Knitted Baby ROMPER - GARTER Stitch [ FREE Pattern & Tutorial ]

17 November, 2017 // by Marta Porcel// 59 Comments

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Who says knitted garments are only for winter? Today, I’m suggesting a knitted baby romper using garter stitch, perfect for all seasons: the BUTTON-UP Knitted Baby Romper. The secret is in choosing the right materials and adjusting them to the season. If you go with cotton yarn, the romper will be perfect for wearing on its own without an undershirt. But if you choose a cozier yarn, it can be layered with an undershirt and tights for winter. Cotton is also a great option for fall or winter for babies who tend to get warm easily, as it helps regulate body temperature without overheating.

Materials to make the BUTTON-UP Knitted Baby Romper

– Size 6 – 12 months

– 3 balls of Drops Cotton Merino. 50gr = 110 m. DK/ Light weight. As you can see, the yarn is a blend of 50% merino wool and 50% cotton. If you look closely at the images, you can really notice how the two fibers are beautifully combined.

– 4 mm straight knitting needles (or the size needed to achieve the correct gauge). This romper is knit entirely flat using straight needles, so don’t worry if you see my circular needles in some of the photos. I only use them at times for the pictures to better show the structure of the baby romper, as they help keep the stitches from bunching up.

– 2 stitch holders or scrap yarn.

– 8 coconut wood buttons. You’ve seen the ones I chose for this project before, specifically in the “Musgo Baby” knitted romper tutorial and the matching knitted booties tutorial.

– Tapestry needle

Gauge

21 stitches x 42 rows in Garter Stitch

Stitches, Techniques, and Abbreviations

Cast on stitches
Stitch / Stitches (st/sts)
Knit stitch (k)
Yarn over (YO)
Left-leaning increase (M1L)
Right-leaning increase (M1R)
Knit two stitches together (k2tog)
Bind off stitches

Available Sizes

In addition to the free size (6-12 months) in this tutorial, the BUTTON-UP Knitted Romper comes in various baby sizes:

Each size is available for individual purchase, so you can choose exactly what you need. Alternatively, you can buy the pattern that includes all five sizes at a great price. Find the perfect fit for your little one and make sure they’ll be comfy in their new romper!

Click here or on the image below to get the PDF pattern!

With the PDF pattern, you’ll enjoy several additional advantages that will greatly simplify your knitting experience:

Downloadable pattern

You’ll be able to download it and have it readily available whenever you need it, without relying on a mobile connection.

Printable Format

You can conveniently print the PDF pattern to have a physical copy at your fingertips while you knit. This enables you to take notes, highlight crucial sections, and reference the pattern without the need to switch between screens.

Detailed row-by-row indications

And stitch-by-stitch guidance!

You won’t need to worry about making calculations on your own.

Detailed measurements

You’ll find all the detailed measurements for the garment, both finished and flat: width, total length, armhole length, strap length, bib length, and more.

I want my PDF pattern!

Step by step of How to make the Knitted Baby Romper

1. Knit the front part of the baby romper

We’ll start by knitting the front section of the BUTTON-UP Knitted Baby Romper, which requires making buttonholes for closure. The first step is to cast on 30 stitches and work two rows in garter stitch.

Knitted Baby Romper made with garter stich- DIY Pattern & Tutorial

In the third row, we’ll be making the buttonholes, so it’s important to pay close attention.

To make a buttonhole, slip the first stitch, then knit two together (k2tog). Bring the yarn to the front of the work (as shown in the images), and knit the next stitch. You’ll notice that this creates an extra stitch, which is normal because bringing the yarn to the front (known as a “yarn over” YO) adds that extra stitch. Each time you do this, you’ll see a small hole in your work.

How to make the buttonholes?

When there are 4 stitches remaining in the row, it’s time to make the other buttonhole. Knit two stitches together (k2tog), bring the yarn to the front of the work (yarn over), and then knit the remaining stitches.

2. Knit the crotch region of the Knitted Baby Romper

At this point, our knitted baby romper will begin to take shape.

We will begin the crotch region by decreasing a stitch on each side every 4 rows, this means decreasing one turn and not decreasing the next turn. Remember that a turn is made up of two rows.

As you can see on the images, the increases and the decreases are 4 stitches from the end of the work. To make a decrease first we must knit 4 stitches, then decrease by knitting two stiches together (k2tog) and continue knitting until there are 5 remaining stiches, to finish the row do a k2tog and knit until the end of the row.

We will continue making a decrease every 4 rows until we have 20 stitches in the needle.

Now we are at the point where we need to start increasing on each side of the work every 2 rows and 4 stitches from the end. As I have said in various occasions there are many ways of making increases, I usually increase using the M1L y M1R technique ( abbreviations of Make 1 Left and Make 1 Right) that allows us to make increases leaning to the left and right of the work. You can learn to make these increases using this video for the left increase and the right leaning increase.

We continue knitting two increases every turn until there are 60 stitches in the needle.

3. Knit the back of the baby romper

To knit the back, first we need to cast on 20 stitches at the end of the work, then turn and knit the casted on stiches along with the other stiches of the work, and finally cast on 20 stitches at the other end of the work. At the end of this row, we should have 100 stiches in our needle (60 from the work and 40 casted on).

f you prefer a more guided approach to knitting and want to follow along stitch by stitch, I’ve got you covered! You can purchase the BUTTON-UP romper pattern in our tutorial size (6-12 months) for just €2.99, or in any of the other available sizes for €3.99.

Go ahead and choose the perfect fit for your little one!

Next, we will knit these 100 stiches for 38 turns (76 rows) or the number of rows it takes to get to 18 cm.

4. Reserve stitches for the suspenders

At this point in the work, we need to divide the stitches to create the armholes and the straps for the Knitted Baby Romper.

First, knit 20 stitches and place them on a stitch holder or another needle. Then, knit the middle 60 stitches of the back and also place those on a stitch holder. Finally, the last 20 stitches on the needle will be the ones we’ll work with to create the first armhole and strap.

5. Knit the suspenders of the baby romper

To create the armhole, we’ll work the 20 stitches on our needle by making a decrease 4 stitches before the end of every 2 rows. Remember, when you have 5 stitches left, knit two together (k2tog) and then knit the remaining stitches normally. Continue this until you have 8 stitches left on your needle.

We’ll work the remaining 8 stitches for 52 rows (about 11 cm), then bind off these stitches, leaving a long tail of yarn approximately 30 cm. This tail will be used to sew the strap onto the back later.

Now we’ll continue knitting with the 20 stitches on the stitch holder to create the other armhole. We’ll work in the same way as the first armhole, but instead of decreasing at the end of the row, we’ll decrease at the beginning. Knit 4 stitches, then k2tog, and continue knitting until the end of the row.

Once we’ve finished the second strap, it’s time to knit the middle section by working the remaining 60 stitches on the stitch holder. This section will take shape by making a decrease on each side every two rows (or, in other words, two decreases every turn). We’ll continue this until there are 38 stitches left on the needle.

6. Final touches

Look at that—we’re nearly at the finish line with our knitted romper! All that’s left is to sew the straps onto the back and attach the buttons in their perfect spots. Soon, you’ll have a charming piece ready for your little one!

And just like that, we have our adorable Knitted Baby Romper! It might look a bit complex at first, but trust me—it’s easier than it seems. Once you master the art of increases and decreases, you’ll unlock a world of possibilities, ready to create a treasure trove of unique designs. It really is that simple! Now go ahead and enjoy your delightful new creation!

I usually stick to one color when making garments because I love the simplicity, and it makes following the tutorial easier. However, I can only imagine how stunning this garter stitch romper would look with multiple colors—stripes, polka dots, you name it! Since this is a basic pattern, feel free to modify it and add your personal touch. Let your imagination run wild—the possibilities are endless!

f you enjoyed this tutorial, I’d be thrilled if you shared it or dropped a comment below! Your feedback means the world to me, and I’m here to help with any questions you have as you embark on your own romper journey. Once you’ve completed your masterpiece, don’t forget to showcase it on social media! Use the hashtags #BUTTON-UPromper and #creativaatelier so we can all admire your beautiful creations. Happy knitting, and let your creativity shine!

Kisses!

Please, respect the designers and their intellectual property. The pattern is for personal use only. Do not distribute copies in physical or digital formats. Using this pattern to make products for sale, workshops, or any other commercial activity is not permitted. If you have a question about what you can do, please write to me at marta@creativaatelier.com

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