Cotton Bloom Lace Baby Cardigan Knitting Pattern

Create a timeless handmade piece for a little one with the Cotton Bloom Lace Baby Cardigan, a delicate baby cardigan knitting pattern inspired by classic heirloom knitwear.

This soft design combines practical top-down raglan construction with elegant horizontal eyelet lace bands, simple ribbing, integrated garter button bands, and five front buttons for a beautifully polished finish.

A Delicate Heirloom-Inspired Design

The Cotton Bloom cardigan is designed to feel soft, feminine, and timeless.

Its eyelet bands add just enough decorative detail to make the finished garment feel special without making the construction overly complicated.

The pattern includes:

• two upper-yoke eyelet bands
• one lower-body eyelet band
• matching sleeve eyelet detail
• integrated button bands
• five front buttons

Who This Pattern Is For

This pattern is ideal for:

• baby gift knitting
• heirloom-style projects
• baby shower gifts
• confident beginners ready to try simple lace
• parents or grandparents making a special handmade layer
• knitters who enjoy delicate but wearable baby garments

What You Will Receive

Your purchase includes a digital PDF knitting pattern with:

• sizes 0–24 months
• finished measurements
• yarn requirements
• needle sizes
• gauge information
• US knitting abbreviations
• raglan shaping instructions
• eyelet lace band instructions
• buttonhole placement
• body instructions
• sleeve instructions
• finishing guidance
• button safety notes
• customization ideas

Sizes

The pattern includes:

• 0–3 months
• 3–6 months
• 6–12 months
• 12–18 months
• 18–24 months

Finished chest measurements:

• 0–3 m: 49 cm / 19¼ in
• 3–6 m: 53 cm / 20¾ in
• 6–12 m: 57 cm / 22½ in
• 12–18 m: 61 cm / 24 in
• 18–24 m: 65 cm / 25½ in

Approximate lengths:

• 0–3 m: 24 cm / 9½ in
• 3–6 m: 26 cm / 10¼ in
• 6–12 m: 28 cm / 11 in
• 12–18 m: 30 cm / 11¾ in
• 18–24 m: 32 cm / 12½ in

Yarn & Materials

The pattern uses DK / Light #3 baby-friendly yarn with good stitch definition.

Recommended fibres include:

• superwash merino
• cotton-merino blend
• baby acrylic
• washable wool

Sample colour:
soft mushroom / dusty oatmeal

Approximate yarn requirements:

• 0–3 m: 180 m / 90 g
• 3–6 m: 210 m / 105 g
• 6–12 m: 245 m / 125 g
• 12–18 m: 280 m / 140 g
• 18–24 m: 320 m / 160 g

Needles & Notions

You will need:

• 3.25 mm / US 3 circular needle
• 4.0 mm / US 6 circular needle
• optional DPNs or magic loop for sleeves
• 5 buttons, approximately 14–16 mm
• 4 raglan markers
• waste yarn or stitch holders
• tapestry needle
• scissors
• measuring tape

Skill Level

Confident Beginner

Techniques include:

• knit and purl
• raglan increases
• yarn overs
• k2tog
• working flat
• working in the round
• ribbing
• buttonholes
• basic finishing

Gauge

22 stitches × 30 rows = 10 × 10 cm / 4 × 4 in

in stockinette after blocking, using 4.0 mm needles.

Construction

The cardigan is worked from the neckline downward.

The body is worked flat in one piece, with the first and last five stitches forming the integrated garter button bands. Raglan increases shape the yoke. Sleeves are placed on hold at the underarm while the body is completed, then finished later in the round.

This gives the garment a clean finish with no side seams in the body.

Eyelet Lace Detail

The decorative feature is a simple 4-row eyelet band using:

• yarn overs
• k2tog
• knit rows

The stitch count remains unchanged through the eyelet sequence.

This makes the lace effect approachable while still giving the cardigan a refined handmade look.

Customization Ideas

The pattern can be personalized by:

• using pearl or coconut buttons
• adding contrast hem and cuffs
• working only one eyelet band for a simpler version
• extending the body by 2–4 cm for longer wear

Soft blush, cream, sage, oatmeal, pale blue, or warm ivory would all suit the design beautifully.

Baby Button Safety

Because this garment uses buttons, always sew them on very securely.

Buttons can present a choking hazard if they become detached. Check the buttons before each wear and after washing, and stop using the garment if a button or yarn end becomes loose.

Digital Download Notice

THIS LISTING IS FOR A DIGITAL PDF KNITTING PATTERN ONLY.

You will not receive:

• a finished cardigan
• yarn
• knitting needles
• buttons
• printed instructions
• any physical item by mail