How to Crochet a Children’s Sweater with this FREE step-by-step pattern. Crochet a children’s t-rex sweater by guest designer Kaila of Spring Into Fall Designs. This sweet sweater keeps things simple, but adds a fun twist with a T-Rex motif that any disnasaur loving child will love.
As this is a guest post, Bella Coco Crochet is unable to answer any queries. If you have a question, please contact the designer directly and they will be happy to help you.
Kaila herself says, “I recently realized that nearly every crochet children’s item I see is for girls. But two of my really good friends just had boys, and I wanted to make sure they had something special to wear. Since I personally consider dinosaurs to be unisex, this is a fun kids sweater for any gender. With the colorwork T-rex on the front, this crochet children’s sweater is sure to be a hit with any kiddo!“
Designer Kaila
Hi! I’m Kaila Osborn, of Spring Into Fall Designs! When I was just 12 years old, my grandmother taught me how to crochet. My first design was a tiny pink purse, and I fell in love with the craft.
Over the years, I crocheted off and on, and in 2019 I got serious about designing. That’s when I found my niche: texture. I’m a sucker for puffs, cables, and filigree, and my crochet style reflects that. For children’s works I tend to tone down the texture and switch to colorwork, since little fingers like to worm their way into any loose stitches!
I hope you enjoy making my Terrific T-Rex crochet children’s sweater!
If you have any questions regarding this pattern, please don’t hesitate to email springintofalldesigns@gmail.com.
Materials & Tools
Yarn: DK weight yarn (300-1000 yards). The sample crochet children’s sweater used Premier Anti-Pilling Everyday DK in colors Dove and Treetop. If you prefer to make a short sleeved spring top, any cotton DK yarn will also work! My choices for cotton DK are Stylecraft Naturals Organic Cotton and Paintbox Yarns Cotton DK.
Hooks: 5mm
Pattern Notes
- Written in US terms.
- Instructions are written as: 6m (12m, 2T/24m, 3T, 4T, 5, 6, 8, 10/12, 14/16).
- Ch1 does NOT count as a stitch, so because you will be turning after each row, the first stitch of the row should be in the LAST st of the newly completed row (NOTE: The last st of every row will be in the join!).
- Do not carry AC through the sweater body. Instead, pick up AC at the beginning and drop AC and at the end of the Dino portion of each round. Carry MC through the dino.
- When using the chart, odd rows are worked right to left, and even rows are worked left to right.
Sizing & Gauge
Gauge: 16 sts and 12 rows is 4” square of hdc.
Finished measurements: (Fits as expected)
6m: Fits up to 16” chest (300 yards)
12m: Fits up to 18” chest (350 yards)
2T/24m: Fits up to 20” chest (400 yards)
3T: Fits up to 22” chest (475 yards)
4T: Fits up to 24” chest (550 yards)
5: Fits up to 26” chest (625 yards)
6: Fits up to 28” chest (700 yards)
8: Fits up to 30” chest (800 yards)
10/12: Fits up to 32” chest (900 yards)
14/16: Fits up to 34” chest (1000 yards)
All sizes of this crochet children’s sweater need an additional 25 yards in an accent color of your choice.
Yardages listed are for long sleeved version.
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Terms & Abbreviations
- Chain (Ch): Yarn over, pull through one loop on hook.
- Slip Stitch (sl st): Insert hook, yarn over, pull through both stitch and loop on hook.
- Half double crochet (hdc): Yarn over and insert your hook into the chain or stitch, yarn over and pull through (you will have three loops on the hook) yarn over and pull through all three loops on the hook.
- Stitch/es (st/s)
- Main Color (MC)
- Accent Color (AC)
- FO: Finish off
Unsure of the differences between UK and US terms? Need a refresher on how to do your stitches? In my ‘How to crochet: A handy reference guide’ EBook I help you with all of these terms and you can always have them to hand! You will also get exclusive access to free video instructions. Learn more about the eBook here.
Free Pattern: Terrific T-Rex Crochet Children’s Sweater
Collar
Sl st loosely. If necessary, use ½ hook size larger than gauge hook.
- Chain 5 (5, 5, 6, 6, 6, 7, 7, 7, 7).
