Looking for a baby tee knitting pattern that is polished enough for special occasions but practical enough for everyday wear?
The Beth Tee is a sweet and simple option that gives you a polished little garment without requiring complicated construction. This free sweater knitting pattern features a top-down raglan worked in the round with a flattering v-neck, short sleeves, and delicate eyelets placed right before the ribbing for a pretty finished detail.
If you have been searching for a lightweight knit top for babies or toddlers that looks a little more elevated than a basic stockinette tee, this baby tee knitting pattern may be exactly what you need. The top-down construction makes it easy to customize length as you knit, and the seamless raglan shaping keeps finishing work to a minimum.
The Beth Tee is one of those patterns that looks far more complicated than it actually is. Between the clean raglan shaping, the feminine v-neck, and the eyelet detail, it creates a polished finished garment while still being approachable for intermediate knitters.
Because this baby tee knitting pattern is worked in the round from the top down, you can try it on as you go to ensure the perfect fit. That flexibility makes it especially helpful if you are knitting for a fast-growing little one.
What Materials Do You Need for This Baby Tee Knitting Pattern?
To make the Beth Tee, you will need the following materials:
- KnitPicks Heatherly Sport yarn
- US Size 5 / 3.75mm circular needles
- US Size 3 / 3.25mm circular needles
I chose KnitPicks Heatherly Sport for this design because it creates beautiful stitch definition while still keeping the fabric soft enough for little ones. It has enough structure to show off the raglan shaping and eyelet detail without feeling stiff.
The sport weight also gives this tee a nice lightweight drape, making it ideal for layering or warm-weather wear. If you substitute yarn, be sure to choose another sport weight option with similar drape and stitch definition.
One of my favorite things about this yarn for garment knitting is how polished the finished fabric looks after blocking. It gives the Beth Tee a smooth, professional finish while still being practical for everyday wear.
How Is This Baby Tee Knitting Pattern Constructed?
This baby tee knitting pattern is worked from the top down in the round beginning at the neckline. The v-neck shaping is worked first while increasing for the raglan yoke, then the body and sleeves are separated once the yoke depth is complete.
After the yoke, the body is worked straight in the round to the hem where the eyelet detail is added just before the ribbing begins. The sleeves are then completed with matching eyelet accents to tie the entire design together.
Because the sweater is knit seamlessly, finishing is minimal. You will only need to weave in ends once complete, which makes this a satisfying project if you dislike seaming.
If you have never knit a v-neck raglan before, do not let that intimidate you. The shaping is straightforward and creates a beautifully tailored fit without much fuss.
The top-down method also makes it easy to add extra body length if needed, which is always helpful when knitting for children.
Looking for More Free Tee and Sweater Knitting Patterns?
If you enjoy this Beth Tee, here are a few more garment patterns you may love:
These patterns all have a similar wearable style and are wonderful options if you enjoy knitting garments for the whole family. Several of them coordinate beautifully if you love making matching sibling or family sets.
Whether you prefer lightweight summer knits or layering pieces for cooler weather, these designs offer plenty of options to keep your needles busy.
The Beth Tee fits right into that collection as a polished little wardrobe staple. It is timeless, practical, and just detailed enough to feel special without being fussy.
Baby Beth Tee Pattern
Size: 0-3m, 3-6m (6-12m, 12m) 18m, 24m
Materials: Approximately 1, 2 (2, 2) 2, 2 balls of KnitPicks Heatherly (328yds, 100g), needle, stitch markers
Needle Size: 5(US) 3.75mm & 3(US) 3.25mm straight and dpn
Gauge (tension): 24sts & 36 rows to make 10cm square, using size 5(US) 3mm needles
Chest Measurement: 41, 44 (47, 50) 52, 54 cm
METHOD
This pattern is a top-down raglan that is worked in the round with 10cm of ease. It features a v-neck and a simple eyelet stripe before the ribbing.
NECK
Cast on 42, 44 (46, 48) 48, 48 sts in using larger needles.
Join in the round.
SET-UP ROUND
Purl 2 (front), pm,
Purl 6 (sleeve), pm,
Purl 26, 28 (30, 32) 32, 32, pm,
Purl 6 (sleeve), pm,
Purl 2 (front)
Now begin Beth lace pattern.
RAGLAN SHAPING
Raglan shaping and neck shaping are worked AT THE SAME TIME so be sure to read both Raglan Shaping and Neck Shaping sections before continuing.
