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Simple Newborn Sleeper: Free Crochet Pattern

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47 Comments

If you’re a beginner in crochet and looking for an easy crocheted baby project, this pattern is for you! This Simple Newborn Sleeper uses only one stitch, and works up super fast!

Simple Sleeper

My primary care physician just welcomed her third baby, a beautiful baby boy. To welcome him to the world, I created this beginner-friendly baby sleeper pattern. I wanted him to have something all his own, and for his parents to have easy access to diaper changes at any given time. 😛

Materials:

Caboo yarn (size 3/DK, cotton/bamboo blend)
-approx. 380 yards

Crochet hook in size G/4mm

⅛” elastic

Needle and thread

Gauge:

18 sts x 9 rows = 4” square

Pattern Notes:

Do not turn throughout the entire pattern.

Pattern written using US terms.

The chain at the beginning of the row does not count as a stitch.

Pattern:

Round 1: Fdc-48 (or ch-50, dc in 3rd ch from hook and in each to end) Join to top of first dc with sl st. (48)

Round 2: Ch-2, * dc in next 3 sts, 2dc in next * repeat between * * around. Join to top of first dc with sl st. (60)

Round 3: Ch-2, * dc in next 4 sts, 2dc in next * repeat between * * around. Join to top of first dc with sl st. (72)

Round 4: Ch-2, * dc in next 5 sts, 2dc in next * repeat between * * around. Join to top of first dc with sl st. (84)

Round 5: Ch-2, * dc in next 6 sts, 2dc in next * repeat between * * around. Join to top of first dc with sl st. (96)

Round 6: Ch-2, * dc in next 7 sts, 2dc in next * repeat between * * around. Join to top of first dc with sl st. (108)

Round 7: Ch-2, * dc in next 8 sts, 2dc in next * repeat between * * around. Join to top of first dc with sl st. (120)

Round 8: Ch-2, * dc in next 9 sts, 2dc in next * repeat between * * around. Join to top of first dc with sl st. (132)

Armholes:

Round 9: Ch-2, dc in next 3 sts, sk-27 sts, dc in next 39 sts. Sk-27 sts, dc in remaining 36 sts. Join to first dc with sl st. (78)

Body:

Round 10: Ch-1, dc in each st around. Do not join, work in a spiral for remainder of pattern marking first st of the row with stitch marker. (78)

Round 11 – 39: Dc in each st around. (78)

Because we are working in a spiral and not turning, our stitches will migrate to the right. You should end in the middle of the “front”.

Round 40: Dc in next 15 sts, hdc in next 2 sts, sc in next st sl in next.

Finishing: Ch-1, lay elastic so that you are crocheting around it, sc in each st around.

When you get around, pull elastic so that the bottom of the body tapers. When pulled tight, the elastic should be about the same diameter of the sleep sack itself.

Overlap the elastic by about an inch and, using needle and thread, secure the two ends of elastic. Sew thoroughly. Fasten off and weave in all ends.

Sleeves:

Attach yarn at first skipped stitch of armhole opening…

Row 1: Ch-2, Dc in each st around (27 sts so far), dc2tog 3X over remaining spaces. Join to top of first dc. (30)

Rows 2 – 10: Ch-2, do not turn, dc in each st around, join to top of first dc. (30)

Row 11: Ch-1, do not turn, sc in each st around, join using Invisible Join. (30)

That is it! I hope you love this super simple sleeper pattern!

Simple Sleeper Crochet Pattern for Newborns

More crochet patterns for babies:

Newborn On Point Poncho + Companion Video

Drawstring Sleep Sack Crochet Pattern for Newborns

Newborn Sleep Sack Free Crochet Pattern

Infant Hoodie Crochet Pattern (size 6 months)

Rockin’ Romper Free Crochet Pattern

Comments

  1. SamanthaS says

    Thank you for this cute little pattern definitely gonna keep this in my folder! Worked up great too! I added elastic to the top also and contrasting colors for this little guy.
    Reply

