Baby Cozy Top-Down Raglan Sweater

Easy, modern baby pullover worked top-down in DK weight yarn. Knit in the round to the underarms with classic raglan shaping and simple 1x1 ribbing. Fits: Newborn (0-3m), 3-6m, 6-12m, 12-18m. Written for four sizes; values listed smallest to largest separated by slashes and parentheses where shown.

Finished measurements

• Chest circumference: 16" (18", 20", 22") / 40.5 (45.5, 51, 56) cm
• Length from underarm to hem: 6.5" (8", 9.5", 11") / 16.5 (20.5, 24, 28) cm

Gauge

21 sts and 28 rows = 4" / 10 cm in stockinette stitch (measured after blocking) on larger needles.

Materials

• Yarn: DK / light worsted weight.
  • Newborn: 200 yd / 183 m
  • 3-6 months: 225 yd / 206 m
  • 6-12 months: 275 yd / 251 m
  • 12-18 months: 325 yd / 297 m
• Needles:
  • Main: US 6 / UK (old) 8 / 4.0 mm circular needle, 16" / 40 cm (for yoke). Use longer circular (24"/60 cm) or DPNs for sleeves if preferred.
  • Ribbing: US 5 / UK (old) 9 / 3.75 mm circular or DPNs (for cuffs if using smaller DPNs).
• Notions: stitch markers (4 of one color or 3 plus a beginning-of-round marker), tapestry needle, scrap yarn or stitch holder, waste yarn for provisional cast-on if you want a neater neck (optional).

Abbreviations

• k = knit
• p = purl
• st(s) = stitch(es)
• rnd = round
• k2tog = knit two together (right-leaning decrease)
• ssk = slip, slip, knit (left-leaning decrease)
• m1 = make one increase (lift bar and knit through back loop or preferred method)
• pm = place marker
• sm = slip marker
• CO = cast on

Sizes & starting stitch counts

Cast on and initial section counts (Front / Sleeve / Back / Sleeve):

• Newborn: CO 56 (sections 14 / 14 / 14 / 14)
• 3-6m: CO 60 (sections 15 / 15 / 15 / 15)
• 6-12m: CO 64 (sections 16 / 16 / 16 / 16)
• 12-18m: CO 68 (sections 17 / 17 / 17 / 17)

Yoke — top-down raglan

1. Using larger needles, CO 56 (60, 64, 68) sts. Join carefully to work in the round, being careful not to twist. Place markers to divide sections: [Front] pm [Sleeve] pm [Back] pm [Sleeve] pm (use a different marker to indicate beginning of round).
2. Ribbed neck option: Work 6 rnds in 1x1 rib (k1, p1) on smaller needles if you want a ribbed collar, then switch to larger needles and proceed. Or continue in stockinette if you prefer a rolled edge.
3. Raglan increase round (worked every right-side round):

   Round: knit to 1 stitch before marker, m1, k1, sm, k1, m1, knit to next marker, repeat for all raglan markers.

   Notes: Each increase round adds 8 sts total (2 sts per section). Continue these increase rounds as instructed below.

4. Work raglan increases for a total of 4 (5, 6, 6) increase rounds. After these increases your total stitch counts will be:
   • Newborn: 88 sts (22 / 22 / 22 / 22)
   • 3-6m: 100 sts (25 / 25 / 25 / 25)
   • 6-12m: 112 sts (28 / 28 / 28 / 28)
   • 12-18m: 116 sts (29 / 29 / 29 / 29)

   Measure the yoke depth: these increase rounds will bring the yoke to approximately the correct underarm depth for these sizes; if you prefer a different fit, you may work one increase round more or fewer. Yoke depth (from cast-on to underarm) will be approximately 3.75"–5" depending on size.

5. Separate sleeves: Place the stitches of each sleeve (the two sleeve sections) onto scrap yarn or stitch holders. Join the body stitches (Front + Back sections) onto the needle and join in the round, being careful to maintain stitch marker placement for the raglan seams. You will now work the body in the round and sleeves separately later.

