A hooded coat for a baby girl is not only a practical garment for cooler weather, but also a beautiful keepsake. Whether you’re making a cozy winter coat or a light spring layer, a handmade crochet coat is a heartfelt and fashionable item. In this guide, we’ll walk you through everything from choosing materials to assembling and customizing your finished piece.
Whether you’re a confident beginner or an intermediate crocheter, this step-by-step guide will help you create a lovely hooded coat that’s comfortable, cute, and functional.
🧺 What You’ll Need
Before you begin, gather the following materials:
🧵 Yarn:
- Worsted weight (medium #4) yarn — soft acrylic or a cotton blend is ideal for babies.
- Amount: Approx. 500–700 yards (depending on the size you’re making)
- Choose baby-friendly yarn that’s machine washable and soft to the touch.
🧷 Tools:
- Crochet hook: 5.0mm (H) or size appropriate for your yarn
- Yarn needle (for sewing and weaving in ends)
- Stitch markers
- Buttons (3 to 5 depending on the design)
- Scissors
- Measuring tape
📏 Sizing Guide
You can adjust this pattern to fit babies aged 3 months to 2 years. Here’s a quick reference for approximate sizing:
| Size | Chest (inches) | Coat Length | Sleeve Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3-6 months | 16–17″ | 10″ | 6″ |
| 6–12 months | 17–18″ | 11″ | 6.5″ |
| 12–18 months | 18–19″ | 12″ | 7″ |
| 18–24 months | 19–20″ | 13″ | 7.5″ |
You can easily adjust coat length and sleeves by adding or removing rows.
🧶 Stitch Guide (US Terms)
This pattern uses simple stitches:
- ch = chain
- sc = single crochet
- dc = double crochet
- hdc = half double crochet
- sl st = slip stitch
- inc = increase (2 stitches in one)
- dec = decrease (stitch 2 together)
🧥 Part 1: The Coat Body (Worked from the Top Down)
We’ll make the coat yoke first, then divide for body and sleeves.
🟦 Yoke
- Foundation chain: Ch 50 (for 6-12 months — adjust in multiples of 10 for other sizes)
- Row 1: Dc in 4th ch from hook, dc across. (You should have 47 dc.)
- Row 2: Ch 2, turn. Dc in first 7 stitches, 2 dc in next (increase). Repeat this (dc 7, inc) to end. This forms the increase points for the shoulders. (You’ll have 53 dc.)
- Continue in dc for 5–7 more rows, placing increases at 4 equal points across the yoke (e.g., at 8, 20, 28, 40).
You’re building a semicircle yoke that curves over the baby’s shoulders.
📌 Tip: Mark your increase stitches with stitch markers for consistent shaping.
🟫 Part 2: Dividing for Sleeves and Body
Once your yoke is wide enough (approx. 4.5–5” from neckline), you’ll separate the sleeves from the body.
🔹 Body Section:
- Ch 4, skip the sleeve stitches (approx. 18 on each side), dc across the front, back, and other front, chaining 4 to bridge armholes.
- Continue working dc rows for the body for about 20 rows (or until desired length).
- Add a sc or hdc edging at the bottom hem for a neat finish.
- Fasten off and weave in ends.
🧵 Part 3: Sleeves (Worked in the Round)
- Attach yarn under the arm in the armhole space.
- Work dc evenly around the sleeve opening. Join with sl st.
- Continue working in rounds (or turn after each round for symmetry) until sleeve is desired length.
- Optional: Decrease a few stitches in final rows for a snug wrist.
- Finish with a round of sc or ribbing (fpdc/bpdc) for a polished look.
Repeat for the other sleeve.
👒 Part 4: The Hood
Attaching the Hood to the Neckline:
- Count and mark the center back of the neckline.
- Attach yarn at one end of the neckline.
- Ch 2, dc evenly around the neckline — work about 36–44 stitches depending on size.
Building the Hood:
- Work in dc back and forth across these stitches.
- Continue for about 20 rows, or until the hood is tall enough to cover the baby’s head comfortably.
- Fasten off, fold the hood in half vertically and sew the top edge together to create the shape of the hood.
- Optional: Add a shell stitch edging or picot trim around the face opening.
🧷 Part 5: Button Band & Edging
- Starting at the bottom of the coat (front opening), attach yarn.
- Work sc evenly up the front, around the hood, and down the other side.
- On one side, space 3–5 buttonholes (ch 2 or ch 3 spaces) evenly, depending on your button size.
- On the opposite side, simply work sc.
- Repeat with a second row of sc or hdc for a stronger button band.
- Sew on buttons to match buttonholes.
🎀 Optional Embellishments
- Add crocheted flowers, bows, or appliqués
- Use contrasting colors for edging
- Embroider baby’s initials or a small heart
- Add a ribbon tie or pompom at the hood’s peak for a whimsical touch
🧼 Washing & Care
Since baby garments get lots of use, it’s best to:
- Use machine washable yarn
- Wash gently in cold or warm water
- Lay flat to dry to maintain shape
- Avoid ironing or bleaching
💡 Design Variations
Here are a few fun ways to personalize your hooded baby coat:
| Feature | Variation Ideas |
|---|---|
| Stitch Pattern | Add rows of bobbles, shells, or puff stitches |
| Hood Style | Pointed pixie hood or rounded style |
| Colors | Color-blocked sleeves or pastel ombré |
| Closure | Use toggles, ties, or zipper instead of buttons |
| Trim | Faux fur yarn for a winter coat look |
📸 Final Thoughts
Crocheting a hooded baby girl coat is a rewarding and creative project. It’s a beautiful way to craft something special with love, whether it’s for your child, a gift, or even to sell. With basic stitches and a modular approach (body, sleeves, hood), it’s easy to customize for size and style.
So grab your yarn, get cozy, and start stitching up something sweet and snug! Your finished coat will not only keep a little one warm but also wrap them in handmade love. 💕
Video tutorial:
