Looking for the perfect free knit baby dress pattern? The Hannah Dress is a sweet, seamless, top-down knit that’s both beginner-friendly and toddler-approved! Grab the free knitting pattern here and cast on today!
A Free Knit Baby Dress Pattern That Means the World to Me
Designing the Hannah Dress was more than just creating a free knit baby dress pattern—it was personal. It was emotional. It was healing. I knit, reknit, and then knit it again from start to finish three times because something deep inside me needed it to be just right.
At the time, I didn’t fully understand why I felt that way, but the moment I saw my miracle baby wearing it in the model photos, it hit me like a flood.
This wasn’t just a dress. It was a testimony.
A Testimony Knit into Every Stitch
When you’ve been through what we’ve been through, every tiny milestone feels sacred. Every smile, every giggle, every little twirl in this free knit baby dress pattern is a reminder of the night the doctors had given up on us.
I was told we weren’t going to make it. That the emergency cesarean they were preparing for would likely end in two fatalities. There was no hope.
But God.
I look at these photos, and I remember:
- The moment they told me we were both dying.
- The first tiny breath my daughter took.
- The itty-bitty, 1 lb 11 oz fighter they placed in my arms.
I remember the fear. But more than that, I remember the miracle.
Now, that same fragile little girl has grown into a vibrant, full-of-life toddler—and I get to be here to witness it.
To some, this is just a free knit baby dress pattern on a cute kid.
To me, it’s a celebration of life, faith, and answered prayers.
The Yarn That Brings It All Together
For this special project, I needed a yarn that could handle toddler energy—something soft yet durable, washable yet beautiful. Enter KnitPicks Heatherly Sport (affiliate link).
This acrylic/merino blend is everything a knitter could want for a baby or toddler project:
- Soft—because delicate skin deserves the best.
- Strong—because we all know toddlers put clothes to the test.
- Machine washable—because who has time for hand-washing every mess?
Plus, the color range is chef’s kiss! Beautiful pastels, but also modern earthy tones that make this dress feel timeless. And let’s talk about affordability—at just $5.99 per hank (328 yards!), I only needed three hanks to make this size 24-month dress. That means the largest size would only cost about $18 to knit!
Seriously, you cannot go wrong with KnitPicks Heatherly Sport (affiliate link).
A Seamless, No-Sew Free Knit Baby Dress Pattern
Beyond being meaningful, the Hannah Dress is also practically a dream to knit.
This free knit baby dress pattern is designed top-down in a classic raglan style. If you’re new to garment knitting, raglans are fantastic because they grow in a really logical, easy-to-follow way. And the best part?
NO SEWING. NO SEAMS. Just pure knitting bliss.
Seriously, nothing is more satisfying than binding off a project and immediately having a finished dress—no extra steps, no weaving together panels, just a gorgeous free knit baby dress pattern ready to be worn.
Why You’ll Love This Free Knit Baby Dress Pattern
Aside from the sentimental value it holds for me, the Hannah Dress is just a really good knit for babies and toddlers. Here’s why:
- Seamless construction → No fussy sewing.
- Stretchy and comfortable → Perfect for active little ones.
- KnitPicks Heatherly Sport (affiliate link) → Soft, sturdy, and easy to care for.
- Size inclusive → Available in multiple baby and toddler sizes.
- Modern yet classic → Works with any color palette, from neutrals to pastels.
This free knit baby dress pattern is one you’ll want to make again and again—whether for your own little one, a baby shower gift, or a special keepsake.
Make Your Own Hannah Dress!
If you’ve been searching for a free knit baby dress pattern that’s simple, sentimental, and stunning, this is the one. The Hannah Dress is a design straight from my heart, knit with love and filled with gratitude.
I hope that when you knit it, you’ll feel a little of that joy, too.
Ready to get started? Scroll down to download this free pattern.
And if you make one, tag me—I’d love to see your version of this special dress. Happy knitting!
Materials and Info
Size: 0-3m, 3-6m (6-12m, 12m) 18m, 24m
Materials: Approximately 2, 2 (3, 3) 3, 3 balls of KnitPicks Heatherly Sport (100g/328y), needle, stitch markers
Needle Size: 4(US) 3.5mm & 5(US) 3.75mm straight and dpn
Gauge (tension): 24sts & 40 rows to make 10cm square, using size 5(US) 3.75mm 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 5cm of ease. The skirt is worked to knee-length, then a ruffle is added to take it just below the knee.
Baby Hannah Dress Pattern
NECK
Cast on 42, 48 (50, 52) 52, 52 sts in using larger needles
Join in the round
SET-UP ROUND
Purl 2 (front), pm,
Purl 6, 8 (8, 8) 8, 8 (sleeve), pm,
Purl 26, 28 (30, 32) 32, 32 (back) pm,
Purl 6, 8 (8, 8) 8, 8 (sleeve), pm,
Purl 2 (front)
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 – [k1, m1l, work to 1 st before marker, m1r, k1, sm] repeat across
Work raglan increases as described above on every other round/row 7, 7 (6, 6) 7, 8 times, then every 4th round 5, 6 (7, 8) 8, 8 times.
Work 3 rounds without any raglan increases.
NECK SHAPING
Stitches are increased at the beginning and end of each row to shape the front neck.
Start front neck shaping after working 10, 7 (3, 5) 5, 5 rows after the set-up row:
(All sizes EXCEPT 0-3 and 3-6)
Cast on 1st at each end of front neck.
Work 3 rows with no neck shaping
(All sizes EXCEPT 0-3)
Cast on 1st at each end of front neck.
Work 1 row with no neck shaping
(All sizes)
Cast on 1 st at each end of front neck every following 2, 3 (3, 3) 3, 3 rows.
Cast on 2, 2 (2, 2) 2, 2 sts at each end of next row.
Cast on 3, 4 (4, 2) 2, 2 sts at each end of next row.
Cast on 6, 4 (4, 5) 5, 5 sts at each end of next row.
Jon in the round
STITCH COUNT CHECK
Total stitches: 160, 176 (180, 192) 200, 208
Front/Back: 50, 54 (56, 60) 62, 64
Sleeve: 30, 34 (34, 36) 38, 40
DIVIDE FOR BODY AND SLEEVES
Work across 25, 27 (28, 30) 31, 32 front stitches, remove marker,
place 30, 34 (34, 36) 38, 40 sleeve stitches on stitch holder,
cast on 6 sts, remove marker,
work across 50, 54 (56, 60) 62, 64 back stitches, remove marker,
place 30, 34 (34, 36) 38, 40 sleeve stitches on stitch holder,
cast on 6 sts,
Work across remaining 25, 27 (28, 30) 31, 32 front stitches, remove beginning of round marker, work across 25, 27 (28, 30) 31, 32 remaining front stitches, place beginning of round marker.
[112, 116 (124, 132) 136, 140 sts]
BODY
Continue in stockinette until your work measures 11, 13 (14.5, 16) 17, 18 cms from measuring from back of neck.
Work in k1p1 around for 2.5, 2.5 (3, 3) 3.5, 3.5 cm
SKIRT
Waist increase round – [K1, m1] around [224, 232 (248, 264) 272, 280]
Work in stockinette st until your work measures 18.5, 20 (22, 24) 28, 30.5cm from waist increase round.
Purl 1 round.
RUFFLE
Round 1 – [k3, p3, k2] around
Round 2 – [k1, yo, k2, p3, k2, yo] around
Round 3 – [k4, p3, k3] around
Round 4 – [k1, yo, k3, p3, k3, yo] around
Round 5 – [k5, p3, k4] around
Round 6 – [k1, yo, k4, p3, k4, yo] around
Round 7 – [k6, p3, k5] around
Round 8 – [k1, yo, k5, p3, k5, yo] around
Round 9 – [k7, p3, k6] around
Round 10 – [k1, yo, k4, ssk, p3, k2tog, k4, yo] around
Round 11 – repeat round 9
Round 12 – repeat round 10
Round 13 – repeat round 9
Bind off purlwise.
SLEEVE (REPEAT FOR BOTH SLEEVES)
Using larger needles (you may need to use dpn or magic loop),
pick up and knit 3 sts from underarm,
work the 30, 34 (34, 36) 38, 40 sts from stitch holder,
pick up and knit 3 sts from underarm, pm.
[42, 38 (40, 42) 44, 46 sts]
Knit 1, 1 (1, 1) 3, 1 rounds.
Next round – decrease 1 stich at each side of marker.
Knit 4, 6 (8, 10) 10, 12 more rounds.
Work in 1×1 rib for 1.5cm.
Bind off.
NECK
With right side facing, using smaller needle (smaller size might require dpn), beginning at the back left raglan, pick up and knit:
6, 8 (8, 8) 8, 8 sts from left sleeve,
12, 12 (12, 14) 14, 14 sts down left front,
12, 8 (8, 10) 10, 10 sts along center front,
12, 12 (12, 14) 14, 14 sts up right front,
6, 8 (8, 8) 8, 8 sts, from right sleeve,
26, 28 (30, 32) 32, 32 sts from back.
[74, 76 (78, 86) 86, 86 sts]
Join in the round and place beginning of round marker.
Work for 2cms in 1×1 rib.
Bind off in pattern.
FINISHING Sew the hem of the skirt and sleeves. 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
Download Baby Hannah Dress PDF
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