The Honeycomb Hug Cardigan: A Free Knitting Pattern for a Cozy, Textured Baby Girl Jacket

The Honeycomb Hug Cardigan: A Free Knitting Pattern for a Cozy, Textured Baby Girl Jacket

Wrap your little one in the sweetest warmth with this modern honeycomb-textured cardigan, featuring a playful hood and delicate button band. This free pattern creates a soft, heirloom-quality jacket that's as unique as it is cozy. The rich, dimensional honeycomb stitch pattern creates a beautiful, textured fabric that invites cuddles, while the classic shape with a generous hood and front button band makes it both stylish and practical. Whether you're a seasoned knitter or a confident beginner, this pattern will guide you through creating a cherished piece for your baby girl.

Materials Needed

• Yarn: Worsted weight (Category 4) yarn in a soft pastel shade (e.g., blush pink, buttercream, or mint). Approximately 300-350 yards for size 6-12 months. Sample used Lion Brand Heartland in 'Mount Rainier Gray'.
• Needles: US Size 7 (4.5 mm) knitting needles (straight or circular for body), US Size 6 (4.0 mm) for ribbing.
• Notions: Stitch markers, tapestry needle, 4-5 buttons (approx. 1/2 inch).
• Gauge: 20 stitches and 28 rows = 4 inches in honeycomb stitch pattern on larger needles, after blocking.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Sizes

Instructions are for size 0-3 months, with sizes 3-6, 6-12, and 12-18 months in parentheses.

Stitch Pattern: Honeycomb

Worked over a multiple of 6 stitches + 2.

• Row 1 (RS): *K2, p4; repeat from *, end k2.
• Row 2 (WS): *P2, k4; repeat from *, end p2.
• Row 3: *P2, k4; repeat from *, end p2.
• Row 4: *K2, p4; repeat from *, end k2.
• Row 5: *K2, p4; repeat from *, end k2.
• Row 6: *P2, k4; repeat from *, end p2.
• Repeat rows 1-6 for pattern.

Back

1. With smaller needles (US Size 6), cast on 58 (64, 70, 76) stitches.
2. Work in k1, p1 ribbing for 1.5 inches, ending with a wrong-side row.
3. Switch to larger needles (US Size 7). Begin honeycomb pattern and work even until piece measures 7 (8, 9, 10) inches from cast-on edge.
4. Bind off all stitches loosely. Do not cut yarn if you plan to pick up stitches for the hood later.

Left Front

1. With smaller needles, cast on 28 (31, 34, 37) stitches.
2. Work in k1, p1 ribbing for 1.5 inches, ending with a wrong-side row.
3. Switch to larger needles. Work in honeycomb pattern, but keep the first 5 stitches at the center front (the edge that will be the button band) in garter stitch (knit every row).
4. Continue until piece measures the same as the back to the shoulder (7, 8, 9, or 10 inches).
5. Bind off all stitches.

Right Front

1. Work as for left front, but reverse shaping. The button band will be the first 5 stitches from the center front edge.
2. On the button band, create buttonholes as follows: On a right-side row, k2, yo (yarn over), k2tog, k1. This creates a small buttonhole.
3. Space buttonholes every 2.5 (2.75, 3, 3.25) inches. For a 6-12 month size, you'll likely have 4-5 buttonholes. Mark their positions as you go.
4. Continue until piece measures the same as the back to the shoulder.
5. Bind off all stitches.

Sleeves (Make 2)

1. With smaller needles, cast on 30 (32, 34, 36) stitches.
2. Work in k1, p1 ribbing for 1.5 inches.
3. Switch to larger needles and honeycomb pattern.
4. Increase 1 stitch at each end of every 4th row, 6 (7, 8, 9) times. To increase, knit into the front and back of the first and last stitch of the row.
5. Work even until sleeve measures 6 (7, 8, 9) inches from cast-on edge.
6. Bind off loosely.

Hood

1. Sew the shoulder seams of the back and front pieces together.
2. With larger needles, pick up and knit 60 (66, 72, 78) stitches evenly around the neck edge. Start at the right front edge and end at the left front edge.
3. Work in honeycomb pattern for 6 (7, 8, 9) inches.
4. Fold the hood in half (right sides together) so the cast-on edge is at the top.
5. Use a three-needle bind-off to close the top of the hood. Alternatively, you can bind off and sew the seam with a tapestry needle.

Finishing

1. Sew the sleeves into the armholes. The top of the sleeve should align with the shoulder seam.
2. Sew the side seams from the bottom hem to the underarm, and the sleeve seams from the cuff to the underarm.
3. Weave in all ends using a tapestry needle.
4. Block the cardigan gently by wetting it and laying it flat to dry, shaping it to the correct dimensions.
5. Sew buttons opposite the buttonholes on the left front button band.

Your Honeycomb Hug Cardigan is now complete! This cozy, textured jacket will be a cherished addition to your little one's wardrobe, perfect for snuggles and everyday adventures.