Circular Knitting: Bottom-Up Sweater Knit In The Round

This blog post includes a pattern for circular knitting: a bottom-up sweater knit in the round.

When it comes to sweater weather, nothing beats the timeless appeal of a cozy turtleneck sweater.

Designed with comfort and ease in mind, this project combines classic style with a slightly oversized fit that’s perfect for chilly days.

Whether you’re a seasoned knitter or looking to tackle your first sweater project, this bottom-up turtleneck knit in the round is an engaging and rewarding endeavor.

Scroll down to view the free pattern, or grab the printer-friendly ad-free PDF here.

Sweater Knit In The Round: Pattern Overview

This turtleneck sweater is knit using DK-weight yarn and 4 mm (US 6) needles, creating a balanced fabric that’s soft and warm without being overly bulky.

Designed for inclusivity, the pattern features six sizes, ranging from Small to XXXL, ensuring there’s a perfect fit for everyone.

The slightly oversized silhouette adds a relaxed, modern vibe while still maintaining its classic charm.

Key Features

• Construction: Knit from the bottom up; this sweater is mostly seamless, with the body and sleeves worked in the round. Minimal seaming is required for the shoulders and setting in the sleeves.
• Turtleneck: The cozy turtleneck adds a touch of sophistication and keeps the chill at bay.
• Fit: With a slightly oversized design, this sweater offers comfort and ease without clinging to the body, making it ideal for layering or lounging.
• Customization: The straightforward construction allows for modifications to body and sleeve lengths, ensuring you can tailor the sweater to your preferences.

Why You’ll Love It

This bottom-up turtleneck sweater is a wardrobe staple that you’ll find yourself reaching for time and again.

The simple yet elegant design is versatile enough to pair with jeans for a casual look or a skirt for a more polished ensemble.

Plus, the mostly seamless construction and meditative stockinette stitch make it an enjoyable project for knitters of all skill levels.

Pattern: Bottom-Up Sweater Knit In The Round

Are you ready to cast on for your new favorite sweater?

Grab your DK yarn and 4 mm needles, and let’s get started on this timeless turtleneck.

With its slightly oversized fit and classic style, this project will quickly become a cherished addition to your hand-knit collection.

Don’t forget to share your progress and finished sweater photos – we’d love to see how you make this pattern your own!

Scroll down to view the free pattern, or grab the printer-friendly ad-free PDF here.

Copyright Info

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

Size Information

Size: S – M – L – XL – XXL – XXXL

To fit bust circumference size as follows:

• S – 32 inches/81 cm
• M – 36 inches/91 cm
• L – 40 inches/101 cm
• XL – 44 inches/112 cm
• XXL – 48 inches/122 cm
• XXXL – 52 inches/132 cm

Size + pattern notes

• In the photographs, the model is wearing a medium size.
• The 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 3 pieces: Back, + front as one, and 2 sleeves.
• Each piece is worked from the bottom up, beginning with a ribbed lower band.
• Circular needles are used to accommodate the number of stitches.
• Work back and forth on the circular needle as if working on straight needles where stated.

Gauge = 20 sts x 28 rows = 4×4 inches /10×10 cm of stockinette stitch – with the 4 mm (US 6) needles.

The supplies you need

Yarn

Choose a DK-weight yarn that’s soft against the skin and has good stitch definition.

Wool or wool blends work wonderfully for warmth and structure, while cotton or bamboo blends offer a lighter option for transitional seasons.

• DK/Light Worsted/8 Ply yarn.
• Cascade Heathers 220 in Grey (8401) x 5, 5, 6, 6, 7, 7, 8 skeins.
• 100% wool, 200m (219 yards) 100g.
• Approx in yards needed for each size…
• S = 1,095 yards
• M = 1,095 yards
• L = 1,314 yards
• XL = 1,314 yards
• XXL = 1,533 yards
• XXXL = 1,533 yards

Needles

4 mm (US 6) circular knitting needles with a 16 “/40 cm cable, a 24”/60cm cable, and a 32″/80 cm cable.

I used my Knit Pro (Knit Picks) interchangeable Needle Tips Deluxe Set.

You may also need double-pointed needles or shorter circulars (using the magic loop method) for the sleeve cuffs.

Notions

• Scissors
• Yarn needle
• Tape measure
• Stitch markers
• Stitch holder and/or spare cables with end caps.

