Top Ten FREE baby sweater patterns

August 03, 2016

I adore knitting for baby and collect baby patterns like one might collect seashells. While writing this top ten list, I went way over my budget and gathered twenty free patterns instead of ten. Pattern links, yarn weights, and sizes available are in the captions below each picture. All yarn weights are featured in the patterns below: fingering, sport, DK, worsted, aran and bulky weights. If you have some stash, you can quickly scan down to find the right pattern. Use these patterns as a springboard for your imagination; make a dear baby sweater in a solid color or add stripes, intarsia, fair isle, or stitch texture; let whimsy be your guide! Which one will you make first?

Little Coffee Bean by Elizabeth Smith

knit in worsted weight in three sizes: 3, 6, and 12 mos.

Garter Stitch Baby Kimono by Joji Locatelli

Fingering weight in three sizes: newborn, 3 mos., and 6 mos.

Baby Boy Five Hour Sweater by Gail Bable

Knit in worsted weight in one size: 6 mos.

Baby Sophisticate by Linden Down

Knit in aran weight in two sizes: 3 mos. and 12 mos.

Gingersnap by Kristen Rettig of Knitionary

knit in worsted weight in one size: 1 yr.

(change to DK weight for 6 mos.)

Seamless Baby Hooded Pullover by Maggie van Buiten

Knit in bulky weight in two sizes: 4-8 mos. and 8-12 mos.


Stacked Stag-Horn Pullover by Stacey Cilia Knit in DK weight in two sizes: 6 mos. and 12 mos

Jill by Martin Storey of Rowan

Knit in DK weight in four sizes: 3, 6, 12, and 18 mos.

Basic Baby Raglan Cardigan by Keya Kuhn

Knit in DK weight in three sizes: 3, 6, and 12 mos.
This pattern has been removed from Ravelry but if you would like the pattern,
I don't think the designer would mind if I shared it with you. Email me.

Basic Baby by Alana Dakos of Never Not Knitting

Knit in worsted weight in one size: 6 mos.

Binic by Solenn Couix-Loarer

Knit in fingering weight yarn in one size: 18-24 mos.

Garter Yoke Baby Sweater by Jennifer Hoel

Knit in sport weight in one size: 6-12 mos.

Simple Hooded Cardigan by Lion Brand

Knit in bulky weight in four sizes from 3-6 mos. to 24 mos.

Puss Cardigan, a vintage pattern from Patons

fingering weight yarn in one size: 18" chest

Offset Wraplan by Sara Morris

Knit n sport weight in six sizes: 3 mos. to 2 yrs.

Playdate Hoodie by Lion Brand

knit in worsted weight yarn in 4 sizes, 6 mos. to 2 yrs.

Lacy Sweater by Zoe Miller for Rowan

Knit in worsted weight in four sizes: 6 mos., 1, 2, and 3 yrs.

Max Baby Cardigan Jacket by Marianna Mel

DK weight in three sizes: 3, 6, and 12 mos.


Seamless Yoked Baby Sweater by Carole Barenys Knit in DK weight in two sizes: 3 mos. and 6 mos.

Sheep Yoke Baby Cardigan by Jennifer Little of Looking Glass Knits

Knit in DK weight in one size: 9-12 mos.

A Simple Baby Pullover by Erika Kempf Broughton of Nomad

Knit in worsted weight in four sizes: 6 mos. and 1, 2, and 3 yrs.

And now for some baby things that don't fall in the sweater category:

Best Baby Booties: Saartje's Booties

Best Baby Poncho: Hooded Baby Poncho from Lion Brand

Best Baby Hat: Norwegian Baby Hat by Djevellue

Top Ten FREE baby blanket patterns are here.

Totally Free/Totally Adorable has been a popular post this last year and has some good tips.

A word about yarn--please do mother a favor and knit your baby and children's garments in machine washable wool or cotton. A mere whisper of hand wash only and your precious sweater will quickly land in the bottom of the dresser drawer. Not all machine washable yarns can go in the dryer so if it's a gift, give a little "care tag". If you are knitting stripes from stash, like the first one below, make sure your yarns are all the same weight and require the same care. When gifting, I almost always knit the 12 mos. size and here's why: at one year, babies are standing up and smiling, clapping and causing commotions, and generally craving attention wherever they go. Everyone looks at them, and therefore, everyone will look at your sweater too!

Below are Rowan yarns I love that are perfect for baby.

Softyak DK

Summerlite DK

Summerlite 4-ply

Cotton Cashmere (heavy DK weight)

Handknit Cotton (light worsted weight)

Baby Cashsoft Merino (sport weight)

I have knit with and can highly recommend all of the above yarns. The ball bands prefer hand washing (and I do too), but if any of these yarns go in the washing machine it will not be a terrible disaster. Garments will last longer if hand washed of course, but if gifting a hand knit to a busy new mom, you'll at least know the sweater won't felt with the above yarns.

xo, Kristen

To make a comment, please click here.

Knitionary