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Striped Sweater Knitting Pattern

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In this pattern post, I want to share with you a striped sweater knitting pattern.

This sweater is really soft and comforting, due to the drape and fit.

It’s designed to make you feel cozy and comfortable no matter where or when you wear it!

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

Striped sweater knitting pattern

An Easy-Level Knitting Pattern

This is an easy pattern for those of you who are advanced beginner level, and the techniques you will need to know are knit, purl, K2tog, and M1.

Using mainly knit and purl stitches, it will also introduce you to decreasing and shaping.

The sweater is worked from the bottom up in 4 pieces: Back, Front, and 2 Sleeves.

striped sweater

Why Is This Striped Sweater So Easy To Knit?

  1. It uses only knit and purl stitches.
  2. It works up quickly as you will use 6mm (US 10) needles and bulky/chunky yarn.
  3. Has minimal shaping and a loose baggy fit.
  4. The shaping is clear and simple to understand.
  5. All of the pieces are knit flat (even though I used circular needles to accommodate the number of stitches).
pink striped sweater

The Yarn I Used

I made the striped sweater using a bulky weight (05) yarn – Paintbox Yarns Simply Chunky from Love Crafts.

This meant the sweater was knit up quite quickly on size 6mm (US 10) needles.

I shopped my stash for leftovers and found two colors – Blush pink (353) and Ballet Pink (352).

Any bulky-weight yarn 05 (chunky) will be okay to use for this pattern.

striped sweater and yarns

Striped Sweater Knitting Pattern

Purchase the inexpensive ad-free, PDF printable pattern in my shop here.

The sweater knits up quickly in chunky/bulky yarn and the simple design makes for a relaxing and enjoyable knit.

Copyright Notes

  • 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.

Pattern Notes

  • The striped sweater pattern is written for all sizes starting with the small size – with changes for different sizes listed in all necessary places.
  • To follow the pattern more easily, circle or highlight all numbers pertaining to your size before beginning.
  • The sweater is worked in 4 pieces: Back, Front, and 2 Sleeves.
  • Each piece is worked in St st (k on RS, p on WS) from the lower edge upwards, beginning with a ribbed lower band.
  • The yarn color is changed to make stripes.
  • A circular needle is used to accommodate the number of stitches.
  • Work back and forth on the circular needle as if working on straight needles.
  • When you see ‘work as established’ in the instructions, this means continuing in the current pattern stitch.
  • Work on each color in the given row and count for the pattern.
  • You will have to count how many rows you are knitting in each color, so you know when to change yarn color – especially throughout the shaping.

Skill Level – Easy

Measurements + Size –

Dress size approx.
UK Sizes – 6-8 (10-12, 14-16, 18-20, 22, 24) Small (medium, large, 1X, 2X, 3X)

To fit chest (bust circumference) cm
76-81 (86-91, 96-102, 107-112, 116, 126)

To fit chest (bust circumference) inches
30-32 (34-36, 38-40, 42-44, 46, 49.5)

Length cm
67 (68, 69, 70, 71, 72)

Length inches
26 (26.5, 27, 27.5, 28, 28.5)

Sleeve length to underarm cm 41 (41, 42, 42, 43, 43)

Sleeve length to underarm inches 16 (16, 16.5, 16.5, 17, 17)

Gauge – 4×4 inches/10×10 cm = 14 stitches in 18 rows of st st.

The Supplies You Need…

Yarn

Paintbox Yarns Simply Chunky / 100% Acrylic, 100g/136 m/149 yds (3.5oz), Chunky/Bulky weight.

  • Yarn A – Blush Pink (353)
  • Yarn B – Ballet Pink (352)

For the following sizes you will need approx:

  • Small – 4 x skeins in each color – 100g (800g)
  • Medium – 4 x skeins in each color – 100 g (800g)
  • Large – 5 x skeins in each color – 100g (1000g)
  • 1X (XL) – 5 x skeins in each color – 100g (1000g)
  • 2X/3X – 6 x skeins in each color – 100g (1200g)

Needles (Needle size)

  • 6 mm (US 10) knitting needles – straight or circular with a 40″/100cm cable.
  • Circular needles are advised because of the large number of stitches – this is worked back and forth – as you would knit with straight needles.

