Our Knit-a-long pattern is finally on the blog, My First Holiday Knit Sweater!
In case you missed my last post, head over to this link to read all about our KAL event and join in the fun. Or read more info on the project below & scroll on down for the full free pattern!
I also knit a cropped version of this sweater and have a whole separate blog post wit those modifications, find that here!
The Design
I decided to knit this sweater for one main reason – I love Christmas! I had a feeling you do too, so I put together a little Knit-a-long event for us to get festive together!
Every year a couple of weeks before Christmas, my mom hosts a holiday cookie exchange party (each guest brings a couple dozen of their favorite homemade cookie and we get together to drink mulled cider, dress festive, and swap cookies!). It’s one of my favorite things about the season and I usually like to wear something warm and fuzzy in the traditional holiday colors.
HOWEVER – this year I’ll be stylin’ in my new hand knit sweater! Rather, my sister and I will since I knit this first sample (pictured) for her and I’ll be knitting along with the KAL group to make a slightly modified version in the Millenial pink color for myself!
OTHER SWEATER PATTERNS I LOVE (& you should too)
1. Crochet Twist Swancho / 2. Crochet Everyday Cardigan / 3. Simple Knit Sweater
The Yarn
I chose to use Lion Brand’s new Color Made Easy Yarn for this project and I’m happy to report – it was just the right choice! You’ll need a Category 5 bulky weight yarn for this project and those are a little harder to find than standard worsted weight or bulkier category 6 yarns.
I also love the color lineup in Color Made Easy. Lion Brand put together a kit just for this Knit-a-Long and there are 6 stunning color options available! I made my first sample (pictured) in the Pomegranate option, but I’ll be making my second sample along with you in the blushy pink color called Millenial.
Click Here to grab your kit from Lion Brand – it comes with a printed copy of the pattern as well as all the yarn you’ll need for your size!
PATTERN
- Get the ad-free, large print, printable PDF pattern HERE.
- Grab the Ultimate Pattern Bundle that includes 150+ patterns just like this one on sale for $20 today HERE.
- PIN this pattern to your Pinterest boards for later HERE.
- Add this pattern to your Ravelry queue HERE.
To sum it up: My First Holiday Knit Sweater is the absolute perfect project to try your hand at knitting simple stitches, working your first colorwork, and making a festive holiday sweater that’s perfectly modern and ultra comfortable! For beginner knitters, I’ve got photo tutorials and video links galore to help with this classic pattern. More experienced knitters will fly through this staple pattern using bulky Color Made Easy yarn and traditional techniques. Everyone needs to make their First Holiday Knit Sweater!
Materials:
-Lion Brand Color Made Easy yarn (Weight: 5/Bulky – 7oz, 247 yds)
Main Color: Pomegranate 3 (3, 4, 4, 5, 5)
Contrast Color: Alabaster 1 (1, 1, 1, 1, 1)
–Size US 11 (8mm) circular knitting needles, 36” or longer
Sizes:
S, M, L, XL, 2XL, 3XL
Gauge:
11.5 sts x 18 rows in stockinette = 4”
Finished Measurements:
Bust: 34 (38, 42, 46, 50, 53)“
Length: 21 (22, 23, 24, 25, 26)“
Armhole: 6 (7, 8, 9, 10, 11)“
Sleeve Length: 17 (17.5, 18.5, 19, 20, 20.5)“
Abbreviations (US terms):
CO – cast on
K – knit
P – purl
KFB – Knit Front Back (increase)
K2tog – knit 2 together
MC – main color
CC – contrast color
Rpt – repeat
RS – right side
Rnd – round
St(s) – stitch(es)
Skill Level:
Level 2 – Easy
Pattern Notes
-Sweater is shown in size L, model is 5’5” tall and true bust measures 38” for reference.
-Sweater is intended to have lots of room and slouchy fit. If you’d like a more “boyfriend” oversized fit (as pictured) or if you are between sizes, please size up. Choosing your true size will give you a slimmer fit.
-Sizing listed in the pattern will be in Small, Medium, Large, XL, 2XL, and 3XL listed in parenthesis such as 102 (114, 126, 140, 150, 160) whereas 102 for size S, 114 for size M, 126 for size L, 140 for size XL, 150 for size 2XL and 160 for size 3XL. When only one number is given, it applies to all sizes. To follow pattern more easily, print the pattern and circle/highlight all numbers pertaining to your size before beginning.
-Pattern is worked from the bottom up beginning with the hemline ribbing, knitting the body in rounds, left on a spare needle, sleeves knit individually then joined together with the body to knit the yoke colorwork and ribbing in one piece. Only seaming will take place under the arms.
-Clickable links will be given throughout the pattern to youtube videos and blog posts that I learned from to make this sweater. Please utilize these tools if you are unsure of a technique I use.
-Make sure your colorwork tension remains loose and relaxed and always block your knits after you’ve finished to even out any tension issues. If you struggle with tension, check out this video.
