A new top down chunky knit sweater pattern, the Color Divide Sweater is now a free knitting pattern for women here on the blog. Read all about this colour block jumper knitting pattern or scroll further down to view this striped knit sweater pattern free.
No time right now? Pin this free chunky knit sweater pattern for later!
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Cozy Chunky Sweater for Every Body
If you’re looking for a fun and easy sweater project, this free chunky knit pattern is perfect! It’s beginner-friendly and works up super fast with chunky yarn. The top-down raglan construction makes it easy to try on as you go, so you can get the fit just right. Plus, it’s size-inclusive, covering everything from XS to 5XL, so everyone can enjoy making and wearing this cozy sweater.
Stripes, Details, and a Fun Finish
The bold stripes give this sweater a timeless yet modern vibe, and you can add white divider lines for an extra pop. You’ll get to choose between surface crochet or tapestry needle embroidery for the lines, with step-by-step video tutorials to guide you through both options. The split hem gives it a cool, relaxed look, and it’s great for layering. Bonus: it’s an awesome stash buster—mix and match your leftover yarns to make it truly unique!
Inspired by a Fan-Favorite Blanket
This sweater uses the same white divider technique and color scheme as the Color divide Blanket, so if you’ve tried that, you’ll feel right at home. Even if you’re new to knitting, the simple design and clear instructions make it a breeze to follow. It’s a fun, creative project that you can totally make your own with different colors and details. Whether it’s for yourself or someone you love, this chunky-weight sweater is sure to be a hit!
The Color Divide Chunky Knit Sweater Pattern Construction
The Color Divide sweater is worked in one piece from the top down in simple stockinette stitch with a ribbed border at the collar, cuffs and split hem.
The white divider lines are then added with surface crochet or embroidered with a tapestry needle. Both techniques are detailed in the pattern below.
Grab the printable PDF of the Color Divide Sweater Knitting Pattern now in my shop, Etsy shop or on Ravelry.
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Before You Start Your Color Divide Chunky Knit Sweater Pattern Free
Materials
- 8 mm/ US 11 knitting needles
- Lion Brand hue + me (Bulky weight 5, 80% acrylic, 20% wool, 125m/137yd, 125g/4.4oz):
- Total yardage is 450 (502, 550, 620, 690) (800, 830, 888, 945) m / 492 (550, 600, 680, 755) (875, 908, 972, 1033) yd.
Note: Refer to the color & stripes pattern section for recommendations on number of colors and stripes
- 80 m / 88 yd in salt color for the divider lines
- Tapestry needle to weave in the ends.
Optional: 10 mm / N-15 crochet hook (possibility to use tapestry needle instead)
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:
Bust: 88 (100, 108, 120, 130) (140, 150, 160, 170) cm / 34.75 (39.5, 42.5, 47.25, 51.25) (55.25, 59, 63, 67)”.
Total length: 64 (64, 67, 67, 73) (73, 73, 75, 75) cm / 25.25 (25.25, 26.5, 26.5, 28.75) (28.75, 28.75, 29.5, 29.5)”.
The sweater is designed with a loose fit 10 – 20 cm / 4” – 8” 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 is. In stockinette stitch, 10 st by 14 rows, for a 10 cm by 10 cm / 4” by 4” square.
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 & 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.
- The Color Divide sweater knitting pattern features folded collar. Find the detailed video tutorial here.
Construction
The Color Divide sweater is worked in one piece from the top down in simple stockinette stitch with a ribbed border at the collar, cuffs and split hem.
The white divider lines are then added with surface crochet or embroidered with a tapestry needle. Both techniques are detailed in the pattern below.
Colors & Stripe Pattern
The sweater is designed with wide colorblock stripes. To simplify the instructions below, and allow you more flexibility and creativity with the stripe pattern, the color changes are not indicated in the pattern below.
This pattern is great for scrap busting since it can be worked in 1 or up to 9 colors (depending on the size).
To make similar stripes as in the pattern pictures you will need 7 (7, 8, 8, 8) (8, 8, 9, 9) stripes for the body (neckline to body, not counting ribbing). The sleeves require an additional stripe for all sizes. Each stripe is 12 (12, 11, 11, 12) (12, 12, 11, 11) rounds tall.
In the sample pictured here I choose to use gray as my “main” color. I worked all the ribbing as well as one of the middle stripes with this color to give more cohesion to the sweater.
For the surface crochet / embroidered stripes make sure you pick a highly contrasting color compared to all your other colors. Off-white with the other colors being darker and more colourful or navy blue / black / charcoal gray if your other colors are light neutrals or pastels will give you the best results.
