Playtime pleats toddler tunic free pattern

Playtime Pleats Toddler Tunic - Free Pattern

Sleeveless tunic with a pleat in front

The Playtime Pleats Tunic is a charming knit garment that blends playful movement with eye-catching texture, perfect for little ones on the go. Designed in KnitPal Cotton Bliss Worsted yarn, this tunic features beautifully structured pleats that look impressive but are surprisingly straightforward to knit. Worked from the hem up with minimal seaming, it’s an engaging project for intermediate knitters who want to try a clever construction technique while creating a comfortable, wearable piece for everyday adventures.

Download a printable pattern PDF

What You’ll Need

  • Yarn: KnitPal Cotton Bliss Worsted weight #4 – 30% long staple cotton/ 70% acrylic, 160 yards/147 meters per 3.5 ounces/100 grams
    2 skeins, shown in colorway Cherry Velvet

  • Needles: US 8 / 5 mm, 24" / 60 cm or 32" / 80 cm circular needle and 2 DPNs or cable needles
    Or size needed to obtain gauge

  • Notions: 
    Tapestry needle
    Measuring tape

    2 Distinct Stitch marker
    Stitch holders

Details

  • Skill Level: Intermediate

  • Gauge: 4x4”/10x10cm = 16 stitches x 24 rows in stockinette st

    Note: row gauge may be inconsistent due to fiber content; measurements are provided throughout to check length as you go

  • Sizes: 3T/4T [5T/6T]
    Finished chest: 24 [27]” / 60 [67.5] cm
    Length: 17 [19]" / 43 [48] cm - may lengthen with wear

Abreviations

  • BO: bind off
  • BOR: beginning of round
  • CO: cast on
  • DPN: double pointed needle
  • k: knit
  • k2tog: knit 2 together (decrease)
  • M1L: make one left; single left-leaning knit increase
  • M1R: make one right; single right-leaning knit increase
  • p: purl
  • PM: place marker
  • rep: repeat
  • rnd(s): round(s)
  • RS: right side of work
  • SM: slip marker
  • ssk: slip slip knit
  • st(s): stitch(es)
  • WS: wrong side of work
  • yo: yarn over

Special Stitches

Pleat: knitting 3 stitches together at the same time, from 3 needle tips, similar to a 3 needle bind off, except that you keep the stitches active.

Notes

  • Worked from the Hemline, up, beginning with rounds, and finishing with the bodice split for two front sides and one back side, in rows (turning the work). The shoulders are seamed or joined with the 3-needle bindoff method. Minimal seaming, minimal finishing. Always slip the Stitch Markers from the left needle to the right needle when you reach them.

  • When the pattern is different between Size 3T/4T sts and Size 5T/6Tsts, the larger size is in parentheses unless specifically listed out.

  • Due to the twist of the yarn strands, be watchful that you catch all threads of the full strand, especially when working the k2tog or ssk decreases.

Pattern

Toddler wearing the playtime pleats tunic

Download a printable pattern PDF

SKIRT

CO 128 [140]. Do not join yet.

Row 1-5: Purl across. At the end of Row 5, do not turn. PM for BOR and join in the round.

Rnd 6: *k2tog, yo; rep from * around.

Rnd 7-58 [67]: Knit around. (52 [61] rnds, or until skirt measures approximately 10.5 [12]”/ 26.5 [30] cm from CO edge)

PLEAT ROUND

This next round adds the Pleats for gathering the excess circumference together for a more fitted bodice. Complete the Round using the number of stitches designated for the Size you are making. You will need the extra set of needles to make the folds for the Pleat. Each Pleat is approximately 4" / 10 cm wide, for a total of 8" which will be the center of the Front.

Rnd 59 [68]: K 16 [19], slip the next 8 stitches purlwise onto the first DPN needle, and then slip the next 8 stitches purlwise onto the second DPN (16 sts total). “Fold” so that 1 8 stitches are in the Front, 2 8 stitches are in the Middle so the WS is now facing you, and a 3 set of 8 stitches (the next 8 stitches on the left needle) are in the Back( RS is facing you). It should look like a Z. Holding all 3 needles in your left hand, continue knitting as Knit 3 together, one stitch from each of the 3 needles, for a total of 8 times. Now again slip the next 8 stitches purlwise onto the first DPN needle, and then slip the next 8 stitches purlwise onto the second DPN (16 sts total). “Fold” so that 1 8 stitches are in the Back, 2 8 stitches are in the Middle, and a 3 set of 8 stitches(the next 8 stitches on the left needle) are in the Front. It should look like an S. Holding all 3 needles in your left hand, continue knitting as Knit 3 together, one stitch from each of the 3 needles, for a total of 8 times. K 16 [19], PM (this will be the Side, use a different color from the BOR marker), K 48 [54] to BOR marker. (96 [108] sts)

Rnd 60 [69]-72 [84]: Knit around. (13 [16] rnds, or until work measures approximately 12.75 [14.75]” / 32 [37] cm from CO edge)

DIVIDE FRONT AND BACK 

Begin working the front in rows, as follows:

FRONT 1ST SIDE 
Row 1 (RS): k2tog, yo, k2tog, M1L, (armhole edge), k 16 [19], k2tog, yo, k2tog (neckline edge). Leave remaining sts unworked, and turn to work these sts only. 
Row 2 (WS): Purl across. Turn. 
Rep Row 1 and Row 2 until 11 [14] sts remain. (13 sts decreased, 26 rows) 
If planning to use the 3-needle bind off method for the shoulders, slip these sts onto a stitch holder. If planning to seam the shoulders, then BO loosely knitwise. Either method, cut the yarn, leaving a long tail about 9-12" (23-30 cm).

FRONT 2ND SIDE  
Rejoin yarn at center of neckline with RS facing.
Row 1 (RS): SSK, yo, SSK, (neckline edge), k to last 4 sts before side marker, M1R, SSK, yo, SSK, (armhole edge). Leave remaining sts unworked, and turn to work these sts only.
Row 2 (WS): Purl across. Turn.
Rep Row 1 and Row 2 until 11 [14] sts remain. (13 sts decreased, 26 rows)
If planning to use the 3-needle bind off method for the shoulders, slip these sts onto a Stitch Holder. If planning to Seam the shoulders, then bind off loosely in knit. Either method, cut the yarn, leaving a long tail about 9-12" (23-30 cm).

BACK
Rejoin yarn with RS facing.
Row 1 (RS): k2tog, yo, k2tog, M1L, k to last 4 sts, M1R, SSK, yo, SSK. Turn.
Row 2 (WS): Purl across. Turn.
Row 3-24: Rep Row 1 and Row 2 eleven times more (24 rows total)
Row 25: rep Row 1 once more.
Row 26: p 11 [14], bind off 26 [26] knitwise, p 11 [14].

FINISHING

If using the 3-needle bind off method, join shoulders with the 3-needle bind off method, with the RS together (WS facing out), so that the ridge from the bind off is on the inside. If Seaming the shoulders, then BO loosely knitwise for each set of sts remaining. Seam shoulders with the long tail left from the BO. Weave in ends. Block/press as needed. Enjoy!

Download a printable pattern PDF


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With permission of the designer, this pattern and photos are property of KnitPal and may not be altered, shared, or sold. Do not rewrite any part of this design and sell as your own design. You’re welcome to sell finished products made with this pattern, but please credit the design to KnitPal https://knitpal.com/

Anna Rainous
Posted on December 19, 2025
Anna Rainous
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