: p1, *k1, p1, repeat from * to end

Next row: k1, *p1, k1, repeat from * to end

Work buttonhole row, as follows, to match the buttons placed on the button band:

With rs facing K1, p1, k1, yrn fwd, k2tog, p1, k1

Once both buttonholes have been made continue in 1x1 rib until border reaches the middle of the back neck.

Cast off.

Sew buttonhole border in place.

Weave in any loose ends and consult the yarn band for laundering instructions (if needed)

Copyright Edell McLoughlin 2013