Button Stitch Baby Cardigan

When I set out to create this pattern, I wanted to create a cardigan that was practical for everyday use, but also included some additional detail to give it more interest. I love the way it turned out!

The sweater is knit from the top down, starting with the neck, raglan increase, body, and finally sleeves. The body of the sweater uses a cute Estonian Button Stitch pattern. You can add extra personality to the sweater by finishing it off with super cute buttons or keep it classic using wooden buttons like the ones on my sweater.

This pattern is super versatile and can work for both baby boys and baby girls, depending on the color yarn that you choose and the buttons that you add. I chose to use Yarn Bee Bamboo-tiful yarn in Rose from Hobby Lobby, but if you live in a colder climate you could also substitute for a soft wool yarn of similar weight for an even warmer sweater.

Note: an ad-free, PDF of this pattern can also be purchased on my Etsy shop here.

SPECIFICATIONS

SIZES

0-6 months: designed to fit chest chest 16”, actual cardigan chest is 18.75” around. Length = 10”

GAUGE

22 sts and 30 rows to 4” in stockinette stitch on US size 6 needles

MATERIALS

Yarn: I used Hobby Lobby’s “Yarn Bee Bamboo-tiful” yarn in Rose; you can also use ~300 yds of a different yarn of similar weight (3 - Lightweight)

Needles: US4 and US6 40” circular needle (for magic loop). If you prefer, for body of the sweater you can use straight needles and then switch to circular or DPN for sleeves. I personally use the circular needles to knit the entire project (hood, body and sleeves), but you can choose whatever works best for you.

Additional supplies: yarn needle, scissors, stitch markers, 5 buttons - I used 5/8” wooden buttons from Hobby Lobby; you can find similar ones on Amazon.

ABBREVIATIONS

co - cast on
k - knit
p - purl
K2tog - knit 2 together
m1 - make 1
kfb - knit in the front and the back of the same stitch; tutorial here
ssk - slip 2 stitches knitwise to right needle. Insert left needle through the front loops and knit tog.
pm - place marker
sm - slip marker
RS - right side
WS - wrong side
EBS - Estonian button stitch. To knit the Estonian button stitch, follow these steps:

  • Step 1: Skip first 2 sts, insert needle in between 2nd and 3rd sts on main needle.

  • Step 2: Work a st and draw a loop through, place onto main needle.

  • Step 3: Insert working needle into 1st st on the main needle, knit through the back loop, pull st off needle.

  • Step 4: Slip two sts on main needle to working needle, pass the first stitch over the other two sts.

    You can find a video tutorial on how to knit the Estonian button stitch here. After you complete an Estonian button stitch, you should have two worked stitches on your working needle.

INSTRUCTIONS

(A PDF of this pattern can also be found on Etsy)

Note on buttonholes: Buttonholes need to be evenly placed along one garter stitch band as you knit the body of the cardigan. Suggested spacing: 5 buttonholes spaced 20 rows apart. Note if you alter the length of your cardigan you will need to adjust the buttonhole spacing. 

neck and raglan increase

Using 3.5mm (US size 4) straight needles loosely cast on 60 sts

Rows 1 - 4: Knit

Change to 4mm (US size 6) circular needle

R5: (Buttonhole Row): 
For unisex or girl - Knit to last 4 sts, K2tog, yo, K2 
For boy - K2, yo, K2tog, knit to end

R6: (Set Up Row - ws)  K5, purl 8, pm, purl 8, pm, purl 18, pm, purl 8, pm, purl 8, knit 5

R7: K5, *knit to 1st stitch before marker, kfb, sm, kfb*. Repeat from * to * 3 more times, knit to end (68)

R8: and every alternate row: Knit 5, Purl to last 5 sts, slipping markers as you work, knit 5

R9: k7, EBS, knit to 1st stitch before marker, kfb, sm, kfb; knit to 1st stitch before 2nd marker, kfb, sm, kfb; EBS, k6, EBS, k6, EBS, kfb, sm, kfb, knit to 1st stitch before next marker, kfb, sm, kfb; k4 EBS k7. (76)

R11: as row 7 (84)

R13: k11, EBS, k2, kfb, sm, kfb; knit to 1st stitch before 2nd marker, kfb, sm, kfb; k6, EBS, k6, EBS, k6, kfb, sm, kfb; knit to 1st stitch before next marker, kfb, sm, kfb; k2, EBS, k11 (92)

R15: as row 7 (100)

R17: k7, EBS, k6, EBS, kfb, sm, kfb; knit to 1st st before 2nd marker, kfb, sm, kfb; k4, EBS, k6, EBS, k6, EBS, k4, kfb, sm, kfb; knit to 1st st before last marker, kfb, sm, kfb; EBS, k6, EBS, k7 (108)

