Baby Kimono - Free Knitting Pattern

Photos above © Tichiro

Garter Stitch Baby Cardigan by Joji Locatelli, often known by knitters as the Garter Stitch Baby Kimono, is a sweet wrap-style baby cardigan worked almost entirely in garter stitch.

Its crossover front gives the little sweater its kimono-inspired appearance, while the simple stitch pattern makes it an appealing project for knitters ready to try a small baby garment.

✓ Free Pattern

This project is commonly referred to as the Baby Kimono, but the pattern's official name is Garter Stitch Baby Cardigan by Joji Locatelli. A free copy of the designer's original pattern remains available online.

Baby Kimono at a Glance

Official Pattern: Garter Stitch Baby Cardigan

Designer: Joji Locatelli

Craft: Knitting

Category: Baby Cardigan / Kimono-Style Sweater

Sizes: Newborn, 1–3 months, 3–6 months

Main Stitch: Garter stitch

Needles: 2.5–3 mm

Gauge: 28 stitches = 10 cm in garter stitch

Yarn: Approximately 100–150 g, depending on size

Notions: Two approximately 15 mm buttons

Availability: Free pattern

About the Garter Stitch Baby Kimono

Joji Locatelli originally wrote down this design after the knitted cardigan attracted considerable interest from other knitters.

The result is a simple wrap-style baby cardigan with overlapping fronts. Because garter stitch forms most of the fabric, the visual interest comes primarily from the shape of the garment rather than complicated stitch patterns.

The crossover construction also makes it quite different in appearance from a conventional button-front baby cardigan.

Three Baby Sizes

The original pattern includes three sizes:

• Newborn
• 1–3 months
• 3–6 months

The published finished chest measurements are approximately:

• Newborn: 40 cm / 16 inches
• 1–3 months: 45 cm / 18 inches
• 3–6 months: 50 cm / 20 inches

Finished total lengths are approximately 20, 24 and 26 cm (8, 9.5 and 11 inches) respectively.

When possible, choose a size from the finished measurements rather than relying only on the baby's age.

Yarn Requirements

Joji's original sample was knitted with an acrylic yarn called NUBE Dralón, which she found in Argentina.

However, the pattern specifically allows another suitable yarn to be substituted.

The approximate yarn quantities given in the original pattern are:

• Smaller size: approximately 100 g
• Larger sizes: approximately 150 g

Rather than choosing a substitute based only on fibre or label, make sure your yarn can produce the required gauge and a fabric appropriate for a soft baby cardigan.

Needles and Gauge

The original pattern recommends needles in the range of:

2.5–3 mm

The designer also notes that you should use whatever needle size is necessary to obtain the correct gauge.

Published gauge is:

28 stitches = 10 cm / 4 inches in garter stitch

Making a small swatch is especially worthwhile for a baby garment because even a modest difference in gauge can noticeably change such a small finished size.

Why Garter Stitch Works So Well

Garter stitch is created by knitting every row when working flat. It produces a fabric with distinctive horizontal ridges and plenty of natural stretch.

It also lies relatively flat, making it particularly useful for a wrap-style cardigan where clean edges help the overlapping fronts sit comfortably.

For a newer knitter, using one familiar stitch throughout much of the garment means more attention can be given to learning the construction and shaping.

The Kimono-Style Front

The crossover front is what gives this cardigan its familiar “baby kimono” nickname.

Rather than meeting at the center like a conventional cardigan, one front overlaps the other. The original design uses buttons together with an inside fastening to help hold the layers in position.

The pattern calls for two buttons approximately 15 mm in diameter.

Skills That Help

Useful skills for this project include:

• Casting on
• Garter stitch
• Basic shaping
• Increasing and decreasing
• Making buttonholes
• Picking up stitches
• Working sleeves
• Binding off
• Simple finishing
• Weaving in yarn ends

Use Joji Locatelli's original pattern for the exact stitch counts, shaping sequence, sleeve construction and finishing instructions.

A Popular Little Cardigan

One reason this design has remained recognizable for so many years is its simplicity.

Thousands of knitters have made versions of the Garter Stitch Baby Cardigan, experimenting with different yarns, colours and small finishing modifications while retaining the characteristic wrap-front shape.

That makes the Ravelry project gallery especially useful for inspiration before choosing yarn for your own version.

