I love baby makes. There is just something so adorably cute about such a tiny piece of clothing. I knew I wanted to do an animal sweater, and this Polar Bear Sweater turned out just the way I’d hoped!
Buy the ad-free PDF of this pattern in my shop here!
If you’ve been hanging around here lately, you’ll know that I really enjoy using the Lion Brand Feels Like Butta yarn. It’s made from polyester and feels great, but it also holds up to washing, which is a big plus for baby things!
I’ve made a couple of blankets with it and now it’s my go-to yarn for knitting baby sweaters. I can’t wait to try some crocheted sweaters with it!
Even though we won’t be having any more babies in our house for a long time (at least I’d better not be a grandma for a long time!!), I still adore baby makes and plan on continuing to design them. There’s always someone expecting a new bundle of joy I can make for!
What You’ll Need
Yarn: Lion Brand Feels Like Butta (100% Polyester; 218 yards [199 meters]/100 grams): #149 Pale Gray (MC, 1 (1, 2, 2) balls), #108 Dusty Blue (CC1, 1 ball), and #153 Black for face (CC2, 1 ball)
Needles: US sizes 8 (5.0 mm), US size 6 (4.0 mm)
Notions: Tapestry needle, stitch holder or waste yarn
Skill Level: Easy
Size: Finished Chest Size 18.5 (20, 21.5, 23)” for baby sizes 6m (12m, 18m, 24m)
Shown in size 12m
Gauge: 20 sts and 30 rows = 4” [10 cm] in St st with larger needles
SPECIAL STITCHES
K2 P2 Rib
Rnd 1: *K2, p2; rep from * around.
Rep Rnd 1 for patt.
PATTERN
Back
With MC and smaller needles, CO 44 (48, 52, 56) sts.
Work in K2 P2 Rib for 8 (8, 12, 12) rows.
Increase 2 sts evenly across. (46 (50, 54, 58) sts)
Change to larger needles.
Work even in St st for 32 (36, 40, 44) rows.
Armhole Shaping
BO 2 (2, 2, 3) sts at beginning of next 2 rows. (42 (46, 50, 52) sts)
Dec 1 st each end every 3rd row 8 times. (26 (30, 34, 36) sts)
Work even 0 (1, 1, 1) row.
Neckline Shaping
Work next 6 (6, 8, 8) sts, slip next 14 (18, 18, 20) sts to stitch holder or waste yarn, join new end of yarn and work remaining 6 (6, 8, 8) sts. (6 (6, 8, 8) sts)
Dec 1 st each end. (4 (4, 6, 6) sts)
Dec 1 st at neck edge. (3 (3, 5, 5) sts)
Work even 0 (1, 1, 1) row.
Dec 1 st at armhole edge. (2 (2, 4, 4) sts)
Sizes 6m (12m) Only
BO all sts.
Sizes 18m (24m) Only
Work 1 (3) rows even.
Dec 1 st each end 2 (2) sts.
BO all sts.
Front
Work same as Back to Armhole Shaping.
Armhole Shaping
BO 2 (2, 2, 3) sts at beginning of next 2 rows. (42 (46, 50, 52) sts)
Dec 1 st each end every 3rd row 5 times. (32 (36, 40, 42) sts)
Work even 0 (1, 1, 1) row.
Neckline Shaping
Work across 13 (13, 15, 15) sts, slip next 6 (10, 10, 12) sts to holder, join new end and work across 13 (13, 15, 15) sts. (13 (13, 15, 15) sts)
Dec 1 st at each end. (11 (11, 13, 13) sts)
Dec 1 st at neck edge on next 2 rows. (9 (9, 11, 11) sts)
Dec 1 st each end. (7 (7, 9, 9) sts)
Dec 1 st at neck edge on next 2 rows. (5 (5, 7, 7) sts)
Dec 1 st at armhole edge. (4 (4, 6, 6) sts)
Work even 2 rows.
Dec 1 st at armhole edge. (3 (3, 5, 5) sts)
Work even 1 (2, 2, 2) rows.
Dec 1 st at armhole edge. (2 (2, 4, 4) sts)
Sizes 6m (12m) Only
BO all sts.
Sizes 18m (24m) Only
Work 1 (3) rows even.
Dec 1 st at each end. 2 (2) sts)
BO all sts.
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Sleeve (make 2)
With CC and smaller needles, CO 24 (24, 28, 28) sts.
Work in K2 P2 Rib for 8 rows.
Inc 1 (3, 1, 3) sts evenly across. (25 (27, 29, 31) sts)
Inc 1 st at each end every 10 (10, 12, 14)th row 3 times. (31 (33, 35, 37) sts)
Work even 6 (9, 11, 12) rows.
Shape Cap
BO 2 (2, 2, 3) sts at beginning of next 2 rows. (27 (29, 31, 31) sts)
Dec 1 st at each end every 3rd row 2 (2, 2, 4) times. (23 (25, 27, 23) sts)
Dec 1 st at each end every 2nd row 11 (12, 13, 11) times. (1 st)
BO.
Ear (Make 4)
With MC, cast on 6 sts.
Work even in St st for 2 rows.
Decrease Row: Ssk, k2, k2tog – 4 sts.
Work even in St st for 2 rows.
Decrease Row: Ssk, k2, k2tog – 2 sts.
Purl one row.
Stitch 2 ear pieces together with right sides facing out.
Finishing
Note: Be sure to sew ears in sleeve front seams as seen in photos. You sew in them in at the same time as you stitch the front to the sleeves.
Sew Left Sleeve to Front and Back, and Right Sleeve to Front only along raglan armhole seams.
Collar
With RS facing, smaller needles and CC, pick up and k2 sts from Right Back Neck Edge, 14 (18, 18, 20) sts from Back Neck holder, 2 sts from Left Back Neck Edge, 11 (11, 11, 13) sts from Left Front Neck Edge, 6 (10, 10, 12) sts from Front Neck holder, 11 (11, 11, 13) sts from Right Front Neck Edge. (46 (54, 54, 62) sts.
Work 4 (4, 6, 6) rows in K2 P2 Rib.
BO all sts loosely in rib.
Sew remaining Sleeve to Armhole.
Sew side and Sleeve seams.
Weave in ends.
Embroider face with duplicate st as seen in photos.
That’s it! You’re done.
Be sure to check out all of my Free Knitting Patterns here – there are plenty of other baby makes. 🙂
Happy Knitting!
Amanda
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