A new easy hoodie knitting pattern – the Anastasia Hoodie – is a free chunky cardigan knitting pattern here on the blog! Read about my inspiration and the scrumptuous yarn this hoodie is designed with or scroll down for the free pattern.
No time right now? Pin this free hoodie knitting pattern for later!
*This post contains affiliate links (only for products I love, use and spend my own money on obviously). This means I earn some yarn money if you make a purchase through one of these links (of course at no extra cost for you!), which I promise to use to create more awesome patterns like this one. All opinions are my own. See my full disclosure here.
The Anastasia Hoodie is the perfect chunky knit cardigan pattern for fall. When the weather starts getting a little cooler, you start reaching for light coats and vests to layer on before heading out the door. The Anastasia Hoodie features a cozy hood and deep pockets to keep your hands nice and warm. This vest also has the option to add sleeves for a full-coverage hoodie!
The Inspiration
Last fall, I crocheted a hooded vest, the Dusk Hooded Vest (check out the free pattern here) and I’ve been wearing it non-stop in the fall and spring (and let’s be honest, on cold summer days too).
This year I wanted to make a warmer knit version I could wear all winter long, here comes the Anastasia Hoodie. I wanted the same feminine touch the lace edging gives to an otherwise simple and very cozy vest.
I added a sleeve option if you want to turn it into a full winter chunky cardigan. The sleeves have the same lace details as the hood and bottom edge to keep the light visual of this super bulky yarn chunky knit cardigan pattern.
Big slanted pockets to keep our hands nice and toasty while the hood isn’t just decorative but saves your hair in case of drizzle and cold winds.
The Scrumptuous Yarn and Kit
For this fall hoodie knitting pattern, I teamed up with Claire from King and Eye and her delicious super bulky merino wool.
It is a bit of a splurge but it’s so worth it! Her soft, warm high-end 100% merino wool is a dream to knit with and even better to wear. Plus, it’s available in 14 different modern colors. Let me tell you, it’s hard to pick just one.
If you want to treat yourself (you deserve it!) or make the Anastasia knitted hoodie pattern for a special someone (Christmas is around the corner…), you can now grab the discounted kit.
The kit comes with everything you need to complete your sweater in one box and will be gift-wrapped to make you feel that bit more special! Your box includes:
- PDF Pattern
- 12mm bamboo needles
- Enough sumptuously super bulky King & Eye 100% merino yarn to complete your hoodie knitting pattern with sleeves
Downloadable PDF
Why I Recommend You Purchase the PDF Pattern
If you’ve never used PDF patterns before, you are missing out on so much convenience!
- You don’t need to take screenshots of the pattern
- You don’t need to have your computer, phone or tablet around to work on your project.
- You don’t need to panic if your husband accidentally closed the page
- You can take notes, highlight your size and write down where you are.
- When your best friend begs you to make her the same sweater, you have the pattern ready.
- It’s a great way to support the blog so I can continue to bring you knitting tutorials.
Grab the printable PDF of the Anastasia Hoodie Knitting Pattern now in my Etsy shop or on Ravelry:
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Before you Start your Anastasia Hoodie Knitting Pattern
Materials
- King and Eye Super Bulky Merino Yarn (Super bulky weight 6, 100% merino, 65m/71yd, 100g/3.6oz) in blush pink:
o Sleeveless: 7(9,11,13,15) skeins
o With sleeves: 10 (13, 14, 17, 19) skeins
- Tapestry needle to weave in the ends. I love this set as it has different eye sizes for different yarn thicknesses and it comes in a small tube which is very convenient so I don’t lose them.
Chunky Knit Cardigan Pattern Sizes
The hoodie knitting pattern is available in the following sizes: XS to 6XL. Sizes are noted throughout the pattern in the following way: XS/S (M/L, XL/2XL, 3XL/4XL, 5XL/6XL). The pictures illustrate the M/L size.
Final garment measurements are:
- XS/S: 89 cm / 35” bust, 23.5 cm / 9.25” armhole depth, 78.5 cm / 31” length.M/L: 115 cm / 45.25” bust, 26 cm / 10.25” armhole depth, 81 cm / 32” length.
- XL/2XL: 129 cm / 50.75” bust, 28.5 cm / 11.25” armhole depth, 83.5 cm / 33” length.
- 3XL/4XL: 155 cm / 61” bust, 31 cm / 12” armhole depth, 86 cm / 34” length.
- 5XL/6XL: 169 cm / 66.5” bust, 33.5 cm / 13.25” armhole depth, 88.5 cm / 35” length. The cardigan is designed with a normal to loose fit 5 – 15 cm / 2” – 6” ease at the bust.
Gauge
The gauge for this pattern, in stockinette stitch, is 9 st by 10.5 rows for a 10 cm by 10 cm square (4” by 4”).
Abbreviations & Instructions
- st = stitch
- k=knit
- p=purl
- k2tog = knit 2 stitches together, single right-leaning decrease
- ssk = slip 2 stitches knitwise, knit these 2 stitches together through back loops; single left-leaning decrease.
