Simple Knit Sweater for All Occasions – FREE Knitting Pattern

Simple Knit Sweater
Simple Knit Sweater

Simple Knit Sweater for All Occasions

Originally featured in Knit and Crochet Style Parade by Coats & Clark’s in 1954, this timeless sweater design is perfect for any setting—whether you’re at home, in town, or enjoying a day in the countryside. Crafted with Chadwick’s Red Heart Orlon “Fashion Yarn,” this project offers a classic silhouette, enhanced by ribbed edges, a cozy stockinette body, and neatly finished button bands trimmed with grosgrain ribbon. This sweater’s straightforward construction makes it an approachable project for knitters, while its versatile style ensures it becomes a wardrobe favorite. Detailed instructions are provided for bust sizes 32 to 40 inches, ensuring a customized fit.

This pattern for a Simple Sweater for All Occasions combines elegance and functionality, making it a versatile addition to any wardrobe. Designed for ease of crafting and comfortable wear, this sweater features ribbed edges, a stockinette stitch body, and neatly finished button bands. Below are the instructions to create this charming sweater, including details for customization by size.

Materials

  • Yarn: CHADWICK’S RED HEART ORLON “FASHION YARN,” 3 Ply, Art. E.265
  • Sizes (Bust Measurement):
    • 32: 6 skeins
    • 34: 7 skeins
    • 36: 7 skeins
    • 38: 8 skeins
    • 40: 9 skeins
  • Knitting Needles:
  • Clark’s O.N.T. Plastic Knitting Pins, 1 pair No. 1 (2¼ mm)
  • 1 pair No. 2 (2¾ mm)
  • Notions:
  • 5 buttons
  • 1½ yards grosgrain ribbon (1-inch wide)
  • Gauge: 8 sts = 1 inch; 10 rows = 1 inch

Simple Knit Sweater Instructions

Back

  1. Cast On: Using No. 1 knitting pins, cast on the following stitches:
  • Sizes 12–20: 108 (116, 124, 132, 140) stitches.
  1. Ribbing: Work in k1, p1 ribbing for 2½ (2½, 3, 3, 3½) inches.
  2. Stockinette Stitch: Switch to No. 2 knitting pins and work in stockinette stitch (k1 row, p1 row), increasing 1 stitch at both ends of every 7th row until there are:
  • Sizes 12–20: 128 (136, 144, 152, 160) stitches.
  1. Continue Stockinette: Work without increasing until the piece measures 11½ (11½, 11¾, 12, 13) inches in total, ending with a purl row.
  2. Shape Armholes and Shoulders: Follow the armhole and shoulder shaping instructions from Pattern C-259.

Front

  1. Work Front: Follow the same instructions as for the Back until the piece measures the same length, ending with a purl row.
  2. Shape Armholes: Bind off at the beginning of the next 2 rows as follows:
  • Sizes 12–20: Bind off 9 (9, 9, 10, 10) stitches, then another 2 stitches at the beginning of the following 2 rows.
  1. Shape Neck Opening:
  • Decrease 1 stitch at the armhole edge on every row until there are 49 (51, 55, 58, 60) stitches.
  • Cast on 8 additional stitches for the left front band. Work these 8 stitches in garter stitch, decreasing 1 stitch at the armhole edge until there are 54 (56, 58, 60, 62) stitches.
  • Work even until the piece measures 4¼ (4¼, 4½, 4½, 4¾) inches from the first row of armhole shaping.
  1. Shape Neck: Work across the first 8 stitches, place them on a stitch holder, bind off the next 12 stitches, and finish the row.
  • Decrease 1 stitch at the neck edge every other row until there are 29 (31, 32, 34, 34) stitches remaining.
  • Work even until the piece measures 6½ (7, 7¼, 7½, 8) inches from the first row of armhole shaping.
  1. Shape Shoulders: Bind off as for the Back.

Sleeves

  1. Cast On: Using No. 1 knitting pins, cast on:
  • Sizes 12–20: 84 (88, 92, 96, 100) stitches.
  1. Ribbing: Work in k1, p1 ribbing for 2 inches.
  2. Stockinette Stitch: Switch to No. 2 knitting pins and work as instructed for Short Sleeves in Pattern C-259.

Neckband

  1. Setup: Sew shoulder seams. Using No. 1 knitting pins, attach yarn to the Right Front Band and knit across 8 stitches. Pick up and knit evenly around the neck edge, ending with the 8 stitches of the Left Front Band.
  2. Ribbing: Work in k1, p1 ribbing as follows:
  • Row 1: k8, *p1, k1. Repeat from * to last 9 stitches, p1, k8.
  • Row 2: k8, *k1, p1. Repeat from * to last 9 stitches, k9.
  1. Continue Ribbing: Work in ribbing until the neckband measures 1 inch, making a buttonhole in line with the previous buttonholes when the neckband measures ½ inch.
  2. Bind Off: Bind off loosely, matching the ribbing pattern.

Finishing

  • Seams: Sew side and sleeve seams.
  • Buttonholes: Work buttonhole stitch around each buttonhole.
  • Ribbon: Sew grosgrain ribbon to the outside of the front bands, cutting openings to match the buttonholes.
  • Buttons: Sew buttons to correspond with buttonholes.

Block to measurements and enjoy wearing your Simple Sweater for All Occasions!

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