Honeycomb Hideaway Baby Cardigan Free Pattern – Knit a Cozy Hexagon Cocoon

Wrap your little one in the warm, textured embrace of the Honeycomb Hideaway, a modern baby cardigan featuring a stunning hexagonal honeycomb stitch. This free knitting pattern creates a soft, gender-neutral cocoon that's as beautiful as it is functional. The seamless top-down construction means minimal finishing, and the honeycomb texture—created with simple knits, purls, and yarn overs—is surprisingly easy to master. Whether you're a confident beginner looking for a new challenge or a seasoned knitter seeking a quick, satisfying project, this cardigan is a delightful knit that will become a cherished heirloom.

Materials Needed

Before you begin, gather the following supplies to ensure a smooth knitting experience:

• Yarn: Worsted weight (Category 4) yarn in a soft, heathered honey gold (approx. 300-350 yards for 0-3 months). Any soft, machine-washable worsted weight yarn will work beautifully.
• Needles: US Size 7 (4.5 mm) knitting needles (or size needed to obtain gauge), plus a tapestry needle for finishing. You'll need either a 16-inch circular needle for the yoke and body, and double-pointed needles (DPNs) or a long circular for magic loop for the sleeves.
• Notions: Stitch markers (at least 4), stitch holders or waste yarn, and a tape measure.

Gauge

18 stitches and 24 rows = 4 inches in honeycomb stitch pattern (after blocking). Always knit a swatch to ensure your gauge matches, as this will affect the final size of the cardigan.

Step-by-Step Instructions

This cardigan is knit seamlessly from the top down, starting with a simple yoke and then working the body and sleeves in the round. The honeycomb stitch is created with simple knits, purls, and yarn overs, making it accessible for confident beginners.

Abbreviations

• K = knit
• P = purl
• K2tog = knit two together (decrease)
• YO = yarn over
• PM = place marker
• SM = slip marker
• RS = right side
• WS = wrong side
• M1 = make one (increase) – pick up the bar between stitches and knit it through the back loop

Honeycomb Stitch Pattern (worked over a multiple of 6 stitches)

This 4-row repeat creates the beautiful hexagonal texture. Work this pattern in the round, repeating the 4 rows continuously.

• Row 1 (RS): *K3, P3*; repeat from * to end.
• Row 2 (WS): *K3, P3*; repeat from * to end.
• Row 3 (RS): *P3, K3*; repeat from * to end.
• Row 4 (WS): *P3, K3*; repeat from * to end.
• Repeat Rows 1-4 for pattern.

Yoke

1. Cast on: Cast on 54 stitches loosely. Join in the round, being careful not to twist. Place a marker at the beginning of the round.
2. Ribbing: Work in K1, P1 ribbing for 6 rounds. This forms the neckline.
3. Increase Round 1: *K9, M1*; repeat from * to end. (60 stitches)
4. Pattern: Work in honeycomb stitch pattern for 4 rounds.
5. Increase Round 2: *K10, M1*; repeat from * to end. (66 stitches)
6. Pattern: Work in honeycomb stitch pattern for 4 rounds.
7. Increase Round 3: *K11, M1*; repeat from * to end. (72 stitches)
8. Continue Increasing: Continue in this manner, increasing 6 stitches every 4th round, until you have 120 stitches. (This should take about 8 increase rounds total.) To keep the increases evenly spaced, simply add one more knit stitch before the M1 in each subsequent increase round (e.g., K12, M1; K13, M1; etc.).
9. Work Even: Work even in honeycomb stitch for 6 more rounds after the final increase round. The yoke is now complete.

Divide for Body and Sleeves

1. Separate Stitches: Next round: K18 (right front), place next 24 stitches on a stitch holder (right sleeve), cast on 6 stitches under the arm, K36 (back), place next 24 stitches on a stitch holder (left sleeve), cast on 6 stitches under the arm, K18 (left front). (84 stitches for body)
2. Mark Underarm: Place a marker at the center of the underarm cast-on stitches (between the 6 new stitches) to mark the side seam.
3. Work Body: Work even in honeycomb stitch pattern on the body stitches for 5 inches, or until the cardigan measures 2 inches less than desired length from underarm.
4. Bottom Ribbing: Work in K1, P1 ribbing for 6 rounds. Bind off loosely in pattern. The body is complete.

Sleeves

1. Pick Up Stitches: Place the 24 sleeve stitches back onto needles. Pick up and knit 6 stitches from the underarm cast-on edge. (30 stitches)
2. Mark Underarm: Place a marker at the underarm (the center of the picked-up stitches).
3. Work Pattern: Work in honeycomb stitch pattern in the round for 3 inches.
4. Decrease Round: K2tog at the beginning and end of the round (or use a centered double decrease for a more tapered look). Repeat this decrease round every 4th round until 20 stitches remain. This will taper the sleeve nicely.
5. Cuff Ribbing: Work in K1, P1 ribbing for 4 rounds. Bind off loosely. Repeat for the second sleeve.

Finishing

1. Weave in Ends: Weave in all ends with a tapestry needle, being careful to secure them on the wrong side of the work.
2. Block: Block the cardigan gently to open up the honeycomb texture and even out the stitches. Lay flat to dry.
3. Optional Buttons: Optionally, sew on two or three small wooden buttons at the neckline for a decorative touch, using the honeycomb holes as buttonholes. This adds a charming, rustic detail.

Sizing Note

This pattern is written for 0-3 months. For larger sizes, simply add more increase rounds to the yoke (until the yoke measures the desired depth) and work the body longer. A good rule of thumb is to add 2-3 increase rounds for each size up (e.g., 3-6 months, 6-12 months).

Your Honeycomb Hideaway Baby Cardigan is now complete! The textured honeycomb stitch creates a cozy, warm fabric that's perfect for keeping your little one snug. Enjoy watching your handmade creation become a beloved part of your baby's wardrobe.