Introducing the Cascade Children’s Cardigan Crochet Pattern, the adorable mini version of our popular adult cardigan!
This delightful cardigan features a unique side-to-side construction adorned with a beautiful cascade of granny squares that flow gracefully up the back. Designed with tapered sleeves, a ribbed band, and a charming button-up collar, this cardigan is perfect for adding a touch of style to any little one’s wardrobe.
Crocheted using Premier ColorFusion, a soft acrylic gradient yarn, this pattern enables you to create stunning, flattering vertical stripes without the hassle of changing colours. The yarn’s gorgeous colour transitions will make your finished cardigan truly eye-catching!
Table of Contents
This versatile pattern is available in sizes ranging from 3-6 months to child size 12, catering to a variety of age groups. To ensure a smooth and enjoyable crocheting experience, we’ve also included a helpful video tutorial on our YouTube channel.
Get ready to create a wonderful and cozy wardrobe staple for the little ones with the Children’s Cascade Cardigan Crochet Pattern! Happy crocheting!
Easy Child-Size Crochet Cardigan
This easy children’s crochet cardigan pattern is inspired by the beautiful adult version we recently published as part of our Mountainscapes Collection! Of course, I couldn’t resist creating a matching child-sized version for my granddaughter.
I know many of you love it when there’s a children’s option, too! I was excited to try Premier ColorFusion yarn and chose the Salt Water Taffy colorway. It turned out beautifully, and I hope you enjoy making this children’s cardigan as much as I did!
Check out the Beautiful Cascade Cardigan below!
Size Chart For The Children’s Crochet Cardigan
Oversized Fit with 5.25-6.75″ inches of Positive Ease. For reference, the samples are 6- 12 months in size and modelled on an 18-month-old.
I would suggest you purchase an extra ball of yarn. It’s always better to have extra yarn on hand than to run out halfway through your project. Happy crocheting!
Measurements
3-6 (6-12, 18, 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12)
Chest: 10.75 (12.5, 12.5, 13.25, 14.25, 15, 16, 17, 17.75)”
Length Armpit to Hem: 6.75 (7.5, 9.25, 9.25, 10.25, 11, 11.75, 13.5, 13.5)”
Sleeve Width: 3.75 (4.25, 4.75, 5, 5.5, 6, 6.25, 6.75, 7.25)” (half sleeve)
Sleeve Length: 7.75 (8.75, 9.5, 10.5, 11.25, 12.25, 13.25, 14.25, 15.25)” Includes 1.5 (1.5, 1.5, 1.5, 1.5, 1.5, 1.75, 1.75, 1.75)” cuff
Total Length: 12 (13.25, 15.5, 15.75, 17, 18.5, 20, 22, 22.5)” Includes 1.5 (1.5, 1.5, 1.5, 1.5, 1.5, 1.75, 1.75, 1.75)” band
Neck Opening (granny square): 3.5” all sizes
Skill Level
Gauge
Body: 5 3-dc clusters and 4 ch-sps (19 sts) & 9 rows equal to 4″ with 4.5mm crochet hook in pattern
Ribbing: 10 sts and 10 rows equal to 2″ with 4mm hook
Granny Square: 3.5″ square
Gauge Swatch Instructions:
Setup Row (RS):
Ch 28, 1 sc in the back bump of the 2nd ch from hook and in each ch across, turn—27 sts.
Row 1 (WS):
Ch 3 (counts as 1 dc here and throughout), work 1 dc in each of next 2 sts, *ch 1, sk next st, 1 dc in each of next 3 sts; rep from * across, turn—7 clusters.
Row 2:
Ch 4 (counts as 1 dc, ch 1 here and throughout), (cluster, ch 1) in each ch-1 sp across, end with 1 dc between 2nd dc and ch-3, turn—6 clusters, 2 dc.
Row 3:
(Ch 3, 2 dc, ch 1) in first ch-1 sp, (cluster, ch 1) in each ch-1 sp across, turn—7 clusters.
Rows 4-13:
Rep rows 2 & 3. Once you have completed your swatch, measure to the inside of the swatch.
Suitable Yarn Substitutes ColorFusion
Suitable Substitutes Solid Colours
Mellowspun Yarn (CDN) – 284 yards/100g
Premier Anti-Pilling Yarn (CDN) – 590 yds/150g
Premier Basix DK (CDN) – 306 yds/100g
Brava Recycle– 309 yds/100g
Crochet Hooks Required
Buy Furls Crochet Hooks as seen in photos. Use coupon code MJS15.
Buy Dots Crochet Hooks from WeCrochet
Buy Wood Crochet Hooks from Mary Maxim
Abbreviations
Blo – Back Loop Only
Ch – Chain
Dc – Double Crochet
Flo – Front Loop Only
Rep – Repeat
RS – Right Side
Sc – Single Crochet
Sk – Skip
Sl St – Slip Stitch
Sp(s) – Space(s)
St(s) – Stitch(es)
WS – Wrong Side
( ) – Work step in parentheses in indicated stitch
Special Stitches
Cluster: Work 3 dc in indicated space.
Construction
The Children’s Crochet Cardigan is crocheted in two pieces, beginning at the sleeves and working from one side across. It features Granny Squares at the center of the back. The number of granny squares used determines the cardigan’s length: 3-6 squares, depending on the size you are making.
