Easy Ribbed Baby Cardigan Knitting Pattern (Flat Knit, Confident Beginner + Intermediate)
Easy ribbed baby cardigan knitting pattern for confident beginners. Knit flat on straight needles with simple shaping and a polished finish.
If you’re ready to move beyond beginner basics and knit your first real garment, this ribbed baby cardigan knitting pattern is the perfect next step.
Designed for confident beginners to intermediate knitters, this pattern builds on basic skills like knit and purl stitches while introducing simple shaping and garment construction. It’s still approachable—but gives you that “level up” feeling as you create a beautiful, wearable piece.
Grab the printable version of this pattern and start knitting right away—no scrolling needed.
Get the Printable PatternThis cardigan is worked flat on straight needles, making it much easier than traditional sweaters knit in the round. You’ll knit each section separately and seam them together, giving you full control over your work at every step.
If you’ve already made a few projects like:
How to Knit a Hat on Straight Needles
Easy Flat Knit Baby Socks Pattern
Esiest Baby Booties Knitting Pattern
…then you’re absolutely ready for this pattern.
Skill Level:
Skill Level: Confident Beginner to Intermediate
This pattern is ideal if you’re comfortable with:
Knit and purl stitches
Basic shaping (increases/decreases)
Seaming pieces together
Picking up and knitting stitches
Who This Pattern Is Best For
This pattern is perfect for knitters who:
Have completed a few beginner projects
Are ready to try their first cardigan sweater
Want to learn garment construction
Prefer working on straight needles
Easy Ribbed Baby Cardigan Knitting Pattern (Flat Knit, Confident Beginner + Intermediate)
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Yarn: Mary Maxim Mellowspun DK Weight Yarn in Carribean (2 skeins)
Needles: size US 3 straight needles
Gauge: 22–26 stitches = 4 inches (10 cm)
Sweater measures 20 around chest and 12 3/4 inches long
Size: 6-12 months
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Pattern instructions:
Back:
Cast on 73 stitches.
Work in K1, p 1 ribbing until the pieces measures 6 3/4 inches from the beginning.
Shape Raglan Armholes:
Keeping to pattern, bind off 3 sts at each armhole edge once- 67 sts. Decrease 1 stitch at each armhole edge every other row until 23 stitches remain. Place remaining stitches on a holder for back of neck.
Left Front: Cast on 47 stitches and work in ribbing as for back for 1 1/4 inches. Place 8 sts at front edge on a holder to be worked later. Working remaining sts in pattern, work even until 5 1/2 inches from beginning.
Shape Raglan Armhole:
Keeping to pattern, bind off 3 sts at armhole edge once, then dec 1 stitch at armhole edge every other row until 22 stitches remain.
Shape Neck:
Keeping to pattern, bind off 7 sts at front edge once, then dec 1 stitch at front edge ever other row 6 times; at the same time, continue raglan shaping until 1 stitch remains. Fasten off.
Right Front:
Work to correspond to Left Front, reversing shapings.
Sleeves: Cast on 41 sts. Work in ribbing as on back for 1 1/2 inches. Increase 1 stitch each edge on first row of pattern, then every 5th row until there are 57 sts. Work even until 5 1/2 inches from beginning.
Shape Raglan Cap: Keeping to pattern, bind off 3 sts at each edge once, then decrease 1 stitch each edge until 7 sts remain. Place stitches on a holder.
Finishing: Sew raglan, side, and sleeve seams.
Left Front Border: Work 8 sts from holder in established ribbing casting on 1 stitch at end of first row and keeping this stitch in garter stitch throughout. When border reaches neck edge, bind off the cast on garter stitch. Leave remaining sts. on needles and using garter stitch as seam allowance, sew front border to front edge of sweater.
Mark positions of buttonholes, evenly spaced.
Right Front Border: Work to correspond to left front border, making buttonholes opposite markers as follows: Starting at front edge, work across 3 sts, bind off 3 sts. work across; on next row, cast on 3 sts over bound off stitches.
Neckband: With the right side facing, pick up and knit 72 stitches around neck, including stitches on holders. Work with sts from front borders in k 1, p 1 ribbing for 1 1/2 inches, making double buttonhole on right front border on 3rd and 3rd to last rows. Work for 1 1/2 inches. Bind off in ribbing.
