This Women’s Sleeveless Sweater Free Knitting Pattern is a timeless design that combines simplicity with modern flair. With a flattering sleeveless cut and versatile fit, this pattern is perfect for layering or wearing on its own. Available in sizes for all body types, including regular, plus, and petite, this project offers something for everyone. Whether you’re crafting a lightweight summer top or a stylish winter layering piece, this pattern is a joy to create and wear.
The design’s clean lines and classic construction make it approachable for knitters of all skill levels. Featuring clear instructions and thoughtful finishing techniques, this sweater is as enjoyable to knit as it is to style. The lightweight yarn used ensures a comfortable fit, while the polished details add a sophisticated touch. This versatile sweater is perfect for any wardrobe, offering endless styling possibilities.
This pattern is actually part of a Sweater set. You can find the matching cardigan sweater here.
Explore the classic Coats and Clark Everyone Wears Sweaters, Book No. 291 (1952). Click to view all the vintage sweater patterns in this timeless collection!
About the Images
To guide you through the process, this pattern includes both vintage illustrations and modern visualizations. The vintage visuals capture the design’s classic origins, while the contemporary renderings showcase the sweater in vibrant detail. Together, they provide a comprehensive look at the finished piece, inspiring confidence as you knit.
This pattern is transformed, adapted, and expanded from a public domain design originally published in Coats and Clark Everyone Wears Sweaters Book No. 291 (1952). While the original design is in the public domain, the rewritten instructions and supplementary content on this site are © Tiffany Bliss Mullins, 2025. All rights reserved. Have questions about this pattern, public domain, or copyright? Visit the FAQ page for answers and resources.
Pattern Navigation
- Jump to Regular Sizes (Small–XL)
- Jump to Plus Sizes (1X–5X)
- Jump to Petite Sizes (XXXS–XS)
Women’s Sleeveless Sweater – Regular Sizes (Small – XL)
MATERIALS
- CHADWICK’S RED HEART SOCK AND SWEATER YARN, 3 Ply, Shrink-and-Stretch Resist Finish, Art. E.255:
- Small: 5 skeins
- Medium: 6 skeins
- Large: 7 skeins
- Extra Large: 8 skeins
(1 oz. “Tangle-Proof” Pull-Out Skeins of No. 403 Lt. Oxford) - Knitting Pins:
- Pair of No. 1 (2½ mm size)
- Pair of No. 2 (2¾ mm size)
GAUGE
Stockinette Stitch:
- 7½ stitches = 1 inch
- 10 rows = 1 inch
BLOCKING MEASUREMENTS
| Size | Small (S) | Medium (M) | Large (L) | Extra Large (XL) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chest | 34″ | 36″ | 38″ | 40″ |
| Width Across Back (Underarm) | 17″ | 18″ | 19″ | 20″ |
| Length from Shoulder to Lower Edge | 18½” | 19″ | 20″ | 21½” |
| Length of Side Seam | 11″ | 11½” | 12″ | 12½” |
BACK
- Cast On: With No. 1 knitting pins, cast on:
- Small: 104 sts
- Medium: 112 sts
- Large: 120 sts
- Extra Large: 128 sts
- Ribbing: Work in k2, p2 ribbing for:
- Small: 2½ inches
- Medium: 3 inches
- Large: 3½ inches
- Extra Large: 3½ inches Increase evenly across the last row:
- Small: 21 sts
- Medium: 23 sts
- Large: 23 sts
- Extra Large: 23 sts Total Stitches After Increase:
- Small: 125 sts
- Medium: 135 sts
- Large: 143 sts
- Extra Large: 151 sts
- Pattern: Switch to No. 2 knitting pins and begin working in stockinette stitch:
- Row 1: Knit across.
- Row 2: Purl across.
- Row 3: Knit the first few stitches to establish edge (varies by size), then k3, p6, ending with edge stitches.
- Row 4: Reverse the stitches from Row 3 (p3, k6). Repeat these 4 rows as the pattern.
- Work Until Length: Work in pattern until piece measures:
- Small: 11 inches
- Medium: 11½ inches
- Large: 12 inches
- Extra Large: 12½ inches
TO SHAPE ARMHOLES
- Bind off: 7 sts at the beginning of the next 2 rows.