Notions

  • Tape measure
  • Darning needle
  • Scissors
  • Stitch markers
  • Stitch holders x 2
striped sweater knitted

Abbreviations

  • Approx – approximately
  • Beg – begin(ning)(s)
  • CO – Cast on
  • Cont – continue
  • Dec – Decline (usually K2tog or CO)
  • Foll – following
  • Inc – Increase (usually KFB or M1)
  • K – knit
  • KFB – knit into the front and back of the stitch – to increase
  • K2tog – knit 2 stitches together
  • M1 – make one stitch
  • P – purl
  • Patt – Pattern
  • Rep – repeat
  • RS – right side
  • St(s) – stitch(es)
  • St st – stockinette stitch
  • WS – wrong side

Stitch Explanations

M1 (make 1) An increase worked by lifting the horizontal strand lying between needles and placing it onto the left needle.

Knit this new stitch through the back loop – 1st increased.

Pattern Instructions

Yarn A – Blush Pink (353)

Yarn B – Ballet Pink (352)

Back

Using 6 mm (US 10) needles and Yarn A cast on 75 (85, 95, 105, 115, 125) sts.

Work in 1×1 ribbing (K1, P1) for 8 cm/3 inches ending after a WS row.

Work in the stripe pattern (set out below) until the work measures 38cm/15”, ending with a WS row.

Stripe Pattern

  • Row 1: (RS) Using Yarn B – Knit
  • Row 2: (WS) P

Rep rows 1 and 2 (st st) for 10 more rows.

Rows 13-24: Change to Yarn A – work 12 rows in st st.

Each color is worked over 12 rows.

Shape the armholes

Keeping the pattern correct, cont as follows:

Cast off 3, (4, 5, 6, 6, 7) sts at the beg of the next two rows. 69 (77, 85, 93, 103, 111) sts.

Dec 1st at each end of next and foll alt row 3 (3, 4, 4, 5, 5) times in total. 63 (71, 77, 85, 93, 101) sts.

Cont without shaping until the armhole measures 19 (20, 21, 22, 23, 24) cm / 7.5 (8, 8.2, 8.5, 9, 9.5) inches, ending after a WS row.

Shape Shoulders

Cast off 3 (4, 4, 5, 5, 6) sts at beg of the next 4 (6, 2, 2, 2, 2) rows.

Cast off 4 (5, 5, 6, 7, 8) sts at beg of the next 4, (2, 6, 6, 6, 6) rows. 35 (37, 39, 39, 41, 41) sts.

Leave rem sts on a holder for the back of the neck.

striped sweater the back piece

Front

Work as for the back until the front is 12 rows shorter than the back to beg of shoulder shaping, ending after a WS row.

Next row: (RS) Patt 22 (25, 27, 31, 34, 38) sts, turn

Leave rem sts on a holder.

Dec one st at neck edge on the next eight rows. 14 (17, 19, 23, 26, 30) sts.

Cont without shaping until the front measures the same as the back to the beg of the shoulder shaping, ending after a WS row.

Shape Left Shoulder

Cast off 3 (4, 4, 5, 5, 6) sts at beg of the next row and foll alt row 1 (2, 0, 0, 0, 0) times.

Patt 1 row.

Cast off 4 (5, 5, 6, 7, 8) sts at beg of the next row and foll alt row 1 (0, 2, 2, 2, 2 ) times.

Cast off.

Shape Right Neck and Shoulder

Leave central 19 (21, 23, 23, 25, 25) sts on a holder, and with RS facing, rejoin yarn to rem sts.

Dec one st at neck edge on the next eight rows. 14 (17, 19, 23, 26, 30) sts.

Cont without shaping until the front measures the same as the back to beg of shoulder shaping, ending after a RS row.

