A hooded baby sweater knitted in one piece, with no seams to sew at the end. For baby garments that is worth more than the saved sewing time: seams are bulky, and bulk on the inside of a small garment presses against skin. A seamless hoodie is simply more comfortable to wear.
Yarn and needles
Worsted weight yarn on US 5 (3.75mm) and US 6 (4.0mm) needles. The smaller needle handles the ribbing at the cuffs and hem so it grips properly; the larger one works the body.
Sizes: 6 months, 12 months, 18 months, and 2 years.
Fibre
Soft and machine washable. Baby clothes are washed more than any other garment in a house, and a hoodie that has to be hand-washed will be worn once and put away. Superwash wool is warm and forgiving; a soft acrylic or cotton blend is easier still.
Test the yarn against the inside of your wrist rather than your fingertips. Hands are far less sensitive than the skin a baby will have this against all day.
Which size to knit
Knit larger than the baby currently is. Babies grow through these sizes in weeks, and a garment that fits perfectly on the day it is finished has a very short career. If you are making a gift and do not know the size, the 12 or 18 month size is the safest choice – newborn sizes are almost always outgrown before they are worn.
Hood safety
Skip any drawstring or tie at the hood opening. If the pattern includes one, work the hood edge in a firm rib instead; it will hold its shape without a cord. Cords around a small neck are worth avoiding on principle.
Buttons
Sew any buttons on with doubled thread and knot them off securely. Anything that can come off a baby garment should be assumed to end up in a mouth.
