Kids grow fast, so a hand-knit sweater needs to be quick, washable and easy to wear. The good news is that a child’s sweater uses far less yarn than an adult one, and many patterns are knit top-down so you can try it on as you go. That makes a kids knit sweater one of the most rewarding garments you can make.
Here are 10 free patterns we opened and checked, from simple raglans and school cardigans to cables, tree panels and Nordic colorwork. Sizes run from toddler up to about 16 years.
Kids Knit Sweater Free Patterns
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What You’ll Need
- Washable worsted or DK yarn
- Circular needles, 16″ and 24″ (US 6–8)
- Double-pointed needles for sleeves
- Stitch markers
- Stitch holders or waste yarn
- Tapestry needle
- Soft measuring tape
1. The Wander Knit Sweater
Photo: Briana K Designs
Wander is a top-down raglan pullover with a raised rib panel running down from the yoke. The rest is plain stockinette with 2×2 ribbing, so it is relaxing to knit. The size range is huge, from 1–2 years up to adult 2X, which means you can knit matching sweaters for a child and a parent. The designer calls it a sweater for all genders.
- Designer: Briana K Designs
- Skill level: Easy
- Yarn: see pattern (Valley Yarns Haydenville shown)
- Needle size: 4.5 mm (US 7)
- Price: Free written pattern + paid versions on other shops
- Get the pattern: Get the free pattern →
2. Child’s Seamless Raglan Sweater
Photo: Elaine Phillips, ABC Knitting Patterns
This is a classic, no-fuss raglan worked seamlessly from the top down, so there is almost no finishing. The sizes run from age 2 all the way to 16, which is rare in a free pattern. Knit it in a tweedy wool for a casual school sweater, or a smooth yarn for something a bit dressier.
- Designer: Elaine Phillips, ABC Knitting Patterns
- Skill level: Intermediate
- Yarn: worsted (#4)
- Needle size: 4 mm (US 6)
- Price: Free
- Get the pattern: Get the free pattern →
3. Forest Sweater
The Forest Sweater is a soft, simple top-down raglan made with a yarn held together with a strand of mohair-silk, so it has a light halo. The body is stockinette with k2, p2 ribbing at the edges. You can adjust the length as you knit, which is great for growing kids. Sizes run from 2 to 12 years.
- Designer: slowknitwear (Christina Gjertsen) for Rito Hobby
- Skill level: see pattern
- Yarn: Infinity Hearts Lily held with Drops Kid Silk (see pattern)
- Needle size: 4.5 mm (US 7) and 3.5 mm (US 4)
- Price: Free
- Get the pattern: Get the free pattern →
4. Low Tide Pullover
Low Tide is a two-color pullover in a light blue and cream, made in pieces and seamed. It uses basic decreases, a color change and picked-up stitches, so it is a good project for building skills. The size range is wide, from 3 months up to 12 years, so siblings can match.
- Designer: Premier Yarns
- Skill level: see pattern
- Yarn: worsted (#4)
- Needle size: 4.5 mm (US 7) and 4 mm (US 6)
- Price: Free
- Get the pattern: Get the free pattern →
5. Youth Cedar Pullover
Photo: Knit in the Womb
This V-neck pullover has a center panel of knit trees with cables on each side. It is worked flat in pieces with 1×1 rib at the hem, cuffs and neck. The tree panel is charted over 20 rows, so it is a nice first chart project for an older child’s sweater. Sizes run from 3/4 years to 13/14 years.
- Designer: Knit in the Womb
- Skill level: see pattern
- Yarn: worsted (#4)
- Needle size: 4.5 mm (US 7) and 3.5 mm (US 4)
- Price: Free (free printable PDF with email sign-up)
- Get the pattern: Get the free pattern →
6. Snow Day Nordic Sweater
Photo: Louise Bollanos, Handy Little Me
Grey, white and red stranded colorwork gives this raglan a cozy Nordic ski-lodge look. It is worked flat in pieces from a 20-stitch chart, then seamed. Larger needles mean it grows quickly, and it is sized from about age 1–2 up to 9–10. It is perfect for winter photos.
