Leaf Love Baby Sweater - Free Pattern

Photos above © AnaDs

Leaf Love Baby Sweater is a classic cardigan for any boy or girl. This is knit top-down, with an offset button front and lace panel.

Download Pattern: Leaf Love Baby Sweater

Leaf Lace Baby Sweater - Free Pattern

The photo above © Marlene

Looking for an elegant free baby knitting pattern with a traditional lace finish? The Bernat Leaf & Lace Set combines a beautiful knitted baby jacket with a matching hat and booties, creating a complete handmade outfit for a new baby.

Worked in soft Bernat Softee Baby yarn, the design uses delicate leaf-inspired lace details to give the set a classic heirloom appearance. You can knit the complete matching set or choose just the jacket, hat, or booties for a smaller project.

Bernat Leaf & Lace Baby Set at a Glance

Pattern: Bernat Leaf & Lace Set

Brand: Bernat

Publisher: Yarnspirations

Craft: Knitting

Set Includes: Baby Jacket, Hat/Bonnet and Booties

Skill Level: Intermediate

Yarn: Bernat Softee Baby

Needles: US 4 / 3.5 mm and US 5 / 3.75 mm

Gauge: 24 stitches and 32 rows = 4 inches in stockinette stitch

Sizes: 3 months and 6/12 months

Pattern Availability: Free download

About the Leaf & Lace Baby Set

The Bernat Leaf & Lace Set is more than a single baby sweater pattern. It is a coordinated knitting set consisting of a jacket, matching hat or bonnet, and baby booties.

A repeating foliage-inspired lace motif gives the pieces their distinctive appearance. The combination of soft baby yarn and decorative eyelet work creates a traditional style that works especially well for baby gifts, special occasions, and handmade keepsakes.

Baby Jacket

The jacket is the centerpiece of the set. It combines a classic baby-cardigan shape with decorative lace details and a shaped yoke.

According to the current pattern, the jacket is worked in one piece from the neck edge down. This top-down approach reduces some of the assembly normally associated with garments knitted as several separate pieces.

The finished cardigan can be paired with the matching accessories or worn by itself as a lightweight knitted baby layer.

Matching Hat and Baby Booties

One of the nicest features of this pattern is the ability to create a complete coordinated outfit.

The matching headwear carries the lace theme from the jacket, while the tiny booties repeat the decorative texture on a much smaller scale.

You do not have to make all three pieces at once. The accessories can also work as individual projects when you want something smaller or have limited knitting time.

Available Baby Sizes

The current Yarnspirations pattern provides two size options:

• 3 months
• 6/12 months

When knitting baby garments, always use the measurements in the current pattern rather than relying only on the age label. Babies of the same age can vary considerably in size.

Yarn for the Leaf & Lace Set

The pattern is designed for Bernat Softee Baby, a lightweight yarn intended for baby garments and accessories.

The amount of yarn required depends on the size and whether you are knitting only the jacket or the complete jacket, hat, and booties set.

If you substitute another yarn, choose one that can achieve the required gauge and that is appropriate for garments worn by babies.

Needles and Gauge

The pattern lists two knitting needle sizes:

• US 4 / 3.5 mm
• US 5 / 3.75 mm

The published gauge is:

24 stitches × 32 rows = 4 inches in stockinette stitch

Matching gauge is especially important when making the jacket because it determines whether the finished garment will correspond to the intended baby size.

Additional Materials

In addition to yarn and knitting needles, the current pattern calls for several finishing supplies, including:

• Stitch holders
• Stitch markers
• US F/5 / 3.75 mm crochet hook
• 2 buttons
• Yarn needle
• Ribbon for the bonnet

Check the official pattern before purchasing materials because requirements can vary by size and by which pieces of the set you plan to make.

The Leaf Lace Design

The decorative stitch pattern is what gives this baby set its name. Yarn overs, decreases, and other lace techniques create repeating shapes reminiscent of small leaves.

This openwork detail adds visual interest without requiring different yarn colors, so a single soft shade can still produce a highly decorative garment.

Soft green emphasizes the botanical theme beautifully, while white, cream, pastel pink, blue, or other baby-friendly shades can give the same pattern a completely different appearance.

Skill Level and Techniques

Yarnspirations currently classifies the Leaf & Lace Set as an Intermediate knitting pattern.

