Practical and Cute Free Knitting Patterns for Baby Bibs

Knit something for babies that’s both completely practical and quite atypical: baby bibs

Bibs aren’t the typical baby knitting pattern, are they? When we think of knitting patterns for babies, we tend to think hats, booties, blankets, maybe a cardigan or sleep sack. But we don’t think of bibs very often. I know I don’t! I’ve given many, many hats away as gifts for new moms and their babies. But only once have I given a bib.

But bibs are extremely practical baby items, and perhaps we charity knitters should think of making them more often. I personally remember that my both babies wore bibs almost nonstop!

The fun thing about knitting baby bibs is that they don’t need to be strictly utilitarian. They can be attractive, fun, beautiful, and/or whimsical. I have for you a collection of knitting patterns for baby bibs that are so adorable, you won’t want to wait to knit a few! As usual, they’re divided into quick/easy and more challenging.

Quick and Easy Knitting Patterns for Baby Bibs

Simple Baby Bib: There’s never been an easier bib pattern! This is not only great for knitting multiple bibs for charity, but it is a fantastic first project for new knitters who want to donate to charity, too.

Easy Stay-on Bib: This bib couldn’t be easier to make or more practical. The ribbed collar keeps the bib on baby’s head without ties or snaps.

I Love Stockinette Baby Bib: This bib pattern uses simple short-row shaping around the neck and I-cord ties.

Girly Bib: This adorable lacy bib looks a lot more complex than it really is!

Grandmother’s Favorite Baby Bib: This pattern is a riff off the every-popular Grandmother’s Favorite Washcloth pattern. It’s simple, cute, and quick. (Scroll down after you click the link to see the pattern.)

Modern Cabled Baby Bib: This is a great first project for anyone who has never before knitted cables. One simple cable winds its way up one side of the bib and up the back around the neck. The button can be exchanged for a Velcro tab, if mouthing is a concern.

Manly Bib: This bib — complete with necktie! — is too adorable, isn’t it? Terrific for little boy babies, and it’s much easier than it looks.

Kerchief Bib: A simple bib in the shape of a kerchief. You can sew on a flower applique, or leave it plain.

Baby Ripples: This adorable bib, with its rippled stripes, is another much-easier-to-knit-than-you’d-think pattern.

Chevron Bib Recipe (and Tips): You’ll be amazed at how quickly you can knit this darling chevron, and you’ll appreciate the designer’s helpful hints.

More Challenging Baby Bib Knitting Patterns

Something’s Fishy: Tons of bib patterns exist with adorable designs knitted into the fabric, but this design — consisting of three fish merrily swimming in the sea — is, to my eyes, the best and the most adorable.

Rooted Bib: This bib offers some scrumptious fall vegetables growing from the ground. Well, not really, but it sure looks like it! This pattern is a great way to practice your colorwork skills.

Lea’s Strawberry Bib: Wrap a juicy strawberry around a sweet baby’s neck – or make it appear that way.

Red White and Bib: An adorable bib features the American flag.

Baby’s First Lobster Bib: I love this: a baby bib with a lobster stitched into it. Looks like a bib that grown-ups don when they eat a lobster!

Baby Bricks Bib: This intarsia pattern creates an adorable bib filled with little colored bricks.

T-Shirt Yarn Bib: This isn’t really a difficult knit; the trickiness lies in turning a T-shirt into yarn. The pattern includes a video tutorial to help you with the process. Once you’ve produced a ball of yarn from a T-shirt, it’s smooth sailing from there!

Football Bib: This is a crazy-cute bib for both boys and girls! (Not only boys enjoy football, after all!)

Who’s Hungry Bib: It’s a bib complete with little owls. If you know me, you know I love owls. If you know me, you know I just had to include this precious bib.

Pussy Foot Bib: The lacy pattern in this bib resembles tiny kitty paws. So cute!

I think you’ll love knitting these bibs. You can knit them as gifts, or you can knit them for charity. In fact, why not knit these baby bib knitting patterns for both?