This baby sweater knitting pattern is a textured favorite for little ones and a perfect addition to my collection of free sweater knitting patterns.
The Baby Granite Sweater is a top-down raglan worked seamlessly from the neckline down with an all-over bumpy texture that gives it beautiful dimension without complicated stitches. If you have been searching for a baby sweater that looks impressive but is still approachable to knit, this pattern checks all the boxes. It includes sizing from 0–3 months through 24 months, making it a practical pattern to keep on hand for baby gifts, handmade wardrobes, or sibling matching sets.
The top-down construction means you can try the sweater on as you go, making it easier to customize length if needed. I love this style of baby sweater knitting pattern because there is very little finishing involved, and the raglan shaping creates a classic fit that works beautifully for babies and toddlers alike.
If you enjoy knitting baby garments that feel polished but are still practical for everyday wear, this textured sweater is a great option. The simple stitch repeat creates plenty of visual interest while still being relaxing to knit once established.
Because the texture is built from easy knit and purl combinations, this sweater is approachable for adventurous beginners while still being satisfying for experienced knitters. It is the kind of project that keeps your attention without becoming tedious.
What Materials Do You Need for This Baby Sweater Knitting Pattern?
For this baby sweater knitting pattern, I used KnitPicks Swish Worsted (Affiliate Link) because it gives excellent stitch definition while staying soft enough for baby skin. The texture in this sweater really pops in a smooth worsted-weight yarn, and Swish has enough structure to show off every little bump beautifully.
You will also need:
Using two needle sizes helps create a polished finish by keeping the ribbing snug while allowing the body of the sweater to maintain a soft drape. I always recommend using a smooth wool or wool blend for textured baby garments because the stitch pattern shows up much more clearly than it would in a fuzzy or heavily variegated yarn.
If you substitute yarn, choose another worsted-weight option with good stitch definition. Super textured or fuzzy yarns may hide the beautiful granite-like texture that makes this sweater special.
How Is This Baby Sweater Knitting Pattern Constructed?
This baby sweater knitting pattern is worked from the top down in one piece, beginning at the neckline and increasing through the raglan yoke. Once the yoke is complete, the sleeve stitches are separated and held while you continue knitting the body in the round.
After the body is finished, the sleeves are worked last for a completely seamless construction. That means no mattress stitch, no sleeve seaming, and far less finishing at the end—which is always a win in my book.
Because this sweater is worked top down, it is easy to adjust the body or sleeve length if you want a more customized fit. This construction style also makes it simple to check your progress against the intended size while knitting.
The textured stitch pattern repeats throughout the entire sweater, giving it a classic, timeless look that works for boys or girls. It is one of those patterns that looks detailed and polished while actually being quite straightforward once you get going.
Looking for More Textured Sweater Knitting Patterns?
If you love the look of this textured sweater, here are a few more patterns you may enjoy:
The Granite texture has become one of my favorite stitch patterns because it creates so much visual interest with simple knit and purl stitches. If you enjoy making matching family knits, pairing this baby version with the youth and adult Granite sweaters makes for a fun coordinated set.
These patterns all carry that same polished handmade look while still being practical enough for everyday wear. If textured sweaters are your thing, you may find yourself wanting to knit the whole collection.
Whether you are knitting for your own little one, a baby shower gift, or simply because tiny sweaters are impossible to resist, this baby sweater knitting pattern is a fun and satisfying project to cast on.
Baby Granite Sweater Pattern
MATERIALS AND INFO
Size: 0-3m, 3-6m (6-12m, 12m) 18m, 24m
Materials: Approximately 3, 4 (4, 5) 5, 5 balls of Swish Worsted (110y/50g), needle, stitch markers
Needle Size: 8(US) 5mm circular needles and dpn, 6(US) 4mm circular and dpn Gauge (tension): 20sts & 28 rows to make 10cm square, using size 8(US) 5mm needles working in stockinette stitch
Chest Measurement: 41, 44 (47, 50) 52, 54 cm
METHOD
Granite Sweater is top-down seamless raglan in an easy care yarn with a simple texture. Created for our 2nd child, I wanted a quick knit with a touch of texture to layer easily for him. Granite was my very first sweater design. This newer version is updated for my 5th child. The updated version has better fit on the neck and sleeves based on what I have learned in designing over a dozen sweaters. The same great aesthetic of the original but with an awesome fit. This baby size version extends the sizing to the youngest members of the family.
