My youngest son is almost two months old and I decided it was time for him to start modeling for me! Although it’s really hard to get a good picture of a baby wearing an outfit when they can’t sit up yet. It’s amazing how fast the little ones grow and I am really trying to cherish this time as he is our fourth and last baby. Now we will just have to wait for grandkids! lol
Things are really hectic around here right now as we are all off for snow days and stuck at home but I wanted to take the time to share a cute little cardigan I designed (and my little guy actually fits into it!!). This design features a unique ribbing pattern at the cuffs and hem, a hood with baby bear ears, and front pockets. I really loved using the Lion Brand Heartland for this project. It was the first time I had worked with it and I have used it again since. I really like the subtle color variations in the strands. Super nice and makes for great baby items!
Baby Bear Cardigan
What You’ll Need
Yarn: Lion Brand Heartland (100% Acrylic; 251 yards [230 meters]/142 grams): #124 Big Bend 1 (2, 2, 3, 3) balls
Hook: US size J/10 (6.0 mm)
Notions: Tapestry needle; one 12 (12, 12, 12, 14)” separating zipper
Skill Level: Intermediate
Size: Finished Chest Size 17 (18, 19, 20, 21)” for baby sizes 3 (6, 12, 18, 24) months
Gauge: 18 sts and 20 rows = 4” [10 cm] in pattern st after wet blocking
Pattern Stitch
Row 1: Ch 1, sc in first sc, *ch 1, sk next sc, sc in next ch-1 sp; rep from * to last 2 sts, sc in next ch-1 sp, sc in last sc, turn.
Repeat Row 1 for pattern.
Pattern Notes
Ch-3 at beginning of row counts as first dc unless otherwise noted.
On some areas you will have to work the pattern stitch over an uneven number of stitches. Work in pattern st for first row, ending with a ch-1, sc in last st. On second row, sc in first sc, *sc in ch-1 sp, ch 1, sk next st; rep from *, ending with a sc in ch-1 sp and last sc. Rep these 2 rows.
If working shaping on each side, the pattern is reversed, with 2 sc at the beginning and a ch-1, sc at the end. To keep the pattern consistent, always sc in a ch-1 sp and skip the sc unless it is at the end of a row.
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Pattern
Back
Ch 40 (42, 45, 47, 47).
Row 1: Dc in 4th ch from hook (count as first dc) and each ch across row – 38 (40, 43, 45, 45) sts.
Sizes 6 (18, 24) months only
Row 2: Ch 3, fpdc around next 2 sts, *bpdc around next 2 sts, fpdc around next 3 sts; rep from * to end of row, turn.
Row 3: Ch 3, fpdc around next st, *bpdc around next 3 sts, fpdc around next 2 sts; rep from * to last 3 sts, bpdc around next 3 sts, turn.
Sizes 3 (12) months only
Row 2: Ch 3, fpdc around next 2 sts, *bpdc around next 2 sts, fpdc around next 3 sts; rep from * to end of row, turn.
Row 3: Ch 3, bpdc around next 2 sts, *fpdc around next 2 sts, bpdc around next 3 sts; rep from * to end, turn.
Sizes 3 (6) months only
Row 4: Ch 1, sc in each st across row, turn.
Sizes 12 (18) months only
Row 4: Ch 1, sc in next 21 (22) sts, sc2tog, sc in next 20 (21) sts – 42 (44) sts.
Size 24 months only
Row 4: Ch 1, sc 22, 2 sc in next st, sc 22 – 46 sts.
All Sizes
Rows 5-43 (48, 53, 58, 63): Work even in pattern st.
Fasten off.
Right Front
Ch 20 (22, 22, 25, 25).
Row 1: Dc in 4th ch from hook (count as first dc) and each ch across row – 18 (20, 20, 23, 23) sts.
Sizes 6 (12) months only
Row 2: Ch 3, fpdc around next 2 sts, bpdc around next 2 sts, *fpdc around next 3 sts, bpdc around next 2 sts; rep from * to end of row, turn.
Row 3: Ch 3, fpdc around next st, *bpdc around next 3 sts, fpdc around next 2 sts; rep from * to last 3 sts, bpdc around next 3 sts, turn.
Sizes 3 (18, 24) months only
Row 2: Ch 3, fpdc around next 2 sts, *bpdc around next 2 sts, fpdc around next 3 sts; rep from * to end of row, turn.
Row 3: Ch 3, bpdc around next 2 sts, *fpdc around next 2 sts, bpdc around next 3 sts; rep from * to end of row, turn.
Sizes 6 (24) months only
Row 4: Sc in each st across row, turn.
Size 3 (12) months only
Row 4: Sc in next 9 (10) sts, 2 sc in next st, sc in next 8 (9) sts – 19 (21) sts.
Size 18 months only
Row 4: Sc in next 11 sts, sc2tog, sc in next 10 sts – 22 sts.
All Sizes
Rows 5-35 (40, 45, 48, 53): Work even in pattern st.