Choosing Yarn for a Baby Cardigan

In addition to matching gauge, consider how the finished garment will be used.

Softness matters for clothing worn close to a baby's skin, while easy washing can be valuable for an everyday garment. Also check that the finished garter-stitch fabric is not excessively dense or loose.

A smooth yarn can emphasize the simple garter ridges, while a gently heathered or subtly variegated yarn can add colour interest without competing with the clean construction.

Is the Baby Kimono Pattern Free?

Yes. The Garter Stitch Baby Cardigan pattern by Joji Locatelli was released as a free knitting pattern.

Amazing Knitting does not reproduce Joji's copyrighted row-by-row instructions. Instead, we link readers to the existing pattern source.

Get the Free Baby Kimono Pattern

The pattern is available as a PDF under its original name, Garter Stitch Baby Kimono / Garter Stitch Baby Cardigan.

View the Free Baby Kimono Pattern →

More Free Baby Cardigans

If you enjoy small wrap-style garments, continue exploring the Amazing Knitting archive for more free baby sweaters and cardigans.

Explore Free Baby Cardigan Patterns →

You can also browse free baby sweaters, newborn knitting patterns, and garter-stitch baby cardigans.

Before You Start

Choose your size from the finished measurements, make a garter-stitch gauge swatch, and check that your yarn creates a soft but stable fabric before beginning the cardigan.

Read the complete original pattern before casting on so that you understand how the overlapping fronts, sleeves and fastenings come together.

Pattern credit: Garter Stitch Baby Cardigan / Baby Kimono was designed by Joji Locatelli. The existing photographs on this Amazing Knitting page are credited to Tichiro. Amazing Knitting does not reproduce the designer's copyrighted row-by-row knitting instructions.

Baby Cardigan - Free Knitting Pattern

Photos above © MmeUlma & © sorrelwood

Looking for a simple and charming baby wrap cardigan knitting pattern? This garter-stitch cardigan is a classic crossover design that is worked largely in one piece, making it especially appealing to knitters who prefer simple construction and minimal finishing.

The cardigan has a soft wrap-over front and a timeless handmade look that works beautifully for newborn gifts, baby showers, and everyday baby wear.

Baby Wrap Cardigan at a Glance

Pattern Type: Baby Wrap Cardigan

Craft: Knitting

Category: Baby Cardigan / Wrap Sweater

Main Stitch: Garter Stitch

Construction: Worked mainly in one piece

Direction: Bottom-up, beginning with the back

Original Source: MmeUlma / Madam Ulma

About This Baby Cardigan

This little cardigan uses a wrap-over construction rather than a traditional button-front shape. The crossover front gives the garment a soft, comfortable look while also making it easy to layer over other baby clothes.

The design was originally shared through the MmeUlma blog and became popular online through knitting and Pinterest communities.

Worked in One Piece

One of the most appealing features of this cardigan is its construction. The garment is worked largely in one piece, beginning at the back and building upward.

One-piece baby garments can be especially attractive to knitters because they reduce the number of separate pieces that need to be assembled at the end.

This also helps create a clean, simple silhouette that suits the minimalist style of the cardigan.

Garter Stitch Texture

The cardigan is worked in garter stitch, one of the most useful and beginner-friendly knitting textures.

Garter stitch creates a soft, ridged fabric that lies flat naturally and does not curl at the edges in the same way as stockinette stitch.

That makes it a practical choice for baby garments, where soft texture and simple finishing are often desirable.

Why Wrap Cardigans Work Well for Babies

Wrap-style cardigans are popular for babies because the crossover front creates a flexible fit and avoids a bulky center-front opening.

They can also be layered over bodysuits, sleepsuits, and lightweight tops, making them useful through changing temperatures.

The simple shape also works well in both traditional baby colors and more modern, gender-neutral shades.

A Good Project for Newer Garment Knitters

Because the design relies on garter stitch and relatively simple construction, this type of cardigan can be a good transition project for knitters who are comfortable with scarves, blankets, or baby accessories and want to try a small garment.

The main skills typically involved include basic knit stitches, shaping, and managing the wrap-front construction.

Choosing Yarn for a Baby Cardigan

The original source page is no longer consistently accessible, so the current yarn specification cannot be verified reliably.

