Got a baby shower coming up fast? Or planning a visit to new baby? Here are some gift ideas that you can knit in a few hours or a couple of days and still get lots of “Awwww”s. Most patterns are free. Updated 9/6/23
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
Activity Cubes
Fun baby toy that will keep baby interested and aid development. Cube is knit with 6 squares in moss/seed stitch and formed around a foam cube while handle is knit in stockinette. A small pocket animal toy is knit and can be kept in cube pocket. Add on rattles, mirrors, wooden teething rings, and more. 3 Sizes. Designed by Go Handmade for Hobbii. Worsted weight yarn. A kit is also available.
- Get the free knitting pattern
- Get foam cubes on Amazon (Prime options available)
- Get rattle noisemakers on Amazon
- Get wooden teething rings on Amazon
Baby Quintessentials
Baby hat, booties, and mittens knit flat with garter stitch. Great quick baby shower gift. Fingering weight yarn. Designed by Fraya
- Get the free knitting pattern. Download link is below photo on pattern page
- See more Garter Stitch Baby Knitting Patterns
Elephant Lovey
Free knitting pattern for elephant comfort blanket toy lovey. Blanket is knit flat and elephant head and legs are knit separately and attached. Bulky weight yarn. Designed by Lion Brand. Rated easy by designer.
Fortune Cookie Baby Booties
Free knitting pattern for the easiest booties ever by Sheila Zachariae. Knit flat in garter stitch and folded like a fortune cookie, Put fortunes in them and use a takeout box as a gift box for a quick fun baby shower gift. Fortunes are included in the pattern. Other knitters have added embellishments of ribbons and buttons. Worsted weight yarn.
- Get the free knitting pattern
- See the Ravelry page
- Get takeout style gift boxes on Amazon
- See more Baby Bootie Knitting Patterns
Easy Leafy Baby Beanie Hat
Very simple beanie worked in reverse stockinette with one leaf motif which puts the smoother stockinette side next to baby’s skin and the decreases are nicely hidden in purls. Sizes newborn 30.5 (33, 35.5) cm / 12 (13, 14.5)". Rated easy by Ravelrers. Great last minute baby shower gift! Worsted weight yarn. Designed by Justyna Lorkowska.
Buddy Bears
Cuddly teddy bears knit in garter stitch that can be finished in an evening or two. Uses one skein of the recommended yarn.
Hooded Baby Towel and Wash Cloth
Garter stitch towel knit diagonally with hood to keep baby's head warm. Designed by Donna Stratioti. Rated easy by Ravelrers. Pictured projects by jedimeg16 and knitstx
Baby's Diamond Legwarmers
These baby leggings are knit seamlessly in the round using right and left twists so you won’t even need a cable needle. 2 sizes Newborn and Regular. Designed by Lisa K. Ross. Worsted weight yarn. Pictured projects by the designer and jessicaknit
Toadstool Baby Rattles
This rattle is knit around a cat ball toy with a bell. About 3 inches in diameter and 4 1/2 inches high. Designed by Purl Soho. Pictured by dramy.
- Get the free knitting pattern
- See Ravelry page
- Get ball toy with bell on Amazon
- Get the recommended Koigu Premium Merino at Amazon
Travel Changing Pad
The Changeling travel changing pad folds up and closes with a bright button for easy carrying, and is large enough to carry a pack of baby wipes inside. Folded up, Changeling measures approximately 11” x 7” x 2”, and opened up, it measures 26” x28”. Designed by Erika Flory. Pictured project by tmkr
Baby Cupcake Hands
Baby mittens to keep tiny hands warm. For babies 3-6 months. And when baby outgrows the mittens, they can be used as toys.
Baby’s Buddy Inchworm Pillow
Soft cuddly cushion cradles baby’s head and doubles as toy or neck pillow for older child. Worked flat and shaped with short rows. Length after stuffing: about 29 inches / 73.5 cm. Ravelrers said they completed this in a day. Designed by Helen Ralph. Pictured projects by jennyr and jmaines.
More Free Patterns
Stuffies
Quick squeezable toy bunny or cat softie. Ravelrers said they were able to finish in a weekend and often took less than a skein. Easily customizable by changing facial expression, adding stripes, and more. Designed by Ysolda Teague. Pictured project by fortunka
- Get the free knitting pattern
- Get more patterns by Ysolda Teague
- See more Easy Fingerless Mitts Knitting Patterns
Elephant Baby Rattle
This soft knit elephant rattle is contains a cat toy in the head to make the sounds. Rattle measures 14 cm [5½”] tall and head is 16.5 cm [6½”] around at widest point. Designed by Nancy Anderson.
- Get the free knitting pattern on the Internet archive
- Get cat rattle balls on Amazon
- See more Elephant Knitting Patterns
Comfy Baby Cocoon and Cap
Easy stretchy ribbed sleep sack with matching hat by Kim Kotary for Red Heart.
Sucky Thumb Mitts
Easy baby sized fingerless mitts are perfect for keeping baby’s hands warm while leaving fingers free to explore. Designed by Marianne Cant who says they only take 3 hours to knit. Make two sets in case one mitt gets lost! Great use for scrap yarn. For larger sizes just use a heavier weight of yarn.
Lion Baby Bottle Warmer / Cozy
Designed by Knituition. Other knitters have adapted it as a bunny or monkey.