Knitting Abbreviations

• Beg – Beginning
• CO – Cast on
• Cont – Continue(ing)
• Dec – Decrease (K2tog or P2tog depending on the RS or WS row)
• Foll – Following
• K – Knit
• M1R – Make one right (increase)
• M1L – Make one left (increase)
• M1 – Make one (increase)
• P – Purl
• Rem – Remaining
• Rep – Repeat
• RS – Right side
• St(s) – Stitch(es)
• WS – Wrong side

Stitch Pattern Notes

1 x 1 ribbing = K1, P1 (It is obtained by alternating knit and purl stitches in one row and “knitting by pattern” in every next row. This means that we make a knit stitch when the previous row stitch looks like V and make a purl stitch when the previous looks like a bump.)

Cast On: even number of stitches.

• Row 1 (RS): (K1, P1) till the end of the row.
• Row 2 (WS): (K1, P1) till the end of the row.

Repeat these two rows.

Sweater Knit In The Round Pattern

• The sweater body is knit in the round on circular needles up to the armhole; then, the piece is divided.
• You will continue to work the front piece and back piece separately.
• Work sleeves in the round on a short circular needle/double pointed needles before decreasing for sleeve cap, and continue sleeve back and forth on needle.

Body

With 4 mm (US 6) circular knitting needles, CO 208, 224, 242, 260, 288, 316 sts and join in the round.

Lower Band

Work in 1 x 1 ribbing until the piece measures 2 inches (5 cm) from the CO edge.

Main Section

Next round: Knit.

Cont to knit every round until the piece measures 15, 15.5, 16, 16.5, 17, 17.5 inches (38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43 cm) from the CO edge.

Shape Armholes

Cast off the first 3, 3, 3, 4, 4, 4 sts of round, work 98, 106, 114, 122, 136, 150 sts, cast off the next 6, 6, 6, 8, 8, 8 sts, work the next 98, 106, 114, 122, 136, 150 sts, cast off the last 3, 3, 3, 4, 4, 4 sts.

Each part is now worked separately back and forth on the needles.

Slip the first 98, 106, 114, 122, 136, 150 sts on a stitch holder or spare cable with end caps and work over the last 98, 106, 114, 122, 136, 150 sts that is the back piece.

Back

Continue to knit on the RS rows and Purl on the WS rows (in stockinette stitch) and decrease for the armhole on each side on every other row as follows:

• 2 sts (2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 9) times (90, 94, 98, 102, 108, 112) sts
• 1 st (0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 1) times (90, 94, 98, 102, 108, 110) sts

When the piece measures 23, 23.5, 24, 24.5, 25, 25.5 inches (59, 60, 61, 62, 63, 64) cm cast off the middle 38, 40, 40, 42, 42, 44 sts for the neck and finish each shoulder separately.

Next: Cast off 1 st on the next row towards the neck. 25, 26, 28, 29, 32, 33 sts.

Cont with the pattern until the piece measures 25, 25.5, 26, 26.5, 27, 27.5 inches (64, 65, 66, 67, 68, 69 cm).

This should measure 9, 9.5, 10, 10.5, 11, 11.5 inches (23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28 cm) from the beginning of the armhole to the top of the shoulder.

Cast off.

Work the other shoulder the same way.

Front

On 98, 106, 114, 122, 136, 150 sts continue in pattern (now working back and forth in stocking stitch) and cast off for the armholes at the sides as on back piece = (90, 94, 98, 102, 108, 110) sts

When the piece measures 21, 21.5, 22, 22.5, 23, 23.5 inches (54, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59 cm) (2 inches/5 cm less than the back piece cast off) slip the middle 30, 32, 32, 34, 34, 36 sts onto a stitch holder or spare cable with end caps for neck and finish shoulders separately.

Next: Cast off sts on every row from the neck as follows…

Cast off 2 sts 1 time and 1 st 3 times. (25, 26, 28, 29, 32, 33 sts rem on each shoulder).

Cont with pattern until the piece measures 25, 25.5, 26, 26.5, 27, 27.5 inches (64, 65, 66, 67, 68, 69 cm).

This should measure 9, 9.5, 10, 10.5, 11, 11.5 inches (23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28 cm) from the beginning of the armhole to the top of the shoulder.

Cast off.

Work the other shoulder the same way.

Sew the shoulder seams using the mattress stitch for an invisible seam.

Sleeves

• Work sleeves in the round on double pointed needles or circulars using the magic loop technique bottom up.
• Divide the piece when decreasing for the sleeve cap and work back and forth on the needles in the stocking stitch.