If you are recreating a similar wrap cardigan, choose a soft yarn suitable for baby garments and pay close attention to washability, fiber comfort, and gauge.

Always follow the original pattern specifications if you have a saved copy of the pattern, since yarn weight and needle size directly affect the finished size.

What About the Original Free Pattern?

This Amazing Knitting page originally linked to a free pattern page from MmeUlma.

At the moment, the original external page is no longer reliably accessible without a Google sign-in, so we cannot confirm whether the pattern is still publicly available in its original form.

Amazing Knitting does not reproduce the original designer's knitting instructions.

Original Pattern Source

The button below points to the original MmeUlma page that was linked from this article. Its current accessibility may vary.

Visit the Original Baby Cardigan Source →

Source note: This design was originally shared through MmeUlma. The original source page is currently not consistently accessible, so Amazing Knitting has intentionally avoided adding unverified sizing, yarn, needle, or gauge information.

More Baby Cardigan Knitting Inspiration

Explore more baby cardigan knitting patterns, baby wrap cardigan ideas, and baby sweater knitting patterns from the Amazing Knitting archive.

Before You Start

If you have access to the original MmeUlma instructions, use the designer's specified yarn, needle size, gauge, and measurements rather than relying on substitutions from other baby cardigan patterns.

Beautiful Baby Jacket - Knitting Pattern Guide

Photo above © bubbs

This Beautiful Baby Jacket is a sweet newborn cardigan discovered through an older knitting project shared online. The original knitter praised the fit and noted that the version shown was suitable for Iben as a newborn.

This Amazing Knitting page was originally published in 2019 as a free-pattern discovery. During our latest review, however, we could not reliably identify the original pattern or verify a legitimate current free download for the exact jacket shown.

Pattern Availability Update

This page was originally described as a free knitting pattern. We can still verify the historical project information shown here, but we have not been able to verify the exact original pattern source or a legitimate current free download. For that reason, Amazing Knitting no longer labels the exact photographed jacket as a currently available free pattern.

Beautiful Baby Jacket at a Glance

Project: Beautiful Baby Jacket

Craft: Knitting

Category: Baby Jacket / Cardigan

Shown Size: Newborn, according to the original knitter's project note

Original Designer: Not reliably identified

Project Photo: © bubbs

Current Availability: Exact original pattern not verified

About This Baby Jacket

The appeal of this little jacket is its simple, traditional baby-cardigan style. It is the kind of practical knitted layer that can work well over a bodysuit, sleepsuit or other lightweight baby clothing.

What made the original project particularly interesting was the knitter's comment about the fit. She described it as the best-fitting baby jacket she had knitted and said that the version shown fitted Iben as a newborn.

That is useful historical context for the photographed project, but it should not be treated as a complete sizing specification for another pattern.

Why We Are Not Guessing the Original Pattern

Many baby jackets share similar shapes, construction methods and finishing details.

A photograph alone is therefore not enough to identify a knitting pattern accurately.

Several different baby-cardigan patterns found online resemble this general style, but similarity does not prove that they are the pattern used for the photographed jacket.

Rather than incorrectly crediting another designer, Amazing Knitting leaves the original designer unidentified until a reliable source can be established.

Choosing a Newborn Jacket Pattern

If you are looking for a similar baby jacket to knit, start by checking the pattern's actual finished measurements rather than relying entirely on an age label such as “newborn.”

Babies vary considerably in size, and designers do not always use identical measurements for newborn, 0–1 month or 0–3 month sizing.

Compare the pattern measurements with a well-fitting baby garment when possible and remember to allow appropriate room for layering.

Yarn for a Baby Jacket

We have not verified the yarn used for the exact jacket pictured here, so we do not provide an invented yarn specification.

For whichever verified pattern you choose, use the yarn weight and gauge specified by that designer.

For baby garments, useful yarn characteristics often include:

• Softness against sensitive skin
• Practical washing and care
• Good stitch definition
• Comfortable weight
• Durability for repeated wear and washing

Gauge Matters for Baby Clothes

A small difference in gauge can have a surprisingly large effect on a tiny garment.

If your stitches are larger than the designer's gauge, the jacket can finish considerably wider and longer. If they are smaller, the finished garment may be too tight.

Always make a gauge swatch using the requirements of the verified pattern you decide to follow.

