Of course I love all of the things I design, but every once in a while there is a piece so special that I get exponentially excited about it - this is one of those times! Not only is this my first baby/child design, but it's a replicate of one of my favorite adult pieces, the Autumn League Pullover. I am so thrilled that I can officially introduce the Baby League Onesie! This sweet little piece utilizes the same raglan shaping and neck detail as the original and incorporates a full body suit with easy on/off snaps. I even used the same yarn with the perfect vintage appeal. You can find the free pattern below, purchase an ad-free, printer-friendly PDF here, or shop the full yarn kit here.

While I may design a baby/child crewneck eventually, I wanted the onesie to be the first to launch as it suits the classic casual sportswear aesthetic and everyday nature of the inspiration. I wanted to make sure this piece was super wearable as babies grow out of clothing so quickly, so you want to be able to make as much use out of it as possible while it fits, especially for a handmade piece you've spent so much time to create. I find a lot of hand knit or crocheted baby items pretty to look at but not really practical for frequent use. My hope is that the Baby League Onesie becomes a staple in your child's wardrobe and something that is a go-to choice over and over again.

Choosing to work with Lion Brand's LB Collection Cotton Jeans for the Baby League Onesie was a no-brainer. This vintage-looking marled cotton was so lovely to work with when I made the original Autumn League Pullover, and the cooling cotton fiber is perfect for babies who can overheat so easily. I know acrylic can be a common choice for baby items due to its easy care properties, but I find that it's a bit too insulating for everyday use and doesn't breathe enough for sensitive babies. I know some hospitals won't even accept donations of acrylic knits for this reason! A hand-knit cotton or cotton/wool blend item is the perfect balance between cozy warmth and temperature regulating fiber for the little ones.

The Baby League Onesie has all of the iconic details of the Autumn League Pullover while paying special attention to baby's needs. The sweatshirt-inspired v-neck detail is the most obvious attribute, along with the classic raglan yoke shaping. Both the ALP and the BLO have a wide crewneck which is extra important for a baby's disproportionately large head in comparison to its body size. The sewn bind offs on the sleeves and leg openings mimic those on the original as well. A couple of differences lie in the neckband and the gauge. While the ALP has a folded neckband making it two layers thick, I kept the BLO a single layer to reduce the bulk and keep the onesie like more of a base layer tee rather than a thicker sweater. I also decided on a smaller needle size to make the fabric a bit more dense and help it keep its shape. Cotton fabric has a tendency to stretch out and doesn't have the "memory" to bounce back the way wool does, so a tighter gauge will ensure the onesie retains its shape especially since it doesn't have side seams like the ALP.

The Baby League Onesie is written for six sizes: 0-3 (3-6, 6-9) (9-12, 12-18, 18-24) months. The great thing about knitwear is that it stretches so hopefully your little one can enjoy this piece for as long as possible! I have to give a special shout-out to my fabulous tech editor Amy Gunderson who also graded this pattern. This is an intermediate level knitting pattern and the techniques involved are the knit stitch, purl stitch, k2tog, ssk, m1r, m1l, traveling stitches, working flat and in the round, picking up and knitting stitches, and working a sewn Italian bind off.

MATERIALS

2 skeins (all sizes) Lion Brand LB Collection Cotton Jeans in Grey Fade (474-150)
(light/DK, weight 3; 218yds/200m per skein)

Size US 5 (3.75mm) circular knitting needles, 16”/40cm long
Size US 5 (3.75mm) double pointed needles or long circulars for magic loop
Stitch markers
Stitch holders or scrap yarn
Tapestry needle
3 snaps
Needle and thread

GAUGE

23 sts + 30 rows = 4”/10cm in stockinette

FINISHED DIMENSIONS

Sizes: 0-3 (3-6, 6-9) (9-12, 12-18, 18-24) months
Suggested ease: (+/-) 0.5”/1.5cm
Pictured in size 6-9 months on 8 month old model with 17.75”/45cm body circumference and 27”/68.5cm length

Bbay League Onesie Pattern by Two of Wands

ABBREVIATIONS
*All Two of Wands patterns are written in standard US terms.

CF – center front
CO – cast on
Dec – decrease
Inc – increase
K – knit
K2tog – knit 2 together
LT – left twist
M1l – make 1 left
M1r – make 1 right
P – purl
Pm – place marker
Rep – repeat
Rnd(s) – round(s)
RS – right side
RT – right twist
Sl – slip
Sm – slip marker
SSK – slip, slip, knit
St(s) – stitch(es)
WS – wrong side
Wyif – with yarn in front

STITCH EXPLANATION

Left Twist (LT): Worked at traveling stitch; slip two stitches, one at a time, knitwise to right needle, slip these stitches purlwise back to the left needle, knit through the back loop of the second stitch but do not remove from the left needle, then knit the two stitches together through the back loop and remove them from the left needle.

