A new raglan sweater knitting pattern, the Chunky Hug Sweater, is now a free chunky sweater knitting pattern here on the blog! Read all about the inspiration, the simplicity of the top-down raglan construction and the size-inclusive design or scroll down for the free turtleneck sweater knitting pattern.
No time right now? Pin this free chunky sweater knitting pattern for later!
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If you’re on the lookout for a knitting project that’s quick and cozy, you’re in for a treat. Picture this – a snuggly top-down raglan sweater with a toasty turtleneck, a beginner-friendly design, and a delightful superbulky yarn for that extra dose of warmth.
As winter settles in, what better way to stay warm than with a chunky turtleneck sweater knit that feels like a cozy embrace? The Chunky Hug Sweater is designed to be your go-to comfort piece, offering not only a stress-free knitting journey but also a stylish addition to your wardrobe.
In this blog post, we’re diving into the details of this size-inclusive sweater, sharing why it’s perfect for beginners, and offering tips to make your knitting journey a breeze. From the snug turtleneck to the simplicity of the top-down raglan construction, we’ve got you covered every step of the way. Find the free chunky sweater knitting pattern below.
Sweater Success KAL
The Chunky Hug Sweater Knitting Pattern is part of my new Sweater Success KAL!
Starting February 12th and over the next 6 weeks, we’ll knit a gorgeous sweater or cardigan together!
You get to pick one of my 4 top knit sweater and cardigan patterns to participate.
During the knit along inside the Chopstick’s Stitching Squad, I’ll guide you through each step of the process to knit a garment you’ll love to wear:
- with weekly Q&A calls,
- focussed teaching sessions,
- Sip & Stitch sessions,
- a community knitting the same patterns alongside you with whom you can exchange, ask for advice and share,
- plus fun prizes of course!
If you’ve never participated in a knit-a-long, you’ll love this one. Casual and relaxed (who needs the extra pressure?!) we will help you start and actually finish your first garment you’ll love wearing.
The Sweater Success knit-a-long is only available to Stitching Squad members. Join now to get instant access to patterns, workshops and community and the KAL starts on 12 February.
Find out more and become a Squad member here >>
The Chunky Hug Sweater Knitting Pattern
The beauty of the Chunky Hug Sweater lies not only in its simplicity but also in its versatility. Whether you’re sipping tea by the fireplace or venturing out into the winter chill, this sweater has got your back.
The Raglan Sweater Construction
The Chunky Hug Sweater is a top-down raglan-style turtleneck sweater. The body of the sweater and the sleeves are all worked in the round.
First, stitches for the neck are cast on and the sweater is worked in the round. Stitches are put aside for the sleeves while you work the body of the sweater. Then, the sleeves are worked in the round using the magic loop method, down to the cuffs. Lastly, the turtleneck collar is added by picking up stitches around the neckline.
You can easily adjust the length to your desired length, just try on the sweater before the bottom ribbing rounds.
The Super Bulky Yarn
Knitted in super bulky weight 6 yarn, it’s a quick project that guarantees you’ll be wrapped in warmth in no time.
For the sample sweater shown on the pictures, I used Hobbii Udon yarn, in Gray. This yarn is a single ply yarn made of a blend of acrylic and wool fibers. Of course, you can substitute this yarn for your favorite super bulky yarn, as long as you meet the recommended gauge.
So, grab your super bulky yarn and let’s embark on a knitting journey that promises not just a chunky sweater but a Chunky Hug – your new winter wardrobe essential.
Size Inclusive Raglan Sweater
This raglan sweater knitting pattern is designed to make a slightly cropped sweater with a normal fit. The super bulky sweater pattern is available in 9 sizes, from XS to 5XL.
The sweater is designed with a close fit 0 – 5 cm / 0” – 2” ease at the bust. So go ahead and pick your size basing yourself on the finished garment measurements provided in the pattern.
Length can easily be customized.
Downloadable Chunky Hug Sweater Knitting Pattern
Grab the printable PDF of the Chunky Hug raglan sweater knitting pattern now in my Etsy shop or on Ravelry.
More Sweater Knitting Patterns you'll love
Before you Start Knitting your Raglan Sweater Pattern
Materials
Note: I worked the entire sweater in the round, combining the magic loop method with shorter cables depending on the sections but you can use DPN if you prefer.
