The baby sweater laid flat: a boxy shape, drop shoulders and a wide boat neck. Shown in one size; yours depends on your gauge. In the pictures the neck looks narrower than in the pattern. Follow the stitch counts and the size table: the real neck opening is about 82 to 84 % of the panel width. Close up, the texture of your moss stitch will look more like the macro photo than like these full views. Your sweater will differ: the real fit, drape and texture depend on your yarn, your hook and your tension.
Contents
show
This crochet baby sweater pattern is a free, boxy, roomy sweater in moss stitch, sized 0-3 to 18-24 months, with stitch counts, yardage and a free PDF. You crochet four rectangles with chain and single crochet, then sew them together; the neck is wide, so there are no buttons. It matches our Easy Crochet Baby Blanket: same moss stitch, worsted yarn, US I-9 hook and color.
- Level
- Advanced beginner: sc and ch only, but 4 pieces to seam and a neck to check against the baby's head. Not a first project
- Time
- About 14 to 17 hours (0-3 mo) to 19 to 22 hours (18-24 mo), with the seaming and the finishing. If this is your first sweater, plan more time: 20 to 30 hours is likely. Estimate, not timed
- Finished size
- Chest 24 in (0-3 mo) to 27 1/4 in (18-24 mo), boxy and roomy: about 7 to 8 in of room around the chest.
- Yarn
- Worsted weight (#4), 1 color: about 260 yd (0-3 mo) to 390 yd (18-24 mo). Same yarn as the Easy Crochet Baby Blanket.
- Hook
- US I-9 (5.5 mm)
- Gauge
- Suggested, not measured: 15 sts and 16 rows = 4 in (10 cm) in moss stitch with a US I-9 (5.5 mm) hook and worsted (#4) yarn, counting each sc and each ch-1 space as 1 st. Measure your swatch and adjust.
- Construction
- Front, back and 2 sleeves: rectangles in moss stitch, seamed; drop shoulders, no shaping, wide boat neck, no buttons. Sleeves are as wide at the cuff as at the armhole (7 3/4 in to 9 3/4 in): turn the cuffs back.
How this pattern was checked
Not yet crocheted by a person. Stitch counts were calculated and checked by computer. Swatch first. Free PDF (US Letter and A4) on this page.
Abbreviations (US)
ch = chain
sc = single crochet
sl st = slip stitch
sp = space
ch-1 sp = the gap under a ch 1 of the row below
st(s) = stitch(es)
RS = right side (the outside of the sweater)
WS = wrong side (the inside)
tch = turning chain (ch 1 here: never counted, never worked into)
0-3 mo (3-6 mo, 6-12 mo, 12-18 mo, 18-24 mo) = numbers for each size: the first is 0-3 mo, the others follow
Materials
Worsted (#4) yarn in one color (Sage in our pictures, the color of our baby blanket): about 260 yd (0-3 mo), 300 yd (3-6 mo), 340 yd (6-12 mo), 360 yd (12-18 mo), 390 yd (18-24 mo).
Yards include a 20 % margin. Skeins = yards ÷ yards per skein, rounded up (example: 300 yd with 200-yd skeins = 2 skeins). Go by the yards on the label, not the grams or the number of skeins.
Look for the number 4 on the label. Many "baby" yarns are #3 and will not give our gauge. If you change yarn, swatch again. Pick a soft yarn whose label says it can be washed the way you will wash the sweater, without loose fuzz or shedding fibers.
Sage is just the color in our pictures; any sage green works. To match the blanket, buy the yarn for both at the same time, from one dye lot.
Yarn needle, scissors, stitch markers (at least 4), measuring tape, pins. No buttons, no ties, no beads.
0-3 mo: to fit chest 16 in, finished chest about 24 in
- Hook
- US I-9 (5.5 mm)
- Yarn needed
- About 260 yd (estimated, with a 20 % margin): 2 skeins of 200 yd (go by the yards on the label)
- Finished size
- Body length about 9 1/4 in / armhole depth about 3 3/4 in / sleeve length about 6 1/4 in / sleeve width around about 7 3/4 in / neck opening about 19 3/4 in / room around the chest about 8 in
- Counts
- Front and back: ch 46, 45 sts, 37 rows (make 2). Sleeves (2): ch 24, 23 sts, 31 rows. Shoulder seams 4 sts each, neck 37 sts open on the front and on the back. Armhole 15 rows.