Shape raglan seams by increasing 1 st each side of each marker, a total of 8 sts increased per round.
Work each raglan round as follows:
Inc round/row – [work to 1 st before marker, m1r, k1, sm, k1, m1l] repeat across.
Work raglan increases as described above on every other round 14, 13 (14, 12) 13, 14 times then every 4th round 0, 2 (2, 4) 4, 4 times.
Work 3 rounds in stockinette st with no shaping.
NECK SHAPING
Stitches are increased at the beginning and end of each row to shape the front neck.
Start front neck shaping after working 4 rows after the set-up row: Increase 1 sts at each end of each right side row 6, 8 (9, 10) 10, 10 times Then increase at each end of every row 4 rows.
Join in the round
STITCH COUNT CHECK
Total stitches: 176, 188 (200, 204) 212, 220
Front/Back: 54, 58 (62, 64) 66, 68
Sleeve: 34, 36 (38, 38) 40, 42
DIVIDE FOR BODY AND SLEEVES
Work across 27, 29 (31, 32) 33, 34 front stitches, remove marker, place 34, 36 (38, 38) 40, 42 sleeve stitches on stitch holder,
cast on 6, 4 (6, 6) 6, 6 sts, remove marker,
work across 54, 58 (62, 64) 66, 68 back stitches, remove marker, place 42, 36 (38, 38) 42, 42 sleeve stitches on stitch holder,
cast on 6, 4 (6, 6) 6, 6 sts,
Work across remaining 27, 29 (31, 32) 33, 34 front stitches.
[120, 124 (132, 140) 144, 148 sts]
BODY
Continue in Beth Stitch Pattern for 10, 11 (13.5, 15.5) 17, 18.5cms from dividing round.
Switch to smaller needles.
Eyelet round – [yo, p2tog] around.
Work in k1p1 ribbing for 4cms.
Bind off in pattern.
SLEEVE (REPEAT FOR BOTH SLEEVES)
Using larger needles (you may need to use dpn or magic loop), pick up and knit 4, 3, (4, 4) 4, 4 sts from underarm,
work the 34, 36 (38, 38) 40, 42 sts from stitch holder,
pick up and knit 4, 3 (4, 4) 4, 4 sts from underarm, pm.
[42, 42 (
44, 46) 48, 50 sts]
Continue Working in Beth Stitch Pattern.
Knit 1, 1 (3, 1) 1, 3 rounds.
Next round – decrease 1 stich at each side of marker.
Then decrease each side of marker after working 1, 2 (2, 4) 6, 3 rounds 2, 1 (1, 1) 1, 2 times to 48, 38 (40, 42) 44, 44 sts.
Knit to 1.5, 2 (2.5, 3) 3.5, 3.5cms from underarm.
Change to smaller needle.
Eyelet Round – [yo, p2tog] around
Work in k1p1 ribbing for 2cms.
Bind off in pattern.
With right side facing, using smaller needle (smaller size might require dpn), beginning at the back left raglan, pick up and knit:
6 sts from left sleeve,
18, 20 (22, 24) 24, 24 sts down left front,
1 sts from center front
18, 20 (22, 24) 24, 24 sts up right front,
6 sts, from right sleeve,
27, 29 (31, 33) 33, 33 sts from back.
[76, 82 (88, 94) 94, 94 sts]
Join in the round and place beginning of round marker.
Eyelet round – [yo, p2tog] around
Work in 1x rib, knitting center stitch of front.
Decrease round: work in 1×1 rib until 2 stitches before center stitch, on a round where the next stitch is a knit stitch: ssk, k1, k2tog, on a round where the next stitch is a purl stitch: p2togtbl, k1, p2tog.
Continue in 1×1 rib for 2cms, decreasing as above every other round. Bind off in pattern.
FINISHING
Weave in all ends and block according.
ABBREVIATIONS
K – knit
P – purl
PM – place marker
SM – slip marker
STS – stitches
YO – yarn over
K2tog -knit 2 stitches together
SSK – slip, slip, knit the slipped sts together
M1R – Insert the left needle under the strand that runs between two stitches from back to front, then knit this strand
M1L – Insert the left needle under the strand that runs between two stitches from front to back, then knit this strand through the back loop
P2TOG – purl 2 stitches together
P2TOGTBL – purl 2 stitches together through back loop
If you make one, I would love to hear what yarn color you choose—leave me a comment below and let me know! Hearing how you customize my patterns is always one of my favorite parts of sharing them.
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