Amazing Knitting

Storybook Baby Hoodie – Free Baby & Toddler Knitting Pattern

Storybook Baby Hoodie. Photo © Lion Brand

Storybook Baby Hoodie is a free baby and toddler cardigan knitting pattern from Lion Brand Yarn. Worked in cozy garter stitch, this classic hooded cardigan comes in four sizes ranging from 3–6 months to 4 years.

The design uses worsted-weight yarn and simple textured garter stitch throughout. A roomy hood, long sleeves, buttoned front and playful tassel give the finished sweater its charming storybook look.

Storybook Baby Hoodie Pattern Details

Designer: Lion Brand Yarn
Pattern number: 90427AD
Published: January 2010
Craft: Knitting
Category: Baby and child hooded cardigan
Pattern availability: Free pattern
Sizes: 3–6 months (12–18 months, 2 years, 4 years)
Yarn weight: #4 Medium / Worsted
Suggested yarn: Lion Brand Pound of Love
Needles: 4 mm (US 6)
Crochet hook: 5 mm (US H-8), for the tassel
Gauge: 18 stitches + 40 rows = 4 inches (10 cm) in garter stitch
Main stitch: Garter stitch
Construction: Worked flat and seamed
Features: Hood, long sleeves, buttons and tassel
Language: English

A Classic Hooded Cardigan for Babies and Toddlers

Storybook Baby Hoodie combines the practicality of a cardigan with the extra warmth of a knitted hood. The simple garter-stitch fabric gives the sweater plenty of texture without requiring an elaborate stitch pattern.

The buttoned front makes the cardigan easy to layer over other baby clothes, while the hood and long sleeves make it especially appealing for cooler weather.

Four Baby and Child Sizes

The free Lion Brand pattern includes four sizes: 3–6 months, 12–18 months, 2 years and 4 years.

The approximate finished chest measurements are:

3–6 months: 19½ inches (49.5 cm)
12–18 months: 21½ inches (54.5 cm)
2 years: 23 inches (58.5 cm)
4 years: 25 inches (63.5 cm)

The approximate finished lengths are:

3–6 months: 9½ inches (24 cm)
12–18 months: 10 inches (25.5 cm)
2 years: 11 inches (28 cm)
4 years: 12 inches (30.5 cm)

When choosing a size, compare the finished measurements with a garment that fits the child comfortably rather than relying only on age.

Garter Stitch Knitting

One of the defining features of Storybook Baby Hoodie is its all-over garter stitch.

The pieces are worked flat, so the garter-stitch fabric is created by knitting every row. The horizontal ridges give the cardigan a soft, textured appearance while keeping the stitch pattern consistent throughout the project.

How Is the Storybook Baby Hoodie Constructed?

The main sweater body is initially worked in one piece up to the armholes. At that point, the knitting is divided to form the two fronts and the back.

The sleeves are knitted separately, and the hood is also worked as a separate piece. The completed pieces are then assembled and seamed according to the Lion Brand instructions.

Because the pieces are worked back and forth rather than in the round, the project does not require knitting the sleeves on double-pointed needles or using another small-circumference method.

Yarn for the Storybook Baby Hoodie

The original pattern uses Lion Brand Pound of Love, a #4 Medium / Worsted acrylic yarn.

Lion Brand specifies one ball of Pound of Love for the pattern. Because a Pound of Love ball contains a very generous amount of yarn, the designer notes that the specified amount is sufficient for more than one sweater.

If you substitute another worsted-weight yarn, do not simply buy one ball. Skein sizes vary dramatically between yarns, so use the pattern requirements and gauge when calculating your substitute.

For a baby or toddler cardigan, softness, durability and easy washing are useful qualities to consider when choosing yarn.

Needles and Gauge

Storybook Baby Hoodie uses 4 mm (US 6) knitting needles.

The specified gauge is: 18 stitches + 40 rows = 4 inches (10 cm) in garter stitch.

Checking gauge is particularly important for a fitted garment because it determines whether the finished chest and length measurements will correspond to the intended size.

The Hood and Tassel

The hood is one of the features that gives this cardigan its distinctive appearance. It is knitted separately and attached during finishing.

A tassel adds a playful detail to the top of the hood. Lion Brand uses a small amount of crochet when finishing the tassel, so the materials list also calls for a 5 mm (US H-8) crochet hook.

The crochet portion is only a small part of the overall project; the cardigan itself is a knitting pattern.

Buttons and Finishing

The pattern calls for two ½-inch (13 mm) buttons. These create the simple front closure while leaving the lower portion of the cardigan open.

