21 Free Knitting Patterns for Kids and Babies
21 Free Knitting Patterns for Kids and Babies- beginner-friendly patterns for hats, sweaters, blankets and more!
Hand knit clothes and accessories for children make a thoughtful gift. These 21 Free Knitting Patterns for Kids and Babies include everything from plush toys to baby booties to mittens.
Children’s clothes and accessories are often smaller and quicker to knit than adult-sized items. This can make knitting for kids a great way to practice new techniques or to use up leftover yarn.
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21 Free Knitting Patterns for Kids and Babies
Beginner Top Down Baby Sweater Knitting Pattern
A classic sweater that’s knit top down with no seaming! Ideal for Beginner+ knitters.
If you dislike sewing seams, this is the pattern for you! The pattern begins at the yoke, then the sleeve stitches are put on a holder and finished off after you are done with the body. The sweater is knit in one piece and there are no seams to sew.
This sweater uses both circular and double point needles. If you’re comfortable using both of these needles, this should be a fairly easy knit.
Flat Knit Kid’s Slippers Knitting Pattern
This beginner-friendly knitting pattern is sure to keep little feet warm & toasty!
These Flat Knit Kid’s Slippers can be knit with leftover yarn. This pattern is ideal for beginner knitters or anyone looking for a fast and easy project. These slippers are knit on single point needles and there’s no complicated heel shaping. The slippers take a little over an hour to make thanks to the large needles and the bulky yarn.
Knot Top Baby Hat Knitting Pattern
This Knot Top Baby Hat Knitting Pattern fits snugly on the head and it has a cute knot detail on the top. It’s knit using 2 strands of yarn at the same time. This uses 2 skeins of super fine sock yarn with self-striping colors.
Waves Baby Blanket Knitting Pattern
This wave pattern may look complicated, but it’s a breeze to knit! The pattern is created using a series of knit and purl stitches. Easy, right? This Waves Baby Blanket is light, airy and ideal for spring temperatures. I went with a coastal color palette, but you also use this pattern as a scrap-busting project and knit the blanket using a rainbow of colors.
There are tons of great knitting patterns out there for stuffed animals, but most of them aren’t beginner-friendly. This octopus knitting pattern is as easy as it comes- if you can knit a square, you can make this! It makes a great gift for anyone who loves sea creatures!
Beginner Baby Cardigan Knitting Pattern
A fast and easy knitting pattern for a classic Garter Stitch cardigan.
This Garter Stitch baby cardigan is ideal for beginner knitters. It is knit in one piece (from the bottom up), then folded over and seamed. The ties are knit separately and then sewn on. No buttons or buttonholes are needed!
This classic baby cardigan is a quick knit and it makes a great gift!
Knit on straight needles, this textured kid’s hat features rows of knit and cabled stitches. This hat features a wide, folder brim and narrow rows of alternating knit and cable stitches. It is knit flat on straight needles and them seamed.
Easy Kids Hooded Poncho Knitting Pattern
A beginner-friendly project for the perfect spring sweater!
This Kids Hooded Poncho Knitting Pattern is knit in Stockinette Stitch with a Garter Stitch trim. It requires minimal shaping and the relaxed fit can accommodate a variety of sizes. You can adjust the pattern for older children by adding to the length. The front and back are knit separately using an identical pattern. Then the stitches are picked up and knit around the collar to create the hood.
Easy Kid’s Mittens Knitting Patterns
A beginner-friendly pattern that’s knit flat using ribbed and stockinette stitches.
Mittens can seem like an intimidating pattern if you’re new to knitting. They’re using knit on double point needles, which can be tricky to handle even for experienced knitters. These basic kid’s mittens are knit on straight needles using rib and stockinette stitches. The increases for the thumb are created by knitting in the front and the back of a stitch to increase (Kfb).
These classic mittens are the perfect winter accessory!
A fast & easy pattern that is ideal for knitting beginners! Knit on straight needles.
This bonnet combines a retro shape mixed with modern colors and fibers. This bonnet is knit flat on single point needles which makes it perfect for beginners. It’s knit in garter stitch with some basic decreases.
Beginner Kid’s Sweater Knitting Pattern
A classic sweater that’s easy to knit!
The body is stockinette stitch with ribbed hem, cuffs, and collar. This sweater has raglan sleeves which are sleeves that extend in one piece fully to the collar, leaving a diagonal seam from underarm to collarbone.
