Every year, right around this time, I sit down with a cup of tea and my sales figures and have a proper look at the best Christmas knitting patterns, the ones you all knitted the most last Christmas. It tells me a lot, what you love, what deserves a bit more attention on the blog, and which of my own favourites have somehow slipped under the radar.
July feels like the right moment to share it, not because Christmas is close, but precisely because it is not. There is time to browse properly, choose yarn without rushing, and make a list that actually gets followed rather than abandoned somewhere around the second sleeve.
So, in the spirit of getting organised early this year, here are your ten most loved Christmas knitting patterns, counted down from ten to one.
Quick Look: This Round Up
Patterns featured: 10, from baby through to adult sizing
Skill level: Beginner friendly through to confident intermediate
Sizes: Baby, child and adult, depending on pattern
Format: All available as instant PDF downloads
Each pattern shows the size / age range. If you would like help choosing the correct size to knit for your little one, check out my Baby & Children’s Knitting Size Guide
10. Kids Snowman Christmas Sweater
Sized to Fit: Ages 2 to 11 years
Kicking off our countdown is this cheerful Kids Snowman Christmas Sweater, knitted in a simple DK weight that makes it a lovely portable project. If you have a little one who loves a snowy scene but you are short on time before the big day, this is the one to reach for.
This jolly offering has small knitted bobbles (not a scary as you think, I promise!) intarsia H’s which if you prefer you could work using duplicate stitch. Topped with applique circles, hat and scarf this festive character really comes to life.
It is forgiving enough for confident beginners and quick enough that you can realistically finish it in a couple of weeks of evening knitting.
9. Mr Fluffy Tum, Kids Penguin Christmas Sweater
Sized to Fit: Ages 4 to 11 years
There is something about a penguin with a round tummy that never fails to charm, and Mr Fluffy Tum is proof of that. This one is a favourite for anyone who wants a jumper with real personality without a huge amount of colourwork complexity. A good choice if you are knitting for a child who has very firm opinions about penguins.
Haven’t tried intarsia knitting before, this is the PERFECT first project for you. The simple single colour shape that forms the tummy is the only intarsia section, so simple it will fly off your needles.
The eyes and beak are knitted and then sewn on the bring him to life.
8. Dachshund in the Snow Cardigan, Adult
Sized to Fit: Chest 81 – 158 cm (32 – 62 in) – 9 Sizes
When I first released the children’s version of this cardigan, my inbox filled up with the same request over and over again, could I please make one to fit the grown ups too. So I did, and the Dachshund in the Snow Cardigan, Adult has gone on to earn its own loyal following. It is knitted top down and seamless, just like its smaller counterpart, with the same simple wrap detailing that makes it so satisfying to wear as well as to knit. If you would like a matching set for the little one in your life, the kids version is our number one pattern this year, so you are in good company.
Looking for a comprehensive Knitting Abbreviations Guide, you can find mine here.
7. Little Rudolph, Baby Christmas Intarsia Reindeer Jumper
Sized to Fit: Birth to 3 years
No Christmas round up would be complete without a reindeer, and Little Rudolph is mine. Sized for babies, this is a wonderful project if you are knitting for a first Christmas or a special new arrival. The intarsia motif is simple enough for anyone who has tried colourwork once or twice before, and if you have not yet given intarsia a go, our friends over at Very Pink Knits have excellent tutorials to walk you through it.
Worked as a classic drop shoulder design for ease of fit and knitting. Rudolph’s face is created with some simple intarsia on the front and then embellished with 3D extras for a super textured finish.
6. Santa Boots Christmas Tree Decorations
Not everything on this list is a jumper. These Santa Boots Christmas Tree Decorations are a lovely stash busting project, ideal for using up small amounts of red and white yarn left over from bigger makes. Quick to knit up in an evening or two, they also make a sweet handmade gift for teachers, friends, or anyone who admires your tree each year.