R19: as row 7 (116)

R21: k11, EBS, k6, kfb, sm, kfb; knit to 1st stitch before 2nd marker, kfb, sm, kfb; k2, EBS, k6, EBS, k6, EBS, k6, EBS, k2, kfb, sm, kfb; knit to 1st stitch before next marker, kfb, sm, kfb; k6, EBS, k11 (124)

R23: as row 7 (132) 

R25: k7, EBS, k6, EBS, k4, kfb, sm, kfb; knit to 1st st before 2nd marker, kfb, sm, kfb; EBS, k6, EBS, k6, EBS, k6, EBS, k6, EBS, kfb, sm, kfb; knit to 1st st before last marker, kfb, sm, kfb; k4, EBS, k6, EBS, k7 (140)

R27: as row 7 (148)

R29: k11, EBS, k6, EBS, k2, kfb, sm, kfb; knit to 1st stitch before 2nd marker, kfb, sm, kfb; k6, EBS, k6, EBS, k6, EBS, k6, EBS, k6, kfb, sm, kfb; knit to 1st stitch before next marker, kfb, sm, kfb; k2, EBS, k6, EBS, k11 (156)

R31: as row 7 (164)

R33: k7, EBS, k6, EBS, k6, EBS, kfb, sm, kfb; knit to 1st st before 2nd marker, kfb, sm, kfb; k4, EBS, k6, EBS, k6, EBS, k6, EBS, k6, EBS, k4, kfb, sm, kfb; knit to 1st st before last marker, kfb, sm, kfb; EBS, k6, EBS, k6, EBS, k7 (172)

R35: as row 7 (180)

R37: k11, EBS, k6, EBS, k6, kfb, sm, kfb; knit to 1st stitch before 2nd marker, kfb, sm, kfb; k2, EBS, k6, EBS, k6, EBS, k6, EBS, k6, EBS, k6, EBS, k2, kfb, sm, kfb; knit to 1st stitch before next marker, kfb, sm, kfb; k6, EBS, k6, EBS, k11 (188)

R39: as row 7 (196)

Next row: k5, purl to last 5 sts, slipping markers as you knit, k5

BODY

DIVIDE FOR BODY

Next row: Knit to 1st marker, remove marker, cast on (0) sts, use a tapestry needle to slip the next 42 sts onto waste yarn, tie yarn to form a circle to secure, remove marker, knit to the next marker, remove marker, cast on (0) sts, slip the next 42 sts onto waste yarn as before, remove marker, knit to end (112)

WORK THE BODY

Work the Estonian Button Stitch pattern across the remaining stitches for the body of the cardigan as follows

ESTONIAN BUTTON STITCH BODY PATTERN

R1 (ws): k5, purl to last 5 sts, k5

R2: k7, EBS, *k6, EBS* repeat from * to * until 7 stitches remain, k7

R3: k5, purl to last 5 sts, k5

R4: k across

R5: k5, purl to last 5 sts, k5

R6: k11, EBS, *k6, EBS* repeat from * to * until 11 sts remain, k11

R7: k5, purl to last 5 sts, k5

R8: k across

Repeat these 8 rows of Estonian Button Stitch pattern until the cardigan measures 9” from the cast on neck edge, ending with row 1 or row 5 of the pattern.

-- Remember to work your buttonholes --

Change to 3.5mm (US size 4) needles and work 8 rows garter stitch. Cast off. 

SLEEVES

With the right side of the work facing you and starting at the underarm edge, transfer the 42 sts from waste yarn for one sleeve evenly onto 4mm (US size 6) double pointed needles, or a small circular needle, or large circular needle for magic loop method - depending on your preference. 

Place marker to denote the start of round.

R1-5: Knit

R6 (decrease round): k1, k2tog, knit to last 3 sts, ssk, k1 (40)


Continue to work in stockinette stitch (every round knit), working the decrease round every 6th round until you have 32 sts. 

Continue in stockinette stitch without any more decreases until sleeve measures 4.5” from the underarm. 

Change to 3.5mm (US size 4) needles. Work 8 rounds of k1, p1 ribbing. Cast off. 

Finishing

Weave in loose ends. Sew up the small underarm gap under each sleeve. Attach buttons to button band, matching up with buttonholes. 

***You may make and sell products from my patterns but if you do I ask that you link back to my post. Please do not copy and post this pattern and claim it as your own, or attempt to sell this pattern. Please do not re-publish photos as your own.

Veronica Spindler