3-6 mo: to fit chest 17 in, finished chest about 25 in
- Hook
- US I-9 (5.5 mm)
- Yarn needed
- About 300 yd (estimated, with a 20 % margin): 2 skeins of 200 yd (go by the yards on the label)
- Finished size
- Body length about 10 1/4 in / armhole depth about 4 in / sleeve length about 6 3/4 in / sleeve width around about 8 1/4 in / neck opening about 20 3/4 in / room around the chest about 8 in
- Counts
- Front and back: ch 48, 47 sts, 41 rows (make 2). Sleeves (2): ch 26, 25 sts, 33 rows. Shoulder seams 4 sts each, neck 39 sts open on the front and on the back. Armhole 16 rows.
6-12 mo: to fit chest 18 in, finished chest about 26 1/4 in
- Hook
- US I-9 (5.5 mm)
- Yarn needed
- About 340 yd (estimated, with a 20 % margin): 2 skeins of 200 yd (go by the yards on the label)
- Finished size
- Body length about 10 3/4 in / armhole depth about 4 1/4 in / sleeve length about 7 3/4 in / sleeve width around about 8 3/4 in / neck opening about 21 3/4 in / room around the chest about 8 1/4 in
- Counts
- Front and back: ch 50, 49 sts, 43 rows (make 2). Sleeves (2): ch 30, 29 sts, 35 rows. Shoulder seams 4 sts each, neck 41 sts open on the front and on the back. Armhole 17 rows.
12-18 mo: to fit chest 19 in, finished chest about 26 1/4 in
- Hook
- US I-9 (5.5 mm)
- Yarn needed
- About 360 yd (estimated, with a 20 % margin): 2 skeins of 200 yd (go by the yards on the label)
- Finished size
- Body length about 11 1/4 in / armhole depth about 4 1/2 in / sleeve length about 8 1/4 in / sleeve width around about 9 1/4 in / neck opening about 21 3/4 in / room around the chest about 7 1/4 in
- Counts
- Front and back: ch 50, 49 sts, 45 rows (make 2). Sleeves (2): ch 32, 31 sts, 37 rows. Shoulder seams 4 sts each, neck 41 sts open on the front and on the back. Armhole 18 rows.
18-24 mo: to fit chest 20 in, finished chest about 27 1/4 in
- Hook
- US I-9 (5.5 mm)
- Yarn needed
- About 390 yd (estimated, with a 20 % margin): 2 skeins of 200 yd (go by the yards on the label)
- Finished size
- Body length about 11 3/4 in / armhole depth about 4 3/4 in / sleeve length about 8 1/4 in / sleeve width around about 9 3/4 in / neck opening about 23 in / room around the chest about 7 1/4 in
- Counts
- Front and back: ch 52, 51 sts, 47 rows (make 2). Sleeves (2): ch 32, 31 sts, 39 rows. Shoulder seams 4 sts each, neck 43 sts open on the front and on the back. Armhole 19 rows.
Size table
| Measure | 0-3 mo | 3-6 mo | 6-12 mo | 12-18 mo | 18-24 mo |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| To fit chest (in) | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 |
| Finished chest (in) | 24 | 25 | 26 1/4 | 26 1/4 | 27 1/4 |
| Ease over largest chest (in) | 8 | 8 | 8 1/4 | 7 1/4 | 7 1/4 |
| Length (in) | 9 1/4 | 10 1/4 | 10 3/4 | 11 1/4 | 11 3/4 |
| Armhole depth (in) | 3 3/4 | 4 | 4 1/4 | 4 1/2 | 4 3/4 |
| Sleeve length (in) | 6 1/4 | 6 3/4 | 7 3/4 | 8 1/4 | 8 1/4 |
| Sleeve width around (in) | 7 3/4 | 8 1/4 | 8 3/4 | 9 1/4 | 9 3/4 |
| Neck opening (in) | 19 3/4 | 20 3/4 | 21 3/4 | 21 3/4 | 23 |
| Front/back: sts x rows | 45 x 37 | 47 x 41 | 49 x 43 | 49 x 45 | 51 x 47 |
| Sleeve: sts x rows | 23 x 31 | 25 x 33 | 29 x 35 | 31 x 37 | 31 x 39 |
Finished measurements and stitch counts for every size, in inches. Approximate, from our suggested gauge: check them against your swatch. Scroll sideways on a phone.
