When spring rolls around and Easter photos are on the horizon, there is nothing quite like dressing your little one in something handmade with love. Colleen recently knitted this beautiful short-sleeve baby sweater using the Autumn Leaves free baby sweater knitting pattern by Nikki Van De Car, and we are absolutely smitten with how it turned out.

The result? Absolutely stunning — and this photo says it all. We are so thrilled to share this free pattern with you today so you can make one for the little one in your life too.

About the Pattern

Autumn Leaves is a free knitting pattern designed by Nikki Van De Car, and it is just as charming as the name suggests. The sweater features a gorgeous leaf lace panel across the yoke, knitted in a classic top-down construction. Short puffed sleeves and a simple button-up front make this an ideal choice for warm-weather wear — perfect for spring photoshoots, Easter Sunday, or any special occasion where you want your baby to look extra adorable.

The pattern is worked flat and uses a combination of seed stitch borders, yarn-over increases, and decorative leaf motifs that come together into an elegant, heirloom-quality garment. The result is lightweight, breathable, and absolutely irresistible.

Skill Level

This pattern is best suited for

You will need to be comfortable with yarn-over increases, slip-slip-knit decreases (ssk), k2tog, seed stitch, and basic lace chart reading. If you have made a few garments before and are ready to try something with a bit of texture and detail, this is a wonderful next project. The pattern includes both written row-by-row instructions and a chart, so you can work in whichever format you prefer.

Sizes & Materials

The pattern comes in three sizes:

• 6–9 months
• 9–12 months
• 12–15 months

You will need approximately 200–300 yards of DK or worsted weight wool, a US 5, 7, or 9 circular needle (depending on size), a tapestry needle, 4 stitch markers, and 3 buttons. The buttons are a small but meaningful detail — natural wood buttons, like the ones shown in our photo, add a lovely organic touch that pairs beautifully with a cream or off-white yarn.

Why We Love It

Beyond the beautiful lace detail, what makes this sweater so special is how versatile it is. Pair it over a simple white onesie and bloomers for a classic springtime look or layer it over a floral dress for a bit of extra warmth at an outdoor event. The short sleeves keep baby comfortable as temperatures rise, while the knit fabric still provides a cozy layer against a cool breeze.

Colleen knitted this one in a soft cream wool and it came out looking like something you might find in a boutique baby shop. We could not be prouder of her work — and honestly, we are already thinking about making another in a soft blush pink for next season.

Download the Free Pattern

Ready to cast on? You can download the Autumn Leaves pattern for free directly from Nikki Van De Car’s website. It is a wonderful gift to the knitting community — well-written, clearly illustrated, and completely free of charge.

Click the link below to access the pattern:

Autumn Leaves Free Knitting Pattern by Nikki Van De Car

We hope this inspires you to pick up your needles and make something beautiful for the little one in your life. Happy knitting!

Our finished product can be found for sale in our shop:  Short sleeve knit sweater

Tag us in your finished projects @ccknitsmuskoka on Facebook and Instagram— we would love to see your version! 

Do more of what you love!  Happy stitching!