Are you looking for a free knit sweater pattern?! Then, this chunky, size-inclusive knit sweater is the project for you! What more could you ask for?
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Before we begin, here are some quick links for you:
- If you want an ad-free PDF of this pattern, then you can find it on Ravelry and Etsy (coming soon!) – keep reading for more information about the design process and for the free knit sweater pattern!
- Use the pattern hashtag #DiscoPinkSweater on Instagram to show off your makes!
- If you want the amazing hand-dyed Gumball Machine yarn, then find it here! Use code DISCOFUN for 10% off your order!
- Shop KnitPicks Interchangeable Needle Set here!
- If you have any pattern questions, then please email herrstitches@gmail.com.
- Do you want another easy free knit sweater pattern for beginners? Check out my other knit patterns here.
- Good news! This is the beginning of my series of free knit sweater patterns for beginners! Therefore, more will be added to the blog throughout the year.
About the Design
The party is in one hour. Actually, it’s in half an hour, but you’ll be walking through the door fashionably late, so that everyone already in attendance can see your outfit – now what to wear? You’ll need an all- eyes-on-me jawdropper of an outfit for this entrance. Your favorite jeans, your favorite heels, that part is easy. But for a top? Your new handmade statement piece, the Disco Pink sweater.
This fun-loving, party-ready sweater features a wide, almost off the shoulder neckline and ribbed edging at the collar, cuffs, and hem. It is slightly cropped to show off a stylish belt or detailing on jeans. For a statement piece like this, I chose a statement yarn: my own hand-dyed Herr Stitches’ Gumball Machine. It is bulky yarn that I first dyed with a light bubblegum pink base before adding a bunch of vibrant candy colors. You can see the video of this yarn being created here.
Needles
To make the colors pop even more, I knitted the Disco Pink sweater using the pearl stitch, which creates subtle bumps throughout the garment. The bulky yarn works up quickly, and its thickness combines with the tight knit pattern to create a seriously functional cold weather sweater. My needles of choice for this project were the KnitPicks 6.5mm Circular Needles.
Materials
- 5 (6, 6, 7, 8) (9, 10, 11, 12) balls of Herr Stitches Bulky in Gumball Machine for sizes XS (S, M, L, XL) (2XL, 3XL, 4XL, 5XL) or 525 (615, 650, 765, 830) (960, 1050, 1175, 1225) yards of a similar Bulky yarn that matches gauge
- Scissors
- Stitch Markers
- Tapestry Needle
- Tape Measure
- Circular knitting needle size 10.5 (6.5 mm), at least 40 in. [101.5 cm] long
Sizing
SIZES: XS (S, M, L, 1XL) (2XL, 3XL, 4XL, 5XL) to fit bust measurement of: 28-30 (32-34, 36-38, 40-42, 44-46) (48-50, 52-54, 56-58, 60-62) in.
Actual measurement of finished garment at bust: 32 (37.5, 40, 45.5, 48) (53.5, 56, 61.5, 64) in. [81.5 (95, 101.5, 115.5, 122) (136, 142, 156, 162.5) cm]
See Schematic for sizing.
Pattern is written for 9 sizes. It is recommended you go through the pattern and highlight all numbers pertaining to your size before starting. Where no size is indicated, instructions pertain to all sizes.
Fit: Classic with some positive ease of about 2-4”
Abbreviations (US Terminology)
- beg = begin(ning)(s)
- k = knit
- k2tog = knit 2 stitches together
- p = purl
- rem = remain(ing)
- rep = repeat
- rnd(s) = round(s)
- RS = right side
- st(s) = stitch(es)
- WS = wrong side
Pattern Notes
- Sweater will be worked in the round from lower edge upwards
- Piece is divided at underarms, then front and back panels are worked separately up to shoulders
- Sleeves are worked from stitches picked up along armhole, then sleeves are worked in the round.
Gauge
12 sts + 18 rows = about 4 in. [10 cm] in pattern sequence on size US Size 10.5 (6.5mm) needles
BE SURE TO CHECK YOUR GAUGE.
Pattern Sequence (Flat)
- Cast on multiples of 4
- Row 1: *k3, p1* across
- Row 2: p
- Row 3: k
- Row 4: p
- Row 5: *k1, p1, k2* across
- Row 6: p
- Row 7: k
- Row 8: p
- Rep Rows 1-8 until you reach desired length.
