Free Crochet Kids Cardigan Pattern – Jude Cardigan
The Jude Cardigan is one of those timeless little layers you’ll reach for again and again. Designed in classic Moule Hole style, this free crochet kids cardigan pattern is worked from the top down in a simple raglan construction, so you can try it on as you go and customise the length with ease. The relaxed, oversized fit gives it that cozy, heirloom feel — perfect for layering over tees, dresses, or chunky knits through every season.
The body is beautifully simple in half double crochet, while the sleeves feature a subtle textured pattern that alternates hdc and v-puff stitches for just the right amount of detail. Further, thoughtful touches like the soft ribbed edging, roomy pockets, and easy button closure make this cardigan as practical as it is charming. And don’t worry — while it looks impressive, the construction is straightforward and beginner-friendly with helpful stitch markers and clear sections to guide you along.
Whether you’re making it for a tiny babe or a growing kiddo (sizes range from 0–6 months up to 9–10 years), the Jude Cardigan is designed to be worn, loved, and passed down. It’s cozy, classic, and full of that handmade warmth we adore here at The Moule Hole.
Gauge
16 stitches/14rows= 10cmX10cm (4X4 inch) in hdc
13 stitches/14 rows= 10cmX10cm (4X4 inch) in v-puff & hdc
Gauge is so important for achieving the correct fit and finished size. If you’re new to gauge or would like a little extra support, you can find a detailed walkthrough in my Ultimate Beginner Guide To Gauge.
Materials
*5.00mm (U.S H/8) crochet hook or size needed to obtain gauge
*I used Rico Essentials Soft Merino Aran. If you purchase from this link, I will earn a small commission and
can continue creating my patterns. Your support means the world to me! See chart below for approximately
how much yarn you will need.
Also, a note about this yarn! Though it is classified as an aran yarn, it is much closer to a DK/
LIGHTWEIGHT 3. If you are not using the suggested yarn, I would use DK/LIGHTWEIGHT 3 with a 5mm
hook OR use Aran/Worsted weight yarn with a 4mm hook when you gauge swatch.
*stitch markers
*4-8 buttons (2cm/0.8in)
Sizing & Yarn Requirements
| Size | Chest Measurement of Cardigan This cardigan should fit with a positive ease of 10-17cm/4-7in. | Approximate Yarn Requirements | |||
| cm | in | meters | yards | grams | |
| 0-6 Months | 51 | 20 | 650 | 711 | 325 |
| 6-12 Months | 60 | 24 | 700 | 766 | 350 |
| 1-2 years | 67 | 27 | 750 | 821 | 375 |
| 3-4 years | 72 | 29 | 800 | 875 | 400 |
| 5-6 years | 75 | 30 | 850 | 930 | 425 |
| 7-8 years | 80 | 32 | 900 | 985 | 450 |
| 9-10 years | 87 | 35 | 950 | 1039 | 475 |
U.S. Terms
This pattern is written using U.S. crochet terminology.
Stitches & Abbreviations
st or sts- stitch or stitches
ch- chain stitch
sl st- slip stitch
sp- space
sc- single crochet
hdc- half double crochet
PSM- place stitch marker
RSM- remove stitch marker
In- Increase
v-puff- varied puff stitch, explanation below
BLO- back loop only
hdc2tog- half double crochet two stitches together
ch1/sk1- chain one and skip one stitch
RS- right side
WS- wrong side
Special Stitch
V-Puff Stitch: Yarn over, insert hook into specified stitch, yarn over and pull up a loop (3 loops on hook). Repeat 2 times. There should be 7 loops on your hook. Yarn over and pull through all 7 loops. V-Puff stitch complete.
V-Puff Video Tutorial
Printable PDF Pattern
If you would prefer a beautifully formatted, ad-free PDF to print or save, with full stitch counts for every size and extra guidance throughout, you can find it here:
Jude Cardigan Crochet Pattern PDF
Thank you so much for supporting my designs and helping me continue doing what I love 💛
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The Pattern
U.S. Terms (Reminder)
This pattern is written using U.S. crochet terminology.
Sizing Format
This pattern is written for the smallest size first:
0–6 months (6–12 months, 1–2 years, 3–4 years, 5–6 years, 7–8 years, 9–10 years).
Numbers for larger sizes are shown in brackets.
If only one number is given, it applies to all sizes.
YOKE
Starting Chain
Ch 39 (43, 45, 45, 53, 53, 57).
Row 1 (RS)
Hdc in 3rd ch from hook and in each ch across. Turn.
Row 2 – Marker Set-Up (WS)
Ch2.
Hdc in first 3 (4, 4, 4, 5, 5, 6) sts.
Work hdc/ch1/hdc in next st. PSM in ch-1 space.
Alternate hdc and v-puff over next
4 (4, 4, 4, 6, 6, 6) sts.
Hdc in the next st.
Work hdc/ch1/hdc in next st. PSM in ch-1 space.
Hdc in next
17 (19, 21, 21, 23, 23, 25) sts.
Work hdc/ch1/hdc in next st. PSM in ch-1 space.
Alternate hdc and v-puff over next
4 (4, 4, 4, 6, 6, 6) sts.
Hdc in next st.
Work hdc/ch1/hdc in next st. PSM in ch-1 space.
Hdc in remaining
3 (4, 4, 4, 5, 5, 6) sts. Turn.
Row 3 (RS)
Ch2.
Hdc to first marker.
Work hdc/ch1/hdc in ch-1 space. Replace marker.
Alternate v-puff and hdc to next marker, ending with a v-puff.
Work hdc/ch1/hdc in ch-1 space. Replace marker.
