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Drawstring Sleep Sack Crochet Pattern for Newborns

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I love trying new things with crochet. This top-down newborn drawstring sleep sack is the perfect, elegant baby shower gift. The drawstring for easy access at nighttime diaper changes is a nice little bonus!

Drawstring Sleep Sack Pattern

Drawstring Newborn Sleep Sack

This sleep sack uses a lightweight/DK/baby weight yarn. This yarn and hook choice gives this sleep sack a phenomenal drape and squish factor, and the texture using the Herringbone Half Double Crochet is to die for!

Newborn sleep sack pattern

If you are unfamiliar with the herringbone half double crochet, it is very similar to the regular half double. And if you’re anything like me, you may find your work a bit slower going using this stitch. It is absolutely okay to substitute regular half double crochet if you prefer.

Drawstring Newborn Sleep Sack Crochet Pattern

Drawstring Newborn Sleep Sack Crochet Pattern

Newborn sleep sack crochet pattern

Isn’t he just precious?! ♥

Materials:

Lightweight/DK/baby weight yarn approx. 550 yards
*Red Heart Fashion Soft in “cream” and “flax” pictured (now discontinued)

Crochet hook in size G/4mm

(9) ½“ or 3/8″ Buttons
*if you would like snap closure instead, 9 snaps

Gauge:

17 sts x 14 rows = 4” square

Pattern Notes:

Pattern written using US terms.

Place first st of each row in same as turning (turning chain does not count as a stitch).

Hhdc = Herringbone Half Double Crochet – tutorial

If you would like to use snaps for closure instead, simply omit the buttonholes by crocheting a regular hhdc in the ch-1, sk-1 space.

Get the ad-free, printable version of this pattern (and/or add to your favorites) on Ravelry here.

Drawstring Newborn Sleep Sack Crochet Pattern

Drawstring Newborn Sleep Sack Crochet Pattern

Sleep Sack Pattern:

Row 1: Ch-49, hdc in second ch from hook and each to end. (48)

Row 2: Ch-1, turn, hhdc in first 3 sts, 3hhdc in next, hhdc in next 5 sts, 3hhdc in next, hhdc in next 15 sts, 3hhdc in next, hhdc in next 5 sts, 3hhdc in next, hhdc in next 14 sts, ch-1, sk-1, 2hhdc in last. (57)

Row 3: Ch-1, turn, 2hhdc in first, hhdc in next, hhdc in ch-sp, hhdc in next 15 sts, 3hhdc in next, hhdc in next 7 sts, 3hhdc in next, hhdc in next 17 sts, 3hhdc in next, hhdc in next 7 sts, 3hhdc in next, hhdc in next 2 sts, hhdc2tog in last 2 sts. (65)

Row 4: Ch-1, turn, hhdc2tog, hhdc in next 2 sts. 3hhdc in next, hhdc in next 9 sts, 3hhdc in next, hhdc in next 19 sts, 3hhdc in next, hhdc in next 9 sts, 3hhdc, hhdc in next 19 sts, 2hhdc in last. (73)

Row 5: Ch-1, turn, 2hhdc in first, hhdc in next 21 sts, 3hhdc in next, hhdc in next 11 sts, 3hhdc in next, hhdc in next 21 sts, 3hhdc in next, hhdc in next 11 sts, 3hhdc in next, hhdc in next 2 sts, hhdc2tog in last 2 sts. (81)

Row 6: Ch-1, turn, hhdc2tog, hhdc in next 2 sts, 3hhdc in next, hhdc in next 13 sts, 3hhdc in next, hhdc in next 23 sts, 3hhdc in next, hhdc in next 13 sts, 3hhdc, hhdc in next 22 sts, ch-1, sk-1, 2hhdc in last. (89)

Row 7: Ch-1, turn, 2hhdc in next, hhdc in next, hhdc in ch-sp, hhdc in next 23 sts, 3hhdc in next, hhdc in next 15 sts, 3hhdc in next, hhdc in next 25 sts, 3hhdc in next, hhdc in next 15 sts, 3hhdc in next, hhdc in next 2 sts, hhdc2tog in last 2 sts. (97)