Pattern Sequence (In the Round)
- Cast on multiples of 4
- Row 1: *k3, p1* across
- Row 2: k
- Row 3: k
- Row 4: k
- Row 5: *k1, p1, k2* across
- Row 6: k
- Row 7: k
- Row 8: k
- Rep Rows 1-8 until you reach desired length.
Free Knit Sweater Pattern
Body
Cast on 96 (112, 120, 136, 144) (160, 168, 184, 192) sts. Work in the round.
Rnd 1-10: *k2, p2, rep from * around
Rnd 11 (RS): *k3, p1, rep from * around
Rnd 12 (WS): k
Rnd 13: k
Rnd 14: k
Rnd 15: *k1, p1, k2, rep from * around
Rnd 16: k
Rnd 17: k
Rnd 18: k
Rep Rows 11-18 until piece measures 12.5 (12.5, 12.5, 13, 13) (13, 13.5, 14, 14) inches [32 (32, 32, 33, 33) (33, 34.5, 35.5, 35.5) cm] or the length desired before division for armholes, ending on a Rnd 18 repeat.
Divide for Armholes
Dividing Row (RS): *k3, p1, rep from * across for 48 (56, 60, 68, 72) (80, 84, 92, 96) sts and place on a holder for back panel, *k3, p1, rep from * across for front panel.
Front
Note – make note of your row count so that you can complete the same number of rows for the other panels.
Row 1 (WS): p
Row 2 (RS): k
Row 3: p
Row 4: *k1, p1, k2, rep from * across
Row 5: p
Row 6: k
Row 7: p
Row 8: *k3, p1, rep from * across
Rep Rows 1 to 8, ending with a Row 4 repeat, until front panel after dividing row measures approximately 2 (2.5, 3, 3.5, 4) (4.5, 5, 5.5, 6) inches. [5 (6.5, 7.5, 9, 10) (11.5, 12.5, 14, 15) cm.]
First Front Panel
Row 1: p 12 (12, 16, 20, 24) (24, 28, 32, 32), and then place these sts on a holder for Second Front Panel, BO 28 sts, p 12 (12, 16, 20, 24) (24, 28, 32, 32).
Row 2: k
Row 3: p
Row 4: *k3, p1, rep from * across
Row 5: p
Row 6: k
Row 7: p
Row 8: *k1, p1, k2, rep from * across
Row 9: p
Row 10: k
Row 11: p
Bind off.
Proceed to Second Front Panel.
Second Front Panel
Row 1: k
Row 2: p
Row 3: *k3, p1, rep from * across
Row 4: p
Row 5: k
Row 6: p
Row 7: *k1, p1, k2, rep from * across
Row 8: p
Row 9: k
Row 10: p
Bind off.
Proceed to Back Panel.
Back
Row 1 (WS): p
Row 2 (RS): k
Row 3: p
Row 4: *k1, p1, k2, rep from * across
Row 5: p
Row 6: k
Row 7: p
Row 8: *k3, p1, rep from * across
Rep Rows 1 to 8, ending with a Row 4 repeat, until front panel after dividing row measures approximately 2 (2.5, 3, 3.5, 4) (4.5, 5, 5.5, 6) inches. [5 (6.5, 7.5, 9, 10) (11.5, 12.5, 14, 15) cm.]
Note – you will complete the same number of rows as you completed for the Front section above.
First Back Panel
Row 1: p 12 (12, 16, 20, 24) (24, 28, 32, 32), and then place these sts on a holder for Second Front Panel, BO 28 sts, p 12 (12, 16, 20, 24) (24, 28, 32, 32).
Row 2: k
Row 3: p
Row 4: *k3, p1, rep from * across
Row 5: p
Row 6: k
Row 7: p
Row 8: *k1, p1, k2, rep from * across
Row 9: p
Row 10: k
Row 11: p
Bind off.
Then proceed to Second Front Panel.
Second Back Panel
Row 1: k
Row 2: p
Row 3: *k3, p1, rep from * across
Row 4: p
Row 5: k
Row 6: p
Row 7: *k1, p1, k2, rep from * across
Row 8: p
Row 9: k
Row 10: p
Bind off.
