Preemie Cardigan Free pattern

We have designed our first preemie cardigan! It’s a free pattern below. This one has been written for babies born from 29 weeks and works up in a couple of hours! Its an easy pattern but we do suggest that you use stitch markers as indicated even if you are an experienced crocheter! We have created this pattern with some gorgeous texture using the grit stitch so it is suitable for a boy or a girl.

The Preemie Crochet Challenge

Did you follow  our first Preemie Crochet Challenge? Every day during August 2020 a designer donated a pdf pattern that is available for free for a period at their discretion. Each free pdf using the code is considered to be a pledge to make at least one of that pattern to donate, hopefully by the end of November, which is Preemie Awareness Month. This pattern was designed specifically to close the challenge on 31 August.

You can read why the Preemie Crochet Challenge means so much to both Sara and I here.

If you want to check out which other patterns we featured click below. There are lots that are free on the designers posts so you can still make up most of them!

You can find a free version of the pattern below, but if you would like an ad-free version we you can purchase it in our stores at the links below.

Check out some of the preemie cardigans that our testers made!

The Pattern:

Materials: You will need

• Less than 130 yards of #3 weight yarn of your choosing.
• 4.5 mm hook
• 4 Stitch markers (optional but recommended to mark your ch1 spaces!)
• Scissors
• Tapestry needle

Gauge:

5sc and 6 rows of sc = 1’’ x 1’’

Abbreviations:

• Ch(s)–chain(s)
• St(s)–stitch(es)
• Ss – slip stitch
• rep–repeat
• sk—skip
• fsc – foundation single crochet
• dc–double crochet
• sc – single crochet
• YO—yarn over
• FO—fasten off

Pattern notes:

• Written in US terms.
• Ch stitches at the beginning do not count as a st unless otherwise stated.
• the great thing about this cardigan is if it is a little smaller than the measurements above it will fit an earlier preemie! So you can still pop it in your donation box!
• I recommend you mark each ch1 sp with a stitch marker!

Here are some more fabulous preemie cardigans from our testers!

Pattern for the Preemie Cardigan

Row 1 –             Fsc 34 OR Ch 35, sc in second ch from hook and each ch across. Turn.

Row 2 –              Ch1, sc in the first st, sc in the next 4 sts, (sc, ch1, sc) in the next st, sc in the next 5 sts, (sc, ch1, sc) in the next st, sc in the next 10 sts (this will be the back of the preemie cardigan), (sc, ch1, sc) in the next st, sc in the next 5 sts, (sc, ch1, sc) in the next st, sc in the next 5 sts. Ch1, turn.

Remember to use your stitch markers to mark where the ch1 spaces are at the corners!

Row 3 –            Sc in the first st and the next 5 sts, (sc, ch1, sc) in the ch1 sp, sc in the next 7 sts, (sc, ch1, sc) in the ch1 sp, sc in the next 12 sts, (sc, ch1, sc) in the ch1 sp, sc in the next 7 sts, (sc, ch1, sc) in the ch1 sp, sc in the next 6 sts. Ch1, turn.

Row 4 –             Sc in the first st and the next 6 sts, (sc, ch1, sc) in the ch1 sp, sc in the next 9 sts, (sc, ch1, sc) in the ch1 sp, sc in the next 14 sts, (sc, ch1, sc) in the ch1 sp, sc in the next 9 sts, (sc, ch1, sc) in the ch1 sp, sc in the next 7 sts. Ch1, turn.

Row  5 –            Sc in the first st and the next 7 sts, (sc, ch1, sc) in the ch1 sp, sc in the next 11 sts, (sc, ch1, sc) in the ch1 sp, sc in the next 16 sts, (sc, ch1, sc) in the ch1 sp, sc in the next 11 sts, (sc, ch1, sc) in the ch1 sp, sc in the next 8 sts. Ch1, turn.

Row 6 –           Sc in the first st and the next 8 sts, (sc, ch1, sc) in the ch1 sp, sc in the next 13 sts, (sc, ch1, sc) in the ch1 sp, sc in the next 18 sts, (sc, ch1, sc) in the ch1 sp, sc in the next 13 sts, (sc, ch1, sc) in the ch1 sp, sc in the next 9 sts. Ch1, turn.

Row 7 –             Sc in the first st and the next 9 sts, (sc, ch1, sc) in the ch1 sp, sc in the next 15 sts, (sc, ch1, sc) in the ch1 sp, sc in the next 20 sts, (sc, ch1, sc) in the ch1 sp, sc in the next 15 sts, (sc, ch1, sc) in the ch1 sp, sc in the next 10 sts. Ch1, turn.

Row 8 –             Sc in the first 11 sts, sc in the ch1 sp, ch5, sk the next 17 sts and sc into the next ch1 sp, sc in the next 22 sts and the ch1 sp, ch5, sk the next 17 sts and sc in the next ch1 sp, sc in the last 11 sts.

Row 9 –             ch1, turn, sc in each st across, making sure to work 5sc in the first of the ch5 sps and 6 in the second ch5 sp. (You should have 59 sts)

Row 10 –           ch1 (counts as a sc), turn, dc in the same st, sk the next st, (*sc, dc) in the next st, sk the next st* until you have 1 st remaining, dc in the last st.

Rows 11-25 –     Repeat row 10

FO and weave in ends

Trim

Note: we will not be working around the neckline at all but down the front of the right side of the cardigan, around the bottom edge and back up the front on the left side.

Attach your yarn at the top right-hand corner of your cardigan

Row 1 –             Sc evenly down the side of the cardigan, (sc, ch1, sc) when you reach the bottom corner, turn your cardigan and sc evenly along the bottom of the cardigan, (sc, ch1, sc) at the corner, turn your work and sc evenly up the left front side. Stop when you reach the neck.

Row 2 –             Ch1, turn. Hdc in each st from the previous row, making sure to work (hdc, ch1, hdc) in each ch1 sp at the bottom corners until you have 3 sts left. Ch2, sk2, hdc in the last st (this creates a button hole)

Row 3 –             Ch1, turn, sc in the first st, 2sc in the ch2 sp, sc in each st around until you reach the neck on the other side.

FO and weave in ends.

Sleeves – optional

Round 1 –         Attach your yarn to the first st after the ch5. SC 28 evenly around. SS to join

Round 2 –         Ch1 (doesn’t count), turn, (sc and dc in same st, sk1 st, *(sc, dc) in next st, sk 1 st* around. SS to join.

Rounds 3-10 –   Rep Round 2.

Rounds 11-12 – ch1, sc in each st around.

                             FO and weave in ends

Add button.

Links to the ad free pdf pattern:

You can find an ad-free pdf pattern with extra figure photos in our shops at:

Ravelry here

Etsy here

Our shop here

Lovecrafts here

And there you have it. You will have made your preemie cardigan! We hope that you have enjoyed this pattern. We would love it if you would share your makes with us by tagging us on social media – Instagram, Facebook

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