Bex Hexagon baby cardigan crochet pattern. Wrap a Preemie in love
The ‘Bex Baby Cardigan’ is a hexagon baby cardigan crochet pattern to create a hexie cardie in sizes from preemie to age 2. A gender neutral design, this pattern works for both boys and girls.
Using a simple split cluster stitch, and a hexagon construction, this pattern flies up quickly in DK weight yarn.
About the Preemie Crochet Challenge
The Preemie Crochet Challenge, hosted by Sunflower Cottage Crochet, brings together crochet designers to share patterns created especially for premature babies. Throughout the event, selected patterns are offered as FREE PDF downloads for 24 hours, encouraging crocheters to make and donate handmade items to preemies and their families.
My pattern will be featured on 28th September, 2026. It’s available as a FREE PDF until 30th September only!
To get the free PDF on 28th September, scroll to the bottom of this post and click the event download button. That will take you where you need to go to claim your copy.
Want to see what else is included in the challenge? Click the button below to check out all of the Preemie Crochet Challenge patterns!
Did you know?About Hexagon Baby Cardigan Crochet Patterns
The now famous hexie cardie style started as a tutorial on how to create quick and easy baby clothes. Later, crocheters adapted it to create adult sized cardigans too. But this technique still shines best for small baby garments. Baby proportions mean you don’t need to add extensions to make the sleeves or body long enough. You just need to crochet 2 hexagons, sew them together, and the job is done. You have a garment perfectly proportioned for a preemie, newborn or young baby.
Sizes
Sizes are given in 4 cm (1 ½ inch) increments, with approximately 5cm of positive ease. With a simple hexagon construction, sizes are easy to adapt if between sizes.
To fit approximately:
Preemie (Newborn, 3 months, 6 months) [12 months, 2 years].
To fit chest size: 31 (35, 40, 44) [48, 52] cm / 12 (13 ¾, 15 ¾, 17 ¼) [19, 20 ½] inches.
31 cm, 12 inches, preemie
35 cm, 13 ¾ inches, newborn
40 cm, 15 ¾ inches, 3 months
44 cm, 17 ¼ inches, 6 months
48 cm, 19 inches, 12 months
52 cm, 20 ½ inches, 2 year
Actual measurements of finished garment (approximately 5 cm/2 inch positive ease)
Chest 36 (40, 44, 48) [52, 56] cm / 14 (15 ¾, 17 ¼, 19) [20 ½, 22] inches.
Length from back neck to hem:
If any adaptations are made to the pattern, note, garment length will always be 50% of chest circumference. Extra rows can be added at the bottom as an extension, but due to baby and toddler proportions, should not be needed for under 2 years.
18 (20, 22, 24) [26, 28] cm / 7 (8, 8 ¾, 9 ½) [10 ¼, 11] inches from back neck to hem.
Sleeve length from back neck to wrist
18 (20, 22, 24) [26, 28] cm / 7 (8, 8 ¾, 9 ½) [10 ¼, 11] inches from back neck to wrist.
As with length, this construction gives a measurement of 50% of chest circumference as sleeve length, from center back neck to wrist, before any added rows.
For preemie, newborn and small baby sizes, added rows will not be needed.
For older toddlers, sleeves won’t reach the wrist, as older babies start to have slightly longer arms in relation to their bodies. Rows can be added if desired, but I suggest a shorter sleeve is more practical. The wide sleeve could be annoying to an active toddler if it was flapping around their hand. It won’t be in the way as much if it’s shorter.
Yarn and materials:
Yarn required: Any DK weight yarn appropriate for baby.
Sample 1 – petrol blue sample in size 6-12 months worked in
Lion Brand Coboo Cotton Bamboo yarn. 100g, 212m per ball.
Sample 2 – mint green sample in size preemie worked in Sirdar Snuggly Baby Bamboo. 50g, 95m per ball.
Yarn quantities:
Main colour: 200 (250, 250, 300) [350, 350] meters / 219 (274, 274, 328) [383, 383] yards.