Buttonhole stitch around buttonholes. Sew on buttons.
Grab the printable version of this pattern and start knitting right away—no scrolling needed.
Get the Printable PatternWhat Makes This Pattern a Great “Next Step” Project
Many knitters feel stuck between beginner projects and more advanced garments. This cardigan bridges that gap perfectly.
You’ll learn:
How garments are constructed
How to shape pieces for fit
How to seam and assemble
How to create a polished finish
It’s a great confidence-building project that opens the door to more advanced knitting.
What Is Rib Stitch?
Rib stitch is created by alternating knit and purl stitches—commonly knit 1, purl 1 or knit 2, purl 2.
This creates a fabric that:
Stretches naturally
Holds its shape
Looks clean and structured
That’s why ribbing is often used in sweaters, cuffs, and hats—and why it works so beautifully in this cardigan.
Why Flat Knit Sweaters Are Easier
Knitting garments flat is one of the easiest ways to learn sweater construction.
Instead of managing circular needles or multiple needles, you:
Work back and forth in rows
Focus on one piece at a time
Seam everything together at the end
If you’ve enjoyed flat knit sweaters like:
Kid’s Easy Poncho Knitting Pattern
Seed Stitch Baby Sweater
Baby Kimono Sweater Knitting Pattern
Baby Hooded Sweater Knitting Pattern
Beginner Baby Sweater Knitting Pattern
…this construction will feel very familiar.
Tips for Knitting This Cardigan
Keep your ribbing consistent
Pay attention to your knit and purl stitches to maintain the pattern.
Use stitch markers
These help track shaping and pattern repeats.
Measure as you go
This ensures your pieces match and fit properly.
Take your time with seaming
A clean seam makes a huge difference in the final look.
More Easy Knitting Patterns You’ll Love
Looking for more projects? Try these:
25 Easy Knitting Patterns for Beginners
9 Baby Bootie Knitting Patterns for Beginners
25 Easy Flat Knit Patterns (All Knit on Straight Needles for Beginners)
These are perfect for building your skills while making something beautiful.
FAQ: Ribbed Baby Cardigan Knitting Pattern
Is this pattern suitable for beginners?
This ribbed baby cardigan knitting pattern is best suited for confident beginners to intermediate knitters. While the stitches themselves are simple—primarily knit and purl—the pattern does include shaping and garment construction, which may be new if you’ve only made basic projects like scarves or dishcloths.
If you’re comfortable following a pattern, keeping track of stitch patterns, and seaming pieces together, you should have no trouble completing this cardigan. It’s a great next step project that helps build confidence while still being approachable.
Do I need to use circular needles?
No, this pattern is designed to be knit entirely flat using straight needles. This makes it much more manageable for knitters who prefer working back and forth in rows instead of knitting in the round. Each section of the cardigan is worked separately, including the back, front panels, and sleeves.
Once all pieces are complete, they are sewn together to create the finished garment. This method allows you to focus on one section at a time and makes the overall construction easier to understand.
What size does this cardigan fit?
The finished size of the cardigan will depend on your gauge, but it is typically designed to fit babies around 6 to 12 months. Because ribbing naturally stretches, the fit is slightly flexible and can accommodate a range of sizes within that age group.
It’s always a good idea to check your gauge before starting to ensure the finished measurements match your expectations.
Can I use a different yarn for this pattern?
Yes, you can substitute yarn as long as you match the recommended gauge. Worsted weight yarn is ideal for this pattern because it provides structure while still being soft and comfortable for babies. If you choose a different yarn weight, the size and fit of the cardigan will change, so adjustments may be needed. Always knit a gauge swatch before beginning to make sure your finished cardigan will turn out as expected.
How is the cardigan assembled?
The cardigan is assembled by sewing the individual pieces together using a yarn needle. After knitting the back, front panels, and sleeves, you will seam the shoulders, sides, and sleeves to form the final shape. While seaming can feel intimidating at first, it’s actually quite simple and becomes easier with practice. Taking your time during this step will give your cardigan a clean, professional finish and really elevate the final look.
This ribbed baby cardigan knitting pattern is the perfect next step if you’re ready to move beyond beginner basics and create your first real garment.
It’s simple enough to be approachable, but detailed enough to help you grow your skills—and the finished result is something you’ll be proud to give, wear, or even sell.
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