If you’ve ever tried to get a jumper over a squirming baby’s head, you’ll know it’s a bit like trying to post a jelly through a letterbox. That’s exactly why I designed this free baby pinafore knitting pattern.
Way back when I was designing my Scheepjes Baby Collection, I watched my friend wrestle her toddler granddaughter into a tight jumper and thought, there has to be a kinder way. I went straight to my sketchpad. I wanted to design something that felt less like a wrestling match and more like a warm hug.
Meet the Cute as a Button Pinafore. The front wraps across and fastens with a row of rainbow buttons, so it goes on exactly like a little coat. Arms in, buttons done, off you go.
If you’ve been following the blog, you’ll already know Billy Bear and the Bunny Best Friend blanket from the same collection. The pinafore uses the same yarn, the same soft grey and the same rainbow buttons, so the three together make a very handsome set.
If this is the first you’re hearing about the collection, pop your email in below and you won’t miss what’s coming next.
Quick Look
What you’ll find in this post:
- A free baby pinafore knitting pattern in five sizes, 0 to 24 months
- Full materials list, yarn quantities and tension
- Step-by-step instructions for the back, both fronts and the pocket
- How to sew the buttons on safely
- The matching Billy Bear Cardigan and Bunny Best Friend blanket
Free Baby Pinafore Knitting Pattern: Overview
The Cute as a Button Pinafore is a simple wrapover pinafore dress, knitted flat in garter stitch on straight needles and then seamed. It comes in five sizes, from 0-3 months up to 18-24 months, with finished lengths from 31cm (12.25in) to 43cm (17in). Garter stitch gives it a soft, stretchy fabric that moves with a busy baby, and the A-line shape leaves plenty of room for nappies and crawling.
The buttonholes are worked in as you go with a simple yarn over, so there are no button bands to pick up. The fronts overlap, the buttonhole side sits on top, and two small press studs at the neck keep everything tidy. A patch pocket finishes it off, ideal for one small treasure or, more likely, a crumb of rusk.
Then there are the buttons. Six to eight of them depending on the size, in mismatched colours down the front. In 18 years of designing for babies and children, I’ve learned that the detail a baby points at is the detail everyone remembers.
Pop it over a long-sleeved top and tights in winter, or over a T-shirt when the weather finally behaves. It’s a quick knit and a lovely gift, and it gets worn all year round.
The Yarn
The pinafore is knitted in Scheepjes Merino Soft Brush in shade 252 Toorop, a warm heathered grey with a soft halo from the brushed finish. Scheepjes Merino Soft Brush is 50% Superwash Merino Extra Fine, 25% Microfibre and 25% Acrylic, and comes in 50g/105m balls. You’ll need 3 (4: 5: 5: 6) balls depending on your chosen size.
It’s the same yarn and shade as the Billy Bear Cardigan and the Bunny Best Friend blanket, so if you’re knitting the set, you only need to buy one colour.
If you’d like to substitute a different yarn, Scheepjes Softfun is a good option at a similar weight, with a smooth finish and a lovely range of colours. Scheepjes Stone Washed also works beautifully, with a subtle stony texture that looks great in garter stitch.
Please note: the affiliate links above are to Scheepjes yarn suppliers. I may earn a small commission if you purchase through these links, at no extra cost to you.
Materials
Scheepjes Merino Soft Brush shade 252 Toorop, 3 (4: 5: 5: 6) x 50g balls (105m per ball)
6 (7: 7: 8: 8) x 17.5mm Bottoni Italiani buttons, item no. 4348-28, in a selection of the following colours: 722 dark red, 201 blue, 377 teal, 693 red, 642 yellow, 183 purple
Needles
4mm (US 6) straight knitting needles
Also Needed
2 small clear press studs, lockable stitch markers, a darning needle, and strong sewing thread for the buttons
Tension
22 sts and 44 rows to 10 x 10cm (4 x 4in) in garter stitch on 4mm (US 6) needles. Check your tension (gauge) before you begin and adjust your needle size if necessary.
Finished Measurements
- 0-3 months: to fit chest 40.5cm (16in), actual chest 43.5cm (17.5in), length 31cm (12.25in)
- 3-6 months: to fit chest 43cm (17in), actual chest 47.5cm (19in), length 35cm (13.75in)
- 6-12 months: to fit chest 45.5cm (18in), actual chest 49cm (19.5in), length 38cm (15in)
- 12-18 months: to fit chest 48cm (19in), actual chest 52.5cm (21in), length 41cm (16.25in)
- 18-24 months: to fit chest 50.5cm (20in), actual chest 54.5cm (21.75in), length 43cm (17in)
Not sure which size to knit? My baby and children’s knitting size guide will help you match the pattern to the baby.
Skill Level
Confident beginner. This is a simple pattern that uses basic skills throughout: casting on and off, garter stitch, simple decreases, yarn over buttonholes and sewing up. If you can follow a pattern and work a neat seam, you’re ready. The Craft Yarn Council skill level guide is a useful reference if you’re unsure where you sit.
Abbreviations
- as folls: as follows
- cont: continue
- dec: decrease
- g st: garter stitch (knit all rows)
- k: knit
- k2tog: knit 2 stitches together
- pm: place marker
- rem: remain(ing)
- RS: right side
- st(s): stitch(es)
- WS: wrong side
- yo: yarn over
- [ ]: number of stitches on a given row
For a full reference, visit my free knitting abbreviations guide.
A Note on Safety
Buttons on any baby garment need to be attached with care. Sew each button on with strong sewing thread as well as the yarn, working over it several times and pulling firmly. Give every button a firm tug before the pinafore goes to a baby. The yarn alone is not enough to keep a button in place against small, determined fingers, and a loose button is a choking hazard. Check the press studs at the neck the same way.
For more on knitting safely for little ones, read my guide to knitting for babies and how to get it right, and the UK Hand Knitting Association safety guidance.
Free Baby Pinafore Knitting Pattern Instructions
Pattern Notes
Place a marker on the front (RS row) of your pieces to help you keep track of shaping and buttonholes. When measuring between buttonholes, always measure from the bottom of the buttonhole.
Back
Using 4mm needles, cast on 60 (66: 70: 76: 78) sts.
Working in g st, dec 1 st at each end on 15th and every following 14th row as folls: K2, k2tog, k to last 4 sts, k2tog, k2, until 48 (52: 54: 58: 60) sts rem.
Cont in g st until piece measures 22.5 (26: 28.5: 31: 32.5)cm / 8.75 (10.25: 11.25: 12.25: 12.75)in from cast-on edge, ending with WS row.
Armhole shaping
Cast off 2 (2: 4: 6: 6) sts at start of each of next two rows. [44 (48: 46: 46: 48) sts]
Cont in g st until piece measures 31 (35: 38: 41: 43)cm / 12.25 (13.75: 15: 16.25: 17)in from cast-on edge, ending with WS row.
Cast off 8 (10: 8: 7: 7) sts, pm in knitting, cast off next 28 (28: 30: 32: 34) sts, pm in knitting, cast off rem 8 (10: 8: 7: 7) sts.
Right Front (buttonhole side)
Buttonhole rows are worked on RS rows only as folls: k2, k2tog, yo twice, k2tog, k to end.
Note: On the following row you will need to knit into the back of the second yarn over to avoid it unravelling.
Using 4mm needles, cast on 50 (53: 56: 60: 62) sts.
Note: Placing of buttonholes and side shaping is worked AT THE SAME TIME.
Working in g st throughout, work buttonhole when piece measures 5.5 (5.5: 8.5: 7.5: 9.5)cm / 2.25 (2.25: 3.5: 3: 3.75)in from cast-on edge, then every 4cm / 1.5in (measuring from bottom of buttonhole) until you have 6 (7: 7: 8: 8) buttonholes.
AT THE SAME TIME WORK SIDE SHAPING BELOW
Work in g st, dec 1 st at underarm edge on 15th and every following 14th row as folls: knit to last 4 sts, k2tog, k2 until 44 (46: 48: 51: 53) sts rem.
Cont in g st (working buttonholes as set above) until piece measures 22.5 (26: 28.5: 31: 32.5)cm / 8.75 (10.25: 11.25: 12.25: 12.75)in from cast-on edge, ending with RS row.
Armhole shaping
Next row (WS) Cast off 2 (2: 4: 6: 6) sts, k to end. [42 (44: 44: 45: 47) sts]
Cont in g st (working buttonholes as set above) until piece measures 28.5 (32.5: 35.5: 38.5: 40.5)cm / 11.25 (12.75: 14: 15.25: 16)in, ending with WS row.
Neck shaping
Next row (RS) Cast off 34 (34: 36: 38: 40) sts, k to end. [8 (10: 8: 7: 7) sts]
Cont in g st until piece measures 31 (35: 38: 41: 43)cm / 12.25 (13.75: 15: 16.25: 17)in from cast-on edge, ending with WS row.
Cast off rem sts.
Left Front
Using 4mm needles, cast on 26 (29: 30: 32: 32) sts.