Depending on which pieces you make, you may encounter techniques such as:

• Knit and purl stitches
• Yarn overs
• Knitted increases
• Knitted decreases
• Lace pattern repeats
• Stitch markers and stitch holders
• Garment shaping
• Picking up or managing stitches
• Basic finishing

Reading the entire pattern before casting on is particularly useful when working a lace design because increases and decreases need to remain correctly aligned with the pattern repeat.

A Beautiful Handmade Baby Gift

A coordinated knitted set can make a particularly thoughtful baby-shower, newborn, or keepsake gift.

If you have time, knitting the jacket, hat, and booties together creates an impressive matching outfit. If you prefer a smaller project, the jacket or accessories can also stand alone.

The classic lace texture gives the finished pieces a traditional appearance that can work well as an heirloom-style baby set.

Is the Bernat Leaf & Lace Pattern Free?

Yes. The Bernat Leaf & Lace Set is currently available from Yarnspirations as a 100% free pattern download.

Yarnspirations notes that an item associated with the pattern has been discontinued, but the knitting pattern itself remains available to download for free.

Amazing Knitting does not reproduce the copyrighted pattern instructions. Please use the official Yarnspirations page for the complete pattern.

Get the Free Leaf & Lace Baby Set Pattern

Visit Yarnspirations to download the current pattern and view the latest sizing, materials, instructions, and pattern updates.

Get the Free Leaf & Lace Set Pattern →

Pattern credit: Leaf & Lace Set is a Bernat knitting pattern published by Yarnspirations. Pattern availability, sizing, materials, and technical information are controlled by the publisher and may change over time.

More Baby Knitting Inspiration

Explore more baby cardigan knitting patterns, baby booties knitting patterns, and baby hat knitting patterns from the Amazing Knitting archive.

Before You Start

Visit the current Yarnspirations pattern page before buying yarn or beginning the project. Confirm the size you want to make, yarn quantity, needle sizes, gauge, buttons, ribbon, and any revised instructions before casting on.

Soft Coral Sweater - Free Pattern

Photo above © Cords06

This soft coral baby sweater project is based on the Maile Sweater by Nikki Van De Car, a delicate free baby cardigan knitting pattern featuring a graceful leaf-inspired lace motif.

Designed for a young baby and worked in fingering-weight yarn, the Maile Sweater combines a lightweight fabric with decorative lace details for a sweet heirloom-style finish.

Maile Sweater at a Glance

Pattern: Maile Sweater

Designer: Nikki Van De Car

First Published: February 2010

Craft: Knitting

Category: Baby Cardigan / Sweater

Yarn Weight: Fingering

Needle Size: US 4 / 3.5 mm

Gauge: 6 stitches × 9 rows = 1 inch

Yardage: About 200–300 yards / 183–274 m

Published Size: 3 months

Pattern Availability: Free

About the Maile Sweater

The Maile Sweater was designed by Nikki Van De Car as a special baby sweater featuring a decorative leaf motif.

The name comes from the maile vine of Hawaii. The designer explains that the leaf pattern used in the sweater was inspired by the maile leis traditionally worn draped over the shoulders.

That botanical inspiration gives the sweater its distinctive appearance without turning the entire garment into an all-over lace project.

Yarn and Yardage

The original pattern suggests Dream in Color Smooshy, a fingering-weight merino yarn.

The published yardage is approximately:

200–300 yards / 183–274 metres

When substituting yarn, look for a fingering-weight yarn that produces the correct gauge and a fabric soft enough for baby wear.

Washability is also worth considering when choosing yarn for a baby garment.

Needles and Gauge

The original pattern recommends:

US 4 / 3.5 mm knitting needles

The published stockinette gauge is:

6 stitches × 9 rows = 1 inch

Gauge is especially important in a baby sweater because even a relatively small difference can noticeably change the finished size.

About the Size

The original Maile Sweater pattern is published in a 3-month baby size.

If you want to make the sweater for an older baby, do not simply assume that increasing the needle size will create a correctly proportioned garment. A pattern specifically graded for the size you need is generally the safer choice.

The Leaf-Inspired Detail

One of the most recognizable features of the Maile Sweater is its decorative leaf-inspired lace.

This detail gives the cardigan an heirloom appearance while allowing the rest of the garment to remain comparatively simple.

A smooth, solid-colored yarn can help the lace motif remain visible, although softly tonal yarns can also work beautifully.

