17 Sweater Knitting Patterns for Children You’ll Love
Discover sweater knitting patterns for children on my free sweater knitting pattern page—perfect for every season.
When I think about the knits I’ve made for my kids, I always go back to the sweaters first. There’s just something about sweater knitting patterns for children that makes them irresistible. They’re practical, they’re wearable, and they give me the chance to try out new stitches and shapes without committing to the yardage of an adult-sized project. Over the years, I’ve designed a whole library of sweater knitting patterns for children, and I can’t wait to share them with you in one place.
Whether you’re in the mood for a simple tee, a textured pullover, or a cardigan with pockets, these sweater knitting patterns for children will have you reaching for your yarn and needles right away. Each design has its own little personality, and I’ll walk you through the highlights, the yarns I used (affiliate link), and why I think each one deserves a spot on your needles.
Wheat Cardigan
The Wheat Cardigan is one of my absolute favorite sweater knitting patterns for children. This one is a drop sleeve, bottom-up, buttoned cardigan with a beautiful all-over wheat motif. It’s not only fun to knit but also timeless when finished. I made mine with KnitPicks Capretta (affiliate link), which gave the cardigan a soft yet structured feel. The stitch pattern looks more complicated than it is, and I love how this design dresses up a simple pair of jeans or leggings.
Sarah Tee
If you’re looking for sweater knitting patterns for children that work perfectly for warmer months, the Sarah Tee is your answer. This short sleeve, bottom-up, crew neck dolman sleeve tee features an all-over chevron lace. It’s light, airy, and surprisingly quick to knit. I chose Lion Brand Coboo (affiliate link) for this one because it’s a breathable cotton-bamboo blend, making it perfect for spring and summer wear.
Turtleneck Pullover
Sometimes you just want to snuggle your little one in a warm knit, and the Turtleneck Pullover does exactly that. This is a top-down raglan with a cozy turtleneck, making it one of the most practical sweater knitting patterns for children in cooler weather. I used KnitPicks Provincial Tweed (affiliate link), which added just the right amount of rustic charm and warmth to the design. It’s a classic pullover that will never go out of style.
Turtleneck Pullover Free Pattern
Puff Sleeve Tee
For something a little more playful, I love the Puff Sleeve Tee. This is a bottom-up, drop sleeve tee with short puffy sleeves and a crew neck. The sleeves add such a sweet touch without making the knit complicated. I made mine in KnitPicks Vividie (affiliate link), which gave the piece a beautiful drape and softness. Among all my sweater knitting patterns for children, this one feels extra whimsical.
September Cardigan
The September Cardigan is an open-front style that is great for layering. This top-down raglan cardigan is one of those sweater knitting patterns for children that works year-round—whether over dresses, tees, or long sleeves. I knit mine with Premier Yarns Anti-Pilling Everyday (affiliate link), which means it’s durable and ready to withstand all the running, climbing, and adventuring kids do.
September Cardigan Free Pattern
Anna Cardigan
The Anna Cardigan is a personal favorite because it feels like a mini version of a classic grandpa sweater. It’s a bottom-up, drop sleeve, buttoned cardigan with pockets and a gorgeous diamond panel on the back and fronts. I used Premier Yarns Elle by Me Charlotte (affiliate link), which gave it a polished but still cozy finish. This one is perfect if you want sweater knitting patterns for children that can be worn in place of a jacket.
Rosemary Cardigan
Pockets are always a win, right? The Rosemary Cardigan is a top-down, open-front raglan cardigan with pockets, making it super functional as well as stylish. I knit mine with KnitPicks Upcycle Alpaca (affiliate link), which gave it a light, warm texture. This cardigan is one of those sweater knitting patterns for children that looks great layered over just about anything.
Rosemary Cardigan Free Pattern
Rebekah Tee
The Rebekah Tee is a bottom-up, drop sleeve tee with the prettiest lacy bottom edge. It’s lightweight and feminine without being fussy. I used KnitPicks Comfy (affiliate link), which is a breathable cotton blend that feels wonderful for everyday wear. This is one of my favorite sweater knitting patterns for children when I want something quick and sweet.