Contrast colour: small scraps, up to 50 meters for largest size
Yarn substitution recommendations:
For yarn substitutions, I recommend using Knitted Knockers-approved yarn, GOTS-certified yarn, or ExoTec-certified yarn to ensure safety and softness for preemie babies. These certifications guarantee that the yarn is free from harmful chemicals and safe for sensitive skin.
Wool, while natural, can be harsh on delicate skin and requires careful laundry handling. Acrylic, though durable, often contains chemicals that may irritate a baby’s skin. Tencel is an excellent compromise, it’s super soft, gentle on baby’s skin, and easy to wash.
Of course, any DK weight yarn that meets these safety and softness standards will work beautifully for this pattern.
Hook size:
4.5mm crochet hook, or size required to match gauge.
Notions:
6 Stitch markers
1 button, 1 cm diameter.
Darning/wool needle (blunt needle for sewing seams and weaving in ends).
Scissors or yarn snips
Measuring tape (for checking length and fit).
Construction
You begin by crocheting 2 hexagons. Each hexagon has 6 corners, but every corner is worked as a right angle (like a granny square), so the shape doesn’t lie flat. These are not the same as the hexagons you may use to create a blanket. This gives a shape which looks wobbly when laid flat. It’s when you fold that shape in half that the magic happens. You get an ‘L’ shape which gives the sides and one sleeve. Put 2 together for a complete cardigan.
Tension/gauge
10 rows = 10 cm
8 cluster sts = 10 cm
Gauge is not critical to this project.
If you chose to work in an alternative yarn weight and hook size, just follow measurements by cm or inches, rather than row counts. The pattern will still work.
However, swatching is still important.
How soft is the swatch? Is the fabric gentle? How well does it wash? Is it light and breathable?
Tuck your swatch behind your neck (or wherever your skin is most sensitive and easily irritated) and keep it there for a few hours, check it doesn’t irritate over time.
Abbreviations used
c – chain
cm – centimeter(s)
dc – double crochet
g – grams
m – meter(s)
sc – single crochet (used only in US terms version)
ss – slip stitch
tr – treble crochet (used only in UK terms version)
YO – yarn ove
Stitch pattern
The Bex Cardigan is crocheted in a split cluster stitch.
A split cluster stitch is a little like an upside down V stitch. The stitch has 2 legs, worked together at the top. Each cluster is separated from the next split cluster stitch by a chain 2.
To create a split cluster:
Note: on round 3 of hexagon only the split cluster is worked into the middle stitch of each side of the hexagon, as ch2 spaces have not yet been created, and into the corner c2 spaces.
Bex cardigan crochet pattern starts. UK terms.
(for US terms, see below)
Hexagons. Make 2.
Set up: c4, join with a ss to form ring
Round 1: c5 (counts as tr plus c2), [tr into ring, c2] 5 times, join with ss into first tr.
Stitch count: 6 tr, 6 c2 corner spaces
Round 2: c3 (counts as tr throughout), tr into corner space at base of c, tr into stitch (top of c3), 2tr into corner space, c2 [2tr into same corner space, tr into stitch, 2tr into next corner space, c2] 5 times, join with ss into first tr.
Stitch count: 6 sides of 5tr and 6 c2 corner spaces
Place stitch marker in each corner space, then move up each round so as corners are always marked.
Round 3: c3, tr into corner space at base of c, [c2, split cluster in same corner space and middle tr, c2, split cluster into same middle tr and next corner space, c2, (2tr, c2, 2tr) into same corner space] 6 times – on 6th side, omit final 2tr and join with ss into first tr.
Stitch count: (Each side has 2 split clusters with 3 c2 spaces and 4trs, and each corner also counts as a c2 space)
From this point, all stitch counts will be given as the number of c2 spaces per side, not counting the corners spaces on each side.
Round 4: c3, tr into corner space at base of c, [c2, plit cluster into corner space and 1st c2 space, [c2, split cluster] across all c2 spaces to next corner space, c2, (2tr, c2, 2tr) into the corner space] 6 times – on 6th side, omit final 2tr and join with ss into first tr.
