Easy Knit Summer Sweater

Learn to knit this quick and easy knit summer sweater. Designed to be light, airy and slightly oversized, this knit sweater is completely beginner friendly.

This easy to follow knit sweater is the ultimate summer sweater to lounge around in. It is perfect paired with shorts, jeans or simply draped over that favorite bikini of yours.

If you are a beginner knitter then this pattern is definitely for you. There is absolutely no increasing or decreasing involved in the construction of this sweater. The only stitches you need to know are knit and purl as well as casting on and binding off.

The sweater is constructing using two identical panels (front and back) that are just simply two big squares while the sleeves are constructed in the same way but resembling two large rectangles. As you can see this pattern is perfect for the new beginner.

I chose a weight 3 cotton yarn and pretty big knitting needles so the sweater would be really airy, but mostly because I wanted this sweater to be made quiet quickly.

YARN

This easy knit summer sweater uses Drops Cotton Light which is a weight 3/Dk yarn. It is a blend of 50% cotton and 50% polyester making it a light and breathable yarn yet still retaining it’s shape and durability. There are so many different colors to choose from so I’m sure there’s a perfect match for everyone.

Of course other yarn fibers can be used for this sweater like wool blends or acrylic, but keep in mind that it should be a weight 3 yarn.

SIZING & MEASUREMENTS

This sweater fits S(M, L, XL, 2XL)

There is a good bit of positive ease in this sweater meaning it is quite a bit bigger than your own bust. For a more fitted top please size down or perhaps use a smaller needle.

To fit bust: 32-34(36-38, 40-42, 44-46, 48-50) inches

Back width:22(24, 26, 28, 30) inches

Length: 22(22, 23, 24, 25) inches.

GAUGE: 10 sts in stockinette stitch = 4″ using 10mm needles

MATERIALS

Yarn – Drops Cotton Light – weight 3/ Dk/ 8 ply – 50g/105m/115y

Approximately 6(6, 7, 7, 8) balls

10mm knitting needles ( straight or circular)

6mm knitting needles (straight or circular)

Stitch marker

Yarn needle

Measuring tape.

STITCHES & ABBREVIATIONS

k = knit

p =. purl

CO = cast on

BO = bind off

sts = stitches

rep = repeat

BEGINNER KNIT SUMMER SWEATER PATTERN

FRONT & BACK PANELS

Using 10mm knitting needles:

CO 55(60, 65, 70, 75) sts

ROW 1: k every st to the end of the row.

ROW 2: p every st to end of row.

Rep rows 1-2 until piece measures 22(22, 23, 24, 25) inches long. You can add or subtract rows for a longer or shorter sweater but make sure your last row completed is row 2.

Next you will BO all sts. Repeat for the second panel. Both the front and back panels are identical.

SLEEVES:

Using 6mm knitting needles:

CO 37( 39, 42, 46, 48) sts

ROW 1: k every st to the end of the row.

ROW 2: k every stitch to the end of the row.

SWITCH TO 10MM NEEDLES:

ROW 3: k every st to end of row.

ROW 4: p every st to end of row

Rep rows 3-4 until sleeve measures 18(18, 18, 19, 19) inches long. You can add or subract rows here for a longer or shorter sleeve but you must end on row 4.

BO all stitches leaving a long tail.

SEWING ALL THE PIECES TOGETHER:

Lay the back panel down with the right side facing upwards. Place the front panel directly on top with the wrong side facing up. With your yarn needle you will now sew across 6.5 (7.5, 8, 8.5, 9) inches on each side for the shoulders. If you want you neck opening bigger or smaller simply sew less or more stitches each side of the neck opening.

Next lay your sweater out completely flat with the wrong side facing up. Take a sleeve and place a stitch marker into the middle stitch. Make sure you are not placing the marker on the end where we used the smaller needles. You will place the marker on the other end. Now line that marker with the shoulder seam and attach. Using your yarn needle sew the sleeve to the main body. Repeat for other sleeve.

Fold the sweater over and sew along the under edge of sleeves and down along the side of sweater.

Weave in all ends.

Turn the sweater the right side out and you are good to go!