Crochet Sweater Pattern for Boys and Girls

With a relaxed fit, easy top down construction and oodles of texture in those stitches this raglan jumper is a perfect crochet sweater pattern for boys and girls. Neutral and modern but with a nod to tradition it’s great for any age.

The pattern is sized from baby to 10 years old and because it’s worked from the top down and seamless it’s very easy to adjust the body and sleeve length to suit whoever you are making for. 

With a full video tutorial this is the perfect child’s sweater for anyone that wants to crochet seamless raglan clothes but doesn’t know where to start.

For such a long time I avoided designing top down raglan sweaters because I was so scared of figuring out the sizings for all ages of children but I really loved the idea of creating a classic crochet jumper for my boys and so I set myself the challenge!

I honestly shouldn’t have been worried. Yes, the spreadsheet to work it out was complex but the end result is a stunning seamless crochet sweater that I think is perfect for any child and I’m even making one for myself so watch out for adult sizes soon too 🙂

A raglan sweater begins from the neckline and you increase at four points to create the yoke (the different texture you see here at the top of the sweater) then you magically start to just work the body without any joining or seaming.

Once you’ve made the body you pop on the sleeves, and you’re done!

This is a category 3, light weight yarn which gives a lovely drape to the sweater. Check our handy yarn weight chart and guide to find out more about yarn weights and categories.

I often get asked about ideas for alternative yarns and I love swatching from my stash to see what works!

Here’s a picture of Elliot wearing the 5-6 year version in the shade Squirrel Heather of Swish DK.

How do make a seamless crochet sweater pattern?

Crocheting a sweater for a baby or child might seem intimidating and fiddly but it really isn’t!

The great thing about this style is that you work in continuous rounds for the yoke then the body and sleeves are worked in a fun textured herringbone moss stitch that grows really quickly.

Because you are working from the top down you can also really easily adjust the length of the body and sleeves using the main stitch repeat and also change the cuff lengths if you’d like too. If you have your little model to hand you can try it on and just work as many rounds as you need to make it fit!

Here’s the smallest baby size sweater which worked up so fast –

Getting Started: Materials Needed for Your Top Down Crochet Sweater

Sizing

The child crochet cardigan pattern is for sizes 0-6 months (6-12 months, 1-2 years, 3-4 years, 5-6 years, 7-8 years, 9-10 years). The baby size is available to view for free by logging in below.

To fit chest circumferences: 17 (18, 21, 23, 25, 26.5, 28) inches.

Sweater Width: 9.75 (10.25, 11.5, 12.75, 13.75, 14.5, 15) inches.

Garment Circumference: 19.25 (20.5, 23.25, 25.5, 27.5, 29, 30.25) inches.

Child Sweater Length: 12 (12.75, 13.25, 14.5, 15.5, 17.5, 18.5) inches.

Sleeve Length: 5 (6, 6.75, 8.25, 9.75, 10.75, 12) inches.

How much yarn do I need to crochet a raglan sweater?

You will need for the following sizes: 0-6 months (6-12 months, 1-2 years, 3-4 years, 5-6 years, 7-8 years, 9-10 years) approximately:

490 (615, 675, 740, 860, 1110, 1355) yards.

Which is 4 (5, 6, 6, 7, 9, 11) balls of the recommended yarn.

Don’t forget to join HanJan Crochet to receive regular discount codes (and more free patterns!) and Pin this free baby sweater pattern to your crochet Pinterest board!

Seamless Crochet Sweater Pattern Video Tutorial

If you’d like to follow a full video tutorial then you can find it here:

Crochet Terms You’ll Need to Know

Glossary and Abbreviations

ch(s) – chain(s)

sp – space

ss – slip stitch

RS – right side

WS – wrong side

sk – skip

rep – repeat

yoh – yarn over hook

blo – back loop only

flo – front loop only

Stitches

The pattern is written in standard US terms and uses the following crochet stitches:

sc – single crochet (UK dc – double crochet)

hdc – half double crochet (UK htr – half treble crochet)

Special Stitches

Herringbone half double crochet: Hhdc

Yarn over, insert hook into next stitch, yarn over and pull up a loop (3 loops on hook). Pull first loop straight through the second loop (similar to a slip stitch to leave 2 loops on the hook). Yarn over, pull through two remaining loops on hook.

The Hhdc is used in Raglan Section.