Skills That Help

Before beginning, it is useful to be comfortable with:

• Casting on
• Knit and purl stitches
• Reading written knitting instructions
• Basic increases and decreases
• Following a lace motif
• Maintaining gauge
• Binding off
• Weaving in yarn ends

If lace knitting is new to you, read through the complete pattern before starting and consider using stitch markers or a row counter to keep track of the decorative section.

Good News: The Maile Sweater Pattern Is Still Free

The original Maile Sweater is currently listed as a free knitting pattern on Ravelry, so readers can still access the legitimate designer-provided pattern without relying on copied instructions from third-party websites.

Why This Baby Sweater Is Still Popular

The Maile Sweater has remained popular because it combines several qualities knitters often look for in a baby project: modest yarn requirements, a lightweight fabric, decorative detail, and an heirloom-style appearance.

Ravelry records thousands of completed Maile Sweater projects, making it one of Nikki Van De Car's best-known baby knitting designs.

Get the Free Maile Sweater Pattern

Visit the Ravelry pattern page for the current free pattern information and the designer's official pattern link.

Get the Free Maile Sweater Pattern →

Pattern credit: Maile Sweater was designed by Nikki Van De Car. The project photo featured on this Amazing Knitting page is credited to Cords06. Amazing Knitting does not reproduce the designer's copyrighted row-by-row pattern instructions.

More Free Baby Sweater Patterns

Explore more free baby sweater knitting patterns, free baby cardigan patterns, and lace baby sweaters from the Amazing Knitting archive.

Before You Start

Open the current designer pattern before casting on, confirm the published size is appropriate for the baby you are knitting for, choose a suitable fingering-weight yarn, and make a gauge swatch if fit is important.

Autumn Leaves - Free Pattern

Photo above © figandplum 

Autumn Leaves by Nikki Van De Car is a charming top-down baby cardigan featuring a beautiful leaf-lace yoke that spreads gracefully across the shoulders.

Designed in three baby sizes, Autumn Leaves combines an eye-catching decorative yoke with a practical cardigan construction. Despite the impressive appearance of the leaf pattern, the designer describes the knitting as intuitive once the repeating structure becomes familiar. Best of all, the original pattern is still available free from the designer.

✓ Free Pattern Availability

Good news: Autumn Leaves by Nikki Van De Car is still available as a free knitting pattern. The designer currently provides the pattern on her own pattern page, making that the preferred source for the current instructions.

Autumn Leaves Cardigan at a Glance

Pattern: Autumn Leaves

Designer: Nikki Van De Car

First Published: October 2008

Craft: Knitting

Category: Baby Cardigan

Sizes: 6–9, 9–12 and 12–15 months

Construction: Top-down, one-piece cardigan

Feature: Leaf-lace circular yoke

Yarn: DK or worsted weight, depending on size

Needles: US 5, US 7 or US 9, depending on size

Notions: 4 stitch markers, tapestry needle and 3 buttons

Current Availability: Free pattern

About the Autumn Leaves Baby Cardigan

The defining feature of Autumn Leaves is its decorative leaf-lace yoke.

The leaves spread around the upper cardigan and create much of the garment's visual interest before the knitting transitions into the simpler body and sleeves.

This balance makes the cardigan particularly appealing: there is enough lace to make the project special without covering the entire garment in a complicated stitch pattern.

Three Baby Sizes

Autumn Leaves includes three sizes:

• 6–9 months
• 9–12 months
• 12–15 months

An important detail is that the designer changes yarn weight, needle size and gauge between the sizes. Do not assume that all three sizes use exactly the same materials.

Yarn Requirements

Nikki Van De Car currently gives the following approximate yarn requirements:

• 6–9 months: approximately 200 yards
• 9–12 months: approximately 250 yards
• 12–15 months: approximately 300 yards

DK yarn is specified for the smaller size, while the designer allows DK or worsted for the middle size depending on the desired fabric. The largest size uses worsted-weight yarn.

Always check the current designer pattern before purchasing yarn because matching the appropriate gauge for your chosen size is essential.

Needle Sizes

Needle size also changes with the cardigan size:

• 6–9 months: US 5 / 3.75 mm
• 9–12 months: US 7 / 4.5 mm
• 12–15 months: US 9 / 5.5 mm

The original materials list calls for a circular needle. The cardigan is worked flat; the circular needle provides a convenient way to hold the increasing number of stitches across the yoke and body.

