Elegant and Timeless Knit Sweater with Ribbon Trim
Elegant and Timeless Knit Sweater with Ribbon Trim: A Refined Classic
The Elegant and Timeless Knit Sweater with Ribbon Trim, originally published in Knit and Crochet Style Parade by Coats and Clark’s (1954), combines understated sophistication with delicate detailing. This sweater features a classic silhouette enhanced by decorative ribbon accents along the neckline, cuffs, and hem, making it a charming choice for those who appreciate vintage-inspired fashion. Its timeless appeal ensures it will complement both casual and dressy ensembles.
Designed for knitters with an intermediate skill level, the pattern involves straightforward techniques like stockinette stitch and ribbing, with the ribbon trim adding an extra layer of craftsmanship. For knitters who are new to incorporating non-yarn elements like ribbons, this project provides a fantastic opportunity to learn a new embellishment technique that is easier to master than it seems. The addition of the ribbon is flexible, allowing you to personalize the trim with your preferred colors or patterns.
The versatility of this sweater is unmatched—it can be styled with skirts, trousers, or layered over a dress for an effortlessly chic look. Whether you stick to the original soft, neutral palette or opt for bold hues, this sweater is a wearable work of art. Its refined design, coupled with the unique ribbon accents, makes it a project worth every stitch, resulting in a sweater that’s as practical as it is elegant.
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
- Skeins Needed:
- Size 34: 9 skeins
- Size 36: 10 skeins
- Size 38: 10 skeins
- Size 40: 10 skeins
- Needles:
- No. 1 knitting pins (2.25 mm)
- No. 2 knitting pins (2.75 mm)
- Other Materials:
- 2 yards of ¼-inch-wide velvet ribbon
- Gauge:
- 5 stitches = 1 inch
- 10 rows = 1 inch
Back
- Cast On:
- Using No. 1 knitting pins, cast on:
- Size 34: 104 stitches
- Size 36: 112 stitches
- Size 38: 120 stitches
- Size 40: 128 stitches
- Ribbing:
- Work in k1, p1 ribbing for 2 ½ inches (Size 34) or 3 inches (Sizes 36–40).
- Body:
- Switch to No. 2 knitting pins and begin working in stockinette stitch (k1 row, p1 row).
- Increase 1 stitch at both ends of every:
- Size 34–36: 8th row
- Size 38: 9th row
- Size 40: 10th row
- Continue increasing until there are:
- Size 34: 120 stitches
- Size 36: 128 stitches
- Size 38: 136 stitches
- Size 40: 144 stitches
- Dolman Sleeves:
- Cast on at the beginning of the next 16 rows:
- Size 34: 8 stitches per row
- Size 36: 9 stitches per row
- Size 38: 9 stitches per row
- Size 40: 10 stitches per row
- Then cast on at the beginning of the following 4 rows:
- Size 34: 12 stitches per row
- Size 36: 10 stitches per row
- Size 38: 14 stitches per row
- Size 40: 12 stitches per row
- The total number of stitches is now:
- Size 34: 296 stitches
- Size 36: 312 stitches
- Size 38: 336 stitches
- Size 40: 352 stitches
- Mark for Sleeves:
- Place a marker and work without increasing until the piece measures 2 ¾ inches (Size 34) or 3 ½ inches (Size 40) from the marker, ending with a purl row.
- Shape Neck:
- Knit across the first 136 (Size 34), 144 (Size 36), 156 (Size 38), or 164 (Size 40) stitches. Bind off the center stitches for the neck opening: 24 (Size 34–38) or 26 (Size 40).
- Knit across the remaining stitches.
- Neck and Sleeve Shaping:
- Work on the last set of stitches only, binding off at the neck edge as follows:
- Bind off 7 stitches (Sizes 34–38) or 9 stitches (Size 40) twice.
- Bind off 4 stitches 2 times (Sizes 34–36) or 4 times (Sizes 38–40).
- Bind off 2 stitches 6 times (Sizes 34–36) or 10 times (Sizes 38–40).
- Then decrease 1 stitch at the neck edge every other row:
- Size 34: 10 times
- Size 36: 8 times
- Size 38: 8 times
- Size 40: 8 times
- Shape Shoulder:
- Bind off at the beginning of the sleeve edge:
- Size 34: 8 stitches per row, 8 times
- Size 36: 9 stitches per row, 8 times
- Size 38: 10 stitches per row, 8 times
- Size 40: 11 stitches per row, 8 times
- Bind off any remaining stitches for the shoulder.
Front
Work as for the Back.
Back Neckband
- Pick Up Stitches: With No. 1 knitting pins and the right side facing, pick up and knit along the neck edge:
- Size 34: 144 stitches
- Size 36: 152 stitches
- Size 38: 160 stitches
- Size 40: 168 stitches
- Beading:
- Row 1 (Wrong Side): P2, *p2tog, yo, p6; repeat from * to the last 6 stitches, p2tog, yo, p4.
- Continue in k1, p1 ribbing for 1 ¼ inches.
- Bind Off: Bind off tightly in ribbing.
Front Neckband
Work exactly as for the Back Neckband.
Cuffs
- Pick Up Stitches: Sew the shoulder and top sleeve seams, including the neckband edges. With No. 1 knitting pins and the right side facing, pick up and knit:
- Size 34: 64 stitches
- Size 36: 68 stitches
- Size 38: 72 stitches
- Size 40: 76 stitches
- Work Ribbing:
- Work in k1, p1 ribbing for 1 ¼ inches.
- Bind Off: Bind off loosely in ribbing.
Finishing
- Block: Block all pieces to the specified measurements.
- Seams: Sew the side and sleeve seams in one continuous seam.
- Ribbon: Draw the velvet ribbon through the neckband beading and tie it into a bow at the front for a polished finish.
