Sleepsack
11:27am on the 27th of October, 2007
I know there are a few people out there who I promised this pattern to, so I figured I’d blog a free pattern for everyone. This pattern will tell you how to make “sleepsacks” for cloth diapered small babies. I’ve modified my pattern twice & made my latest change just recently- kick room at the bottom which allows for those tiny feet to have some room to move without sacrificing the warmth found from these sleepsacks. This pattern is for a newborn sized sleepsack. Although it is “newborn” sized, you will get many months from this pattern. I will tell you in an addendum how to “size up” your sleepsacks, but for now- let’s just get to the pattern!
You’ll need:
4 ozs/ 200-220 yds of wool yarn (for the sleepsack featured in the photos, I used about three fourths of a skein of Marr Haven Merino)
double pointed needles- sizes 3 & 5
16″ circular needle size 7
stitch markers
darning needle
To make the sleepsack:
Cast on 60 stitches on size 3 DPNs
Place your markers at start of round & again at 30 stitches
Knit for 2.5 inches in 2 knit 2 purl rib
Knit for one more inch on the size 3s, then change to the 5s
Make two short rows between the markers (one set of two short rows)
Knit for one inch, then change to size 7s
Make two more short rows between the markers (one more set)
Knit for 5 inches
Increase every 5 stitches
Knit for 2 inches
Decrease every 12th & 13th stitches tog, knit remaining stitches to the end of this round, then change to size 5s
Knit for 1-1.5 inch(es) in 1 knit 1 purl rib, eyelet ruffle, or really any style of your choosing!
This is not an exact science & it’s really a very simple pattern. You could easily change the increase & decrease rounds to be knit higher in the sleepsack after about 3-4 inches or so, if needed & it will not effect the final outcome other than the “kick room” placement. For babies not in cloth, simply omit the short rows- one set or both sets it’s up to you. The lower amount of short rows will yield you a much narrower sleepsack in the bum area. If you find any mistakes in this pattern please let me know.
Since this is my original creation, this pattern is protected by the same copyright laws protecting this blog. You may create sleepsacks from this pattern (be they altered or unaltered from this as a base pattern) for personal or charity use, but please do not sell them. I offer a cottage license for this pattern, so email me if you would like to hear more details & pricing information.
I would love to see the sleepsacks created from my pattern, feel free to email me with photos of your sleepsacks!
Enjoy the pattern & happy sleepsack creating!
Side notes:
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Posted in clothdiapering, knitting, knitting patterns & written by Niki — 
Hi, could you please add a bit more information to the Ravelry pattern page? I couldn’t figure out that this was for cloth-diapered babies without a lot of clicking through. It looks more like an armwarmer or legwarmer!
Ruth
Thanks Ruth. I added a bit of information to the notes section, However, this sleep sack isn’t just for babies in cloth.
Hi , This is really cute .. do you have a picture of a baby in it ?? would really like to see how this is on
Very nice thinking of something like this ..
I like this pattern, but have a question on sizing. I’ve knit half of it and notice now that the top ribbing is quite small - Probably only about 11″ diameter when stretched. I knit to standard gauge - not too tight.
(To be technical, my merino wool would come out to 4″ = 20sts with size 7, therefore the main body before increases would be 12″ (60sts cast on) diameter before stretching.)
You didn’t note gauge, so I’m wondering if yours is looser.
Mandy- There is tremendous stretch to the waistband/waist once it’s worn. My stitch gauge is comparable, but I would highly recommend a Norwegian cast-on. =)
Therese- Hmm, I could perhaps find a doll or something. My son used his sacks often when he was a small infant, but mostly at night. Hopefully I will be able to provide photos soon!