- M1R= make one right; single right-leaning knit increase
- M1L = make one left; single left-leaning knit increase
- Sl1p = slip 1 stitch purlwise
- Yo = yarn over
Repeat instructions between [] the indicated number of times or until the end of the round/row.
The final number of stitches is indicated at the end of the round/row between < >.
Special Stitches and Techniques
Stockinette stitch: knit on the right side and purl on the wrong side of your project.
M1R: Insert your left needle from back to front, under the bar between the stitches (thus lifting it onto the left needle). Knit this bar through the front loop (this twists it into a nice little tight loop)
M1L: Insert the left needle from front to back, under the bar between the stitches (thus lifting it onto the left needle). Knit this bar through the back loop (this twist it into a nice little tight loop).
Hooded Vest Construction
The body of vest knitting pattern is worked from the bottom up in one piece. When reaching the armholes, the panel is divided in 3 sections worked separately to form the 2 front panels and the back. The tops of the sections are then sewn together to form the shoulder seams.
The (optional) sleeves are worked separately and sewn to the body. So are the pockets. All pieces are worked flat.
The Actual Knitted Hoodie Pattern
Chunky Knit Cardigan Body
The main body panel is worked from the bottom up.
With your 12 mm / US 17 knitting needles, cast on 80 (104, 116, 140, 152) st.
Lace Section
Row 1 – 2: Sl1p, knit across.
Row 3: Sl1p, [yo, k2tog], k1.
Row 4 – 5: Sl1p, knit across.
Row 6: Sl1p, K3, [k1, yo, ssk, k6, k2tog, yo, k1] until last 4st, k4.
Row 7: Sl1p, k3, Purl across, k4.
Row 8: Sl1p, k3, [k2, yo, ssk, k4, k2tog, yo, k2] until last 4st, k4.
Row 9: Repeat Row 7
Row 10: Sl1p, k3, [k3, yo, ssk, k2, k2tog, yo, k3] until last 4st, k4.
Row 11: Repeat Row 7
Row 12: Sl1p, k3, [k4, yo, ssk, k2tog, yo, k4] until last 4st, k4.
Row 13 – 17: Repeat Rows 1 to 5
Plain body
Row 18: Sl1p, knit across.
Row 19: Sl1p, k3, Purl across, k4.
Repeat Rows 18 – 19 until you reach 55 cm / 21.5”.
Now you need to split your work in 3 sections: both front panels and the back panel. This way you create the armholes.
Divide your stitches as follows:
- XS/S: 22 st, 36 st, 22 st
- M/L:28st,48st,28st
- XL/2XL: 31 st, 54 st, 31 st
- 3XL/4XL: 36 st, 68 st, 36 st
- 5XL/6XL: 39 st, 74 st, 39 st Work each part separately.
Section 1 (front right panel)
Row 1: Sl1p, k17 (23, 26, 31, 34), [p1, k1] twice. <22 (28, 31, 36, 39) st> Row 2: [p1, k1] twice, p until last 4 st, k4.
Row 3 – 4: Repeat Row 1 and 2.
Row 5: Sl1p, k until last 6 st, k2tog, [p1, k1] twice. <21 (27, 30, 35, 38) st> Row 6: Repeat Row 2.
Row 7: Sl1p, k until last 4 st, [p1, k1] twice.
Row 8: Repeat Row 2.
Row 9 – 10: Repeat Row 5 & 6. <20 (26, 29, 34, 37) st>
Repeat Row 7 & 8 until you reach 23.5 (26, 28.5, 31, 33.5) cm /9.25 (10.25, 11.25, 12, 13.25)”.
Cast off and leave a long tail for sewing.
Section 2 (back panel)
Row 1: [p1, k1] twice, k28 (40, 46, 60, 66), [p1, k1] twice, turn. <36 (48, 54, 68, 74) st>
Row 2: [p1, k1] twice, p until last 4 st, [p1, k1] twice.
Row 3 – 4: Repeat Row 1 and 2.
Row 5: [p1, k1] twice, k2tog, k until last 6 st, k2tog, [p1, k1] twice. <34 (46, 52, 66, 72) st>
Row 6: Repeat Row 2.
Row 7: [p, k1] twice, k until last 4 st, [p1, k1] twice.
Row 8: Repeat Row 2.
Row 9 – 10: Repeat Row 5 & 6. <32 (44, 50, 64, 70) st>
Repeat Row 7 & 8 until you reach 23.5 (26, 28.5, 31, 33.5) cm /9.25 (10.25, 11.25, 12, 13.25)”.
Cast off and leave a long tail for sewing.
Section 3 (front left panel)
Row 1: [p1, k1] twice, k until end of the row. <22 (28, 31, 36, 39) st>
Row 2: Sl1p, k3, p until last 4 st, [p1, k1] twice.
Row 3 – 4: Repeat Row 1 and 2.
Row 5: [p1, k1] twice, k2tog, k until end of row. <21 (27, 30, 35, 38) st>
Row 6: Repeat Row 2
Row 7 – 8: Repeat Row 1 and 2
Row 9 – 10: Repeat Row 5 & 6. <20 (26, 29, 34, 37) st>
Repeat Row 1 & 2 until you reach 23.5 (26, 28.5, 31, 33.5) cm /9.25 (10.25, 11.25, 12, 13.25)”.
