Crochet baby sweaters make such a sweet and thoughtful gift for a new little one. Enjoy these free baby cardigan crochet patterns, whether you’re making them for your own little bundle of joy or as a thoughtful present for a friend! If you are not a fan of Ads, then consider purchasing the Ad-Free PDF Pattern on Etsy, Ribblr or Ravelry.
Crochet Baby Sweater: 0-24 Months
Baby and toddler clothes are always adorable, but there’s something extra-special about one-of-a-kind, handcrafted sweaters, and adorable baby-sized sweaters. That’s why we’re excited to share this free baby sweater crochet pattern, guaranteed to have you reaching for your hooks!
This crochet sweater pattern allows the new crocheters to practice their increasing skills as it is worked in the round increasing on the 4 corners that will later separate the body and the arms.
Is The Pattern Beginner Friendly?
Yes yews yes!
If you are an absolute beginner and need help with various stitches, then consider listing for our How To Crochet For Absolute Beginners Course. If you are a bit comfortable then you are good to go! If you have any questions, i am a comment away.
Supplies Needed
Before you begin your crochet adventure, gather these essential materials:
Yarn:
TO get the exact drape i got in this crochet baby sweater, then you need a Worsted weight yarn or DK weight yarn works well for a versatile sweater, but feel free to explore with various textures and fibres for a unique touch.
Crochet Hook:
Choose an appropriate crochet hook size that complements your yarn choice. Typically, a 4mm to 5mm hook is ideal for a sweater project depending on your tension.
Scissors and Yarn Needle:
These will be your trusty companions throughout the project for cutting yarn and weaving in those ends.
Other Crochet baby patterns:
crochet bear amigurumi free pattern
What Is The Best Yarn To Use For A Crochet Baby Sweater
Choosing the best yarn for a crochet baby sweater involves considering factors like softness, durability, and ease of care. Generally, yarn made from natural fibers like cotton, bamboo, or merino wool tends to be gentle on a baby’s skin and offers comfort and breathability.
Lion Brand 24/7 Cotton Yarn
Cotton yarn is a popular choice due to its softness and hypoallergenic properties, making it suitable for babies with sensitive skin. It’s also easy to clean and maintain. Bamboo yarn is another excellent option, known for its silky texture, antibacterial properties, and moisture-wicking abilities, keeping the baby comfortable in various temperatures.
Bamboo Yarn
How Much Yarn Do I Need For A Crochet Sweater For Babies?
These estimates are based on an average worsted weight yarn, but actual yardage can vary depending on the pattern, stitch, and individual tension.
| Age | Yardage (Approx.) |
|---|---|
| 0-3 months | 300-450 yards |
| 4-6 months | 400-550 yards |
| 7-9 months | 450-600 yards |
| 10-12 months | 500-700 yards |
| 13-15 months | 550-750 yards |
| 16-18 months | 600-800 yards |
| 19-21 months | 650-850 yards |
| 22-24 months | 700-900 yards |
These estimations are based on typical sizing for baby sweaters. Always check the gauge you’re using for specific yardage recommendations as they can differ based on the design, stitch complexity, and the yarn’s weight. Adjustments in sleeve length, body length, or adding embellishments may also require more yarn.
The amount of yarn required for a crochet baby sweater can vary based on several factors: the size of the sweater, the stitch pattern used, the weight of the yarn, and your individual tension or gauge.
As a general guideline:
- Size of the Sweater: Newborn, 3-6 months, 6-12 months, and 12-24 months are common sizes for baby sweaters. Larger sizes will naturally require more yarn.
- Yarn Weight: Different yarn weights (such as sport, DK, worsted, etc.) have varying yardage per skein/ball. Heavier weights typically require less yardage for the same size garment.
- Stitch Pattern: Intricate stitch patterns or designs might consume more yarn compared to simpler patterns.
