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Newborn Sleep Sack Free Crochet Pattern

ByAshlea

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Ahhh, babies. I love the cuddles, the snuggles, the smell of their newborn hair. If you have been following the Painted Canyon Cardigan series of patterns you’ll know that we have been missing the newborn size… UNTIL NOW! We now have a newborn sleep sack, a free and EASY crochet pattern that falls right in line with the Painted Canyon style. Woot!

 

Newborn Sleep Sack Free Crochet Pattern

Of course, we have sizes that the whole family can wear, this is the free pattern for the newborn sleep sack and I’ve included instructions for preemies as well.

If you are expecting (congrats!!), if you have a newborn, or if you are breastfeeding (or trying to or planning to!), may I suggest this article I wrote about my year-long experience of exclusively pumping for our youngest? Sometimes I can’t believe I lasted that long exclusively pumping, but I’m glad I did. Our oldest was bottle-fed (because of his undiagnosed health issues). Feed your baby however you like, but if you need help producing more milk, this article may help! 😀

sleep sack for preemies, free crochet pattern

More sizes of the Painted Canyon Cardigan Series:

Get the infant size 6 month infant here.
Get the infant size 12 month here.
Get the child size 2/3T here.
Get the child size 4/5T here.
Get the child size 6/8 here.
Get the child size 10/12 here.
Get the ADULT sizes of this pattern (currently 0 – 28W) here.

Want all of the child sizes together? Grab all of the child sizes in one printable file on Ravelry or Etsy!

Newborn sleep sack free crochet pattern

Materials:

Worsted weight (size 4) yarn
-approx. 400 yards for newborn sleep sack
Stitch markers
Crochet hook in size J/6mm
Buttons (preferably 3/4″)

Gauge:

Make sure you CHECK YOUR GAUGE!

11 hdc and 10 rows in 4” square

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Newborn Sleep sack crochet pattern for Painted Canyon Cardigan

PATTERN for newborn:

Row 1: Fhdc 40 (or Ch-41 and hdc in 2nd st and in each across) (40)
Rows 2 – 92: Ch-1, hdc in each st to end (40)
Mark center two sts with stitch marker (move them up each row to the new center). If an odd number stagger them so they always line up each row.
Rows 93 – 100: Ch-1, hdc to marker, hdc2tog, hdc to end. (end with 32 sts)
Fasten off leaving a long tail for sewing. Fold right sides together and sew the top of the hood.

PATTERN for preemies:

Row 1: Fhdc 35 (or Ch-36 and hdc in 2nd st and in each across) (35)
Rows 2 – 74: Ch-1, hdc in each st to end (35)
Mark center two sts with stitch marker (move them up each row to the new center). If an odd number stagger them so they always line up each row.
Rows 75 – 82: Ch-1, hdc to marker, hdc2tog, hdc to end. (end with 27 sts)
Fasten off leaving a long tail for sewing. Fold right sides together and sew the top of the hood.

Creating the Hood on a hooded newborn sleep sack

Newborn Sleepsack crochet pattern

Hooded newborn sleep sack crochet pattern

Edging for both sizes:

Attach yarn at bottom right corner as pictured.

Adding edging to a preemie size sleep sack

Row 1: Ch-1, hdc in the end of each row up to hood, around the top edge and down the other side making sure to place just one hdc per row as in this tutorial.
Row 2: Ch-1, hdc in first * fphdc in next, bphdc in next * repeat between ** around to end, hdc in last st.
Rows 3-4: Ch-1, hdc in first, fphdc around previous row’s bphdc (to create ribbing), bphdc around next fphdc. * fphdc around next, bphdc around next * repeat between * * to end, hdc in last st.
Fasten off and weave in tail.

Buttons:

Disclaimer: You could also add short chains to the sides to use as ties in order to eliminate the risk of choking as the baby ages. This sleep sack is intended for use with brand new babies that have no interest in shiny things such as buttons. Use your own discretion as it pertains to closures.

Fold up the bottom half of the sleep sack and decide where to place your buttons. You’ll place the buttons/ties on the top half of the sack so that you can fold up the sleep sack and use the buttons as closures. If you choose buttons that are about 3/4″ in size, they should fit through ANY of the holes on the edging of the corresponding/top side. This also makes the sleep sack adjustable as the baby grows! Bonus!!

Free crochet pattern for preemie sleep sack

These newborn sleep sacks whip up super quickly, and as we are expecting TWINS in the family before the end of the year (!!!), I made up an adorable set for my niece and nephew to-be. ♥ I’ll add photos of those sleep sacks to this post after I send them off to their momma!

