An easy stockinette stitch sweater knitting pattern – the Trio Sweater – is now a free sweater knitting pattern here on the blog.
This beginner-friendly sweater pattern is perfect for those just starting out with knitting. It features only the stockinette stitch, making it easy to follow and relaxing to work on. The design is simple yet stylish, with a loose, oversized fit that works for sizes XS to 5XL.
No time right now? Pin this free striped crochet sweater pattern for later!
The sweater’s design is minimalist yet versatile, with three wide stripes in different colors for a pop of style. It features a low, scooped round neckline that adds a touch of elegance while maintaining a casual vibe. The fit is loose and comfy, with simple tapered sleeves that offer a modern silhouette. The sleeves are worked after the body is completed, making the construction straightforward and minimizing the need for seams.
Knit bottom-up in the round, this sweater is almost seamless, with the only seams at the shoulders. Stitches for the sleeves are picked up from the body, making it an easy and satisfying project from start to finish. If you’re new to knitting and looking for a rewarding project, this simple, chic sweater with a soft, fluffy texture is an ideal choice to build your confidence.
*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 Yarn
The sweater is knit with a fluffy recycled alpaca yarn, creating a cozy feel, though you can easily substitute it with mohair or a mohair blend. A key benefit of the yarn is that it helps prevent the fabric from rolling after blocking, eliminating the need for any edgings.
You can substitute with a similar fluffy yarn such as mohair, a synthetic/blend imitating fluffy yarns or holding several strands of these together to get the same thickness.
The Trio Stockinette Stitch Sweater Construction
The body of the sweater knitting pattern is worked from the bottom up in the round in one piece. When reaching the armholes, the stitches are divided for the front and back panels. Some stitches are cast off at the armhole on each side.
The panels are then worked up flat in rows back and forth. Some shaping is done at the front panel for the scooped neck shaping.
Both panels are then sewed together at the shoulders and stitches for the sleeves are picked up. Sleeves are worked from the top to the cuff in the round.
Downloadable Trio Jumper Knitting Pattern
Grab the printable PDF of the Trio Sweater Knitting Pattern now in my shop, Etsy shop or on Ravelry.
Wear It Proud: Beginner Garments You’ll Actually Love
If you’re ready to wear what you knit and actually love how it fits and feels, the Wear It Proud: Knitting Collection is for you.
The pattern you’re looking at is part of this special collection, along with 9 other beginner-friendly garment patterns (sizes XS–5XL) that guide you step by step from your first cast-on to your finished sweater, cardigan, or top.
Each design is simple, wearable, and confidence-building, perfect for knitters who want to move beyond accessories and start making clothes that fit their life and their style.
Grab the Wear It Proud: Knitting Collection here >>
More Sweater Knitting Patterns You'll Love
Before You Start Your Beginner Stockinette Stitch Sweater Pattern Free
Materials
- 6 mm / US 10 circular knitting needles
- Hobbii Upcycled Suri Alpaca (Bulky weight 5, 100% alpaca, 110m/120yd, 50/1.75oz) in:
- Ground ginger (01): 2 (2, 2, 2, 2) (2, 3, 3, 3)
- Rose (05): 2 (2, 2, 2, 3) (3, 3, 3, 3)
- Parsley (06): 2 (2, 2, 2, 3) (3, 3, 3, 3)
- 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.
Size
The cardigan knitting pattern 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:
- Sweater bust measurement: 84 (95, 105, 116, 126) (136, 147, 156, 167) cm / 33.25 (37.25, 41.5, 45.5, 49.5) (53.75, 57.75, 61.25, 65.75)”.
- Armhole depth: 19 (20, 21, 23, 24) (25, 26.5, 28, 29) cm / 7.5 (7.75, 8.25, 9, 9.5) (9.75, 10.5, 11, 11.5)”.
- Sweater length: 53 (54, 55, 57, 58) (59, 60.5, 62, 63) cm / 20.75 (21.25, 21.5, 22.5, 22.75) (23.25, 23.75, 24.5, 24.75)”
The sweater is designed with a normal to loose fit 10 – 15 cm / 4” – 6” ease at the bust.