5. Sleepy Sloth Kids Intarsia Christmas Jumper
Sized to Fit: Ages 1 to 9 years
Proof that not every Christmas jumper needs a traditional motif, this Sleepy Sloth design has become a firm favourite for children who would rather cosy up than rush about at Christmas. It knits up beautifully and the sloth motif is genuinely fun to work, even for knitters who normally find intarsia a little daunting.
There is also an adult size version available of this pattern available.
As a Sloth is not just for Christmas, this adorable kids jumper has a removeable Santa Hat! It also comes with additional intarsia charts so you can chose to have your Sleepy Sloth laying on a tree branch or a candy cane.
4. Baby Snowman Intarsia Christmas Jumper
Sized to Fit: Birth to 3 years
This Baby Snowman Jumper is one of those patterns that just keeps quietly selling, year after year, and it is easy to see why. Simple, cheerful, and sized for the smallest members of the family, it is a lovely project if you are knitting for a baby’s first Christmas and want something classic rather than a novelty character.
Don’t let the intarsia chart intimidate you, this is a single colour chart with basic shapes, this would make a perfect first intarsia project.
3. Santa Saurus Sweater, Baby Christmas Dinosaur Jumper
Sized to Fit: Birth to 5 years
For any household with a dinosaur obsessed toddler, this one solves the eternal Christmas jumper dilemma. The Santa Saurus Sweater brings together two of childhood’s great loves, dinosaurs and Christmas, and the result is a jumper that gets worn with genuine enthusiasm rather than reluctantly for the family photo.
Whilst a Dinosaur with a Santa Hat might be irresistible during the festive season, you might want to extend its appeal by removing the Santa Hat afterwards. After all a Dinosaur is not just for Christmas.
The Hat is removable!
I thought that Santa Saurus was looking a lost without the Santa hat, so using the magic that is duplicate stitch, ROAR
2. Rockin Robin, Baby Robin Christmas Jumper
Sized to Fit: Birth to 3 years
So close to the top spot, the Rockin Robin jumper has been a consistent favourite. There is something about a robin at Christmas that feels particularly British, particularly seasonal, and this design captures that perfectly while staying approachable for a confident beginner.
A drop shoulder style sweater with button fastening at the neck, this is as simple to knit as it is to wear. The Robin is a small intarsia panel perfect for those wanting to try intarsia. Keeping it super simple and adorable the Wing and Hat sewn on at the end.
1. Dachshund in the Snow, Kids Christmas Cardigan
Sized to Fit: Ages 1 to 11 years
And here we are, our number one pattern of the year. I designed the Dachshund in the Snow Cardigan for children first, never expecting quite the response it got. I was genuinely inundated with requests for a grown up version, which tells you everything about how much this little cardigan is loved. I think it comes down to a few things, there is something irresistibly playful about dogs, snow and the holidays all together, the wrap detailing looks clever but is actually very simple to work, and the whole thing is knitted top down and seamless, so there is no seaming at the end to put you off finishing it.
If you fancy a matching set, the adult version came in at number eight on this very list, so you would be joining plenty of other knitters who have made both.
Mix It Up: Variations
Most of these patterns are wonderfully easy to make your own. Swap a traditional red and white palette for jewel tones if the recipient prefers something less classically festive, or use up oddments from your stash for the smaller decorations and accessory patterns. Many of the jumpers and cardigans also take well to a contrast trim in cuffs and hems, a lovely way to personalise a gift without changing the pattern itself.
That’s your top ten, chosen by you, ready whenever you are to get started. Plenty of summer left to enjoy, and plenty of time to pick your yarn, make your list, and get ahead of the December rush.
If you’re just getting started with Christmas knitting, you might also enjoy my FREE mini sweater ornament pattern.
Happy knitting,
Jane
Queries? Email jane@janeburns.co.uk or visit janeburns.co.uk
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About Jane
I’ve been creating knitting and crochet patterns for 18 years, designing characterful pieces for babies and children that are as fun to knit as they are to wear. You can find all of my patterns at shop.janeburns.co.uk, follow along on Instagram and Facebook, or pin your favourites over on Pinterest.
