Knitting patterns for baby and child sweaters and hats with hoods inspired by animals. Updated 1/22/23.
To get the knitting patterns, scroll down the page to the individual pattern you want and click on the link to that pattern.
These patterns are not my designs but links to other designers who have generously shared their patterns. If you have questions about how to knit a specific pattern, please contact the designer directly.
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Free Patterns
Baby Cardigan
Hooded baby cardigan knit mostly in garter stitch with baby bear ears to add extra cuteness. Size 6-12 months is free in web version. Sizes 12-24 months 2-4 years 4-6 years and pdf of all sizes available for purchase. Aran weight yarn. Designed by Annanitato Lolo of Crazy Hands. Video tutorial included with pattern.
Hooded Bear Cowl
Baby hood with bear ears knit flat and seamed. Sizing: Baby 6/12 (18/24) mos. Aran weight yarn. Designed by Yarnspirations Design Studio
Dragon Hood and Dog Sweater
Matching dragon or dinosaur themed hooded scarf kids and sweater for pets. Dog sweater sizes o fit dogs about 10-18 (18-29) lbs. Designed by Lion Brand Yarn.
Frankie the Fox Onesie
Hooded baby and child onesie fox costume with ears and face on hood and tail on back. Cute Halloween baby costume. I'd probably add some fill to make the ears stand up. Buttons are placed down the entire front to allow for easy on-and-off of the costume. Sizes Newborn-3 mo (6-12 mo, 18-24 mo, 4-6 yr). Worsted weight yarn. Designed by Amy Gunderson. Web version only with pdf downloads for charts and schematic.
- Get the free knitting pattern - web version. Close popup if you don't want to register
- Note that charts and schematic files are at the bottom of the right sidebar below photos
Velvet Rabbit Hooded Cowl
Easy hood with ears to make it a bunny rabbit. Aran weight yarn. Designed by Jessica Reeves Potasz at Mama In A Stitch.
Penguin Baby Sweater
Hooded baby pullover with front pocket designed to look like a penguin. Sizes Newborn (3 months, 6 months, 9 months, 12 months). DK weight yarn. Designed by Jessica Anderson. Web version is free. PDF available for purchase with additional sizes 2, 4, 6, 8, 10 years.
Fabulous Horse Hoodie Scarf
Hooded scarf for horse lovers with pockets, and hood with mane and horse ears, knit in garter stitch. Bulky weight yarn.
Baby Bunnie Onesie
Baby onesie with hood and ears and fluffy tail to make an adorable bunny rabbit. Sizes 0-6 Months, 6-12 Months, 1-2 Years. All-In-One in Sirdar Snuggly Snowflake Chunky 4824. Chunky weight yarn.
INSTRUCTIONS: At the pattern site, select the free option. Make sure the price is 0. Add the pattern to your basket. Then "check out" without payment to get the link to download the pattern
Bear Hooded Cowl
Adorable hood in sizes from toddler to adult with bear ears. Sizes Toddler (Ages 4 - 6; Ages 7 - 12; Teen/Small Adult; Large Adult). Rated easy by Ravelrers. Bulky weight yarn. Designed by Gretchen Tracy
More Free Patterns
Bunny Hoodie
Hooded cardigan for babies and children with bunny rabbit ears and tummy. Sizing: Baby 12 Months, Child 2 Years, Child 3 Years. Aran weight yarn. Designed by Teresa Chorzepa for Lion Brand
Baby Poncho
Hooded baby poncho with sleeve cuffs and animal ears and faces to make the poncho into a fox, dog, bunny, deer, or other animal. Sizing: 3 Months to 24 Months. Aran weight yarn. Baby Poncho in Phildar Phil Douce & Partner 6 designed by Phildar
Mouse in the House Sweater
Hooded pullover sweater with rabbit ears for babies and children. Sizing: 6-12m, 12-18m, 18m-2y, 3-4y, 5-6y. DK weight yarn. Designed by Paintbox Yarns
Cheeky Rabbit Poncho
Child’s poncho with bunny hood with ears.lace borders, and buttoned sides. Designed by Noriko Grace
Pony Hooded Cardigan
Hooded sweater for babies and toddlers with horse ears, mane, and spotted coat. Includes written instructions and a chart. Finished sizes: Infant/Toddler's 12 months (18 months, 24 months, 4T). Worsted weight yarn. Designed by Celeste Pinheiro. This pattern was featured in Season 10 of Knit and Crochet Now! and is free with registration at Annie’s
- Get the free knitting pattern with free registration at Annie’s
- Get the Knit and Crochet Now video tutorial for $3.99 (includes instruction for 2 patterns and other techniques)
Snowshoe Hare Sweater
Baby sized pullover with puffed sleeves, a gathered, moss stitch skirt with an empire waist bodice, and a hood with ears. One size: 12-18 months. Designed by Kristen Cooper. Bulky weight yarn.
