Knit the perfect nursing sweater!

Knit the nursing sweater of your dreams

Your dream sweater? You might think we’re getting a bit ahead of ourselves... You’re probably not spending your nights imagining the perfect nursing sweater!
The nursing sweater of your dreams is probably a design that lets you nurse easily while staying warm.

And our Chloé nursing sweater obviously ticks both those boxes.
With its fully button-down sides, it lets you nurse comfortably, no matter what top you’re wearing underneath.

Whether you’re wearing a horizontally opening top like our Zoé nursing top ( free pattern) or a side-opening one like our MilkPower t-shirt, your Chloé sweater allows for comfortable nursing while protecting you from chilly drafts!

And to make it even more appealing, let’s add a little magic: it fully adapts, allowing you to knit the sweater you *need*... or just want!

Why an adaptable sweater?

When you choose to knit a sweater, the pattern typically specifies the type of yarn to use, needle size, and the gauge you need to match (the number of stitches and rows in a 10 cm square).

This really limits your options for the final result. You choose a color from the available range of recommended yarn... and that’s about it.

If the yarn is too warm for your climate, too bad!
And if it’s unbearably scratchy, you’re left scouring stores for a similar yarn weight to replace it... or you might have to give up and pick another pattern entirely!

At Glamformum, we’re always looking for ways to make breastfeeding and motherhood easier for you.
That’s why we’ve created a pattern that automatically adjusts to the yarn you want to use, the needle size you prefer, and your unique knitting style!

Want an ultra-warm, cozy sweater to nurse all winter? Choose a 100% wool yarn, and your sweater will soon be your best companion for those long, winter nursing sessions.

Need a lighter sweater for the in-between seasons? A blend of mohair and cotton turns your Chloé nursing sweater into your best autumn ally.

Thanks to the adaptability of this pattern, you’re truly free to knit the nursing sweater of your dreams!

Not convinced yet? Check out the inspiration boards below and see for yourself!

Inspiration

Size: S
Yarn: Drops Alpaca, Dark Green
Composition: 100% alpaca
Needles: 3.5 mm
Gauge (10x10cm):
Stitches: 26
Rows: 32
Skeins: 7

Size: S
Yarn: Drops Alpaca, Dark Green
Composition: 100% alpaca
Needles: 3.5 mm
Gauge (10x10cm):
Stitches: 26
Rows: 32
Skeins: 7

Size: M
Yarn: 2 strands of Drops Brushed Alpaca Silk in Natural
Composition: 77% alpaca, 23% silk
Needles: 5 mm
Gauge (10x10cm):
Stitches: 17
Rows: 23
Balls of yarn: 9

Size: M
Yarn: 2 strands of Drops Brushed Alpaca Silk in Natural
Composition: 77% alpaca, 23% silk
Needles: 5 mm
Gauge (10x10cm):
Stitches: 17
Rows: 23
Balls of yarn: 9

Size: M
Cotton: Drops Belle in Natural
Composition: 53% cotton, 33% viscose, 14% linen
Needles: 4 mm
Gauge (10x10cm):
Stitches: 21
Rows: 28
Balls of yarn: 8

Size: M
Cotton: Drops Belle in Natural
Composition: 53% cotton, 33% viscose, 14% linen
Needles: 4 mm
Gauge (10x10cm):
Stitches: 21
Rows: 28
Balls of yarn: 8

Choosing your yarn

Browsing your favorite craft store and unsure which type of yarn to pick?

Here are a few key points to keep in mind when selecting the perfect yarn to knit your nursing sweater:

A few grams of softness...

When knitting a nursing sweater, softness is key.

During feeding, baby’s little hands and cheeks will likely be in prolonged contact with your sweater.

And this contact will probably increase during those cozy post-meal naps!
Baby's skin is very sensitive and can irritate easily, so it's best to choose a soft yarn that they’ll love to snuggle against!

...that’s machine-washable?

Life with Baby is wonderful... but often messy!

And you probably don’t want to hand wash your sweater every time your little one spits up a bit of milk.

The good news? There are "superwash" treated wools.

"Superwash" is a special process that treats wool to make it machine washable at high temperatures.

Choosing a superwash wool means you can wash your nursing sweater in the machine up to 40°C with peace of mind.

However, there’s a downside. The process of making wool superwash involves coating it with a polymer (essentially a thin layer of plastic).

Not only is this environmentally unfriendly, but it also makes the fiber less elastic, less warm, and less breathable.
To learn more about superwash wools, read this excellent article from the Triconautes.

...in camouflage colors

If you opt for untreated wool, you can be clever and avoid constant washing by choosing the perfect color!

Feel free to let your creativity flow... or take a strategic route and choose a color that hides everyday stains.

Why not go for a fun, multicolored yarn? The stains will blend right in and be quickly forgotten!

Choosing your needles

Once you’ve picked the perfect yarn for your nursing sweater, the next step is deciding what needle size to use.

Each ball of yarn suggests a needle size, but you don’t have to stick to it strictly.

The needle size affects both the look of your sweater (tighter or looser stitches) and how warm it will be.
The finer the needles, the tighter the weave and the less air will pass through.
Finer needles create a warmer fabric.

Needle size also influences how fast you’ll finish your sweater: larger needles mean faster knitting!
If you're a bit impatient, big needles might be your best friend!

You can adjust the needle size based on the result you want to achieve.
Still, the recommended needle size on the yarn label is a good starting point for experimenting.

Pro tip:
Start by knitting a swatch with the recommended needles, and then decide whether to switch to larger or smaller needles depending on the texture you prefer.

How to knit your nursing sweater

Have you chosen your yarn and needle size? Perfect!

Knit a swatch that's about 15 cm wide and 15 cm tall.
Then, count the exact number of stitches and rows needed to make a 10 cm square in the center of your swatch.

Next, take a look at the size chart included in the user manual you received by email with your order. Measure your bust and choose the size you want to knit ( the chart belows gives you the width of the finished sweater, which represents half of the circonference).

All that’s left is to enter this information into our software, which will generate the corresponding pattern for you!

Print your pattern, and happy knitting!