Ice Blue Pumpkin Patch Crochet Cardigan Free Pattern
Introduction
This little cardigan is made for the newest babies in your life — the 0-6 month crowd who deserve something handmade and a little bit special. It is built from twelve simple four-round granny squares in soft ice blue and silver worsted cotton, so the colorwork happens almost by itself as you alternate squares. The result is a boxy, straight-sided cardigan with short square sleeves, a neat silver single-crochet edging, and three buttons down one front. A tiny stuffed orange pumpkin with a brown stem sits on the chest, making this a sweet first-autumn or baby-shower gift. The cotton keeps it light and breathable, and the squares make it a forgiving, portable project you can work in small sittings.
Materials Needed
- Yarn: Worsted weight (Category 4) cotton, approximately 400 yards total:
- Color A (ice blue): 200 yards
- Color B (silver): 150 yards
- Color C (orange): 50 yards (pumpkin)
- Color D (brown): small amount (stem)
- Hook: 5.0 mm (H-8) crochet hook
- Notions: Tapestry needle, stitch marker, small amount of polyester fiberfill for the pumpkin, three 1/2-inch (12 mm) buttons, scissors
- Finished size: Chest circumference 20 inches (51 cm); length 10 inches (25 cm); sleeve length from underarm 6 inches (15 cm). Fits 0-6 months (approx. 10-15 lbs).
Abbreviations
- ch — chain
- sl st — slip stitch
- sc — single crochet
- dc — double crochet
- inc — increase (work 2 sc in the same stitch)
- dec — decrease (single crochet 2 stitches together)
- sp / sps — space / spaces
- MR — magic ring
- st / sts — stitch / stitches
- [ ] x6 — repeat the instructions in brackets six times
Gauge
One 4-round granny square measures 3.5 inches (9 cm) square after blocking. Work one square first, block it, and measure it before making the rest; if it is larger, go down a hook size, and if smaller, go up.
Tips Before You Start
- Make and block one square first to confirm gauge — all twelve squares need to match so the panels line up cleanly.
- Keep a consistent turning chain: the ch-3 at the start of each round counts as the first dc, so join to the top of it, not into the space beside it.
- Label your squares as you finish them (A-dominant or B-dominant) so the alternating layout stays even across the back and fronts.
- Do not overstuff the pumpkin — light stuffing keeps it flat against the cardigan and prevents it from pulling the fabric.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Granny Square (make 12: 6 with A as Color 1 and B as Color 2; 6 with B as Color 1 and A as Color 2)
Setup: With Color 1, ch 4, join with sl st to form a ring.
R1: Ch 3 (counts as dc), 2 dc in ring, [ch 2, 3 dc in ring] 3 times, ch 2, join with sl st to top of ch-3. Fasten off Color 1. (12 dc, 4 ch-2 sps)
R2: Join Color 2 with sl st in any ch-2 sp, ch 3, 2 dc in same sp, ch 2, 3 dc in same sp, *ch 1, (3 dc, ch 2, 3 dc) in next ch-2 sp; rep from * around, ch 1, join with sl st to top of ch-3. Fasten off Color 2. (24 dc, 4 ch-1 sps, 4 ch-2 sps)
R3: Join Color 1 with sl st in any ch-2 sp, ch 3, 2 dc in same sp, ch 2, 3 dc in same sp, *ch 1, 3 dc in next ch-1 sp, ch 1, (3 dc, ch 2, 3 dc) in next ch-2 sp; rep from * around, ch 1, 3 dc in last ch-1 sp, ch 1, join with sl st to top of ch-3. Fasten off Color 1. (36 dc, 8 ch-1 sps, 4 ch-2 sps)
R4: Join Color 2 with sl st in any ch-2 sp, ch 3, 2 dc in same sp, ch 2, 3 dc in same sp, *[ch 1, 3 dc in next ch-1 sp] twice, ch 1, (3 dc, ch 2, 3 dc) in next ch-2 sp; rep from * around, [ch 1, 3 dc in next ch-1 sp] twice, ch 1, join with sl st to top of ch-3. Fasten off Color 2. (48 dc, 12 ch-1 sps, 4 ch-2 sps)
Block all squares to 3.5 inches (9 cm).
Pumpkin Applique (make 1 with C)
Setup: MR 6 sc. (6 sts)
R1: Inc in each st around (12 sts)
R2: [Sc, inc] x6 (18 sts)
R3: [Sc, inc, sc] x6 (24 sts)
R4: Sc in each st around (24 sts)
R5: [Sc, dec, sc] x6 (18 sts)
R6: [Sc, dec] x6 (12 sts)
Stuff lightly.
R7: Dec x6 (6 sts). Fasten off, leaving a long tail. Weave the tail through the remaining sts and pull closed.
Stem (make 1 with D)
Row 1: Ch 4, sl st in 2nd ch from hook, sc in next ch, sl st in last ch. Fasten off, leaving a tail. Sew the stem to the top of the pumpkin.
Assembly and Finishing
Lay out the squares. Back: 3 squares wide x 4 squares tall (6 squares, alternating 3 A-dominant and 3 B-dominant). Each front: 1 square wide x 4 squares tall (3 squares each, alternating colors). Sleeves: 2 squares each (1 A-dominant, 1 B-dominant) sewn together into a rectangle, then folded and seamed into a short tube.
Join the squares with whipstitch using matching yarn. Sew the back to the fronts at the shoulders, leaving the center 4 inches (10 cm) open for the neck. Sew the side seams, leaving armhole openings measuring 4.5 inches (11.5 cm) from the bottom edge.
Set in the sleeves, easing each sleeve tube into its armhole, then sew the sleeve seams.
Edging: With right side facing, join B at the bottom right front corner. Ch 1, sc evenly around the entire outer edge (both fronts, neck, and bottom), working 3 sc in each corner. Join with sl st. Fasten off. Repeat for each sleeve cuff: join B at the underarm, sc evenly around the sleeve opening, join with sl st, fasten off.
Buttons: Sew 3 buttons evenly along the left front edge (for a girl) or the right front edge (for a boy), using the ch-2 spaces as buttonholes.
Pumpkin: Sew the pumpkin applique to the left chest (or right chest) using the photo as a guide.
Finishing: Weave in all ends and block lightly, shaping the edging flat and the sleeves to length.
Pro Tips and Variations
- Swap the silver for a soft cream or pale gray for a more neutral palette, keeping the pumpkin orange as the single pop of color.
- Add a second pumpkin applique to the opposite chest, or replace it with a small leaf or acorn for a different seasonal look.
- For a slightly longer-wearing cardigan, work one extra round of sc edging in B around the cuffs and bottom for a firmer, more structured finish.