Shape Neck
Row 1: Ch 1, work in pattern st for 16 (15, 14, 13, 12) sts, turn, leaving remaining sts unworked – 16 (15, 14, 13, 12) sts.
Row 2: Ch 1, sc2tog, work in pattern st to end, turn – 15 (14, 13, 12, 11) sts.
Row 3: Ch 1, work in pattern st to last 2 sts, sc2tog, turn – 14 (13, 12, 11, 10) sts.
Sizes 3 (6) months only
Row 4: Rep Row 2 – 13 (12) sts.
Row 5: Rep Row 3 – 12 (11) sts.
Row 6: Rep Row 2 – 11 (10) sts.
Size 3 months only
Row 7: Rep Row 3 – 10 sts.
Row 8: Work even in pattern st.
Size 6 months only
Rows 7-8: Work even in pattern st.
Size 12 months only
Row 4: Rep Row 2 – 11 sts.
Row 5: Rep Row 3 – 10 sts.
Rows 6-8: Work even in pattern st.
Size 18 months only
Row 4: Rep Row 2 – 10 sts.
Rows 5-10: Work even in pattern st.
Size 24 months only
Rows 4-10: Work even in pattern st.
All Sizes
Fasten off.
Left Front
Work same as Right Front to Row 35 (40, 45, 48, 53).
Shape Neck
Row 1: Sl st in first 3 (5, 7, 9, 11) sts, ch 1, work in pattern st to end – 16 (15, 14, 13, 12) sts.
Row 2: Ch 1, work in pattern st to last 2 sts, sc2tog, turn – 15 (14, 13, 12, 11) sts.
Row 3: Ch 1, sc2tog, work in pattern st to end, turn – 14 (13, 12, 11, 10) sts.
Sizes 3 (6) months only
Row 4: Rep Row 2 – 13 (12) sts.
Row 5: Rep Row 3 – 12 (11) sts.
Row 6: Rep Row 2 – 11 (10) sts.
Size 3 months only
Row 7: Rep Row 3 – 10 sts.
Row 8: Work even in pattern st.
Size 6 months only
Rows 7-8: Work even in pattern st.
Size 12 months only
Row 4: Rep Row 2 – 11 sts.
Row 5: Rep Row 3 – 10 sts.
Rows 6-8: Work even in pattern st.
Size 18 months only
Row 4: Rep Row 2 – 10 sts.
Rows 5-10: Work even in pattern st.
Size 24 months only
Rows 4-10: Work even in pattern st.
All Sizes
Fasten off.
Sleeve (make 2)
Ch 22 (25, 27, 30, 32).
Row 1: Dc in 4th ch from hook (count as first dc) and each ch across row, turn – 20 (23, 25, 28, 30) sts.
Sizes 6 (18) months only
Row 2: Ch 3, fpdc around next 2 sts, *bpdc around next 2 sts, fpdc around next 3 sts; rep from * to end of row turn.
Row 3: Ch 3, bpdc around next 2 sts, *fpdc around next 2 sts, bpdc around next 3 sts; rep from * to end of row, turn.
Sizes 3 (12, 24) months only
Row 2: Ch 3, fpdc around next 2 sts, bpdc around next 2 sts, *fpdc around next 3 sts, bpdc around next 2 sts; rep from * to end of row turn.
Row 3: Ch 3, fpdc around next st, *bpdc around next 3 sts, fpdc around next 2 sts; rep from * to last 3 sts, bpdc around next 3 sts, turn.
All Sizes
Row 4: Ch 1, sc evenly across row adding 2 (1, 1, 0, 0) sts in the middle of the row, turn – 22 (24, 26, 28, 30) sts.
Rows 5-6: Work even in pattern st.
Row 7: Ch 1, 2 sc in first st, pattern st to last st, 2 sc in last st, turn – 24 (26, 28, 30, 32) sts.
Rows 8-10: Rep Rows 5-7 – 26 (28, 30, 32, 34) sts.
Rows 11-13: Rep Rows 5-7 – 28 (30, 32, 34, 36) sts.
Rows 14-16: Rep Rows 5-7 – 30 (32, 34, 36, 38) sts.
Rows 17-19: Rep Rows 5-7 – 32 (34, 36, 38, 40) sts.
Rows 20-22: Work even in pattern st.
Row 23: Rep Row 7 – 34 (36, 38, 40, 42) sts.
Rows 24-26: Work even in pattern st.
Row 27: Rep Row 7 – 36 (38, 40, 42, 44) sts.
Rows 28-30: Work even in pattern st.
Sizes 6 (12, 18, 24) months only
Work even in pattern st for 2 (7, 10, 12) rows.
Fasten off.
Hood
Ch 79 (81, 83, 85, 87).
Row 1: Sc in 2nd ch from hook and each ch across row, turn – 78 (80, 82, 84, 86) sts.
Rows 2-3: Sc evenly across row, turn.