Gauge by Size

The published gauges are:

• US 5: 24.5 stitches × 32.5 rows = 4 inches / 10 cm
• US 7: 18 stitches × 29 rows = 4 inches / 10 cm
• US 9: 15.5 stitches × 23 rows = 4 inches / 10 cm

This size-specific gauge information is particularly important. Select your intended size first, then swatch with the appropriate yarn and needle combination.

The Leaf-Lace Yoke

The yoke is what gives Autumn Leaves its recognizable appearance.

Lace increases form the expanding leaf motifs as the cardigan grows outward from the neckline. The decorative shaping and garment shaping therefore work together rather than existing as separate features.

Once blocked, the open sections help define the leaves and allow the pattern to spread naturally across the baby's shoulders.

Top-Down Construction

Autumn Leaves is a top-down, one-piece cardigan.

Beginning at the neckline allows the decorative yoke to be established first. The garment then develops downward into the body and sleeves.

One-piece construction also reduces the amount of traditional garment assembly compared with sweaters knitted as separate front, back and sleeve pieces.

Seed Stitch Edging

Seed stitch provides a neat textured contrast to the open leaf lace.

Because seed stitch alternates knit and purl stitches, it creates a compact textured surface that helps frame the cardigan while allowing the lace yoke to remain the main decorative feature.

Buttons and Other Materials

In addition to yarn and needles, the designer lists:

• 3 buttons
• 4 stitch markers
• A tapestry needle

Stitch markers are especially useful around a patterned yoke because they help separate important sections and make it easier to identify an error before it travels through several rows.

Written Instructions and Chart

Autumn Leaves has both written pattern information and a chart available for the decorative section.

If you are new to lace charts, comparing the chart with the written directions can be a useful way to learn how the symbols correspond to actual stitches.

Amazing Knitting does not reproduce the designer's chart or row-by-row instructions. Use Nikki Van De Car's current pattern page for the exact stitch sequence and shaping.

Skills That Help

Useful skills for Autumn Leaves include:

• Casting on
• Knit and purl stitches
• Seed stitch
• Yarn overs
• Basic lace decreases
• Following written lace instructions
• Reading a knitting chart
• Using stitch markers
• Working buttonholes
• Working a top-down garment
• Binding off
• Blocking lace

Why Blocking Matters

Lace often looks much less impressive immediately after it comes off the needles.

Gentle blocking helps the leaf motifs open and allows the shape of the yoke to become clearer.

Always follow the washing and blocking recommendations appropriate for the yarn you choose, especially for a baby garment.

Choosing a Colour

The leaf motif makes Autumn Leaves a natural candidate for warm seasonal colours such as rust, mustard, moss, burgundy or soft brown.

But the design does not need to look autumnal. Cream, pale pink, blue, lavender or soft green can turn the same pattern into a cardigan suitable for any season.

A solid or gently heathered yarn will generally make the lace leaves easier to see than a highly contrasting variegated yarn.

Is Autumn Leaves Still Free?

Yes. Autumn Leaves by Nikki Van De Car is currently available as a free knitting pattern.

The designer maintains a current online version of the pattern, and Ravelry also continues to list Autumn Leaves as free.

Amazing Knitting provides this project guide and directs readers to the legitimate original source rather than reproducing the designer's copyrighted pattern instructions.

Get the Free Autumn Leaves Pattern

The best current source is Nikki Van De Car's own Autumn Leaves pattern page.

Get the Free Autumn Leaves Pattern →

More Free Baby Cardigans

If you enjoy leaf yokes and small top-down garments, continue exploring the Amazing Knitting archive for more free baby sweater patterns.

Explore Free Baby Cardigan Patterns →

You can also browse leaf-lace baby sweaters, top-down baby cardigans, and free baby knitting patterns.

Before You Start

Decide which of the three sizes you are making before buying yarn because the recommended yarn weight, needle size and gauge change between sizes.

Make a gauge swatch, prepare your stitch markers and read through the leaf-yoke section before casting on. If lace charts are unfamiliar, keep the written directions nearby while learning the pattern.

Pattern credit: Autumn Leaves was designed by Nikki Van De Car and published in connection with What To Knit When You're Expecting. The existing photograph on this Amazing Knitting page is credited to figandplum. Amazing Knitting does not reproduce the designer's copyrighted chart or row-by-row knitting instructions.