Hdc in each stitch to next marker.
Work hdc/ch1/hdc in ch-1 space. Replace marker.
Alternate v-puff and hdc to next marker, ending with a v-puff.
Work hdc/ch1/hdc in ch-1 space. Replace marker.
Hdc to end. Turn.
Row 4 (WS)
Ch2.
Work in established pattern across, maintaining raglan increases in each ch-1 space, and remembering that on the even-numbered rows the sleeve sections begin and end with hdc stitches.
Turn.
Row 5 (RS) – Front Increase
Ch2.
2 hdc in first st.
Work in pattern across, maintaining raglan increases, and keeping in mind that this is an odd-numbered row so the sleeve section will begin and end with a v-puff stitch.
2 hdc in last st. Turn.
Row 6 (WS)
Ch2.
Work even in established pattern with raglan increases.
Turn.
Continue Yoke
Repeat Rows 3–6 in sequence, maintaining:
- Raglan increases every row
- Front increases every third row of the repeat
Work until you have completed:
13 (15, 17, 19, 19, 20, 20) total rows.
Sizes 0–6m and 6–12m will have 3 front increase rows.
All other sizes will have 4 front increase rows.
Size 7-8 years ONLY: Repeat Row 3 once more (21 rows total).
Size 9-10 years ONLY: Repeat Rows 3 & 4 once more, and Row 3 again (23 rows total).
SLEEVE SEPARATION (WS)
Ch2.
Hdc to first marker.
RSM and work 1 hdc in ch sp of raglan.
Skip sleeve stitches, PSM in the first and last skipped sts.
Hdc in ch-1 space of next raglan.
Hdc across back section.
Hdc in ch-1 space of next raglan.
Skip second sleeve sts, marking first and last skipped sts.
Hdc in ch-1 space of next raglan.
Hdc to end. Turn.
You will now have:
81 (89, 105, 113, 117, 125, 137) sts across body.
BODY
Row 1 (RS)
Ch2, hdc across. Turn.
Repeat this row until body measures:
11.5 (15, 19, 23, 25.5, 28, 30.5) cm
or
4.5 (6, 7.5, 9, 10, 11, 12) inches
from underarm.
End on WS row. Do not break yarn.
BOTTOM RIBBING
Ch6.
Row 1
Sc in 2nd ch from hook and in each ch down (5 sc).
Sl st into next 2 sts of body. Turn.
Row 2
Do not ch. Skip sl sts.
Sc in BLO up the ribbing. Turn.
Row 3
Ch1.
Sc in BLO down ribbing.
Sl st into next 2 sts of body. Turn.
Repeat Rows 2–3 across entire bottom edge.
End on Row 2. Do not break yarn.
INSIDE EDGING
Turn cardigan to work up right front edge.
Row 1 (RS)
Ch2.
Work hdc evenly up right front, around collar, and down left front. Turn.
Row 2 (WS)
Ch2.
Hdc in BLO around entire inside edge. Turn.
Repeat Row 2 until you have 6 total rows.
Optional buttonholes: In Row 3, ch1/sk1 where desired.
Break yarn.
SLEEVES
Join yarn at underarm on the WS (see photo below).
Row 1 (WS)
Ch2.
Alternate hdc and v-puff around sleeve, ending with an hdc.
Sl st to first st to join. Turn.
29 (33, 37, 41, 43, 47, 51) sts.
Row 2 (RS) – Decrease
Ch2, sk the sl st.
Hdc2tog.
Alternate hdc and v-puff to the last 2 sts, ending with hdc.
Hdc2tog. Join to first st with a sl st. Turn.
Row 3 (WS) – Decrease
Ch2.
Hdc2tog.
Alternate v-puff and hdc to last 2 sts, ending with v-puff.
Hdc2tog. Turn.
Row 4 (RS)
Repeat Row 2.
Rows 5 & 6
Alternate v-puff and hdc around without decreasing, ending with v-puff.
Join and turn.
Repeat Rows 5 & 6 until sleeve measures:
11.5 (12.5, 14, 18, 21.5, 24, 26.5) cm
or
4.5 (5, 5.5, 7, 8.5, 9.5, 10.5) inches
from underarm.
End on WS row.
SLEEVE RIBBING
Ch 5 (6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11).
Work ribbing as for bottom edge.
Repeat until cuff is complete.
Fasten off and seam.
POCKETS (Make 2)
Ch 15 (17, 19, 21, 23, 25, 27).
Row 1
Hdc in 3rd ch from hook and across. Turn.
Row 2
Ch2, hdc across. Turn.
Repeat Row 2 until you have completed
8 (10, 10, 12, 12, 14, 14) rows.
Top Edging
Ch2, hdc in BLO across, turn.
Repeat 3 more times.
Fasten off leaving long tail.
Sew pockets:
- 1 row above bottom ribbing
- 1 stitch from inside edging
Questions? I’m happy to help 💛
If you need any support while making this pattern, please feel free to email me.
Email: nadia@themoulehole.com
Instagram: @themoulehole
Facebook Community Group: Moule Hole Made
Finishing
-seam up the sleeve ribbing
-sew up the little hole at each armpit, make sure you do this on the wrong side
-weave in ends
-place stitch markers to mark out buttons and sew them on
-sew your pockets onto the cardigan using a mattress stitch or your preferred method
Send me a photo or tag me on Instagram @themoulehole. I love seeing what you make.@themoulehole #themoulehole
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If you’ve enjoyed this free pattern and found it helpful, you can support my work here:
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Thank you so much for crocheting with me and helping me continue doing what I love. If you’d like to stay in touch, you can join my mailing list here 💛
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