Back loop only herringbone half double crochet moss stitch: Hhdc-moss

Work as for Hhdc but insert hook into back loop only of unworked stitch 2 rounds below. Work over the chain 1 space on the previous round.

The Hhdc-moss is used in the Body and Sleeves.

Back loop only herringbone half double crochet moss stitch 2 together : Hhdc-moss2tog

• Yarn over, insert hook into back loop only of next stitch 2 rounds below (working over the ch1 on round below), yarn over and pull up a loop (3 loops on hook).
• Pull first loop straight through the second loop (similar to a slip stitch to leave 2 loops on the hook). Yarn over, skip next st on previous round, insert hook into back loop only of next stitch 2 rounds below (working over the ch1 on round below), yarn over and pull up a loop (4 loops on hook).
• Pull first loop straight through the second loop (similar to a slip stitch to leave 3 loops on the hook).
• Yarn over, pull through three remaining loops on hook.

I love the texture that the herringbone hdc moss stitch gives! I’ve used it on quite a few of my other designs and when my friend had a new baby I made a matching hat, mitten and sweater set!

• Herringbone Moss Stitch Mittens
• Herringbone Moss Stitch Hat
• Herringbone Moss Stitch Dickie Cowl
• Herringbone Moss Stitch Backpack
• Herringbone Chunky Crochet Headband

If you’re new to crochet garment making please don’t worry! I have a fabulous guide on how to start your perfect crochet wardrobe and also learn garment making with 12 free crochet top patterns for different skill levels.

• A ch1 at the beginning of a round does not count as st.
• A ch2 at the beginning of a round counts as a ch1-sp in stitch count.
• Do not turn at the end of each round.
• Read through the entire pattern before beginning.
• Before you start, go through the pattern and highlight/mark the stitch and row counts that correspond to the size you are making (this will make your life much easier!).
• Make sure that you are familiar with all of the stitches in the abbreviations list before you begin.
• Instructions are given for the smallest size, with larger sizes in brackets ( ).
• Stitch counts are given in [ ] at the end of each row. If no stitch count is given, then the count is the same as the previous row.
• The pattern is written in standard US crochet terms.

Crochet Sweater Construction

The entire sweater is seamless working from the top down so no fiddly seams to worry about!

You begin by working the neckband in rows.

The neckband is then joined and you start to work in rounds to create the raglan yoke. It will begin to look like this:

Once the raglan section is complete, we fold the work over so that we then just work in the stitches for the main body. Like this:

When the main body is complete, you join your yarn to the armhole and work the sleeves in rounds using the same stitch as the body.

If you enjoy working top down crochet garments then you will also love my Franny Granny Collection! I have a fun child granny stitch sweater that you can make in no time.

Crochet Sweater Pattern for Boys and Girls

There are a few options for you to access and enjoy this crochet pattern:

Copyright Notice

The Herringbone Moss Child Sweater Crochet Pattern and its contents are fully owned and copyrighted by HanJan Crochet Ltd., and all rights are reserved.

This pattern is protected by copyright and other intellectual property laws and may not be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means without the prior written consent of the author (Hannah Cross of HanJan Crochet Ltd). 

Unauthorised distribution or reproduction of this pattern or elements of the instructions is strictly prohibited. The free to view crochet pattern is intended for personal viewing only. By accessing this pattern, you acknowledge and agree to comply with these copyright terms and conditions.

Pattern Support

I am delighted to invite you to join the HanJan Crochet Community Facebook Group where we host all pattern support queries and love to see your progress, yarn choices and finished projects! 

Crochet Pattern Free for Blog Subscribers to View

US Terminology

Rounds 6 – 29 (31, 32, 37, 41, 46, 50): work the set pattern for the Main Body Section.

Final Round for Sizes 0-6 ( 6-12, -, 3-4, 5-6, -, -) only:

Round 30 (32, -, 38, 42, -, -): ch1, Hhdc-moss in skipped st below ch-1 sp, sc in next st, *Hhdc-moss in next skipped st below ch1-sp, sc in next st; rep from * around, ss in 1st Hhdc-moss to join.

Continue to Bottom Rib now for Sizes 0-6 ( 6-12, -, 3-4, 5-6, -, -).

Sizes – ( -, 1-2, -, -, 7-8, 9-10) only:

Round – ( -, 33, -, -, 47, 51): Repeat Round 3.