The Actual Color Divide Chunky Knit Sweater Pattern Free
Sweater Yoke
With your 8 mm / US 11 circular knitting needles, cast on 52 (52, 56, 58, 58) (58, 60, 66, 68) 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: 8, 18, 8, 18
- S: 6, 20, 6, 20
- M: 6, 22, 6, 22
- L: 5, 24, 5, 24
- XL: 4, 25, 4, 25
- 2XL: 7, 22, 7, 22
- 3XL: 5, 25, 5, 25
- 4XL: 5, 28, 5, 28
- 5XL: 3, 31, 3, 31
Increase Round 1: K1, M1L, [k until st before marker, M1R, k1, slip marker, k1, M1L] three times, knit until last st, M1R, k1. <60 (60, 64, 66, 66) (66, 68, 74, 76) st>
For sizes XS to XL only:
Knit 2 rounds in stockinette stitch.
Repeat [Increase Round 1 followed by 2 round in stockinette stitch] 6 (6, 6, 4, 4) (X, X, X, X) times. <100 (116, 128, 162, 178) (X, X, X, X) 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.
Repeat [Increase Round 1 followed by 1 round in stockinette stitch] 6 (8, 9, 13, 15) (X, X, X, X) times. <156 (172, 184, 202, 218) (X, X, X, X) st>
Knit 4 (2, 1, 1, 0) (X, X, X, X) rounds.
For size 2XL only:
Knit 1 rounds in stockinette stitch.
Repeat [Increase Round 1 followed by 1 round in stockinette stitch] X (X, X, X, X) (23, X, X, X) times. <X (X, X, X, X) (250, X, X, X) 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 3XL to 5XL only:
Repeat Increase Round 1 another X (X, X, X, X) (X, 3, 4, 4) times. <X (X, X, X, X) (X, 92, 106, 108)>
Repeat [Increase Round 1 followed by 1 round in stockinette stitch] X (X, X, X, X) (X, 21, 21, 22) times. <X (X, X, X, X) (X, 260, 274, 284) 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.
Split for Sleeves
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 34 st on hold, k44, put 34 st on hold, k44. <88 st left on your needles>
- S: Put 36 st on hold, k50, put 36 st on hold, k50. <100 st left on your needles>
- M: Put 38 st on hold, k54, put 38 st on hold, k54. <108 st left on your needles>
- L: Put 41 st on hold, k60, put 41 st on hold, k60. <120 st left on your needles>
- XL: Put 44 st on hold, k65, put 44 st on hold, k65. <130 st left on your needles>
- 2XL: Put 55 st on hold, k70, put 55 st on hold, k70. <140 st left on your needles>
- 3XL: Put 55 st on hold, k75, put 55 st on hold, k75. <150 st left on your needles>
- 4XL: Put 57 st on hold, k80, put 57 st on hold, k80. <160 st left on your needles>
5XL: Put 57 st on hold, k85, put 57 st on hold, k85. <170 st left on your needles>
Sweater Body
Knit in stockinette st until you reach approximately 34 cm / 13.25” from sleeve separation making sure you finish your stripe repeat.
Note: Try on your sweater and adjust length if desired, taking into account the ribbing will add another 4 cm / 1.5”.
Switch to gray color yarn.
Work half of the body stitches in rows back and forth (leaving the other half on the side): [K1, p1] across for 6 rows. Cast off and weave in the end.
Go back to the other half of the body stitches and [k1, p1] for 6 rows. 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 36 (32, 30, 28, 25) (6, 7, 4, 5) rounds.
*Decrease Round: K1, k2tog, k until last 3 st, ssk, k1. <32 (34, 36, 39, 42) (53, 53, 55, 55) st>
Knit 3 rounds in stockinette stitch.
Repeat from * 2 (3, 4, 5, 6) (11, 11, 12, 12) times. <28 (28, 28, 29, 30) (31, 31, 31, 31)>
Knit in the round until you finish your stripe repeat then switch to gray color yarn.
Work 8 rounds in 1×1 ribbing (alternating k1, p1) around.
Cast off and weave in the ends.
Collar
With your grey color yarn, pick up 52 (52, 56, 58, 58) (58, 60, 66, 68) st around the neckline.
[K1, p1] around for 18 rounds.
Cast off and leave a long tail for sewing.
Fold the collar in half towards the inside of the sweater and sew the cast-off edge to the picked up stitches on the inside.
Blocking
You are done with the knitting part. Make sure to weave in all the ends.
To make your sweater even prettier, help even your stitches, 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.
White Contrast Lines
To add the off-white contrast lines you have 2 options: surface crochet or embroidery.
Independently of the technique you choose you’ll work the divider lines all around at every color change across the sweater, including the transition to the ribbed sections.
Note: Be careful to make sure the white lines are worked loosely as not to change the size and fit of your sweater
Option 1: Use a 10 mm crochet hook and surface crochet
Find the complete video tutorial here!
Option 2: Use a tapestry needle and embroider them on the sweater.
Although the crochet technique is a bit faster, if you don’t crochet or don’t have the right hook size, you can use a tapestry needle to embroider the divider lines instead.
Find the full video tutorial here.
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You may not share, sell or claim my patterns as your own. You can make finished items to sell (i.e. on Etsy, at craft fairs) from my patterns but I ask that you link back to my blog knittingwithchopsticks.com and provide credit for the pattern. Copyright 2024
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