Cast off 3 (4, 4, 5, 5, 6) sts at beg of next and foll alt row 1 (2, 0, 0, 0, 0) times.

Patt one row.

Cast off 4 (5, 5, 6, 7, 8) sts at beg of next row and foll alt row 1 (0, 2, 2, 2, 2) times.

Cast off.

Striped sweater front piece

Sleeves (Make 2)

Using 6 mm (US 10) needles and Yarn A, cast on 39, (41, 43, 45, 45, 45) sts

The cuff – Work 8 cm/3 inches in rib as given for the back, ending after a WS row.

Beg with stripe pattern, work in patt, inc one st at each end of fifth and every foll 12th (10th, 8th, 8th, 7th, 6th) row 6 (7, 8, 8, 10, 12) times. 53 (57, 61, 63, 67, 71) sts.

Cont without shaping until work measures approx. 41 (41, 42, 42, 43, 43) cm / 16 (16, 16.5, 16.5, 17, 17) inches from the cast-on edge working the stripe pattern to the same point as for the armhole cast off on the body to match the stripes, ending after a WS row.

Cast off 3 (4, 5, 6, 6, 7) sts at beg of the next two rows. 47 (49, 51 51, 55, 57) sts.

Dec one st at each end of next and foll alt row three times in total. 41 (43, 45, 45, 49, 51) sts

Work 4 (6, 6, 8, 8, 10) rows without shaping.

Cast off three sts at beg of the next 12 (12, 14, 14, 14, 14) rows. 5 (7, 3, 3, 7, 9) sts

Cast off.

striped sweater sleeves

Neck Trim

Join the right shoulder seam with a mattress stitch.

Using 6 mm (US 10) needles (circulars if you have them) and Yarn A and beg at left front neck with RS facing, pick up and knit 16 (17, 18, 19, 20, 21) sts down neck shaping, K19 (21, 23, 23, 25, 25) sts from front neck holder, pick up and K 17 (18, 19, 20, 21, 22) sts up right front neck shaping, K 35 (37, 39, 39, 41, 41) sts from back neck holder. 87 (93, 99, 101, 107, 109) sts.

Work 4 rounds in rib as for back (*K1, P1).

Knit 6 rounds then cast off.

To Make Up

Join left shoulder seam and neck trim reversing seam on rolled stocking stitch section.

Weave in all ends.

Set-in sleeves and join side and sleeve seams with mattress stitch.

pink striped sweater

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4 Comments

  1. I love the oversized look of this striped sweater. I would prefer a more traditional crew neckline. Do you have such a pattern?

    1. Hello Teresa,
      I don’t have a crew neck oversized sweater pattern out just yet – but I do have one coming soon!
      It will be out this month for sure.
      If you follow me on socials you will see it in the next couple of weeks.
      Happy knitting!
      Louise

  2. Could you please clarify what you mean when you say “Next row: (RS) Patt 22 (25, 27, 31, 34, 38) sts, turn” in the “front” section of this pattern? Specifically what you mean by “patt” or “pattern”. I have googled it and looked at many youtube videos and none can tell me what action i am supposed to do when i see the direction “patt” or “pattern”.
    I have followed the pattern up to that line of directions and would really like to finish this sweater. Thank you so much.

    1. Hi Kat,

      Thank you for your question! In the pattern, “patt” (short for “pattern”) means to continue working in the established stitch pattern you’ve been using up to this point. This could be stockinette stitch, or a stripe sequence.

      For this specific instruction:
      “Next row: (RS) Patt 22 (25, 27, 31, 34, 38) sts, turn”

      You will work the next 22 (25, 27, 31, 34, 38) stitches following the same stitch pattern you’ve been using for the sweater. You will leave the remaining stitches on a stitch holder to work on later.
      Then, you will turn your work as if you had reached the end of a row, even though you haven’t finished the entire row. This is likely shaping for the neckline or shoulders.
      I hope this helps, and best of luck finishing your sweater! 😊
      Louise