Who can resist baby knitting patterns? There’s nothing we enjoy more than whipping up a tiny knit for a precious new arrival.
When you’re crafting for little ones, every stitch is filled with love, so it’s important you choose the perfect pattern. That’s why we’ve rounded up our 33 favourites for this list, including plenty of free knitting patterns for baby garments, accessories, nursery decor and more.
Whether you’re looking for an everyday cardigan, an heirloom blanket or a fun toy, we have the best baby knitting patterns for you to cast on right now.
33 best baby knitting patterns
Looking for something specific? Skip to the section you need below or browse the whole list.
- Baby knitting patterns for clothes
- Baby knitting patterns for accessories
- Baby knitting patterns for the nursery
Baby knitting patterns for clothes
1. Hooded duffle coat
Go beyond the classic cardi and make baby some cute and cosy outerwear for the autumn and winter months.
Suitable for babies and toddlers from newborn to three years, this colourful duffle coat from Sirdar will keep off the chill with its double-breasted front and handy hood.
The design uses Sirdar Snuggly Baby Crofter DK, a self-patterning yarn that knits up with a striking Fair Isle-style effect and comes in a wide range of eye-catching colours. Alternatively, you can substitute any of the other DK yarns in Sirdar's baby range.
- Buy the Sirdar hooded duffle coat pattern now at Amazon, where you can also order Sirdar Snuggly Baby Crofter DK yarn
2. Guernsey dress
Inspired by traditional fishermen's jumpers, this sweet dress from Debbie Bliss features cables, lace, bobbles and moss stitch hearts.
With such a wide range of techniques used, this pattern has plenty for intermediate and advanced knitters to enjoy. You'll also love working with the yarn – Baby Cashmerino is a super-soft, luxurious blend of wool, acrylic and cashmere that's perfect for special occasion knits.
The pattern comes from the Debbie Bliss Baby and Toddler Knits collection, which also features a matching pair of booties and a blanket, plus many other gorgeous gift ideas.
- Buy the Debbie Bliss Baby and Toddler Knits book now at Amazon
3. Textured jacket
What's cuter than a baby in a pointy pompom hood? Not much, we think!
This adorable button-up jacket is part of Newborn Book 2 from King Cole, a collection of patterns for boys and girls by Sue Batley-Kyle.
The sizes range from tiny to two years, so if you're looking for knits for premature babies there are lots to choose from.
The book features coordinating sets that are tailor-made for gift giving, and can be knitted with any DK yarn. Raid your stash for your favourite baby yarn and get crafting!
- Buy King Cole Newborn Book 2 now from Amazon
4. Traditional matinee coat
Just look at the pretty lace and bobble details on this matinee jacket knitting pattern from Patons!
First published in 1982 to celebrate the birth of Prince William, it's a classic design that will never go out of style and one of our favourite free knitting patterns for baby. Knit it up using the cosiest baby yarn in simple white or cream.
5. Beginner baby cardigan
Soft, squishy garter stitch is brilliant for baby knits, and it's an ideal choice for beginner knitters too. Newbies will love making this easy baby jacket and hat from Debbie Bliss, with their bright pops of colour, almost as much as baby will love wearing them!
- Buy the Debbie Bliss Garter Stitch Jacket and Hat pattern now from LoveCrafts
6. Heirloom christening gown
Knit this beautiful heirloom lace Christening gown by Anniken Allis for baby's special day. It's made in Exquisite Lace yarn from West Yorkshire Spinners, a luxurious blend of wool and mulberry silk.
Get the pattern in The Knitter issue 124, which is available as a digital download.
7. Stripy cardigan
MillaMia's pretty cardi uses a winning combo of stripes and lace, and it's easy to customise with your favourite colours from the Naturally Soft Merino range, which features 30 tempting shades. There are four sizes to choose from, going up to 18 months.
- Buy the MillaMia Ga-Ga Cardigan pattern now from LoveCrafts
8. Duckling bath robe
Make baby bathtimes fun with this cosy duckling bath robe – perfect for post-wash snuggles!
Val Pierce’s cute design fits ages 12-18 months and is worked in beautifully soft and quick-to-knit fur yarn. Check out our free chunky knitting patterns for babies to cast it on.