Sizes 12 (18, 24) months only
Work 2 (4, 6) rows even in pattern st.
All Sizes
Rows 4-7: Work even in pattern st.
Row 8: Ch 1, sc2tog, work in pattern st to last 2 sts, sc2tog, turn – 76 (78, 80, 82, 84) sts.
Row 9: Work even in pattern st.
Row 10: Ch 1, sc2tog, work in pattern st to last 2 sts, sc2tog, turn – 74 (76, 78, 80, 82) sts.
Rows 11-12: Rep Rows 9-10 – 72 (74, 76, 78, 80) sts.
Rows 13-14: Rep Rows 9-10 – 70 (72, 74, 76, 78) sts.
Rows 15-16: Rep Rows 9-10 – 68 (70, 72, 74, 76) sts.
Rows 17-18: Rep Rows 9-10 – 66 (68, 70, 72, 74) sts.
Rows 19-20: Rep Rows 9-10 – 64 (66, 68, 70, 72) sts.
Rows 21-22: Rep Rows 9-10 – 62 (64, 66, 68, 70) sts.
Work 2 (3, 5, 7, 8) rows even in pattern st.
Fasten off.
Pocket (make 2)
Ch 11 (13, 15, 17, 19).
Row 1: Sc in 2nd ch from hook and each ch across row, turn – 10 (12, 14, 16, 18) sts.
Rows 2-5: Work even in pattern st.
Sizes 12 (18, 24) months only
Work 2 (3, 4) rows even in pattern st.
All Sizes
Row 6: Sl st in first 4 (4, 6, 6, 8) sts, ch 1, work in pattern st to end of row, turn – 6 (8, 8, 10, 10) sts.
Row 7: Work even in pattern st.
Row 8: Ch 1, sc2tog, work in pattern st to end of row, turn – 5 (7, 7, 9, 9) sts.
Row 9: Work even in pattern st.
Row 10: Rep Row 8 – 4 (6, 6, 8, 8) sts.
Rows 11-12: Work even in pattern st.
Fasten off.
Ear (make 2)
Ch 6.
Row 1: Sc in 2nd ch from hook and each ch across row, turn – 5 sts.
Row 2: Ch 1, 2 sc in each st across row, turn – 10 sts.
Row 3: Ch 1, sc in next 3 sts, (sc2tog) twice, sc in next 3 sts, turn – 8 sts.
Row 4: Ch 1, sc in next 2 sts, sc3tog, sc in next 3 sts, turn – 6 sts.
Row 5: Ch 1, sc2tog, sc in next 2 sts, sc2tog, turn – 4 sts.
Row 6: Ch 1, (sc2tog) twice – 2 sts.
Fasten off.
Work 1 row of sc evenly around outer edge.
Finishing
Block all pieces.
Sew Front to Back at shoulder seams. Sew Back seam of Hood. Sew Ears in place using photo as guide.
Sew Hood around neck edge. Sew zipper in place along front edges, cutting top of zipper to fit as necessary. Sew Pockets in place using photos as guide. Sew Sleeves and side seams.
Weave in ends.
Whew!! That was a novel!! I hope you’ve enjoyed this free crochet pattern for the Baby Bear Cardigan! Check out my other baby items here.
Happy Crocheting!
Amanda
I just love this little cardigan and your little man is just adorable! Thank you for the pattern!
Thank you!! 🙂
Wow, Amanda, this is sooooo adorable! And it’s free?? Double wow! I can’t imagine the time it took to provide such detailed instructions for so many sizes. I am very, very impressed. I’m going to get started on one today as we happen to have a newborn in our family. This will be an exquisite heirloom/legacy gift that can be passed down.
I also have been meaning to leave a comment that I’ve worked many of your patterns and they are all very easy to follow and more importantly, there are no errors. I appreciate that very much. I crochet every single day for hours on end and your patterns have provided so much enjoyment. Thank you!
Hi – I’m working on the sleeves – and I got to row 27 but it isn’t written out this way
Row 23: Rep Row 7 – 34 (36, 38, 40, 42) sts.
Rows 24-26: Work even in pattern st.
Row 25: Rep Row 7 – 36 (38, 40, 42, 44) sts.
Rows 26-28: Work even in pattern st.
So, is this an accidential repeat? or mis-numbered?
Looks like this is mis-numbered! Should be an increase for row 27 and then 28-30 work even. Thanks for letting me know – I’m going to correct it now 🙂
Thank you!
I love this pattern, it’s very cute. Was wondering if you’d consider adding diagrams on how to sew it together, i found it a little confusing as I am only a beginner. Thanks 😊
I’m having the same problem with the hood. Any advice you can give me?
Hi Sabrina,
Did you figure out the hood shaping? This is a simple hood so it has a center back seam and then is attached to the neckline.
Amanda,
Hi, I want to make the bear cardigan but I am a little confused by the directions. Do you have a video on this?
I don’t have a video for this one yet. I’m trying to go back and make videos for all my patterns, but it’s taking me a while.