Then proceed to Joining Shoulders.
Joining Shoulders
Turn sweater inside out. Then, sew the front and back shoulders together using a tapestry needle. Join with sl st at outside edge of one of the shoulders, working through both thicknesses, sl st evenly spaced along the edge of each shoulder
Note: If desired, shoulder seams can be joined together using a crochet hook. Join with sl st at outside edge of one of the shoulders, working through both thicknesses, sl st evenly spaced along the edge of each shoulder
Sleeve
With circular needle, beg at underarm and pick up 40 (44, 44, 48, 52) (56, 56, 60, 64) sts evenly spaced around armhole. Place marker for beg of rnd. Join by working the first st on left hand needle with the working yarn from the right-hand needle. Note – Try on the sweater periodically as you work the sleeves to make sure you are comfortable with the fit. For tighter or looser sleeves, simply add or omit decrease rnds as you see fit.
A Basic Decrease Rnd will be: (k2tog) 2 times, k around to last 4 sts, (k2tog) 2 times
Rnd 1: *k3, p1, rep from * around
Rnd 2 (Decrease Rnd): (k2tog) 2 (2, 2, 2, 2) (1, 0, 0, 1) times, k around to last 4 (4, 4, 4, 4) (2, 0, 0, 2) sts, (k2tog) 2 (2, 2, 2, 2) (1, 0, 0, 1) times – 36 (40, 40, 44, 48) (54, 56, 60, 62) sts
Rnd 3: k
Rnd 4 (Decrease Rnd): – (k2tog) 2 (2, 2, 2, 2) (1, 0, 0, 1) times, k around to last 4 (4, 4, 4, 4) (2, 0, 0, 2) sts, (k2tog) 2 (2, 2, 2, 2) (1, 0, 0, 1) times – 32 (36, 36, 40, 44) (52, 56, 60, 60) sts
Rnd 5: *k1, p1, k2, rep from * around
Rnds 6 – 8: k
Rnd 9: *k3, p1, rep from * around
Rnd 10-12: k
Rnd 13: *k1, p1, k2, rep from * around
Rep Rnds 5 to 13 until total sleeve measures about 14.5 (15, 15, 15.5, 15.5) (16, 16, 16.5, 16.5) in. [37 (38, 38, 39.5, 39.5) (40.5, 40.5, 42, 42) cm.] or until you reach desired sleeve length. However, you will work a decrease rnd at 6.5 (7, 7, 7.5, 7.5) (8, 8, 8.5, 8.5) in. [16.5 (18, 18, 19, 19) (20.5, 20.5, 21.5, 21.5) cm.] and 7.5 (8, 8, 8.5, 8.5) (9, 9, 9.5, 9.5) in. [19 (20.5, 20.5, 21.5, 21.5) (23, 23, 24, 24) cm.]. Note – A Basic Decrease Rnd will be: (k2tog) 2 times, k around to last 4 sts, (k2tog) 2 times and this can only be done on Rnds that are fully k. – 24 (28, 28, 32, 36) (44, 48, 52, 52) sts.
Next Rnd (Decrease): (k2tog) 2 (4, 4, 4, 6) (8, 10, 12, 12) times, k around to last 4 (8, 8, 8, 12) (16, 20, 24, 24) sts, (k2tog) 2 (4, 4, 4, 6) (8, 10, 12, 12) times – 20 (20, 20, 24, 24) (28, 28, 28, 28) sts
Proceed to Cuff section.
Cuff
Rnds 1-10: *k2, p2, rep from * around.
Bind off.
Rep Sleeve section around other armhole for second sleeve.
Collar
Pick up stitches evenly around the neck opening, ensuring you pick up a multiple of 4
Rnd 1-10: *k2, p2, rep from * around
Bind off.
Weave in ends.
Winter weather doesn’t mean you have to wear muted, dark-colored garments. Sometimes, you need to make a splash even when the water is cold. Thick and cozy in construction but with the color and pop of a summer’s day, the Disco Pink sweater is your mid-winter showstopper.
xo,
Jessica
P.S. I absolutely LOVE seeing your makes! If you make any Herr Stitches patterns, then tag me and then I’ll share them!
P.P.S. If you love this free knit sweater pattern for beginners, then don’t forget to Pin this to save for later!