Lion Brand also notes that the button and buttonhole placement can be reversed, allowing you to customize the front closure if desired.

Since the sweater is constructed from flat pieces, neat seaming is an important part of the finishing process. Taking time with the shoulder, sleeve and hood seams will help give the cardigan a polished appearance.

Skills Used in the Storybook Baby Hoodie

Useful techniques for this project include:

Garter stitch
Working back and forth on straight or circular needles
Increasing stitches
Dividing the body for fronts and back
Buttonholes
Basic garment shaping
Seaming knitted pieces
Attaching sleeves and a hood
A small amount of crochet for the tassel

About the Skill Level

Older versions of the Lion Brand pattern described Storybook Baby Hoodie as Easy+. Lion Brand's current pattern page uses its newer classification of Level 4 – Intermediate+.

Regardless of the label, it is useful to review the techniques and construction before beginning. The garter stitch itself is simple, but the project also involves garment shaping, separate sleeves and hood, buttonholes, seaming and finishing.

Why Knit the Storybook Baby Hoodie?

Storybook Baby Hoodie is a versatile children's project because the same free pattern covers both baby and toddler sizes.

Its garter-stitch texture keeps the knitting visually simple, while the hood, tassel, buttons and cardigan construction add enough detail to make the finished garment special.

It can also make a lovely handmade baby gift, especially because you can return to the same pattern in a larger size as the child grows.

Get the Free Storybook Baby Hoodie Pattern

The complete Storybook Baby Hoodie, pattern 90427AD, is currently available free from Lion Brand Yarn.

Get the Free Storybook Baby Hoodie Pattern at Lion Brand

Pattern availability was checked when this article was updated. Availability and access requirements on external websites may change over time.

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Nola’s Slippers – Free Easy Slipper Knitting Pattern

Nola's Slippers. Photos © annakg

Nola's Slippers by Nola Miller is a classic free slipper knitting pattern from the Seamen's Church Institute Christmas at Sea program.

Warm, practical and surprisingly straightforward to construct, these slippers are worked flat using two strands of worsted-weight yarn held together. Most of the project is simple garter stitch, with a comfortable ribbed cuff around the ankle.

Nola's Slippers Pattern Details

Designer: Nola Miller
Publisher: The Seamen's Church Institute – Christmas at Sea
Craft: Knitting
Category: Adult slippers
Pattern availability: Free
Construction: Worked flat and seamed
Yarn: Worsted weight held double
Yardage: Approximately 500 yards (457 m) total
Needles: US 9 (5.5 mm) circular needle, 24 inches or longer
Gauge: 12 stitches × 24 rows = 4 inches (10 cm) in garter stitch
Finished height: Approximately 9 inches from top of cuff to sole
Finished length: Approximately 11 inches from heel to toe
Techniques: Ribbing, garter stitch, shaping, picking up stitches and seaming
Skill level: Level 3 in the official Christmas at Sea handbook
Language: English

A Classic Cozy Slipper Pattern

Nola's Slippers have a wonderfully traditional handmade look, with a tall ribbed cuff, garter-stitch foot and substantial fabric that helps keep feet warm.

The design was created for the Christmas at Sea program, which provides handmade knitted and crocheted gifts to mariners.

The official handbook describes the slippers as a welcome comfort after spending a day in steel-toed boots.

Worked Flat, Not in the Round

One detail worth emphasizing is that the original Nola's Slippers pattern is worked flat.

You do not need double-pointed needles or magic loop to follow the official instructions.

A circular needle is recommended, but it is used to accommodate the stitches and make picking up stitches around the foot easier—not because the slipper is knitted continuously in the round.

Two Strands of Worsted Yarn Held Together

The official pattern calls for two strands of worsted-weight yarn held together throughout the project.

Holding the yarn double creates the thick, warm fabric that gives these slippers their cozy character.

Approximately 500 yards (457 m) of worsted-weight yarn are listed for the pair.

Can You Use One Strand of Bulky Yarn?

Some knitters choose a bulky or super-bulky yarn instead of holding two strands of worsted together, but that is a substitution rather than the original pattern specification.

If you make this change, choose your yarn and needle size according to the required gauge rather than relying only on the yarn-weight label.

For the original pattern, the target gauge is 12 stitches and 24 rows = 4 inches in garter stitch.

US 9 / 5.5 mm Needles

The official instructions recommend a US 9 (5.5 mm) circular needle, or the needle size required to obtain gauge.

A circular needle at least 24 inches long is useful when the pattern reaches the stage where stitches are picked up along both sides of the foot.

Again, the circular needle is being used for convenience while working flat; the original slippers are not constructed in the round.