    • Melissa says

      Loving this simple pattern so far but having trouble understanding Row 20 of the body. It you don't join with a slip stitch job to you continue? I am not sure what you mean by working in a spiral. Thank you
      Reply

  2. Olivia says

    This pattern is great, but I did need to increase my chain to 74 to be able to make the head hole big enough for a newborn head.
    Reply

    • Deborah Dunton says

      did that increase the rest of the pattern as well or did you do something to make it go back to the original size? sorry not good at explaining.
      Reply

  3. Bianca says

    Hey, do you have a video of this pattern? I never done anything like it and I'm having trouble understanding the armholes part.
    Reply

    • Heart Hook Home says

      Hi Bianca! Unfortunately, I do not have a video for this. But to create the armholes you are simply skipping 27 stitches and when you crochet into the next stitch, those skipped stitches will form the armhole. I hope this makes sense!
      Reply

  4. Heather says

    I'm new to garment making, is there a reason this is made in the round instead of sl st to the first of each round? (I'd like to add stripes lol)
    Reply

    • Heart Hook Home says

      Hi Heather! I don't see any reason you couldn't continue the join and ch 2 for the body portion. The reason I did continuous rounds was mainly because I didn't want the seam...but stripes would be ADORABLE so I say go for it!
      Reply

  5. Belinda Williams says

    I’m really confused on this pattern. Been crocheting for a long time. Pattern does not say “ch two and turn.” So if you’re not turning how do you complete the pattern? I do 50 chains not foundation row. And if you do 50 chains, there’s nowhere to join to the top. ‍♀️
    Reply

    • Chelle says

      You don't need to chain 2 and turn because you're working in the round. You just keep crocheting along the circle. Once you have your 50 chains, you would slip stitch the first chain to the last that you made. This creates a circle which is 48 chains long. After you join, you will chain two and start to double crochet. Due to not turning and just working around the circle your height stays the same, which negates the need to chain 2 at the beginning of the row/round.
      Reply

  6. Ashley M says

    Hi! I love this pattern! It’s made a beautiful gown for my baby on the way and I definitely plan on making more! I noticed concerns of people about the neck hole and over all size so I took some of that in to account in making the gown. The adjustments I made were- At the neckline I worked back and forth in a flat panel for a couple rows, joined at the end of row 3 and proceeded to work in the round. Created a bigger neck hole, but I added a button for closure, also added a row of single crochet around the whole neckline as it looked more finished with what I had done. I did a small decrease at the end of the body instead of adding the elastic and also decreased in the sleeves a few stitches (down to 24 stitches around). I used an F (3.75mm) hook and yarn bee bamboo-tiful (which is SO terrible to work with, it splits like crazy, I have tiny picks in it all over! But it’s very soft!) I matched the gauge and the size looks close to newborn gowns I’ve purchased at Carter’s, maybe slightly bigger. Thanks for sharing this great pattern!! Wish I could share a few pictures!
    Reply

  7. Kathy Kleen says

    I Love this pattern! I made it with Caron Simply Soft and it came out great! Then I tried to make a bigger one using1mm bigger hook and it came out HUGE. Can you advise how to make this in 3-6 month, 6-9 month sizes and how number 4 yarn will affect sizing, please? I really Love the pattern and want to make more for my nephew's first baby. Thank you!
    Reply

  8. Alexis says

    Hi! Super new to crocheting so this might be a silly question. When you say slip stitch into first DC.... Do I slip stitch and then chain 2 and DC into that same stitch? My seam is turning out really weird. Thanks!
    Reply

    • Heart Hook Home says

      Hi Alexis! Yes, you will DC into the same stitch that you joined (slip stitched) into the previous round. Hope this helps!
      Reply

  11. Kay says

    I can not get past row 2. Stitches are not counting up. After joining I always end up with 57. not 60. What am I doing wrong? I really want to make this item. I have tried 4 times . This is what I am doing. I chained 50, dc in 3rd ch from hook, continued dc to end. joined (48) Chained 2, *Dc in next 3, 2dc next*, continued around, joined ( now have 57 not 60) So when I try row 3 I dont have enough stitches.
    Reply

