Waddles: Baby Penguin Jumper and Aviator Hat Knitting Pattern PDF
Waddles: Baby Penguin Jumper and Aviator Hat Knitting Pattern PDF
Couldn't load pickup availability
You might have noticed I have quite a few penguin jumpers in my collection. My family and I are obsessed with penguins. My children are all adults now, but this year we still went to the zoo for my daughter's birthday, to see the penguins. Pingu pyjamas and T-shirts are still the most popular gifts I can give my kids. Don't tell them I told you, but both my boys are 6ft 4, and buying Pingu pyjamas is a challenge!
Anyway, I realised that not enough of my penguin jumpers were sized from newborn, so that had to be fixed. Then I thought... this needs a hat too.
Waddles is a penguin jumper (sweater) and matching aviator hat for babies and toddlers, in sizes from 0 months to 5 years. The penguin's face fills the front of the jumper, finished with a little knitted orange beak, and the hat has the same face above the brim, with ear flaps and long ties to keep it on.
The jumper is knitted flat in pieces and sewn together, and the penguin is simple two colour intarsia, so it's a lovely first colourwork project. The four smallest sizes have a buttoned shoulder, so it slips easily over a baby's head. The hat is knitted flat too, with the ear flaps joined in as you go, and the clear instructions are easy to follow from cast on to the last stitch.
Designed by Jane Burns. I've been creating knitting and crochet patterns for babies and children for 18 years, so you can trust this one is as straightforward to follow as it looks.
Pattern details
| Yarn | King Cole Merino Blend DK, 100% superwash wool, 104m (114yds) per 50g ball |
| Yarn requirements | Jumper: Yarn A Graphite (702) 3 (3: 3: 4: 5: 6) balls, Yarn B White (001) 1 ball and Yarn C Amber (3398) 1 ball. Hat: Yarn A 1 (1: 2) balls and Yarn B 1 ball. One ball of Yarn C is plenty for both beaks, so it's worth a dig through your stash for a scrap of orange DK. |
| Needles | A pair each of 3.25mm (US 3) and 4mm (US 6) needles. For the hat, a set of 3.25mm (US 3) and 4mm (US 6) double-pointed needles. |
| Also needed | Darning needle, stitch markers, stitch holders, a spare needle, 3 buttons for the four smallest sizes |
| Sizes | Jumper: 0-6m (6-12m: 12-18m: 18-24m: 2-3y: 4-5y). Hat: 0-6m (6-18m: 2-5y) |
| Finished chest | 54.5 (56.5: 58: 62: 67.5: 72.5) cm / 21.5 (22.25: 22.75: 24.5: 26.5: 28.5) in |
| Finished length | 26 (28: 30: 32: 35: 38) cm / 10.25 (11: 11.75: 12.5: 13.75: 15) in, to back neck |
| Sleeve length | 15 (18: 21: 24: 27: 30) cm / 6 (7: 8.25: 9.5: 10.75: 11.75) in |
| Skill level | Confident beginner, simple two colour intarsia |
| Gauge | 22 sts x 30 rows = 10cm x 10cm (4in x 4in) in stocking stitch using 4mm (US 6) needles |
Any DK weight yarn will work. If you can't get King Cole, Knit Picks Swish DK is a good substitute and easy to find in the US, in Asphalt Heather, White and Clementine.
Size guide
Jumper
| Size | 0-6m | 6-12m | 12-18m | 18-24m | 2-3y | 4-5y |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| To fit chest | 40.5-43cm (16-17in) | 43-45.5cm (17-18in) | 45.5-48cm (18-19in) | 48-53cm (19-20.75in) | 53-56cm (20.75-22in) | 58.5-61cm (23-24in) |
| Actual chest | 54.5cm (21.5in) | 56.5cm (22.25in) | 58cm (22.75in) | 62cm (24.5in) | 67.5cm (26.5in) | 72.5cm (28.5in) |
| Length to back neck | 26cm (10.25in) | 28cm (11in) | 30cm (11.75in) | 32cm (12.5in) | 35cm (13.75in) | 38cm (15in) |
| Sleeve length | 15cm (6in) | 18cm (7in) | 21cm (8.25in) | 24cm (9.5in) | 27cm (10.75in) | 30cm (11.75in) |
Hat
| Size | 0-6m | 6-18m | 2-5y |
|---|---|---|---|
| To fit head | 35-40cm (13.75-15.75in) | 40-45cm (15.75-17.75in) | 45-50cm (17.75-19.75in) |
| Finished circumference | 35.5cm (14in) | 40cm (15.75in) | 44.5cm (17.5in) |
| Length, crown to brim | 15cm (6in) | 16.5cm (6.5in) | 18.5cm (7.25in) |
Knitting for a little one you can't measure? My size guide has charts of average measurements by age, so you can get the fit just right.
What you'll receive
Your pattern is an instant PDF download, ready to save or print as soon as your purchase is complete.
- Full written instructions for the jumper in six sizes and the hat in three sizes
- Clear colour charts for the penguin on both the jumper and the hat
- An enlarged version of the jumper chart split across two A4 pages, so you can print both, stick them together and read it easily
- Written line-by-line instructions for both charts, if you prefer words to charts
- A step-by-step Swiss darning guide, if you'd rather add the eyes afterwards
- The option to embroider the beak instead, for very young babies
- US needle sizes and inches throughout
Save paper and ink by printing only the pages you need. If you prefer working from the chart, you can skip the written instructions on pages 9 and 10. If the standard chart is big enough for you, you can skip the enlarged chart on pages 12 and 13.
A lovely gift for a new baby or a birthday, and it looks rather good under the tree at Christmas too.
New patterns, free downloads, and the occasional knitting rabbit hole, straight to your inbox. Join the list here.
Come and find me on Pinterest, Facebook, and Instagram. Tag your makes with #janeburnsdesigns and I'll share them.
