A new beginner friendly easy knitted sweater pattern, the Freeze Frame Sweater, is now a free knitting pattern here on the blog. Read all about the top down knit sweater pattern construction, scroll down for the free pattern or grab the printable PDF from my shop, Etsy shop, Ravelry shop or get your Lion Brand Kit(pattern and yarn).
No time right now? Pin this easy knitted sweater pattern free for later!
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Meet your next go-to sweater for chilly days — the Freeze Frame Knit Sweater! This easy, top-down knit brings together cozy details and simple techniques to create a piece you’ll love wearing all season long. With a soft folded collar for extra warmth, gently puffed sleeves, and a snug cuff finish, it’s the perfect mix of comfort and modern style. The color block fade adds a beautiful gradient effect that’s as fun to knit as it is to show off, giving this classic silhouette a fresh, contemporary twist.
Worked in soft worsted-weight yarn, the Circular Yoke Sweater knits up quickly and has an effortlessly flattering fit, available in sizes XS through 5XL. Whether you’re making your very first sweater or adding a new favorite to your handmade wardrobe, this pattern is approachable, rewarding, and endlessly wearable. Best of all, it’s completely free on the blog — so grab your yarn, pick your colors, and cast on something cozy today!
Freeze Frame Easy Knitted Sweater Pattern Construction
This sweater is knitted top down in the round. You start at the collar, working a circular yoke by increasing on the specified rounds until you reach the underarm. Then you’ll split the stitches for the sleeves setting them aside while you keep working in the round for the body. Once the body’s done and finished off with ribbing, you’ll come back to the sleeve stitches and work them in the same way. Finally, you’ll pick up stitches around the neckline to create the folded collar.
Downloadable PDF for Freeze Frame Sweater Knitting Pattern
Grab the printable PDF of the Freeze Frame Sweater Pattern now in my shop, Etsy shop or on Ravelry shop or get the Lion Beand Kit:
Freeze Frame Sweater Knitting Pattern Lion Brand Kit
Knit your own cozy color block knit sweater! This sweater uses Lion Brand Wool-Ease (Worsted #4), a soft 80% acrylic, 20% wool blend combines the warmth of wool with the easy-care benefits of acrylic. Pick your yarn colors for this pattern kit, and you’ll need 7 to 13 skeins depending on your size (XS–5XL). With its seamless top-down circular yoke construction, this sweater is modern, comfy, and easy to knit—perfect for adding a handmade essential to your wardrobe.
More Easy Sweater Knitting Pattern you'll love
Before You Start Your Freeze Frame Top Down Knit Sweater Pattern
Materials
- 5 mm / US 8 circular knitting needles
- 4 mm / US 6 circular knitting needles
- Lion Brand Wool-Ease (85g, 80% acrylic, 20% wool, 197 yds / 180 m): you will need:
- 1 skein in Natural Heather [620-098]1 (1, 1, 1, 1) (2, 2, 2, 3) skeins in Blush Heather [620-140]
- 2 (2, 2, 3, 3) (3, 3, 4, 4) skeins in Rose heather [620-104]
- 3 (3, 3, 4, 4) (4, 4, 5, 5) skeins in Dark Rose Heather [620-139]
- Tapestry needle to weave in the ends
- Stitch markers:
- one stitch marker to mark the start of rounds.
- optional: you may also like to use a locking marker, i.e. a type that can be placed on a stitch rather than just on a needle to make matching the stitches in the folding collar easier.
- Measuring tape (recommended, but row counts are also given)
- Stitch holders
Note: I like to use an unused cable from my interchangeable needle set but you can also use a scrap of yarn.
Size
This women’s sweater knitting pattern is available in the following sizes: XS, S, M, L, XL, 2XL, 3XL, 4XL and 5XL.
Sizes are noted throughout the pattern in the following way: XS (S, M, L, XL) (2XL, 3XL, 4XL, 5XL).
The pictures illustrate size XL
Final garment measurements are:
- Bust circumference: 83.5 (93.5, 104, 114, 124) (134.5, 144.5, 154.5, 165) cm / 33 (37, 41, 45, 49) (53, 57, 61, 65)”.
- Upper arm sleeve circumference: 30.5 (31.5, 33.5, 36, 40) (45, 48.5, 52.5, 55) cm / 12 (12.5, 13, 14, 15.5) (17.5, 19, 20.5, 21.5)”.
