Heirloom Honeycomb Baby Cardigan Free Pattern – Textured Knitted Top

Heirloom Honeycomb Baby Cardigan: A Seamless Knit for Your Little One

There's something truly special about creating a handmade garment for a baby—it becomes a keepsake, a piece of love stitched into every row. The Heirloom Honeycomb Baby Cardigan is exactly that kind of project. This cozy, modern take on a classic baby sweater features a delicate honeycomb stitch that adds beautiful depth and warmth, making it perfect for little ones and a joy for you to create. Knitted seamlessly from the top down, this pattern minimizes finishing work and allows you to watch your cardigan take shape in one continuous, satisfying flow. Whether you're a seasoned knitter or a confident beginner ready for a new challenge, this free pattern will guide you to create an heirloom-quality piece.

Materials Needed

Before you begin, gather your materials. This project uses simple, readily available supplies:

• Yarn: DK weight (light worsted) soft merino or cotton blend, approximately 250-300 yards. A soft cream or pastel color showcases the honeycomb texture beautifully.
• Needles: US 6 (4.0 mm) circular needles with a 16-inch cord, and a set of double-pointed needles (DPNs) in the same size for the sleeves.
• Notions: Stitch markers (at least 8), a tapestry needle for weaving in ends, waste yarn or stitch holders for the sleeves, and 4 small buttons.
• Gauge: 22 stitches and 30 rows = 4 inches in honeycomb stitch (blocked). Getting the correct gauge is crucial for the perfect fit.

Step-by-Step Instructions

This pattern is written for sizes 0-3 (3-6, 6-12) months, with finished chest measurements of 16 (17, 18) inches. Follow the numbers in parentheses for your chosen size.

Abbreviations

CO = cast on, K = knit, P = purl, K2tog = knit two together, SSK = slip slip knit, YO = yarn over, PM = place marker, SM = slip marker, M1L = make one left, M1R = make one right, BO = bind off, RS = right side, WS = wrong side.

Honeycomb Stitch Pattern (multiple of 4 + 2)

This textured stitch is the heart of the cardigan. Practice it on a swatch first to get comfortable.

• Row 1 (RS): K2, *P2, K2; repeat from * to end.
• Row 2 (WS): P2, *K2, P2; repeat from * to end.
• Row 3: K2, *YO, K2tog, P2; repeat from * to end.
• Row 4: P2, *K2, P2; repeat from * to end.
• Repeat rows 1-4 for the pattern.

Knitting the Yoke

The cardigan begins at the neckline and is worked downwards, increasing for the raglan sleeves.

1. Cast On: CO 54 (58, 62) sts. Work in garter stitch (knit every row) for 4 rows.
2. Set Up Raglan: K8 (9, 10) (left front), PM, K2 (raglan), PM, K8 (9, 10) (left sleeve), PM, K2 (raglan), PM, K22 (24, 26) (back), PM, K2 (raglan), PM, K8 (9, 10) (right sleeve), PM, K2 (raglan), PM, K8 (9, 10) (right front).
3. Increase Row (RS): *Knit to 1 st before marker, M1R, K1, SM, K2, SM, K1, M1L; repeat from * across all raglan lines (this creates 8 increases). Knit the remaining stitches.
4. Next Row (WS): Purl all stitches.
5. Repeat these two rows until the raglan measures 4 (4.5, 5) inches from the cast-on edge, ending with a WS row. You will have increased a total of 12 (14, 16) times.

Dividing for Body and Sleeves

Now you'll separate the sleeve stitches from the body to work them individually.

1. Knit across the left front stitches to the marker, remove the marker, and place the next 2 raglan sts + all sleeve sts + the next raglan st onto waste yarn (this is your first sleeve).
2. CO 4 (4, 5) sts underarm using the backward loop method.
3. Knit across the back stitches, remove the marker, and place the next 2 raglan sts + sleeve sts + next raglan st onto waste yarn (second sleeve).
4. CO 4 (4, 5) sts underarm, and knit across the right front stitches.
5. You should now have a total of 70 (76, 82) body stitches on your needle.

Knitting the Body

1. Work back and forth in the Honeycomb Stitch Pattern, keeping the first and last 4 stitches in garter stitch for the button bands.
2. Continue until the body measures 5 (5.5, 6) inches from the underarm, ending with a WS row.
3. Work in garter stitch for 4 rows to create a neat, rolled edge.
4. BO all stitches loosely.

Knitting the Sleeves

1. Transfer the sleeve stitches from the waste yarn onto your double-pointed needles.
2. Pick up and knit 4 (4, 5) sts from the underarm cast-on edge. Place a marker at the center of the underarm. Total sleeve sts = 32 (36, 40) sts.
3. Work in the Honeycomb Stitch in the round, adjusting the pattern as follows:
   • Round 1: *P2, K2; repeat from *.
   • Round 2: *P2, YO, K2tog; repeat from *.
   • Round 3: *P2, K2; repeat from *.
   • Round 4: *P2, K2; repeat from *.
4. Decrease 1 stitch on each side of the marker every 6 rows, 3 (4, 5) times total. To do this, K2tog before the marker and SSK after the marker.
5. Work even until the sleeve measures 4 (4.5, 5) inches from the underarm.
6. Work in garter stitch for 3 rows. BO all stitches.

Finishing Touches

1. Weave in all loose ends with your tapestry needle.
2. Sew the buttons onto the left front band. To create buttonholes on the right front band, simply work a YO, K2tog at appropriate spots during the final garter stitch band.
3. Block the cardigan gently to the specified measurements to open up the honeycomb stitch and give it a professional finish.

Your Heirloom Honeycomb Baby Cardigan is now complete! This textured, seamless top is a beautiful gift that will be treasured for years. Happy knitting!