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.

Super Easy Baby Blanket Knitting Patterns

Book Review – 3 Skeins or Less -Modern Baby Knits

As we get into the part of the year with a lot of food-forward holidays, it might be time to start thinking about knitting some new things for your table. While a few of these are more fall/Thanksgiving focused, just changing up the colors would make others work for Christmas, or keep it neutral and use them all year long.

What got me started thinking about this was the lovely and simple Fresh Bread Dishtowel, a free pattern from Purl Soho. Worked in a lovely cotton and linen blend, the towel is mostly stockinette stitch with a bit of texture on the borders.

You could use this same kind of pattern to make anything from placemats to a table runner, but let’s look at some specific patterns for those kinds of projects as well.

The easy moss stitch table runner from Glass Bird Knits is beginner friendly can can easily be modified to fit your table (or, again, to make placemats instead of or in addition to a runner). This version is worked in macrame cord, but you could also use bulky yarn.

Emielle Design has a garter stitch runner pattern that’s made with braided cotton cord for a lot of texture without a lot of work. But be sure to take a lot of breaks when knitting with cord because it can be rough on your hands!

I also love the diamond pattern on the Hamilton Table Runner from Wyndlestraw Designs. It calls for a DK weight cotton and linen blend yarn and comes in three sizes with different widths and lengths. The pattern has both written and charted instructions.

Amy Marie’s Table Pumpkins (on Ravelry) is a fun mosaic knitting pattern that would be great to use as a table runner through the fall and for Thanksgiving. It uses a worsted weight cotton yarn in two colors, and you can make it as long as you like for your table.

The no cable knit placemats from Yarn Culture Studio have a fun faux cable look that would be great for the table through the fall and winter.

Or here’s another pattern from Wyndlestraw Designs, this time for an easy knit and purl stitch placemat pattern that looks different but still good on both sides. It calls for worsted weight cotton and comes in two sizes for placemats, but also has instructions for coasters, a hot pad and a table pad all using the same stitch.

Have you read?