Baby Sweater Patterns: Review and Round-Up
As of 2017, I no longer do “manufacturing”. I used to spend hours and hours making hats and scarves and garments for trade shows and craft fairs. I felt that I couldn’t really justify the amount of time and the cost of materials with what I was earning at the sales and so I switched solely to designing. However, that doesn’t mean I never make anything for anyone else. Hats are still a common Christmas gift, and I have been known to make a sweater or two for a special birthday.
Another common make for me is baby clothes. I love making baby clothes, and I love gifting them to my family and friends of parents-to-be. They are great stashbusters and they’re super quick makes!
One result of this, is that I have made a large number of other maker’s patterns - both knit and crochet. I thought I would do a review of my favorites with links in case it’s useful for you too! I also made one of my own baby patterns that received such a lovely response that I thought I would write it up and share it too (coming soon).
I have made makes that fall into a few categories: sweaters, onesies, and accessories (e.g. hats and socks and things). This is the first review which focuses on sweaters. I share various pictures of my (sometimes multiple) makes along with reviews and links to the patterns, as well as highlighting any mods to the pattern I made in the pictures shown. I also include a list of pros and cons, but these are very subjective to each maker. As a treat, I’ve also written up one of the more complex charts available for only 1 pound!
Sweaters
1. The Confetti DK Pullover by Nomad Stitches
Pattern: Sandra’s site, Ravelry, Lovecrafts
I’m a big Nomad Stitches fan, and a huge fan of this sweater. I have made it multiple times, for multiple babies, and even myself. This crochet, top-down, raglan sweater looks so cute and classic, and even if you don’t follow the color changes exactly - it ends up looking great.
Mods: I really leaned into the stash busting aspect on these so the color changes aren’t exactly as written, and sometimes include more (or less!) colors than the pattern calls for.
Pros:
Tons of photos of in-progress, very detailed instructions per step
Best scrap buster
Comes in sizes ranging from baby to child (and there’s an adult version too)
Has shoulder and neck shaping
Cons:
I always misread the beginning instructions on the short rows and always have to do that part twice!
Does need a button
2. A Simple Baby Pullover by Nomad Original Patterns
Pattern: Ravelry
One of the easiest sweaters on the list, this is a simple top down sweater knit in one-piece. However, I didn’t make a single one with out a few mods
For the Welsh Flag knitting chart, grab the pattern here!
Mods: I made a few of these with various mods:
I usually opted for a ribbed neckline rather than a garter stitch neckline
I changed the number of buttons/ button holes
I moved the sl st of the button hole 2 sts away from the edge instead of 1
My gauge was always larger than the pattern so I cut down the number of stitches that I separated the sleeves at, but my neckline was fine
Pros:
Easy to make variations
A good base raglan pattern
Cons:
No photos of “in-progress”
I couldn’t get my gauge to match so had to do some simple math
Need a button (or a few) to complete
3. Join-The-Dots Kids Jumper by Katie Jones Knit
Pattern: Katie’s site, Ravelry
I loved the way this one came out, like a little fancy apres-ski sweater for when baby is chilling with hot cocoa after a snowy day! A crochet sweater with strong color blocking, I definitely want to make one with color next!
Mods: I chose to make my sleeves one color rather than the two-color in the pattern.
Pros:
Tons of sizes available in the pattern, from baby up through child sizes (and there’s an adult pattern)
Allows for variations from 2 up to 3 colors
Color photos on various stages of the make
Don’t need any “extras” e.g. buttons etc
Cons:
No shoulder shaping
4. French Macaroon by The Noble Thread
Pattern: Ravelry
This chic little knit number is the simplest design on this list, and I am really into the French Riviera vibe this top has to it. Hard to call it a sweater since I made mine in cotton and feels more like a long sleeved tee that baby will wear when site-seeing, but still works.
Mods: Instead of working the front and back panel separately, I worked from the bottom up, casting off and then casting on again at the neckline, working from back to front in one piece and them seaming the sides.
Pros:
Simple construction - no inc or dec, straightforward garter stitch the whole way
Multiple sizing options
Works in cotton
Cons:
No neck or shoulder shaping
5. The Gosling Cardi by me
This fun cardigan design features garter stitch neckline, button band, cuffs and waist! Plus these adorable little French geese motifs. Pattern coming soon - look out for the tester call!
Mods: None
Pros: Cardigans are good for squirmy babies! Look at the chubby geese!
Cons: Obviously none (maybe that the buttons will come separately…)
I hope you enjoyed this sweater round up! Always looking for new and adorable baby makes so if there’s one you love or have been thinking about - feel free to message me over on my instagram @thequeenstitch!
Next reviews of onesies + accessories will follow!
<3 Katie