Right Twist (RT): Worked one stitch before traveling stitch; knit two stitches together but do not remove from the left needle, then knit into just the first stitch and remove both stitches from the left needle.

Notes: Onesie is worked in the round from the top down. The yoke is first worked flat to allow for front neck shaping, then work is joined in the round for the remainder of the yoke and body, and finally it is separated again at the leg shaping. Neckband, leg edging, and snap bands are picked up and knit once body is complete. All sts are slipped purlwise. Pattern is written for six sizes: 0-3 (3-6, 6-9) (9-12, 12-18, 18-24) months.

YOKE

With 16”/40cm needles, CO 58 (58, 58) (58, 64, 64) sts.

Set up row: P 1, pm, P 2, pm, P 12 (12, 12) (12, 14, 14), pm, P 2, pm, P 24 (24, 24) (24, 26, 26), pm, P 2, pm, P 12 (12, 12) (12, 14, 14), pm, P 2, pm, P 1.

Row 1 (RS): (body + sleeve inc) K 1, m1r, sm, K 2, sm, m1l, *K to next marker, m1r, sm, K 2, sm, m1l, rep from * to last st, K 1. (66 (66, 66) (66, 72, 72) sts)

Row 2: P to end of row, slipping all markers.

Row 3: (CF + body + sleeve inc) CO 2, *K to next marker, m1r, sm, K 2, sm, m1l, rep from * 3 more times, K to end of row. (76 (76, 76) (76, 82, 82) sts)

Row 4: (CF inc) CO 2, P to end of row, slipping all markers. (78 (78, 78) (78, 84, 84) sts)

Rows 5-8: Rep rows 3 and 4, 2 more times. (102 (102, 102) (102, 108, 108) sts)

Cast on for front neckline and join for working in the round:

Row 9: (CF + body + sleeve inc) *K to next marker, m1r, sm, K 2, sm, m1l, rep from * 3 more times, K to end of row, CO 10 (10, 10) (10, 12, 12). Do not turn. With front of fabric facing you, join for working in the round and pm for beginning of rnd. Change to longer US 5 (3.75mm) needles if/when necessary. (120 (120, 120) (120, 128, 128) sts)

Rnd 10 and all even rnds: K, slipping all markers.

Size 0-3 months only:

Rnd 11: (body + sleeve inc) *K to next marker, m1r, sm, K 2, sm, m1l, rep from * 3 more times, K to last 10 sts, pm, LT, K 6, RT. (128 sts)

Rnd 13: K to last marker, sm, K 1, LT, K 4, RT, K 1.

Rnd 15: (body + sleeve inc) *K to next marker, m1r, sm, K 2, sm, m1l, rep from * 3 more times, K to last marker, sm, K 2, LT, K 2, RT, K 2 (136 sts).

Rnd 17: K to last marker, sm, K 3, LT, RT, K 3.

Rnd 19: K to last marker, sm, K 4, RT, K 4.

Rnd 21: (body + sleeve inc) *K to next marker, m1r, sm, K 2, sm, m1l, rep from * 3 more times, K to last marker, sm, K 3, RT, LT, K 3. (144 sts)

Rnd 23: K to last marker, sm, K 2, RT, K 2, LT, K 2.

Rnd 25: K to last marker, sm, K 7, LT, K 1.

Remove last marker.

Rnd 27: (body + sleeve inc) *K to next marker, m1r, sm, K 2, sm, m1l, rep from * 3 more times, K to end of rnd. (152 sts)

Rnd 28: K, slipping all markers.

Size 3-6 months only:

Rnd 11: (body + sleeve inc) *K to next marker, m1r, sm, K 2, sm, m1l, rep from * 3 more times, K to last 10 sts, pm, LT, K 6, RT. (128 sts)

Rnd 13: K to last marker, sm, K 1, LT, K 4, RT, K 1.

Rnd 15: (body + sleeve inc) *K to next marker, m1r, sm, K 2, sm, m1l, rep from * 3 more times, K to last marker, sm, K 2, LT, K 2, RT, K 2 (136 sts).

Rnd 17: K to last marker, sm, K 3, LT, RT, K 3.