Cast off and leave a long tail for sewing.
Sleeve
Sleeves are worked from the cuff upwards. Cast on 24 st.
Lace Cuff
Row 1 – 2: knit across.
Row 3: k1, [yo, k2tog], k1.
Row 4 – 5: knit across.
Row 6: [k1, yo, ssk, k6, k2tog, yo, k1] across.
Row 7: Purl across.
Row 8: [k2, yo, ssk, k4, k2tog, yo, k2] across.
Row 9: Repeat Row 7.
Row 10: [k3, yo, ssk, k2, k2tog, yo, k3] across.
Row 11: Repeat Row 7.
Row 12: [k4, yo, ssk, k2tog, yo, k4] across.
Row 13 – 17: Repeat Rows 1 to 5.
Plain sleeve
Row 18: Sl1k, knit across.
Row 19: Sl1p, purl across.
Row 20 (increase row): Sl1k, k1, M1L, knit until last 2 st, M1R, k2. <26 st>
Row 21: Sl1p, purl across.
Row 22 – 25: Repeat Row 18 and 19 twice.
Work Row 20 to 23 (increase row followed by 3 rows in stockinette st.) 8 (8, 7, 6, 6) times. < 42 (42, 40, 38, 38) st>
Work Row 20 to 21 (increase row followed by a purl row) 0 (2, 6, 9, 11) times. <42 (46, 52, 56, 60) st>
Repeat Row 18 and 19 6 (5, 5, 5, 4) times. Cast off and leave a long tail for sewing.
The sleeve has an approximative length of 66 (68, 71, 73, 75) cm / 26 (26.75, 28, 28.75, 29.5)”.
Hood (common to all sizes)
Cast on 72 st.
Lace Edge
Row 1 – 2: Knit across.
Row 3: K1, [yo, k2tog], k1
Row 4 – 5: Knit across.
Row 6: [k1, yo, ssk, k6, k2tog, yo, k1] across. Row 7: Purl across.
Row 8: [k2, yo, ssk, k4, k2tog, yo, k2] across. Row 9: Repeat Row 7.
Row 10: [k3, yo, ssk, k2, k2tog, yo, k3] across. Row 11: Repeat Row 7.
Row 12: [k4, yo, ssk, k2tog, yo, k4] across. Row 13 – 17: Repeat Rows 1 to 5
Plain Hood Section
Row 18: Sl1k, knit across.
Row 19: Sl1p, purl across.
Repeat Rows 18 and 19 eight times.
Row 20: Sl1k, k23, k2tog 12 times, k24. <60 st> Row 21: Sl1p, purl across.
Row 22: Sl1k, k21, k2tog 8 times, k22. <52 st> Cast off and leave a long tail for sewing.
Pocket 1 (common to all sizes)
Cast on 22 st.
Row 1 – 5: Knit in stockinette st.
Row 6: K4, purl across.
Row 7: K until last 6 st, k2tog, k4. <21 st>
Row 8: Repeat Row 6.
Row 9 – 20: Repeat Row 7 and 8 six times. <15 st>
Row 21 – 22: Knit in stockinette st.
Row 23: Repeat Row 7. <14 st>
Row 24: Repeat Row 6.
Row 25 – 32: Repeat Row 21 – 24 twice. <12 st> Cast off and leave a long tail for sewing.
Pocket 2 (common to all sizes)
Cast on 22 st.
Row 1 – 5: Knit in stockinette st.
Row 6: Purl until last 4 st, k4.
Row 7: K4, ssk, k until end of row. <21 st>
Row 8: Repeat Row 6.
Row 9 – 20: Repeat Row 7 and 8 six times. <15 st> Row 21 – 22: Knit in stockinette st.
Row 23: Repeat Row 7. <14 st>
Row 24: Repeat Row 6.
Row 25 – 32: Repeat Row 21 – 24 twice. <12 st> Cast off and leave a long tail for sewing.
Assembly
Start by assembling the cardigan body. Sew the shoulder seams, leave 14cm/5.5” unsewn.
Then add the pockets. Attach them in the bottom corner, against the end of the lace section and the garter stitch edge. Make sure you have the slant opening opposite the bottom corner.
Then attach the hood. To do so, fold it in half and sew the cast-off edges together to form the hood.
Then close the cardigan and sew the non-lace edge of the hood to the cardigan neck edges (front flaps and back panel).
Finally, if working the sleeved cardigan version, attach the sleeves to the armholes. Fold the sleeve in half and attach the top to the shoulder seam. Sew it to the armhole and close the sleeve.
Weave in all the ends.
Blocking
You are done with the knitting part. Make sure to weave in all the ends.
To make the chunky knit cardigan even prettier, help even your stitches, open up the lace sections and flatten your seams, steam block your project.
Don’t skip this step as it can make a huge difference. Read my detailed tutorial on why block, how-to, and all my tips and tricks if you need help.