- Designer: Louise Bollanos, Handy Little Me
- Skill level: Intermediate
- Yarn: worsted / aran (see pattern)
- Needle size: 6 mm (US 10)
- Price: Free written pattern + paid PDF
- Get the pattern: Get the free pattern →
7. Kids Aran Sweater
Photo: Sandnes Garn
This Norwegian pattern brings the classic Aran sweater look down to a child’s size. It is knit from the hem up with raglan shaping, and the four raglan sections are finished one at a time. It comes from Sandnes Garn’s Smart for Kids collection and is sized from 2 to 12 years, so it is a good pick for an older child who wants a timeless knit.
- Designer: Sandnes Garn
- Skill level: Intermediate
- Yarn: Sandnes Smart (see pattern)
- Needle size: 4 mm (US 6)
- Price: Free
- Get the pattern: Get the free pattern →
8. Children’s Knit Dream of a Cardigan
This simple cardigan is knit in pieces with 2×2 ribbing and a stockinette body, then seamed. Worsted cotton blend yarn and US 10 needles make it fast. Sizes run from 2 to 16, so it works for little ones and teens. The designer also links a video that walks through the construction.
- Designer: Cathy, City Farmhouse Studio
- Skill level: see pattern
- Yarn: worsted (#4)
- Needle size: 6 mm (US 10)
- Price: Free written pattern + paid PDF
- Get the pattern: Get the free pattern →
9. Bernat Bright Student Kids Knit Cardigan
Photo: Bernat (Yarnspirations)
This bright striped cardigan is made to be a school jacket. It uses only stockinette and 2×2 ribbing, so the stripes do all the work. Let your child pick the colors and they will want to wear it. The pattern covers sizes 4 to 10 in an easy-care acrylic.
- Designer: Bernat (Yarnspirations)
- Skill level: Easy
- Yarn: Bernat Super Value (see pattern)
- Needle size: see pattern
- Price: Free
- Get the pattern: Get the free pattern →
10. The Tiara Sweater
Photo: Terrifiknits
The Tiara Sweater is a pink, top-down pullover covered with jacquard colorwork motifs and a folded ribbed collar. It is one size, 5–6 years, and the designer rates it expert. This one is for knitters who love charts and want to make a true showpiece for a little girl.
- Designer: Terrifiknits
- Skill level: Advanced
- Yarn: Drops Baby Merino (see pattern)
- Needle size: 3 mm (US 2.5) and 2.5 mm (US 1.5)
- Price: Free
- Get the pattern: Get the free pattern →
Which One Should You Make?
- First kids sweater ever? Start with #1 Wander or #2 Child’s Seamless Raglan. Both are top-down with almost no seaming.
- Need it fast? #8 Dream of a Cardigan uses US 10 needles and grows quickly.
- Want texture? Try #5 Youth Cedar for trees and cables, or #7 Kids Aran Sweater for a classic look.
- Love colorwork? #6 Snow Day Nordic is a great first colorwork sweater, and #10 Tiara is the big challenge.
- For school days? #9 Bright Student Cardigan is easy to wash and fun to customize.
FAQ
What size should I knit for my child?
Measure the child’s chest under the arms and compare it to the finished chest size in the pattern. Most kids’ sweaters need 2 to 4 inches of ease so they can move and play. If they are between sizes, knit the larger one. Top-down patterns let you try the sweater on as you go.
What is the best yarn for a kids knit sweater?
Choose a machine-washable yarn, such as superwash wool, a wool-acrylic blend or a soft acrylic. Worsted and DK weights are popular because they are warm but not too bulky. Avoid scratchy wools. If the child has sensitive skin, try cotton blends or a merino superwash.
How much yarn do I need for a child’s sweater?
It depends on the size and yarn weight. A toddler pullover in worsted weight may need 400 to 600 yards, while a size 12 can need over 1,000 yards. Always check the yardage table in your pattern and buy one extra skein from the same dye lot.
Pick the pattern that fits your child’s style, and enjoy watching them wear something you made by hand.
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