Toddler Cardigan

With this intermediate crochet pattern, create a cardigan for 1-3 year olds in two bright yarn colors. In this toddler crochet pattern, the buttons are also made with crochet.

MATERIALS: 12 months (2 years, 3 years)

•  Yarn: Caron International's Simply Soft Quick (100% acrylic; 3 oz/85 g, 50 yds/46 m skein):  3 (3, 4) skeins A, 3 (3, 4) skeins B Shown in: #0012 Watermelon (A), #0017 Mango (B)
• Hook: One US size K-10.5 (6.5 mm) crochet hook, or size needed to obtain gauge.
• Stitch markers
• Yarn needle

FINISHED MEASUREMENTS 12 months (2 years, 3 years)

Chest: 21 (24, 26)"/53.5 (61, 66)cm

Length: 12 (13, 15)"/30.5 (33, 38)cm

GAUGE
In Seed st, 14 sts and 14 rows = 4"/10 cm.

STITCHES USED
Chain (ch), Double crochet (dc), Single crochet (sc), Slip stitch (slip st); sc2tog: Single crochet 2 together – Insert hook in next stitch, yarn over and pull up a loop, (two loops on hook), insert hook in next stitch, yarn over and pull up a loop, yarn over and draw through all three loops on hook.

Seed st:

Row 1: Ch 1, sc in first sc, ch 1, skip next sc, *sc in next ch-1 space, ch 1, skip next sc; rep from * to last sc, sc in last sc, turn.

Row 2: Ch 1, sc in first sc, sc in next ch-1 space, *ch 1, skip next sc, sc in next ch-1 space; rep from * to last sc, sc in last sc, turn.

Rep Rows 1 and 2 for Seed st.

NOTE: Work in following color sequence throughout: *2 rows with B, 2 rows with A; rep from *.

RIGHT FRONT
With B, ch 32 (36, 44).

Row 1: Sc in second ch from hook, *ch 1, skip next ch, sc in next ch; rep from * across, turn—31 (35, 43) sts.

Place three markers 1/2"/1.5cm apart in sc along Row 1, placing first marker about 1/2"/1.5cm from beg of row (for buttonholes).

Buttonhole Row 1:  Work Row 2 of Seed st to next marker, ch 4, skip marked sc, sc in next ch-1 space (buttonhole made); [continue in Seed st to next marker, ch 4, skip marked sc, sc in next ch-1 space (buttonhole made)] twice, continue in Seed st to end.

Buttonhole Row 2: Work Row 1 of Seed st to next ch-4 space, sc in in ch-4 space; [continue in Seed st to next ch-4 space, sc in ch-4 space] twice, continue in Seed st to end.

Work even in Seed st until Right Front measures 3 (3 1/2, 3 1/2)"/7.5 (9, 9)cm, end with Row 2 of Seed st.. Fasten off.

BODY

Left Sleeve
With B, chain 26 (28, 30).

Row 1: Sc in second ch from hook, *ch 1, skip next ch, sc in next ch; rep from * across, turn—25 (27, 29) sts.

Rows 2–7 (15, 7): Beginning with Row 2 work in Seed st.

Increase Row: Ch 1, 2 sc in first st, work in Seed st across to last st, 2 sc in last st—27 (29, 31) sts.

Beginning with Row 2, work in Seed st and rep increase row every 8th row 1 (0, 2) times—29 (29, 35) sts.

Work even in Seed st until sleeve measures 9 1/2 (10, 10 3/4)"/24 (25.5, 27.5)cm from beginning, end with Row 2 of Seed st.

Shape Sides

Row 1: Ch 29 (33, 37), sc in 2nd ch from hook, ch 1, skip next ch, *sc in next ch, ch 1, skip next ch; rep from * across ch; continue in Seed st across sts of sleeve, turn—57 (61, 71) sts.

Row 2: Ch 29 (33, 37), sc in 2nd ch from hook, sc in next ch, *ch 1, skip next ch, sc in next ch; rep from * across ch; continue in Seed st across remaining sts, turn—85 (93, 107) sts.

Work even in Seed st until piece measures 2 1/2 (3, 3 1/2)"/6.5 (7.5, 9)cm for beginning of side shaping, end with Row 2 of Seed st.

Shape Neck and Continue Back: Work in Seed st over first 41 (43, 49) sts; leave remaining sts unworked, turn. Skip 13 (15, 15) unworked sts (for side neck) and place a marker in the next ch-1 space (for continuing left front).

Work even in Seed st for 5 (5 1/2, 5 1/2)"/12.5 (14, 14)cm, end with Row 2 of Seed st..

Join Right Front: Work in Seed st across back sts. With RS facing, ch 13 (15, 15), continue in Seed st across sts of right front—85 (93, 107) sts.

Next Row: Work in Seed st across sts of right front; sc in next ch, *ch 1, skip next ch, sc in next ch; rep from * across ch; continue in Seed st across sts of back.

Continue in Seed st until piece measures 2 1/2 (3, 3 1/2)"/6.5 (7.5, 9)cm from joining row, end with Row 2 of Seed st.

Right Sleeve

Row 1: Work in Seed st over first 57 (61, 71) sts; leave remaining sts unworked, turn.

Row 2: Work in Seed st over first 29 (29, 35) sts; leave remaining sts unworked, turn.

Work even in Seed st for 5 (5 1/2, 3 3/4)"/12.5 (14, 14)cm, end with Row 2 of Seed st.

Decrease Row (RS):  Ch 1, sc2tog, continue in Seed st to last 2 sc, sc2tog, turn—27 (27, 33) sts.

Work in Seed st, rep decrease row every 8th row (1, 0, 2) times—25 (27, 29) sts.

Work even in Seed st until sleeve measures 9 1/2 (10, 10 3/4)"/ 24 (25.5, 27.5)cm Fasten off.

Continue Left Front

Join next color (according to color sequence) in marked ch-1 space, work in Seed st across to end. Work even in Seed st for 3 (3 1/2, 3 1/2)"/7.5 (9, 9)cm. Fasten off.

FINISHING
Buttons (make 3): With A, ch 3; join with slip st in first ch to form a ring; [ch 3, slip st in ring] 5 times. Fasten off leaving a long tail for sewing.Sew side and sleeve seams. Edgings: Work sc evenly spaced around each cuff edge, and around all edges (lower, front and neck) of jacket.Using yarn needle, weave in ends.