- Row 1: Starting in 2nd chain from the hook, sl st back along chain. (4, 4, 4, 5, 5, 5, 6, 6, 6, 6)
- Row 2: Ch1. Turn. Sl st in back loop across. (4, 4, 4, 5, 5, 5, 6, 6, 6, 6)
- Repeat row 2 until ribbing reaches (72, 80, 80, 88, 88, 88, 96, 96, 104, 104) rows. Ch1. Sl st to starting chain, being careful not to twist the ribbing. DO NOT FO.
Yoke
Use hook needed to meet gauge.
1-5
- Round 1: Ch1. Hdc around. Sl st to top of first st. (72, 80, 80, 88, 88, 88, 96, 96, 104, 104)
- Round 2: Ch1. Turn. Hdc in 8 (9, 9, 10, 10, 10, 11, 11, 12, 12). 2 Hdc. Repeat * to * around. Sl st to top of first st. (80, 88, 88, 96, 96, 96, 104, 104, 112, 112)
- Round 3: Ch1. Turn. Hdc in 9 (10, 10, 11, 11, 11, 12, 12, 13, 13). 2 Hdc. Repeat * to * around. Sl st to top of first st. (88, 96, 96, 104, 104, 104, 112, 112, 120, 120)
- Round 4: Ch1. Turn. Hdc in 10 (11, 11, 12, 12, 12, 13, 13, 14, 14). 2 Hdc. Repeat * to * around. Sl st to top of first st. (96, 104, 104, 112, 112, 112, 120, 120, 128, 128)
- Round 5: Ch1. Turn. Hdc in 11 (12, 12, 13, 13, 13, 14, 14, 15, 15). 2 Hdc. Repeat * to * around. Sl st to top of first st. (104, 112, 112, 120, 120, 120, 128, 128, 136, 136)
6-9
- Round 6: Ch1. Turn. Hdc in 12 (13, 13, 14, 14, 14, 15, 15, 16, 16). 2 Hdc. Repeat * to * around. Sl st to top of first st. (112, 120, 120, 128, 128, 128, 136, 136, 144, 144)
- Round 7: Ch1. Turn. Hdc in 13 (14, 14, 15, 15, 15, 16, 16, 17, 17). 2 Hdc. Repeat * to * around. Sl st to top of first st. (120, 128, 128, 136, 136, 136, 144, 144, 152, 152)
- Sizes 6m and 12m skip to Yoke Length.
- Round 8: Ch1. Turn. Hdc in X (X, 15, 16, 16, 16, 17, 17, 18, 18). 2 Hdc. Repeat * to * around. Sl st to top of first st. (X, X, 136, 144, 144, 144, 152, 152, 160, 160)
- Round 9: Ch1. Turn. Hdc in X (X, 16, 17, 17, 17, 18, 18, 19, 19). 2 Hdc. Repeat * to * around. Sl st to top of first st. (X, X, 144, 152, 152, 152, 160, 160, 168, 168)
- Size 24m/2T Skip to Yoke Length.
10-13
Round 10: Ch1. Turn. Hdc in X (X, X, 18, 18, 18, 19, 19, 20, 20). 2 Hdc. Repeat * to * around. Sl st to top of first st. (X, X, X, 152, 160, 160, 168, 168, 176, 176) Size 3T Skip to Yoke Length.
- Round 11: Ch1. Turn. Hdc in X (X, X, X, 19, 19, 20, 20, 21, 21). 2 Hdc. Repeat * to * around. Sl st to top of first st. (X, X, X, X, 168, 168, 176, 176, 184, 184) Size 4T Skip to Yoke Length.
- Round 12: Ch1. Turn. Hdc in X (X, X, X, X, 20, 21, 21, 22, 22). 2 Hdc. Repeat * to * around. Sl st to top of first st. (X, X, X, X, X, 176, 184, 184, 192, 192)
- Round 13: Ch1. Turn. Hdc in X (X, X, X, X, 21, 22, 22, 23, 23). 2 Hdc. Repeat * to * around. Sl st to top of first st. (X, X, X, X, X, 184, 192, 192, 200, 200) Size 5 and 6 Skip to Yoke Length.
