Knitting

Free Patterns, Tutorials and Project Ideas

A Pretty Circular Yoke Sweater to Get You Through Winter

by

I was thinking the other day about how I really like circular yoke sweaters, and I hardly ever knit them. This is a style that’s worked in one piece from the top down, and you generally increase a lot of stitches over a few strategically placed rounds (as opposed to, say, a raglan sweater where you’re increasing every round or two).

The fun thing about them is they’re a great canvas for colorwork, whether you start with smaller motifs and make them bigger as you go down the yoke, or just for doing different bands of colorwork as you go.

The Floe Jumper from The Petite Knitter uses a variety of diamonds, zigzags and other little designs worked in three different colors to make the yoke fun and interesting to knit. The colors are inspired by a sunny winter day in the Arctic, but you can change it up with whatever colors you prefer.

This sweater is worked with DK weight yarn in four colors total, and it comes in 10 sizes, with garment chest measurements ranging from 31 to 66 inches, or 79 to 168 centimeters. The sweater is meant to be worn with 3 to 5 inches (7.5 to 13 cm) of positive ease. 

As shown it has a cropped length and bracelet length sleeves, but the pattern includes customization options for the length of the sweater and the sleeves, as well as optional waist shaping.

You can buy the pattern (which is available in English and French) on Ravelry or direct from the designer.

If you’re looking for more circular yoke sweater knitting patterns or want to learn more about this style of garment, check out my review of the book Only Yoking by Olga Putano, which includes three base bodies with four different yoke options each to give you a range of designs to work in different weights of yarn.

[Photo: The Petite Knitter]

Have you read?

Free Knitted Crown Pattern for Kids and Adults: A Sweet Handmade Dress-Up Idea

There’s something wonderfully charming about a knitted crown. It’s playful, useful for the dress-up basket, and just the sort of small project that gives a leftover ball of yarn a proper purpose. Much better than letting it roll around the cupboard for another three years.

This free knitted crown pattern for kids and adults combines a simple garter-stitch band with shaped triangular points. The mustard-gold colour gives it that storybook crown look, although pink, purple or woodland green would be equally lovely.

A Manageable Next Step for Beginner Knitters

The construction is the appealing part of this design. Everything is knitted flat, so you won’t need double-pointed needles or experience joining stitches in the round.

You knit the band first, then work each crown point separately over a group of 12 stitches. Paired decreases gradually narrow each triangle, giving you a small, repeatable section to concentrate on.

I’d describe this as a confident beginner knitting project. You’ll need to know how to knit, work two types of decreases, hold unused stitches and sew a simple seam. There are several yarn tails to weave in, so a little patience with finishing will help.

Three Sizes With Room to Personalise

The pattern includes three sizes, with seven, eight or nine crown points. Choose by the wearer’s head measurement rather than age, and check your gauge carefully. Yarn stretch will make a noticeable difference to the fit.

For birthdays, an embroidered initial would be a sweet finishing touch. Contrasting yarn diamonds could suggest little jewels without adding hard embellishments.

What to Know Before Casting On

This is a soft knitted crown, so expect gentle points rather than a rigid costume accessory. A springy wool or wool-blend yarn should give the shaping more support than a very drapey yarn.

The stitch calculations have been checked, but the design has not yet been sample-knitted. The accompanying image is an illustrative mockup, so the finished texture and proportions may vary with your yarn and tension.

For a small handmade birthday accessory or a cheerful addition to the dress-up box, this is an appealing idea. And if an adult needs a matching crown for supervising the royal household, the larger size has that covered too.