Knit Sunbleached Sweater

A sweater that’s perfect for summer – my Knit Sunbleached Sweater – is a free pattern here on the blog!

Read through my inspiration, design process, and lots of info on the perfect yarn I chose, or scroll on down for the free pattern.

The Inspiration + Design

I love the squishy look of garter stitch! It’s the simplest knitting stitch to be worked flat in rows and I love the texture it gives.

I knew I wanted to make another garter stitch sweater after I made my Simple Knit Sweater in thicker fluffy yarn two winters ago. I loved the feel of that sweater but wanted a summery version.

I’d been eyeing the Lion Brand Cotton Jeans yarn (more on this below!) for a while but waited for the perfect project to finally get around to using it. I love the way this yarn worked up for this project – its feels soft and comfy for lounging around or wearing out for date night.

I’m pretty indecisive when it comes to my projects so I wanted to toy with making this design 2 ways – as a tank style top without sleeves and a full sweater with long slouchy sleeves. I love both versions so much I might be seaming and unseaming these sleeves a few times depending on my mood.

The Yarn + Kit

Lion Brand Cotton Jeans, how I love you. This yarn is the 100% cotton cousin of the ever popular Jeans line of yarn from LB. The OG Jeans is an acrylic yarn (and I’ve used it for garments in the past, including my popular Lil Denim Cardigan) however this new cotton jeans is even more stunning.

This yarn is one of the premier Lion Brand Collection yarns – that means the fibers are higher quality for a really decent price. The catch? They’re only available online – but who likes putting on actual clothes to go shopping anyway? (spoiler: not me!)

Grab the kit for this pattern (including a printed copy of the pattern!) by clicking HERE! – thanks for shopping through my link, it helps support this blog and it’s free content!

 

PATTERN

• Get the ad-free, large print, printable PDF pattern HERE.
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DESCRIPTION

Knitting the softest sweater ever is a breeze with this sunbleached sweater pattern! Simple garter stitches and easy 1×1 ribbing are all it takes to whip up this drapey, summery garment.

MATERIALS

–Lion Brand Collection Cotton Jeans Yarn

(Weight 3/Light, 3.5 oz/100 g, 218 yds/200 m)

4 (4, 5, 6, 6, 7, 7) balls in Sunbleached

Or grab the kit for this pattern from Lion Brand!

-Size 6/4mm circular knitting needles with 16” & 20”+ cord
-Size 7/4.5mm circular knitting needles with 20”+ cord

–Tapestry needle

–Measuring tape

–Scissors

Shop all of my favorite tools & materials HERE!

SIZES

XS, S, M, L, XL, 2XL, 3XL

GAUGE (after blocking)

18 sts x 20 rows = 4″ in garter stitch

FINISHED SWEATER MEASUREMENTS

	XS	S	M	L	XL	2XL	3XL
Bust	32	36	40	44	48	52	56
Length	21	22	23	23.5	24	24.5	24.5
Armhole	6.5	7	7.5	8	8.5	9	9.5
Sleeve length	16	16.5	16.5	17	17	17.5	17.5

PATTERN NOTES

-For reference, model is 5’5” tall, and wearing the Knit Sunbleached Sweater in a size Medium. Fit is oversized, for a more fitted sweater size down.

-The gauge, size, and fit of this finished sweater is largely impacted by blocking. I steam block (steam the panels before seaming with an iron on the steam setting or a clothing steamer) and again after the piece is finished. Be sure to block your swatch.

-Sizing listed in the pattern will be in X-Small with Small, Medium, Large, Xl, 2X, and 3X listed in parenthesis such as 72 (82, 90, 100, 108, 118, 126) whereas co 72 for size XS, 82 for size S, 90 for size M, 100 for size L, 108 for size XL, 118 for size 2X and 126 for size 3X. When only one number is given, it applies to all sizes. To follow pattern more easily, circle/highlight all numbers pertaining to your size before beginning.

-This pullover sweater is worked in 4 pieces, the front and back panels, 2 sleeve panels then seamed together. Neckline ribbing is worked last by picking up stitches.