More free patterns and resources for new Moms:

Four-Hour Fall Sweater Free Crochet Pattern
Breast Milk: Tips for Increasing Supply, Pumping and Storing Efficiently
12 Month Infant Hoodie Free Crochet Pattern
Infant Hoodie Crochet Pattern (size 6 months)
Pulse-Oximetry at Birth (I’m THAT Friend) + Why Isn’t This Standard Testing in ALL States?

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146 Comments

  1. Pingback: J Crochet Hook Uk Size | Crochet Terms
  2. Pingback: 7 Newborn, Baby & Toddler Crochet Patterns – Holly's Crochet Creations
  3. Pingback: Newborn Crochet Sleep Sack with Free Pattern | Pattern Center
  4. Pingback: Baby Free Crochet Patterns - Keep Me Covered Ponchos, Cocoons, and Car-seat Covers - Crafty Designs by Day
    1. Hi Sally! The sleep sack pattern does not include 6 month sizing...I do, however, have an adorable hoodie pattern which can be found here: http://hearthookhome.com/infant-hoodie-crochet-pattern-size-6-months/
      Reply
  6. I want to weave this on my Rigid Heddle loom for my second cousin's new baby. Can you please tell me what the length of the hood is? The folded body, from what I have read above should be 20 - 25 inches and width 15 inches, but I can't find what the measurements for the hooded part is. Thank you, I am so excited to convert this to a woven project.
    Reply
  7. I love this pattern. Can you please tell me the finished dimensions in inches for the preemie, newborn and 6 month sizes? Hood length also. Thank you!
    Reply
  8. Hello, I absolutely love this pattern idea and I have some yarn that I've been saving and decided to use on it. The problem is, I only have 336 yards. But it's a bulky size 5 yarn. Do you think I have enough to make the newborn? I know it should be 37" before hood, but I was wondering if you had measurements for the finished project. Thank you!
    Reply
  9. I just finished the edging and it looks like your pictures BUT I cannot understand how to put the buttons since there are no holes in my edge. What did I do wrong?
    Reply
  10. I have a skein that is 364 yards I’d like to use first for this. Would this still work? Or do you use exactly 400 yards for a newborn size?
    Reply
    1. Hi Shelley! You could use the skein you have for the main portion of the sleep sack, and if it looks like you won't have enough for the edging then you could use a contrasting color. Hope this helps!
      Reply
  11. Ashlea - This is a beautiful pattern and You have the patients of a saint! Thank you for sharing it with all of us who are at different skill levels and those of us who want to change needle sizes and yarn weights and are lost without you :) Just a thought - would it be helpful to show the measurements of what the width and length should be (using arrows overlaid onto the picture where the stitches change in the pattern) God Bless You! Janana2
    Reply
  13. I love this sleep sack! My niece is having a baby and saw this also and would love the purple that you did in the picture. Do you, by chance remember the color name or what brand yarn you used and I can find the color? Thank you for the pattern!!
    Reply
  14. Hello. I'm trying to make this beautiful cocoon, but I have some difficulties with the gauge. I tried with a 6 hook, and a 7 hook, but my gauge still stays at 3 ". What can I do? (to excuse my english mistake, I'm french :) )
    Reply
    1. Hello! Do you mean the height or the width? If the width is correct, then I would continue and simply add more rows to account for the height. Does that help?
      Reply
  15. Disregard my post! Guess it would help if I read the instructions correctly to begin with. Love this little gem and will make it over and over again as gifts. Thank you.
    Reply
  16. I am at the point of starting the second row of the border (took out 2/3 row because it didn't look like photo you have posted). Am confused as I tried doing what was described in the pattern. Can you go in to a little more detail on what you are doing to get the ribs the way it looks in the photo please? Thank.s
    Reply
    1. I'm having same issue. I'm going to continue doing fphdc on fphdc from row below and bphdc on bphdc from row before and see if it looks more like the picture.
      Reply
    2. I realized what I was doing wrong. I crocheted the border on all 4 sides so was working in one direction in a round. It should only be on long sides and hood! Three sides only. So when turning to make the 2nd and 3rd rows of border, it totally makes sense now. I love this pattern. So cute!
      Reply
  17. I decided to use a bulky yarn and loving it so far. My question is can you tell me how long this needs to be in inches before i start my hood part
    Reply
    1. Did you figure this out? My gauge is a little off and I’m ok with that. Just trying to figure out at what point (size) to start the hood.
      Reply
      1. Hi! For the newborn size the length should be approx. 37" before starting the hood...and for preemie, approx. 30". Hope this helps!
        Reply
  18. Hi! I have 5.5 and 6.5mm hooks but not 6.0mm. What modifications do you suggest I implement with either hook to get the same (or a similar) result?
    Reply
    1. Hi Lenny! I would do a gauge swatch with each hook and see which one gets you closest to my gauge...then go with that. Hope that helps!