Gauge and swatch
Make a swatch first
A gauge swatch is required, not optional. 1. With your yarn and the US I-9 hook, ch 24 and work 25 rows of moss stitch (Swatch section). Ch loosely (use a hook one size up for the foundation). Count 2 stitches per moss pair. Use a row counter. 2. Block it, let it dry, and measure the whole swatch: your 23-st, 25-row swatch should measure about 6 1/4 in wide and 6 1/4 in tall (15 sts and 16 rows = 4 in). Count BOTH the sts and the rows. 3. More sts: go up a hook size. Fewer sts: go down. Your sts decide the chest and the neck, your rows decide the length. Make 2 swatches and practice the seam on them first.
Notes
US crochet terms: see the abbreviations above. Sizes: 0-3 mo, 3-6 mo, 6-12 mo, 12-18 mo, 18-24 mo. Numbers are written 0-3 mo (3-6 mo, 6-12 mo, 12-18 mo, 18-24 mo).
Turning ch (ch 1): it does not count as a st. Work the first sc in the very first sc and the last sc in the last sc of the row, never in the turning ch.
Ch-1 sp: the little gap under the ch 1 of the row below. "Sc in the next ch-1 sp" means: insert the hook into that gap (not into the ch itself), yarn over, pull up a loop, yarn over and pull through both loops.
Skip the next sc: leave that sc of the row below empty; your ch 1 sits over it. In this stitch you never work into a sc of the row below except the first and the last sc of the row.
Back bump: the bump on the back of each foundation ch, the side away from the V. Row 1 goes in the back bumps, so the V of every ch stays free and the edge looks neat.
Which row is it? Even rows (Row 2 type) start AND end with 2 sc side by side. Odd rows (Row 3 type) start and end with 1 sc followed by a ch 1. Row 1 is a wrong-side (WS) row.
Room around the chest = how much bigger the sweater is than the baby's chest: see the size table.
Join a new skein at the end of a row. Leave 6 in tails.
Many yarns grow when washed. Wash and dry your swatch and measure it again. Weigh your swatch when you block it.
Glossary. Drop shoulder: the shoulder seam sits low on the upper arm, and the sleeve is a rectangle. Boat neck: a wide neck opening, straight across the front and the back. Swatch: a small test piece you crochet and measure. Gauge: how many stitches and rows make 4 in. WS: wrong side, the inside of the sweater.
The neck opening matters most. If your swatch has 16 sts per 4 in instead of 15, the 0-3 mo neck opening measures 18 1/2 in around instead of 19 3/4 in, less than the 18.9 in we want. Go up a hook size and make a new swatch, or choose the next size. Do not sew more of the shoulder: the neck would be too tight.
Check your yarn amount: weigh your swatch in grams. Yards needed = (swatch grams / swatch area in sq in) x sweater area / grams per yard of your yarn, then add 20 %; the sweater area is about 320 (0-3 mo), 370 (3-6 mo), 420 (6-12 mo), 450 (12-18 mo), 480 (18-24 mo) sq in (front, back and 2 sleeves). If your swatch is looser than ours, buy one more skein.