Rnd 19: (body + sleeve inc) *K to next marker, m1r, sm, K 2, sm, m1l, rep from * 3 more times, K to last marker, sm, K 4, RT, K 4. (144 sts)

Rnd 21: K to last marker, sm, K 3, RT, LT, K 3.

Rnd 23: (body + sleeve inc) *K to next marker, m1r, sm, K 2, sm, m1l, rep from * 3 more times, K to last marker, sm, K 2, RT, K 2, LT, K 2. (152 sts)

Rnd 25: K to last marker, sm, K 7, LT, K 1.

Remove last marker.

Rnd 27: (body + sleeve inc) *K to next marker, m1r, sm, K 2, sm, m1l, rep from * 3 more times, K to end of rnd. (160 sts)

Rnd 28: K, slipping all markers.

Size 6-9 months only:

Rnd 11: (body + sleeve inc) *K to next marker, m1r, sm, K 2, sm, m1l, rep from * 3 more times, K to last 10 sts, pm, LT, K 6, RT. (128 sts)

Rnd 13: (body + sleeve inc) *K to next marker, m1r, sm, K 2, sm, m1l, rep from * 3 more times, K to last marker, sm, K 1, LT, K 4, RT, K 1. (136 sts)

Rnd 15: K to last marker, sm, K 2, LT, K 2, RT, K 2.

Rnd 17: (body + sleeve inc) *K to next marker, m1r, sm, K 2, sm, m1l, rep from * 3 more times, K to last marker, sm, K 3, LT, RT, K 3. (144 sts)

Rnd 19: K to last marker, sm, K 4, RT, K 4.

Rnd 21: (body + sleeve inc) *K to next marker, m1r, sm, K 2, sm, m1l, rep from * 3 more times, K to last marker, sm, K 3, RT, LT, K 3. (152 sts)

Rnd 23: K to last marker, sm, K 2, RT, K 2, LT, K 2.

Rnd 25: (body + sleeve inc) *K to next marker, m1r, sm, K 2, sm, m1l, rep from * 3 more times, K to last marker, sm, K 7, LT, K 1. (160 sts)

Remove last marker.

Rnd 27: K, slipping all markers.

Rnd 29: (body + sleeve inc) *K to next marker, m1r, sm, K 2, sm, m1l, rep from * 3 more times, K to end of rnd. (168 sts)

Rnd 30: K, slipping all markers.

Size 9-12 months only:

Rnd 11: (body + sleeve inc) *K to next marker, m1r, sm, K 2, sm, m1l, rep from * 3 more times, K to last 10 sts, pm, LT, K 6, RT. (128 sts)

Rnd 13: (body + sleeve inc) *K to next marker, m1r, sm, K 2, sm, m1l, rep from * 3 more times, K to last marker, sm, K 1, LT, K 4, RT, K 1. (136 sts)

Rnd 15: (body + sleeve inc) *K to next marker, m1r, sm, K 2, sm, m1l, rep from * 3 more times, K to last marker, sm, K 2, LT, K 2, RT, K 2. (144 sts)

Rnd 17: K to last marker, sm, K 3, LT, RT, K 3.

Rnd 19: (body + sleeve inc) *K to next marker, m1r, sm, K 2, sm, m1l, rep from * 3 more times, K to last marker, sm, K 4, RT, K 4. (152 sts)

Rnd 21: K to last marker, sm, K 3, RT, LT, K 3.

Rnd 23: (body + sleeve inc) *K to next marker, m1r, sm, K 2, sm, m1l, rep from * 3 more times, K to last marker, sm, K 2, RT, K 2, LT, K 2. (160 sts)

Rnd 25: K to last marker, sm, K 7, LT, K 1.

Remove last marker.

Rnd 27: (body + sleeve inc) *K to next marker, m1r, sm, K 2, sm, m1l, rep from * 3 more times, K to end of rnd. (168 sts)

Rnd 29: K, slipping all markers.

Rnd 31: Rep rnd 27. (176 sts)

Rnd 32: K, slipping all markers.

Size 12-18 months only:

Rnd 11: (body + sleeve inc) *K to next marker, m1r, sm, K 2, sm, m1l, rep from * 3 more times, K to last 11 sts, pm, LT, K 6, RT, K 1. (136 sts)

Rnd 13: (body + sleeve inc) *K to next marker, m1r, sm, K 2, sm, m1l, rep from * 3 more times, K to last marker, sm, K 1, LT, K 4, RT, K 2. (144 sts)

Rnd 15: K to last marker, sm, K 2, LT, K 2, RT, K 3.

