I have a fun new baby sweater pattern to share with you today! The Rylan cardigan is the cutest new crochet pattern for boys and girls 3 months to 6 years.
I wanted to design a sweater that could be your go-to pattern for baby showers, birthdays, any type of gift giving, really! I love it on girls and boys, it has a great structure to it and is perfect for any season.
I also made a full length video tutorial for you! If you are just learning how to crochet and have made a few other projects, I think this sweater would be a great next step for you. It is really pretty simple and straightforward. Plus, it’s a baby sweater, so it goes pretty quickly!
The trickiest part for some people (alright, me!) to learn is how the sleeve separation works. Seeing the written pattern for a sleeve separation can be confusing if you’ve never heard of it before. But once you see it on the video, it is super easy.
Here is the full pattern for you below. If you would like to purchase the ad-free PDF, you can do that on Etsy or Ravelry. (Thank you!)
General Instructions: This modern baby sweater is worked from the top down in rows. Simple increases are used to create the yoke, followed by a sleeve separation. The body features the cute bobble stitches that make this sweater unique. Ribbing and button bands are added next. Finally, the sleeves are worked flat and seamed at the end.
Supplies: J/10 (6mm) crochet hook (or size needed to obtain gauge), 3/4” buttons (5-7), ruler, tapestry needle, sewing needle and matching thread for buttons.
Yarn: Medium weight (4); 300 (361, 400, 500, 550, 587) Yards; Lion Brand Wool-Ease, Vanna’s Choice or any other #4 yarn
Gauge: 4” x 4” = 12 stitches / 14 rows in sc
For accurate sizing, make a gauge swatch before you begin your sweater.
Directions for gauge swatch:
Ch 13
Row 1: Sc in second ch from hook and each ch across, turn (12 sc)
Row 2: Ch 1, sc in ea st, turn.
Repeat row 2 until you reach a total of 14 rows (including row 1).
Swatch should measure approximately 4” across and 4” down. If swatch is too small, try again with a larger hook. If swatch is too big, try again with a smaller hook.
Sizing
Finished chest circumference: 20 (22, 23, 24, 26, 28) inches
Ease: 3”
Suggested sizing: 3/6 months (12 months, 18 months, 2T, 4T, 6)
To find the right size, measure child’s chest and add 3”. Make the size with the finished circumference closest to this number. Suggestion: Before you begin, read through the pattern and circle your size throughout.
The model is wearing size 2T and the sweater was a little big on her (she normally wears 18 months).
New! The Rylan Cardigan pattern is now available in sizes 8-16 for free as well! See the blog post for big kids and teens.
If you would like to purchase the ad-free PDF, you can do that on Etsyor Ravelry. (Thank you!)
Abbreviations
and Special Stitches
bpdc: back post double crochet
ch: chain
dc: double crochet
fpdc: front post double crochet
inc: increase (2 sc in same st)
rep: repeat
sc: single crochet
sc2tog: single crochet 2 together (decrease made)
sk: skip
sl st: slip stitch
st(s): stitch(es)
Bobble: yo, insert hook into next st, yo, draw up a loop, yo, pull through 2 loops on hook, *yo, insert hook into same st, yo, draw up a loop, yo, pull through 2 loops on hook; repeat from * 3 more times, yo, draw through all 6 loops on hook
Pattern Notes
- Ch 1 at the beginning of a row does not count in stitch count.
- Turn at the end of each row.
- When measuring yoke height, lay sweater flat so it forms a semi-circle. Find the approximate back center (back neck) of the sweater and measure straight down. Do not measure the edge of the work.
Yoke
Ch 37 (41, 43, 45, 49, 53)
Row 1: Sc in second ch from hook and each ch across. 36 (40, 42, 44, 48, 52) sts
Row 2: ch 1, sc in each sc.
First increase: ch 1, *sc, inc; rep from * to end of row.54 (60, 63, 66, 72, 78) stsSc as many rows as needed until yoke height measures 1.5 (1.75, 2, 2.25, 2.5, 2.75) inches, ending with an even number of rows.
Second increase: Ch 1, *2sc, inc; rep from * to end of row.72 (80, 84, 88, 96, 104) sts
Sc as many rows as needed until yoke height measures 2.75 (3, 3.25, 3.5, 3.75, 4) inches, ending with an even number of rows.
Third increase: Ch 1, *3sc, inc; rep from * to end of row.90(100, 105, 110, 120, 130) sts
Sc as many rows as needed until yoke height measures 4.25 (4.5, 4.75, 5, 5.25, 5.75) inches, ending with an even number of rows.
Sleeve separation:
Ch 1, 14 (15, 16, 17, 18, 19) sc,
ch 3
sk 18 (20, 21, 22, 24, 26) sts,
26 (30, 31, 32, 36, 40) sc,
ch 3
sk 18 (20, 21, 22, 24, 26) sts,
14 (15, 16, 17, 18, 19) sc. Do not tie off.
