Free knitting patterns for ladies pullover sweaters

Knitting sweaters and cardigans is such a classic pattern that everyone must try sometime in their knitting adventures. With this selection of over 200 Free Sweater and Cardigan Knitting Patterns, you’re bound to find one or two or a few to knit! Choose from baby to kids to adults sweater knitting patterns. While a traditional cardigan is nice, there’s also come cool modern variations on knitting patterns. Enjoy!

I recently wrote a blog post about the 10 Best Cardigan Knitting Patterns for Fall. It features many top-down cardigans because they are a big trend.

However, I received so many requests for simple bottom-up sweaters; I decided to round up 10 projects that are great for beginners or those who like to sew sweaters in pieces (instead of in-the-round) and then seam them together.

With simple bottom-up sweaters, most often, you are knitting back and forth on straight needles and basically making rectangles then sewing the pieces together to create a garment. It s called flat panel construction and is similar to a sewing pattern.

Rather than cutting the pieces out of fabric and piecing them together, you will knit the pieces just the right size and then sew them together.

This method of sweater construction is ideal for understanding the foundation of garments, shaping, and overall fit.

What I love most is that all of the sweaters in this blog post are FREE patterns!

Before we get into the patterns, I want to share a few related blog posts. I hope you them find helpful when choosing yarns, needles for your project, as well as some knitting help.

  • Knitting Needle Conversion Guide

  • Yarn Weights Comparison Chart

  • Learn to Knit

  • Knitting Abbreviations Reference Guide

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Easy Sweater Free Knitting Patterns

Free knitting patterns for ladies pullover sweaters

#1. Simple Sweater Free Knitting Pattern

Designed by Ashleigh Kiser aka Sewrella, this Simple Knit Sweater the project for a first time pullover. It’s knitted in pieces from the bottom up and then seamed together. The body is worked in garter stitch (knit every row) on chunky yarn so you can make a sweater in a weekend.

  • Get Free Knitting Pattern

  • Go to Pattern on Ravelry

  • Get Yarn for this Project

Free knitting patterns for ladies pullover sweaters

#2. Sandbar Pullover Free Knitting Pattern

Designed by Rae Blacklege, Sandbar is a relaxed fit pullover. It looks like you grabbed your boyfriend’s big comfy pullover and threw it on for weekend wear. This crew-neck sweater is knitted in pieces from the bottom up and then seamed. Sandbar features a tuck-stitch pattern and uses worsted-aran weight yarn.

  • Get Free Knitting Pattern

  • Go to Pattern on Ravelry

  • Get Yarn for this Project

Free knitting patterns for ladies pullover sweaters

#3. Callie Pullover Free Knitting Pattern

Callie is a simple pullover pattern knit from the bottom up. Topped with a deep, cozy funnel neck, this sweater has short sleeves and a simple silhouette. It uses Berroco Brielle worsted weight yarn for lots of depth and texture.

  • Get Free Knitting Pattern

  • Get Yarn for this Project

Free knitting patterns for ladies pullover sweaters

#4. Tweedy Stripey Pullover Free Pattern to Knit

I think this is my favorite sweater from the collection shown in this blog post. Tweedy Stripey was designed by Leslie Weber and it’s a free pattern. It’s a very simple, boxy pullover with no shaping and wide neckline.

It uses a tweed yarn which is on trend for the season.

  • Get Free Pattern on Ravelry

  • Get Yarn for this Project

Free knitting patterns for ladies pullover sweaters

#5. Basic V-Neck Pullover Free Knitting Pattern

Sometimes, a simple pullover is all you need. Great for beginners, this pullover is knit in the round from the bottom up until the neckline in simple stockinette through out the body. Hemmed cuffs and a v-neck collar completes this classic sweater.

  • Get Free Knitting Pattern

  • Get Yarn for this Project

Free knitting patterns for ladies pullover sweaters

Free knitting patterns for ladies pullover sweaters

Free knitting patterns for ladies pullover sweaters

#8. Mimic Pullover Free Knitting Pattern

This easy pullover can be worn vest-like (as shown in the pics) or as a shorter sleeved drop shoulder sweater without an undershirt. There are no short rows! The sweater gauge, drape and unique construction is built to create the beautiful curved longer back hem line naturally. Mimi uses a DK weight yarn.

  • Get Free Knitting Pattern

  • Get Yarn for this Project

Free knitting patterns for ladies pullover sweaters

#9. Gillian Pullover Free Knitting Pattern

Knit yourself a simple sweater that you’ll wear all the time! Gillian is a mock-neck pullover using Lion Brand Touch of Mohair yarn for softness. The sweater is knitted in pieces from the bottom up and then seamed.

  • Get Free Knitting Pattern

  • Get Yarn for this Project

Free knitting patterns for ladies pullover sweaters

#10. Extra Easy Sweater Free Knitting Pattern

You can knit a sweater! The Extra Easy Extra Fabulous sweater uses Lion Brand Wool-Ease Thick & Quick Yarn for ultra fast results.

  • Get Free Knitting Pattern

  • Get Yarn for this Project

Which project will you be knitting first? Let me know in the comments below.

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Free knitting patterns for ladies pullover sweaters

What is the best project for a first time pullover knitter?

Simple Sweater Free Knitting Pattern Designed by Ashleigh Kiser aka Sewrella, this Simple Knit Sweater the project for a first time pullover. It’s knitted in pieces from the bottom up and then seamed together. The body is worked in garter stitch (knit every row) on chunky yarn so you can make a sweater in a weekend. #2.

Which is the best free knit sweater pattern?

The Classic Knit Jacket is a thorough free knit sweater pattern with an… More Fashionable yet classic, the Timeless Cabled Sweater is a knit sweater… More This Eyelet Cardigan Knitting Pattern is a fun and customizable summer… More The Knit Kimono Sweater is a beautiful layering piece to add to your… More

What are the best knit Rowan pullovers for beginners?

The pattern is ideal for the intermediate knitter but don’t be swayed if you are a beginner, just follow the pattern to achieve your new ‘Harald’ KnitRowan pullover. FREE Pattern is available here. 3. Mom’s Pullover by Bernat Knit your very own (or matching) Bernat Mom’s Pullover, knit in Bernat Satin.

What kind of yarn do you use for a pullover?

Callie is a simple pullover pattern knit from the bottom up. Topped with a deep, cozy funnel neck, this sweater has short sleeves and a simple silhouette. It uses Berroco Brielle worsted weight yarn for lots of depth and texture. #4. Tweedy Stripey Pullover Free Pattern to Knit

Can you download free knitting patterns?

We've got hundreds of patterns that you can easily download for free at the click of a button, including designs from top brands such as Caron, Bernat, Rowan, Lion Brand and more!

How do you knit a sweater with straight needles?

You knit a sweater with straight knitting needles by knitting 4 pieces and then stitching them together. This is known as knitting a sweater flat. You knit 2 larger pieces for the front and back and 2 sleeves. Then you seam all the pieces together to make your sweater.

How many stitches do you need for a sweater?

Start by casting the number of stitches for the size of your sweater using the size 8 needles. For example, you'll need 63 stitches for a small sweater, 70 for a medium, and 77 for a large. Once you've casted your stitches, begin working in the garter stitch, which will form the bottom border of your sweater.