Crochet Baby Cardigan with Fan Stitches – Detailed Guide

Absolutely! Let’s go step by step. I’ll provide a detailed guide on how to crochet a baby cardigan with fan stitches, including materials, techniques, and instructions. I’ll keep it clear and beginner-friendly, but also include tips for more advanced touches.

Crochet Baby Cardigan with Fan Stitches – Detailed Guide

Materials Needed

1. Yarn: Soft baby-friendly yarn (e.g., DK/light worsted weight; acrylic, cotton, or bamboo blends are ideal).

2. Hook: Recommended hook size for your yarn (usually 3.5–4.5 mm for DK yarn).

3. Notions:

   • Yarn needle for weaving in ends.

   • Stitch markers.

   • Buttons (optional, 3–5 depending on size).

4. Other Tools: Scissors, measuring tape.

Techniques You Should Know

1. Basic Stitches:

   • Chain (ch)

   • Slip stitch (sl st)

   • Single crochet (sc)

   • Double crochet (dc)

2. Fan Stitch:

   • Usually made by working multiple double crochets into a single stitch or space.

   • Example: 5 dc in one stitch = a fan.

3. Increasing and Decreasing: For shaping the sleeves and body.

Step 1: Gauge and Measurement

Before starting, measure the baby (or use standard sizes):

• Newborn: Chest 16–17 in (41–43 cm)

• 3–6 months: Chest 17–18 in (43–46 cm)

• 6–12 months: Chest 18–20 in (46–51 cm)

Tip: Gauge swatch – 10×10 cm (4×4 in) using fan stitch pattern. Adjust hook if needed.

Step 2: Crochet the Back

1. Foundation Chain: Chain a number that matches the width of the back (adjust to your gauge).

   • Example: 50 ch for newborn.

2. Row 1: Dc in 4th ch from hook, skip 1 ch, dc in next ch, repeat across.

3. Row 2 (Fan Row):

   • Skip 1 dc, 5 dc in next dc (fan made), skip 1 dc, sc in next dc, repeat.

4. Continue alternating plain dc rows and fan rows until you reach the desired length of the back.

   • Optional: End with a plain dc row for a neat edge.

Step 3: Crochet the Front Panels

1. Left Front Panel:

   • Chain half the back width + 2 for turning.

   • Work the same fan stitch pattern as the back.

   • Optionally, leave a buttonhole space on the first few rows:

     • Skip 2–3 dc where button will go, chain same number, continue.

2. Right Front Panel:

   • Mirror the left panel.

Tip: Front panels are usually shorter than back at the neck for shaping.

Step 4: Crochet the Sleeves

1. Foundation Chain: Measure the arm circumference, chain that + 2 for turning.

2. Fan Pattern: Work in fan stitch pattern, increasing 1 dc at each end every 3–4 rows for sleeve shaping.

3. Length: Stop when sleeve reaches desired length. Make 2 sleeves.

Step 5: Assembly

1. Lay pieces flat.

2. Sew shoulder seams (back to front panels).

3. Attach sleeves to armholes.

4. Sew side seams and sleeve seams.

5. Weave in all ends.

Step 6: Edging

1. Use single crochet or scallop stitch along:

   • Front edges

   • Neckline

   • Bottom hem

   • Sleeve cuffs

2. This neatens the cardigan and strengthens edges.

Step 7: Adding Buttons

1. Mark button positions along one front panel.

2. Sew buttons on the opposite panel.

3. Ensure buttonholes are aligned with buttons.

Optional Variations

• Fan Size: Increase to 7 dc per fan for more dramatic texture.

• Yarn Colors: Alternate colors every 2–3 fan rows for stripes.

• Lace Effect: Skip more stitches between fans for a lighter, airy design.

Tips for Success

• Keep tension even to maintain fan shape.

• Use stitch markers to track fan pattern repeats.

• Always block the finished cardigan to even out stitches.

If you want, I can also draw a simple fan stitch diagram and layout for the baby cardigan, which makes following the pattern visually much easier.

Do you want me to make that diagram?

Watch tutorial: