Charcoal Squirrel Patch Basketweave Pullover: Free Knit Pattern

Introduction

This little pullover is made for the tiniest members of the family — babies from 0 to 6 months — and for the knitters who want something a bit more interesting than a plain stockinette sweater. The charcoal chenille gives it a plush, slightly grunge-inspired look, while the oatmeal ribbed trim and the sweet squirrel face patch keep it soft and playful. The basketweave texture is simply alternating blocks of knit and purl stitches, so it looks far more complicated than it actually is. The finished sweater is boxy and cozy, with a 20-inch chest and a 10-inch body that slips easily over a onesie.

Materials Needed

• Yarn: Chenille plush yarn, super bulky (weight 6), 100% polyester. 2 skeins charcoal (approx. 120 yd each) and 1 skein oatmeal (approx. 120 yd).
• Needles: 6.5 mm (US 10.5) circular needle with a 60 cm cable, plus a set of 4 double-pointed needles in the same size.
• Notions: Stitch markers, stitch holders or scrap yarn, a tapestry needle, and a crochet hook (approx. 5 mm / US H-8) for the appliqué.
• Finished size: Chest circumference 20 inches, length 10 inches, sleeve length 6 inches. Fits 0–6 months.

Abbreviations

• CO: cast on — make the starting loops on your needle.
• k: knit stitch.
• p: purl stitch.
• BO: bind off — finish the edge so the stitches don't unravel.
• sts: stitches.
• Rnd: round — one full pass around a joined-in-the-round piece.
• sc: single crochet.
• inc: increase — work 2 sc into the same stitch.
• dec: decrease — work 2 sc together into one stitch.
• MR: magic ring — an adjustable crochet loop.
• FO: fasten off — cut the yarn and pull the tail through the last loop.

Gauge

12 stitches and 16 rows = 4 inches in the basketweave pattern. Knit a small swatch in pattern, lay it flat without stretching, and count your stitches and rows over 4 inches to check before you begin.

Tips Before You Start

• Chenille yarn sheds and can be slippery, so keep your tension relaxed and avoid tugging the working yarn tightly — loose, even stitches show the basketweave best.
• Use a locking stitch marker or a length of scrap yarn to hold stitches; chenille stitches like to slide off open holders.
• When you join the body and sleeves at the yoke, place a marker at each join so you can keep track of the 120 stitches and spot any twist in the round.
• Work the squirrel appliqué before you block the sweater, so you can position it on the flat, finished front and sew it down evenly.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Body (Charcoal)

Rnd 1: CO 60 sts, join in the round being careful not to twist. [k2, p2] to end (60 sts).

Rnds 2–4: Repeat Rnd 1 (60 sts).

Rnds 5–8: [k4, p4] to end (60 sts).

Rnds 9–12: [p4, k4] to end (60 sts).

Rnds 13–16: [k4, p4] to end (60 sts).

Rnds 17–20: [p4, k4] to end (60 sts).

Rnds 21–36: Repeat Rnds 5–20 once more (60 sts).

Armhole division: BO 4 sts at the beginning of the next 2 rounds, then BO 2 sts at the beginning of the following 2 rounds. Place the remaining 48 sts on a holder.

Sleeves (Charcoal) — make 2

Rnd 1: CO 24 sts, join in the round. [k2, p2] to end (24 sts).

Rnds 2–4: Repeat Rnd 1 (24 sts).

Rnds 5–8: [k4, p4] to end (24 sts).

Rnds 9–12: [p4, k4] to end (24 sts).

Rnds 13–16: [k4, p4] to end (24 sts).

Rnds 17–20: [p4, k4] to end (24 sts).

Rnds 21–36: Repeat Rnds 5–20 once more (24 sts).

Armhole division: BO 4 sts at the beginning of the next 2 rounds, then BO 2 sts at the beginning of the following 2 rounds. Place the remaining 12 sts on a holder. Make the second sleeve the same way.

Yoke (Charcoal)

Set-up: With the circular needle, knit across 48 body sts, then 12 sleeve sts, then 48 body sts, then 12 sleeve sts (120 sts). Join in the round.

Rnds 1–4: [k2, p2] to end (120 sts).

Rnds 5–8: [k4, p4] to end (120 sts).

Rnds 9–12: [p4, k4] to end (120 sts).

Rnds 13–16: [k4, p4] to end (120 sts).

Rnds 17–20: [p4, k4] to end (120 sts).

Rnds 21–36: Repeat Rnds 5–20 once more (120 sts).

Neckline (Oatmeal)

Rnds 1–4: Change to oatmeal. [k2, p2] to end (120 sts).

Final Rnd: BO all sts loosely.

Cuffs (Oatmeal) — work on each sleeve

Rnd 1: Pick up 24 sts around the sleeve edge. [k2, p2] to end (24 sts).

Rnds 2–4: Repeat Rnd 1 (24 sts).

Final Rnd: BO loosely.

Hem (Oatmeal)

Rnd 1: Pick up 60 sts around the bottom edge. [k2, p2] to end (60 sts).

Rnds 2–4: Repeat Rnd 1 (60 sts).

Final Rnd: BO loosely.

Squirrel Appliqué (Oatmeal, crochet)

Head Rnd 1: MR, 6 sc (6 sts).

Head Rnd 2: inc x6 (12 sts).

Head Rnd 3: [sc, inc] x6 (18 sts).

Head Rnds 4–6: sc to end (18 sts).

Head Rnd 7: [sc, dec] x6 (12 sts).

Head Rnd 8: dec x6 (6 sts). FO.

Ears (make 2) Rnd 1: MR, 4 sc (4 sts).

Ear Rnd 2: inc x4 (8 sts).

Ear Rnds 3–4: sc to end (8 sts). FO.

Finishing the face: Sew the ears to the head. With charcoal, embroider two French knot eyes and a small straight-stitch nose.

Assembly and Finishing

Sew the squirrel appliqué to the center front of the body, using the photo as a guide and taking small, even stitches so the patch sits flat. Weave in all ends on the wrong side, threading the tails through a few stitches to secure them. Block the sweater lightly: mist it with water, pat it into shape to the finished measurements, and let it dry flat — avoid heavy steaming, which can crush the chenille pile.

Pro Tips and Variations

• Swap the charcoal and oatmeal for a cream body with a taupe squirrel for a softer, more neutral look.
• Add a matching squirrel patch to one sleeve cuff for a playful detail.
• Work the neckline, cuffs, and hem in a contrast color of your choice — mustard or rust looks great against charcoal.