ABC Camo Crochet Knit Relaxed Fit Kids Sweater
$ 209BAPE Kids Knitwear
The word “cardigan” comes from a 19th-century British army general who led one of the most famous cavalry charges in military history — his officers took to wearing knitted wool waistcoats under their uniforms, and the style stuck around long after the war didn’t. Two centuries later, BAPE took that same garment and put its own spin on it: ape-head intarsia, camo panels, and the varsity “College” branding that’s followed the brand since the early 2000s. BAPE Kids Knitwear is that same silhouette, scaled down for ages 2 to 8.
A Varsity Look With Real Roots
Long before camo became BAPE® calling card, its knitwear leaned into a different reference point entirely: American collegiate style. The brand’s “College” cardigans and sweaters — bold block lettering, varsity-style patches, chunky knit construction — became a signature look in the early 2000s alongside BAPE’s rise through hip-hop culture, and that campus-prep silhouette is still what defines the knitwear line today. Where the t-shirt collection leans on camo and street graphics, the knitwear collection leans on this letterman, back-to-school energy — which makes it a different piece of the wardrobe entirely, not just a heavier version of the same tee.
Cotton Knit, Not Scratchy Wool
A common parent concern with kids’ sweaters is itch — but BAPE Kids knitwear is typically built in cotton knit rather than raw wool, so it layers over a t-shirt without the scratch factor wool can bring. A few care notes worth knowing before you buy:
- Check the care label before washing. Intarsia knits (the multi-color woven patterns like the ape head or Baby Milo graphic) can be more delicate than a printed tee — cold hand-washing or a gentle cycle is usually safer than a hot machine wash.
- Lay flat to dry. Knits stretch out of shape more easily than jersey cotton when hung wet.
- Watch for pilling on high-friction areas (underarms, cuffs) — normal for knitwear generally, not a sign of a defective piece.
Built for Layering, Not Just Standalone Wear
Unlike a graphic tee, a knit cardigan or sweater is designed to go over something — a plain tee, a collared shirt, a onesie for the youngest sizes. Because of that, BAPE Kids knitwear tends to run a little roomier through the body than the tee line, giving space for a layer underneath rather than fitting skin-tight. If you’re between sizes, sizing up is usually the safer call for a piece meant to be layered rather than worn alone.
Shop by Style
College Cardigans — Button-front cardigans in BAPE’s collegiate block-letter branding, the closest thing the brand makes to a classic varsity piece.
Ape Head Intarsia Sweaters — Pullovers with the ape head knitted directly into the pattern rather than printed on top, giving a heavier, more textured look than a graphic tee.
Baby Milo Knit Sweaters — Milo’s artwork rendered in knit form rather than print, typically the softest, most kid-oriented option in the line.
Camo Knit Sweaters — BAPE’s house camo pattern translated into a knit construction, giving the familiar print a completely different texture and weight.
Gifting a BAPE Kids Knit Piece
Knitwear reads differently than a tee as a gift — it’s a cold-weather, occasion piece rather than an everyday basic, which is part of why it shows up more often around holiday and birthday gifting than the t-shirt line does. If you’re buying for someone else’s child, going one size up from their current fit is the safer bet, since a cardigan or sweater that’s slightly loose still works, while one that’s tight won’t get worn.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: Is BAPE Kids knitwear wool or cotton?
Ans: Most pieces are cotton knit rather than wool, which is generally softer against skin and easier to care for than a wool sweater.
Q2: How should I wash a BAPE Kids sweater or cardigan?
Ans: Always check the specific care label, but intarsia knit pieces generally do better with a gentle or hand wash and a flat dry rather than a hot machine cycle, to protect the knitted pattern.
Q3: Should I size up for a cardigan or sweater?
Ans: Yes, generally. Since knitwear is meant to layer over another piece, a slightly roomier fit works better than one sized exactly to the child’s frame.
Q4: What’s the difference between an intarsia design and a printed design?
Ans: Intarsia means the graphic (like the ape head or Baby Milo) is knitted directly into the fabric using different colored yarns, rather than printed on top — it’s a different, more labor-intensive construction than a screen-printed tee.