Rainbow Granny Square Baby Cardigan Free Crochet Pattern

Bring a burst of cheerful color to your little one’s wardrobe with this charming Rainbow Granny Square Baby Cardigan. The classic granny square design creates a cozy, textured fabric that is both timeless and trendy. With its openwork structure and vibrant rainbow palette, this piece is perfect for layering over simple onesies or serving as a lightweight blanket on warmer days.

This digital PDF pattern guides you through creating a cardigan designed for babies aged 6 to 12 months. You will also find helpful sizing notes at the end of the document to adjust the fit for infants from 0 to 3 months up to toddlers aged 12 to 18 months. The construction relies on individual squares that are joined together, allowing you to customize the color order and ensure a perfect fit.

To achieve the best results, you will need approximately 550 yards or 503 meters of DK weight yarn. The pattern suggests using smooth yarns like Lion Brand Pound of Love paired with Baby Soft for pastels, Paintbox Yarns Simply DK for an exact color match, or Drops Safran for a breathable summer version. Please avoid heavily textured or fluffy yarns, as the granny square structure depends on clean stitch definition. A US size G-6 / 4.0 mm hook is recommended, but feel free to adjust based on your personal tension.

Gauge is essential for this project. Each completed and blocked granny square must measure exactly 3 inches by 3 inches. For the single crochet rib borders, aim for 18 stitches and 22 rows to equal 4 inches. Because the chest measurement is directly determined by the size of your squares, please swatch, block, and measure before you begin. A slight difference in square size can significantly impact the final fit, so taking the time to check your gauge will ensure a beautiful, well-fitting garment for your baby.