Free crochet baby sweater pattern (US terms): how it comes together
Choose your size
6-12 mo and 12-18 mo have the same panel width and the same finished chest (26 1/4 in) because the neck opening sets the width; they differ in length, armhole depth and sleeve. This sweater is very roomy, oversized on purpose: a 16 in baby chest (size 0-3 mo) gets a 24 in sweater around (about 8 in of room around the chest; 7 to 8 in on every size). Measure the baby's chest under the arms with a soft tape and pick the size from the chest, not the age. Between sizes, take the smaller. Making a gift before the baby is born? Pick the size for the season when the baby will be 3 to 6 months old. Measure the baby's head at the widest part with a soft tape. Lay your pinned pieces flat, measure the neck opening along the edge, front plus back. It must be at least 2 in more than the head. Too small? Go up a hook size and make a new swatch, or choose the next size. Do not sew more of the shoulder: it will be too tight. Swatch and measure the baby before you buy all the yarn.
Work the front and the back
Chain, work Row 1, then repeat Rows 2-3. The front and the back have the same number of rows.
Work the sleeves
Each sleeve is a rectangle: its rows run along the arm, so the cuff and the armhole edge are row ends; the foundation-ch edge and the last-row edge are sewn into the underarm seam.
Seam the pieces
Shoulders first, then the sleeves, then one seam from cuff to hem on each side. The Assembly rows give every count.
Make the swatch first: the neck depends on it
Make this first. 23 sts and 25 rows, the same for every size.
FoundationCh 24.Stitch count: 24 ch
Row 1 (WS)Sc in the back bump of the 2nd ch from the hook (the ch you skip is the turning ch, not a st). [Ch 1, skip the next ch, sc in the back bump of the next ch] 11 times.Stitch count: 23 sts: 12 sc, 11 ch-1 sp
Row 2 (RS)Ch 1 (does not count as a st), turn. Sc in the first sc, sc in the next ch-1 sp. [Ch 1, skip the next sc, sc in the next ch-1 sp] 10 times. Sc in the last sc. Do not work in the turning ch.Stitch count: 23 sts: 13 sc, 10 ch-1 sp
Row 3 (WS)Ch 1 (does not count as a st), turn. Sc in the first sc. [Ch 1, skip the next sc, sc in the next ch-1 sp] 10 times. Ch 1, skip the next sc, sc in the last sc. Do not work in the turning ch.Stitch count: 23 sts: 12 sc, 11 ch-1 sp
Rows 4 to 25Repeat Rows 2-3. The last row is an odd row.Stitch count: 25 rows in all
The body: make 2 the same, front and back
Make 2: the front and the back are the same. Worked from the hem up. Sizes: 0-3 mo, 3-6 mo, 6-12 mo, 12-18 mo, 18-24 mo. Numbers are written 0-3 mo (3-6 mo, 6-12 mo, 12-18 mo, 18-24 mo).
Get the free printable PDF (Letter + A4)Every size and stitch count on paper, ready to print.Get the free PDF
FoundationCh 46 (48, 50, 50, 52).Stitch count: 46 (48, 50, 50, 52) ch
Row 1 (WS)Sc in the back bump of the 2nd ch from the hook (the ch you skip is the turning ch, not a st). [Ch 1, skip the next ch, sc in the back bump of the next ch] 22 (23, 24, 24, 25) times.Stitch count: 45 (47, 49, 49, 51) sts: 23 (24, 25, 25, 26) sc, 22 (23, 24, 24, 25) ch-1 sp
Row 2 (RS)Ch 1 (does not count as a st), turn. Sc in the first sc, sc in the next ch-1 sp. [Ch 1, skip the next sc, sc in the next ch-1 sp] 21 (22, 23, 23, 24) times. Sc in the last sc. Do not work in the turning ch.Stitch count: 45 (47, 49, 49, 51) sts: 24 (25, 26, 26, 27) sc, 21 (22, 23, 23, 24) ch-1 sp
Row 3 (WS)Ch 1 (does not count as a st), turn. Sc in the first sc. [Ch 1, skip the next sc, sc in the next ch-1 sp] 21 (22, 23, 23, 24) times. Ch 1, skip the next sc, sc in the last sc. Do not work in the turning ch.Stitch count: 45 (47, 49, 49, 51) sts: 23 (24, 25, 25, 26) sc, 22 (23, 24, 24, 25) ch-1 sp
Rows 4 to 37 (41, 43, 45, 47)Repeat Rows 2-3 (even rows = Row 2, odd rows = Row 3). The last row is always an odd row (Row 3 type).Stitch count: 37 (41, 43, 45, 47) rows in all
The sleeves: make 2
Make 2. The rows run along the arm: Row 1 starts at the cuff.
