Crafting A Cozy Crochet Hoodie For Babies

A crochet baby hooded jacket is a delightful and cosy garment that will keep your little one warm and stylish. With a variety of designs, from classic cardigans to whimsical animal-inspired hoods, crochet baby hooded jackets offer both functionality and charm. The best yarn weight for these jackets is typically DK or worsted weight, providing ample warmth and comfort for babies. Whether you're an experienced crocheter or a beginner, creating a crochet baby hooded jacket is a rewarding project that will result in a cherished heirloom.

Hooded cardigan construction

To construct a hooded cardigan, you can follow the steps outlined below:

Materials and Tools

• Yarn: Category #5 / chunky / bulky / 12 ply yarn. For a newborn & 0-3 months size, you will need 2 balls of yarn, and for 3-6 months, you will need 3 balls. You can use James C.Brett Flutterby Chunky, or alternative yarns such as Himalaya Yarn Dolphin Fine, Premier Yarns Just Chenille, or DMC Velvet.
• Crochet Hooks: J (6mm) & K (6.5mm)
• Yarn needle
• Scissors
• Stitch marker
• Button: 1 inch (25mm)

Gauge and Sizing

• To achieve the correct size and fit, test your gauge with a sample square before you begin. If your tension is tight, use a larger hook. If it is loose, use a smaller hook. With a J (6mm) hook, you should have 12 stitches & 10 rows = 4″ (10cm) in half double crochet worked in the spaces between each stitch.
• The cardigan is available in three sizes: Newborn, 0-3 Months, and 3-6 months. The sizes are based on standard measurements and are designed with positive ease, allowing room for the baby to grow and wear clothing underneath.

Stitches and Abbreviations

• Hdc – half double crochet
• Hdc2tog – half double crochet two together (hdc decrease)
• RS – right side
• Sc – single crochet
• Sk – skip
• Sl st – slip stitch
• St(s) – stitch(es)
• V-st – (1hdc, ch2, 1hdc) into the same space
• WS – wrong side

Construction:

The hooded cardigan is worked in one piece from the neck edge down.

Yoke, Main Body, and Sleeves:

• From row 2 of the yoke onwards, work your half double crochets in the spaces between each stitch, rather than through the top of each stitch.
• When working the yoke, main body, and hood sections, do not count the ch2 turning chain as the first stitch of the next row. Make the first half double crochet of the row in the first space, at the base of the ch2.
• When working the sleeves, the ch2 turning chain counts as the first stitch of the round. Make the first half double crochet of the round in the next space.

Assembly:

• Sew the two sides of the hood together with the right side facing out, using a whip stitch. Bring the yarn to the inside of your work and weave in the tail.
• Fold the hood over to create a brim.

Edging:

• The edging is made in two continuous rounds, worked with the right side of your work facing and starting from the right front corner.
• Round1: Ch1, 1hdc in the first space, 1hdc in the next 20 (22–23) spaces up the right front, 1hdc in the next 35 (37–39) spaces around the hood, and 1hdc in the next 21 (23–24) spaces down the left front.
• Round 2: Ch1, 1hdc in the first space, 1hdc in the next 60 (62–66) spaces, ch2, 1hdc in the next space (buttonhole made), and 1hdc in the next 14 (18–18) spaces. Cut the yarn, fasten off, and weave in the ends.
• Sew the button on the left front of the cardigan, aligning it with the buttonhole on the right front.

Ears (Optional):

• Chain 4 and slip stitch to form a ring.
• Round 1: Ch1, 8 (8–9) sc in the centre of the ring, sl st to the first sc to join.
• Round 2: Ch1, 2sc in the same stitch, 2sc in the next 7 (7–8) stitches, sl st to the first sc to join.
• Rounds 3-4: Ch1, 1sc in the same stitch, 1sc in the next 15 (15–17) stitches, sl st to the first sc to join.
• Cut the yarn, leaving a long tail for sewing the ears onto the hood.

Yarn requirements

Yarn is a crucial component when crocheting a baby hooded jacket, and the amount required depends on the size and style of the jacket. Here are some general guidelines and specific recommendations to help you select the right yarn for your project:

Yarn Weight and Amounts:

• For a basic baby hooded jacket in sizes newborn to six months, you will typically need around 300 to 500 yards of yarn.
• Larger sizes or more intricate patterns may require more yarn. Always refer to the specific pattern you're using for yarn requirements.
• DK (double knitting) or worsted weight yarn is commonly used for baby hooded jackets as it provides warmth and comfort.
• If you're using DK weight yarn, you'll usually need around 2 to 6 balls of yarn, depending on the size and style of the jacket.
• For worsted weight yarn, you may need slightly more, with 3 to 8 balls often being sufficient.

Yarn Fiber and Characteristics:

• When choosing yarn for a baby hooded jacket, prioritize softness, comfort, and ease of care.
• Cotton yarn is an excellent choice for its breathability and hypoallergenic properties.
• Acrylic yarn is popular for its softness, durability, and ease of washing.
• Merino wool provides exceptional warmth, and superwash varieties are easy to care for.
• Bamboo yarn is silky, lightweight, hypoallergenic, and moisture-wicking.
• Blended yarns, such as bamboo/cotton or wool/acrylic, offer a balance of benefits from different fibers.

