Vintage Knit Cocktail Sweater: A Glamorous Classic
The Vintage Knit Cocktail Sweater, originally featured in Knit and Crochet Style Parade by Coats and Clark’s (1954), epitomizes mid-century sophistication. With its fitted silhouette and elegant design, this sweater was created to add a touch of glamour to evening ensembles. Its understated beauty lies in its timeless simplicity, making it a versatile piece for formal occasions or modern-day styling with a retro twist.
This pattern is perfect for intermediate knitters looking for a project that combines skill-building with artistry. The design’s refined details, such as intricate stitch patterns or subtle shaping, require focus but are achievable with patience and attention to detail. For those familiar with basic knitting techniques, this sweater provides an excellent opportunity to expand your repertoire while crafting a luxurious, one-of-a-kind garment.
The beauty of this sweater lies in its adaptability. Choose a lightweight yarn with a hint of shimmer or sheen for an authentic cocktail sweater feel, or opt for a matte finish in a neutral color for understated elegance. Whether paired with a high-waisted skirt for vintage authenticity or styled with modern trousers, the Vintage Knit Cocktail Sweater remains an iconic addition to any wardrobe, blending classic design with modern versatility.
This pattern is transformed, adapted, and expanded from a public domain design originally published in Knit and Crochet Style Parade by Coats and Clark’s in 1954. While the original design is in the public domain, the rewritten instructions and supplementary content on this site are ©Tiffany Bliss Mullins, 2024. All rights reserved. Have questions about this pattern, public domain, or copyright? Visit the FAQ page for answers and resources.
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Materials
- Yarn: Chadwick’s Red Heart Orlon “Fashion-Glo,” 3 Ply
- Sizes (Bust Measurement):
- 32: 7 skeins
- 34: 8 skeins
- 36: 9 skeins
- 38: 9 skeins
- 40: 10 skeins
- Needles:
- Pair of No. 1 knitting pins (2.25 mm)
- Pair of No. 2 knitting pins (2.75 mm)
- Notions: Crochet hook No. 2
Gauge
- 8 sts = 1 inch
- 10 rows = 1 inch
Vintage Knit Cocktail Sweater Pattern Instructions
Back
- Cast On:
- Using No. 1 knitting pins, cast on:
- Size 12: 112 sts
- Size 14: 120 sts
- Size 16: 128 sts
- Size 18: 136 sts
- Size 20: 144 sts
- Ribbing:
- Work in k1, p1 ribbing for 2 (2, 2½, 2½, 3) inches.
- Body:
- Switch to No. 2 knitting pins.
- Work in stockinette stitch (k 1 row, p 1 row), increasing 1 st at both ends of every 10th row until there are:
- Size 12: 128 sts
- Size 14: 136 sts
- Size 16: 144 sts
- Size 18: 152 sts
- Size 20: 160 sts
- Work without increasing until the piece measures 11 (11, 11½, 12, 12½) inches in total.
- Armholes:
- Place a marker at both ends of the last row to indicate the start of the armholes.
- Continue working in stockinette stitch until the piece measures 5 (5½, 6, 6½, 6½) inches from the marker, ending with a purl row.
- Neck Shaping:
- Knit across the first 40 (44, 46, 50, 52) sts, bind off the center 48 (48, 52, 52, 56) sts, and knit the remaining 40 (44, 46, 50, 52) sts.
- Work each side separately, binding off at the neck edge as follows:
- Every other row: 2 (2, 3, 3, 4) sts, 8 (10, 2, 6, 5) times.
- Continue without shaping until the armhole measures 7 (7½, 8, 8½, 8½) inches.
- Bind off the remaining 24 sts.
- Repeat for Other Side:
- Attach yarn to the opposite side of the neck edge and work to correspond, reversing the shaping.
Front
- Work as for the back, but begin neck shaping when the armhole measures 4½ (4½, 5, 5½, 5½) inches.
- At the neck edge, bind off the center 2 sts and decrease 1 st at the neck edge every other row until there are 24 sts.
Sleeves
- Cast On:
- With No. 2 knitting pins, cast on:
- Size 12: 70 sts
- Size 14: 74 sts
- Size 16: 82 sts
- Size 18: 82 sts
- Size 20: 86 sts
- Shaping:
- Work in stockinette stitch, increasing 1 st at both ends of every 6th row until there are:
- Size 12: 112 sts
- Size 14: 120 sts
- Size 16: 128 sts
- Size 18: 128 sts
- Size 20: 136 sts
- Work without further increases until the sleeve measures 15 (15, 15½, 16, 16½) inches or desired length.
- Bind Off: Bind off all sts loosely.
Finishing
- Seaming:
- Block all pieces to measurements.
- Sew side, shoulder, and sleeve seams.
- Set in sleeves.
- Edging:
- With a crochet hook and the right side facing, attach the yarn to the center front neck edge.
- Work single crochet (sc) closely around the edges, placing picots (ch 3, sl st into the base of the ch) approximately 1 inch apart.
This sophisticated sweater pairs beautifully with skirts or trousers, adding elegance to any evening ensemble!