Abbreviations can be found on the last page.
Note: choose size based on bust measurement for best fit
RAGLAN INCREASES
Inc row – [k1, m1l, work to 1 sts before next marker, m1r, k1, sm] repeat [to] 3 more times, then continue to end of row/round. 8 sts increased
GRANITE STITCH PATTERN:
Rounds 1-3 – knit around
Round 4 – (K1, k1b) repeat around
1X1 RIB PATTERN
Row 1 – (k1, p1) across
NECK
Provisional cast on using smaller circular needle: 60, 60 (64, 68) 68, 68 sts. Join in the round.
Work in 1×1 ribbing for 5cms.
Switch to larger needles.
Join hem of collar by knitting the active stitches together with the provisional cast on stitches LOOSELY.
YOKE
Set up row – k24, 24 (26, 28) 28, 28 pm, k6, pm, k24, 24 (26, 28) 28, 28, pm, k6 Begin Granite Stitch Pattern
RAGLAN SHAPING ROWS/ROUNDS
Work raglan increases as described above every other round 11, 12 (13, 11) 12, 13 times, then every 4th round 0, 0 (0, 2) 2, 2 times
Then work 3 rounds without increases
STITCH COUNT CHECK
Once all the raglan and neck increases have been completed you will have 148, 156 (168, 172) 180, 188 sts on your needles divided as follows:
46, 48 (52, 54) 56, 58 sts (front),
28, 30 (32, 32) 34, 36 sts (sleeve),
46, 48 (52, 54) 56, 58 sts (back),
48, 30 (32, 32) 34, 36 sts (sleeve)
DIVIDE FOR SLEEVES
Remove markers as you get to them.
Work across the front sts, place the next 28, 30 (32, 32) 34, 36 sts on a holder or waste yarn (left sleeve), cast on using the backwards loop method 4 sts (left underarm), knit 46, 48 (52, 54) 56, 58 sts (back), place the next 28, 30 (32, 32) 34, 36 sts on a holder or waste yarn (right sleeve), cast on using the backwards loop method 4 sts (right underarm), knit to beginning of round marker. 100, 104 (112, 116) 120, 128 sts
SWEATER BODY
Work in granite stitch pattern until piece measures 10, 11 (13.5, 15.5) 17, 18.5 cm measuring from underarm.
Switch to smaller circular needle.
Using work in 1×1 rib for 3 cm. Bind off all sts in pattern.
SLEEVES
Keeping in granite stitch pattern as already established, work each sleeve one at a time as follows: Pick up 3 sts from underarm, work 28, 30 (32, 32) 34, 36 sts of the sleeve on the holder, pick up 3 sts from underarm on to U.S. 8 double pointed needles, place marker at center underarm to keep track of the beginning of round. 34, 36 (38, 38) 40, 42 sts
Work 5, 5 (5, 7) 7, 7 rounds.
DECREASES
Decrease 1 st at each side of marker every 8th round 0, 0 (0, 3) 2, 4 times then, 6th round 0, 3 (3, 2) 4, 2 times, then every 4th round 5, 2, (3, 0) 0, 0 [24, 26 (26, 28) 28, 30 sts].
Continue in granite stitch pattern until sleeve measures 8.5, 10.5 (12.5, 14.5) 16, 17.5 (or desired length) measuring from underarm.
CUFF
Switch to smaller dpn needles
Work in 1×1 rib for 3 cm.
Bind off in pattern.
FINISHING
Weave in all ends and block as desired.
ABBREVIATIONS
K – knit
P – purl
PM – place marker
SM – slip marker
K2tog -knit 2 stitches together
SSK – slip, slip, knit the slipped sts together
M1L – With left needle pick up strand between 2 stitches front to back. Knit through back loop
M1R – With left needle pick up strand between 2 stitches back to front. Knit through front loop
K1B- Knit in row below, inserting right needle into the st in the row below the next st. Knit this st as well as the stitch above it on left needle.
If you make this sweater, I would love to hear what you think in the comments! Let me know what size you are knitting or who you are making it for—I always love hearing what is on your needles.
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