536 Little Knit Pullover - Sweater Knitting Pattern for Babies in Valley Yarns Valley Superwash DK

536 Little Knit Pullover – Baby Jumper Knitting Pattern by Kirsten Hipsky

The 536 Little Knit Pullover, designed by Kirsten Hipsky and published by Valley Yarns, is a charming baby and toddler pullover jumper worked in a clever, purl-free construction. Described as a scaled-down version of the popular Purlless Pullover, this pattern brings the same fuss-free knitting experience to infant and toddler sizing. The design is available as a downloadable PDF and is rated advanced beginner, making it an excellent next step for knitters who have mastered basic circular knitting and are ready to explore simple yoke shaping and a three-needle bind-off.

What Is Being Made

Knitters will create a seamless, pullover-style jumper sized for babies and toddlers. The pattern covers four sizes:

• 0–3 months – 16" finished chest
• 3–6 months – 18" finished chest
• 6–12 months – 20" finished chest
• 12–24 months – 22" finished chest

The sample shown in the pattern photography is knitted in the smallest size (0–3 months) in color 14 Teal. The finished garment features a garter stitch hem and cuffs, a stockinette body, and a neatly finished shoulder join, all achieved without a single purl stitch in the main fabric — a hallmark of the Purlless design philosophy.

Construction Techniques

This pullover is worked using a bottom-up, seamless construction, primarily in the round on circular needles. The approach is thoughtfully structured for beginner-friendly results:

• Bottom-up construction: The lower body is cast on and worked upward from the hem to the underarm, allowing the knitter to easily adjust body length before committing to the yoke.
• Worked in the round: The body is knitted as a tube on 16" circular needles, eliminating side seams entirely and keeping the fabric smooth and consistent.
• Flat yoke rows: After reaching the underarm, the yoke transitions to flat, back-and-forth row knitting. This clever shift is what allows the entire garment to remain purl-free — because the wrong-side rows of the yoke are worked in garter stitch (knit every row), no purling is ever required.
• Three-needle bind-off: The shoulders are joined using a three-needle bind-off, a technique that simultaneously closes and seams the front and back shoulder stitches together for a tidy, professional finish without sewing.
• Stitch markers and holders: Four stitch markers are used during yoke shaping to delineate the front, back, and sleeve cuff sections. Scrap yarn or spare needles serve as stitch holders during construction.

Stitches Used

The stitch palette is intentionally simple, making this pattern accessible while still producing a polished, textured result:

• Garter stitch: Used for the hem border (7 rows at the cast-on edge of both front and back lower body pieces) and for the wrong-side rows of the yoke. Because garter stitch is achieved by knitting every row, no purling is required anywhere in the pattern.
• Stockinette stitch (in the round): The main body of the jumper is worked in stockinette by knitting every round, producing the classic smooth knit fabric on the right side.
• Three-needle bind-off: A functional finishing technique used at the shoulders that creates a firm, neat seam-like join.

Materials: Yarn, Needles, and Notions

The pattern is specifically written for Valley Yarns Valley Superwash DK, a 100% Extrafine Merino Superwash yarn that comes in 50g/137-yard skeins. The superwash treatment is a particularly practical choice for baby garments, as it makes the finished pullover fully machine washable — a significant advantage for busy caregivers. The DK weight keeps the fabric light and