Stitch count: 5 spaces
Repeat round 4 another 5 (6, 7, 8) [9, 10] times, or until the hexagon measures 9 (10, 11, 12) [13, 14] cm / 3 ½ (4, 4 ¼, 4 ¾) [5, 5 ½] inches from the centre to the edge.
Fasten off.
Edging
Step 1
Sew both hexagons together to form back seam.
Step 2
Fold each hexagon, and sew sleeve seams, leaving a small gap at neck of the corner space and 1 (1, 1, 2) [2, 2] chain 2 spaces open, to fold down for collar.
Edging step 1 – Sides.
In contrast colour, with right side facing, starting at the centre back seam, work 2dc in each c2 sp, and 1dc in each tr or split cluster, to corner.
Edging step 2 – Corners.
Work [2dc, c2, 2dc] in left front corner.
Edging step 3 – Collar tabs.
Continue working as set for sides, until 1 (1, 1, 2) [2, 2] sps remain of left front side (not including corner space).
Edging step 4 – Creating corner collar folds.
Fold corner over, and pin in place with stitch marker. Work 7 (7, 7, 10) [10, 10] dc evenly up folded side, picking up stitches in the sides of the fold.
Rotate work. Work down first side of folded corner, with 2dc in each c2 sp and 1dc in each tr or split cluster to corner space. In corner work (2dc, c4, 2dc), then work second side of folded corner with 1dc in each tr or split cluster, and 2dc in each c2 sp. You are now back where you started with the folded collar. Work back up the diagonal side a second time by working 1dc into each dc.
Edging step 5 Back neck.
Work dc across back neck, as for sides.
Edging step 6 – Repeating corner collar fold for second side.
Create second corner collar fold as before.
Edging step 7 – Front and hem.
Work down right front, and second bottom edge to rejoin at centre back.
Fasten off.
Sleeve Edging
Join contrast colour at sleeve seam.
Work 1 round of split clusters around sleeve edge as follows:
C3, and tr into next c2 sp (counts as starting cluster). Work in established split cluster stitch pattern to end. C2, and join with ss to starting chain.
Fasten off.
Note: this will create a sleeve that comes to the wrist for preemie, newborn and small baby sizes. Baby’s arms start to lengthen in relation to their bodies as they grow. On the toddler sizes, the sleeve may be shorter, and not quite reach the wrist (depending on a number of factors, including the child’s unique growth rate, and chubbiness).
I recommend leaving the sleeve short. A more active older baby that is using their hands for play doesn’t want wide flappy sleeves, with little gaps fingers can get snagged in, getting in their way as they learn to pick up and stack bricks. So a shorter sleeve is better.
However, if you hate that look, consider adding sleeve edging rounds to wrist length, and adding shirring elastic through the bottom edging rounds to create a tighter cuff and bell sleeves.
Finishing
Weave in all ends.
Sew button in place below collar folds.
Secure corner collar tab by stitching 1 or 2 stitches through the c4 corner, so it stays neat.
Gently wash, following the instructions from the yarn manufacturer. If required, lightly block. Aggressive blocking should not be necessary, and can damage your new sweater.
Bex cardigan crochet pattern starts. US terms.
For UK terms, see above.
Hexagons. Make 2
Set up: c4, join with a ss to form ring
Round 1: c5 (counts as dc plus c2), [dc into ring, c2] 5 times, join with ss into first dc.
Stitch count: 6 dc, 6 c2 corner spaces
Round 2: c3 (counts as dc throughout), dc into corner space at base of c, dc into stitch (top of c3), 2dc into corner space, c2 [2dc into same corner space, dc into stitch, 2dc into next corner space, c2] 5 times, join with ss into first dc.
Stitch count: 6 sides of 5dc and 6 c2 corner spaces
Place stitch marker in each corner space, then move up each round so as corners are always marked.
Round 3: c3, dc into corner space at base of c, [c2, split cluster in same corner space and middle dc, c2, split cluster into same middle dc and next corner space, c2, (2dc, c2, 2dc) into same corner space] 6 times – on 6th side, omit final 2dc and join with ss into first dc.
