Are you looking for a sweet and cozy project for a special little one? This adorable crochet newborn sweater is perfect for keeping tiny tots warm and stylish! Featuring a lovely textured stitch and a classic design, it’s a joy to make and even more delightful to see on a baby.
Let’s get started!
Skill Level: Intermediate (familiarity with basic stitches and working in rounds/rows is helpful)
Materials:
- DK weight yarn (approximately 150-200 yards) in your preferred color (the sample uses a lovely bright pink!)
- Crochet hook: 4.0mm (G/6) or size needed to obtain gauge
- 3 small buttons (approx. 1/2 inch or 1.25 cm)
- Yarn needle
- Scissors
Gauge: 5 V-stitches and 6 rows = 4 inches (10 cm) (approximate, gauge isn’t super critical for baby items but good to aim for)
Abbreviations (US Crochet Terms):
- ch: chain
- sl st: slip stitch
- sc: single crochet
- dc: double crochet
- hdc: half double crochet
- tr: treble crochet
- sk: skip
- st(s): stitch(es)
- sp: space
- V-st: V-stitch (dc, ch 1, dc in same st/sp)
- FPtr: Front Post treble crochet
- BPtr: Back Post treble crochet
Special Stitch: CrocodIle Stitch (or Scale Stitch)
This stitch creates the beautiful textured look on the sleeves and bottom of the sweater.
- To make a crocodile stitch: 5 dc worked down the first post of a V-stitch, ch 1, 5 dc worked up the second post of the same V-stitch.
Pattern Notes:
- The sweater is worked from the top down, starting with the yoke.
- Ch 3 at the beginning of a row counts as a dc.
- Ch 1 at the beginning of a row does NOT count as a sc.
Instructions:
Yoke (Top Part of Sweater)
- Ch 57.
- Row 1 (RS): Dc in 4th ch from hook (counts as 2 dc), dc in next 6 ch, (dc, ch 2, dc) in next ch (corner), dc in next 9 ch, (dc, ch 2, dc) in next ch (corner), dc in next 15 ch, (dc, ch 2, dc) in next ch (corner), dc in next 9 ch, (dc, ch 2, dc) in next ch (corner), dc in next 7 ch. (56 dc + 4 ch-2 corners)
- Row 2: Ch 3 (counts as dc), turn. Dc in each dc to first ch-2 sp, (dc, ch 2, dc) in ch-2 sp. *Dc in each dc to next ch-2 sp, (dc, ch 2, dc) in ch-2 sp.* Repeat from * to * 2 more times. Dc in each remaining dc to end.
- Continue this pattern for the yoke, increasing in each ch-2 corner space, until the yoke measures approximately 4-5 inches (10-12.5 cm) from the neckline, or until it can comfortably wrap around the baby’s chest with enough room for sleeves. You should have enough rows to accommodate the armholes. For a typical newborn, this might be 4-6 rows total for the yoke. Ensure your row count ends on an odd row for the next step.
Separating Sleeves and Body
- Next Row (joining for body): Ch 3, turn. Dc in each dc across to the first ch-2 sp. Sk the entire next section (first sleeve). Join with a dc in the next ch-2 sp (body front). Dc in each dc across to the next ch-2 sp. Sk the entire next section (second sleeve). Join with a dc in the next ch-2 sp (body back). Dc in each dc to the end of the row.
- You have now formed the armholes and joined the front and back of the sweater.
Body of Sweater
The body will be worked in the Crocodile Stitch.
- Row 1 (Foundation Row for Crocodile Stitch): Ch 1, turn. Sc in each dc across the body. Make sure your stitch count is an even number. If it’s not, adjust by increasing or decreasing 1 sc in the last few stitches. This row sets up the V-stitches for the crocodile stitch.
- Row 2 (V-Stitch Row): Ch 3 (counts as dc), turn. Sk 1 sc, V-st (dc, ch 1, dc) in next sc. *Sk 2 sc, V-st in next sc.* Repeat from * to * across the row until 2 sc remain. Sk 1 sc, dc in last sc.
- Row 3 (Crocodile Stitch Row): Ch 1, turn. Sl st into the first ch-1 sp of the first V-st. Work one Crocodile Stitch (5 dc down first post, ch 1, 5 dc up second post) around the first V-stitch. *Sl st into the ch-1 sp of the next V-stitch. Work one Crocodile Stitch around the next V-stitch.* Repeat from * to * across the row. End with a sl st into the top of the turning chain 3 from the previous row.
- Row 4 (V-Stitch Row): Ch 3, turn. Work a V-st in the ch-1 sp of the first Crocodile Stitch. *Work a V-st in the ch-1 sp of the next Crocodile Stitch.* Repeat from * to * across the row. Dc in the last st (the sl st from the previous row).
- Repeat Rows 3 and 4 until the body measures approximately 6-7 inches (15-18 cm) from the armpit, or desired length. Finish on a Row 4 (V-Stitch Row).
Sleeves (Make 2)
Join yarn in the center of the armpit opening.
- Row 1 (Foundation Row for Crocodile Stitch): Ch 1, sc evenly around the armhole opening. Sl st to join in first sc. Make sure your stitch count is an even number.
- Row 2 (V-Stitch Row): Ch 3 (counts as dc), turn. Sk 1 sc, V-st in next sc. *Sk 2 sc, V-st in next sc.* Repeat from * to * around. Sl st to join in top of ch 3.
- Row 3 (Crocodile Stitch Row): Ch 1, turn. Sl st into the first ch-1 sp of the first V-st. Work one Crocodile Stitch around the first V-stitch. *Sl st into the ch-1 sp of the next V-stitch. Work one Crocodile Stitch around the next V-stitch.* Repeat from * to * around. Sl st to join in the first sl st.
- Row 4 (V-Stitch Row): Ch 3, turn. Work a V-st in the ch-1 sp of the first Crocodile Stitch. *Work a V-st in the ch-1 sp of the next Crocodile Stitch.* Repeat from * to * around. Sl st to join in top of ch 3.
- Repeat Rows 3 and 4 until the sleeve measures approximately 5.5 – 6.5 inches (14-16.5 cm) from the armpit, or desired length. Finish on a Row 4.
- Cuff: Ch 2 (does not count as hdc), hdc in each st around. Sl st to join. Repeat this row 1-2 more times for a neat cuff.
Finishing:
- Button Band: Along one front edge of the sweater (the side that will overlap), sc evenly down the entire edge. Fasten off.
- Buttonhole Band: Along the other front edge, sc evenly up the edge. On the next row, sc until desired buttonhole placement, then ch 2 (or 3, depending on button size), sk 2 (or 3) sc. Continue sc across, placing buttonholes evenly. On the following row, sc in each sc and in each ch-sp.
- Weave in all loose ends securely.
- Sew buttons opposite the buttonholes.
Video tutorial
There you have it! A beautiful, handmade crochet sweater for a newborn. This makes a wonderful gift for baby showers or a thoughtful present for your own little one.
Happy Crocheting! If you make this sweater, we’d love to see your finished projects! Share them in the comments below.