I used Lion Brand Mandala Tweed in Lucky Penny for this Beginner Kids Sweater Knitting Pattern. It’s a self-striping yarn with long colorways. The medium weight is ideal for spring mornings.
Easy Kid’s Hooded Cowl Knitting Pattern
This Hooded Cowl is guaranteed to keeps kids warm when the winter months hit. Best of all? It’s so easy to knit! The hood is knit flat and then seamed at the top. The cowl is created by picking up the stitches on the bottom of the hood and knitting them in the round.
The Thick & Quick yarn and large needles make this a fast knit that can easily be completed in an evening.
Straight Needle Baby Booties Knitting Pattern
Hand knit baby booties make a great gift. There are tons of patterns available but most of them require double needles and complicated shaping. Not this knitting pattern! These baby booties are knit on single point knitting needles in a simple garter and rib stitch.
This is a quick knit and since it uses straight knitting needles and basic stitches (garter st), it’s ideal for beginners.
Easy Flat Knit Plush Cat Knitting Pattern
Beginner-friendly knitting pattern for this cute plush kitty.
There are so many cute knitting patterns for plush animals, but almost none of them are beginner-friendly. This little kitty is here to change that! This easy flay knit cat knitting pattern is so easy, that anyone with basic knitting skills can make it. It’s knit flat on straight needles, in 2 pieces which consist of the body and the tail.
Scrap Yarn Flat Knit Hat for Kids
A warm, earflap hat that’s knit using leftover yarn. This pattern is ideal for beginners!
This kid’s hat is a quick and easy knitting project that makes use of scrap yarn. It features earflaps and a colorful pom pom. The body is a combination of garter and stockinette stitches. This hat is knit flat and then seamed.
Hooded Baby Blanket Knitting Pattern
Beginner-friendly pattern for the cuddliest of blankets!
This Hooded Baby Blanket Knitting Pattern is perfect for beginners. The hood is knit flat and then seamed. Everything is knit with a simple Garter Stitch. The super bulky yarn and large needles make this a fast project. Also, checking the gauge is not necessary. This hooded baby blanket makes a great gift for little ones!
Toddler Thick & Quick Hat Knitting Pattern
The perfect cold-weather toddler hat, knit using Lion Brand’s Mandala Thick & Quick yarn.
This toddler hat knits up in a few hours. It’s knit on circular needles and the crown is shaped on double point knitting needles. It features a ribbed brim and the rest of the hat is knit in the round. The finishing touch is a big, fluffy pom pom.
Kids Easy Raglan Sleeve Sweater Knitting Pattern
Beginner-friendly pattern for a classic raglan sleeve sweater.
This raglan sweater features a ribbed hem, ribbed sleeves and collar, and a relaxed shape. It is knit in 4 separate pieces using a basic stockinette stitch. If you’ve never knit a sweater before, this is a great one to try!
I used scrap yarn for this sweater, but you could also knit it in a solid color.
Flat Knit Plush Elephant Knitting Pattern
A beginner-friendly knitting pattern for this cute plush elephant. Perfect project for a quick and thoughtful gift!
There are so many cute knitting patterns for plush animals, but almost none of them are beginner-friendly. This little knitted toy elephant is here to change that! This elephant knitting pattern is knit on straight needles using the garter stitch. It is so easy, that anyone with basic knitting skills can make it.
Baby Hooded Sweater Knitting Pattern
A classic design in a fun, color block pattern. This colorful sweater is worked in a basic Stockinette Stitch with ribbed hem and cuffs. There are some basic increases/decreases. The hooded is worked on circular needles.
An easy-to-knit, textured hat in rich colors!
Looking for the perfect kid’s hat that’s easy to knit? I’ve got you covered! This hat is a textured combination of ribbing and garter stitches. It’s colorful, cozy, and topped with a fluffy pom pom. This hat is knit on straight needles with minimal shaping at the crown.
Best of all? This hat can be whipped up in an evening thanks to the large needles and super bulky yarn!
I love seeing your finished projects! If you enjoyed making any of these 21 Free Knitting Patterns for Kids and Babies or any of my other free knitting patterns, I’d love to see yours on Instagram, just tag me @ginamicheleblog. Happy knitting!
