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 that has step-by-step photographs to guide you.
If you are learning how to knit, baby knitting patterns are great to start with before you move on to more complicated patterns that include cables and other advanced techniques.
Scroll down for the free pattern or you can grab your printer-friendly ad-free PDF here.
The Yarn I Used For The Baby Sweater Knitting Pattern
The yarn I used is called Rico Creative Cotton Aran and has a recommended needle size of 4mm (US 6) or 5mm (US 8) knitting needles.
I used 4mm (US) but this needle size is more commonly used with DK/Light Worsted/8 Ply yarn.
So the sweater can be made with any yarn that has the 4mm (US) recommended needle size.
The ribbon I used for the tie on the back of the neck, I bought from a local craft store.
Weekly news, free patterns, tutorials, and more.
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
*Please scroll down to see the free pattern / Don’t forget to pin and share!*
This Pattern Is Great For Beginners
This easy-knit baby sweater is a great pattern for any beginner, as it uses basic garter stitch throughout.
Knit in one piece the sweater requires some shaping, which is done through simple increases and decreases.
You can see more free baby sweater knitting patterns here – 10 Baby Sweater Knitting Patterns and 15 Free Baby Blanket Knitting Patterns.
Resources and tutorials you may find helpful in following this pattern:
This pattern is great for any beginner knitters.
- Knitting cast-on methods.
- Knitting Lessons
- How to cast on knitting.
- How to cast off knitting.
- How to knit the garter stitch.
- How to knit the purl stitch.
- How to knit stockinette stitch.
- How to read knitting patterns.
- Knitting abbreviations and terms.
- How to knit rib stitch.
- How to knit two stitches together – K2tog.
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
This written pattern for beginners includes three sizes – 0-3 months, 3-6 months, and 6-9 months.
The sweater is knit in one piece, the front piece, the sleeves, and then the back piece.
The neck is a crew neck at the front and has a neck opening V on the back.
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.
Skill Level – Basic (Beginner)
Size – 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.
Gauge – 22 sts and 40 rows in 4×4 inches / 10x10cm in garter stitch.
Grab The Ad-Free Printable PDF Pattern Here
The Supplies You Need…
Yarn
- 2 x skeins of Rico Creative Cotton Aran in the color nature (white) 60.
- 1 x skein in powder (peach) 61.
- Any yarn can be substituted that recommends a 4mm (US 6) needle size.
- Yarn weight guide
Needles
Notions
- Tape measure
- Darning needle
- Scissors
- Stitch holder
Other Materials
- Sewing needle and thread in the same color as the ribbon.
- Ribbon (around 50cm/19.5 inches long)
Abbreviations / Knitting Abbreviations List
- Beg – Begin(ning)
- Cont – Continue(ing)
- CO – Cast on
- K – Knit
- K2tog – Knit next 2 stitches together
- Rem – Remaining
- Rep – Repeat
- St(s) – Stitch(es)
How To Knit A Baby Sweater
- Work The Front Of The Sweater In Yarn A
Yarn A – Powder (Peach) / Yarn B – Nature (white)
With 4mm (US 6) needles and Yarn A cast on 52 (60/68) sts.
Work in garter stitch until 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 sleeves).
- 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!
Share your work with us…
I love seeing your finished projects!
If you enjoyed making the baby sweater, I’d love to see yours on Instagram, be sure to tag me @handylittleme.
I’d love to see your work!
Happy Knitting! xoxo
