Tonal Monkey Motif Baby Pullover: Free Knit Pattern

Introduction

This little pullover is made for the newest member of the family: a newborn (0–3 months) sweater that knits up quickly and looks wonderfully tidy. What makes it special is a single row of evenly spaced fair isle monkeys marching around the chest in deep purple against a soft lilac background, giving the piece a neat, academic frieze feel. The monochrome palette keeps it calm and classic, while the plain stockinette body and straight set-in sleeves mean there are no complicated shapings to worry about. It feels light and smooth in sport-weight cotton, perfect for layering over a bodysuit in mild weather.

Materials Needed

• Yarn: Sport weight (CYC 2), 100% cotton, 50 g / 125 yds per skein. Main color (MC), lilac: 2 skeins (approx. 200 yds). Contrast color (CC), deep purple: 1 skein (approx. 50 yds).
• Needles: 3.5 mm (US 4) circular needle, 40 cm, plus a set of 3.5 mm (US 4) double-pointed needles for the sleeves. 3.0 mm (US 2.5) circular needle for all ribbing.
• Notions: Stitch markers, stitch holders or scrap yarn, a tapestry needle, and a chart (Chart A) for the monkey motif.
• Finished size: To fit newborn (0–3 months). Chest circumference 16 inches (40.5 cm); body length 9 inches (23 cm); sleeve length 6 inches (15 cm).

Abbreviations

• CO: cast on — make the starting loops on your needle.
• k: knit stitch.
• p: purl stitch.
• st(s): stitch(es).
• pm: place marker.
• inc: increase — work one extra stitch into the same stitch (use your preferred increase, such as kfb).
• k2tog: knit two stitches together — a one-stitch decrease.
• MC / CC: main color (lilac) / contrast color (deep purple).

Gauge

24 sts and 32 rows = 4 inches (10 cm) in stockinette stitch with 3.5 mm needles. Knit a small swatch in the round, wash and dry it as you will the finished sweater, then count your stitches and rows to confirm you match before casting on.

Tips Before You Start

• Work a gauge swatch in the round (or knit a flat swatch and treat purl rows as knit rows) — cotton can behave differently after washing, and matching gauge keeps the 16-inch chest true to size.
• Read Chart A before you begin the motif band: each of the four 16-stitch panels is identical, and the 8 stitches at each side stay in MC throughout rows 32–45.
• Carry the CC loosely across the back of the motif band so the fabric keeps its stretch; do not pull the floats tight.
• Slip the body and sleeve stitches onto holders rather than binding them off, so the yoke joins are easy to work.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Body

With the 3.0 mm circular needle, CO 96 sts. Join in the round, being careful not to twist, and pm for the beginning of round.

R1–6: [k1, p1] rib (96 sts).

Change to the 3.5 mm circular needle.

R7–30: k all sts (96 sts).

R31: k all sts, placing markers for the monkey motifs: k8, pm, k16, pm, k16, pm, k16, pm, k16, pm, k8 (96 sts).

R32–45: work Chart A (monkey motif) across each 16-st panel, keeping the 8 sts at each side in MC (96 sts).

R46–60: k all sts (96 sts).

R61: bind off 4 sts, k to last 4 sts, bind off 4 sts (88 sts). Place the remaining sts on a holder.

Sleeves (make 2)

With the 3.5 mm double-pointed needles, CO 32 sts. Join in the round and pm.

R1–6: [k1, p1] rib (32 sts).

R7–40: k all sts, increasing 1 st at the beginning and end of every 8th row (40 sts).

R41: bind off 4 sts, k to last 4 sts, bind off 4 sts (32 sts). Place the remaining sts on a holder. Repeat for the second sleeve.

Yoke

With the 3.5 mm circular needle, knit across the body and sleeve stitches, joining in the round: k44 (body), pm, k32 (sleeve), pm, k44 (body), pm, k32 (sleeve) (152 sts).

R1–4: k all sts (152 sts).

R5: [k2tog, k2] around (114 sts).

R6–8: k all sts (114 sts).

R9: [k2tog, k1] around (76 sts).

R10–12: k all sts (76 sts).

R13: [k2tog] around (38 sts).

R14–16: k all sts (38 sts).

Change to the 3.0 mm circular needle.

R17–22: [k1, p1] rib (38 sts). Bind off in rib.

Assembly and Finishing

Sew the underarm gaps closed with the yarn tails and a tapestry needle, matching the bound-off edges of the body and sleeves. Weave in all ends on the wrong side, taking care not to pull the fabric. Block the pullover to the finished measurements (16-inch chest, 9-inch body, 6-inch sleeves), patting the motif band flat and letting it dry fully before wearing.

Pro Tips and Variations

• Swap the deep purple CC for a soft grey or navy to shift the look from lilac monochrome toward a classic school-uniform palette.
• Add a second motif band a few rows below the first for a taller size, or repeat Chart A on the sleeve cuffs for a matching detail.
• Work the neckband ribbing on a needle one size smaller than the yoke for a snugger, neater finish that holds its shape.