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Chunky Knit Sweater Pattern (Half Fisherman’s Rib)

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This chunky knit sweater pattern will allow you to create a comfy, cozy sweater.

I wanted to share with you another free knitting pattern that has been somewhat inspired by the TV show Outlander.

Scroll down for the free pattern or you can purchase a printer-friendly ad-free PDF here.

Chunky knit sweater pattern

Inspired By The Outlander Knits

If you have been watching the Outlander TV series, through all of the seasons, Claire and the other characters have been seen wearing an amazing selection of knits.

From Claire and Brianna’s cowls, wraps, shawls, and mittens to Roger and Brianna’s sweaters in seasons three and four.

You can see them wearing carefully curated pieces in mainly neutral tones, like brown, beige, navy, and grey.

This pattern is part of my Outlander collection, you can see the other Outlander patterns here. – Outlander Patterns {Beginner + Intermediate}

Visit the Outlander Pattern Collection Ebooks in my shop below:

brown fisherman rib knitted sweater

A Sweater Perfect For The Cold Weather

This sweater is meant to be a thick and cozy knit, perfect for cold days, walking the dog, or running errands.

With a turtleneck, it will make you feel wrapped up and protected from the cold.

There are a few sizes to make too – from small to large.

You can also make it in a size up if you want it to be more oversized.

View more sweater patterns here – Sweaters + Cardigans

chunky knit sweater

How To Knit The Half Fisherman’s Rib Stitch

This stitch pattern is similar to the 1 x 1 or 2 x 2  rib stitch but has a more defined texture.

This is a simple stitch to work, as you knit a one-row repeat stitch with a setup row.

This stitch definitely gives the sweater that extra warm and cozy look!

It is knit like this:

Cast on stitches in a multiple of 2 + 1.

  1. Row 1: (RS) Knit to the end of the row.
  2. Row 2: (WS) K1, *P1, K1B, rep from * to last 2 sts, P1, K1.
  3. Rep Rows 1 and 2 for the pattern. 
fishermans rib sweater

Chunky Knit Sweater Pattern – Half Fisherman’s Rib

Notes

The sweater knits up quickly and the fisherman rib design makes for a relaxing and enjoyable knit.

Copyright Info

  • Please do not copy, sell, redistribute, or republish this pattern. 
  • If you wish to share this pattern, link to the pattern page only.
  • You may sell items produced using this pattern.
  • Do NOT use copyrighted photos for your product listing.
  • For the copyright T&C please read my Terms of Use.

Skill Level – Intermediate Level

Gauge

9 sts / 20 rows in 4×4 inches/10×10 cm/ in half fisherman’s rib.

Measurements

To fit bust circumference –

  • cm – 86, 91, 97, 102, 107, 112
  • in – 34, 36, 38, 40, 42, 44

Garment measurement –

  • cm – 95, 103, 108, 112, 116, 123
  • in – 37.5, 40.5, 42.5, 44, 48.5

Length from shoulder –

  • cm – 56, 58, 58, 60, 61, 61
  • in – 22, 23, 23, 23.5, 24, 24

Sleeve seam –

  • cm – 41, 42, 42, 42, 43, 43
  • in – 16, 16.5, 16.5, 16.5, 17, 17
chunky knit sweater

The Supplies You Need…

Yarn

Needles

Notions

fisherman rib sweater

Abbreviations / Knitting Abbreviations And Terms (US And UK) List

  • k – knit
  • p – purl
  • st(s) – stitches
  • st, st – stockinette stitch
  • patt – pattern
  • rep – repeat
  • beg – beginning
  • inc – increase
  • dec – decrease
  • K1B – knit one below worked like this – insert right-hand needle into the stitch below stitch on the left-hand needle and knit it in the usual way, letting the stitch drop off the left-hand needle. (see the video in this post).
  • mm – millimeters
  • cm – centimeters
  • in – inch(es)
  • RS – right side

Pattern Instructions

Instructions for the larger sizes are given in () brackets, where only one figure is given this applies to all sizes.

