Easy Baby Sweater Knitting Pattern For Beginners
THIS ARTICLE CONTAINS AFFILIATE LINKS THAT SUPPORT HANDY LITTLE ME CONTENT AND FREE PATTERNS.Make this easy baby sweater knitting pattern for beginners with step-by-step photographs to guide you.
Knitting a baby sweater can be a delightful and straightforward project, especially when crafted in one piece!
This easy-to-follow pattern eliminates the need for seaming, making it perfect for beginners or those looking for a quick and satisfying knitting experience.
Scroll down to view the free knitting pattern, or grab your printer-friendly ad-free PDF here.
How To Knit A Baby Sweater With Straight Needles
Grab your printable ad-free PDF version from my shop here.
The PDF pattern includes the pattern with the photographs and without.
You can also find this pattern in this Ebook here – 10 Baby Knitting Patterns Ebook.
Notes
Skill Level – Basic (Beginner Knitter)
This quick knit would be the perfect gift for a friend’s baby shower or any new moms.
- This written pattern for beginners includes three sizes – 0-3 months, 3-6 months, and 6-9 months.
- The pullover sweater is knitted in one piece: the front piece, the sleeves (long sleeve), and then the back piece.
- The front neck is a crew neck with a neck opening V on the back (this allows for easy dressing).
- There is a color block stripe on the front and back of the sweater.
Copyright Info
- Please do not copy, sell, redistribute, or republish this pattern.
- If you wish to share this pattern, link to the pattern page only.
- You may sell items produced using this pattern.
- Do NOT use the copyrighted photos for your product listing.
- For the copyright T&C, please read my Terms of Use.
Size Information
Size – (Newborn) 0-3 months/3-6 months/6-9 months
The first set of numbers applies to the small size, the second set to the medium size, and the third to the large size.
An easy way to adjust this sweater and make it in a larger size would be to use a larger needle size and a heavier yarn weight; for example, if you wanted to make it for a 12-18 months size, you could make the 6-9 months size with a larger size needle, either 5.5mm/US 9 or 6 mm/US 10 needed and bulky weight yarn or 5 mm /US 8 needles and an aran weight yarn/worsted weight yarn.
Gauge – 20 sts and 46 rows in 4×4 inches / 10×10 cm in garter stitch.
The Supplies You Need…
Yarn
- Main Color/Yarn A – 2 (3, 3) x skeins of Baby DK Yarn.
- Baby DK weight yarn = 50g/165m/179yds.
- Total yards needed for Yarn A = 358 (537, 537).
- You will also need one skein of a contrasting color for the color block stripe.
- Contrasting Color/Yarn B = 1 (1, 1) skein of Baby DK yarn (50g/165m/179yds.)
- Yarn Weight Guide (+ Conversion Chart)
Needles
Notions
- Tape measure
- Darning needle
- Scissors
- Stitch holder
Other Materials
- Sewing needle and thread in the same color as the ribbon.
- Ribbon (half a meter or around 50 cm/19.5 inches long)
Knitting Abbreviations
Knitting Abbreviations And Terms (US And UK)
- Beg – Begin(ning)
- Cont – Continue(ing)
- CO – Cast on
- K – Knit
- K2tog – Knit the next two stitches together
- Rem – Remaining
- Rep – Repeat
- St(s) – Stitch(es)
Time needed: 1 day, 4 hours and 30 minutes
How To Knit A Baby Sweater
- Work The Front Of The Sweater In Yarn A
Yarn A – Powder (Peach) / Yarn B – Nature (White)
With 4 mm (US 6) needles and Yarn A cast on 52 (60/68) sts.
Work in garter stitch until the piece measures 2.5″ (3″/3.5″) from the cast-on edge. - Change to Yarn B
Change to Yarn B and continue in garter stitch until the piece measures 5″ (6″/7″) from the cast-on edge.
- Start To Work The Sleeves
Cast on 34 (40/46) sts at the beginning of the next row.
Knit to the end of that row. - Turn The Work For The Other Sleeve
Turn the work and cast on 34 (40/46) sts for the other sleeve.
- Knit The Sleeves
Continue to knit garter st on these sts until the piece measures 7″ (8.5″/10″) from the cast-on edge of the sweater (not the sleeve cast on edge).
- Start To Work The Neck
Knit 53 (63/72) sts cast off the center 14 (14/16) sts, and knit to the end of the row.
- Next Work On Each Set Of Stitches Separately
Row 1: Slip the first st, knit to the end, turn (you are only working on the first set of sts).
Row 2: Knit 2 sts, K2tog through the back loops, knit to the end of the row.
Work the last 2 rows twice more.
Work in garter st until the piece measures 8.5″ (10″/11.5″) (from the sweater co edge – not the sleeve co edge).
Knit the row then cast on 11 (11/12) sts at the end of the next row, turn then knit the next row.
Work on these 61 (71/81) sts for a further 2.75″ (3.25″/3.75″). - Place The Side You Have Just Been Working On Onto A Stitch Holder
Break the yarn and leave the sts on the needle (or on a stitch holder) while you continue to work the other side.
- Working The Other Side
With the wrong side facing, rejoin the yarn to the neck edge and knit the row.
Row 1: Knit to the last 4 sts, K2tog, K2.
Row 2: Knit
Work the last 2 rows twice more.
Continue in garter stitch until the piece measures 8.5″ (10″/11.5″).
Cast on 11 (11/12) sts at the beg of the next row
Work on those 61 (71/81) sts for a further 2.75″ (3.25″/3.75″). - Joining The Halves
Next Row: Knit across all of the sts from both of the halves, knitting the two center sts together.
