Easy Peasy Baby Crochet Jersey: Video tutorial

here is a detailed and very easy crochet pattern for a baby jersey, perfect for beginners. This pattern uses basic stitches and a simple top-down construction, meaning you’ll start at the neck and work your way down, minimizing seams.

Easy Peasy Baby Crochet Jersey

This pattern is for a baby size 3-6 months. You can adjust the length of the body and sleeves easily.

Skill Level: Beginner

Materials:

Approximately 200-300 yards of DK weight yarn (Category 3) – Choose a soft, machine washable yarn suitable for babies.
Crochet hook size H/8 (5.0 mm) or size needed to obtain gauge.
Stitch markers (4)
Tapestry needle for weaving in ends

Gauge:

16 stitches and 10 rows in half double crochet (hdc) measures 4×4 inches (10×10 cm). It is highly recommended to make a gauge swatch before starting to ensure your finished jersey is the correct size.

Abbreviations:

ch: chain
st(s): stitch(es)
sl st: slip stitch
sc: single crochet
hdc: half double crochet
inc: increase (usually working 2 stitches into the same stitch)
sk: skip

Notes:

The chain at the beginning of each round does NOT count as a stitch unless otherwise specified.
You will be working in rounds for the yoke and body, and then in joined rounds for the sleeves.
The numbers in parentheses at the end of each round indicate the total stitch count for that round.

Pattern:

Yoke (Worked in Rounds):

The yoke is worked top-down, increasing to create the shoulders and armholes.

Start: Chain 48. Join with a sl st to the first chain to form a ring, being careful not to twist the chain.
Round 1: Ch 1, hdc in each chain around. Join with a sl st to the first hdc. (48 hdc)
Round 2 (Increase Round): Ch 1, 2 hdc in the first st (inc), hdc in the next 5 sts. 2 hdc in the next st (inc), hdc in the next 5 sts. Repeat from * around. Join with a sl st to the first hdc. (56 hdc)
Round 3: Ch 1, hdc in each st around. Join with a sl st to the first hdc. (56 hdc)
Round 4 (Increase Round): Ch 1, 2 hdc in the first st (inc), hdc in the next 6 sts. 2 hdc in the next st (inc), hdc in the next 6 sts. Repeat from * around. Join with a sl st to the first hdc. (64 hdc)
Round 5: Ch 1, hdc in each st around. Join with a sl st to the first hdc. (64 hdc)
Round 6 (Increase Round): Ch 1, 2 hdc in the first st (inc), hdc in the next 7 sts. 2 hdc in the next st (inc), hdc in the next 7 sts. Repeat from * around. Join with a sl st to the first hdc. (72 hdc)
Round 7: Ch 1, hdc in each st around. Join with a sl st to the first hdc. (72 hdc)
Round 8 (Increase Round): Ch 1, 2 hdc in the first st (inc), hdc in the next 8 sts. 2 hdc in the next st (inc), hdc in the next 8 sts. Repeat from * around. Join with a sl st to the first hdc. (80 hdc)
Round 9: Ch 1, hdc in each st around. Join with a sl st to the first hdc. (80 hdc)
Round 10 (Divide for Armholes): Ch 1, hdc in the first 12 sts (front). Chain 3 (this creates the underarm space). Skip the next 16 sts (first sleeve). Hdc in the next 24 sts (back). Chain 3 (underarm space). Skip the next 16 sts (second sleeve). Hdc in the last 12 sts (front). Join with a sl st to the first hdc. (48 hdc + 6 ch sts = 54 sts)

Body (Worked in Rounds):

Now you will work in continuous rounds for the body. The chain spaces created in Round 10 of the yoke will form the underarms.

Round 11: Ch 1, hdc in each hdc around and work 3 hdc in each of the chain-3 spaces. Join with a sl st to the first hdc. (54 hdc + 6 hdc = 60 hdc)
Round 12 onwards: Ch 1, hdc in each st around. Join with a sl st to the first hdc. (60 hdc)

Continue working in hdc rounds until the body of the jersey measures approximately 8-10 inches (20-25 cm) from the top of the shoulder, or desired length.

Body Ribbing (Optional):

For a neat finish, you can add a few rows of ribbing to the bottom edge.

Row 1 (Ribbing): Ch 6. Sc in the second chain from the hook and in each remaining chain (5 sc). Sl st into the next two stitches on the bottom edge of the jersey body.
Row 2 (Ribbing): Turn your work. Sc in the back loop only of each of the 5 sc. Ch 1, turn.
Row 3 (Ribbing): Sc in the back loop only of each of the 5 sc. Sl st into the next two stitches on the bottom edge of the jersey body.

Repeat Rows 2 and 3 around the entire bottom edge of the jersey. Fasten off and weave in the end.

Sleeves (Worked in Joined Rounds):

Join yarn to the center of the underarm chain space.

Round 1: Ch 1, hdc in each st around the armhole opening and work 3 hdc evenly across the underarm chain space. Join with a sl st to the first hdc.
Round 2 onwards: Ch 1, hdc in each st around. Join with a sl st to the first hdc.

Continue working in hdc rounds until the sleeve measures approximately 7-8 inches (18-20 cm) from the underarm, or desired length.

Sleeve Cuff (Optional):

Similar to the body ribbing, you can add a cuff to the sleeves.

Row 1 (Cuff): Ch 5. Sc in the second chain from the hook and in each remaining chain (4 sc). Sl st into the next two stitches on the end of the sleeve.
Row 2 (Cuff): Turn your work. Sc in the back loop only of each of the 4 sc. Ch 1, turn.
Row 3 (Cuff): Sc in the back loop only of each of the 4 sc. Sl st into the next two stitches on the end of the sleeve.

Repeat Rows 2 and 3 around the entire cuff of the sleeve. Fasten off and weave in the end. Repeat for the second sleeve.