- Decrease: 1 stitch at each end of every other row until:
- Small: 111 sts remain
- Medium: 117 sts remain
- Large: 123 sts remain
- Extra Large: 129 sts remain
- Work Without Decreasing: Continue in pattern without shaping until piece measures:
- Small: 7 inches from the first row of armhole shaping.
- Medium: 7½ inches from the first row of armhole shaping.
- Large: 8 inches from the first row of armhole shaping.
- Extra Large: 9 inches from the first row of armhole shaping.
TO SHAPE SHOULDERS
- Bind Off for Shoulders:
- Small (S): Bind off 11 sts at the beginning of the next 4 rows.
- Medium (M): Bind off 12 sts at the beginning of the next 4 rows.
- Large (L): Bind off 13 sts at the beginning of the next 4 rows.
- Extra Large (XL): Bind off 13 sts at the beginning of the next 6 rows.
- Bind Off for Back Neckband: For the remaining sts:
- Small (S): Bind off the remaining 35 sts.
- Medium (M): Bind off the remaining 39 sts.
- Large (L): Bind off the remaining 41 sts.
- Extra Large (XL): Bind off the remaining 45 sts.
BACK NECKBAND
- Attach yarn to the remaining sts at the back neck and work as follows:
- Row 1: K2, P2 ribbing, ending with K2.
- Row 2: P2, K2 ribbing, ending with P2.
- Continue working in ribbing until the neckband measures 1 inch.
- Bind off loosely in ribbing.
FRONT
- Cast On: Work as for Back up to the point where the armhole shaping is completed.
- TO SHAPE NECK:
- Divide the sts for the neck opening. Work across the first 48 (52, 56, 60) sts for the left side of the neck, place the next 3 sts on a stitch holder for the center neckband, and place the remaining sts on a second stitch holder for the right side of the neck.
- Left Side of Neck:
- Row 1 (Neck Edge): Bind off 5 (6, 6, 7) sts at the neck edge.
- Row 2: Work even in pattern.
- Row 3 (Neck Edge): Bind off 3 sts at the neck edge.
- Decrease 1 st at the neck edge every 3rd row until:
- Small (S): 29 sts remain.
- Medium (M): 31 sts remain.
- Large (L): 33 sts remain.
- Extra Large (XL): 35 sts remain.
- Work even in pattern until the piece matches the back length to the shoulder shaping.
- TO SHAPE SHOULDERS:
Bind off at the armhole edge the same number of sts as for the Back:
- Small: Bind off 11 sts at the beginning of the next 2 rows.
- Medium: Bind off 12 sts at the beginning of the next 2 rows.
- Large: Bind off 13 sts at the beginning of the next 3 rows.
- Extra Large: Bind off 13 sts at the beginning of the next 3 rows.
- Right Side of Neck:
- Rejoin yarn to the sts on the second holder and work to match the left side, reversing the shaping.
FRONT NECKBAND
- Using No. 1 knitting pins, pick up and knit:
- Small (S): 50 sts along each side of the neck, plus the 3 center sts from the holder (total: 103 sts).
- Medium (M): 54 sts along each side of the neck, plus the 3 center sts from the holder (total: 111 sts).
- Large (L): 58 sts along each side of the neck, plus the 3 center sts from the holder (total: 119 sts).
- Extra Large (XL): 62 sts along each side of the neck, plus the 3 center sts from the holder (total: 127 sts).
- Work in K2, P2 ribbing for 1 inch, decreasing 1 st before and after the center 3 sts every other row as follows:
- Row 1: Work in ribbing to 1 st before the marker, p2tog, slip marker, p3, slip marker, p2tog, continue in ribbing.
- Repeat these decreases every other row until the neckband measures 1 inch.
- Bind off loosely in ribbing.
ARMBANDS
- With No. 1 knitting pins, pick up and knit:
- Small (S): 140 sts around each armhole edge.
- Medium (M): 148 sts around each armhole edge.
- Large (L): 156 sts around each armhole edge.
- Extra Large (XL): 164 sts around each armhole edge.
- Work in K2, P2 ribbing for 1 inch.
- Bind off loosely in ribbing.
FINISHING
- Block the sweater to the given measurements.
- Sew shoulder seams.
- Sew side seams.