Body
We will now be working the body only, saving the sleeves for later.
Row 1: Ch 1, sc in each sc and in each ch st. 60 (66, 69, 72, 78, 84) sc.
Row 2: Ch 1, 0 (3, 4, 1, 4, 2) sc, *4sc, bobble, 5sc; rep from * until 0 (3, 5, 1, 4, 2) sts remain, sc in remaining sts.
Rows 3-5: ch 1, sc in each st.
Row 6: Ch 1, 0 (3, 4, 1, 4, 2) sc, *9sc, bobble; rep from * until 0 (3, 5, 1, 4, 2) sts remain, sc in remaining sts. (For size 3 mos, omit last bobble and replace with sc.)
Rows 7-9: ch 1, sc in each st.
Repeat rows 2-9 until total sweater height (including yoke) reaches 8 (9, 9.5, 10, 10.5, 11.5) inches. Do not tie off.
Hem Ribbing:
Row 1: ch 2, sk 1st sc, dc in each st across, turn.
For sizes 3/6 mos, 12 mos, 2T, 4T, 6 (size 18 mos, see below):
Rows 2-3: ch 2, sk 1dc, *fpdc, bpdc; rep from * across, dc in top of ch 2.
For size 18 mos:
Row 2: ch 2, sk 1dc, fpdc, *bpdc, fpdc; rep from * across, dc in top of ch 2.
Row 3: ch 2, sk 1dc, bpdc, *fpdc, bpdc; rep from * across, dc in top of ch 2.
Neck Ribbing: Tie slip knot on hook and insert hook in top corner of sweater. Sl st and work same as row 1 of hem ribbing, working in each ch st across the neck of the sweater: Work row 2 same as hem ribbing (don’t do row 3). Tie off. Weave in loose ends.
Button Band (wearer’s right)
Tie slip knot on hook and insert hook in bottom (top for left-handed crocheters) corner of sweater.
Row 1: Sc in the end of each row up the side of the sweater, turn.
Rows 2-3: Ch 1, sc in each sc to end of row, turn.
Tie off. Weave in loose ends.
Button Hole Band (wearer’s left)
Tie slip knot on hook and insert hook in top (bottom for left-handed crocheters) corner of sweater.
Row 1: Sc in the end of each row down the side of the sweater, turn.
Row 2: Ch 1, 3sc, *ch 1, sk 1, 6 sc; rep from * as many times as you can until not enough sts remain, sc in remaining sts, turn.
Row 3: Ch 1, sc in each sc and 1sc in each ch 1 sp, turn.
Tie off. Weave in loose ends. Sew buttons on button band opposite each ch space.
Sleeve
Note: Continue to turn at the end of each row.
Tie slip knot onto hook and join yarn to armpit of sleeve in the center of the ch sts.
Row 1: Sc in 2 ch sts and each st around sleeve opening, ending with sc in last ch st. 21 (23, 24, 25, 27, 29) sc
Row 2: ch 1, sc in each sc.
Sc as many rows as needed until sleeve length reaches 1.5 (2, 2.5, 3, 3.5, 3.75) inches.
First decrease: ch 1, sc2tog, sc until 2 sts remain, sc2tog. 19 (21, 22, 23, 25, 27) sc
Sc as many rows as needed until sleeve length reaches 2.5 (3, 3.5, 4, 4.5, 4.75) inches.
Second decrease: ch 1, sc2tog, sc until 2 sts remain, sc2tog. 17 (19, 20, 21, 23, 25) sc
Sc as many rows as needed until sleeve length reaches 4.5 (5, 4.5, 5, 5.5, 5.75) inches. For sizes 3/6 and 12 months, stop here and begin ribbing.
Third decrease (sizes 18M to 6 only): Ch 1, sc2tog, sc until 2 sts remain, sc2tog. 17 (19, 18, 19, 21, 23) sc
Sc as many rows as needed until sleeve length reaches 4.5 (5, 6, 6.5, 7, 7.5) inches. For all sizes except 6, stop here and begin ribbing.
Fourth decrease (size 6 only): Ch 1, sc2tog, sc until 2 sts remain, sc2tog. 17 (19, 18, 19, 21, 21) sc
Sc as many rows as needed until sleeve length reaches 4.5 (5, 6, 6.5, 7, 9) inches.
Sleeve Ribbing:
Row 1: ch 2, sk 1dc, dc in each st, turn.
Row 2: ch 2, sk 1dc, *fpdc, bpdc; rep from * across, dc in top of ch 2.
Size 18 mos only: repeat row 2.
Row 3 for all sizes except 18 mos: ch 2, sk 1dc, *bpdc, fpdc; rep from * across, dc in top of ch 2.