9. Floral cardigan
We love how the lace motif on this West Yorkshire Spinners cardigan looks like rows of dainty flowers. With its short sleeves and shiny buttons, this pretty cover-up would be ideal for special occasions such as summer weddings.
- Buy the West Yorkshire Spinners Flower Girl cardigan pattern now from LoveCrafts
10. Cosy onesie and hat set
Dress them up in classic nautical stripes with Gathered's easy knitted baby onesie and hat.
This timeless outfit was designed by Monica Russel and comes in three sizes to fit from newborn up to nine months. Knitted in Merino yarn, it's perfect for keeping baby warm during the winter months.
11. Baseball jacket
Get the sporty look for your little mini-me with this bear motif baseball jacket.
There are three sizes available, the biggest being 18-24 months. Check out the rest of this Debbie Bliss pattern set too – the little jumper is so cute we can bear-ly believe it!
- Buy the Debbie Bliss Bear Necessities pattern collection now from LoveCrafts
12. Everyday cardigan
This stylish unisex cardigan by Sarah Hatton is sure to become a staple in baby's wardrobe. It comes in sizes all the way up to five years, so make a few and they could be wearing it until they start school!
Download the baby cardigan knitting pattern and cast on today.
13. Simple sweaters
A good first garment choice for beginner knitters, these V-neck sweaters are just right for layering over tops and tees when the weather turns.
Our top tip: go for darker (rather than lighter) colours on the collar and cuffs to help conceal any food and drink stains!
- Buy Stylecraft pattern 8739 now from Minerva Crafts
14. Nordic baby romper
How cute is Karine Strand Andresen’s Nordic knitted baby romper pattern?
Perfect for gift knitting, it's packed with gorgeous details inspired by traditional Scandinavian designs, such as the pretty flower stitch and crossover straps. Make it in your favourite pastel shade and pair with a cream-coloured bodysuit and tights.
Baby knitting patterns for accessories
15. Rainbow hat
Knit a rainbow with this colourful hat pattern from Cassandra May. It comes in four sizes up to age two years and is worked in the round.
The stripes and bow would be great for using up scraps of yarn from your stash.
- Buy the RainBOW baby hat pattern now from LoveCrafts
16. Animal baby hats
Whip up a baby gift in a day with Gathered's free knitting patterns for baby hats.
Rosee Woodland's designs include a bunny, dinosaur, chick and more. Have lots of yarn at the ready, because we bet you'll end up knitting them all! Get the animal baby hat pattern.
17. Premature baby hat
It can be hard to find clothes small enough for the tiniest newborns – so why not make your own?
Designed to fit babies born at 27-31 weeks or 32-34 weeks, this free premature baby knitting pattern from Sirdar will be a welcome gift for new parents.
18. Pom pom accessory set
A matching hat, mittens and booties set makes a lovely present, especially when it's knitted in Sirdar's luxurious Cashmere Merino Silk 4ply yarn. This pattern is suitable for intermediate knitters and features sizes up to two years.
- Buy the Sirdar pom pom accessory set pattern now from Sirdar
19. Cute kitten booties
Sweet feet! We can't resist these kitten baby booties, which come in three sizes up to 18 months.
Ann Franklin's baby booties knitting pattern is worked on two needles, which makes it a great choice for newer knitters or anyone who prefers to avoid knitting in the round.
20. Bunny hat
Welcome a spring baby with this adorable Easter bunny hat from Stitch & Story.
The hat is knitted while the decorations use simple crochet stitches, so making this could also be a fun introduction to a new craft. Choose from three sizes: 0-6, 6-12 and 12-24 months.
- Buy the Woodlands Bunny Hat pattern now from Stitch & Story
21. Baby bucket hat
Get baby ready for sunny days with Gathered's free bucket hat knitting pattern by Tina Barrett.
It's made from lightweight cotton yarn so they don't get too hot, and has a curled brim to protect their little ears. Quick to knit, this would make a lovely gift for a summer newborn.
22. Quick lace mittens
With their simple heart details, these sweet mitts from Kirstie McLeod are a great introduction to lace knitting and working from charts.
Use Gathered's baby mittens knitting pattern to whip up a pair in a flash – and check out Simply Knitting magazine issue 168 for the matching hat.
23. Owl hat
Twit twoo! Whip up KatyTricot's Chouette hat in quick-knit chunky yarn. (Did you know that "chouette" is French for owl, but it also means something cool?)