Gauge
The gauge for this pattern, in stockinette stitch, is 13.5 st by 16 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 (right leaning decrease)
- ssk = slip slip knit (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
- Stockinette stitch
- flat: knit on right side, purl on the wrong side
- in the round: knit all stitches around.
- Pick up stitches: For the sweater sleeves you’ll need to pick up stitches. This video tutorial is very helpful if you’re not familiar with this technique.
Construction
The body of the sweater knitting pattern is worked from the bottom up in the round in one piece. When reaching the armholes, the stitches are divided for the front and back panels. Some stitches are cast off at the armhole on each side. The panels are then worked up flat in rows back and forth. Some shaping is done at the front panel for the scooped neck shaping. Both panels are then sewed together at the shoulders and stitches for the sleeves are picked up. Sleeves are worked from the top to the cuff in the round.
The Actual Trio Stockinette Stitch Sweater Free Knitting Pattern
Sweater Body
With you 6 mm / US 10 knitting needles and green color yarn, cast on 114 (128, 142, 156, 170) (184, 198, 210, 226) st.
Knit in stockinette until you reach 17 cm / 6.75”.
Switch to blush pink and knit in stockinette for another 17 cm / 6.75”.
Split for Sleeves
Switch to off-white color yarn, and work as follows: cast off 8 st, knit 49 (56, 63, 70, 77) (84, 91, 97, 105), cast off 8st, knit until end of round.
Back Panel
Continue working with the 49 (56, 63, 70, 77) (84, 91, 97, 105) st you have on your needle and knit flat in stockinette for 19 (20, 21, 23, 24) (25, 26.5, 28, 29) cm / 7.5 (7.75, 8.25, 9, 9.5, 9.75, 10.5, 11, 11.5)”.
Cast off and leave a long tail for sewing
Front Panel
Knit in stockinette for 4 (5, 6, 8, 9) (10, 11.5, 13, 14) cm / 1.5 (2, 2.25, 3.25, 3.5) (4, 4.5, 5, 5.5)”.
Neckline
Knit 19 (22, 26, 29, 33) (36, 40, 43, 47), cast off 11 (12, 11, 12, 11) (12, 11, 11, 11), knit 19 (22, 26, 29, 33) (36, 40, 43, 47).
Work each shoulder separately.
[Purl across
K1, ssk, knit across] 5 times. <14 (17, 21, 24, 28) (31, 35, 38, 42) st>
Knit in stockinette until you reach 15 cm / 6” from bottom of the neckline.
Go back to the stitches you left for the other shoulder and join yarn at the shoulder side.
[Purl across
Knit until last 3 st, k2tog, k] 5 times. <14 (17, 21, 24, 28) (31, 35, 38, 42) st>
Assembly
Sew up the shoulder seams.
Sleeve
With off white color yarn and your 6 mm / US 10 knitting needles pick up 52 (54, 56, 62, 64) (68, 72, 76, 78) st around the armhole (not including the indent).
Note: Leave a long tail for sewing the indent.
Knit in stockinette flat for 5 rounds then join in the round.
Knit in the round for 2 rounds.
Switch to pink color yarn.
You are going to work a 17 cm / 6.75” block in pink before switching to green color for the end of the sleeves. To simplify notations for the different sizes and decrease rates the colors are not indicated in the instructions below
Knit in stockinette for 30 (28, 26, 12, 19) (12, 11, 5, 3) rounds.
[Decrease: K1, k2tog, knit until last 3 st, ssk, k1
Knit 3 rounds] repeat until you have 38 (38, 38, 36, 36) (36, 34, 34, 34) st left.
[Decrease: K1, k2tog, knit until last 3 st, ssk, k1
Knit 7 rounds] repeat until you have 32 st left.
Knit in stockinette without decreases until total sleeve length from underarm (starting in the round) is 62 (59, 55, 51, 45) (38, 30, 26, 20) cm / 24.5 (23.25, 21.75, 20, 17.75) (15, 11.75, 10.25, 7.75)”.
Sewing
Sew the indent to the sleeve closed.
Blocking
You are done with the knitting part. Make sure to weave in all the ends.
To make cardigan even prettier, help even your stitches 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.
Please Respect My Work
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
I love to see your projects, tag them #knittingwithchopsticks so I can see and share what you make.
Thank you!
Pin this easy knitted stotckinette stitch sweater pattern for later!