Row 8: Ch-1, turn, hhdc2tog, hhdc in next 2 sts, 3hhdc in next, hhdc in next 17 sts, 3hhdc in next. hhdc in next 27 sts, 3hhdc in next, hhdc in next 17 sts, 3hhdc, hhdc in next 27 sts, 2hhdc in last. (105)

Row 9: Ch-1, turn, 2hhdc in next, hhdc in next 29 sts, 3hhdc in next, hhdc in next 19 sts, 3hhdc in next, hhdc in next 29 sts, 3hhdc in next, hhdc in next 19 sts, 3hhdc in next, hhdc in next 2 sts, hhdc2tog in last 2 sts. (113)

Row 10: Ch-1, turn, hhdc2tog, hhdc in next 2 sts, 3hhdc in next, hhdc in next 21 sts, 3hhdc in next, hhdc in next 31 sts, 3hhdc in next, hhdc in next 21 sts, 3hhdc, hhdc in next 30 sts, ch-1, sk-1, 2hhdc in last. (121)

Row 11: Ch-1, turn, 2hhdc in next, hhdc in next, hhdc in ch-sp, hhdc in next 31 sts, 3hhdc in next, hhdc in next 23 sts, 3hhdc in next, hhdc in next 33 sts, 3hhdc in next, hhdc in next 23 sts, 3hhdc in next, hhdc in next 2 sts, hhdc2tog in last 2 sts. (129)

Row 12: Ch-1, turn, hhdc2tog, hhdc in next 2 sts, 3hhdc in next, hhdc in next 25 sts, 3hhdc in next, hhdc in next 35 sts, 3hhdc in next, hhdc in next 25 sts, 3hhdc, hhdc in next 35 sts, 2hhdc in last. (137)

Row 13: Ch-1, turn, 2hhdc in next, hhdc in next 37 sts, 3hhdc in next, hhdc in next 27 sts, 3hhdc in next, hhdc in next 37 sts, 3hhdc in next, hhdc in next 27 sts, 3hhdc in next, hhdc in next 2 sts, hhdc2tog in last 2 sts. (145)

starting a sleep sack for newborns

Row 14: Ch-1, turn, 2hhdc in first, hhdc in next 4 sts, skip 29 sts, hhdc in next 41 sts, skip 29 sts, hhdc in next 37 sts, ch-1, sk-1, hhdc in next, hhdc2tog in last 2 sts. (87)

How to create an armhole in top-down sweater

Row 15: Ch-1, turn, hhdc in first 2 sts, hhdc in ch-sp, hhdc in 84 sts. (87)

make armholes on top down sweater

Rows 16 & 17: Ch-1, turn, hhdc in each st to end. (87)

Row 18: Ch-1, turn, hhdc in 84 sts, ch-1, sk-1, hhdc in last 2 sts. (87)

Free Pattern for Drawstring Sleep Sack

Rows 19 – 34: repeat rows 15 – 18 (87)

Row 35: repeat row 15

Row 36: Turn, sl st in first 6 sts (see photos), hhdc in 75 sts. Line up the last 6 sts with the first 6 sl sts and, going through both thicknesses, hhdc in last 6 sts. Join to top of first hhdc. (81)

where to slip stitch in drawstring sleep sack pattern

Rows 37 – 73: Ch-1, turn, hhdc in each st around, join to top of first hhdc with sl st. (81)

sleep sack sweater for newborns

Row 74: Ch-1, turn * hhdc in next 3 sts, ch-2, sk-2 sts * repeat round. Hhdc in last, join to top of first hhdc with sl st. (81)

How to create a drawstring opening in crochet

Rows 75 – 76: Ch-1, turn, hhdc in each st around, join to top of first hhdc with sl st. (81)

Row 77: Ch-1, do not turn, change to accent color, crab stitch in each st around. Join and weave in ends. (81)

Free Pattern for Drawstring Sleep Sack

Collar Edging:

Attach yarn at opening (looking at the outside)

Free Crochet Pattern for Drawstring Sleep Sack

Row 1: Ch-1, sc in each row end up, around collar, and to inside corner.

