Several months ago I shared my version of a classic pattern for a knit baby sweater that can be made quickly – in just 5 hours! It’s been a popular free knitting pattern here on my blog and I’m so glad that others have found this to be a fun and enjoyable project too.
Another thing that makes this pattern a favorite is that it can be made with a basic worsted weight yarn (those types of yarn labeled as “4” ) which are the most common yarns sold. BUT there are also lots of lovely yarns (especially for baby projects) that are a lighter weight that used to be called DK weight and is now usually labeled as “3”. A reader recently emailed me asking – was it possible to use that lighter weight yarn for the 5 hour baby sweater knitting pattern?
My answer? Yes! You’ll just end up with a super cute tinier sized sweater, and tiny newborns need sweaters too!
I know this first hand because my second grandbaby came along a few weeks early, weighing in at 5 lbs and 12 oz. The 5 hour baby sweater I had knit for her (which is about a 6 month size) was way too big! And it was the middle of January and I really wanted to make her a little sweater that would fit her right away.
So . . . I went down one size in the needle to a size 6, used a size 3 weight yarn, and other than that followed the 5 hour baby sweater pattern as written.
And I was very pleased with how it turned out!
Those two small changes resulted in a very cute tiny sweater that was just perfect for a newborn. In fact she wore it for the next 8 weeks or so and it worked wonderfully. My daughter estimated the size of that sweater to be about a 0 – 3 month size and would fit a baby up to about 10 or 12 lbs.
Using the size 6 needles gave me a sweater that was about 8″ long and 16″ around, just a smidge smaller than the original pattern (that makes a finished sweater 10″ long and 20″ around). In the picture below where the little sweater is laying on top of the other sweater, you can see that it is just a bit smaller all the way around. (The yarn I used for the small sweater is Lion Brand Baby Soft yarn in Twinkle).
I’ve updated my free printable pattern for the 5 hour baby sweater to include this additional piece of info. Just remember:
Size 6 Needles and “3” weight yarn = 0 – 3 month size (approx 8″ long, 16″ around)
Size 7 Needles and “4” weight yarn = 6 month size (approx 10″ long, 20″ around)
And finally, our little sweetie even wore her tiny newborn sweater in one of her first photo shoots. If you want to be prepared with a very tiny sweater for a newborn, this small adaptation to the pattern might be just the easy adjustment you’re looking for.
To read more about this pattern (which includes my updates to use the most familiar type of increase and to see my hour-by-hour pictures of how the 5 hours of knitting go by), click here: 5 Hour Baby Sweater Knitting Pattern
For the free printable pattern, click here: Printable pdf for the 5 Hour Baby Sweater Knitting Pattern
To see more of my knitting patterns, click here: Make Your Own Zone Knitting Patterns
i am knitting baby cardigans for charity
Thank you for this pattern. I have a newborn baby granddaughter (the first one!) and I wanted to make a couple of lightweight sweaters for her. I tried one pattern and it was way too complicated and I gave up. I crocheted another one and it was cute, but bulky. This pattern is perfect. It took me longer than 5 hours because I’m not an accomplished knitter, but it turned out well. I did make a note to myself to remember to do 3 knit stitches at the beginning of purl rows. I missed a couple 😉 I look forward to making more as she grows. Again, thank you!
Proceeded nicely with the sweater until row 26
K5, (inc, K4=5 stitches) (inc. K4= 5 stitches) (inc. K1=2) comes out to 17 stitches=14 stitches plus the 3 additional increases., yet the pattern indicates (20 stitches for front). What am I doing incorrectly? Thanks for the help.
Thank you for sharing your easy and cute baby hat and sweater patterns! It’s always nice to be able to knit something in a matter of a few short hours, not that I’m afraid of complicated mind you, just nice to do something quick!
I am making the 0-3 month version and wanting to know the gauge I should be aiming for with size 6 and lighter yarn.. 5 sts to the inch? Thanks.
Hi Bev, I just knitted the Small 5 Hour Baby Cardigan and used DK (8 ply here in Australia) with U.S. 6 (4mm here) needles. However, I found the neck to be way too small. I use a Cable Cast On which is slighter tighter than your Knitted Cast On, so I used a size larger needles. The rest seemed okay for a newborn, albeit a small one, but the neckline would have strangled the child! I tried going back and cutting the top off (after watching several videos) but it was a mess so out it came. Now looking for an alternative, but I think it will be a bottom up so I can change it more easily if need be.
One more question on increase stitch. Do you think a YO would work to make lacey instead of using KFB to increase?
Please edit pattern to include type of stich for the increase. Thank you.
My last comment was mistyped, should say: attach yarn at underarm on right side of work and K across body (80 sts). So my question is, will this be where I will end each row at, the under arm?
The 5 hour patter by Bev Zualheim say attach the yarn under right are and work across the 81 stitches. I don’t see how this is possible because I’ll be leaving out the right front stitches. Please help.
Having difficulty with the increases as well. Not sure why.
Thank you ! Thank you!
Love this pattern. I made it with the smaller needles and yarn in anticipation of my grandson. Worked up quickly and easily. This was the first ever sweater for me. I was so pleased that I have started it again with the size 4 yarn and #7 needles for as he grows.
Hi would I be able to adjust it to a toddler size please
Here is a link to a knitting pattern called the “7 hour toddler sweater” that is a slightly larger version: http://suzies-yarnie-stuff.blogspot.com/2010/02/7-hour-toddler-sweater.html
Just finished this and am so grateful for the very clear instructions. Did not have a minute’s problem. Thank you! : )
How many skiskeins is that approxamately for a smaller sweater. I am on bed rest and have to give my husband luck up instructions.
Skeins**** lol
You probably need about 4 ounces of yarn. I used a 5 oz skein for this smaller sized sweater and had plenty leftover.
Thank you for the pattern. I knit a lot for a charity (just Started) so am very thankful for quick patterms
Do you have the tutorial in spanish ?
I don’t have a Spanish version at this time – so sorry 🙁
i just love this pattern was fun to make
So glad you enjoyed the pattern Dolores!
Thank you so much for sharing all your lovely inspirational ideas!
Hi Bev, we are expecting a grandchild in April so I went right to work making a blanket, hat, booties, and wanted to find a nice sweater pattern too. This pattern is perfect! Thank you for sharing it. I am totally in love with the ending result of a cute and adorable sweater!
Oh that’s great Patti! I love knitting for my grandbabies too 🙂
This pattern needs some revision. The stitch count is off in several places. I’m really disappointed, because I had high hopes for this pattern.
No, I disagree, the stitch count is correct. I have made the sweater several times. Some others have emailed me saying they get more stitches in the increase rows and I’m not quite sure how that is happening. The increases are the “knit in the front and the back of a stitch” type of increase. I think I will have to make a video of how I am doing the increase rows to help clear up any confusion.
Was also looking forward to making this item,,,there is no way you can end up with 47 sts at row 6. Start with 33 sts, knit 3, end with knit 3, equals 27 sts, if you increase every second stitch,you would increase the total number of 61.. Can you please revise the pattern, as I would really like to knit this item.
The counts in parenthesis are incorrect or the pattern is off.
Can you be more specific? I’m pretty sure I have all the numbers correct in the pattern.
Hi I agree with kim i just tried it and if i co 33 after the first increase i ended up with 61 not 47 for final count (#4) i would love to make this but still new to knitting and i dont know how to adjust the stitches