Under the Sea Mobile
Five fun sea creatures make up this adorable mobile perfect for baby! Knit the jellyfish, octopus, squid, whale, and fish, then hang from yarn covered dowels or wire. Designed by Allyson Dykhuizen. Pictured project by lavs
Bunny Blanket Buddy
Quick easy lovey with the body knit diagonally and the head created with double knitting to form a pocket for the stuffing. Designed by Lion Brand Yarn. 17 in \[43 cm\] long, not including ears Pictured project by Vicki
Baby Bottle Cozy
Pattern sized to fit standard Gerber-style baby bottles. Notes for for 8 ounce and 4 ounce bottles given. Designed by Jenni Hynek
- Get the free knitting pattern
- See the Ravelry page
- Get baby bottles for the cozy at Amazon
- See more Beverage Cozy Knitting Patterns
Lion Pacifier Clip
Lion toy to attach to pacifier clips. Designed by Jessica Gutoski
- Get the free knitting pattern
- Get pacifier clips to attach to your lion
- See more Lion Knitting Patterns
Ruffle Skirted Soaker
Baby diaper cover designed by Petra Hoy. Pictured project by Totette who added a seed stitch hem.
Yoda Baby Bottle Cozy
Designed by Gaby Theriault
Rainbow Pacifier Keeper
Quick baby shower gift of rainbow strap with clouds that you can sew to pacifier and clip. Or sew snaps on each end for easy cleaning as ATexasYarn did. Designed by Sarah Turpin.
Flower Pacifier Clip
Flower ribbon to decorate pacifier clips. Designed by Susan B. Anderson and excerpted from her book Itty-Bitty Nursery. Pictured projects by K-Kristiina and criddapie. Great stash buster!
- Get the free knitting pattern
Get Susan’s book Itty-Bitty Nursery: Sweet, Adorable Knits for the Baby and Beyond on Amazon (Kindle and Prime available)- Get pacifier clips to attach to your flower ribbon
Stitch Sampler Swatch Baby Blocks
Make baby blocks out of stitch swatches! In the pattern and class, Melanie Falick covers basic stitch sampler patterns. Then she shows how to seam the swatches around a foam cube for a fun quick baby gift. Pattern and instructional video class available for free with a free trial at Creativebug. Also a great idea for re-purposing swatches from other projects. Great quick baby shower gift!
Patterns for Purchase
Ice Cream Cone Baby Rattle
No longer free. Quick baby rattle knit in the round with textured cone and ice cream scoop with picot edge and embroidered faces. Place a rattle insert in the stuffing to complete. The finished ice cream cone is approximately 17 cm/ 6.7 inches tall. Great last minute baby shower gift! DK weight yarn. Designed by Emily Cridge.
Blankie Buddies
Adorable little baby toys that are also great wash cloths and security blankies. Individual patterns for Teddy Bear, Duck, Frot, and Bunny. Size 11.5 x 11.5". Worsted weight yarn. Great use for leftover scrap and stash yarn.
Hi, I'm New Beanie
This baby beanie with Hi, I'm New in stranded colorwork is the perfect quick baby gift for shower or baby's arrivval. 6 sizes: Newborn, 0-3 months, 3-6 months, 6-9 months, and 9-12 months. Aran weight yarn. Designed by Justyna Srock of LadyJayCrochet who also has other cute baby hat designs
Baby Activity Book
Little book with fun colorful symbols for baby to look at and touch including bear, car, house, fish, flower, sun, and snail. Size 25 Cms (10 inc). DK weight yarn. Looks like this is a vintage pattern so availability may be limited.
Elephant and Giraffe Baby Rattles
Ring rattles for babies. DK weight yarn. Designed by Amanda Berry. Size: 12cm tall (not including ears).
Knit in a Day for Baby
A treasury of 20 quick and easy designs that the average knitter can complete in 2 to 12 hours.
Baby Bottle Buddies
These bottle buddies are especially designed to hold a baby’s bottle so little ones can grasp the bottle and feed themselves. The Safari Set includes Lion, Tiger, Zebra and Elephant instructions. The Animal Friends Set includes Lamb, Teddy, Dog, and Horse instructions.
- Get the Animal Friends Bottle Buddies Pattern Set on Etsy
- Get the Safari Bottle Buddies Pattern Set on Etsy
Sensory Caterpillar
This quick baby toy features bright colors, different textures, and sounds to engage baby’s senses. Each section of the caterpillar features a different texture and color and some of the sections include sound makers like rattles, squeakers, and bells. About 12 inches long and 3 inches wide. Designed by Julie Anderson Pictured projects by plumpud and carolyn22. Great stash buster!
60 More Quick Baby Knits: Adorable Projects for Newborns to Tots
3 Little Bear Toys
These quick bear toys are knit in one piece with the ears knit separately and sewn own. Pattern includes instructions for koala, teddy, and panda. The designer says you can knit one in about an hour or so. I think you could also add rattles or bells for sounds.
Duck, Daisy, and Dot Baby Jingles
These quick toys are designed to hold bells to ring when baby shakes them. Duck Size: Height – 3.5″; Length – 4″ Daisy Size: Height – 1.5″; Length – 3.5″ Dot Size: Height – 2.5″; Circumference – 8″
Tiny Tidal Pool Baby Blanket
This easy and quick striped circular blanket is knit to resemble ripples in a pool. Knit in garter stitch with a picot edge and decorated with 3 knit starfish. The designer says it can be knit in 10 hours which makes it a perfect quick baby shower gift.
Baby Washcloths to Knit
9 washcloths including a Sailboat, Little Lamb, Baby Bunny, Butterfly, Rubber Ducky, Stork, Baby Bottle, Baby Buggy, and Rocking Horse.