Cuff

Cast on 54, 54, 54, 63, 63, 63 sts and join in the round.

Work in 1 x 1 ribbing until the piece measures 2 inches (5 cm) from the CO edge.

Sleeve Body

Next: Knit round and increase the number of sts to 56, 56, 56, 64, 64, 66 sts.

Continue to knit every round until the piece measures 4.5 inches/12 cm, then increase 1 st on each side of the work. (58, 58, 58, 66, 66, 68) sts.

Next: Insert a stitch marker mid-round on the mid-under sleeve.

Increase on every third round on either side of the marker with a M1R and M1L, 17, 18, 20, 21, 23, 24 times in total. (88, 92, 98, 102, 110, 114) sts.

Sleeve Cap

When the piece measures 18, 18, 17.5, 17, 16.5, 16 inches (46, 46, 45, 43, 42, 40 cm), cast off 3 stitches on each side of the marker (6 across marker/mid under sleeve in total), then work sleeve back and forth (in stocking stitch).

Decrease the sleeve cap at the beginning of every row on each side as follows:

• 2 sts 4, 4, 4, 5, 5, 6, times. (74, 78, 84, 86, 94, 96) sts
• 1 st 0, 0, 1, 2, 3, 4 times. (74, 78, 82, 82, 88, 88) sts

Then cast off 2 sts on either side of the row on the RS until the piece measures 20.5 inches/52 cm in all sizes, cast off 3 sts on each side, then cast off the remaining stitches.

The sleeve measures 53 cm in all sizes.

Work the other sleeve in the same way.

Neck Edge

Begin from the right side, and 4 mm circular needles pick up around 96 – 106 sts (including the sts from the stitch holder and divisible by 2).

• Purl 1 round.
• Knit one round.
• Purl one round.
• Knit one round.
• Work in 1 x 1 ribbing in the round for 4 inches/10cm.
• Cast off the sts in 1 x 1 ribbing (knit over knit and purl over purl).

Making Up

Sew in sleeves – use an invisible seam like the mattress stitch.

Tips for Success

• Swatch, Swatch, Swatch: Achieving the correct gauge is essential for a well-fitting sweater. Knit a swatch in stockinette stitch and block it before measuring.
• Fit Check: As you knit, try the body and sleeves on (or use a dress form) to confirm the length and fit.
• Blocking: Once complete, wet block or steam block your sweater to even out the stitches and achieve the final fit.

Your Next Cozy Knit Awaits

When it comes to seamless sweaters, knitting in the round is a game-changer, offering a smooth, uninterrupted flow that many knitters love.

This type of sweater is perfect for creating seamless garments with fewer finishing steps, making it ideal for both a first-time knitting project and a seasoned pro’s wardrobe staple.

By knitting from the bottom up, you eliminate side seams, focusing instead on shaping through stitch patterns, stitch count, and strategic increases or decreases.

Essential tools for knitting in the round: Flexible cable and waste yarn

For this style of sweater, you’ll need a flexible circular needle with a flexible cable for the body and sleeves, along with needle tips suitable for working in the round.

Don’t forget your gauge swatch—it’s essential to ensure a perfect fit, especially if you’re substituting the recommended DK yarn with a heavier worsted weight yarn.

Mastering the construction method of set-in sleeves

This pattern incorporates set-in sleeves, blending the benefits of both seamless knitting and a polished finish.

Sleeve stitches are worked in the round using either double-pointed needles or magic loop on a circular needle, with waste yarn often used to hold stitches temporarily.

You’ll find this construction method offers different ways to personalize your project, from adjusting sleeve length to playing with different colors for stripes or texture.

The importance of gauge swatches and yarn labels in sweater knitting

For newer knitters, the inclusion of tools like row count markers and clear instructions on needle size (in this case, US size 6) make this an accessible challenge.

Whether you’re exploring sweater patterns for the first time or looking to refine your skills, this project is a rewarding way to explore the world of seamless garments.

Don’t forget to check your yarn label for care instructions and fiber content—popular brands like Knit Picks offer versatile options that make even a new knitter feel like a pro!

Could you share your work with us?

I love seeing your finished projects.

If you enjoyed making the sweater knit in the round, I’d love to see yours on Instagram, be sure to tag me @handylittleme or #handylittleme to be featured.

If you are on Facebook, stop over to the handylittleme Facebook group and share a photo.

I’d love to see your work.

Happy knitting!