Vests are versatile garments for baby and children and easy projects for knitters. As an extra layer, vests won’t hinder little arms and legs and warms without overheating. And many can be worn as sleeveless tops in warmer weather. And with no sleeves, they are quick projects for knitters! Most patterns are free. Updated 10/19/24
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
Lace Vest
Top buttoned sleeveless baby cardigan vest with columns of lace and flounces around sleeve opening. Sizes 3 mths 6 mths. Fingering weight yarn. Designed by Go Handmade for Hobbii.
Baby Hooded Vest
I admit I was first drawn to this pattern by this baby's expression. Sleeveless baby hoodie cardigan vest in two colors. It does require picking up stitches. Sizes To Fit Size: 0-3, (6-9, 12-18, 24) months. Quick knit in Super Bulky weight yarn. Designed by Plymouth Yarn.
Twists Cabled Vest and Little Prince Vest
Two baby and child sized vest patterns included in the free ebook Uptown Dk Cherished Knits For Young Ones. Twists Cabled Vest is sized for 3 (6, 12) and (2, 4, 6) years. Little Prince Vest features a diamond texture and is sized to fit 6 (12, 18, 24) months (4, 6, 8) years. DK weight yarn. Designed by Universal Yarns.
Vroom Vest
Vest designed to look like a road for young racers with a double-yellow cable stripe, traffic signal pockets, and tire track ribbing. Sizes Child's 2, 4, 6, 8. Worsted weight yarn. Designed by Valerie Beard for Knitty. Pictured project by ldippong.
Owl Baby Vest
Pullover v-neck baby vest with cable owls. To Fit Age: 9-12 months. Designed by Jodi Haraldson. DK weight yarn. Pictured projects by the designer and ltegethoff. Available in English, French, and Spanish
Wee Baby Vest
Knit in garter stitch with minimal seaming. Sizes To fit chest measurements 6 months: 17" [43 cm] 12 months: 18" [45.5 cm] 18 months: 19" [48.5 cm] 24 months: 20" [51 cm]. Designed by Bernat. Worsted weight yarn.
Fair Isle Sleeveless Jacket
Vest knit with a shawl collar, a boucle lining to resemble sheepskin, and colorwork design. To Fit Age: 6-8-10 years. Designed by Bergère de France. DK weight yarn.
Milly Vest
Designed by MillaMia, this simple top features a fair isle pattern of sheep and hearts. To fit age 3-6 months, 6-12 months, 12-24 months, 2-3 years, 3-4 years, 4-5 years.
- Get the free knitting pattern
- See the Ravelry page
- Get the recommended yarn on Etsy
- See more Sheep and Lamb Knitting Patterns
Child’s Side Buttoned Vest
Heather Lodinsky designed this easy vest with circle asymmetrical front. Child sizes: 2,4,6,8 years
More Free Patterns
Junior Vest
Size: 1/3 – 6/9 – 12/18 months (2 – 3/4) years. DROPS Design created this v-neck buttoned best for your little sophisticate.
Seeded Rib Vest
Jodi Lewanda’s classic boy’s vest also has a matching adult vest for dad. Child sizes: 2,4,6,8 years
- Get the free knitting pattern
- Get the free knitting pattern for the matching man’s vest
- See more Father and Son Knitting Patterns
Melika Lacy Baby Vest Top
marianna mel’s easy lace baby vest is knit in one piece with no seams. Two sizes: 6 months and 1 year.
Baby Argyle Vest and Hat
Jennie Harrell’s vest closes at the shoulder for easy dressing. Sizes newborn, 6 months, 12 months
Rockin’ the Ruffles Tunic
Jodi Lewanda at Red Heart designed this easy vest with a sweet ruffled collar with two versions for baby and child. Baby sizes: 6-24 months. Child sizes: 2,4,6 years
- Get the free knitting pattern for the child version
- Get the free knitting pattern for the baby version
Prince George Christmas Photo Pullover
Amie Richan designed this sweater after the marching guardsmen sweater Prince George wore in the family Christmas photo. Sizes S, M, L.
6-Stitch Plait Unisex Vest
Ratchadawan Chambers designed thisV-neck Unisex vest for children age 4-8 (approximately). that features a six stitch plait cable.
Baby’s Holiday Vest & Socks
The self-striping yarn does all the colorwork for you in this matching set by Heather Lodinsky. Sizes 6-24 months
Woodland Tee
Rebecca Newman’s vest comes with a tiny pocket in front to stash a binkie or a toy like the felt owl friend pictured. Rebecca does provide a photo tutorial for the felt owl but no template I could find. You can knit an owl puff instead if you want. Sizes Newborn [3 months, 6 months, 9 months, 12 months, 18 months, 2T]
Slip Stitch Vest
Easy slip stitch colorwork makes a dashing baby vest from the KCN Design Team. The bowtie pattern is separate but also free. Sizes 6–12 (12–18, 18–24) months. Recommended yarn is available on pattern page. Pictured project by Jaruboo.
- Get the free knitting pattern for free registration at Annies
- Get the free Bowtie Knitting Pattern at Red Heart
- Get the video tutorial for this and two other patterns for $3.99 – not necessary to get the free pattern
Julian Vest
Raya Budrevich designed this easy unisex baby and toddler vest. Sizes Newborn – Kids 4. Pictured project by heartofnature.
Patterns for Purchase
Faith Vest and Hat Bc89
Baby and toddler sized lace patterned vest and hat set with i-cord ties. Sizes Newborn to 24 months. Designed by Little Cupcakes. ingering weight yarn.
Cabled Baby Vest and Sweater
Pullover baby sweater with options for crew neck or v-neck, long sleeves or sleeveless. Sizes (0-6; 6-12) months; (1-2; 2-3) years. Designed by Sirdar. DK weight yarn. A kit is also available.
Comfort Vest in Child and Adult Sizes
Great Mommy and Me pattern! Ekaterina Blanchard’s vest features pockets, brioche rib yoke, rolled neckline for sizes from 1 year to adult. Sizes: Child 1/2 (4/6, 8/10, 12/14) Adult 32/34 (36/38, 40/42, 44/46)
Clementine Baby Vest
Open front cardigan vest with lace edges. Sizes 0–6m (6–12m, 12–18m, 18–24m, 2T–3T, 4y, 6y). Designed by Carrie Bostick Hoge
Tycoon Baby and Child Vest
This cardigan vest features a simple slip-stitch texture pattern, front pockets, a deep v-neck and buttons up the front. Sizes 6 months(12 months, 18 months, 2, 4)(6, 8, 10, 12). Designed by Kate Oates
- See more pics and get the pattern at Loveknitting
- Get the recommended Cascade 220 Superwash yarn on Loveknitting
- See more patterns by Kate
Kira's Hooded Vest
Comfortable gender neutral baby vest with hood and star tweed stitch edge. The body is worked in one piece mostly in plain Stockinette stitch. Sizes 0–6m (6–12m, 12–18m, 18–24m). Designed by Yumiko Sakurai.
Wise Owl Vest
The pattern is made for three sizes: 6-9 months, 9-12 months and 12-18 months.
Hooded Vest
Knitting pattern for Hooded Vest for kids in chunky yarn featuring a cable yoke. Sizes 24(26,28,30-3/4, 32-3/4, 34-3/4)” Designed by James C Brett. Great with multi-color yarn!