Work in garter st until the piece measures 3.5″ (4″/4.5″) from the back of the neck edge. - Casting Off For The Sleeves
Cast off 34 (40/46) sts at the beg of the next two rows.
Continue to knit for a further 2.5″ (3″/3.5″). - Continue To Knit The Back Of The Sweater
Change to Yarn A and knit in garter st until that color measures 2.5″ (3″/3.5″).
Cast off. - Making Up The Sweater
Fold the sweater over and start to stitch the side seams.
You can use an invisible joining seam or the mattress stitch. - Seaming The Sleeves
When stitching the sleeve seams, leave a neat edge in the seaming of the cuffs, so that when they are turned back you don’t see any bumpy edges.
- Stitching The Ribbon To The Back Of The Neck
Cut two lengths of ribbon and stitch (with sewing thread) to the back openings.
Fold the end of the ribbon, then stitch it into place on the inside of the sweater – so you don’t see the ribbon on the right side of the sweater.
Tie the ribbon into a bow. - Weave In All Loose Ends
To finish off your baby sweater, make sure to weave in any loose ends that you can see.
Then your sweater will be ready to wear or to gift!
Grab The Ad-Free Printable PDF Baby Sweater Knitting Pattern Here
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Happy knitting!
How Long Does It Take To Knit A Baby Sweater?
The time it takes to knit a baby sweater can vary widely depending on several factors, including the complexity of the design, the speed of the knitter, the type of yarn used, and the amount of time dedicated to knitting each day.
Here’s a rough breakdown:
- Skill Level of the Knitter: Beginners might take longer as they are still mastering the techniques, while experienced knitters can work much faster.
- Pattern Complexity: A simple pattern with basic stitches (like stockinette or garter stitch) and minimal color changes or finishing details will be quicker to complete. More complex patterns with cables, lace, or colorwork will require more time.
- Size of the Sweater: Baby sweaters can vary in size depending on the age of the baby. A preemie or newborn size will be quicker to knit than a sweater for 6-12 months or 18-24 months.
- Knitting Time Per Day: If you can only knit a few hours a week, it will take longer to complete than if you can knit a few hours each day.
On average, a simple baby sweater might take anywhere from 10 to 20 hours of knitting time.
This can be spread out over several days to a couple of weeks, depending on how much time a knitter can dedicate to the project each day.
The Yarn I Used For The Baby Sweater Knitting Pattern
The yarn I used for the step-by-step photograph tutorial is called Rico Creative Cotton Aran and has recommended needle sizes of 4 mm (US 6) or 5 mm (US 8) knitting needles.
I used 4 mm (US 6), but this needle size is more commonly used with DK/Light Worsted/8 Ply yarn.
So the sweater can be made with any yarn with the 4 mm (US) recommended needle size.
I bought the ribbon for the tie on the back of the neck from a local craft store.
Yarn Substitutes In DK Yarn
- Sirdar Happy Cotton
- James C Brett – Baby DK
- Sirdar Snuggly – DK
- Paintbox Yarns – Baby DK
- Stylecraft Bambino
- Sirdar Snuggly – Baby Bamboo DK
- King Cole – Comfort DK
- Merino Wool Superwash Yarn
- Ewe Ewe Yarns
This Baby Sweater Knitting Pattern Is Great For Beginners
This easy-knit baby sweater is a great pattern and an easy project for any beginner, as it uses a basic garter stitch throughout.
Knit in one piece; the sweater requires some shaping, which is done through simple increases and decreases.
Choose soft, washable yarns in cheerful colors to create a cozy, comfortable sweater that’s as practical as it is charming.
Whether you’re a seasoned knitter or picking up needles for the first time, this one-piece baby sweater is a heartwarming project that stitches love into every loop.
Resources and tutorials you may find helpful in following this pattern:
This baby sweater knitting pattern is the perfect pattern and a great way for beginner knitters to develop their skills.
- Knitting cast-on methods
- Knitting Lessons
- How to cast on knitting
- How to cast off knitting for total beginners (step by step).
- How to knit garter stitch
- How to knit the purl stitch (for beginners + a video tutorial)
- How to knit stockinette stitch (for beginners)
- How to read knitting patterns for beginners
- Knitting abbreviations and terms (US and UK)
- How to knit rib stitch patterns (1×1 and 2×2 ribbing)
- How to knit two stitches together – K2tog
What Is The Easiest Thing To Knit For A Baby?
One of the easiest and most satisfying knitting projects for a baby is a simple baby blanket.
Baby blankets require basic knitting skills and provide a great opportunity to practice techniques like casting on, knitting in garter stitch, and binding off.
They can be as straightforward or as decorative as you like, depending on the yarn and stitch pattern you choose.
Baby booties are another excellent choice for beginners.
They typically require only small amounts of yarn and can be completed quickly, making them perfect for a quick project or a last-minute gift.
Both projects offer flexibility in size and style, and they don’t require complex shaping or fitting, which makes them ideal for those new to knitting.
More Baby Knitting Patterns…
- 31 Free Baby Blanket Knitting Patterns (Easy Knit Blankets)
- Easy Baby Cardigan Knitting Pattern (One Piece)
- How To Knit Baby Booties (Step-By-Step)
- Super Easy Corner To Corner Baby Blanket Pattern (Knit)
- Baby Cardigan Knitting Pattern
- 25 Knitting Patterns For Baby Sweaters Knit In One Piece
- Easy Baby Blanket Knitting Pattern
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