FoundationCh 24 (26, 30, 32, 32).Stitch count: 24 (26, 30, 32, 32) ch
Row 1 (WS)Sc in the back bump of the 2nd ch from the hook (the ch you skip is the turning ch, not a st). [Ch 1, skip the next ch, sc in the back bump of the next ch] 11 (12, 14, 15, 15) times.Stitch count: 23 (25, 29, 31, 31) sts: 12 (13, 15, 16, 16) sc, 11 (12, 14, 15, 15) ch-1 sp
Row 2 (RS)Ch 1 (does not count as a st), turn. Sc in the first sc, sc in the next ch-1 sp. [Ch 1, skip the next sc, sc in the next ch-1 sp] 10 (11, 13, 14, 14) times. Sc in the last sc. Do not work in the turning ch.Stitch count: 23 (25, 29, 31, 31) sts: 13 (14, 16, 17, 17) sc, 10 (11, 13, 14, 14) ch-1 sp
Row 3 (WS)Ch 1 (does not count as a st), turn. Sc in the first sc. [Ch 1, skip the next sc, sc in the next ch-1 sp] 10 (11, 13, 14, 14) times. Ch 1, skip the next sc, sc in the last sc. Do not work in the turning ch.Stitch count: 23 (25, 29, 31, 31) sts: 12 (13, 15, 16, 16) sc, 11 (12, 14, 15, 15) ch-1 sp
Rows 4 to 31 (33, 35, 37, 39)Repeat Rows 2-3 (even rows = Row 2, odd rows = Row 3). The last row is always an odd row (Row 3 type). The cuff and the armhole edge are row ends.Stitch count: 31 (33, 35, 37, 39) rows in all
Sew it together: shoulders, sleeves, then side seams
Shoulders are sewn stitch to stitch, sleeves and sides row end to row end, so the counts below match.
Weave in endsWeave in the ends on the wrong side, along a row, going back on yourself for 3 in. Cut the ends short enough that no tail can catch a small finger.
BlockBlock the pieces flat before you sew. Pin the shoulder seams, then measure the neck opening along the edge, front plus back: it must be at least 2 in more than the baby's head (size table) before you sew the sides. Follow the yarn label.
Pin firstFor every seam, pin the first and the last sts or rows of the seam and the middle first, then add pins every 2 in and sew between the pins.
Shoulder seamsLay the back flat, right side up. Turn the front around (rotate it half a turn, right side still facing you) so its last row touches the last row of the back and the sides line up. Each shoulder seam is the 4 sts at the side edge. A column is a sc or a ch-1 space: with the needle, go under the V of a sc (or under the ch of a ch-1 space) on the front, then the matching one on the back, and repeat across, sc to sc and ch-1 space to ch-1 space. Sew 4 sts at each side and leave open the middle 37 (39, 41, 41, 43) sts: the neck (4 + 37 (39, 41, 41, 43) + 4 = 45 (47, 49, 49, 51) sts). Sew the shoulders twice, back and forth, so they are strong.
Mark the armholesOn each side edge of the front and of the back, count 15 (16, 17, 18, 19) rows down from the shoulder seam, counting the last row as row 1, and put a marker. This is the underarm marker.
Attach the sleevesA sleeve has 31 (33, 35, 37, 39) rows (the rows run along the arm). Its middle row, Row 16 (17, 18, 19, 20), goes on the shoulder seam. Sew the armhole edge of the sleeve to the armhole: 15 (16, 17, 18, 19) rows down the front and 15 (16, 17, 18, 19) rows down the back, one row end to one row end (mattress stitch: pick up the 2 bars between the first and second st of a row end on one side, then the same on the other side, row by row, and pull gently every 4 or 5 rows). Do the same with the other sleeve.
