Easy Crochet Baby Sweater

I'll be the first to admit that I get obsessive about things ... once I set my mind on something I chew on it for days until I feel that I've done the best I can with it. One of my overriding, ever-present obsessions is crochet. The moment I first realized that I could come up with my own patterns, I was more deeply hooked than ever before.

Along those lines, my latest obsession is to complete a crochet layette set that is 100% mine. It's the first time I've attempted creating a number of items all themed together, so it's a challenge that I'm enjoying to its fullest.

The latest piece in my crochet layette set is a baby sweater. As I began it, I only knew that I wanted it to be easy enough to create that charity crocheters can whip it up for their favorite charities and that it had to be comfortable and easy to put on and take off.

This pattern is for a newborn size 0-3 months, but you can easily make it larger by using worsted weight yarn (examples use Caron Simply Soft fingering weight yarn) and a larger hook. For a preemie size sweater, use a smaller hook and baby weight yarn.

The crochet sweater is worked in 3 parts: Chest, sleeves, and trim. I've used a contrasting color for the trim to make it match the rest of the layette set as it is so far (the blanket and hat patterns are also on AC), but you could just as nicely create a solid colored sweater. It is fastened by ribbon, which you could replace with a chain of the same yarn used to crochet the baby sweater.

Crochet Baby Sweater

Materials: Main Color (MC) Fingering or Baby Weight yarn (example uses Caron Simply Soft No Dye Lot yarn) - apx. 4 oz. and less than 2 oz. Contrast Color (CC). H/8-5.00 mm hook. 1/8 inch ribbon (optional).

Chest

Starting at neckline, chain 46 with MC.

Row 1: Half-double crochet in second stitch from hook and in each stitch across. Turn.

Row 2: Ch 2, half-double crochet in first 2 stitches, 2 half-double crochet in each of next stitches. 1 half-double crochet in next 2 stitches, 2 half-double crochet in each of next 2 stitches. 1 half-double crochet in each of remaining stitches to last 13 stitches. In last 13, work 2 half-double crochet in each of the first 2 stitches, 1 half-double crochet in the next 2 stitches, 2 half-double crochet in the next 7 stitches, and 1 half-double crochet in each of the last 2. Turn.

Row 3: Ch 2, half-double crochet in each stitch across. Turn.

Row 4: Ch 2, 1 half-double in each of the first 5 stitches, 2 half-double crochet in each of next 2 stitches. 1 half-double crochet in each stitch across to the last 7 stitches. 2 half-double crochet in each of the first 2 stitches, 1 half-double crochet in each of the last 5 stitches. Turn.

Row 5: Ch 2, 1 half-double crochet in each of the first 7 stitches. Slip stitch in the next 17 stitches. Ch 2, half-double crochet in the next 19 stitches. Slip stitch in the next 17 stitches, chain 2, half-double crochet in each remaining stitch. Turn.

Row 6: Ch 2, 1 half-double crochet in each of the first 7 stitches. Ch 25, skip 17 slip stitches, slip stitch in next stitch. Ch 2, 1 half-double crochet in same stitch as joining and in each of the next 19 stitches. Ch 25, skip 17 slip stitches, slip stitch in next stitch. Ch 2, 1 half-double crochet in same stitch as joining and in each remaining stitch. Turn.

Row 7: Ch 2, 1 half-double crochet in each stitch and chain across. Turn.

Row 8: Ch 2, *1 half-double crochet in the next 3 stitches, 2 half-double crochet in the next stitch*. Repeat * across, ending with 1 half-double crochet in each of the last 5 stitches.

Rows 9-10: Ch 2, 1 half-double crochet in each stitch across. Turn.

Row 11: Ch 3, *Double crochet, ch 1, skip next stitch, double crochet in next stitch*. Repeat * across, ending with 1 double crochet in each of the last 2 stitches. Turn.

Row 12: Ch 3, *Double crochet in the next 2 stitches, 2 double crochet in the next stitch*. Repeat * across. Turn.

Rows 13-15: Ch 3, double crochet in each stitch across. Finish off at the end of row 15.

Sleeves

Attach MC with slip stitch to center of under arm.

Round 1: Ch 2, half-double crochet in same stitch as joining and in each of the next 19 stitches. Double crochet in the next 9 stitches. Half-double crochet in each remaining stitch. Join with slip stitch to top of beginning ch 2.

Round 2: Ch 2, half-double crochet in same stitch as joining and in each of the next 19 stitches. 2 double crochet in each of the next 9 double crochet. Half-double crochet in each of the remaining stitches. Join with slip stitch to top of beginning ch 2.

Round 3: Do not chain. Slip stitch first stitch and in each of the next 19 stitches. Half-double crochet in each of next 19 double crochet. Slip stitch in next stitch. Turn.

Rounds 4-7: Ch 1. Half-double crochet in same stitch as joining and in each of the next double-crochet. Slip stitch in next stitch. Turn. At end of round 7, slip stitch the rest of the underarm to the first slip stitch of round 3. Finish off.

Repeat for other arm.

Trim

Join CC with slip stitch to bottom corner - work bottom hem first.

Round 1: Ch 1, single crochet in same stitch as joining and in each stitch around, working 3 single crochet in each "corner". Join with slip stitch to beginning ch 1.

Round 2: Do not ch. Slip stitch in each stitch around. Finish off.

Weave ribbon or chain through the double-crochet spaces. Attach ribbon or chain to top of neck.