Look how cute this tiny granny square sweater is!! This miniature granny square sweater is designed for stuffed animals or dolls and is a perfect stash busting project. This adorable soft toy sweater pattern was based off my Agnes Sweater Vest and is made using the same techniques.
This toy sweater pattern uses fingering weight yarn and a combination of crochet and knitting when working the ribbing at the neckline, armholes and hem. You could also do a crochet ribbing or a simple crochet border if you prefer. In this tutorial, I list the supplies and yarn I used, the finished sweater dimensions and share helpful links to my other crochet tutorials.
I also made the stuffed animal bunny that is styling this mini sweater. The bunny pattern is by Charlotte St Patterns and this sweater would also fit their other animals, like the bear, wolf or fox. Another great soft toy pattern designer is Me & Kiddo Patterns and their bigger toys, like the Buttercup Bear or March Doll, would look so cute in this sweater.
The steps are very similar to my Agnes Sweater Vest tutorial and is fairly easy to make. Some parts can get finicky since it uses small needles and yarn, but worth it for the cute end result. 🙂 For some other granny square projects, you might like the Petal Patch Scarf or this granny square tote bag.
Notions & Yarn
This pattern uses fingering weight yarn and very little of it so it’s great for using up scrap yarn. I used 3 contrasting colors but feel free to use more from whatever yarn you have on hand!
I used Sisu by Sandnes Garn in the colors:
Moss Green (9573)
Yellow Sand (2134)
Brown (3082)
Light Gray Heather (1032) – main color
You’ll also need a small tapestry needle for weaving in the ends and for the Italian bind off on the ribbing steps.
Hook & Needle Size
2mm crochet hook for the granny squares
US2/2.75mm double pointed needles for the knit ribbing
Gauge
The finished size of each granny square is 2″ (5 cm). You can switch up the size of the granny square by using a different weight yarn or bigger hook/needle size. I suggest starting with a couple of granny squares to measure them against the stuffed animal to see how it will look and adjust the size if needed.
Below is the finished dimensions of my example sweater to give you an idea of the size.
Step 1: Make Granny Squares
The granny squares are 3 rounds with the first two rounds in contrasting colors and the main color for the final round. I made the granny squares using the same pattern as my Agnes Sweater Vest and my tutorial How to Crochet a Granny Square will walk you through each step in detail.
The abbreviated instructions are written out below to make a 3 round granny square for this mini sweater.
Abbreviations:
rnd – round
sl st – slip stitch
ch – chain
dc – double crochet
sp – space
beg – beginning
cc – contrast color
mc – main color
Make a slip knot, ch 4, sl st in the first ch to form a loop.
Round 1: With CC1, work into the loop just created – ch 3 (counts as first dc) 2 dc, ch 1 – [3 dc, ch 1] x 3 – sl st into first stitch of rnd, cut tail, and pull yarn through.
Round 2: Join CC2 through previous bind off stitch, ch 3 – 2 dc into ch 1 sp below, ch 1 – Into next ch 1 sp [3 dc, ch 1, 3 dc] x 3 – Into beg ch 1 sp, 3 dc, ch 1 – sl st into first stitch of rnd, cut tail, and pull yarn through.
Round 3: Join MC through previous bind off stitch, ch 3 – 2 dc into ch 1 sp below, ch 1 – [Into next ch 1 sp: 3 dc, ch 1, Into next ch 1 corner sp: 3 dc, ch 1, 3 dc] x 3 – Into next ch 1 sp, 3 dc, ch 1 – Into beg ch 1 sp, 3 dc, ch 1 – sl st into first stitch of rnd, cut tail, and pull yarn through. Leave a long tail to use to join squares later.
Make 10 granny squares total. The back and front are made up of 4 granny squares and 2 granny squares at the sides (one on each side).
Step 2: Join Granny Squares
After you’ve made your 10 granny squares, head over to my tutorial How To Join Granny Squares Together to see how to join them. I list 3 different methods there, but my favorite, and the one I used in my example, is the whip stitch method.
Join 4 squares together for the back and 4 squares together for the front. Join two squares on either side of the bottom row on the front (as shown below) and then join to the bottom row to the back.
Step 3: Connecting Shoulders
To make the neck opening a little bigger to fit over toy animal heads, I added some single crochet rows at the shoulders.
Note: You can switch out the single crochets for double crochets or work a couple of extra rows if you need a bigger opening.
At the top right square, starting in the corner chain 1 stitch, slip stitch into corner, ch 1, sc x 4, ch 1 and turn. Sc in each stitch (4 total), turn, and sl st into corresponding back stitches (4 total).
Repeat on the other shoulder.
Step 4: Armhole Ribbing
Picking up stitches to knit the ribbing with these small needles can be tricky but just take your time and you’ll get there. 🙂 Tip: Use a crochet hook to help get the yarn through some of the tighter stitches. Head over to my tutorial How To Pick Up Stitches Along a Crochet Edge to help with the following armhole, neckline and hem steps.
With US2/2.75mm double pointed needles, starting at side, pick up and knit 44 stitches.
K1, P1 around for 3 rounds total.
Bind off with the Italian bind off method.
The Italian bind off is very similar to the sewn tubular bind off but you skip the two set-up rounds. This makes it nice and stretchy so it’s easier to fit over a stuffed animal head. You can of course do a sewn tubular bind off or a different bind off method if you prefer. Follow my Sewn Tubular Bind Off tutorial (written or video) and just skip the first two set-up rounds to work a Italian bind off.
Step 5: Neckline Ribbing
With US2/2.75mm double pointed needles, starting at back, pick up and knit 44 stitches.
K1, P1 around for 3 rounds total.
Bind off with the Italian bind off method.
Step 6: Hem Ribbing
With US2/2.75mm double pointed needles, starting at side, pick up and knit 78 stitches.
K1, P1 around for 3 rounds total
Bind off with the Italian bind off method.
Step 7: Blocking
Since this is for a stuffed animal or toy, blocking isn’t as important but I blocked mine anyway to get everything laying nicely. It also created a bit more ease overall.
My tutorial How to Block Hand Knit or Crochet Projects goes through these steps.
I hope you enjoyed this tutorial and will try making a mini granny square sweater for a special stuffed animal 🙂 Let me know if you have any questions!
Happy making!
Super sweet!!!