It is a good idea to go through the pattern once you have selected your size and highlight all of the numbers given for that size.

This will make the pattern easier to follow in the size that you are making.

Back

Using 6.5mm (US 10.5) needles cast on 47, (51, 53, 55, 57, 61) sts

Rib row 1: P1, *K1, P1 rep from * to end.

Rib row 2: K1, *P1, K1 rep from * to end.

Rep these 2 rows for 3 inches, ending with rib row 2.

Change to 8mm (US  11) needles.

Work in fisherman’s rib as follows:

Row 1: (RS) Knit

Row 2: K1, *P1, K1B, rep from * to last 2 sts, P1, K1.

These last two rows form the pattern.

Continue in the pattern until the back piece measures: 13.5″, (14″, 14″, 14″, 14″, 14″) from the CO edge, ending on a WS row.

The length can be adjusted here if you want to make the sweater shorter or longer.

Shape The Armholes

Cast off in pattern, 4 sts at beg of next 2 rows: 39, (43, 45, 47, 49, 53) sts.

Work straight to 8.5″, (9″, 9″, 9.5″, 10″, 10″) from beg of the armhole shaping and ending on a WS row.

Shape The Shoulders

Cast off 6, (7, 7, 8, 8, 9) sts at beg of next 2 rows and 7, (8, 8, 8, 8, 9) sts at beg of foll 2 rows.

Cut yarn and leave rem 13, (13, 15, 15, 17, 17) sts on a stitch holder.

Front

Work as given for the back – up to the completion of the armhole shaping; 39, (43, 45, 47, 49, 53) sts.

Work straight to 6.5″, (7″, 7″, 7″, 7.5″, 7.5″) from beg of armhole shaping, ending with a WS row.

Shape Neck

Next row: Pattern 16, (18, 18, 19, 19, 21) sts, turn and leave rem sts on a stitch holder.

Work on the first set of sts as follows:

* dec 1 st at neck edge on every row until 13, (15, 15, 16, 16, 18) sts remain.

Work straight until front measures same as back up to beg of shoulder shaping, ending at armhole edge.

Shape Shoulder

Cast off 6, (7, 7, 8, 8, 9) sts at beg of next row.

Work 1 row.

Cast off *.

Return to sts on the stitch holder.

With RS facing, slip first 7, (7, 9, 9, 11, 11) sts onto a holder, join yarn to next st, and pattern to the end of the row. 

Now work as given for the first side of the neck from * to *.

Sleeves

Using 6.5mm (US 10.5) needles cast on 23, (25, 25, 27, 29, 29) sts.

Work the 2 rib rows of the back for 3 inches ending with rib row 2.

Change to 8mm (US 11) needles.

Proceed in the pattern as given for the back (Fisherman’s rib) but inc 1 st at each end of the 3rd and every foll 4th row until there are 43, (45, 45, 47, 51, 51) sts.

Work straight to 16, (16.5, 16.5, 16.5, 17, 17) inches from the cast-on edge, ending with a WS row.

Place a marker at each end of the last row.

Pattern a further 1.5 inches ending with a WS row.

Cast off in rib.

Neckband

Join right shoulder seam.

With right side facing, join yarn to neck at left front shoulder and using 6.5 mm (US 10.5) needles, pick up and knit 8, (8, 8, 10, 10, 10, 10) sts down left side of front neck. 

Knit the front neck sts from the holder.

Pick up and knit 8, (8, 8, 10, 10, 10) sts up the right side of front neck, then K the back neck sts from holder (36, 36, 40, 44, 48, 48) sts.

1st, 2nd, 3rd sizes only – work 4.5″ – P1, K1 rib.

4th, 5th, 6th sizes only – work 4.5″ – K1, P1 rib.