With its cable details and fun fringing this is an entertaining little knit.
- Buy the Chouette hat pattern now from LoveCrafts
24. Beginner baby booties
These booties hide a little secret – a pretty lace design on the soles.
Grab your favourite DK-weight yarn and some 4mm needles and learn how to knit baby booties by following Monica Russel's quick-and-easy free baby knitting pattern.
25. Handy diaper cover
Need a present and need it quick? Cast on this stocking stitch diaper cover as a last-minute baby shower or newborn gift.
It's designed for babies under 12 months old and could be worn under dresses or as an alternative to shorts. You can also complete the look with the matching booties.
- Buy the Diaper Cover pattern now from Stitch & Story
26. Stripy baby hat
Every knitter needs a go-to baby hat in their repertoire, and ours is this basic baby hat knitting pattern by Kirstie McLeod.
Sized to fit from newborn to toddler, it's easily customisable with its simple stripes. Why not add a pom pom to the top using Gathered's how to make a pom pom guide?
Baby knitting patterns for the nursery
27. Modern slogan blanket
Show baby how excited you are to meet them with this funky intarsia cot blanket from Sandra van Katwijk. It would look perfect in a modern nursery knitted in bold monochrome shades or jewel brights. Get the free baby blanket pattern right here on Gathered.
28. Personalised blanket
An extra-special personalised gift, this blanket would be a wonderful keepsake for new parents.
Stitch & Story's kit contains all the instructions you need to make the blanket and write baby's name in handmade cord. They also make it easy to order yarn and other supplies at the same time – brilliant!
- Buy the Personalised Baby Blanket kit now from Stitch & Story
29. Soft stacking blocks
Make Angela Turner's colourful baby blocks your go-to baby gift! Featuring letters, numbers and motifs in eye-catching bright colours, they're sure to keep baby entertained.
- Buy the Nursery Blocks pattern now from Ravelry
30. Easy embroidered blanket
Sometimes simple is best. Elevate a basic blanket with an embroidered border using this pattern from Sirdar. It's one of the inspiring designs in The Baby Blanket Book, which includes 17 blankets to knit and crochet in 4ply and DK yarn.
- Buy The Baby Blanket Book now from John Lewis
31. Cool geometric blanket
Create a beautiful patchwork-style blanket using the intarsia technique and Monica Russel's clever baby blanket knitting pattern. It's worked in easy stocking and garter stitch – perfect for relaxing TV knitting. The only tricky bit will be deciding which colours to use!
32. Over the rainbow blanket
Add a pop of vibrant colour to baby's nursery, and bring a smile to their parents' faces, with this fun lace blanket from Sirdar. It's part of a collection of rainbow-themed knit and crochet patterns, which also includes a hat, booties and more.
- Buy the Sirdar Over the Rainbow pattern book now from Amazon
33. Textured squares blanket
If you know how to knit and purl, you can make this blanket! Fully reversible, it's made up of alternating textured squares and worked in DK yarn. There are four sizes to choose from, to fit a range of prams, cribs and cot beds.
- Buy the easy baby blanket pattern now from Etsy
They grow up so fast…
Babies don’t stay small for long, so why not plan ahead and make something in a bigger size for them to grow into? We have loads of great ideas in our children’s knitting patterns collection.
Choose the perfect baby knitting pattern
There’s no better way to welcome a new baby than with a unique handmade gift, but how do you decide what to make? First think about whether you want to knit something for the nursery, such as a toy or blanket, or something to wear.
Then consider the time of year – will baby be born in spring, summer, autumn or winter? An August baby won't need a chunky jumper, while that sweet short-sleeved romper will be wasted on a Christmas newborn.
Think about how quickly you knit too, as you don't want your beautiful finished item to be too small before it's even off the needles. If you're time-poor or a slower knitter you might want to choose something small and simple, and maybe find a thoughtful shop-bought present to go with it.
With these factors in mind, and our pick of the best baby knitting patterns above, you'll be able to narrow down your options and find the perfect project for that special little one.
Learn how to knit for babies with Gathered
You've chosen a pattern, but you're not quite ready to start knitting yet! When crafting for babies it's important to make sure your gifts are practical and safe, so don’t cast on before you’ve read the essential Gathered guide to baby knits. It contains everything you need to know about knitting for little ones.
