There’s nothing cozier or cuter than a simple, handmade sweater! This Retro Stripe Baby Jumper uses a classic top-down raglan construction and a dense half double crochet stitch to create a warm, structured garment. The bold white stripe across the chest and sleeves gives it a fun, sporty look that’s quick to crochet and perfect for beginners dipping their toes into garment making.
This pattern is for an Intermediate crocheter comfortable with seamless construction and simple color changes.
Materials Needed 🧶
- Yarn: Approximately 350-400 yards of Worsted Weight (#4) yarn. A soft, warm acrylic or wool blend is ideal for a sweater.
- Main Color (MC): Approx. 300-350 yards (Coral Pink)
- Contrast Color (CC): Approx. 50 yards (Snow White)
- Crochet Hook: 5.0 mm (US H-8), or the size needed to obtain gauge.
- Tapestry Needle: For weaving in ends and seaming.
- Stitch Markers: 4 markers for the raglan corners.
Skill Level & Notes 💡
- Skill Level: Intermediate. You should be comfortable with top-down seamless raglan shaping and basic color changes.
- Construction: The sweater is worked seamlessly from the top-down, starting at the neck and continuing in the round.
- Chains: The starting chain (ch 2) at the beginning of HDC rounds always counts as the first HDC unless noted otherwise.
Gauge 📏
In Half Double Crochet (HDC) (Yoke section) using a 5.0 mm hook: 13 HDC stitches and 10 rounds = 4 inches (10 cm) square.
Abbreviations 📚
| Abbreviation | Description |
| ch | chain |
| sl st | slip stitch |
| sc | single crochet |
| hdc | half double crochet |
| dc | double crochet |
| st(s) | stitch(es) |
| rep | repeat |
| PM | Place Marker |
| BLO | Back Loop Only |
Export to Sheets
Special Technique ✨
Back Loop Only Half Double Crochet (BLO-HDC)
This technique is used for the cuffs and hem ribbing.
- BLO-HDC: Work a half double crochet stitch into the back loop only of the specified stitch.
Part 1: The Yoke (MC – Coral Pink) ⬆️
Size: 6-12 Months. We begin working in the round.
Round 1 (Foundation): Ch 54. Sl st to the first ch, being careful not to twist. Ch 2 (counts as hdc). Hdc in the same st. Hdc in the next 7 ch. [Hdc, ch 2, hdc] in the next ch (PM in ch-2 sp). Hdc in the next 10 ch (Shoulder). [Hdc, ch 2, hdc] in the next ch (PM). Hdc in the next 14 ch (Front). [Hdc, ch 2, hdc] in the next ch (PM). Hdc in the next 10 ch (Shoulder). [Hdc, ch 2, hdc] in the next ch (PM). Hdc in the last 8 ch. Sl st to the top of the beg ch-2 to join. (56 hdc, 4 ch-2 sps)
Round 2 (Increase Round): Ch 2. Hdc in each st until the first ch-2 sp. [Hdc, ch 2, hdc] in the ch-2 sp. Rep [Hdc in each st to next ch-2 sp, (hdc, ch 2, hdc) in ch-2 sp] 3 times. Hdc in each remaining st. Sl st to join. (Increases by 8 hdc each round.)
Rounds 3-8: Repeat Round 2. Continue increasing by 8 hdc each round.
- End of Round 8 Stitch Count: 112 hdc, 4 ch-2 sps.
Part 2: Body Separation and Stripe 👕
We will divide the body and sleeves and begin the main stripe.
Round 9 (Separation Round): Ch 2. Hdc in each st until the first ch-2 sp. Hdc in the ch-2 sp. Ch 4 (skips the sleeve stitches/PMs). Hdc in the second ch-2 sp. Hdc in each st until the third ch-2 sp. Hdc in the ch-2 sp. Ch 4 (skips the second sleeve stitches). Hdc in the fourth ch-2 sp. Hdc in each remaining st. Sl st to join. (60 hdc, 8 ch = 68 sts)
Round 10 (MC): Ch 2. Work 4 hdc into each ch-4 sp. Hdc in each hdc around. Sl st to join. (76 hdc)
Round 11 (MC): Ch 2. Hdc in each st around. Sl st to join. (76 hdc)
Round 12 (CC – White Stripe 1): Join CC. Ch 2. Hdc in each st around. Sl st to join. (76 hdc)
Round 13 (CC – White Stripe 2): Ch 2. Hdc in each st around. Sl st to join. (76 hdc)
Round 14 (MC): Join MC. Ch 2. Hdc in each st around. Sl st to join. (76 hdc)
Part 3: The Main Body 👚
Rounds 15-26: Ch 2. Hdc in each st around. Sl st to join. (76 hdc)
Part 4: The Bottom Ribbing 👖
Round 27 (Ribbing Setup): Ch 1. Sc in each st around. Sl st to join. (76 sc)
Round 28 (BLO Ribbing): Ch 1. Sc in the BLO of each st around. Sl st to join. (76 sc)
Rounds 29-30: Repeat Round 28.
Fasten off MC. Weave in the end.
Part 5: The Sleeves 🧤
(Use MC unless noted.) Rejoin yarn at the center of one underarm.
Sleeve Round 1: Ch 2. Work 1 hdc in each of the 4 chain stitches under the arm. Hdc in each of the sleeve stitches left unworked from Round 9. Sl st to join. (Approx. 36 hdc)
Sleeve Round 2 (MC): Ch 2. Hdc in each st around. Sl st to join.
Sleeve Round 3 (CC – Stripe): Join CC. Ch 2. Hdc in each st around. Sl st to join.
Sleeve Round 4 (CC – Stripe): Ch 2. Hdc in each st around. Sl st to join.
Sleeve Round 5 (MC): Join MC. Ch 2. Hdc in each st around. Sl st to join.
Sleeve Rounds 6-18: Ch 2. Hdc in each st around. Sl st to join. (Work 2 hdc2tog decreases evenly spaced every 3 rounds to taper the sleeve gently.)
Sleeve Round 19 (Ribbing Setup): Ch 1. Sc in each st around. Sl st to join.
Sleeve Rounds 20-22 (Ribbing): Ch 1. Sc in the BLO of each st around. Sl st to join.
Fasten off. Repeat for the second sleeve.
Video Tutorial:
Finishing 🫧
- Weave in all ends securely using the tapestry needle. Tuck the color change tails inside the sweater neatly.
- Neckline Edging: Rejoin MC at the back of the neck. Work 1 round of sc evenly around the neck opening. Sl st to join and fasten off.
- Blocking: Gently wet or steam block the sweater, ensuring the hem and sleeve cuffs lay flat.
Your cozy Retro Stripe Baby Jumper is ready for layering! Enjoy the vibrant colors!
