If you have a little lady that needs a cute little cardigan, this free pattern is for you! Whip up a 12 month size of the Bomber Cardi. If you’re needing more of an 18 month size, I recommend using a smaller hook with the 2/3T pattern as this design is already (and intentionally) on the small side.

BOMBER CARDI FOR KIDS

Add a zipper to your cardigan, or a hook and eye closure at the top. This cardigan is a bomber style, meaning that it is shorter than average and it runs a bit on the small side. This is all intentional. Please look at the sizing chart to determine which size your little one needs.

Note that if you would like to make this a bit smaller (for 6 – 9 months), you could either go down a hook size or go down a hook size AND/OR use a thinner weight yarn. Alternatively, you could make it a bit larger by going up a hook size. This pattern uses Red Heart Soft yarn which is a soft, worsted weight, size 4 yarn.

12 MONTH PATTERN:

Row 1: Fhdc-54 (or ch-55 and hdc in 2nd st and in each across) (54)
Rows 2 – 8: Ch-1, turn, hdc in each st to end (54)

Right arm
Rows 9 – 16: Ch-1, turn, hdc in 13 sts. (13)
Row 17: Ch-1, turn, loosely sl st in next 5 sts (or clip and reattach in 6th st), hdc in next 8 sts (13)
Row 18: Ch-1, turn, hdc in 6 sts, hdc2tog. (7)
Rows 19 – 21: Ch-1, turn, hdc in each st to end. (7)
Fasten off leaving tail for sewing shoulder.

Left arm
Attach yarn in 13th st from left.
Rows 9 – 16: Ch-1, hdc in same st and each st to end. (13)
Row 17: Ch-1, turn, hdc in 8 sts only. (8)
Row 18: Ch-1, turn, hdc2tog, hdc in each st to end. (7)
Rows 19 – 21: Ch-1, turn, hdc in each st to end. (7)
Fasten off.

Center/back
From the “right”, attach yarn in next stitch.
Row 9: Ch-1, hdc in same st and next 27 sts. (28)
Rows 10 – 21: Ch-1, turn, hdc in each st across. (28)
Fasten off leaving tail for sewing shoulder.

Sew shoulders:

Fold fronts in and line up the top edges. Sew the shoulders using the Mattress Stitch for all stitches on both fronts. You should have 14 sts across the neck.

Collar:

Row 1: Attach at what will be the right lapel. Ch-1, hdc in same st and next 4 sts. Hdc in side of next st. Hdc2tog (up decrease), hdc in each row end to neck. Hdc2tog (straddling the front/back), hdc in each neck st to opposite side. Hdc2tog (straddling the back/front) hdc in each rows end to decrease, hdc2tog over decrease, hdc in each st to end.

Row 2: Ch-1, turn, hdc in first st, * bphdc around next, fphdc around next * repeat around, ending with a bphdc. Hdc in last st.

Row 3: Ch-1, turn, hdc in first st, fphdc around previous row’s bphdc. Repeat fp/bp around, ending with fphdc. Hdc in last st. Fasten off and start bottom edging.

Bottom Edging:

Attach at bottom left corner of cardigan. (if you were wearing it)
Row 1: Ch-1, hdc in first, * fphdc in next, bphdc in next * repeat between * * around to end. Fphdc in last, hdc in same.

Row 2: Ch-1, turn, hdc in first. Bphdc around previous row’s fphdc (to create ribbing), fphdc around next bphdc. * bphdc around next, fphdc around next * repeat between * * to end. Hdc in last.

Row 3: Ch-1, hdc in first, * fphdc in next, bphdc in next * repeat between * * around to end. Fphdc in last, hdc in same.

Row 4: sc in each st around, up around neck and back down to beg sc. Join with Invisible Join, weave in all ends.

Sleeves:

Attach yarn at bottom of armhole.
Row 1: Ch-1, hdc 28 times evenly around armhole. Join to top of first hdc w/sl st. (28)
Row 2: Ch-1, turn, hdc around. Join to top of first hdc w/sl st. (28)
Row 3: Ch-1, turn, hdc2tog, hdc in each st around. Join to top of first hdc w/sl st. (27)
Row 4: Ch-1, turn, hdc in each stitch around. Join to top of first hdc w/sl st. (27)
Row 5: Ch-1, turn, hdc in all but last 2 sts, hdc2tog. Join to top of first st w/sl st. (26)
Row 6: Ch-1, turn, hdc in each st around. Join to top of first hdc w/sl st. (26)
Row 7: Ch-1, turn, hdc2tog, hdc in each st around. Join to top of first hdc w/sl st. (25)
Row 8: Ch-1, turn, hdc in each st around. Join to top of first hdc w/sl st. (25)
Row 9: Ch-1, turn, hdc in all but last 2 sts, hdc2tog. Join to top of first st w/sl st. (24)
Row 10: Ch-1, turn, hdc in each st around. Join to top of first hdc w/sl st. (24)
Row 11: Ch-1, turn, hdc2tog, hdc in each st around. Join to top of first hdc w/sl st. (23)
Row 12: Ch-1, turn, hdc in each st around. Join to top of first hdc w/sl st. (23)
Row 13: Ch-1, turn, hdc in all but last 2 sts, hdc2tog. Join to top of first st w/sl st. (22)
Row 14: Ch-1, turn, hdc in each st around. Join to top of first hdc w/sl st. (22)
Row 15: Ch-1, turn, hdc2tog, hdc in each st around. Join to top of first hdc w/sl st. (21)
Row 16: Ch-1, turn, hdc in each st around. Join to top of first hdc w/sl st. (21)
Row 17: Ch-1, turn, * fphdc around next, bphdc around next. * repeat between * * around. Fphdc around last. Join to top of first fphdc with sl st.
Row 18: Ch-1, turn, * bphdc around next, fphdc around next. * repeat between * * around. Bphdc around last. Join to top of first bphdc with sl st.
Row 19: Ch-1, turn, sc in each st around. Join with Invisible Join.

MORE FOR YOU:

Bombshell Bomber Cardi Crochet Pattern
Infant Hoodie Crochet Pattern (size 6 months)
It’s Shawl Good Crochet Pattern CHILD Size (2/3T)
Cozy Classroom Toddler Cardigan Crochet Pattern – 2/3T
Child Size Hair Towel Crochet Pattern