Specific Yarn Recommendations:

• Mary Maxim Prism Yarn: A vibrant and soft DK weight yarn available in various color schemes, perfect for adding a touch of color.
• Mellowspun: Another DK weight yarn option with a similar yardage to Mary Maxim Prism.
• Lion Brand Mandala or Baby: A worsted weight yarn that offers a wide range of colors.
• Bernat Softee Baby: A soft and washable worsted weight yarn.
• Brava Sport: A DK weight yarn with a similar feel to Mary Maxim Prism.

Remember to consider the specific pattern you're using, the size of the jacket, and your personal preferences when selecting yarn for your baby hooded jacket project. Happy crafting!

Crochet hooks needed

The crochet hooks you will need to make a baby hooded jacket will depend on the specific pattern you are following and the type of yarn you are using.

For example, the Rainbow Hugs Hoodie pattern by MJ's Off The Hook Designs calls for a larger and a smaller hook. The larger hook is a 5 mm (US size H/8) hook, and the smaller hook is a 4 mm (US size G/6) hook.

The crochet baby hoodie pattern by Maisie and Ruth recommends using a J (6mm) and K (6.5mm) crochet hook for the main body of the hoodie and a J (6mm) hook for the hood.

The Crochet Baby Coat with Hood pattern by Maisie and Ruth suggests using a G (4mm) hook for sizes newborn, 0-3 months, and 3-6 months, and an H (5mm) hook for sizes 6-12 months and 1-2 years.

It is important to note that the hook size may need to be adjusted based on your personal tension and the desired drape of the fabric. It is always a good idea to check the gauge of your stitches against the pattern recommendations to ensure the correct tension and sizing for your project.

Sleeve and body seaming

Now that you have crocheted the sleeves and the body of the hoodie, it's time to assemble them together!

Joining the Sleeves:

Firstly, you will need to join the sleeves to the body of the hoodie. To do this, you will be working into the 24 stitches that you skipped in Row 9 of the body section.

For the right sleeve, attach your yarn to the end of Row 9 of the yoke, at the right armhole. Chain 2 (this does not count as your first stitch), and crochet 1 double crochet (dc) in the same stitch. Then, crochet 1 dc in each of the next 24 stitches around the armhole. Work an extra 4 dc evenly spaced at the underarm area, and slip stitch to the first dc to join. Turn your work.

Repeat this process for the left sleeve, but this time, start by working 4 dc evenly spaced at the underarm area, and then crochet 1 dc in each of the next 24 stitches around the armhole.

Creating the Cuffs:

To create the cuffs, you will be working in rounds. Chain 2, and crochet 1 dc in each of the next 28 stitches. Slip stitch to the first dc to join, and turn your work. Repeat this round for a total of 13 rounds for the right sleeve, and 14 rounds for the left sleeve.

Fasten off and weave in the ends.

Joining the Body:

With the right side of your work facing, attach your yarn to the space in the top corner of the left front. Chain 2 and turn your work, then crochet 1 half double crochet (hdc) in the first space, and 1 hdc in each of the next 3 (4-5) spaces. Work 2 hdc in the next chain 2 space, and then 1 hdc in each of the next 8 (9-10) spaces. Work 2 hdc in the next chain 2 space, and then 1 hdc in each of the next 11 (12-13) spaces. Work 2 hdc in the next chain 2 space, and then 1 hdc in each of the next 8 (9-10) spaces. Finally, work 2 hdc in the next chain 2 space, and 1 hdc in each of the next 3 (4-5) spaces, and 1 hdc in the space between the last stitch and the beginning chain 2.

Repeat this row for a total of 17 (18-19) rows for all sizes.

Sewing the Hood:

To sew the hood together, bring the two sides of the top of the hood together, with the wrong side facing out. Using a needle, whip stitch the two sides together by inserting your needle through the front loops on the side nearest to you, and then through the back loops on the opposite side of the hood.

Edging the Hood:

With the right side of your work facing, attach your yarn to the corner space at the bottom right of the hood. Chain 1, and crochet 1 hdc in the first space, and 1 hdc in each of the next 20 (22-23) spaces up the right front. Then, work 1 hdc in each of the next 35 (37-39) spaces around the hood, and 1 hdc in each of the next 21 (23-24) spaces down the left front.

Chain 1, and crochet 1 hdc in the first space, and 1 hdc in each of the next 60 (62-66) spaces. Chain 2, and crochet 1 hdc in the next space to create a buttonhole. Then, work 1 hdc in each of the next 14 (18-18) spaces, and 1 hdc in the space between the last stitch and the beginning chain 1.

Fasten off and weave in the ends.

Sewing on the Ears:

Position the ears on the hood, just above the rolled-up brim, or wherever you think looks best. You can pin the ears in place to make sewing them onto the hood easier.

And that's it! You have now completed your crochet baby hooded jacket!

Hood seaming

To seam the hood of a crochet baby hooded jacket, you will need to bring the two sides of the hood together, with the wrong side facing you. You can then use a whip stitch to seam the two sides together. Alternatively, you can use a single crochet stitch to seam the two sides together.

For a more detailed explanation of how to seam a hood, you can follow these steps:

• Turn the hood inside out so that the wrong side is facing you.
• Bring the two sides of the top of the hood together.
• Using a single crochet stitch, seam the two sides together. Work under both loops on each side.
• Once you've finished seaming the hood, cut the yarn, fasten off, and weave in your ends.
• Turn the hood right side out so that the right side is now facing you.

You can also add an edging to your hood to bring it together with the rest of the jacket. For example, you could work a row of crossed half double crochet, followed by a row of crab stitch around the entire edge, including the hood.

Frequently asked questions