Rnd 17: (body + sleeve inc) *K to next marker, m1r, sm, K 2, sm, m1l, rep from * 3 more times, K to last marker, sm, K 3, LT, RT, K 4. (152 sts)

Rnd 19: K to last marker, sm, K 4, RT, K 5.

Rnd 21: (body + sleeve inc) *K to next marker, m1r, sm, K 2, sm, m1l, rep from * 3 more times, K to last marker, sm, K 3, RT, LT, K 4. (160 sts)

Rnd 23: K to last marker, sm, K 2, RT, K 2, LT, K 3.

Rnd 25: (body + sleeve inc) *K to next marker, m1r, sm, K 2, sm, m1l, rep from * 3 more times, K to last marker, sm, K 7, LT, K 2. (168 sts)

Remove last marker.

Rnd 27: K, slipping all markers.

Rnd 29: (body + sleeve inc) *K to next marker, m1r, sm, K 2, sm, m1l, rep from * 3 more times, K to end of rnd. (176 sts)

Rnds 31-34: Rep rnds 27-30, 1 more time. (184 sts)

Size 18-24 months only:

Rnd 11: (body + sleeve inc) *K to next marker, m1r, sm, K 2, sm, m1l, rep from * 3 more times, K to last 11 sts, pm, LT, K 6, RT, K 1. (136 sts)

Rnd 13: (body + sleeve inc) *K to next marker, m1r, sm, K 2, sm, m1l, rep from * 3 more times, K to last marker, sm, K 1, LT, K 4, RT, K 2. (144 sts)

Rnd 15: (body + sleeve inc) *K to next marker, m1r, sm, K 2, sm, m1l, rep from * 3 more times, K to last marker, sm, K 2, LT, K 2, RT, K 3. (152 sts)

Rnd 17: (body + sleeve inc) *K to next marker, m1r, sm, K 2, sm, m1l, rep from * 3 more times, K to last marker, sm, K 3, LT, RT, K 4. (160 sts)

Rnd 19: (body + sleeve inc) *K to next marker, m1r, sm, K 2, sm, m1l, rep from * 3 more times, K to last marker, sm, K 4, RT, K 5. (168 sts)

Rnd 21: K to last marker, sm, K 3, RT, LT, K 4.

Rnd 23: (body + sleeve inc) *K to next marker, m1r, sm, K 2, sm, m1l, rep from * 3 more times, K to last marker, sm, K 2, RT, K 2, LT, K 3. (176 sts)

Rnd 25: K to last marker, sm, K 7, LT, K 2.

Remove last marker.

Rnd 27: (body + sleeve inc) *K to next marker, m1r, sm, K 2, sm, m1l, rep from * 3 more times, K to end of rnd. (184 sts)

Rnd 29: K, slipping all markers.

Rnds 31-34: Rep rnds 27-30, 1 more time. (192 sts)

Rnds 35+36: Rep rnds 27 and 28, 1 more time. (200 sts)

All sizes:

Separate for body and sleeves:

Remove beginning of rnd marker. K to 1st marker of rnd, remove marker. K 1, then place next 32 (34, 36) (38, 40, 44) sts on holder or scrap yarn for left sleeve, removing markers. CO 4 sts for underarm and pm in center of CO sts to mark new beginning of rnd, then K next 44 (46, 48) (50, 52, 56) sts, removing markers. Place next 32 (34, 36) (38, 40, 44) sts on holder or scrap yarn for right sleeve, removing markers. CO 4 sts for underarm, K 1, remove last marker, K to end of round. (96 (100, 104) (108, 112, 120) sts for body on needles)

BODY

K in the round until body measures 6.5 (6.75, 7.25) (7.5, 8, 8.5)”/16.5 (17, 18.5) (19, 20.5, 21.5)cm from underarm cast ons.

Separate work for legs:

Work will continue in turned rows.

BACK FLAP

Next row (RS): (dec) K 1, SSK, K 42 (44, 46) (48, 50, 54), K2tog, K 1. (46 (48, 50) (52, 54, 58) sts)

Next row (WS): P 46 (48, 50) (52, 54, 58).

Remaining 48 (50, 52) (54, 56, 60) sts can be placed on a holder for the front or simply left unworked on the needles.

Next row: (dec) K 1, SSK, K to last 3 sts, K2tog, K 1. (44 (46, 48) (50, 52, 56) sts)

Next row: P.

Rep last 2 rows 14 (13, 12) (13, 13, 16) more times. (16 (20, 24) (24, 26, 24) sts)

Next row: K.

Next row: P.

Next row: (dec) K 1, SSK, K to last 3 sts, K2tog, K 1. (14 (18, 22) (22, 24, 22) sts)

Next row: P.