14- 17
- Round 14: Ch1. Turn. Hdc in X (X, X, X, X, X, 23, 23, 24, 24). 2 Hdc. Repeat * to * around. Sl st to top of first st. (X, X, X, X, X, X, X, 200, 208, 208)
- Round 15: Ch1. Turn. Hdc in X (X, X, X, X, X, X, 24, 25, 25). 2 Hdc. Repeat * to * around. Sl st to top of first st. (X, X, X, X, X, X, X, 208, 216, 216) Size 8 Skip to Yoke Length.
- Round 16: Ch1. Turn. Hdc in X (X, X, X, X, X, X, X, 26, 26). 2 Hdc. Repeat * to * around. Sl st to top of first st. (X, X, X, X, X, X, X, X, 224, 224) Size 10/12 Skip to Yoke Length.
- Round 17: Ch1. Turn. Hdc in X (X, X, X, X, X, X, X, X, 27). 2 Hdc. Repeat * to * around. Sl st to top of first st. (X, X, X, X, X, X, X, X, X, 232) Size 14/16 Skip to Yoke Length.
Yoke Length
If necessary, repeat Round 1 until 2.5” (3”, 3.5”, 4”, 4.5”, 5”, 5.5”, 6”, 7”, 7.5”) from start of YOKE.
- Round 1: Ch1. Turn. Hdc around. Sl st to top of first st. (120, 136, 144, 152, 168, 184, 192, 208, 224, 232)
DO NOT FO. Continue to Arm/Body Split.
Arm/Body Split
- Round 1: Ch1. Turn. Hdc in 36 (39, 44, 47, 52, 56, 59, 64, 68, 72). Skip 24 (25, 28, 29, 32, 36, 37, 40, 44, 46). Hdc in 36 (39, 44, 47, 52, 56, 59, 64, 68, 72). Skip 24 (25, 28, 29, 32, 36, 37, 40, 44, 46). Sl st to top of first st. (72, 78, 88, 94, 104, 112, 118, 128, 136, 144)
T-Rex Section
As you work, remember, all stitches are hdc, and all rounds have 72 (78, 88, 94, 104, 112, 118, 128, 136, 144) sts in each round!
1-5
- Round 1: Ch1. Turn. MC 25 (26, 29, 30, 33, 35, 36, 39, 41, 43) / AC 2 / MC 45 (50, 57, 62, 69, 75, 80, 87, 93, 99). Sl st to top of first st.
- Round 2: Ch1. Turn. MC 43 (48, 55, 60, 67, 73, 78, 85, 91, 97) / AC 6 / MC 23 (24, 27, 28, 31, 33, 34, 37, 39, 41). Sl st to top of first st.
- Round 3: Ch1. Turn. MC 22 (23, 26, 27, 30, 32, 33, 36, 38, 40) / AC 8/ MC 42 (47, 54, 59, 66, 72, 77, 84, 90, 96). Sl st to top of first st.
- Round 4: Ch1. Turn. MC 41 (46, 53, 58, 65, 71, 76, 83, 89, 95) / AC 10 / MC 21 (22, 25, 26, 29, 31, 32, 35, 37, 39). Sl st to top of first st.
- Round 5: Ch1. Turn. MC 20 (21, 24, 25, 28, 30, 31, 34, 36, 38) / AC 6 / MC 3 / AC 2 / MC 41 (46, 53, 58, 65, 71, 76, 83, 89, 95). Sl st to top of first st.
6-11
- Round 6: Ch1. Turn. MC 45 (50, 57, 62, 69, 75, 80, 87, 93, 99) / AC 8 / MC 19 (20, 23, 24, 27, 29, 30, 33, 35, 37). Sl st to top of first st.
- Round 7: Ch1. Turn. MC 5 (6, 9, 11, 13, 15, 16, 19, 21, 23) / AC 3 / MC 10 / AC 5 / MC 3 / AC 2 / MC 44 (49, 56, 61, 68, 74, 79, 86, 92, 98). Sl st to top of first st.
- Round 8: Ch1. Turn. MC 49 (54, 61, 66, 73, 79, 84, 91, 97, 103) / AC 6 / MC 7 / AC 3 / MC 7 (8, 11, 13, 15, 17, 18, 21, 23, 25). Sl st to top of first st.
- Round 9: Ch1. Turn. MC 8 (9, 12, 14, 16, 18, 19, 22, 24, 26) / AC 3 / MC 5 / AC 8 / MC 48 (53, 60, 65, 72, 78, 83, 90, 96, 102). Sl st to top of first st.
