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9 best kids’ knitted jumpers they won’t want to take off

<p>We've recruited some little testers to seek approval for our top picks</p> (The Independent)

We've recruited some little testers to seek approval for our top picks

(The Independent)

Whether you're lounging at home – it's safe to say we're all doing that by the bucket load at the moment – or out on your daily walk, one thing's for sure, every member of the family will need a knitted jumper they can rely on.

Trying to shoehorn your child into anything more than a vest and pants can be a challenge, particularly when they have an aversion to layering up and a temperature gauge that's on the blink.

When shopping for sartorial essentials for the minis in your household there are a few things you'll want to consider.

First up has to be comfort, and this is particularly important when dressing children with precious and sensitive skin, and are less likely to be wooed by fashion appeal. Look out for sustainable fabrics, such as organic cotton which is kind to both the skin and planet.

We were looking for jumpers with a dollop of fun – kids fall hard for a smiling sausage dog or cheeky cheetah (here's looking at you Stella McCartney knit jumper, so make your purchase a playful one.

When parenting messy munchkins we also tend to favour clobber than can be bunged in the washing machine, so this gained extra points when testing.

Lastly dressing a child is a never-ending task with them growing out of clothes before the online order has even arrived, so naturally price plays a big part too.

You can trust our independent reviews. We may earn commission from some of the retailers, but we never allow this to influence selections. This revenue helps us to fund journalism across The Independent.

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Name: Gee Gee novelty knitted jumper

Your kids' classic striped jumper just had a magical makeover from British brand Joules. It's safe to say our four year old tester couldn't wait to get her mitts on this. And it's no surprise, it's a child's dream jumper... there's a unicorn horn made out of sequins, a tactile fringed mane along one of the sleeves, with a few stars thrown in for good measure.

Made from 100 per cent cotton, Joules is a proud member of The Better Cotton Initiative, a non-profit group that promotes better standards in cotton farming. Available in sizes one to 12 years, this jumper washes brilliantly and keeps your tiny treasure nice and toasty on cooler days.

Buy now £32.95, Joules

Boden bunny scene jumper, frosted blue bunny

This jumper brings so much joy, from the bunny's fluffy pompom tail, to the radiant rainbow it's a pleasant reminder of brighter days. Our four year old tester loves the bunny's nose and pretty embroidered flowers, but beyond the playful scene it's wonderfully comfy too. Knitted with a blend of super-soft merino wool, cotton and polyamide, it's gentle on the skin and sure to be a wardrobe favourite. Available in sizes two to eight years.

Buy now £37.00, Boden

Marks and Spencer pure cotton knitted dog jumper

We're barking mad for this adorable knitted sweat from M&S. The popularity of the sausage dog shows no sign of waning, but how do you top the perfect pooch? Made using responsibly sourced cotton, we love the detailing with embroidered ears and noses. Plus the row of buttons on the right-hand side unbutton for easier changing. Available in sizes newborn to three, we just wish it was available for older pups too.

Buy now £14.00, Marks and Spencer

Stella McCartney kids orange cheetah intarsia knit jumper

These cheeky cheetahs will add so much fun to your child's wardrobe. Attire this cool could only come from Stella McCartney's kids range, known for its devilishly playful prints.

While looking this stylish comes at a cost, something else you can be sure of when donning a Stella number is that it'll be a sustainable choice. Big on eco credentials, this knitted jumper is made from – sustainably sourced cotton (95 per cent cotton, five per cent wool) and feels oh-so-soft on the skin. While it kept our five year old tester toasty, it's thin so will need layering up on colder days but perfect as we enter springtime.

Buy now £79.00, Alex and Alexa

Mori knitted slogan jumper

We're big fan of Mori's sleepwear so were keen to see if its knitwear could match it... and oh boy it does. What we all need right now is a little bit of love, so why not spread the word on this cosy jumper. Effortlessly cool and stylishly sustainable, it's crafted in 100 per cent organic cotton, you'll struggle to find a softer sweat. The ribbed cuffs, hem and neckline will keep them snug, and like our four year old tester said “want to wear it forever”. Available in sizes three months to six years.

Buy now £19.25, Mori

Next lilac ruffle collar jumper

Little girls will love this pretty jumper from Next. Made from 100 per cent cotton, the ditsy-print ruffle collar makes this the sweetest sweater for any occasion. Available in sizes three months to seven years, there are three wooden buttons at the back which look stylish and help when changing wriggly little madams, as our two year old tester attests.

Buy now £13.00, Next

JoJo Maman Bébé navy and mustard striped hooded jumper

Partnering two power colours together in a cool stripe is a season winner in our eyes. Designed with a cosy hood, ribbed cuffs and hems, plus a front neck zip, this is a layering staple for chillier days. Made from a blend of cotton, merino and nylon it's soft to the touch, and something they'll want to wear all day long.

Less comforting is that you won't be able to bung it in the wash with everything else as it needs to be on a gentle wool spin to keep its softness, a small price to pay though. It's available in sizes six months to six years.

Buy now £18.00, JoJo Maman Bébé

Next cable knit crew jumper

The cable knit is a classic, no matter your age. Next has brought out some cool takes on this staple, and we love the block colours in this teal, navy and burnt orange ensemble, but there are plenty of other colours to choose from too.

Available in sizes three months to seven years, it's a truly cosy knit and as all parents know, what the high street giant is known for is its clothes wash really well. There are three handy buttons on the top right for easy dressing, plus they finish the look off nicely.

Buy now £13.00, Next

My 1st Years personalised oatmeal knitted cardigan

Ok, we know we're not fooling you... this isn't a jumper, but we couldn't resist including this adorable knitted cardigan from personalisation champions My 1st Years. Available in three sizes; 6-12 months, 12-18 months and 18-24 months, you'll love cuddling up to your little one in this snuggly cotton cardigan.

We love the golden metallic fleck and the sweet scalloped details along the collar and cuffs. You can personalise with up to three initials, which is a totally free service... now you can't get much more bespoke than that!

Buy now £20.80, My 1st Years

The verdict: Kids’ knitted jumpers

Whimsical, wonderfully comfortable and just the ticket for chillier days, Joules' Gee Gee novelty knitted jumper is the perfect layer at a reasonable price tag. But if you spend most of your day cuddling a little cherub you'll want to get your mitts on M&S knitted dog jumper, which we highly commend.