Crochet Peter Pan Collar Baby Cardigan – Free Pattern

This original crochet peter pan collar baby cardigan targets crochet baby cardigan with collar 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 cream open cardigan uses plain seamed panels and two separately worked lavender collar leaves. Each broad, softly rounded leaf is sewn securely to one side of the neckline; no ties, closures or bonnet are included.

Pattern Details

• Hook Size: 4 mm, adjusted to washed hdc gauge
• Finished Size: 9–18 months planning target; about 20-inch open chest and 10-inch length
• Gauge: 18 hdc and 12 rows = 4 inches after washing
• Estimated Time: 8–10 hours
• Construction: 45-stitch back, two 23-stitch fronts, two sleeves and two rounded collar leaves
• 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

• About 390 yd washable cream DK and 35 yd lavender DK yarn
• 4 mm hook, markers, blunt needle, scissors and tape measure

Gauge, Measurements, and Planning

At 18 hdc per four inches, the 45-stitch back is about 10 inches wide and the two 23-stitch fronts add about 10.2 inches before seams. Fifty-five rows at 12 per four inches are about 18.3 inches; for this shorter size, stop at Row30 (10 inches) on all body pieces. The 42-stitch upper sleeve edge is measured against the actual armhole before sewing. These are planning dimensions; wash a swatch and trial-fit.

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: Hdc2tog: yarn over, draw up a loop in each of two adjacent old stitches, yarn over and pull through all five loops. It consumes two and produces one. For the collar leaf, work two hdc in the first and last stitch of each row, with one hdc in each middle stitch; this adds two stitches per row. Turning ch2 is not counted.

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, detachable trim and ties. 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 Peter Pan Collar Baby Cardigan

Crochet Three Plain Panels

1. Back: ch46 in cream; hdc in second chain and each remaining chain (45 sts). Ch2 and turn. Rows2–30: hdc in each of45 stitches; ch2 and turn except after Row30.
2. Make two fronts: ch24 and hdc in second chain and across (23 sts). Work Rows2–30 in hdc across23. Mark the inside and outside edges of the two mirror-image fronts.
3. Wash and measure all three pieces. Each should be 30 rows tall; do not trim or stretch a mismatched panel.

Make Sleeves and Collar Leaves

1. For each sleeve ch43; hdc in second chain and across (42). Work 40 more rows in hdc, turning with ch2. The foundation is the upper edge; the last row is the cuff. Make two identical pieces.
2. For each collar leaf, ch8 in lavender; hdc in second chain and across (7). Rows2–8: work 2 hdc in the first stitch, one hdc in each middle stitch, and 2 hdc in the last stitch. Counts are 9,11,13,15,17,19,21. Fasten off with a long sewing tail. Make a second leaf and block both alike.
3. The leaf’s 7-stitch short edge is its neckline attachment; the widening rows form a soft fan. Round its two lower corners with a few small hand tacks after placement; do not add loose trim.

Assemble the Open Cardigan

1. Sew 15 outer top stitches of each front to 15 outer back stitches. Leave 15 center back stitches and 8 inner stitches on each front open at the neck.
2. Sew side seams from Row1 through Row17. Leave Rows18–30 (13 row ends on front and back) open at each armhole. Center one 42-stitch sleeve foundation at each shoulder and ease around its measured 26 row ends; sew through full loops, then close the sleeve long seam.
3. Pin one collar leaf to each neckline side, broad edges facing outward and narrow seven-stitch edges meeting toward the center. Sew each attachment through every stitch twice with lavender yarn. Tack the center meeting point and the outer tips to the shoulder seam. Fold and unfold; repair any loose point before wear.

Finish and Check

1. Weave tails securely, wash according to yarn label and measure chest, neckline, cuffs and length. Confirm collar leaves lie flat and cannot be pulled loose.
2. Use only for supervised awake wear; remove before sleep. Do not add cords, buttons or detachable decorations.

Assembly and Shaping

Join 15 top stitches at each shoulder, leaving the center neckline open. Sew side seams from the hem through Row17, leaving Row18–30 unseamed. Attach each sleeve foundation evenly around the measured front/back armhole. Sew each lavender leaf’s short straight edge to one front neckline curve and its wider outer edge to the corresponding shoulder/neck edge; overlap the leaf tips only at the center back by one stitch and tack securely.

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, collar or color joins 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 Peter Pan Collar Baby Cardigan

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

Finished size: 9–18 months planning target; about 20-inch open chest and 10-inch length

Card Materials

• About 390 yd washable cream DK and 35 yd lavender DK yarn
• 4 mm hook, markers, blunt needle, scissors and tape measure

Card Instructions

1. Crochet Three Plain Panels: Crochet Three Plain Panels
2. Make Sleeves and Collar Leaves: Make Sleeves and Collar Leaves
3. Assemble the Open Cardigan: Assemble the Open Cardigan
4. Finish and Check: Finish and Check

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