Knits for Babies Using Worsted Weight Yarn

I know people typically think of lighter weight yarns when they think of knitting for babies. One of the terms used for light weight yarn is even “baby yarn.” But I think there are a lot of valid reasons to use thicker yarn when you’re knitting for little ones (so much so I wrote a book about it).

For one thing, projects made with heavier yarn are faster to knit. That’s a good thing because babies grow really fast so you won’t have spent a lot of time on a project that won’t get a lot of use. Also, there are babies in winter, and they might like to have warm sweaters and hats.

So let’s explore some baby knitting projects that use worsted weight yarn.

This simple garter stitch cardigan from BDD Patterns on Etsy would be a great first sweater knitting pattern. It’s worked flat in one piece, including the sleeves, which makes this one easy to knit and doesn’t require all that much finishing. The pattern comes in four sizes up to a 1-year-old, and uses one button to close it at the top.

The Baby Vertabre pattern from Kelly van Niekerk is just so clever I had to share it. This one includes options for working it in different weights of yarn, including worsted, but it’s basically a cardigan with no fronts. This is awesome for giving baby a little warmth but keeping their sweater clean (ideal for droolers and messy eaters as baby gets older). The pattern is sized from newborn through two years and offers three different yarn weight options. You can buy it on Ravelry.

I don’t know a new parent who doesn’t harbor a secret desire to dress their baby like an animal. You can realize that dream for a baby you know with this adorable bear suit knitting pattern from Pernille Larsen. The hood has bear ears, and the rest of the romper is plain and pretty easy to knit. It includes buttons down the front for easy access for diaper changes, and has feet to keep baby warm and cozy. This pattern is sized for newborns up to 24 months, and you can find it on Ravelry.

How about hats? The Sunshine Bonnet from Katarina Linnhagen is a simple garter stitch bonnet sized for newborns up to 2-3 year olds. It’s worked in one piece and includes I-cord edging and ties to complete the sleek look. Get it on Ravelry.

Or try Michele Sabatier’s berry hat, which is a free pattern on Ravelry. This pattern can be all sorts of produce depending on the colors you choose, from strawberries to pumpkins. It was designed for infants but has modifications in the pattern for bigger kids.

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Many times when I write these posts I will say something like “you can use any yarn you want” or “this would be a great stash-busting project.” That’s just how my mind works. And my stash, too, since I probably have sweater quantity of two or three yarns at most, but tons of singles and odd balls and leftovers.

Blankets are generally a really good way to use up those bits, but in this case, I think you’re going to want to plan it out a bit better.

Looking at photos of the Color Study Blanket from Purl Soho, it looks like it’s made with two yarns held together, and that block in the center is worked with one of each color from the adjoining sides to make a mixed up color.

But that’s not actually how it’s done. This is three separate colors (four, really, with the neutrals in the corners) chosen form a yarn with an expansive palette so they play off each other. The project calls for a worsted weight superwash wool, which is a great choice for a blanket that’s both warm and washable.

This pattern was originally designed by Laura Ferguson and was updated by Hiromi Glover. It is worked in one piece in garter stitch intarsia, which is a great way to learn the intarsia technique if you don’t already know it. It comes in crib or throw sizes.

Despite the introduction to this post, I am going to go ahead and say that, yes, of course you could do this blanket with scraps or odd balls or even just choose five colors that don’t blend together so easily. But I really do love the look of the color play, and I think it would be worth your time to find colors that play well together to get a similar effect.

This pattern is available for free from Purl Soho.

[Photo: Purl Soho]

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