      Reply
  19. Hi I'm making this sleeping bag and I'm kinda confused I chained the 41 so now I'm on the edging do I still do the fphdc bphdc around or do i do the hdc on second row
    Reply
    1. Hi Linda! Fhcd stands for Foundation half double crochet. I have a tutorial on how to do it here: https://hearthookhome.com/crochet-foundation-half-double-crochet/
      Reply
  22. Hi Ashley, is there by chance a way to add a seat belt slit in this pattern for the different sizes, Tia ♡
    Reply
      1. Hello I just found your sleep sack pattern. I was looking in the co Meets and was wondering if you were able to workout a pattern with the seatbelt modification? Thanks Tara
        Reply
  23. Pingback: Crochet Swaddling Blanket Bag for Babies Project | The Homestead Survival
  24. Do you have a video tutorial on the Sleep Sack? I have the supplies to make the project, but the more I read the more confused I get. Guess I am more of a visual as backup to written instructions crocheter. Was hoping to make this for a new great-grandchild due in the fall. Thank you for sharing all the information and patterns.
    Reply
    1. Hi Deborah! I'm sorry, but I do not have a video for the Sleep Sack. I am sure you can do it though! If you need help, you can always email me or message me on facebook on my Heart Hook Home page. Good luck and happy crocheting!
      Reply
      1. Thank you for your response on the video question. Have never worked a foundation half double crochet before so trying that. When working rows 2-92 it says Ch-1, hdc in each st to end (40) is there a turn at the end of row 2 through 92? The instructions did not specify and for someone like me who has not crocheted often I was a bit hesitant to continue.
        Reply
        1. Yes, you will ch-1 and turn after every row. And here is the link to my foundation HDC tutorial if you need it: hearthookhome.com/crochet-foundation-half-double-crochet/
          Reply
  25. Pingback: Newborn Sleep Sack Crochet Free Pattern
    2. Hi Bevy! You will want to mark the 2 stitches in the center of row 92. For example, if making the newborn size, you will have 40 stitches across row 92 so you will mark stitches 20 and 21 as the center. Then for row 93 you will crochet 19 HDC, 1 HDC2TG (in those marked center stitches), 19 HDC...for a total of 39 stitches for that row. You will then move your stitch markers up to the center of row 93. Hope that makes sense!
      Reply
        1. Hi Michelle! Since we are doing a hdc2tog in each of those rows, we will be losing a total of 8 stitches over the 8 rows...after finishing row 100 you should have 32 stitches. Hope this helps!
          Reply
  27. Pingback: Newborn Sleep Sack Free Crochet Pattern - New Craft Works
  28. I'm really enjoying this pattern; a friend of mine asked me to make it for her first girl. But I'm wondering just how important is the gauge; as with most patterns I do mine is shorter. Instead of 11 sta and 10 rows being 4" sq mine is 3" sq.
    Reply
    1. Hi Elizabeth! You could try going up a hook size or 2 to try to get your gauge. Or you can add stitches and rows to your project. If your gauge swatch is only 3" square, I would estimate that you would probably need to add about 10-15 stitches to your foundation row, and do approximately 130 rows instead of 100.
      Reply
      1. Thank you; I think it's because I like to have tight stitches (slight form of OCD)because I have had this problem with other patterns.
        Reply
  29. I am crocheting the border for the Newborn Sleep Sack. My question is whether I crochet around all 4 sides or, as the directions say, up the right side, across the hood and down the left side only. I followed the tutorial and single crocheted around three sides and now am ready to start the 1st row of the border. Thank you for the beautiful pattern. I am using Flutterby Chunky. I know the baby will enjoy the soft, warm and comfy sleep sack.
    Reply
      1. By just going 3 sides it will be uneven in my eyes. Have done 1st row now what. Also many pieces to weave in. Or am I a little OCD Thk u
        Reply
        1. If you think it will look odd by just doing 3 sides, then you can add the border to the bottom edge as well =)
          Reply
  30. How is the hood going from 40 to 32 if I hdc2tog once? Wish it was explained better. Mine also came out huge, I didn't even go to 100 rows, and I checked my gauge (I used bernat pop with a 6mm hook.). I get that it's a simple concept, but kind of frustrated with the final outcome. Baby is going to be swallowed up.
    Reply
    1. I don’t know if you figured this out or got an answer but you repeat hdc2tog each row until you reach 32 stitches. It appears really long but when you fold it over and leave the hood out it’s really not. By the time you account for an actual baby in the sack. I hope this helps.
      Reply
  31. I am making this for twins that are due in next month (March) do you think I should do the premie size since they will probably be smaller and since it is March she probably won't use them more than a month or so?
    Reply
    1. Just found out the are due April 6...so I will definitely make in the premie size - can you tell me what the total dimensions are for that size? Thank you!
      Reply