- Hobbii Udon (Super bulky weight 6, 80% acrylic, 20% wool, 100m/109yd, 200g/7oz): 4 (4, 5, 5, 6) (6, 6, 7, 7) skeins in Gray (119)
- Tapestry needle to weave in the ends
- 4 stitch markers
- 2 stitch holders (you can use interchangeable needle cables or pieces of scrap yarn to hold the sleeve stitches while you work on the body)
Size
The sweater is available in the following sizes: XS to 5XL. Sizes are noted throughout the pattern in the following way: XS (S, M, L, XL) (2XL, 3XL, 4XL, 5XL). The pictures illustrate the L size.
Final garment measurements are:
- XS: 75 cm / 29.5” bust, 57 cm / 22.5” long (from neckline), 29 cm / 11.25” upper arm circumference.
- S: 85 cm / 33.5” bust, 58 cm / 22.75” long (from neckline), 30 cm / 11.75” upper arm circumference.
- M: 95 cm / 37.5” bust, 59 cm / 23.25” long, 33 cm / 13” upper arm circumference.
- L: 105 cm / 41.25” bust, 60 cm / 23.75” long, 35 cm / 13.75” upper arm circumference.
- XL: 115 cm / 45.25” bust, 61 cm / 24” long, 40 cm / 15.75” upper arm circumference.
- 2XL: 125 cm / 49.25” bust, 62 cm / 24.5” long, 41 cm / 16.25” upper arm circumference.
- 3XL: 135 cm / 53.25” bust, 63 cm / 24.76” long, 41 cm / 16.25” upper arm circumference.
- 4XL: 145 cm / 57” bust, 64 cm / 25.25” long, 43 cm / 17” upper arm circumference.
- 5XL: 155 cm / 61” bust, 65 cm / 25.5” long, 43 cm / 17” upper arm circumference.
The sweater is designed with a close fit 0 – 5 cm / 0” – 2” ease at the bust.
You can easily adjust the length to your desired length, just try on the sweater before the bottom ribbing rounds.
Gauge
The gauge for this pattern, in stockinette stitch, is 8 st by 13 rows for a 10 cm by 10 cm square (4” by 4”).
Abbreviations & Instructions
- st = stitch
- k = knit
- p = purl
- M1R = make one right; single right-leaning knit increase
- M1L = make one left; single left-leaning knit increase
- k2tog = knit 2 stitches together
- ssk = slip 2 stitches knitwise, knit these 2 stitches together through back loops; single left-leaning decrease
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
- 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 twists it into a nice little tight loop).
If you are not familiar with this increase technique, I find this video tutorial very helpful.
- Magic loop. If you’re not familiar with this technique, this tutorial will help you. Alternatively, you can choose to work with double pointed needles instead.
- Stockinette stitch: knit all rounds.
Turtleneck Sweater Construction
The Chunky Hug Sweater is a top-down raglan style turtleneck sweater. Stitches for the neck are cast on and the sweater is worked in the round. Stitches are then put aside for the sleeves while you work the body of the sweater. Finally, you will go back to the stitches left aside for each sleeve and work the sleeves down to the cuffs.
To give extra structure to the sweater the turtleneck collar is added by picking up stitches around the neckline.
Note: If you want to try your sweater on before finishing it, make sure you knit the collar before any fit check as it can greatly impact the fit and feel of the sweater.
The Actual Raglan Chunky Sweater Knitting Pattern
Raglan Sweater Yoke
With your 12 mm / US 17 circular knitting needles, cast on 30 (32, 32, 32, 32) (34, 38, 40, 44) st and join in the round using the magic loop.
Note: Add a stitch marker to mark the beginning of the round.
Knit one round and place markers while knitting this round to separate sleeve and body stitches as follow (“,” indicates where to place a marker):
- XS: 5, 10, 5, 10
- S: 4, 12, 4, 12
- M – L – XL: 2, 14, 2, 14
- 2XL: 3, 14, 3, 14
- 3XL: 3, 16, 3, 16
- 4XL: 2, 18, 2, 18
- 5XL: 2, 20, 2, 20
Increase Round 1: K1, M1L, [k until st before marker, M1R, k1, slip marker, k1, M1L] three times, knit until last st, M1R, k1. <38 (40, 40, 40, 40) (42, 46, 48, 52) st>
For sizes XS to M only:
Knit 2 rounds in stockinette stitch.
For sizes L to 5XL only:
Knit 1 round in stockinette stitch.