Working in g st, dec 1 st at underarm edge on 15th and every following 14th row as folls: k2, k2tog, k to end, until 20 (22: 22: 23: 23) sts remain.
Cont in g st until piece measures 22.5 (26: 28.5: 31: 32.5)cm / 8.75 (10.25: 11.25: 12.25: 12.75)in from cast-on edge, ending with WS row.
Armhole shaping
Next row (RS) Cast off 2 (2: 4: 6: 6) sts, k to end. [18 (20: 18: 17: 17) sts]
Cont in g st until piece measures 28.5 (32.5: 35.5: 38.5: 40.5)cm / 11.25 (12.75: 14: 15.25: 16)in, ending with RS row.
Neck shaping
Next row (WS) Cast off 10 (10: 10: 10: 10) sts, k to end. [8 (10: 8: 7: 7) sts]
Cont in g st until piece measures 31 (35: 38: 41: 43)cm / 12.25 (13.75: 15: 16.25: 17)in from cast-on edge, ending with WS row.
Cast off rem sts.
Using 4mm needles, cast on 18 sts.
Work in g st until piece measures 7cm / 2.75in from cast-on edge.
Cast off all sts.
To Finish
Using the photo as a guide, sew the pocket to the front of the dress.
Sew shoulder seams using markers as a guide. Sew side seams.
Overlap the fronts with the buttonhole piece on top and mark where to attach the buttons.
Sew on buttons securely to avoid them becoming a choking hazard. Sew press studs to top neck if desired.
Weave in all ends. Wash according to ball band instructions and lay flat to dry naturally.
Mix It Up
- Go pastel. A soft cream or pale blue with pastel buttons gives a gentler look.
- Contrast the pocket. Knit the pocket in a second colour from your stash. It takes very little yarn.
- Match the buttons. If rainbow isn’t for you, one colour of button all the way down looks smart and simple.
Make the Matching Set
The pinafore works beautifully alongside the Billy Bear Cardigan, the hooded garter stitch cardigan with bear ears from the same Scheepjes Baby Collection. Both use Merino Soft Brush in 252 Toorop and the same rainbow buttons, so they look like they were made for each other. Because they were.
Add the Bunny Best Friend baby blanket comforter and a pair of garter stitch baby booties, and you have a whole outfit and a cuddle, all from one shade of yarn. That’s a baby shower gift no shop can match.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is this pinafore knitted on straight needles?
Yes. The pinafore is knitted flat in four pieces (back, two fronts and a pocket) on 4mm (US 6) straight needles, then sewn together. You don’t need circular needles or any knitting in the round.
What skill level is this free baby pinafore knitting pattern?
Confident beginner. You need to be comfortable with casting on and off, garter stitch, simple decreases, yarn over buttonholes and basic seaming. There are no picked-up button bands, so if you’ve knitted a simple flat project and are ready for your first baby garment, this is a good place to start.
What yarn does the pinafore use, and how many balls do I need?
The original uses Scheepjes Merino Soft Brush in shade 252 Toorop. You’ll need 3 (4: 5: 5: 6) x 50g balls depending on the size. Scheepjes Softfun and Scheepjes Stone Washed both work well as substitutes at a similar weight.
What sizes does the pinafore come in?
Five sizes: 0-3 months, 3-6 months, 6-12 months, 12-18 months and 18-24 months. The chest measurement to fit ranges from 40.5cm (16in) up to 50.5cm (20in), with a little positive ease for comfort.
Is a knitted pinafore with buttons safe for a baby?
Yes, provided the buttons are sewn on securely. See the safety note above. Use strong sewing thread as well as the yarn, work over each button several times, and give every one a firm tug before gifting.
Can I knit this baby pinafore dress in a different colour?
Absolutely. Any DK-weight yarn that matches the tension will work, and garter stitch looks lovely in any shade. The heathered grey of the original lets the rainbow buttons shine, but cream, pale blue or dusty pink would all be beautiful. For a garment going next to a baby’s skin, choose a soft yarn that washes well.
*Pattern reproduced with the kind permission of Scheepjes
If You Love Knitting for Babies
There are plenty more free patterns where this one came from. Browse the full collection in the free baby knitting patterns archive.
Show Me Your Pinafore
Garter stitch, one pocket and a handful of odd buttons. Sometimes the simplest knits are the ones that get worn until they no longer fit.
I’d love to see yours. Share your finished pinafore on social media and tag me #janeburnsdesigns. Nothing makes my day quite like seeing a real baby wearing something I designed.
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