  32. Pingback: Crochet per nadons – La Merceria de l'Alba
  33. I'm stuck on the hood part. How do I see it? Pattern doesn't tell you what to do. Please explain in detail so I cn finish this Lol
    Reply
    1. Hi, Candy. I would think the best way to sew up the hood portion of the pattern is to use the long length of yarn you left for sewing and whip stitch the two sides together. After you have done the whip stitch, turn your hood portion right side out. That's how I would do it. Alternately, I suppose you could single crochet or slip stitch the two sides together. The third picture in the construction photos shows how it should look after it has been sewn together. I hope this helps!
      Reply
  34. Hi Ashlea. Wanted to ask what is fphdc and bphdc. Hdc i know is half dc, but just couldnt understand this term. Please guide me. Thank you. Regards Shaheen
    Reply
    3. I believe you were asking about the term "fhdc". In that case, it stands for "Foundation Half Double Crochet". It's a way to start your project without having to chain 41, then hdc in 2nd st and in each across) (40). You would either do the 40 foundation half double crochets, or you would do the chain 41, then half double crochet in the 2nd stitch and in each across, whichever you prefer. I've only used the fhdc once, so I intend to look it up on YouTube the next time I want to start a project this way.
      Reply
  35. Hi. Thank you so very much for posting all your patterns. Made my daughter a unicorn hoodie last year everyone comments on it, currently making the sleep sack and plan to make the hoodie size 6 months. There such a great and easy patterns to follow. Thank you thank you thank you.
    Reply
  36. Pingback: A Curated List of New Free Crochet Patterns January Week 4 - Karla's Making It
  37. The sleep sack says for sizes for the whole family when you click on it takes you to the cardigan pattern I want to make the sleep sack but want it to fit up to 12 months please help Thanks
    Reply
  38. I saw your darling sleep sack and just could not download it beyond the picture. So I went forth and winged it by myself and this morning I was determined to find it. For the ribbing I did a single crochet in the first and last stitches in the back loop. Great. I did a chain two for button holes. Can't decrease in the hood but oh well, next time. Red with Mickey Mouse buttons. Thanks.
    Reply
  39. Hello, this is such a cute pattern! Thank you for sharing. I'm halfway thru and being a newbie I looked up hdc2tog and now see how to do it but curious how the count goes from 40 sts to 32 sts. I thought hdc2tog would take away only one st. I'm afraid I'm missing something and don't want to go any further. What am I missing? Thanks!
    Reply
    1. Oh wait, I got it! Duh, each row continues to lose a stitch! I'm pregnant and not thinking straight. Thanks again for the pattern!
      Reply
    1. Hi Kimberly! I'm sorry I didn't see this sooner, did you get it? You'll sew the top part together to make the hood, instead it would just be a large rectangle. Hope that helps!
      Reply
  42. I’ve made two of your painted canyon cardigans already, I love the pattern! I’m wondering what yarn was used for this sack as I would love to make another cardigan in this color, it is beautiful! Thank you!!
    Reply
  43. How wide is this sleep sack. I am trying this in Mandala and want to make sure that I have the correct width. Also how long is it? I know you mentioned folded but how long unfolded?
    Reply
    1. Hi Laura, They are about 14" wide and 20" tall after folding (so about 40" before folding) and before the hood. Hope that helps!
      Reply
      2. Hi Ashlea, It means the full size: about 14" wide, (20"+hood) tall? or the hood is in the 20"tall?? Thanks for your reply.
        Reply
      3. Thank you so much for posting this. My baby was born 6 weeks ago a few weeks early and had many life saving surgeries. We just left the nicu after living there since birth and I was looking for something like this to make her. She was given a regular blanket sleep sack and fell in love with it. I was going to buy more but thought about making one myself. Long story short thank you for posting this. I want to make her something special from me. She’s such a fighter. Can’t wait to start
        Reply
  44. Any chance you have a video of how you do the crochet around the markers to lessen the stitch count for the top? I am confused on that part.
    Reply
  46. I have one just abou finished for my baby #3 who could be born at any time now! Just one more row around the border and the buttons. Thanks for such a cute but doable project for a busy mom. :)
    Reply
  47. What is the finished size. Started one but want to make sure of size. Have to say it's just beautiful Thanks so much . Millie
    Reply
    1. Hi Millie! The newborn is about 20" tall (after folded up) and the preemie size is about 16" or so. Hope that helps!
      Reply
      1. How wide should the newborn size be before the boarder? Where you say it should be 20" long, is that not including the hood?
        Reply
        1. Hi Jane! The width should be almost 15" before the edging. The folded length should be approximately 20"-25" (including hood) depending on how far up you fold it. Hope this helps!
          Reply