Crochet Stitches & Techniques
Ch- Chain
Slst- Slip stitch
Sc- Single crochet
Hdc- half double crochet
Incr- Increase
Cont- Continue
Rep- Repeat
Notes
- Neck size is the same for all sizes
- Ch 1 does not count as a stitch
- We use a 5mm crochet hook throughout the sweater
- All increases are done in the 4 corners only
- The bear applique is optional
- To make a size smaller consider going down a hook size
Gauge& Final Measurements
Gauge: 15 stitches in 10 rows = 4″ X 4″
Final measurements for 0-3 months: Neck opening = 5″
Neck to bottom band= 9″
Chest: 9″
Neck to sleeve= 9″
CROCHET BABY SWEATER FREE PATTERN
Yoke
Row 1: Ch 6, in the back bump of the ch, slst all the way down. You will have 5 stitches, ch 1 and turn.
Row 2: slst in the back loop of the previous row, ch 1 at the end and turn
Row 3-64: Rep this till you reach row 64.
At the end, connect the two ends together and place sc on the side slst of the yoke.
Dividing The yoke
Place the markers in the following stitches: 12th, 20th, 12th, 20th. After you place the first marker in the 12th stitch, start counting from 1 to get your next 20.
Body
ch1, in the same stitch place a hdc, hdc to the stitch marker. We will place our first incr in the marked stitch.
To incr, hdc, ch1, hdc in the same stitch. Cont to hdc in the following stitches and incr in all stitches with the stitch marker.
At the end of the row,slst to the first hdc you made, ch1 and start round 2. Incr for:
- 0-3months: 8 rounds
- 3-6months: 11 rounds
- 6-9 months: 12 rounds
- 9-12 months: 13 rounds
- 12-15 months: 14 rounds
- 15-18 months: 14 rounds
- 18-21 months: 16 rounds
- 21-24 months: 17 rounds
Remember, you do not have to stick to these measurements, if they are too large or small, you can go up or down a size.
Separating The Yoke
To separate the yoke, slst to join the last row, ch1 and hdc in the same st, and chain 4. Feel free to chain more if the arm hole is too tight for the baby. After you make the ch, hdc in the next ch 2 space then continue to hdc to the next corner.
When you reach the next corner, hdc in the ch2 spce and maker another chain to the next corner, hdc in the last corner and proceed to hdc to where we begun.
When you reach where we started the round, do not slst to join but rather hdc on top of the first hdc and process to make the rest of the body seamless.
Be sure to leave a stitch markerso you can keep count of the rows.
Work for the followingsrounds according to yoursize:
- 0-3months: 8 rounds
- 3-6months: 11 rounds
- 6-9 months: 12 rounds
- 9-12 months: 13 rounds
- 12-15 months: 14 rounds
- 15-18 months: 14 rounds
- 18-21 months: 16 rounds
- 21-24 months: 17 rounds
Bottom Ribbing
when you have completed the required rounds, ch 5, back bump slst to the base of the chain, slst to join in the same stitch the chain was coming out of, then slst to the nextstitch to start the next row..
Turn,slst in the back loop of the 4 slst, ch1 and turn. cont this around the whole sweater till the end.
Crochet Arms
Connect your yarn to the under section, hdc around to where you stared the row, when you reach the end, do not slst to join but continue hdc. Keep a stitch marker to keep track of your rounds.
For the arms, work a total of:
- 0-3months: 8 rounds
- 3-6months: 11 rounds
- 6-9 months: 12 rounds
- 9-12 months: 13 rounds
- 12-15 months: 14 rounds
- 15-18 months: 14 rounds
- 18-21 months: 16 rounds
- 21-24 months: 17 rounds
When you have the total number of rounds, ch 5, back bump slst to the base of the chain, slst to join in the same stitch the chain was coming out of, then slst to the next stitch to start the next row..Turn, slst in the back loop of the 4 slst, ch1 and turn. Rep this for the whole arm band.
Repeat this for the other side of the arm. Weave in all the ends.
Crochet Bear Applique
- Make a magic ring, ch2. The ch 2 does not count as a stitch.
- In the circle, place 12 double crochet, slst to close
- Ch 2, place 2 double crochet on top of each previous double crochet for a total of 24. slst to join.
- Ch2, place 5 double crochet and a single crochet in the same stitch, then slst in the next 4 stitches.
- In the 5th stitch, placr 5 double crochet and a single crochet, slst all the way round ch 1 and cut leaving a long tail to sew the bear applique on the sweater.
- Connect the bear applique to your sweater and you are all done!
- And that is all. You are all done with your crochet baby sweater! Please leave me a little review letting me know how you found this crochet sweater pattern!