Crochet Little Harbor Baby Cardigan with Side Slits

This original crochet little harbor baby cardigan with side slits targets easy long baby cardigan crochet pattern and is a complete free beginner baby cardigan pattern. The garment is built from the specific pieces described below, with stitch counts and measured checkpoints before each join. The written arithmetic has been checked, but gauge and fit require a washed swatch and a trial fitting over a suitable layer.

A long open-front blue cardigan has three straight half-double-crochet body panels, a pale ecru hem, two tapered sleeves and shallow side slits left deliberately unsewn for movement. The broad ecru front edge is worked after assembly; no pockets or closure are added.

Pattern Details

• Hook Size: 4 mm, adjusted to washed hdc gauge
• Finished Size: 18–24 months planning target; about 24-inch open chest and 16-inch body length
• Gauge: 16 hdc and 12 rows = 4 inches after washing
• Estimated Time: 8–10 hours
• Construction: 48-stitch back, two 24-stitch fronts, two tapered sleeves, measured side slits and continuous front edge
• Skill level: Easy

Why You’ll Love This Project

Each stitch repeat is short enough to count without a chart. The changing silhouette comes from how the pieces are assembled, and each seam has a named edge and count. The project can be stopped at every stage for a measurement before yarn is cut.

Materials

• Approximately 460 yards washable blue DK yarn and 85 yards matching ecru DK yarn
• 4 mm hook, eight removable markers, yarn needle, scissors and tape measure

Gauge, Measurements, and Planning

At sixteen hdc per four inches, the 48-stitch back is about 12 inches wide and each 24-stitch front about 6 inches. Open chest width is about 24 inches before seams. Forty-eight rows at twelve rows per four inches are about 16 inches long. The eight-row lower slit is about 2.7 inches and the nineteen-row upper armhole about 6.3 inches per side. These are planning figures, not a fit guarantee; measure the washed pieces over the child’s intended layer.

Make and wash a gauge swatch before beginning. Measure only after the swatch is completely dry. If the stitch width differs, change hook size rather than pulling the working yarn tighter. Keep a written count at the end of every section so the finished edges remain balanced and the assembly points line up.

Abbreviations and Special Stitches

• ch: chain
• sc: single crochet
• hdc: half double crochet
• dc: double crochet
• sl st: slip stitch
• BLO: back loop only
• st(s): stitch(es)
• rnd: round

Special stitch guidance: Hdc: yarn over, insert hook, draw up loop, yarn over and pull through all three loops. Hdc2tog: yarn over, draw up loop in each of two consecutive stitches, yarn over and pull through all five loops. Starting ch2 is height only and never counts. Each paired sleeve decrease consumes four old stitches at the two ends and produces two, reducing the row by two.

Important Notes

• Images are AI-generated illustrations of the intended construction, not photographs of a physically tested sample. Follow the written counts rather than counting image stitches.
• Development note: stitch arithmetic has been checked computationally. This garment has not been physically sample-tested. Sizes, gauge and yardage are planning targets; swatch, measure and trial-fit before gifting.
• Beginning turning chains and joining slip stitches do not count unless specifically stated. Work into the first real stitch and mark it.
• Use smooth, washable baby-suitable yarn. Avoid loose appliques, long loops and removable trim. Check every edge and attachment before supervised wear.
• A cardigan is supervised daytime clothing, not sleepwear or a safe-sleep item. Remove it before sleep and check seams, yarn tails and markers each time.

Complete Instructions for Crochet Little Harbor Baby Cardigan with Side Slits

Work the Long Body Panels

1. Back: with ecru ch49. Row1: hdc in second chain from hook and every remaining chain. (48 sts) Ch2 and turn. Rows2–4: hdc once in each of 48 stitches; ch2 and turn. (48 sts)
2. Change to blue on the final pull-through of Row4. Rows5–48: hdc in all 48 stitches, ch2 and turn except after Row48. (48 sts) Mark both edges at the ends of Rows8,29 and48 before fastening off.
3. Make two identical fronts. For each, ch25 in ecru, hdc in second chain and across. (24 sts) Rows2–4: hdc in all24. Change to blue for Rows5–48 and hdc in all24 each row. Mark Rows8,29,48 and which edge will face the opening. Make a mirror layout by placing the two marked inner edges toward one another; do not change stitch counts.
4. Wash or damp-block the panels and check equal 48-row length and aligned ecru hem. Do not cut a slit: it is formed only by leaving lower side-seam rows unsewn.

Make Two Tapered Sleeves

1. For each sleeve with blue ch51. Row1: hdc in second chain and across. (50 sts) Ch2 and turn. Rows2–4: hdc once in every stitch. (50 sts)
2. Rows5,9,13,17,21,25,29 and33 are decrease rows. On each, hdc2tog across the first two old stitches, hdc once in every middle stitch, then hdc2tog across the final two old stitches. Counts after these rows are 48,46,44,42,40,38,36 and34 respectively. Every intervening row is plain hdc across the current count; ch2 and turn after every row except Row33.
3. Change to ecru for Rows30–33, keeping the named decrease at Row33. The first row is the wide upper-arm edge and Row33 the cuff. Make the second sleeve the same and compare both washed upper edges and cuffs. Leave the long edges open until attachment.