Free Pattern for Drawstring Sleep Sack

Row 2: Do not turn, change to accent color, crab stitch in each st around, all the way back to where you started. Fasten off and weave in all ends. Place  buttons (or snaps if not using buttonholes).

Pattern for Drawstring Newborn Sleep Sack

Sleeves:

Attach yarn at bottom of armhole opening…

Row 1: Ch-1, hhdc in each st around, join to top of first hhdc with sl st. (31)

Rows 2 – 15: Ch-1, turn, hhdc in each st around, join to top of first hhdc with sl st. (31)

Row 16: Ch-1, do not turn, change to accent color, crab stitch in each st around, join using Invisible Join. (31)

how to crochet top-down sleeves

Make a Drawstring: 

Using your accent color, crochet an i-cord approximately 26″ in length. Feed it through the openings on the bottom of the sleep sack, and secure with a cord stopper. If you’re worried about safety, you could simply tie it like a shoelace instead.

Drawstring Newborn Sleep Sack Crochet Pattern

If you like, you could omit the drawstring holes altogether and sew the sleep sack closed instead.

Ta-da! This is a beautiful, straight-forward pattern for a lovely little newborn sleep sack. The drawstring adds just that extra bit of elegance, don’t you think?

Free Pattern for Drawstring Sleep Sack

More crochet patterns for baby:

Tunisian Chevron Crochet Baby Blanket Pattern

10 Beginner-Friendly Baby Blanket Crochet Patterns

Juliet’s Baby Blanket: Baby Blanket (or Nursing Cover) Crochet Pattern

How to Make Homemade Baby Wipes

Infant Bomber Cardi Crochet Pattern (3/6 months)

It’s Shawl Good Crochet Pattern CHILD Size (12 – 18 Month)

Comments

  2. Veronica Davis says

    I'm making this and would like to add a hood. (just hdc back and forth and sew together at top) where would you recommend to start/stop on the neck line? I don't have a baby to measure against, I'm making two for preemie twins.
    Reply

  3. Vanessa Jones says

    Hi i'm having trouble with row 36. Join to top of first hhdc, this instruction in particular. Not sure what to do I am really stuck. The pictures are a little hard for me to see. Any help would be much appreciated. Thanks!
    Reply

    • Heart Hook Home says

      Hi Vanessa! When you overlap the last 6 stitches of that row with the 1st 6 slip stitches and hhdc through both of those layers, you are creating a circle and from this point on the pattern is worked in the round. So, to finish round 36, you will need to slip stitch into the 1st hhdc made in that round to join. Hope this makes sense!
      Reply

  5. Katrina says

    I’m almost done but it looks big. Do you have any measurements. Mine might be more 3 - 6 months lol
    Reply

    • Heart Hook Home says

      Hi Katrina! The sleepsack should measure approximately 22" tall and about 10" wide. Hope this helps!
      Reply

  6. Rebecca says

    Ashlea, I am having trouble on row 14. My previous row count is correct but I am coming up a stitch short.
    Reply

    • Heart Hook Home says

      Hi Rebecca! Are you counting that ch1 towards the end of the row? If not, there's your missing stitch. =) If that's not it, then you can send a pic to my email or on the Heart Hook Home facebook page and we can try to get it sorted out.
      Reply

  10. Rebecca says

    This is so cute!! I'm new to crocheting and really want to learn to make this. I'll have to learn all the acronyms first, but the stitch itself looks pretty easy. Thank you for sharing this along with the adorable baby!!
    Reply

  12. Ecolia Pulliam says

    I wanted to know if there us a video for this stitch on YouTube or a video that I can follow along with.
    Reply

    • Heart Hook Home says

      Hi! I have a tutorial for the herringbone half double crochet with video which can be found here: https://hearthookhome.com/how-to-herringbone-half-double-crochet-hhdc/
      Reply

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