Women’s Sleeveless Sweater Pattern – Plus Sizes (1X, 2X, 3X, 4X, 5X)
MATERIALS
- Yarn: CHADWICK’S RED HEART SOCK AND SWEATER YARN, 3 Ply, Shrink-and-Stretch Resist Finish, Art. E.255:
- 1X (46″): 8 skeins
- 2X (50″): 9 skeins
- 3X (54″): 10 skeins
- 4X (58″): 11 skeins
- 5X (62″): 12 skeins
- Knitting Needles: Milwards “Phantom” Aluminum Knitting Pins or Clark’s O.N.T. Plastic Knitting Pins, 1 pair No. 1 (2½ mm) and 1 pair No. 2 (2¾ mm).
GAUGE
Stockinette stitch: 7½ sts = 1 inch; 10 rows = 1 inch.
BLOCKING MEASUREMENTS
- Chest: 46 (50, 54, 58, 62) inches
- Width across back/front at underarm: 23 (25, 27, 29, 31) inches
- Width across back above armhole shaping: 18 (19, 20½, 22, 23½) inches
- Length from shoulder to lower edge: 23 (24, 24½, 25, 26) inches
- Length of side seam: 15 (15½, 16, 16½, 17) inches
BACK
- Cast On: Using No. 1 needles, cast on:
- 1X: 148 sts
- 2X: 160 sts
- 3X: 172 sts
- 4X: 184 sts
- 5X: 196 sts
- Work in k2, p2 ribbing for:
- 1X-2X: 3 inches
- 3X-5X: 3½ inches
- On the last row of ribbing, increase evenly to:
- 1X: 171 sts
- 2X: 185 sts
- 3X: 199 sts
- 4X: 213 sts
- 5X: 227 sts
- Switch to No. 2 needles and begin Pattern Stitch:
- Row 1: Knit across.
- Row 2: Purl across.
- Row 3: K3, p6. Repeat from * to end of row.
- Row 4: P3, k6. Repeat from * to end of row.
- Repeat Rows 1–4 for pattern.
- Work in pattern until the piece measures:
- 1X-2X: 13 inches
- 3X-5X: 14 inches
TO SHAPE ARMHOLES
- Bind off at the beginning of the next 2 rows:
- 1X-2X: 9 sts each side
- 3X-5X: 10 sts each side
- Decrease 1 st at each end every other row:
- Until there remain:
- 1X: 153 sts
- 2X: 167 sts
- 3X: 179 sts
- 4X: 193 sts
- 5X: 207 sts
- Work even until armhole measures:
- 1X-2X: 9½ inches
- 3X-5X: 10 inches
TO SHAPE SHOULDERS
- Bind off at each shoulder edge:
- 1X: 18 sts, 3 times
- 2X: 21 sts, 3 times
- 3X: 23 sts, 3 times
- 4X: 25 sts, 3 times
- 5X: 27 sts, 3 times
- Place the remaining sts on a stitch holder for the back neck.
BACK NECKBAND
- Attach yarn to back neck sts. Using No. 1 needles, work in k2, p2 ribbing for 1 inch.
- Bind off loosely in ribbing.
FRONT
- Work as for Back until piece measures 2 inches from the start of the armhole shaping.
TO SHAPE NECK
- Divide sts for neck opening:
- Work across 1X-5X: 76 sts for the left side of the neck, place the center 3 sts on a stitch holder, and place the remaining sts on a second holder for the right side.
- Left Neck Shaping:
- Bind off at the neck edge:
- 1X-5X: 6 sts once, 3 sts once, then decrease 1 st at the neck edge every 3rd row 7 times.
- Work even until armhole matches the Back.
- Shoulder Shaping: Work as for Back.
- Attach yarn to the other side and work to correspond, reversing shaping.
FRONT NECKBAND
- Pick up and knit sts evenly along the left neck edge, knit the 3 center sts from the holder, and pick up sts along the right neck edge.
- Work in k2, p2 ribbing, decreasing 1 st before and after the center 3 sts every other row.
- Continue until the neckband measures 1 inch.
- Bind off loosely in ribbing.
ARMBANDS
- Pick up sts evenly around the armhole:
- 1X: 180 sts
- 2X: 192 sts
- 3X: 204 sts
- 4X: 216 sts
- 5X: 228 sts
- Work in k2, p2 ribbing for 1 inch.