Join Shoulders, Slits and Sleeves

1. With right sides together, sew sixteen outer top stitches of each front to sixteen outer top stitches of the back. Leave 16 central back stitches and eight inner stitches on each front free, for32 neckline positions total.
2. At each side, align front and back hems. Leave Rows1–8 completely unsewn for a shallow lower slit; sew the paired row ends of Rows9–29; leave Rows30–48 free. The top opening has19 front and19 back row ends. Bar-tack the seam at Row9 and Row29 through full loops so the slits cannot continue ripping.
3. Center the sleeve’s 50-stitch foundation at its shoulder seam and pin its ends at the underarm. Compare the washed 50-stitch edge with the 38 row-end armhole perimeter; ease evenly without adding body stitches. Sew through full loops. Repeat on the other side, then close each sleeve’s 33-row long seam from underarm to cuff.
4. Starting at one lower front, work one ecru sc into each of its48 row ends, one sc into each of the32 free neckline stitches, then one sc into each of the other48 front row ends. (128 sc) Ch1 and turn, sc across128 once more. Fasten off and inspect for curling; rework with adjusted hook if the edge pulls. Do not bridge or sew across either lower side slit.

Finish and Check Movement

1. Wash and dry according to the yarn label. Measure the chest, length, arm opening, sleeve cuff and both slits. A side slit should open when the lower hem moves but the bar-tacked seam must remain secure.
2. Use only for supervised awake wear over an appropriate layer. Remove before sleep. No buttons, pockets, cords or ties are part of this version.

Assembly and Shaping

Sew the outer sixteen upper stitches of each front to the outer sixteen back stitches, leaving the center sixteen back and inner eight on each front free. At each body side leave Rows1–8 unsewn for a lower walking slit, sew Rows9–29, and leave Rows30–48 unsewn for the armhole. The 50-stitch sleeve foundation is eased evenly around 19 front plus 19 back row ends after comparing actual washed edge lengths.

Lay every component on a flat surface before joining. Match the marked centers first, then divide each remaining edge into equal sections. Work through both layers with consistent tension and pause after each section to check that the fabric lies flat. This measured approach prevents twisting and keeps decorative details facing the intended direction.

Finishing

1. Weave every tail through three changing stitch paths on the wrong side. Gently stretch each seam; repair any moving end.
2. Wash according to the yarn label, reshape without stretching and dry fully. Check the washed chest, neck, sleeve circumference and overall length.
3. Remove all markers. Inspect sleeves, neck, hem, closures if present, and yarn ends; stop using the garment if anything loosens or catches.
4. Give the caregiver the fiber, care method, measured size and advice to use the garment only while the baby is supervised and awake.

For a polished result, weave each tail through several same-color stitches, reverse direction once, and trim only after the fabric has been gently stretched. Block to the listed dimensions without flattening textured stitches. Inspect joins, borders, straps, and decorative pieces before the project is used or gifted.

Helpful Tips

• Make a practice swatch in the actual stitch pattern, then wash and dry it before measuring four central inches.
• Label right and wrong sides of panels with removable markers so both fronts are mirror images.
• Count the first and final stitch at every row. Mark the armhole start before sewing side seams.
• If the written count is right but your measurement differs, change hook size and swatch again before making all the pieces.

Good lighting and a contrasting stitch marker make counting much easier. If a section looks uneven, compare the current count with the previous checkpoint before continuing. Fixing one missed stitch early is faster than compensating later, and it preserves the measurements used by the assembly instructions.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is this cardigan physically size tested?

No physical sample test is claimed. The stitch counts were checked computationally. Measure the washed panels and do a supervised fit check over a layer before use.

Can I change yarn?

Use another smooth washable yarn only after a washed swatch matches both stitch and row gauge. Recheck sleeve and neck openings.

Are buttons or cords needed?

No. This written version has an open front without buttons, drawstrings or long ties. Do not add small detachable trim to an infant garment.

Conclusion

Keep the measured dimensions and yarn details with your pattern notes. Check the construction and safety guidance before styling or gifting the finished crochet project.

BabyYarnie Printable Crochet Pattern Card

BabyYarnie — easy-to-follow crochet for everyday makers.

Project: Crochet Little Harbor Baby Cardigan with Side Slits

Skill level: Easy   Hook: 4 mm, adjusted to washed hdc gauge   Yarn: DK

Finished size: 18–24 months planning target; about 24-inch open chest and 16-inch body length

Card Materials

• Approximately 460 yards washable blue DK yarn and 85 yards matching ecru DK yarn
• 4 mm hook, eight removable markers, yarn needle, scissors and tape measure

Card Instructions

1. Work the Long Body Panels: Back48 by48 rows; each front24 by48, with four ecru hem rows.
2. Make Two Tapered Sleeves: Two sleeves taper from50 upper stitches to34 cuff stitches over33 rows.
3. Join Shoulders, Slits and Sleeves: Shoulders16 each; slits8 rows; side seams21 rows; armholes19+19 row ends; front/neck edging128 sc.
4. Finish and Check Movement: Measured long cardigan with two secure matching side slits.

Finish: Check every count, weave in all ends, block to measurement, and inspect each join.