- Sleeve length (after yoke): 40 (41.5, 43.5, 39, 39) (38, 39.5, 38.5, 38) / 15.5 (16.5, 17, 15.5, 15.5) (15, 15.5, 15, 15)”.
- Length (nape of neck to hem): 57 (57, 57.5, 64, 64) (67.5, 67.5, 71.5, 72) cm / 22.5 (22.5, 22.5, 25, 25) (26.5, 26.5, 28, 28.5)”.
The sweater is designed to be worn with a regular fit, with 5 – 15 cm / 2” – 6” ease at the bust.
Gauge
The gauge for this pattern with 5 mm / US 8 needles, in stockinette stitch, is 14.5 st by 22 rounds for a 10 cm by 10 cm / 4” by 4” square.
Abbreviations & Instructions
- st = stitch
- k = knit
- p = purl
- RLI = right lift increase, i.e. knit st below next st through the horizontal loop on the WS (either by passing working needle through the loop on the WS and lifting it onto the passive needle to knit or by knitting directly into the loop), then knit next stitch as usual.
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:
- In the round: knit continuously
- Worked flat: alternate knit rounds on the right side and purl rounds on the wrong side of your project.
- Picking up stitches: if you’re not familiar with this technique, this tutorial is very helpful.
- RLI = Right lift increase: i.e. knit st below next st through the horizontal loop on the WS (either by passing working needle through the loop on the WS and lifting it onto the passive needle to knit or by knitting directly into the loop), then knit next stitch as usual. If you’re not familiar with this technique here is my Youtube tutorial.
- Folded collar: Stitches for the collar are picked up at the neckline and worked to double the desired length then cast off and attached to the back of the picked-up stitches. If you’re not familiar with this technique here is my Youtube tutorial.
Sweater Construction
This sweater is knitted top down in the round. You start at the collar, working a circular yoke by increasing on the specified rounds until you reach the underarm. Then you’ll split the stitches for the sleeves setting them aside while you keep working in the round for the body. Once the body’s done and finished off with ribbing, you’ll come back to the sleeve stitches and work them in the same way. Finally, you’ll pick up stitches around the neckline to create the folded collar.
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.
To make four stripes, as shown in the pattern pictures, change color after working:
- With the first color (off white): 10 (10, 10, 11.5, 11.5) (12.5, 12.5, 12.5, 13.5) cm / 4 (4, 4, 4.5, 4.5) (5, 5, 5, 5.5)” / 22 (22, 22, 25, 25) (28, 28, 28, 30) rounds
- With the remaining three colors: 16 (16, 16, 17.5, 17.5) (18.5, 18.5, 18.5, 19.5) cm / 6.5 (6.5, 6.5, 7, 7) (7.5, 7.5, 7.5, 7.5)” / 35 (35, 35, 39, 39) (41, 41, 41, 43) rounds.
For the sleeves only, use the fourth color to continue to the specified length.
The Actual Free Freeze Frame Easy Knitted Sweater Pattern
Yoke
All Sizes
With your 5 mm / US 8 needles, cast on 90 sts and join in the round.
Place a marker to indicate the start of each round.
Round 1: Knit around. <90 sts>
Round 2 (Increase Round): [K4, RLI] around, knit to end of round. <108 sts>
Knit in stockinette st for 6 rounds.
Repeat Round 2 (Increase Round). <129 sts>
Knit in stockinette st for 9 rounds.
Size XS
[Repeat Round 2 (Increase Round).
Knit in stockinette st for 14 rounds] twice. <184 sts>
Final increase round: [k6, RLI] to last 2 sts, knit until end of round. <210 sts>
Knit around for 12 Rounds.
Size S
[Repeat Round 2 (Increase Round).
Knit in stockinette st for 12 rounds] three times. <220 sts>
Special Increase Round: [k26, RLI] until last 4 st, knit until end of round. <228 sts>
Knit around for 6 Rounds.
Size M
[Repeat Round 2 (Increase Round).
Knit in stockinette st for 12 rounds] three times. <220 sts>
Special Increase Round: [k7, RLI] to last 3 st, RLI, knit until end of round. <248 sts>
Knit around for 8 rounds.