Ribbed Cuff

The project begins with a tall 1×1 ribbed cuff.

Ribbing gives the upper portion of the slipper elasticity, helping it sit comfortably around the ankle while providing extra warmth.

After the cuff is established, the construction changes as the center stitches are used to form the tongue and upper foot.

Garter-Stitch Tongue and Foot

Much of Nola's Slippers is worked in garter stitch, making the fabric thick, stretchy and comfortable.

The tongue is formed from the center section of the cuff. Stitches are then picked up along its sides so that the knitting can expand around the foot.

This unusual construction is one of the reasons the slippers look much more structured than a simple flat rectangle even though they are knitted back and forth.

How the Toe Is Shaped

The toe takes shape through a series of decreases at the end of the knitted tongue.

After that shaping is complete, stitches are picked up along the sides of the tongue and combined with stitches from the cuff.

This creates the upper foot section without needing to knit a separate piece and sew it on later.

How the Sole Is Finished

After the foot has reached the required depth, decreases shape the sole of the slipper.

The official instructions provide two options for joining the live stitches underneath: Kitchener stitch or a three-needle bind-off.

The Seamen's Church Institute specifically notes that Kitchener stitch creates the smoother finish because it avoids leaving a ridge along the center of the sole.

Why Kitchener Stitch Is Useful Here

A ridge that would be harmless on a shoulder seam can become uncomfortable when it sits directly beneath your foot.

Kitchener stitch grafts the live stitches together and creates a much flatter join.

If you have never tried grafting before, a pair of slippers can be a practical project for learning the technique because the benefit of a smooth seam is immediately noticeable.

Final Seaming

Once the sole has been joined, the remaining yarn tail can be used to sew the heel and cuff seam.

The official pattern suggests either whipstitch or mattress stitch for this finishing step.

After the ends are woven in, the flat knitted piece has transformed into a warm, structured slipper.

Finished Size

The official finished measurements are approximately:

Height: 9 inches from the top of the cuff to the sole
Length: 11 inches from heel to toe

The original pattern is essentially a single adult size rather than a graded pattern with a full range of shoe sizes.

Keep this in mind if you are knitting for someone with particularly small or large feet.

A Unisex Slipper Design

Nola's Slippers have a simple, practical shape that works well as a unisex design.

The appearance can change dramatically depending on the yarn you choose. Natural wool shades create a rustic traditional slipper, while brighter or multicolored yarns can give the same pattern a more playful look.

Great for Using Worsted Yarn

Because the pattern uses two strands together, it can be a useful way to combine worsted-weight yarns already in your stash.

You can use matching strands for a solid look or experiment with two coordinating colors for a marled effect.

Just remember that changing yarns can affect gauge, thickness and the final size, so checking gauge remains important.

Skills Used in Nola's Slippers

Techniques used in the original pattern include:

Knitting and purling
1×1 ribbing
Garter stitch
Working flat
Holding two strands of yarn together
Basic decreases
Picking up and knitting stitches
Kitchener stitch or three-needle bind-off
Whipstitch or mattress stitch
Weaving in ends

Is Nola's Slippers Beginner Friendly?

Most of the actual knitting uses very accessible stitches, particularly ribbing and garter stitch.

The more interesting learning opportunities come from the construction: picking up stitches along the tongue, shaping the foot and joining the sole.

The current Christmas at Sea handbook labels the pattern Skill Level 3, so it is better viewed as an approachable project for a knitter who already knows the basic knit and purl stitches rather than an absolute first project.

A Practical Handmade Gift

Thick knitted slippers make a useful cold-weather gift, and this pattern has a particularly practical history.

It comes from the Seamen's Church Institute's Christmas at Sea program, whose volunteers make handmade items for mariners.

That practical purpose is reflected in the design: warm yarn, a secure ribbed cuff, substantial garter-stitch fabric and a smooth sole are more important here than decorative complexity.

Why Knit Nola's Slippers?

Nola's Slippers are a great choice if you want a cozy accessory that looks more complicated than the individual stitches actually are.

You get to practice ribbing, garter stitch, picking up stitches and shaping while producing a genuinely useful finished project.

The doubled worsted yarn also creates a satisfyingly substantial fabric, making these slippers especially appealing for cold floors and winter evenings.

Get the Free Nola's Slippers Knitting Pattern

Nola's Slippers by Nola Miller are part of the official free Christmas at Sea pattern collection from the Seamen's Church Institute.

Get the Free Nola's Slippers Knitting Pattern →

Pattern availability was checked when this article was updated. Availability and access on external websites may change over time.

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