If you’re looking for the cutest ever gift to welcome a little one into the world, then you’ve got to try our adorable crochet baby jumper!
Babies grow fast, so they need plenty of outfits to change into. Fortunately, your hooky skills can come to the rescue. This pattern can be made in a range of sizes, including a tiny crochet baby jumper for premature babies (preemies).
Because of their small size, it doesn’t take long to make a crochet baby jumper. Our free baby sweater crochet pattern even features a super-simple T-shape construction with buttoned shoulders, making it both simple to crochet and easy to take on and off.
This amazing design by Pat Strong features a wonderful wave colourwork design, but if you want to keep it simple you can just use a single solid colour or create simple stripes. Why not make each size in a different colour so that baby can look cool in crochet for all of their first 2 years!
Darling dress-up
Work up wonderful rainbow stripes with our free baby dress crochet pattern.
You will need:
- Rowan Baby Cashsoft Merino (57% wool, 33% acrylic, 10% cashmere, 50g/130m), or alternative DK yarn, see table below for measurements and yarn quantities:
- Yarn A Royal Blue (119)
- Yarn B Heaven (111)
- Yarn C Mint (109)
- A 3.75mm (US F/5) hook
- 6 (6: 6: 6: 8) buttons, 12mm diameter
For a more budget-friendly make, try Scheepjes Catona with quantities listed in the pattern. Check hook size, tension and ball length if you use a different yarn. Check out our guide to learn more about how to substitute yarns.
Abbreviations
You can find a full list of all abbreviations we use in our abbreviations and conversions guide. This free crochet baby jumper pattern is written in UK terminology but you can easily convert it to US terms using the guide.
Tension
Tension is not critical, but it may affect the yarn quantities required
Measurements
26 sts and 26 rows measure 10x10cm (4x4in) over double crochet using a 3.75mm hook, or size needed to obtain correct tension
Notes
Jumper is worked in two T-shaped pieces, which are sewn together.
Cuffs are worked separately at the end and joined to the base of each Sleeve.
Tapestry colourwork is used for the wave design. Change colour on the final yrh of st before colour change is indicated. Carry the unused colour across the top of your stitches, enclosing the strand as you work. You can find out more about this technique in our guide on how to do crochet colourwork.
There is a chart in the pattern below at the point where you start the tapestry crochet colourwork. Each small square represents 1dc. Read all RS rows from right to left and WS rows from left to right.
Free baby sweater crochet pattern
Back and sleeves
Hem
Using Yarn A, ch8 (8: 10: 10: 12 ).
Row 1 Dc in second ch from hook and each ch across, turn. [7 (7: 9: 9: 11 ) sts]
Row 2 Ch1 (does not count as st throughout), dc in back loop of each stitch across, turn.
Repeat Row 2 another 50 (54: 62: 66: 70 ) times. Do not fasten off.
Body
Turn to work into row-ends across one long edge.
Row 1 (RS) Ch1, dc in each row-end across, turn. [52 (56: 64: 68: 72 ) sts]
Row 2 Ch1, dc in each st across, turn.
Refer to the chart for all colour changes. The chart is repeated 13 (14: 16: 17: 18 ) times across each row.
The first few rows have been written out to guide you.
Row 3 Ch1, dc in first st, (change to Yarn B, dc in next st, change to Yarn A, dc in next 3 sts) repeat across to end, turn.
Row 4 Ch1, dc in first st, (change to Yarn B, dc in next 3 sts, change to Yarn A, dc in next st) repeat across to end, turn.
Rows 5-6 Using Yarn B throughout, dc in each st across, turn.
Work Rows 7-12 of Chart then rep Rows 1-12 until piece measures 12 (14: 16: 18: 20 ) cm long. Continue working from Chart for colourwork design.
Next row Ch1, 2dc in first st, dc in each st to final st, 2dc in final st, turn. [54 (58: 66: 70: 174) sts]
Repeat last row another 2 (2: 3: 3: 3 ) times. [58 (62: 72: 76: 80 ) sts] Do not fasten off.
Sleeves
Using the same colour as last st and working from a different ball, make 33 (35: 44: 48: 56 ) ch.
Fasten off and put to one side.
Continue from Body using same colour, ch34 (36: 45: 49: 57).
Continue working from chart. Begin on the 4th (2nd: 1st: 1st: 1st ) of the chart repeat.
Row 1 Dc in second ch from hook and each ch across, dc in each st of Front, take the ch length and dc in each ch across, turn.
[124 (132: 160: 172: 192 ) sts]
Row 2 Continue in dc pattern using the chart for all colour changes.
Repeat Row 2 until piece measures 22 (24: 29: 31: 34)cm.
Next row Ss across first 17 (17: 21: 21: 25 ) sts, work in pattern to final 16 (16: 20: 20: 24) sts, turn leaving remaining stitches unworked.
Next Row Ss in first 2 sts, work as Row 2 to last 2 sts, turn leaving remaining 2 sts unworked.
Repeat last row once more.
Fasten off.
Craft a card
If you’re making this project to welcome a new one to the world, why not craft your own greeting card too with our new baby card ideas.
Buttonhole tabs
Skip first 33 (35: 44: 48: 56 ) sts, join Yarn A in next st.
Row 1 Ch1, dc in next 12 (13: 15: 17: 18 ) sts, turn. [12 (13: 15: 17: 18 ) sts]
Row 2 Ch1, dc in each st across, turn.
Row 3 Ch1, dc in first st, *ch1, skip 1 st, dc in next 3 (4: 4: 5: 4) sts; repeat from * 1 (1: 1: 1: 2) times more, ch1, skip 1 st, dc in final 2 (1: 3: 2: 1 ) sts, turn.
Row 4 Ch1, dc in each st and ch-1 sp across, turn.
Repeat Row 2 another 1 (1: 2: 2: 2) times.
Fasten off.
Skip 34 (36: 42: 42: 44) sts across Back and join Yarn A in next st.
Work Button tab over next 12 (13: 15: 17: 18 ) sts. Fasten off.
Front and sleeves
Work as Back and Sleeves, omitting Buttonhole Tabs.
Making up your crochet baby jumper
Pin the Front and Back together. With WS facing, whipstitch the side and lower sleeve seams together.
Sew the upper sleeve seams together up to the Buttonhole Tabs.
Sew the buttons to the Front, in line with the buttonholes.
Sleeve cuffs (make 2)
Using Yarn A, work as Hem until piece measures circumference of Sleeve end when slightly stretched, slip stitch the final row to Row 1 to form a tube.
With WS facing and using Yarn A, slip stitch Cuffs to the end of each Sleeve. Fold up to the form Cuff.
Weave in all ends.
Tiny toes
Keep those sweet feet nice and snug with our free baby booties crochet pattern.
Give the gift of a crochet baby jumper
There’s nothing sweeter than a handmade baby gift, and new parents will really appreciate the thought and time you’ve put into it. You could embroidery baby’s initials onto the jumper for an extra personal touch.
Keep baby wrapped up warm
Every new arrival needs a new blankie! Find your next project with our pick of the best baby blanket crochet patterns on Gathered.
