The Seaside Stripes Baby Hoodie: A Free Knitting Pattern for a Textured, Color-Blocked Summer Cardigan

Introducing the Seaside Stripes Baby Hoodie

This unique baby hoodie features a modern, asymmetrical stripe pattern and a soft, textured seed stitch border, perfect for breezy summer evenings. The design uses a clever short-row technique to create a gentle, curved hem that adds a touch of sophistication. Made with soft DK weight cotton yarn in a modern palette of coral, cream, and sage green, this cardigan is both cozy and stylish for your little one.

Materials Needed

• Yarn: DK weight cotton or cotton-blend yarn (approx 250-300 yds total). Sample uses 3 colors: Color A (Coral), Color B (Cream), Color C (Sage Green).
• Needles: US 6 (4.0 mm) knitting needles (straight or circular for body, DPNs for sleeves if not using magic loop)
• Gauge: 20 stitches and 28 rows = 4 inches in stockinette stitch, after blocking
• Notions: Stitch markers, tapestry needle, buttons (optional)

Step-by-Step Instructions

Sizes and Abbreviations

Sizes: 0-3 months (3-6 months, 6-12 months). Instructions for smallest size given first, with larger sizes in parentheses.

Abbreviations:

• CO: cast on
• BO: bind off
• k: knit
• p: purl
• k2tog: knit two together
• ssk: slip slip knit (left-leaning decrease)
• yo: yarn over
• st(s): stitch(es)
• RS: right side
• WS: wrong side
• PM: place marker
• SM: slip marker

Pattern Notes

• The hoodie is worked flat in one piece from the bottom up, then the hood is picked up and worked at the end.
• The stripe pattern is worked in stockinette stitch with a seed stitch border on the front edges and hem.
• Short rows are used to create a curved hem at the bottom.

Body (worked flat)

With Color A, CO 120 (130, 140) sts.

Row 1 (WS): k1, p1, k1, p1, k1, p1, k1, p1, k to last 8 sts, p1, k1, p1, k1, p1, k1, p1, k1. (Seed stitch border on both ends)

Row 2 (RS): k1, p1, k1, p1, k1, p1, k1, p1, k to last 8 sts, p1, k1, p1, k1, p1, k1, p1, k1.

Repeat these 2 rows for 4 more rows (total 6 rows of seed stitch).

Begin Short Row Curved Hem

Row 1 (RS): Work seed stitch over first 8 sts, k to last 8 sts, work seed stitch over last 8 sts. Turn.

Row 2 (WS): Work seed stitch over first 8 sts, p to last 8 sts, work seed stitch over last 8 sts. Turn.

Row 3 (Short Row): Work seed stitch over first 8 sts, k 40 (45, 50) sts, wrap next st and turn. (Leave remaining sts unworked)

Row 4: P to last 8 sts, work seed stitch over last 8 sts. Turn.

Row 5: Work seed stitch over first 8 sts, k to 5 sts before the wrapped st from previous short row, wrap next st and turn.

Row 6: P to last 8 sts, work seed stitch over last 8 sts. Turn.

Repeat Rows 5-6 two more times (3 wraps total on each side).

Next Row (RS): Work seed stitch over first 8 sts, k across all sts, working wraps together with their wrapped sts, work seed stitch over last 8 sts. Turn.

Next Row (WS): Work seed stitch over first 8 sts, p across all sts, work seed stitch over last 8 sts. Turn.

Stripe Pattern

Work in stockinette stitch (k on RS, p on WS) with seed stitch borders as established, following stripe sequence:

• 6 rows Color B
• 4 rows Color C
• 6 rows Color A
• 4 rows Color B
• 6 rows Color C
• 4 rows Color A

Repeat this 12-row stripe pattern until piece measures approximately 6 (7, 8) inches from cast-on edge, ending with a WS row.

Divide for Armholes

Next Row (RS): Work seed stitch over first 8 sts, k 24 (26, 28) sts (right front), BO 8 (10, 10) sts for armhole, k 48 (50, 54) sts (back), BO 8 (10, 10) sts for armhole, k 24 (26, 28) sts (left front), work seed stitch over last 8 sts. You will have 3 separate pieces on the needle.