-This pattern may be used to make a tank style top (pictured) by omitting the sleeves and sleeve seaming. Complete panels, side seams, and neckline ribbing.

-All sizing is a bit oversized and based on the CYC sizing regulations.

SUNBLEACHED SWEATER

BACK PANEL

With 4mm needle

Co 72 (82, 90, 100, 108, 118, 126) sts

Ribbing

Rows 1 – 10: K1, P1, rep across

Body
Switch to 4.5mm needle

Rows 11 – 104 (110, 116, 118, 120, 122, 122): K across (garter st)

Cast off all sts

FRONT PANEL

With 4mm needle

Co 72 (82, 90, 100, 108, 118, 126) sts

Ribbing

Rows 1 – 10: K1, P1, rep across

Body

Switch to 4.5mm needle

Rows 11 – 92 (98, 104, 106, 108, 110, 110):

K across (garter st)

Continue to shoulder shaping without breaking yarn.

SHOULDER SHAPING

Side #1

Row 1: K 21 (24, 27, 30, 32, 35, 38) sts, bind off 30 (34, 36, 40, 44, 48, 50) sts for the neckline, K remaining 21 (24, 27, 30, 32, 35, 38) sts for the other shoulder

Row 2: K 19 (22, 25, 28, 30, 33, 36), K2tog, leave remaining sts on the needle unworked (finish one shoulder at a time)

Row 3: K across

Row 4: K until 2 sts remain, K2tog <19, 22, 25, 28, 30, 33, 36>

Rep Rows 3-4 three more times.

Cast off all sts on that shoulder side

Side #2

Join yarn to other RS shoulder side, K2tog first 2 sts remaining on the needle, K remaining 19 (22, 25, 28, 30, 33, 36) sts

Row 2: K across

Row 3: K2tog, K remaining sts <19, 22, 25, 28, 30, 33, 36>

Row 4: K across

Rep Rows 3-4 three

more times.

Cast off all sts.

SLEEVES

*make 2

With 4mm needle, Co 28 (30, 32, 34, 36, 38, 40) sts

Ribbing

Rows 1 – 10: K1, P1, rep across

Body
Switch to 4.5mm needle

Row 11: KFB, K to last stitch, KFB <30, 32, 34, 36, 38, 40, 42>

Rows 12-13: K across

Rep Rows 11-13 until your stitch count reaches 54 (58, 64, 68, 72, 76, 80)

Continue knitting every row until your sleeve measures 16 (16.5, 16.5, 17, 17, 17.5, 17.5)”

Cast off all sts.

SEAMING

Lie back panel with WS up, lie front panel on top with RS up.

Shoulder seams: Sew front shoulder shaping with a mattress stitch to back panel. Rep on other side.

Side seams: Leave a 6.5 (7, 7.5, 8, 8.5, 9, 9.5)” armhole from the shoulder seam, whip stitch from the bottom of the armhole to the end of the ribbing. Rep on other side.

Weave all ends.

Sleeve seams: With right sides together folded lengthwise (hot dog style), sew selvedge edge with a mattress stitch. Continue sewing last row of sleeve to armhole with WS (sleeve and body) facing out.

Turn sweater right side out.

NECKLINE RIBBING

With 4mm needle and 16” cord, pick up sts evenly around neckline – beginning with one shoulder seam

The final stitch count here isn’t as important as working evenly around – make sure to work into the cast off of each stitch as well as evenly along decreases and shoulder seams. Be sure you pick up an even number of stitches.

Ribbing

Rows 1 – 8: K1, P1, rep across

Cast off, weave all ends.

Abbreviations (US Terms):

co – cast on
k – knit
kfb – knit front back
p – purl
rep – repeat
rs – right side
st(s) – stitch(es)
ws – wrong side

OTHER FREE KNITTING PATTERNS

1. Knit Betty Cardigan / 2. Plaid Baby Blanket Knitting Pattern / 3. My First Knit Holiday Sweater