Peter Sweater
The Peter Sweater is a bit more classic, featuring set-in sleeves and a v-neck with a diamond cable panel up the front. If you’re into cables, this one’s for you. I knit it in KnitPicks Mighty Stitch (affiliate link), and I loved how the yarn made the cables pop. Among all the sweater knitting patterns for children, this one feels the most traditional and elegant.
Noah Pullover
If you’ve ever wanted to play with color, the Noah Pullover is your go-to. This top-down raglan with rainbow helical stripes is just joyful to knit and to wear. I used KnitPicks Mighty Stitch (affiliate link), which comes in tons of bright shades perfect for striping. This is one of those sweater knitting patterns for children that brings a smile every time you see it.
Michael Pullover
The Michael Pullover is another striped favorite, but this one is top-down with all-over wide stripes. I also used KnitPicks Mighty Stitch (affiliate link) for this project, since the color options are endless. Sweater knitting patterns for children don’t get much more cheerful than this one!
Mary Cardigan
The Mary Cardigan is a bottom-up raglan with an all-over lace. It has a touch of elegance without being too delicate for everyday wear. I knit mine with Premier Yarns Anti-Pilling Everyday (affiliate link), which makes the lace stand out beautifully and keeps the cardigan durable. It’s one of my go-to sweater knitting patterns for children when I want something dressier.
Judah Zipped Cardigan
For something sporty and practical, the Judah Zipped Cardigan is perfect. This is a bottom-up, drop sleeve, zipped cardigan with an all-over broken 1×1 rib and a folded neck. I knit it with KnitPicks Upcycle Alpaca (affiliate link), and the result was both warm and stylish. This one stands out among sweater knitting patterns for children because of its zipper, which makes it kid-friendly to get on and off.
Judah Zipped Cardigan Free Pattern
Granite Sweater
The Granite Sweater has such a fun texture. It’s a top-down raglan with a folded neck and an all-over k1b stitch (you’ll find my tutorial here—link coming soon). This stitch gives the sweater a bumpy, cozy texture that’s perfect for fall and winter. I made mine with Berroco Ultra Alpaca (affiliate link), which gave the design just the right mix of softness and structure. Out of all the sweater knitting patterns for children, this one is a textural dream.
Fern Pullover
The Fern Pullover is a little trendier with its cropped shape and lace raglan increases. It’s knit top-down in KnitPicks CotLin (affiliate link), which is a cotton-linen blend perfect for warmer weather. This is one of those sweater knitting patterns for children that feels modern and stylish while still being kid-friendly.
Deborah Tee
The Deborah Tee is another warm-weather winner. This is a top-down raglan, short sleeve, crew neck tee with a delicate eyelet lace panel down the back. I used KnitPicks Samia (affiliate link), which gave it a smooth, breathable finish. Among all my sweater knitting patterns for children, this one has a special place in my heart for its simplicity and elegance.
Damask Cardigan
Last but not least, the Damask Cardigan. This is a bottom-up, drop sleeve, crew neck buttoned cardigan with a knit/purl stitch pattern that looks almost like cables. I knit it with Cascade 220 Superwash (affiliate link), which gave the texture fantastic definition. This is one of those sweater knitting patterns for children that feels both classic and unique at the same time.
As you can see, sweater knitting patterns for children come in every style you could imagine—tees, pullovers, cardigans, stripes, lace, cables, and texture galore. Every design has its own personality, and they all make for fun, rewarding projects that your kids will actually wear.
I’d love to know—which of these sweater knitting patterns for children is your favorite? Do you lean toward the classic cardigans, the playful tees, or the colorful pullovers? Let me know in the comments!
This post contains affiliate links. That means if you click through and make a purchase, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.
The post 17 Sweater Knitting Patterns for Children You’ll Love appeared first on The Knit in the Womb Blog.
Comments
Post a Comment