Repeat [Increase Round 1 followed by 1 round in stockinette stitch] X (X, X, 3, 8) (12, 14, 15, 15) times. < X (X, X, 64, 104) (138, 158, 168, 172) st>
Note: after approximately 5 increases you can switch to a short cord and simply knit in the round instead of using the magic loop.
For sizes XS to 2XL only:
Repeat [Increase Round 1 followed by 2 rounds in stockinette stitch] 8 (9, 11, 9, 6) (2, X, X, X) times. <102 (112, 128, 136, 152) (154, X, X, X) st>
For all sizes except M:
Increase Round 2 (increase for body only): [K until next marker, slip marker, k1, M1L, knit until st before next marker, M1R, k1, slip marker] twice, <106 (116, X, 140, 156) (158, 162, 172, 176) st>
Knit 2 rounds in stockinette stitch.
Repeat [increase round 2 followed by 2 rounds in stockinette st] 0 (0, X, 0, 0) (2, 3, 3, 4) times. <106 (116, X, 140, 156) (166, 174, 184, 192) st>
For all sizes:
You will now split your stitches between sleeves and body. Place the stitches for the sleeves on stitch holders. You will get back to them to knit the sleeves after you finish the sweater body.
- XS: Put 23 st on hold, k30, put 23 st on hold, k30. <60 st> left on your needles.
- S: Put 24 st on hold, k34, put 24 st on hold, k34. <68 st> left on your needles.
- M: Put 26 st on hold, k38, put 26 st on hold, k38. <76 st> left on your needles.
- L: Put 28 st on hold, k42, put 28 st on hold, k42. <84 st> left on your needles.
- XL: Put 32 st on hold, k46, put 32 st on hold, k46. <92 st> left on your needles.
- 2XL: Put 33 st on hold, k50, put 33 st on hold, k50. <100 st> left on your needles.
- 3XL: Put 33 st on hold, k54, put 33 st on hold, k54. <108 st> left on your needles.
- 4XL: Put 34 st on hold, k58, put 34 st on hold, k58. <116 st> left on your needles.
- 5XL: Put 34 st on hold, k62, put 34 st on hold, k62. <124 st> left on your needles.
Sweater Body
Knit in stockinette st until you reach 26 cm / 10.25” from sleeve separation.
Note: Try on your sweater and adjust length if desired, taking into account the ribbing will add another 4 cm / 1.5”.
[K1, p1] around for 3 rounds.
Cast off and weave in the ends.
Sleeves
Repeat for each sleeve.
Go back to stitches left aside for the sleeve and place them onto your circular needle. Join new yarn at armpit. Sleeves are worked in the round using the magic loop method.
Tip: Leave a long tail when joining yarn to sew the little hole closed that always comes from splitting for sleeves.
Knit 32 (32, 25, 18, 8) (8, 8, 8, 8) rounds.
Decrease Round: K1, k2tog, k until last 3 st, ssk, k1. <21 (22, 24, 26, 30) (31, 31, 32, 32) st>
Knit 8 rounds in stockinette stitch.
For sizes M to 5XL only:
[Repeat Decrease Round followed by 6 rounds in stockinette st] X (X, 1, 2, 2) (2, 2, 2, 2) times. <X (X, 22, 22, 26) (27, 27, 28, 28) st>
For all sizes:
[Repeat Decrease Round followed by 4 rounds in stockinette st] 1 (1, 1, 1, 3) (3, 3, 3, 3) times. <19 (20, 20, 20, 20) (21, 21, 22, 22) st>
Repeat Decrease Round. <17 (18, 18, 18, 18) (19, 19, 20, 20) st>
Sizes XS, 2XL and 3XL only:
Decrease: K2tog, p1, [k1, p1] around. <16 (X, X, X, X) (18, 18, X, X) st>
[K1, p1] around for 2 rounds.
For sizes S, M, L, XL, 4XL and 5XL:
[K1, p1] around for 3 rounds.
All sizes:
Cast off and weave in the ends.
Collar
Pick up 32 (34, 34, 34, 34) (36, 40, 42, 46) st around the neckline.
Note: The number of stitches to pick up is intentionally a little bigger than the number of stitches you originally cast on. This will help your sweater to keep its shape without the turtleneck to be too snug.
[K1, p1] around for 12 rounds.
Cast off and weave in the ends.
Blocking
You are done with the knitting part. Make sure to weave in all the ends.
To make your sweater prettier and help even out your stitches, carefully 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.
Get ready for the joy of creating something scrumptiously cozy with our Chunky Hug Sweater pattern. Let’s knit our way to warmth and style!
