Oh my goodness, THIS IS THE ONE. If you have been searching for a baby cardigan pattern that makes people gasp when they see it, you just found it. Those little bear ears! The sweet bumblebee! The daisy buttons! I am genuinely thrilled to share this pattern with you today.
This mint green bear hoodie baby cardigan is one of those projects that looks incredibly impressive but breaks down into totally manageable steps. You will work from the top down using a raglan construction, which means minimal seaming and a professional finish. The whole thing takes about 12 to 18 hours for an experienced intermediate crocheter.
Who can resist a tiny bear hoodie in soft mint green?
Why This Baby Cardigan Pattern Works So Well
The construction method on this cardigan is what sets it apart from basic baby sweater patterns. You begin at the neckline and work your way down, shaping the yoke with raglan increases. This creates those beautiful diagonal seam lines you see running from the neckline to the underarms.
Working top-down means you can try the cardigan on as you go. Well, on a doll or stuffed animal of similar size. This lets you catch sizing issues before you have invested hours into the body and sleeves.
The half double crochet (hdc) stitch creates the dense, even fabric you see throughout the body. This stitch is simply a yarn over, insert hook, yarn over, pull up a loop, yarn over, pull through all three loops. It sits between single crochet and double crochet in height, giving you a fabric that works up faster than single crochet but stays warmer and more structured.
Finished Measurements
This pattern is written for size 6 to 12 months.
- Finished chest circumference (buttoned): approximately 20 inches / 51 cm
- Finished length (back neck to hem): approximately 11 inches / 28 cm
- Sleeve length (underarm to cuff): approximately 6.5 inches / 16.5 cm
- Hood height (from neckline pickup to top of hood): approximately 6.5 inches / 16.5 cm
Materials Needed for This Crochet Baby Cardigan
Yarn: Worsted weight yarn (weight category 4), approximately 300 to 350 yards / 275 to 320 meters in Mint Green (Color A), and approximately 40 yards / 37 meters in Cream (Color B) for the hood lining.
Hook: US size H-8 / 5.0 mm crochet hook
Notions:
- Yarn needle for seaming and weaving in ends
- 5 daisy-shaped buttons, approximately 18 mm diameter, in yellow
- 1 small bumblebee applique or embroidered bee accent
- Stitch markers (at least 6)
- Scissors
- Rust-proof pins for blocking
Yarn Suggestions
Lion Brand Pound of Love in Pastel Green and Fisherman works beautifully here. This 100 percent acrylic yarn is machine washable, baby-soft, and widely available. The large skeins make it economical for baby projects.
Paintbox Yarns Simply DK held as a light worsted is another excellent choice. Their Spearmint Green and Vanilla colorways are a near-perfect match for the photos. This yarn has smooth stitch definition that really shows off the texture.
Any worsted weight yarn that achieves the stated gauge may be substituted. Choose something labeled machine washable and baby-safe, as this is a garment intended for infants. Avoid novelty or textured yarns because the clean stitch texture is essential to the finished look.
FYI, a soft acrylic or cotton-blend keeps this cardigan cozy and easy to wash after every adventure.
Gauge
16 hdc x 11 rows = 4 inches / 10 cm, worked in rows, blocked.
I cannot stress this enough: gauge is mandatory for this garment. Even small deviations will significantly change the chest circumference and length. Swatch with the exact yarn and hook you plan to use, then wash and block the swatch before measuring.
If your swatch is too big, go down a hook size. If it is too small, go up a hook size.
Abbreviations Used
- beg = beginning
- BLO = back loop only
- ch = chain
- ch-sp = chain space
- hdc = half double crochet
- hdc2tog = half double crochet two together
- inc = increase
- pm = place marker
- rep = repeat
- RS = right side
- sc = single crochet
- sk = skip
- sl st = slip stitch
- st(s) = stitch(es)
- WS = wrong side
- yo = yarn over
Special Stitches
Half Double Crochet Two Together (hdc2tog)
This is your decrease stitch. Yarn over, insert hook into next stitch, yarn over, pull up a loop (3 loops on hook), yarn over, insert hook into following stitch, yarn over, pull up a loop (5 loops on hook), yarn over, pull through all 5 loops. One stitch decreased.
Raglan Increase Point
Work 2 hdc into the stitch immediately before the marked stitch, place or move marker into next stitch (the raglan seam stitch), work 2 hdc into the stitch immediately after the marked stitch. This places 2 increases on either side of each raglan seam stitch, adding 8 total stitches per increase row across 4 raglan points.
Pattern Notes Before You Begin
The turning chain (ch 1, turn) begins each row throughout this pattern. The turning chain does not count as a stitch.
The right side is the outside of the garment facing out when worn.
Four raglan seam stitches are marked and maintained throughout the yoke. These 4 stitches are not increased into. The increases happen on either side of them.
After the yoke, sleeves are separated onto holders and the body is worked in one piece back and forth down to the hem.
Step-by-Step Instructions for the Crochet Cardigan
Yoke
Start with a foundation chain and work half double crochet rows, placing markers for the four raglan points. Increase on either side of each marker every row until the yoke reaches the underarm depth.
Checkpoint: After the final increase row, the piece should measure about 4 inches from the neck edge.
Divide for Body and Sleeves
Work across the fronts and back while placing the sleeve stitches on holders and chaining for the underarm bridges. Continue the body in even half double crochet rows until it reaches the desired length.
Sleeves
Return the held stitches to the hook, pick up across the underarm chains, and work in joined rounds of half double crochet. Add a couple of decrease rounds for a gentle taper, then finish with short-row ribbed cuffs worked perpendicular to the sleeve edge.
Hood and Bear Ears
Work a flat rectangular panel for the outer hood and a matching cream lining. Seam the tops, insert the lining, and attach the hood to the neckline. Make two small circular bear ears, fold them slightly for shape, and sew them to the top of the hood.
Button Bands and Finishing
Work single crochet bands along both front edges. Place buttonholes on the right band and sew the daisy buttons opposite them. Add the little bumblebee accent, weave in every end, and block the cardigan so the fabric sits evenly and the ears stand up proudly.
The finished piece should button comfortably around a 6-to-12-month chest with a soft, structured fabric that holds its shape through wear and washing.
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FAQ’s
Can I make this in a different color?
Absolutely. Soft pastels, soft grays, or even a soft yellow look adorable. Mint just gives it that fresh, spring-ready vibe.
Are the bear ears secure?
Sew them on firmly with the yarn tails and a few extra stitches. They stay put through normal baby wear and washing.
Is the raglan construction hard?
Not once you place the markers and get the rhythm of increasing on either side of them. The diagonal lines look fancy but the process is straightforward.
How do I wash the finished cardigan?
Machine wash on gentle in cool water and lay flat to dry. Choose a soft, machine-washable worsted yarn for best results.
Can I adjust the size?
You can add or remove increase rows in the yoke and extra body rows for length. Always check measurements as you go.
What if my gauge is slightly off?
Change hook size and re-swatch. Even a small difference multiplies across the chest, so get it right before starting the full piece.
Final Thought
There you have it—a soft mint green cardigan with the cutest bear ears, daisy buttons, and a sweet little bumblebee accent. The top-down raglan construction keeps seaming minimal, the half double crochet fabric feels cozy and structured, and those ears turn every photo into pure cuteness overload.
IMO, the moment the ears go on is when the whole cardigan comes alive. Take your time with the markers and the blocking, and enjoy every minty stitch.
When that little bear is finally wearing their handmade hoodie, every hour will feel completely worth it. Happy crocheting, friend!