- Round 10: Ch1. Turn. MC 47 (52, 59, 64, 71, 77, 82, 89, 95, 101) / AC 10 / MC 2 / AC 4 / MC 9 (10, 13, 15, 17, 19, 20, 23, 25, 27). Sl st to top of first st.
- Round 11: Ch1. Turn. MC 10 (11, 14, 16, 18, 20, 21, 24, 26, 28) / AC 12 / MC 2 / AC 2 / MC 46 (51, 58, 63, 70, 76, 81, 88, 94, 100). Sl st to top of first st.
12- 16
- Round 12: Ch1. Turn. MC 46 (51, 58, 63, 70, 76, 81, 88, 94, 100) / AC 1 / MC 4 / AC 10 / MC 11 (12, 15, 17, 19, 21, 22, 25, 27, 29). Sl st to top of first st.
- Round 13: Ch1. Turn. MC 13 (14, 17, 19, 21, 23, 24, 27, 29, 31) / AC 8 / MC 51 (56, 63, 68, 75, 81, 86, 93, 99, 105). Sl st to top of first st.
- Round 14: Ch1. Turn. MC 51 (56, 63, 68, 75, 81, 86, 93, 99, 105) / AC 2 / MC 2 / AC 2 / MC 15 (16, 19, 20, 23, 25, 26, 29, 31, 33). Sl st to top of first st.
- Round 15: Ch1. Turn. MC 14 (15, 18, 19, 22, 24, 25, 28, 30, 32) / AC 2 / MC 3 / AC 2 / MC 51 (56, 63, 68, 75, 81, 86, 93, 99, 105). Sl st to top of first st.
- Round 16: Ch1. Turn. MC 49 (54, 61, 66, 73, 79, 84, 91, 97, 103) / AC 3 / MC 3 / AC 3 / MC 14 (15, 18, 19, 22, 24, 25, 28, 30, 32). Sl st to top of first st.
Body Length
If necessary, repeat Round 1 until 6” (6.5”, 7”, 7.5”, 8.5”, 9”, 9.5”, 10”, 10.5”, 11”) from underarm.
- Round 1: Ch1. Turn. Hdc around. Sl st to top of first st. (72, 78, 88, 94, 104, 112, 118, 128, 136, 144)
- DO NOT FO. Continue to Ribbing.
Ribbing
- Sl st loosely. If necessary, use ½ hook size larger than gauge hook.
- Chain 5 (5, 5, 6, 6, 6, 7, 7, 7, 7).
- Row 1: Starting in 2nd chain from the hook, sl st back along chain and into next 2 sts of sweater body. (4, 4, 4, 5, 5, 5, 6, 6, 6, 6)
- Row 2: Ch1. Turn. Skip 2 sl sts in the body. Sl st in back loop across. Ch1. (4, 4, 4, 5, 5, 5, 6, 6, 6, 6)
- Row 3: Ch1. Turn. Sl st back to body and into next 2 sts of sweater body. (4, 4, 4, 5, 5, 5, 6, 6, 6, 6)
Repeat Rows 3 until completely around base of sweater. Ch1. Sl st to starting chain. FO.
Sleeves
Attach yarn to underarm. If your last row of the yoke length was RS, you will be starting the sleeves WS. If your last row of the yoke length was WS, you will be starting the sleeves RS.
- Round 1: Ch1. Turn. Hdc around. Sl st to top of first st. (24, 25, 28, 29, 32, 36, 37, 40, 44, 46)
Short Sleeves
- For short sleeves, repeat Repeat Round 1 for a total of 2 (3, 3, 4, 4, 4, 5, 5, 6, 6) rounds.
Long Sleeves
- For long sleeves, repeat Round 1 until 7” (7.5”, 8”, 8.5”, 9.5”, 10.5”, 11”, 11.5”, 12”, 12.5”) from underarm.
DO NOT FO. Continue to ribbing, above, working around the base of the sleeve.
If necessary, use a small length of MC yarn to seam any holes under the arm.
More FREE Crochet Patterns
There are many more beautiful crochet patterns for children available on the blog. Check out these patterns below that I think you’ll enjoy:
I always love to see your makes so if you try any of my patterns or follow my stitch tutorials please tag me @bellacococrochet or use the #bellacococrochet
sarah-jayne