A knit baby sweater is one of the most rewarding things you can make. It is small, so it is quick, and it gives you a chance to practice raglan increases, buttonholes and sleeves without a huge time investment. It also makes a gift parents keep for years.
We checked all 15 of these free knit baby sweater patterns. Most are knit top-down with no seams, so you can try them on as you go. You will find easy garter cardigans, simple pullovers, a few shawl collars and some colorwork for more confident knitters.
Knit Baby Sweater Free Patterns
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What You’ll Need
- Soft, washable baby yarn (superwash wool or a wool blend)
- Circular needles, 16″ and 24″
- Double-pointed needles for sleeves
- Stitch markers for raglan lines
- Scrap yarn or stitch holders
- Small baby buttons
- Tapestry needle
1. Baby Sophisticate
Photo: Linden Down
Baby Sophisticate is a tiny cardigan with a shawl collar and a V-neck. It is knit top-down in one flat piece, with no seams to sew. The designer calls it extremely simple and quick. The free version covers 0-3 and 6-12 months, and the sizing runs a bit small.
- Designer: Linden Down
- Skill level: see pattern
- Yarn: aran (#4)
- Needles: 5 mm (US 8)
- Price: Free (larger sizes in a paid version)
- Get the pattern: Get the free pattern →
2. Little Coffee Bean Cardigan
Photo: Elizabeth Smith Knits
This striped raglan cardigan is knit top-down in stockinette with ribbed edges and five buttons. The designer describes it as easy and perfect for a first sweater. Sizes go from 3 to 18 months, and the stripes are a fun way to use up leftovers.
- Designer: Elizabeth Smith Knits
- Skill level: Easy (per designer)
- Yarn: worsted (#4)
- Needles: 5 mm (US 8) and 4.5 mm (US 7)
- Price: Free
- Get the pattern: Get the free pattern →
3. Bitty Bump
Photo: Gina Bonomo
Bitty Bump is a V-neck raglan knit in one piece with super bulky yarn, so it flies off the needles. There is no seaming at all. The designer says it is ideal for beginners, and sizes run from 1 year to 4T.
- Designer: Gina Bonomo
- Skill level: see pattern (described as ideal for beginners)
- Yarn: super bulky (#6)
- Needles: 10 mm (US 15)
- Price: Free
- Get the pattern: Get the free pattern →
4. Poncho Pullover
This easy baby pullover is knit top-down in the round with raglan shaping, but it has no sleeves to pick up. The poncho shape makes it easy to put on a wiggly baby, and finishing is minimal. Sizes go from 6 to 24 months.
- Designer: Bernat
- Skill level: Easy
- Yarn: Bernat Baby Velvet (see pattern)
- Needles: 4 mm (US 6) and 4.5 mm (US 7)
- Price: Free
- Get the pattern: Get the free pattern →
5. Garter Yoke Baby Cardi
Photo: Jennifer Hoel
A classic for good reason. The yoke is garter stitch, the body is stockinette, and it is all knit top-down with raglan lines and no seams. It needs about 300 yards and is sized for 6-12 months. You can add an optional I-cord button band.
- Designer: Jennifer Hoel
- Skill level: see pattern
- Yarn: sport (#2)
- Needles: 3.5 mm (US 4)
- Price: Free
- Get the pattern: Get the free pattern →
6. Puerperium Cardigan
Photo: Kelly van Niekerk / PEKAPEKA
Puerperium is a much-loved newborn cardigan, knit top-down and seamless in DK yarn. It includes both straight and tapered sleeve options. It is sized for a baby of about 7-9 pounds, which makes it a lovely coming-home outfit.
- Designer: Kelly van Niekerk / PEKAPEKA
- Skill level: see pattern
- Yarn: DK (#3)
- Needles: 4 mm (US 6)
- Price: Free
- Get the pattern: Get the free pattern →
7. My Gift to You
Photo: Taiga Hilliard
This classic top-down raglan cardigan has an offset button front, which gives it a sweet, slightly vintage look. It comes in four sizes from 0-3 months to 12-18 months and uses 200 to 450 yards of worsted yarn.
- Designer: Taiga Hilliard
- Skill level: see pattern
- Yarn: worsted (#4)
- Needles: 4 mm (US 6) and 4.5 mm (US 7)
- Price: Free
- Get the pattern: Get the free pattern →
8. Henry’s Sweater
Photo: Sara Elizabeth Kellner / Rabbit Hole Knits
Henry’s Sweater is a double-breasted cardigan with a shawl collar, knit top-down with no seams. It looks like a tiny grown-up sweater and is great for little boys and girls. Sizes are 3-6 and 6-12 months.