Underarm and side seamsSew the foundation-ch edge of the sleeve to its last-row edge (23 (25, 29, 31, 31) sts to 23 (25, 29, 31, 31) sts, matching sc to sc and ch-1 space to ch-1 space), then continue down the side of the body: 22 (25, 26, 27, 28) rows of the front to 22 (25, 26, 27, 28) rows of the back. At the underarm marker four edges meet: sew the sleeve seam up to the marker, go twice through the marker point to close the gap, then go on down the side: one seam from cuff to hem. Repeat on the other side.
CuffsThe sleeve is a straight rectangle, wider than a baby's wrist: fold each cuff back once, about 1 1/2 in, so hands are free and the cuff does not cover the fingers. The fold is not sewn.
FinishWeave in the seaming ends. The neck, the hem and the cuffs are left as they are: no border, no band, no buttons, no ties. Check every seam by pulling gently.
Size table, pieces and assembly plan
The pieces, size by size
0-3 mo: the four rectangles
- Front and back (2): 45 sts x 37 rows, about 12 x 9 1/4 in
- Sleeves (2): 23 sts x 31 rows, about 6 1/4 x 7 3/4 in
3-6 mo: the four rectangles
- Front and back (2): 47 sts x 41 rows, about 12 1/2 x 10 1/4 in
- Sleeves (2): 25 sts x 33 rows, about 6 3/4 x 8 1/4 in
6-12 mo: the four rectangles
- Front and back (2): 49 sts x 43 rows, about 13 x 10 3/4 in
- Sleeves (2): 29 sts x 35 rows, about 7 3/4 x 8 3/4 in
12-18 mo: the four rectangles
- Front and back (2): 49 sts x 45 rows, about 13 x 11 1/4 in
- Sleeves (2): 31 sts x 37 rows, about 8 1/4 x 9 1/4 in
18-24 mo: the four rectangles
- Front and back (2): 51 sts x 47 rows, about 13 1/2 x 11 3/4 in
- Sleeves (2): 31 sts x 39 rows, about 8 1/4 x 9 3/4 in
Finishing
Check that every end is woven in, the seams are firm and the neck opening is at least 2 in more than the baby's head.
Weave in and wash
Weave in the seaming ends on the wrong side, then see Care.
Tips
Put a stitch marker in the first stitch of every 10th row, and count every row: it must give the number of sts in your size card.
Buy all your skeins from one dye lot: a matching skein is hard to find later.
To make the sweater longer or shorter, add or remove 2 rows at a time (one Row 2 and one Row 3) on the front and on the back, the same number on both. Then the side seams stay equal.
Sleeve about 6 1/4 in (0-3 mo) underarm to cuff. Measure the baby's arm and add or remove sts in pairs in the sleeve foundation chain.
Keep your tension relaxed: a tight moss stitch makes a stiff board and a smaller neck.
Common mistakes
Working in the turning chain: the row gets 1 stitch too many.
Skipping the first stitch of the row: the row gets 1 stitch too few.
Different numbers of rows on the front and the back: the side seams will not match.
Sewing the whole top edge: only the shoulder sts at the side edges are sewn, the neck stays open.
Sewing the shoulders before checking the neck against the baby's head size.
Make it your own
Longer sweater: add 8 plain rows (about 2 in) to the front and to the back, and buy about 40 yd (0-3 mo) to 50 yd (18-24 mo) more yarn.
Matching set: our Easy Crochet Baby Blanket uses the same stitch, yarn, hook and color.
Care
Wash as the yarn label says: choose a yarn whose label allows the wash you plan. Lay flat to dry. Many yarns grow when washed: wash and dry your swatch and measure it again.
Wash the swatch with a white cloth: if the color runs, do not use the yarn for a baby. Do not steam or iron acrylic unless the label says you can. Wash the sweater once before the baby wears it, and check the seams after each wash.
Fold the cuff back more or less as the baby grows. Check that cuffs stay folded and do not cover the fingers.
FAQ
How much yarn do I need for a crochet baby sweater?
