Even a beginning knitter
can achieve these stylish
results.

Our Basic Knitted Sweater

Skill Level: Beginner

Sizes: XS (S, M, L, XL, XXL) The pattern is written for the smallest size with changes for larger sizes in parentheses. When only one number is given, it applies to all sizes. Note: For ease in working, before you begin the pattern, circle all numbers pertaining to your size.

Finished Measurements: Bust = 32 (36, 40, 44, 48, 52)" Length = 22 (22-1/2, 23, 23-1/2, 24, 24-1/2)"

Gauge: In stockinette stitch (knit on right side, purl on wrong side) with larger needles, 14 stitches and 20 rows = 4"/10cm. TAKE TIME TO CHECK YOUR GAUGE.

• Lion Brand Homespun, Art. 790, 98 percent acrylic/2 percent polyester, bulky weight yarn (185 yards per skein): 3 (4, 4, 5, 5, 5) skeins of Barrington (336)
• Size 10 (6mm) knitting needles or size needed to obtain gauge
• Size 8 (5mm) knitting needles
• Yarn needle

 

Note the measurements that apply
to your sweater before beginning
to knit. (Click to enlarge.)

1. Back: Beginning at the lower edge with smaller needles, cast on 56 (63, 70, 77, 84, 91) stitches. Knit 6 rows for garter-stitch band. Change to larger needles. Beginning with a purl row, work in stockinette stitch (knit 1 row, purl 1 row) until piece measures approximately 15 inches from beginning ending with a purl row.

2. Armhole Shaping: At the beginning of the next 2 rows, bind off 4 stitches. Continue in stockinette on remaining 48 (55, 62, 69, 76, 83) stitches to approximately 21 (21-1/2, 22, 22-1/2, 23, 23-1/2)" from beginning ending with a knit row.

3. Neckband: Row 1 (wrong side): Purl 11 (14, 17, 20, 23, 26) stitches, knit 26 (27, 28, 29, 30, 31) stitches, purl to end. Row 2 and each following right side row: Knit. Row 3: Purl 10 (13, 16, 19, 22, 25), knit 28 (29, 30, 31, 32, 33), purl to end. Row 5: Purl 9 (12, 15, 18, 21, 24), knit 30 (31, 32, 33, 34, 35), purl to end.

4. With the right side facing, bind off knitwise and loosely.

5. Front: Work as for Back until piece measures approximately 19 (19-1/2, 20, 20-1/2, 21, 21-1/2)" from beginning ending with a knit row. Work Neckband rows 1-5.

6. Neck Shaping: On the next right side row, knit 13 (16, 19, 22, 25, 28) stitches, bind off the center 22 (23, 24, 25, 26, 27) stitches, knit to end. Right Shoulder: Purl 9 (12, 15, 18, 21, 24), knit 4. Knit across next row. Repeat last 2 rows until piece measures approximately 22 (22-1/2, 23, 23-1/2, 24, 24-1/2)" from beginning ending with a wrong side row. Bind off knitwise and loosely.

7. Left Shoulder: With the wrong side facing, join yarn at neck edge. Knit 4, purl to end. Knit across next row. Repeat last 2 rows to same length as Right Shoulder, ending with a wrong side row. Bind off knitwise and loosely.

8. Sleeves (make two): Beginning at the lower edge with smaller needles, cast on 31 (32, 34, 35, 37, 38) stitches. Knit 6 rows for border. Change to larger needles and purl across next row. Working in stockinette stitch, increase 1 stitch (knit in front and in back of the same stitch) each edge now. Then increase 1 stitch each edge every 10th row 3 (2, 0, 0, 0, 0) times, every 8th row 5 (7, 8, 5, 2, 1) times, and every 6th row 0 (0, 2, 6, 10, 12) times. Work even on the 49 (52, 56, 59, 63, 66) stitches to approximately 181/2 (19, 19-1/2, 19-1/2, 19-1/2, 20)" from beginning ending with a purl row. Bind off loosely and knitwise.

9. Finishing: Join shoulder seams. Set in sleeves, sewing the bound off stitches on body to sides of upper sleeves. Join underarm and side seams. Weave in loose ends on wrong side of fabric.