You’d think that babies would come with some warning. And they do, they do, at least in my experience. But when you aren’t the one with the constant AHEM physical reminders, those 9 months just fly by! Before you know it, the imminent arrival is REALLY REALLY imminent… and as a crafter, you can’t just run out to the big box store for some anonymous onesies! You must make something! A baby blanket is always great, but let’s face it, they do take time. But a crocheted baby sweater? Perfect! Quick, easy, perfectly personalizable (it’s a word, I decided), and they take just a little bit of yarn and a couple of fun buttons.
Over the years, I’ve come up with a fast and easy recipe for baby sweaters, and while I’ll occasionally try something new, this is the design I come back to again and again.
- Aw, so cute!
What I wanted was something interesting but simple, fun but practical – and I’d say this one fits the bill! While this sweater is original, it’s a mash-up of two other published patterns. The top half was inspired by Kelly’s Sweater at Bella Bamnina Knits, and the bottom half and sleeves are from a pattern published by Auntie M, which is now only available on the archived page for Abigail’s Sweater, via the wayback machine. (I recommend you highlight and then print selection for this pattern, it’s really hard to read on the site, but it’s worth it!)
It’s important to me to respect copyright, so instead of re-writing the pattern, let’s think of this as a crochet “recipe”. Here’s how to make the Mini Moogly Sweater using some great ingredients!
The Mini Moogly Sweater, size newborn
Hook: G
Yarn: any worsted weight
Ch 50. If you prefer to use fdc, then work it in the pattern for row 1, working 3dc right into the foundation base of the corners.
Row 1-5: Work as shown for Kelly’s Sweater Rows 1-5. (I recommend using stitch markers in the center stitches of the corners, it’s a lot easier!)
Row 6: Work as shown for Kelly’s Sweater Row 8.
Row 7: Sc evenly around body.
Row 8-16: Work as shown for Abigail’s Sweater Rows 8-16. You’ll have to fudge it just a little to make the pattern repeats work. In Row 8, where you set up the shell pattern, under one of the armpits skip 2 instead of 3 stitches, and it will all work out without being noticeable. You should have 13 shells around.
Row 17-19: Repeat rows 9-11. (Just continue in the shell pattern to desired length – I like the sweater a little long, but you can stop at row 16 if desired.)
Row 20: Evenly dc into each shell stitch.
Sleeves: Work as written for Abigail’s Sweater. You should have 6 shells around. I like to add a little length here too – just continue the pattern as written. I like to end with an even shell row rather than an odd setup row to give a nice scalloped edge.
Trim: Work in sc around sleeve ends. Work in sc all around neck, bottom, and front, with 3sc in each corner. Make two (or however many you like) button loops and attach to trim where desired. For these buttons I used a ch of 8, but you’ll need to play around a bit to get them just right for the buttons you bought. If you prefer, smaller buttons can but used and you can close them right through the dc stitches in the yoke.
And that’s it! This crochet recipe will give you tasty results, and with your choice of buttons and yarn, each one will be unique. Do it in one color or twenty, leave off the sleeves for a summer baby, use big bold buttons or tiny classic pearls, or even make crocheted frog closure… and enjoy!
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thank you for the pattern idea. i just finished up a sweater for a soon to be baby girl. i crocheted the sweater with a light pink first 5 rows, then light pearl gray, the scallops were then crocheted with a light aqua/turquoise color. came out so so cute. i used large lt pink heart buttons. the patterns are so easy.
i want to crochet in a larger size…do you suggest adding 3 ch in the beginning in each section area with a larger hook ? so instead of starting 50 ch that would make 12 more chains right ?
I’m so glad you like the pattern dj! Yours sounds lovely! I have made this pattern larger before myself, back in 2008. So it’s been awhile, but fortunately I did take notes! It looks like I did it by adding rows, rather than chains at the beginning. Here are my pattern notes from the upsizing I did:
How I upsized to 18 mths:
Use H hook
Work Kelly’s Sweater to through Row 7.
Row 8: in same pattern as 2-7.
Row 9: Make armholes as in pattern row 8, using 7 ch in armpits instead of 5 ch.
Row 10-end: Switch to Abigail’s Sweater pattern. Start with pattern row 8. Continue as in pattern. Row 11 (patt row 9) yields 16 shells.
Repeat the last four pattern rows 5 times.
Do 9 shell rows (7 shells around) for each sleeve, finish as per pattern.
I hope that helps!
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This baby sweater looks perfect! I also have two favorite patterns that I’ve made numerous times, the baby granny hex and a “2 hour top down sweater”, but I’m ready for a new pattern, so thanks so very much! Do check out my patterns in the crochet category of my blog, and all the best!
Will do, Sara, thanks!
Those were my exact words…awww. This is gorgeous. I love the color scheme. You are so creative to combine the two patterns together. Thank you so much for sharing!
Thank you!