About 260 yd for 0-3 mo, 300 yd for 3-6 mo, 340 yd for 6-12 mo, 360 yd for 12-18 mo and 390 yd for 18-24 mo, in worsted (#4) yarn, with a 20 % margin. Each size comes to 2 skeins of 200 yd, but go by the yards on the label. These are estimates. If your swatch is looser than ours, buy one more skein.
What size should I make for a 0-3 month baby?
Measure the baby's chest under the arms with a soft tape and pick the size from the chest, not the age. The 0-3 mo size is for a 16 in baby chest. The finished sweater is about 24 in around, so it is very roomy, oversized on purpose. Between sizes, take the smaller. For a gift, pick the size for the season when the baby will be 3 to 6 months old.
Is this an easy baby sweater crochet pattern for a first project?
No, it is not a first project. It uses only chain and single crochet, but you sew 4 pieces together and check the neck against the baby's head. We call it an advanced beginner pattern.
What yarn is best for this crochet baby sweater?
Worsted weight (#4), in one color, with a US I-9 (5.5 mm) hook. Look for the number 4 on the label: many baby yarns are #3 and will not give our gauge. Pick a soft yarn whose label allows the wash you plan, without loose fuzz or shedding fibers. If you change yarn, swatch again.
Does this baby sweater have buttons, and is that safe?
There are no buttons, no ribbons, no pompoms, no cords and no beads, because small parts and cords are a choking and strangling risk. Do not add any. A wide boat neck lets the head pass instead. Dress a baby in it only when an adult is watching, put a plain bodysuit underneath, and do not use it in a car seat. We make no safety or certification claim for this pattern or for any yarn.
Will it fit my baby's head?
The neck opening is about 19 3/4 in around (0-3 mo) to 23 in (18-24 mo), at least 2 in more than the 97th percentile head at the end of the age range (WHO). Measure your baby's head and your swatch: a tighter gauge makes a smaller neck.
Is this baby sweater for a boy or a girl?
For either. It is one color, with no ribbons, trims or shaping. Pick the color you like. Wash your swatch with a white cloth first: if the color runs, do not use that yarn for a baby.
Can I make a matching blanket?
Yes. Our baby blanket uses the same moss stitch, worsted yarn, US I-9 hook and color. Buy the yarn for both at the same time, from one dye lot, so the two match.
Baby safety
- Never add small parts or cords: no buttons, no ribbons, no pompoms, no cords, no beads and no appliques, because small parts and cords are a choking and strangling risk. Not a toy.
- Sew the seams firmly and weave in every end. Count your pins and stitch markers before you finish: none may stay in the seams. The holes between stitches are about 1/4 in or more: check little fingers and toes when you dress and change the baby.
- Dress a baby in it only when an adult is watching. Do not use this sweater in a car seat: bulky clothes can leave the harness loose. Do not layer it over a thick coat, and do not overdress the baby.
- The wide neck can slide off one shoulder: a plain bodysuit underneath keeps the baby warm. If the edge rides up near the face, take the sweater off.
- The American Academy of Pediatrics advises a bare sleep space (healthychildren.org, A Parent's Guide to Safe Sleep). Taking this sweater off for sleep is our own extra precaution. Selling baby clothes in the US has legal rules (CPSC/CPSIA): check them before you sell. We make no safety or certification claim for this pattern or for any yarn.
More baby and sweater patterns
© 2026 amgroyal.com. You may sell what you crochet. Please don't copy or repost this pattern; link to it instead.
Keep goingMore free crochet patterns
See all patterns 
Baby BlanketsChevron Crochet Baby Blanket (DC Ripple Pattern in 2 Sizes)
SweatersFree Chunky Crochet Cardigan Pattern: Boxy Open Cardigan, Sizes S to 2X
Baby BlanketsEasy Crochet Baby Blanket in Moss Stitch (Free Pattern, 2 Sizes)
SweatersCrochet Christmas Sweater Ornament (Mini Tapestry Sweater)
SweatersChunky Crochet Sweater (Boxy Pattern, Sizes S-2X)
SweatersCrochet Christmas Sweater (Boxy Pattern, Sizes S-2X)