Right Front

Work on the first 32 (34, 36) sts (including seed stitch border).

Row 1 (WS): Work seed stitch over first 8 sts, p to end.

Row 2 (RS): Work seed stitch over first 8 sts, k to last 2 sts, ssk (decrease for armhole).

Repeat these 2 rows until 28 (30, 32) sts remain. Continue straight in stripe pattern until armhole measures 4 (4.5, 5) inches from bind-off, ending with a WS row.

Shape Neck

Next Row (RS): Work seed stitch over first 8 sts, k 6 (7, 8) sts, BO 14 (15, 16) sts for neck, k to end. You will have 14 (15, 16) sts for shoulder.

Work even on these shoulder sts for 2 more rows, then BO all sts.

Back

Work on the 48 (50, 54) sts.

Row 1 (WS): P across.

Row 2 (RS): K2tog, k to last 2 sts, ssk.

Repeat these 2 rows until 40 (42, 44) sts remain. Continue straight until armhole measures same as front, ending with a WS row.

Next Row (RS): K 12 (13, 14) sts, BO 16 (16, 16) sts for back neck, k to end. Work each shoulder separately for 2 rows, then BO.

Left Front

Work on the last 32 (34, 36) sts.

Row 1 (WS): P to last 8 sts, work seed stitch over last 8 sts.

Row 2 (RS): K2tog, k to last 8 sts, work seed stitch over last 8 sts.

Repeat until 28 (30, 32) sts remain. Continue straight until armhole measures same as right front, ending with a RS row.

Shape Neck

Next Row (WS): P to last 22 (23, 24) sts, BO 14 (15, 16) sts for neck, p to last 8 sts, work seed stitch over last 8 sts. You will have 14 (15, 16) sts for shoulder.

Work even for 2 rows, then BO.

Sleeves (make 2)

With Color A, CO 30 (32, 34) sts.

Work in seed stitch for 6 rows.

Switch to stockinette stitch and begin stripe pattern (starting with Color B).

Increase Row (RS): K1, M1L, k to last st, M1R, k1. Repeat this increase every 6 rows until you have 40 (44, 48) sts.

Continue straight until sleeve measures 5 (6, 7) inches from cast-on, ending with a WS row.

Shape Cap

BO 4 (5, 5) sts at beginning of next 2 rows.

Then decrease 1 st each end every RS row 4 (5, 6) times.

BO remaining sts.

Hood

With Color A, pick up and knit 60 (64, 68) sts around neck edge (including front bands).

Work in stockinette stitch with seed stitch borders on first and last 8 sts for 4 rows.

Switch to stripe pattern (starting with Color B) and continue until hood measures 6 (7, 8) inches from pick-up row, ending with a WS row.

Shape Top

Row 1 (RS): Work seed stitch over first 8 sts, k to last 8 sts, work seed stitch over last 8 sts.

Row 2 (WS): Work seed stitch over first 8 sts, p to last 8 sts, work seed stitch over last 8 sts.

Row 3: Work seed stitch over first 8 sts, k2tog, k to last 10 sts, ssk, work seed stitch over last 8 sts.

Row 4: Work seed stitch over first 8 sts, p to last 8 sts, work seed stitch over last 8 sts.

Repeat Rows 3-4 until 40 (44, 48) sts remain. BO all sts. Fold hood in half and sew top seam.

Finishing

Sew shoulder seams. Set in sleeves and sew side seams. Weave in all ends. Block lightly to shape.

Button Band (optional)

With Color A, pick up and knit sts along left front edge (for girls) or right front edge (for boys). Work 4 rows of seed stitch, then BO. On opposite front edge, pick up and knit sts and work 2 rows of seed stitch, then make buttonholes on next row (yo, k2tog) spaced evenly, then work 2 more rows of seed stitch. Sew buttons opposite buttonholes.