Kaftan - Sweater Knitting Pattern For Babies in Debbie Bliss Eco Baby by Debbie Bliss

Debbie Bliss Kaftan Baby Knitting Pattern – Full Summary

This is the Kaftan, a baby knitting pattern by Debbie Bliss, designed to be knitted in Debbie Bliss Eco Baby yarn. The design is a relaxed, kaftan-style pullover jumper for babies, combining a classic top-down aesthetic with a practical front opening detail that makes dressing and undressing easy for little ones. It is an ideal project for beginner knitters looking to build confidence with flat knitting and simple shaping techniques.

What Is Being Made

The Kaftan is a baby sweater or jumper with a distinctly relaxed, loose silhouette inspired by traditional kaftan styling. It features a front opening that divides the front panel into a left and right section, making it practical for everyday baby wear. The garment is worked in pieces and then seamed together, giving it a neat, structured finish. It is sized to fit babies aged 3–6, 6–9, 9–12, 12–18, and 18–24 months, with finished chest measurements ranging from 51cm to 70cm (20 to 27.5 inches).

Design Details and Construction

The Kaftan is constructed using a seamed, worked flat method, meaning each main piece — the back and the front (which is split into a left and right front section) — is knitted separately on straight needles and then joined together. This approach is well suited to beginner knitters as it allows each section to be completed and checked individually before assembly.

• Back: Worked as a single flat piece with shoulder shaping at the top. Stitches for the back neck are left on a holder for later finishing.
• Front: Worked to match the back up to a key point, then divided to create the front opening. The left front is worked separately, with a garter stitch border maintained along the opening edge for a clean, self-finishing look.
• Shoulder shaping: Achieved by casting off stitches at the beginning of rows in two stages, creating a neat stepped shoulder seam on both the back and front pieces.
• Neck stitches: Remaining stitches at the back neck are left on a stitch holder, a common technique that allows them to be picked up later for a neat neckband finish.

Techniques Used

• Worked flat – all pieces are knitted back and forth in rows rather than in the round, making this accessible for knitters who prefer straight needles
• Seamed construction – individual pieces are sewn together after knitting, producing a durable and well-shaped garment
• Front opening division – stitches are divided mid-row to create the characteristic kaftan-style split front, with remaining stitches placed on a holder
• Shoulder cast-off shaping – stitches are cast off in stages at the beginning of rows to shape the shoulder line
• Stitch holders – used to hold live stitches at the back neck and the right front while working the left front section
• Garter stitch border – a band of garter stitch (knit every row) is maintained along the front opening edge for structure and a tidy finish

Stitches Used

• Stocking stitch (stockinette stitch) – the primary stitch used across the main body of the garment, creating a smooth knit fabric on the right side
• Garter stitch – used along the front opening border, worked by knitting every row to create a firm, non-curling edge
• Purl stitch – used on wrong-side rows as part of the stocking stitch construction

Materials Required

Yarn

The pattern calls for Debbie Bliss Eco Baby yarn in the colourway Willow 54. This is a sport weight yarn, making it lightweight and ideal for baby garments. The quantity required is 3 (4, 4, 4, 5) x 50g balls depending on the size being knitted. Eco Baby is a