Stitch count: (Each side has 2 split clusters with 3 c2 spaces and 4dcs, and each corner also counts as a c2 space)
From this point, all stitch counts will be given as the number of c2 spaces per side, not counting the corners spaces on each side.
Round 4: c3, dc into corner space at base of c, [c2, split cluster into corner space and 1st c2 space, [c2, split cluster] across all c2 spaces to next corner space, c2, (2dc, c2, 2dc) into the corner space] 6 times – on 6th side, omit final 2dc and join with ss into first dc.
Stitch count: 5 spaces
Repeat round 4 another 5 (6, 7, 8) [9, 10] times, or until the hexagon measures 9 (10, 11, 12) [13, 14] cm / 3 ½ (4, 4 ¼, 4 ¾) [5, 5 ½] inches from the centre to the edge.
Fasten off.
Edging
Step 1
Sew both hexagons together to form back seam.
Step 2
Fold each hexagon, and sew sleeve seams, leaving a small gap at neck of the corner space and 1 (1, 1, 2) [2, 2] chain 2 spaces open, to fold down for collar.
Edging step 1 – Sides.
In contrast colour, with right side facing, starting at the centre back seam, work 2sc in each c2 sp, and 1sc in each dc or split cluster, to corner.
Edging step 2 – Corners.
Work [2sc, c2, 2sc] in left front corner.
Edging step 3 – Collar tabs.
Continue working as set for sides, until 1 (1, 1, 2) [2, 2] sps remain of left front side (not including corner space).
Edging step 4 – Creating corner collar folds.
Fold corner over, and pin in place with stitch marker. Work 7 (7, 7, 10) [10, 10] sc evenly up folded side, picking up stitches in the sides of the fold.
Rotate work. Work down first side of folded corner, with 2sc in each c2 sp and 1sc in each dc or split cluster to corner space. In corner work (2sc, c4, 2sc), then work second side of folded corner with 1sc in each dc or split cluster, and 2sc in each c2 sp. You are now back where you started with the folded collar. Work back up the diagonal side a second time by working 1sc into each sc.
Edging step 5 Back neck.
Work sc across back neck, as for sides.
Edging step 6 – Repeating corner collar fold for second side.
Create second corner collar fold as before.
Edging step 7 – Front and hem.
Work down right front, and second bottom edge to rejoin at centre back.
Fasten off.
Join contrast colour at sleeve seam.
Sleeve Edging
Work 1 round of split clusters around sleeve edge as follows:
C3, and dc into next c2 sp (counts as starting cluster). Work in established split cluster stitch pattern to end. C2, and join with ss to starting chain.
Fasten off.
Note: this will create a sleeve that comes to the wrist for preemie, newborn and small baby sizes. Baby’s arms start to lengthen in relation to their bodies as they grow. On the toddler sizes, the sleeve may be shorter, and not quite reach the wrist (depending on a number of factors, including the child’s unique growth rate, and chubbiness).
Finishing
Weave in all ends.
Sew button in place below collar folds.
Secure corner collar tab by stitching 1 or 2 stitches through the c4 corner, so it stays neat.
Gently wash, following the instructions from the yarn manufacturer. If required, lightly block. Aggressive blocking should not be necessary, and can damage your new sweater.
Thanks and Acknowledgements
This pattern was Tech Edited by Megan Wilding, my thanks as always. Any errors that remain are my own. The PDF was formatted by Dara Adams.
Copyright
This pattern, including the wording and the pictures, are my work and copyright. Please do not distribute them in any way except by using the link to this blog post. You may not copy in any way, including by making your own videos, if they are directly based on my work.
This blog is not intended for commercial use. You may sell finished items based on this pattern only if you have made them in your own home, with your own hands. However, selling your own makes from this pattern, especially for charity, is strongly encouraged. I would love to hear about your event, and how it went.
Designer Details: This pattern is written, sold and distributed by Ciara Doyle, Eircode C15Y5F9, Ireland.
Pattern Support: Email Ciara@TheFairythorn.ie
Enjoy this pattern? Why not try the Alex Onesie also in sizes preemie to age 2. Hit the button below to return to the round up for 30 great patterns.
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