- Designer: Sara Elizabeth Kellner / Rabbit Hole Knits
- Skill level: see pattern
- Yarn: worsted (#4)
- Needles: 3.75 mm (US 5)
- Price: Free
- Get the pattern: Get the free pattern →
9. Telemark Pullover
Photo: Erika Flory
Telemark is a top-down raglan pullover with a garter stitch collar and a buttoned placket at the neck, which makes it easy to pull over a baby’s head. The sleeves are worked in the round. Sizes are 6, 12 and 18 months.
- Designer: Erika Flory
- Skill level: see pattern
- Yarn: sport (#2)
- Needles: 3.75 mm (US 5)
- Price: Free
- Get the pattern: Get the free pattern →
10. Rosebud
Photo: Caro in the City / The Noble Thread
Rosebud is a short-sleeved, A-line cardigan in garter stitch with a scoop neck. It is knit top-down in one piece. It is a sweet layer for spring and summer babies, sized from 3 to 18 months.
- Designer: Caro in the City / The Noble Thread
- Skill level: see pattern
- Yarn: fingering (#1)
- Needles: see pattern (US 3 to US 7 listed)
- Price: Free
- Get the pattern: Get the free pattern →
11. Linnie
Photo: Justyna Lorkowska
Linnie is a newborn raglan cardigan with a contrast yoke and cuffs. It is knit top-down and flat in fingering yarn, so it is light and soft. A nice way to use two coordinating colors for a special gift.
- Designer: Justyna Lorkowska
- Skill level: see pattern
- Yarn: fingering (#1)
- Needles: 3.25 mm (US 3)
- Price: Free
- Get the pattern: Get the free pattern →
12. Sweet Baby Sweater
Photo: Caroline Wiens
This seamless pullover pairs a variegated sock yarn yoke with a solid body and sleeves. It is knit top-down in the round, and you can also knit it flat as a cardigan. A great use for a single skein of special sock yarn.
- Designer: Caroline Wiens
- Skill level: see pattern
- Yarn: fingering (#1)
- Needles: 2.5 mm to 3 mm
- Price: Free
- Get the pattern: Get the free pattern →
13. Mossy
Photo: Jolene Lye / Inoriz
Mossy is a henley-style raglan pullover with a zigzag of textured moss stitch. It is knit top-down in the round with simple increases. Sizes go from 3 months to 3-4 years, so you can make one for siblings too.
- Designer: Jolene Lye / Inoriz
- Skill level: see pattern
- Yarn: worsted (#4)
- Needles: 5.5 mm (US 9)
- Price: Free
- Get the pattern: Get the free pattern →
14. Skyskrapa (Skyscraper) Sweater
Photo: Madelene Linderstam / Järbo
Skyskrapa is a seamless, top-down pullover with a colorful stranded yoke in five colors. The designer calls it easy and good for beginners, which makes it a friendly first colorwork sweater. Sizes run from preemie all the way to 8-10 years.
- Designer: Madelene Linderstam / Järbo
- Skill level: see pattern (described as easy)
- Yarn: DK (#3)
- Needles: 4 mm (US 6) and 4.5 mm (US 7)
- Price: Free
- Get the pattern: Get the free pattern →
15. Love the Earth Baby Cardi
Photo: Lion Brand Yarn
Lion Brand rates this cardigan as experienced level, so save it for when you want a real project. It comes in sizes from 0-6 months to 4 years. Check the pattern download for yarn and needle details.
- Designer: Lion Brand Yarn
- Skill level: Advanced (Experienced)
- Yarn: see pattern
- Needles: see pattern
- Price: Free
- Get the pattern: Get the free pattern →
Which One Should You Make?
- First sweater ever? Start with #3 (Bitty Bump) in super bulky yarn or #2 (Little Coffee Bean Cardigan).
- Need a fast baby shower gift? Try #1 (Baby Sophisticate) or #5 (Garter Yoke Baby Cardi).
- Knitting for a newborn? #6 (Puerperium) and #11 (Linnie) are sized for the first weeks.
- Want easy-on, easy-off? #4 (Poncho Pullover) and #9 (Telemark Pullover) slip over the head easily.
- Ready for colorwork? Make #14 (Skyskrapa).
FAQ
What is the best yarn for a knit baby sweater?
Pick something soft and machine washable, like superwash merino or a good wool blend. Parents will wash it often, so easy care matters. Avoid scratchy wool and very fuzzy yarns like mohair near a baby’s face. Cotton blends are nice for warm climates and summer babies.
What size should I knit for a baby gift?
Go one size up. Babies grow fast, and a sweater that fits at 6 months gets more wear than a newborn size. If you do not know the season the baby will wear it in, a cardigan is the safest choice because it layers easily over other clothes.
Why are most baby sweaters knit top-down?
Top-down raglan sweaters have no seams, so they are comfortable against soft baby skin. You can also try the sweater on as you go and adjust the length of the body and sleeves. It is a simple, logical way to learn how sweaters are built.
Choose a soft yarn, cast on, and enjoy every tiny stitch.
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