Body

1. With body sts on your needle (st counts: Newborn 44 / 3-6m 50 / 6-12m 56 / 12-18m 58), continue in stockinette (knit every rnd) until body measures 6.5" (8", 9.5", 11") / 16.5 (20.5, 24, 28) cm from underarm, or your desired length to hem.
2. Switch to smaller needles. Work 1x1 rib (k1, p1) for 1.5" / 4 cm. Bind off loosely in rib pattern. We recommend a stretchy bind-off such as Jeny’s surprisingly stretchy bind-off or bind off in pattern with a larger needle.

Sleeves (make 2)

1. Transfer sleeve sts from scrap yarn back to needles. Each sleeve starts with the section count after increases: Newborn 22, 3-6m 25, 6-12m 28, 12-18m 29 sts.
2. Pick up and knit 4 (4, 6, 6) sts at the underarm to close the gap (distribute evenly). Your sleeve stitch counts will now be: Newborn 26, 3-6m 29, 6-12m 34, 12-18m 35 sts. Place a marker for beginning of round and work in the round.
3. Knit in stockinette until sleeve measures 4" (5", 6", 7") / 10 (12.5, 15, 18) cm from underarm, or desired sleeve length to start cuff.
4. Shape sleeve toward cuff: decrease evenly until you have 16 (16, 18, 20) sts on the needle for cuff ribbing. Suggested decrease method: work a decrease round every 6th round (or every 8th round for a looser sleeve) as follows: if you need totake off D sts total to reach the cuff count, perform decreases (k2tog and ssk) spaced evenly around the round so that each decrease round reduces 2 sts (one at each side of the underarm area). Repeat decrease rounds as needed until target cuff stitch count is reached. Example decrease plan:
   • Newborn: 26 -> 16. Decrease 10 sts total: perform 5 decrease rounds of k... k2tog at right of marker and ssk at left (reduces 2 sts per decrease round).
   • 3-6m: 29 -> 16. Decrease 13 sts total: perform 7 decrease rounds spaced about every 6 rounds (6 rounds reduce 12 sts, final round reduce 1 extra with an extra decrease placed).
   • 6-12m: 34 -> 18. Decrease 16 sts total: perform 8 decrease rounds.
   • 12-18m: 35 -> 20. Decrease 15 sts total: perform 8 decrease rounds (last round reduce 1 extra as needed).

   Note: You can calculate exact spacing using round length / number of decreases to place decreases evenly; if you prefer simpler shaping, decrease every 4th or 6th round until the cuff count is reached, maintaining an even look.

5. When you have reached the cuff stitch count, switch to smaller needles and work 1x1 rib (k1, p1) for 1.5" / 4 cm. Bind off loosely in rib.

Finishing

• Weave in ends with tapestry needle. Block gently to measurements. If you used provisional cast-on for the neck, graft or pick up live stitches and work a small neck rib if desired.
• Check sleeve lengths and weave in any remaining ends. Trim excess yarn and press lightly if using steam-safe yarn.

Pattern notes & fit tips

• This pattern uses a fast top-down raglan increase method. If you prefer more gradual yoke shaping, work increases every other round or alternate an increase round with plain rounds.
• To adapt for a cardigan, work the yoke flat from a sequence with a center-front opening or add a button band and steek (if comfortable) or pick up stitches for a front band after finishing the body. Buttons and buttonholes are not included in this pullover pattern.
• Yarn substitution: choose yarn with similar gauge and fiber content. Natural fibers such as merino or a washable wool blend are baby-friendly. Check gauge and adjust needle size if needed.

Care

Follow yarn manufacturer’s care instructions. Many DK baby yarns are machine washable on gentle cycle; reshaping and laying flat to dry will keep the sweater looking its best.

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