Crochet this beginner-friendly baby sweater in a weekend with this easy sweater pattern using only single crochet, slip stitches and chains.

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Design Story and Inspiration for This Easy Crochet Baby Sweater

I wanted to design a baby sweater that anyone could make regardless of skill level. This easy pattern uses only single crochet, slip stitches and chains and has NO shaping techniques.

Instead, you simply work from the bottom up, chain for the sleeves, make an opening for the head, work the second side of the sleeves, and work down the other side of the body.

It’s a very easy pattern, and I created a full video tutorial in the Newborn – 3 month size for you, too!

About the Yarn

For this design I chose Lion Brand Mandala Ombre, which is a yarn I had never worked with before. It worked up beautifully for a baby sweater! If you aren’t sure you like that the front and back don’t match up color-wise, I would suggest buying extra skeins or using a compatible solid color yarn.

Any worsted weight yarn that gets gauge will work for this design.

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Mandala Ombre Crochet Baby Sweater

What You’ll Need

Yarn: Lion Brand Mandala Ombre – 1 (1, 2, 3, 4) skeins
Crochet Hook: US size I/9 (5.5mm)
Notions: Yarn needle, scissors

Skill Level: Easy
Size: Finished Chest Size 16 (17, 17.75, 18.5, 20, 21)” to fit Preemie (3m, 6m, 12m, 18m, 24m)
Gauge: 20 sts and 20 rows = 4” [10 cm] in sc, ch 1 pattern

Abbreviations
Chain (ch)
Slip Stitch (slip st)
Single Crochet (sc)

Pattern Notes
Sweater is made in one piece, from the bottom of the back to the bottom of the front, adding extra chains for sleeves and leaving an opening for the head.
The sweater is then joined using a zig zag slip stitch technique for the underarm and side seams.

Mandala Ombre Crochet Baby Sweater Pattern

Back

Ch 41 (43, 45, 47, 51, 53).

Row 1: Sc in 2nd ch from hook, *ch 1, skip next ch, sc in next ch; repeat from * to last ch, sc in last ch; turn. – 40 (42, 44, 46, 50, 52) sts.

Row 2: Ch 1, sc in first sc, *ch 1, skip sc, sc in ch-1 space; repeat from * to last st, sc in sc; turn.

Rows 3-34 (36, 39, 41, 44, 47):  Repeat row 2.

Sleeves

Row 1: Ch 31 (35, 39, 41, 43, 47).  Sc in 2nd ch from hook, *ch 1, skip next ch, sc in next ch; repeat from * to last ch, skip ch, sc in first sc of body, *ch 1, skip st, sc in ch-1 space; repeat from * to last st, sc in sc; turn – 70 (76, 82, 86, 92, 98) sts.

Row 2: Repeat row 1 – 100 (110, 120, 126, 134, 144) sts.

Rows 3-15 (17, 18, 19, 20, 22): Ch 1, sc in first sc, *ch 1, skip sc, sc in ch-1 space; repeat from * to last st, sc in sc; turn.

Neck Row 1: Ch 1, sc in first sc, (ch 1, skip next sc, sc in next sc) 19 (21, 23, 24, 26, 28) times, ch 21 (23, 25, 27, 27, 29), skip next 21 (23, 25, 27, 27, 29) sts, (sc, ch 1, skip next sc) 19 (21, 23, 24, 26, 28) times, sc in last 2 sts; turn.

Neck Row 2: Ch 1, sc in first sc, *ch 1, skip next st, sc in next st; repeat from * to last st, working across established sts and into chain, sc in last sc; turn.

Second Sleeve

Rows 1-15 (17, 18, 19, 20, 22): Ch 1, sc in first sc, *ch 1, skip sc, sc in ch-1 space; repeat from * to last st, sc in sc; turn.

Front Body

Row 1: Sl st in first 30 (34, 38, 40, 42, 46) sts of sleeve, work in sc, ch 1 pattern as established over next 40 (42, 44, 46, 50, 52) sts; turn, leaving remaining sts unworked – 40 (42, 44, 46, 50, 52) sts.

Rows 2-34 (36, 39, 41, 44, 47): Ch 1, sc in first sc, *ch 1, skip sc, sc in ch-1 space; repeat from * to last st, sc in sc; turn.

Finishing

Fold in half.  Use the zig zag slip stitch to seam side and underarm seams.  Start in the bottom corner of front, join yarn and ch 1.  Slip st in same st, slip st in bottom corner of back, inserting hook from front of fabric to back and always keeping the yarn at the back of the work.  Alternate slip stitching a row from the front to a row of the back until you have worked to the sleeve hem.

Repeat for opposite side starting with a slip st in bottom corner of front.

Weave in ends.

Final Thoughts on This Beginner-Friendly Crochet Baby Sweater Pattern

I hope you have enjoyed this crochet baby sweater pattern! I really love designing and had fun making these. 😀

Happy Crocheting!
Amanda