Tie off, leaving a long tail for seaming. Join sleeve seam with tapestry needle and whip or ladder stitch. Tie off, weave in loose ends.
Repeat for the other sleeve.
Blocking Instructions (optional):
Blocking is a great way to give your sweater a more refined appearance, great for gift giving! Spray sweater with water until it is slightly damp. Lay flat on a blocking board or other soft surface and gently stretch sweater slightly (about ½ inch in every direction). Pin in place as you stretch. Blocking boards and T pins work great for this but if you don’t have those, you can use several layers of towels and regular sewing pins.
I hope you all enjoy this sweater and share photos with me, I love to see them! If you would like to purchase the ad-free PDF, you can do that on Etsy or Ravelry. (Thank you!)
Now available in sizes 8-16 for free on my blog!
Share on Instagram @tealandfinch with #rylansweater.
Hi I am just wondering do you have a hat pattern to match this cardigan it’s fab
Hi Lisa! I’m glad you’re enjoying the sweater! I don’t have a hat to match at the moment, but I think it’s a great idea!
I made your sweater it turned out beautifully. I’ve only made hats and blankets before. I did make a hat to match too
That’s great to hear! I’m glad you’re enjoying the pattern.
Hi,
This sweater looks lovely and i would love to crochet one for my 28 months old toddler. However, i dont find the referral to that size at the description above.
Would you be able to help me out with the measurements?
I really want to start.
Tnx in advance!!
Na’ama
Hi Na’ama! Sure! You would need to measure her chest and then follow these directions to choose the size:
To find the right size, measure child’s chest and add 3”. Make the size with the finished circumference closest to this number.
Finished chest circumference: 20 (22, 23, 24, 26, 28) inches
Ease: 3”
Suggested sizing: 3/6 months (12 months, 18 months, 2T, 4T, 6)
Thank you so much for that super cute and easy to make pattern.
I made site 2t for my niece and she loves it 🙂
That’s great to hear! I’m glad you all are enjoying it!
Hello Jen! A Friend of mine found this pattern, and we learned together to make the sweater for her son. I love it! I have never made a sweater before, and this one turned out to be a lot easier than I expected. I am just finishing up another one for another friend’s baby, but I have noticed that when I get to the button bands it doesn’t turn out straight. Do you have any advice? Thank you! -Kim
Hi Kim! I’m glad you’re enjoying the sweater! The circular yoke shape does tend to cause an outward curve, so it will fit well around the child’s body. So maybe think of that as you’re lining up the buttons.
Hello! I am new to crocheting garments. I have made the gauge swatch and have 4” across but 3 3/4 down. What would you suggest I do in this case? Thank you 🙏
Hi Sandy! That will work just fine actually, since most steps in the pattern require you to crochet to a certain number of inches rather than counting rows. So you’ll be measuring as you go and don’t need to worry about your row height. Hope that helps!
Well I made 1 I used different yarn and left out sleeves it turned out better than I anticipated such a lovely pattern
This is probably the best pattern instructions I have ever used. Very well written and a really adorable sweater! Thanks for sharing it. I was wondering if anyone else noticed the button band is on the opposite side for girls? Maybe it doesn’t matter, I just finished that part but it felt funny so I will take it out and move to other side. Just wondering?? Thanks again, very nice pattern!
Hi,
I loved this pattern and would like to make it for my daughter but I don’t get the sizing ( I am new to crochetting) she is 4 years old and chest is 22 inches.
How many chain stitches do I start with?
So if her chest is 22 in in circumference, you will want to add 2 to 4 in for use of movement. So choose the size around 24 to 26 in finished chest circumference.
I am new to crocheting and I just made this sweater! I am totally thrilled since this is my first big project attempted. I choose this sweater, mainly because you had a video tutorial. I am just learning to read patterns which I find a bit frustrating since it feels like a foreign language to me. My sweater is uniquely mine. At the beginning of the yoke I was only going under the front thread and of course I then notice mine did not look like yours, but I left it, because I thought is added interest in the stitch. Then I figured out what I was doing and switched to going under both threads. Then on the hem I accidently thought you put two dc in the top row and once I was done of course it looked ruffled so I know I should have only put one, but I liked it so I kept it for the hem and just followed the pattern (but with my twice as many dc). Then I trimmed it all out in a different color. It turned out super cute and I’m not certain I would have had the same outcome without your great video. My sister told me she loved how talented I was, but I told her the true talent was the woman teaching in the video. Your guidance step by step was so wonderful and clear for a beginner. I wish all patterns came with a video made by you! Thanks for taking the time to share not only your talent for crocheting, but for teaching and giving instruction! I wish I could post a picture here, but I am going to post it on Pinterest under the pin! My overall sweater was yellow with purple trim and buttons. I made it for my granddaughter’s birthday so she’ll be able to wear it come fall. Thanks again!