Rep last 4 rows 0 (1, 2) (2, 2, 1) more time(s). (14 (16, 18) (18, 20, 20) sts)

Next row: K.

Next row: P.

Bind off.

Baby League Onesie Pattern by Two of Wands

FRONT FLAP

Place sts from holder back onto needles if necessary. Rejoin yarn to begin a RS row.

Row 1 (RS): Bind off 7 (7, 7) (7, 7, 8) sts, K to last st, sl 1. (41 (43, 45) (47, 49, 52) sts)

Row 2 (WS): Bind off 7 (7, 7) (7, 7, 8) sts, P to last st, sl 1. (34 (36, 38) (40, 42, 44) sts)

Row 3: Bind off 4 (4, 4) (4, 4, 5) sts, K to last st, sl 1. (30 (32, 34) (36, 38, 39) sts)

Row 4: Bind off 4 (4, 4) (4, 4, 5) sts, P to end of row. (26 (28, 30) (32, 34, 34) sts)

Next row: (dec) K 1, SSK, K to last 3 sts, K2tog, K 1. (24 (26, 28) (30, 32, 32) sts)

Next row: P.

Rep last 2 rows 4 (4, 3) (5, 4, 4) more times. (16 (18, 22) (20, 24, 24) sts)

Next row: K.

Next row: P.

Next row: (dec) K 1, SSK, K to last 3 sts, K2tog, K 1. (14 (16, 20) (18, 22, 22) sts)

Next row: P.

Rep last 4 rows 0 (0, 1) (0, 1, 1) more time. (14 (16, 18) (18, 20, 20) sts)

Bind off, but keep last st on right needle and do not break yarn.

LEFT LEG EDGING

With RS facing, pick up and K 51 (53, 57) (59, 61, 63) sts up front left and down back left – approx. 3 sts for every 4 rows along vertical and diagonal edges and 1 st for every st along bind off edges. (52 (54, 58) (60, 62, 64) sts including remaining st from front bind off)

Next 3 rows: *K 1, P 1, rep from * to end of row.

Bind off with an Italian sewn bind off.

RIGHT LEG EDGING

With RS facing, rejoin yarn at back right bottom corner, and pick up and K 52 (54, 58) (60, 62, 64) sts up back right and down front right – approx. 3 sts for every 4 rows along vertical and diagonal edges and 1 st for every st along cast off edges. (52 (54, 58) (60, 62, 64) sts)

Next 3 rows: *K 1, P 1, rep from * to end of row.

Bind off with an Italian sewn bind off.

BACK SNAP BAND

With RS facing, rejoin yarn at bottom edge of back, and pick up and K 3 sts into side of ribbing, 12 (14, 16) (16, 18, 18) sts along bind off edge, and 3 sts into side of opposite ribbing for a total of 22 sts.

Next 6 rows: Work in stockinette – K the RS rows and P the WS rows.

Next row (WS): K.

Next 6 rows: Work in stockinette – K the RS rows and P the WS rows.

Bind off.

Sew bind off edge to pick up row, then sew sides of snap band closed.

FRONT SNAP BAND

With RS facing, rejoin yarn at bottom edge of front, and work as for back snap band.

SLEEVES

Place 32 (34, 36) (38, 40, 44) sts from one sleeve holder onto double pointed needles or longer circular needles for magic loop. Rejoin yarn and pick up and K 4 sts at underarm. (36 (38, 40) (42, 44, 48) sts for sleeve on needles).

Join for working in the rnd and pm for beginning of rnd.

Next 5 rnds: K.

Next 3 rnds: *K 1, P 1, rep from * around.

Bind off with an Italian sewn bind off.

Rep all steps for other sleeve.

NECKBAND

With 16”/40cm needles, double pointed needles, or longer circular needles for magic loop, RS facing, and starting at back/right sleeve raglan shaping, pick up and knit 26 (26, 26) (26, 28, 28) sts across back neck, 14 (14, 14) (14, 16, 16) sts across top of left sleeve, 8 sts along left front neck shaping, 10 (10, 10) (10, 12, 12) sts across center front, 8 sts along right front neck shaping, and 14 (14, 14) (14, 16, 16) sts across top of right sleeve for a total of 80 (80, 80) (80, 88, 88) sts.

Join for working in the rnd and pm for beginning of rnd.

Next 5 rnds: *K 1, P 1, rep from * around.

Bind off with an Italian sewn bind off.

FINISHING

Sew three snaps to the front side of the front snap band and their counterparts to the underside of the back snap band.

Secure and weave in remaining ends.

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