Size L
[Repeat Round 2 (Increase Round).
Knit in stockinette st for 10 rounds] four times. <264 sts>
Special Increase Round: [k43, RLI] around. <270 sts>
Knit around for 5 rounds.
Size XL
[Repeat Round 2 (Increase Round).
Knit in stockinette st for 14 rounds] four times. <264 sts>
Special Increase Round: [k7, RLI] to last 8 st, knit until end of round. <296 sts>
Knit around for 3 rounds.
Size 2XL
[Repeat Round 2 (Increase Round).
Knit in stockinette st for 11 rounds] five times. <316 sts>
Special Increase Round: [k30, RLI] to last 6 st, knit until end of round. <326 sts>
Knit around for 4 rounds.
Size 3XL
[Repeat Round 2 (Increase Round).
Knit in stockinette st for 11 rounds] five times. <316 sts>
Special Increase Round: [k8, RLI] to last 10 st, knit until end of round. <350 sts>
Knit around for 6 rounds.
Size 4XL
[Repeat Round 2 (Increase Round).
Knit in stockinette st for 11 rounds] five times. <316 sts>
Special Increase Round: *[k4, RLI] three times, k5, RLI, repeat from * to last st, knit until end of round. <376 sts>
Knit around for 6 rounds.
Size 5XL
[Repeat Round 2 (Increase Round).
Knit in stockinette st for 10 rounds] six times. <379 sts>
Special Increase Round: [k17, RLI] to last st, knit until end of round. <400 sts>
Knit around for 2 rounds.
Divide body and sleeves
Optional tip for wearers with a large bust, e.g. E cup or larger: when following the instructions below, to create a little extra space in the front of the sweater, simply knit a few more stitches in the first knit section before placing the second group of stitches on the stitch holder and mark this as your front, then knit the same number fewer in the final knit section, i.e. back to the start of round marker.
[Place 44 (46, 49, 52, 58) (65, 70, 76, 80) sts on stitch holder, knit 61 (68, 75, 83, 90) (98, 105, 112, 120)] twice.
You will now continue to knit the two sections on the needle in the round together, omitting the stitches on stitch holders (where the sleeves will be worked later). Make sure you secure the stitch holders carefully.
Body
Work in stockinette (alternating knit and purl rounds) until you reach 20 cm / 8” / 44 Rounds from the join, continuing to change colours following the established pattern.
Body Ribbing
Switch to 4mm / US 6 needles.
Round 1: [K1, p1] around.
Repeat Round 1 for 8cm / 3” /18 Rounds.
Cast off.
Sleeves
Return the stitches on one of the stitch holders to the 5mm / US 8 circular needle, ready to work in the round.
Place marker to indicate start of round and work the stitches on the needles in stockinette (alternating knit and purl rounds) until you reach 32 (33.5, 35.5, 31, 31) (30, 31.5, 30.5, 30) cm / 12.5 (13, 14, 12, 12) (12, 12.5, 12, 12) / 70 (74, 78, 68, 68) (66, 69, 67, 66) rounds from the join, continuing to change colors following the established pattern.
Sleeves Ribbing
Switch to 4mm / US 6 needles.
Round 1: [K1, p1] around.
Repeat Round 1 for 8 cm / 3” / 18 rounds.
Cast off.
Repeat all sleeve instructions on stitches on remaining stitch holder.
Folded Collar
With 4mm / US 6 needles, pick up 90 sts around neck from the RS, i.e. 1 st in each st of the cast on edge. Place marker to indicate start of round.
Optional tip: in preparation for working the folded collar, carefully identify the cast on stitch below the first stitch you picked up and place a locking marker on it from the WS.
Round 1: [K1, p1] around.
Repeat Round 1 until ribbing is 12cm / 4.5”/ 26 rounds.
Bind off as follows, leaving a long tail for sewing: on the WS, fold the collar in half, with WS together, insert needle through next st to be worked in the usual manner, then through the marked/corresponding st on the cast on edge, knit both together, [insert needle through next st on passive needle and next st on the cast on edge, knit both together, lift previous st on working needle over the new stitch and off the needle] until all sts are bound off.
Blocking
You are done with the knitting part. Make sure to weave in all the ends.
To make your sweater prettier, help the cables pop and even out your stitches, carefully block your project to final dimensions.
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.
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