Once all the pieces are completed, assemble the children’s cardigan into one flat piece. Fold it at the center shoulders and then seam the sides of the cardigan and sleeves using the mattress stitch. Complete the crochet cardigan by adding ribbing to the bottom and collar.
Video for the Children’s Crochet Cardigan
Join us for a comprehensive walkthrough of the Children’s Cascade Cardigan crochet pattern tutorial. This step-by-step video guides you through every stage of creating the 6-12mth Size Cardigan.
- Crocheting the Sleeve Cuff: We’ll demonstrate how to crochet the sleeve cuff in single crochet in the back loops.
- Increasing the Granny Stitch Pattern: Learn how to increase the granny stitch pattern to achieve a fashionable tapered sleeve that will enhance your overall design.
- Adding Chain Lengths: Learn how to add chain lengths to each side of the sleeve, allowing you to work seamlessly on both the front and back sections of your cardigan.
- Crocheting the Granny Squares: We’ll walk you through the process of crocheting individual granny squares, a crucial element of this unique cardigan design.
- Seaming Techniques: Master the mattress stitch for neatly seaming the sides of your cardigan, providing a clean and professional look.
- Join as You Go: Finally, we’ll show you how to add the join as you go band, completing your cardigan with a stylish finishing touch.
With clear instructions and helpful tips throughout the video, you’ll be able to follow along easily, no matter your skill level. Grab your yarn and hooks, and let’s get crocheting!
Children’s Cascade Mountain Cardigan
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Pattern Support
Bottom Band
With smaller hook, put a slip knot on the hook, RS facing join yarn to the bottom left front panel.
Body Edge
Setup Row (RS):
Ch 1, working across the side of the rows, work *2 sc in next row, 1 sc in next row; rep from *across, at the granny square work 1 sc per st, sk ch-1 sps—60 (72, 72, 78, 84, 90, 96, 102, 108) sts.
Join-As-You-Go Band
The band is joined as you go to the body edge.
Row 1:
Ch 9 (9, 9, 9, 9, 9, 11, 11, 11), 1 sc in 2nd ch from hook and in each ch across, sk first st at the edge, sl st in next 2 sts (body edge), turn—8 (8, 8, 8, 8, 8, 10, 10, 10) sts.
Row 2:
Sk sl sts, 1 sc in blo of each st across, turn—8 (8, 8, 8, 8, 8, 10, 10, 10) sts.
Row 3:
Ch 1, work 1 sc in blo of each st across, sl st in next 2 sts (body edge), turn—8 (8, 8, 8, 8, 8, 10, 10, 10) sts.
Rows 4-60 (72, 72, 78, 84, 90, 96, 102, 108):
Rep Rows 2-3, sl st final row to edge. Fasten off and weave in ends.
Collar
Setup Row (RS):
With RS facing and smaller hook, put a slip knot on the hook, and join yarn to the bottom corner of the right front panel. Sc in each st across the band, 1 sc in each st and ch-1 sp, across the front right, granny square and the front left, fasten off.
Join-As-You-Go Band (no buttons)
The band is joined as you go to the collar edge. Put a slip knot on the hook and join yarn to the front right edge. Repeat the instructions for the bottom band
Mark Buttonholes
With RS facing at the front right side, count 3 sts from the bottom edge, pm in 4th st, *count 12 sts, pm in 13th st; rep from * making as many buttonholes as desired. The sample is made with 3 buttonholes.
Buttonhole Row:
Ch 1, work 1 sc in blo 3 (3, 3, 3, 3, 3, 4, 4, 4) sts, ch 1, sk 2 sts, 1 sc in blo last 3 (3, 3, 3, 3, 3, 4, 4, 4) sts.
Next Row:
Ch 1, work 1 sc in blo 3 (3, 3, 3, 3, 3, 4, 4, 4) sts, 2 sc in ch-1 sp, 1 sc in blo last 3 (3, 3, 3, 3, 3, 4, 4, 4) sts.
As you work the collar rows and come to a place marker, use these two rows in place to create the buttonhole. Repeat the instructions for the bottom band.
Finishing
Lightly steam the cardigan to finish.
Washing Instructions
Handwashing is highly recommended to clean your cardigan. Fill a basin or sink with lukewarm water and add a mild detergent suitable for delicate fabrics. Gently immerse the garment and agitate it softly to cleanse. Avoid excessive squeezing or wringing to prevent stretching or misshaping. Rinse thoroughly with clean water. Lay flat to dry.
Looking for Pattern Support?
Head over to my Facebook Community Group to ask any questions about this pattern, share photos of your MJ’s Designs, and cheer on fellow crocheters!
Our group has a vibrant and supportive community of experienced crocheters who have made various MJ patterns. They are always eager to offer guidance and share their experiences, so don’t hesitate to reach out and connect with them.
Thank you for joining our community, and happy crocheting!
I hope you love our Children’s Cascade cardigan crochet pattern. You might also love these crochet patterns!
Adult Cascade Crochet Cardigan
For more crochet patterns by MJ’s Off The Hook Designs see our Ravelry and Etsy Shop. Check out our Facebook and Instagram for inspiration.