Round – ( -, 34, -, -, 48, 52): ch1, Hhdc-moss in skipped st below ch-1 sp, sc in next st, *Hhdc-moss in next skipped st below ch1-sp, sc in next st; rep from * around, ss in 1st Hhdc-moss to join.

Continue to Bottom Rib now for Sizes – ( -, 1-2, -, -, 7-8, 9-10).

BOTTOM RIB

The Bottom Rib is worked in rows and joined as you work to the stitches of the last round of the Main Body Section.

Without breaking your yarn, continue from the last st of the final round of the Main Body Section.

Foundation chain: ch 8 (8, 8, 8, 8, 8, 8).

Row 1: sc in 2nd chain from hook and next 6 chains, ss into next 2 sts of final round of Main Body Section, turn. [7]

Row 2: ss in blo of next 7 sts, turn.

Row 3: ch1, sc in blo of next 7 sts, ss into next 2 sts of final round of Main Body Section, turn.

Rows 2 and 3 create the Bottom Rib Set Pattern.

Repeat the Bottom Rib Set Pattern around the final round of the Main Body Section.

Join the final row of the Bottom Rib to the first row with a ss seam to complete.

SLEEVES

Work each sleeve in the same way.

You need to join your yarn to the back of the sweater to ensure the seam (which isn’t very noticeable is on the back).

For the first sleeve that works towards the Front, join to st 6 (8, 10, 12, 12, 16, 18) before the underarm with the back of your sweater facing you.

For the second sleeve that works towards the back, join to the st directly at the underarm join.

SLEEVE SET-UP ROUNDS

Round 1: ch1, Hhdc in each st and ch1-sp around sleeve opening, ss in 1st st to join [34, (38, 42, 46, 48, 54, 58)].

Round 2: ch1, *Hhdc in next st, ch1, skip next st; rep from * around, ss in 1st to join.

Round 3: ch2 (counts as ch1-sp), Hhdc-moss in next skipped st below ch-1 sp, *ch1, skip next st, Hhdc-moss in next skipped st below ch-1 sp; rep from * around, ss in 1st ch of beginning ch2 to join.

Round 4: ch1, Hhdc-moss in skipped st below ch-1 sp, ch1, skip next st, *Hhdc-moss in next skipped st below ch1-sp, ch1, skip next st; rep from * around, ss in 1st Hhdc-moss to join.

Round 5: Rep Round 3

Rounds 4 and 5 create the set pattern for the Sleeve Section.

After completing Round 5, each sleeve has decrease rounds at various points in the sleeve in order to shape the sleeve. When instructed to work a decrease round, follow the decrease round instructions below.

Decrease Round: ch1, Hhdc-moss2tog, ch1, skip next st, *Hhdc-moss in skipped st below next ch-1 sp, ch1, skip next st; rep from * around, ss in 1st Hhdc-moss2tog to join. [2 sts decreased].

At the end, each sleeve has a final round that is worked as follows:

Final Sleeve Round: ch1, *Hhdc-moss in next skipped st below ch-1 sp, sc in next st; rep from * around, ss in 1st st to join.

The sizes are worked in the following sequence:

Size 0-6 months: Number of total rounds to work: 26

Rounds 6-7: Continue in Sleeve Section set pattern

Round 8: Decrease Round [32]

Round 9: Rep Round 5

Rounds 10-17: continue in Sleeve Section set pattern

Round 18: Decrease Round [30]

Round 19: Rep Round 4

Rounds 20- 23: continue in Sleeve Section set pattern

Round 24: Decrease Round [28]

Round 25: Rep Round 5

Round 26: Final Sleeve Round

Continue to work Cuff now.

Size 6-12 months: Number of total rounds to work: 30

Rounds 6-7: Continue in Sleeve Section set pattern

Round 8: Decrease Round [36]

Round 9: Rep Round 5

Rounds 10-13: work in Sleeve Section set pattern

Rounds 14-21: Repeat Rounds 6-13 once [34]

Round 22: Decrease Round [32]

Round 23: Rep Round 5

Rounds 24 – 27: work in Sleeve Section set pattern

Round 28: Decrease Round [30]

Round 29: Rep Round 5

Round 30: Final Sleeve Round

Continue to work Cuff now.

Size 1-2: Number of total rounds to work: 36

Rounds 6-7: Continue in Sleeve Section set pattern

Round 8: Decrease Round [40]

Round 9: Rep Round 5

Rounds 10-11: work in Sleeve Section set pattern

Rounds 12-35: Rep Rounds 6-11 four times more.