-Find the modifications to make this sweater in the cropped version here.
My First Holiday Knit Sweater
Body
With MC, CO 102 (114, 126, 140, 150, 160) sts, join in the rnd placing a marker on the first st
A helpful video on how I join in the rnd.
Work in K1, P1 rib for 2” or 8 Rnds
Work in stockinette: K all sts for 11 (12, 13, 14, 15, 16)” or 49 (54, 58, 63, 67, 72) Rnds from rib
Next Rnd: K 4 (4, 5, 5, 6, 6), slip 8 (8, 10, 10, 12, 12) sts from the right needle (the stitches you just knit and the last 4 (4, 5, 5, 6, 6) sts from previous Rnd) onto a spare piece of CC yarn. (8, 8, 10, 10, 12, 12 sts on holder)
Tie in a loose bow to secure. These stitches will be left unworked for underarm.
Knit 51 (57, 63, 80, 87, 92), slip last 8 (8, 10, 10, 12, 12) sts just worked onto another spare piece of CC yarn. (8, 8, 10, 10, 12, 12 sts on second holder)
Tie in a loose bow to secure. These stitches will be left unworked for other underarm.
Knit to end of Rnd (86, 98, 106, 120, 126, 136)
Leave all live sts on a spare needle or transfer to another long spare piece of CC yarn (I like to do this by threading a tapestry needle through all the loops on my needle, removing the needle and tying in a loose bow to secure).
Sleeves
*Use the magic loop method for entirety of the sleeve, or use DPNs if you prefer.
With MC CO 26 (28, 30, 32, 34, 36) sts, join in the rnd placing a marker on the first st
Work in K1, P1 rib for 2” or 8 Rnds, working 4 (4, 6, 6, 8, 8) KFB increases evenly around the last Rnd only (30, 32, 36, 40, 42, 44 sts)
Learn KFB in this video tutorial.
Work in stockinette: K all sts next 5 Rnds
Rnd 6: KFB inc 1st st, K next 27 (29, 33, 37, 39, 41), KFB next to last st, K last st (32, 34, 38, 42, 44, 46)
Rpt Rnds 1-6 until you have 38 (42, 48, 56, 60, 66) sts per Rnd
Continue in stockinette: K all sts until sleeve measures 15 (15.5, 16.5, 17, 18, 18.5)” or 67 (69, 74, 76, 81, 83) rows from rib
Next Rnd: K 4 (4, 5, 5, 6, 6), slip 8 (8, 10, 10, 12, 12) sts from the right needle (the stitches you just knit and the last 4 (4, 5, 5, 6, 6) sts from previous Rnd) onto a spare piece of CC yarn (8, 8, 10, 10, 12, 12 sts on holder)
See photos below – on my second sleeve, you can see that my stitch marker (orange) is the beginning of my Rnd and I’ve worked 5 sts beyond that marker. Those 5 and the 5 sts behind the marker will be moved onto spare yarn.
Leave remaining sts on a spare needle or transfer to another piece of spare CC yarn.
Make second sleeve. Leave last Rnd of 2nd sleeve on the needle.
Yoke
*We’ll now carefully get all our live stitches onto one needle. You can do it!
Transferring Stitches: With the last 30 (34, 38, 46, 48, 54) sleeve sts on your needle, transfer 43 (49, 53, 60, 63, 68) sts of Body onto needle; skip next 8 (8, 10, 10, 12, 12) Body sts tied off on your spare piece of CC yarn
Slip 30 (34, 38, 46, 48, 54) live sts of other sleeve onto needle, transfer next 43 (49, 53, 60, 63, 68) sts of Body onto needle, skip last 8 (8, 10, 10, 12, 12) Body sts tied off on your other spare piece of CC yarn
Yoke Rnd 1: K all sts on the needle
Rnd 2: *K 71 (25, 28, 8, 29, 22) sts, K2tog; Rpt from * to last 0 (4, 2, 12, 5, 4) sts, K 0 (4, 2, 12, 5, 4) sts (144, 160, 176, 192, 215, 234)
Sizes 2XL & 3XL only: K (28, 21), K2tog; rpt from * to last (5, 4), K (5, 4) sts (208, 224)
All sizes: Read Rnds from right to left & work color chart below to end of chart (72, 80, 88, 96, 104, 112)
*Click the following links for help with these techniques:
–Knit colorwork continental style
–Carrying stranded colorwork & catching floats
–Help with reading knitting colorwork charts
Finishing: Work in K1, P1 rib for 2” or 8 Rnds
Cast off in ribbing.
Graft underarm stitches (here’s a great video on this!)
Weave all ends.
Earning a Living with my Handmade Home
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I just tried to join the fb group as yarn moms. I don’t do Facebook & didn’t want my name on Facebook so I made one up. I am confused about the sleeves part & figured I’m not the only one. Please accept!!