Check the Finished Measurements

Before casting on, look for measurements such as chest circumference, body length and sleeve length.

Finished measurements are usually much more useful than an age label when deciding whether a knitted baby jacket will fit as intended.

They are also useful if you are knitting the garment as a gift and want to choose a slightly larger size for future wear.

Useful Baby Cardigan Skills

The exact techniques required depend on the pattern you select, but common skills for knitted baby jackets include:

• Casting on and binding off
• Knit and purl stitches
• Garter or stockinette stitch
• Increasing and decreasing
• Basic garment shaping
• Working buttonholes
• Picking up stitches
• Working sleeves
• Seaming, when required
• Weaving in yarn ends neatly

Top-Down or Seamed?

Baby jackets are available in many different constructions.

A top-down cardigan may allow you to work much of the garment in one piece and can reduce finishing. Traditional patterns may instead use separate fronts, back and sleeves that are sewn together.

Neither method is automatically better. Choose a verified pattern whose construction matches the knitting techniques you enjoy.

Button Safety

If your chosen baby cardigan uses buttons, attach them very securely and inspect them regularly.

Small detachable components can present a hazard to babies and young children, so finishing deserves the same care as the knitting itself.

Is the Original Beautiful Baby Jacket Pattern Still Free?

We cannot currently confirm that.

The original Amazing Knitting article from 2019 presented this jacket as a free-pattern discovery, but it did not preserve enough reliable source information for us to identify the exact pattern and designer with confidence today.

We therefore do not provide an unverified download or point readers to a visually similar pattern while claiming that it is the original.

If the original source can be reliably identified in the future, this guide can be updated with the correct designer credit and availability.

Looking for a Free Alternative?

Fortunately, you do not need an unverified copy of this old pattern to knit a beautiful baby cardigan.

Amazing Knitting already has several baby jackets and cardigans whose original patterns have been identified and verified.

Harvest Cardigan

Harvest by Tin Can Knits is an excellent free alternative if you want a practical baby cardigan. It is a seamless design with sizes beginning at baby sizes and continuing all the way into adult sizes.

See the Free Harvest Cardigan →

Baby Kimono

For another small baby garment, explore our guide to the Garter Stitch Baby Cardigan by Joji Locatelli, also known as the Garter Stitch Baby Kimono.

See the Free Baby Kimono →

More Free Baby Knitting Patterns

You can continue exploring the Amazing Knitting archive for verified baby cardigans, sweaters, booties and blankets.

Explore Free Baby Cardigan Patterns →

You can also browse free baby sweaters, free baby booties, and free baby blankets.

Before You Start

Because the exact original instructions for the photographed jacket have not been verified, do not use measurements or material requirements from an unrelated pattern simply because its photograph looks similar.

Choose a verified baby-jacket pattern first, select the appropriate size, and then follow that designer's yarn, needle and gauge specifications.

Source note: This Amazing Knitting page was originally published in 2019 as a free-pattern discovery. The existing project photograph is credited to bubbs. During our latest review, the exact original pattern and designer could not be reliably identified. Amazing Knitting does not claim ownership of the photographed design and does not reproduce unverified or unauthorized pattern instructions.

Easy Garter Stitch Sideways Baby Cardigan - Free Knitting Pattern

The photo above © DROPS Design

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Baby Maebry Cardigan - Knitting Pattern

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What beautiful knitting baby cardigan pattern! I found it on Pinterest...

Baby and toddler sweater knit top-down in one piece in stockinette and garter stitch with a border in daisy stitch. Sizes 3 months, 6 months, 12 months, 18 months, 2 years.

Full Post: Baby Maebry Cardigan

Little Babbity (Premature Baby Set) - Free Pattern

Photos above © Marianna 

What lovely premature baby set knitting pattern! I found it on Pinterest.

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Full Post: Premature Baby Set

Storybook Baby Hoodie - Free Pattern

The photo above © Lion Brand

How To Make a Pound of Love Storybook Baby Hoodie

Hoodie cardigan in baby and child sizes from Lion Brand Yarn. All pieces are worked flat in garter stitch (knit every row). Sizes: 3–6 months (12–18 months, 2 years, 4 years). Worsted weight yarn.

Full Post: Storybook Baby Hoodie