Round 36: Final Sleeve Round

Continue to work Cuff now.

Size 3-4: Number of total rounds to work: 42

Rounds 6-7: Continue in Sleeve Section set pattern

Round 8: Decrease Round [44]

Round 9: Rep Round 5

Rounds 10-11: work in Sleeve Section set pattern

Rounds 12- 41: Repeat Rounds 6-11 five times more [34]

Round 42: Final Sleeve Round

Continue to work Cuff now.

Size 5-6 : Number of total rounds to work: 50

Rounds 6-7: Continue in Sleeve Section set pattern

Round 8: Decrease Round [46]

Round 9: Rep Round 5

Rounds 10-11: work in Sleeve Section set pattern

Rounds 12-23: Rep Rounds 6-11 twice [44]

Round 24: Decrease Round [42]

Round 25: Rep Round 5

Rounds 26-31: work in Sleeve Section set pattern

Rounds 32-39: Rep Rounds 24-31 once [40]

Round 40: Decrease Round [38]

Round 41: Rep Round 5

Rounds 42-49: work in Sleeve Section set pattern

Round 50: Final Sleeve Round

Continue to work Cuff now

Size 7-8 : Number of total rounds to work: 56

Rounds 6-7: Continue in Sleeve Section set pattern

Round 8: Decrease Round [52]

Round 9: Rep Round 5

Rounds 10-11: work in Sleeve Section set pattern

Rounds 12-47: Rep Rounds 6-11 six times more [40].

Round 48: Decrease Round [38]

Round 49: Rep Round 5

Rounds 50 – 55: work in Sleeve Section set pattern

Round 56: Final Sleeve Round

Continue to work Cuff now.

Size 9-10 : Number of total rounds to work: 62

Rounds 6-7: Continue in Sleeve Section set pattern

Round 8: Decrease Round [56]

Round 9: Rep Round 5

Rounds 10-11: work in Sleeve Section set pattern

Rounds 12-53: Rep Rounds 6-11 seven more times [42]

Round 54: Decrease Round [40]

Round 55: Rep Round 5

Rounds 56 – 61: work in Sleeve Section set pattern

Round 62: Final Sleeve Round

Continue to work Cuff now.

CUFF

Working in turned rows and slip stitching into the stitches of the sleeves.

Foundation chain: ch 8

Row 1: ss in 2nd and each st to end, ss in next 2 sts of sleeve. Turn.

Row 2: ss in blo of each st [7]

Row 3: ch1, ss in blo of each st to end, ss in next 2 sts of sleeve. Turn.

Rows 2 and 3 create the cuff stitch pattern.

Repeat the cuff stitch pattern until you return back to Row 1.

Join with a ss seam to Row 1 to complete the cuff.

Weave in all ends and block to complete.

Once you have made your sweater you can block it to measurements.

Blocking a crochet project, especially one like this sweater, can really transform it into something really spectacular. It makes the stitches sit really evenly by ‘opening them out’ and shapes the item to exactly the size it should be.

There are a few ways to block things but these are my favourites:

• Steam block – set your iron to steam and lightly steam over the project (you can do it through a protective cloth if you’re worried), then pin to measurements and allow to dry.
• Spray block – pin the project out to desired dimensions and lightly spray with water and allow to dry naturally.

I hope you enjoyed this crochet sweater pattern for boys and girls – I’ve loved sharing it with you!

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More Crochet Sweater Patterns You Might Enjoy

If you enjoy making crochet patterns for babies and kids as much as I do then here are a few more of my designs you might enjoy exploring!

Or if you have the garment making bug then you’ll love this collection of easy crochet cardigan patterns for beginners!

• Easy Child Crochet Sweater – simple stitches packed full of texture
• Child Granny Stitch Sweater – vintage vibes with a modern twist
• Easy Crochet Baby Sweater Pattern – a simple raglan sweater with buttons

Congratulations on crocheting your very own raglan crochet sweater! 🌟 Now that you’ve crafted this fun project, why stop here? Dive into my other crochet patterns for babies and children, each waiting to be transformed into your next crochet masterpiece.

Don’t forget to share your creations with me on social media—I love seeing your unique twists and colourful creations! Join our community of crochet enthusiasts, where we share tips, tricks, and plenty of crafting inspiration. So, grab your hooks, explore more patterns, and let’s continue this crochet adventure together! Happy stitching! 🧶✨