Ribbed, waffle or cable knit: how each one fits your baby

Texture changes the fit

“Knit” describes how a fabric is made, not what it is made of. Ribbed, waffle and cable knits are built from loops in different patterns, and those patterns decide how much a piece stretches, how it sits on the body and how much room it takes up. Two sets in the same size can feel quite different on your baby because of the knit alone.

That means the size chart is only half of the decision. The other half is knowing how the knit behaves, so you can size for it. It also explains why a knit set from one shop can feel a size different from another in the same age label: the knit and the cut matter as much as the numbers on the tag.

Ribbed knit: stretchy and close

Ribbed knit has raised lines running up and down, and it stretches easily from side to side, then springs back. It follows the body closely, so a ribbed top looks neat on a slim baby and gives with a rounder one. It is forgiving across a range of builds and good for a baby who is filling out.

Our Oatmeal Teddy Ribbed Top & Jogger Set and Dusty Rose Ribbed Henley & Jogger Set are ribbed. Because rib stretches across more than along, it adds room in width, not in length: a ribbed top that is getting short is still getting short, however well it stretches round the tummy.

Waffle knit: textured, with gentle give

Waffle knit has a grid of small squares, like a honeycomb. It has some stretch in both directions but usually less spring than rib, and the texture gives it a little body, so it tends to sit slightly away from the skin rather than hugging it. It suits babies of most builds and has a relaxed, easy look.

Our Sage Waffle-Knit Henley & Jogger Set is waffle knit. So is our charcoal set in the same style, which is wool. Size waffle knits by the chart as normal; if your baby is between sizes, the larger size will look relaxed rather than baggy.

Cable knit: chunkier, with less stretch

Cable knit has twisted, rope-like patterns that make it thicker and warmer, with less stretch than rib or waffle. A cable-knit sweater takes up more room on the body, which matters when it goes over a bodysuit, and its neckline has less give. That is why our Sage Cable-Knit Teddy Sweater & Jogger Set has shoulder buttons: they open the neck so the sweater goes over the head easily.

If your baby is near the top of a size, or will wear a layer underneath, the next size up is usually the comfortable choice in cable knit.

Choosing the size for each knit

Find your baby’s length and weight on our size guide to start.

• Ribbed: the size on the chart, even for a rounder baby, because it stretches. Go up if the length is running out.
• Waffle: the size on the chart; the larger size if they are between two.
• Cable: the size on the chart for a snug fit over a thin layer, one size up if they are near the top of the range or will wear more underneath.
• For all three, check the length first. Stretch helps width, not length.

Keeping knits the size you bought

Knits keep their fit best when washed cool, turned inside out and dried flat, gently eased back into shape. Hanging a wet knit by the shoulders stretches it longer, and hot washes and hot dryers can tighten it. Our guide on how to wash baby clothes explains what to avoid.

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