  12. Nicole says

    This pattern is my go-to every time someone I know has a baby. It works up quickly and easily, looks fantastic as-is, looks even better embellished (I like to add appliqués and ruffles sometimes), fits like a dream, and looks like I spent a bundle on it. Definitely a personal fave! Thanks for sharing it!
    Reply

  13. Katie says

    I found the sizing to be way off - I used a smaller hook and decreased the number of rounds I increased, ripped it out twice, and still ended up with something that would fit a 3-6 month old vs newborn.
    Reply

    • Brooke says

      Same! I’m using the right size yarn and the hook they say and it’s looking more like 6 to 9 or even 12 months! It’s cute and I can adjust but I’m confused as to why everyone else’s seems to be small enough that have commented but mine is coming out huge
      Reply

  14. Amber says

    Hi, all of my rounds came out great and matched the numbers, however by row 39 I did not migrate as the to the middle front? I guess my stitch markers were pretty uniform throughout. Should I just ignore the mark and back up to the middle to proceed with row 40? Also, do you have a recommended brand of corded elastic? Thanks
    Reply

    • Kim Montagner says

      Hi Amber mine also did not migrate to the middle front. What did you end up doing? I just don't understand row 40: Dc in next 15 sts, hdc in next 2 sts, sc in next st sl in next. SO DOES THAT MEAN we only work into the next 19 sts. Can you perhaps help me understand that? Thank you.
      Reply

  15. Sherry says

    I want to make this for a friend but she has big babies. 10 to 12 pound babies. Do you think this will fit this size? Can I do something special for the bigger babies? Thank you for your help.
    Reply

    • Heart Hook Home says

      Hi Sherry! I would try going up a hook size...that should make it a bit larger. Hope this helps!
      Reply

  16. Sam says

    Is the neck hole too small for a baby head? I haven’t passed that step because it looks too small to me
    Reply

    • Heart Hook Home says

      Hi! I had no trouble slipping over a newborns head...the neck hole should be approximately 11". Hope this helps!
      Reply

      • Sam says

        Ok, maybe I’m using the wrong yarn or hook then. I’m new to crocheting so I’m still figuring this all out! Thank you!
        Reply

      • Tia says

        I am frustrated by this pattern. I have done it and undone it several times. Following exact gauge, thread and hook, I too had an 11” head. Looked up average head circumference which is 13”. I have wasted so much time on this. The sleeper is so cute but the measurements are off and the sleeper is unusable. Both babies I am making this for have 14+“ heads.
        Reply

  17. johnnar says

    Im not understanding the body and i get 78 stitches. Do I skip the 27 stitches and continue my DC in the next dc stitch?
    Reply

  18. Ane says

    I matched the gauge but it looks really small. Can you tell me the measurements? How long and the width. Thank you for the pattern!
    Reply

    • Heart Hook Home says

      Hi Ane! When laid flat, the body of the piece should measure approximately 9-10" wide and the total length around 18". Hope this helps!
      Reply

      • Ane says

        It did! Thank you so much! I made mine a little longer but it looks great and it’s so easy to make. Thank you again! Your site is beautiful!
        Reply

  19. Yashashri says

    I am working on the pattern.. but I have a doubt.. isn't the neck small to pass on the baby head?
    Reply

    • Sam says

      I am having the same doubt! It looks so small, like a baby head won’t fit through! And I’m scared to move on now and have it be too small
      Reply

  20. Christianna Scott says

    I’m having trouble with the second round. I either come out with 68 stitches or 48! Any suggestions? I might be having trouble with the 2dc. How exactly do you do it? Could you send me a YouTube video which explains how you do it? The ones I looked at gave me the wrong results. I’m missing something!
    Reply

    • Jillian Gulledge says

      I’m having trouble with the second row as well! I end up with like 5 extra stitches on the row. Is there a video tutorial on this I can watch to help me?
      Reply

  22. Lori Staggs says

    My FAVORITE newborn essential! So excited to have a crochet pattern for it. I wonder how many I can whip up before my due date in August!!!???
    Reply

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