- Get the free knitting pattern
- See the Ravelry page
- Get the recommended Patons Shetland Chunky yarn on Amazon
Octopus Poncho and Octopus Dog Sweater
Create matching or individual octopus sweaters for kids and pets. Poncho with hood and tentacles in sizes to fit about 2-5 years. Dog sweater with hood and tentacles sized for S (M) Finished Neck Circumference About 13 (15) in. (33 (38) cm) Finished Chest About 16 (19) in. (40.5 (48.5) cm). Designed by Lion Brand Yarn.
- Get the free PONCHO knitting pattern
- Get the free DOG SWEATER knitting pattern
- Get the recommended Vanna's Choice yarn at Amazon
- See more Dog Sweater Knitting Patterns
Baby Bear Hoodie
Designed by Lynda Cyr for Red Heart. Sizes from 6 months to 24 months.
Playful Hooded Poncho
Garter stitch hoodie for babies and toddlers with cute bear ears for fun. Sizes 6 months to 24 months. Designed by Jodi Lewanda
Steggie Hoodie Sweater
Designed by Julia Farwell-Clay, this hoodie with spines is inspired by the stegosaurus. Chest: 26[27.5, 30, 32] inches
Bunnyclava Toddler Balaclava
This pattern appears to be discontinued. Bunny hood balaclava hat with rabbit ears. Sizing: Finished hat approximately 17.75” circumference, and will fit most children aged 1-3 years. Aran weight yarn. Designed by Wendy Poush
Patterns for Purchase
Rene Fox Hooded Cowl
Cute fox hoodie for all ages with pointed ears and inner cowl for extra warmth that you can embroider with fox face. Knit in gray to make a wolf. Sizes baby/toddler/child/adult. Designed by Muki Crafts.
Fawn Hood, Unicorn Scarf and Lion Vest
Individual patterns for Frye Fawn Hood, Unice Unicorn Hooded Scarf, and LeLynn Lion Vest in Toddler, Child, Teen, Adult sizes. Designed by The Velvet Acorn.
- Get the Frye Fawn Hood knitting pattern
- Get the Unice Unicorn Hooded Scarf knitting pattern
- Get the LeLynn Lion Vest knitting pattern
Animal Balaclavas
Individual patterns for reindeer, dinosaur, and fox hoods in sizes baby through adult. Sizes 6/12 months, Toddler, Child, Tween, Adult S, Adult M, Adult L. Designed by Jenny Nicole for Style Me Cozy Designs. Super Bulky weight yarn.
Teddy Bear Set
Set of bear themed patterns for baby including Bear Hooded Duffle Coat, Bear overboots, Bear Ear-warmers, Furry Bear, Pocket Bear, Dufflecoat with bear motif, Bear hat, Duffle-coat with hood and pockets, Bruno Bear. Designed by Linda Moorhouse. DK weight yarn.
Baby Tiger Hoodie
Baby and child sized hooded cardigan with tiger ears and stripes. Fits ages birth to 5 years. Designed by Jane Burns. DK weight yarn.
Dinosaur or Dragon Hoodie
Baby and child sized cardigan with two options: Hooded with dinosaur or dragon details or collared cardigan. Sizes To Fit Age 0-9 Months, 9-18 Months, 18-24 Month, 3-4 Years, 5-7 Years. Jackets in Stylecraft Bambino DK 9758.
Owl Baby Onesie and Owl Toy
With sweet little details like the ruffled tail feathers, a knit and purl textured belly, and an owl face hood, this romper is sure to keep baby warm and Mom smiling! If that wasn’t enough, this onesie comes with a precious matching stuffed Owl toy for baby to cuddle with too! Designed by Lauren Riker