My Little Friend Jumper - Free Crochet Pattern For Babies and Kids in Paintbox Yarns Baby DK by Paintbox Yarns

My Little Friend Jumper – Free Crochet Pattern for Babies and Kids by Paintbox Yarns

The My Little Friend Jumper (also called the Little Friend Sweater) is a charming, intermediate-level crochet pattern designed for babies and young children. Created by Paintbox Yarns and worked in the brand's own Paintbox Yarns Baby DK, this downloadable PDF pattern produces a cosy, colourful children's sweater with playful decorative details. The pattern is available as a free downloadable PDF, making it an accessible project for crocheters who already have a handle on the basics and are ready to take on a more involved construction.

Sizes and Finished Measurements

The pattern covers five sizes, ranging from baby through to older children:

• 6–12 months: 12¼ in (31 cm) at underarm, 11¾ in (30 cm) length from shoulder, 8¾ in (22.5 cm) underarm seam
• 12–18 months: 12¾ in (32.5 cm) at underarm, 13½ in (34 cm) length from shoulder, 9½ in (24 cm) underarm seam
• 18 months–2 years: 13½ in (34.5 cm) at underarm, 15¼ in (39 cm) length from shoulder, 9¾ in (25 cm) underarm seam
• 3–4 years: 15 in (38 cm) at underarm, 17¼ in (44 cm) length from shoulder, 11¾ in (30 cm) underarm seam
• 5–6 years: 16 in (40.5 cm) at underarm, 19¾ in (50 cm) length from shoulder, 13 in (33 cm) underarm seam

Techniques and Construction

This sweater is constructed using a seamed, worked-flat method. Rather than being crocheted in the round, the individual pieces — such as the front, back, and sleeves — are worked flat in rows and then joined together by seaming. This approach gives the finished garment clean, structured edges and is a great technique for crocheters looking to build confidence with garment assembly.

Key Techniques Used

• Worked flat – all pieces are crocheted in rows rather than in the round
• Seamed construction – finished pieces are sewn or slip-stitched together to form the complete jumper
• Back loop only (BLO) crochet – working into the back loop of a stitch only, creating a ribbed or textured ridge effect often used for cuffs, hems, and borders
• Bobblet technique – a small decorative bobble-like detail; the pattern instructs the crocheter to insert the hook into a stitch, pull through yarn, chain 3, and continue, creating a tiny raised embellishment on the fabric surface
• Colourwork – the sweater uses three colours, requiring colour changes and yarn management across rows
• Decreasing – shaping is achieved using standard decrease methods to form armholes, necklines, and sleeve tapers

Stitches Used

• Single crochet (sc) / double crochet (dc) – the primary stitch used throughout the body of the sweater (UK and US terminology noted in the pattern)
• Half double crochet (hdc) / half treble crochet (htr) – used for texture and structure in specific sections
• hdc2tog / htr2tog – the half double crochet decrease stitch, used for shaping
• Slip stitch (sl st) – used for joining and finishing
• Chain (ch) – foundational chains and used within the bobblet technique
• Back loop only (BLO) – a stitch variation applied to specific sections for textural contrast

Materials Required