All sizes – cast-off loosely in rib (use a larger needle size if needed / or do a stretchy bind off).

Making Up

Do not press and check the yarn label for washing instructions.

Mattress Stitch – How To Seam Knitting

Join left shoulder and neckband seam.

Set in sleeves, placing the straight side edges above markers to cast off sts at armholes.

Join side and sleeve seams.

Leave the neckband or you can fold it over and secure it by slip stitching into position if you want it to be turned over.

The neck can be left as a funnel neck or folded over and seamed as a crew neck.

chunky knit sweater

View more Outlander Knitting Patterns here.

Popular Patterns

Share your work with us…

I love seeing your finished projects on social media.

If you enjoyed making the oversized sweater pattern, I’d love to see yours on Instagram, be sure to tag me @handylittleme.

I’d love to see your work.

Happy knitting!

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12 Comments

  1. What is the reason for knitting the right side, then ribbing, then knitting a row, then ribbing instead of just ribbing both sides? Is it an aesthetic thing? I’m not sure I’ve ever seen it done that way before and want to make sure I’m not just misreading.

    I just repeat these two rows correct?
    Row 1: (RS) Knit
    Row 2: K1, *P1, K1B, rep from * to last 2 sts, P1, K1.

    1. Hello Claire, this is knit in half Fisherman’s rib. The ribbing stands out a lot more than if you just knit say 2 x 2 ribbing. You repeat the rows given in the pattern and you will see the ribbing start to take effect. Happy Knitting! 🙂

  2. Hi Louise
    I’m not sure what this means: Cast on stitches in a multiple of 2 + 1.
    Can you please explain.
    Thank you

    1. Hello Britte,
      For the half fisherman rib pattern, this works out when the number of stitches you cast on is in a multiple of 2+1.
      This means that extra stitches are needed to keep everything balanced (symmetrical) but the extra stitches are not part of the actual stitch pattern.
      When you see multiples like this, the extra stitches are done at the beginning and/or the end of the row and lots of times they help form the selvedge (the edge).
      The actual number of stitches you need to cast on for each piece of the garment has been listed in the pattern for the different sizes.
      I hope that helps!
      Louise

  3. hi!! I was wondering how you advise to increase on the half fisherman’s rib while maintaining the pattern. having some difficulties! thank you!

    1. Hello Kendall,
      For the increases – I would suggest using KFB – knit into the front and back of the stitch.
      Then keep the stitch pattern correct as you work and increase further.
      I hope that helps!
      Louise

      1. Hi! It seems the increases for sleeves are done on the knit row 1. Once I have increased the 2 stitches, not sure how to adjust for Row 2?

        1. Hello Meg,
          The increases for the sleeves are done on the 3rd row and then every following 4th row until you have 43, (45, 45, 47, 51, 51) sts.
          You can KFB into the sts – this will work for the increases well.
          So inc by using KFB on the 1st and last st of the 3rd row, turn and then KFB into the first and last st of the next (4th row).
          I hope that helps!
          Louise

      2. Disappointed that you list the yarn weight as 05 Bulky, but the yarn you used, recommended, (and is impossible to find), is 06 super bulky weight. So here I sit with size 5 bulky yarn , ready to go… but I have to buy new yarn….Do you have a pattern that uses 05 weight yarn ;-(

        1. Hello Ellen,
          The yarn I used is between bulky and super bulky, it can be used with 8mm (US 11) or 9mm (US 13) needles.
          The sweater uses 6.5mm (US 10.5) knitting needles and 8mm (US 11) knitting needles so you will be able to use your bulky yarn for this pattern.
          The Drops Eskimo which has now been renamed as Drops Snow can be found at Wool Warehouse – or if you check the Garn Studio website they may have a list of stockists you can check out.
          I also have a cardigan pattern that uses bulky yarn here – https://www.handylittleme.com/cardigan-knitting-pattern/
          I hope that helps!
          Louise