- Bind off in ribbing.
FINISHING
- Block the sweater to measurements.
- Sew shoulder and side seams.
Women’s Sleeveless Sweater Pattern – Petite Sizes (XXS, XS, S, M)
MATERIALS
- Yarn: CHADWICK’S RED HEART SOCK AND SWEATER YARN, 3 Ply, Shrink-and-Stretch Resist Finish, Art. E.255:
- XXS (28″): 4 skeins
- XS (30″): 5 skeins
- S (32″): 5 skeins
- M (34″): 6 skeins
- Knitting Needles: Milwards “Phantom” Aluminum Knitting Pins or Clark’s O.N.T. Plastic Knitting Pins, 1 pair No. 1 (2½ mm) and 1 pair No. 2 (2¾ mm).
GAUGE
Stockinette stitch: 7½ sts = 1 inch; 10 rows = 1 inch.
BLOCKING MEASUREMENTS
- Chest: 28 (30, 32, 34) inches
- Width across back/front at underarm: 14 (15, 16, 17) inches
- Width across back above armhole shaping: 11¼ (12, 12¾, 13½) inches
- Length from shoulder to lower edge: 16 (17, 18, 19) inches
- Length of side seam: 10 (10½, 11, 11½) inches
BACK
- Cast On: Using No. 1 needles, cast on:
- XXS: 80 sts
- XS: 92 sts
- S: 100 sts
- M: 108 sts
- Work in k2, p2 ribbing for:
- XXS-XS: 2 inches
- S-M: 2½ inches
- On the last row of ribbing, increase evenly to:
- XXS: 101 sts
- XS: 113 sts
- S: 121 sts
- M: 129 sts
- Switch to No. 2 needles and begin Pattern Stitch:
- Row 1: Knit across.
- Row 2: Purl across.
- Row 3: K3, p6. Repeat from * to end of row.
- Row 4: P3, k6. Repeat from * to end of row.
- Repeat Rows 1–4 for pattern.
- Work in pattern until the piece measures:
- XXS: 10 inches
- XS-S: 10½ inches
- M: 11 inches
TO SHAPE ARMHOLES
- Bind off at the beginning of the next 2 rows:
- XXS: 7 sts each side
- XS-M: 8 sts each side
- Decrease 1 st at each end every other row:
- Until there remain:
- XXS: 87 sts
- XS: 95 sts
- S: 99 sts
- M: 103 sts
- Work even until armhole measures:
- XXS: 7 inches
- XS-S: 7½ inches
- M: 8 inches
TO SHAPE SHOULDERS
- Bind off at each shoulder edge:
- XXS: 10 sts, 3 times
- XS: 11 sts, 3 times
- S: 12 sts, 3 times
- M: 13 sts, 3 times
- Place the remaining sts on a stitch holder for the back neck.
BACK NECKBAND
- Attach yarn to back neck sts. Using No. 1 needles, work in k2, p2 ribbing for 1 inch.
- Bind off loosely in ribbing.
FRONT
- Work as for Back until piece measures 1½ inches from the start of the armhole shaping.
TO SHAPE NECK
- Divide sts for neck opening:
- Work across XXS-M: 39 sts for the left side of the neck, place the center 3 sts on a stitch holder, and place the remaining sts on a second holder for the right side.
- Left Neck Shaping:
- Bind off at the neck edge:
- XXS-M: 6 sts once, 3 sts once, then decrease 1 st at the neck edge every 3rd row 5 times.
- Work even until armhole matches the Back.
- Shoulder Shaping: Work as for Back.
- Attach yarn to the other side and work to correspond, reversing shaping.
FRONT NECKBAND
- Pick up and knit sts evenly along the left neck edge, knit the 3 center sts from the holder, and pick up sts along the right neck edge.
- Work in k2, p2 ribbing, decreasing 1 st before and after the center 3 sts every other row.
- Continue until the neckband measures 1 inch.
- Bind off loosely in ribbing.
ARMBANDS
- Pick up sts evenly around the armhole:
- XXS: 136 sts
- XS: 148 sts
- S: 156 sts
- M: 164 sts
- Work in k2, p2 ribbing for 1 inch.
- Bind off in ribbing.
FINISHING
- Block the sweater to measurements.
- Sew shoulder and side seams.
