Free Five Days Quick Sweater Knitting Pattern

My quick sweater knitting pattern is free and simple, and will show you how to knit a modern sweater for ladies in sizes XS to XXL in just five days.

The Five Day Quick Knit Sweater

If you are looking for a quick sweater knitting pattern that is completely free, simple, and styled for a modern ladies wardrobe, this design delivers a fast, enjoyable knit with plenty of relaxed ease.

Designed to fit sizes XS to XXL, this quick sweater combines textured garter stitch with a delicate, feminine pattern stitch to create a classic, boxy pullover.

It is the ultimate knitting project for anyone who wants a cozy, no-frills top perfect for raking leaves or working outdoors, and you can comfortably finish it in just five days.

You can find even more of my clothing knit patterns here.

How Fast Can You Knit a Sweater?

How fast you can finish depends on the construction, but with this quick sweater knitting pattern, working up a modern ladies pullover is surprisingly fast.

The simple body is worked flat in two straightforward pieces, meaning side seams are the only assembly required before picking up stitches directly for the 3/4 length sleeves.

This allows you to knit with total ease across sizes XS to XXL. The textured stitches make the project incredibly addictive and hard to put down, making it entirely realistic to complete the whole garment in just five days.

How To Knit a Modern Sweater in Five Days

To get started on this quick sweater knitting pattern, you only need a few basic supplies for a simple, modern result.

Designed for ladies who want a fast knit with a comfortable fit and generous ease, the free pattern includes clear, step by step written instructions spanning sizes XS to XXL (34” to 52” bust).

Using accessible, budget friendly pure wool worsted weight 4 yarn (approx. 850 to 1500 yards) and some straight knitting needles you will work the body flat, and then you’ll use circular needles to work the sleeves in reverse stockinette stitch, making it the ideal weekend project or a quick handmade gift.

Free Knit Pattern: Five Days Sweater

Pattern Information

YARN:

Worsted weight yarn- 2-4 skeins of Lion Brand Fishermen’s Wool (depending on size). I used Oatmeal for the model shown here and my own, The Autumn Acorn merino wool dyed with pumpkin spice tea.
You can use 850-1500 yards of any worsted weight yarn. 

NOTIONS:

• US 10/6 mm knitting needles (longer length, for sweater body)
• US size 10/6 mm (16” or shorter circular knitting needles for neck)
• US 9/5.5 mm circular knitting needles (16” length or shorter for sleeves)  
• US 7/4.5 mm circular knitting needles (12” length, or DPNs, or 2 longer needles for magic needle technique; for cuffs) 
• Darning needle 
• Optional: Crochet hook if you prefer it for weaving in ends

GAUGE:

In garter stitch: 16 sts = 4 in/10 cm on US10/6mm (OR SIZE NEEDED TO OBTAIN GAUGE)

In reverse stockinette st: 20 sts = 4 in/10 cm using size 9/5.5mm needles. (OR SIZE NEEDED TO OBTAIN GAUGE)

SIZES: XS (S, M, L, XL, XXL)

FINISHED MEASUREMENTS:

(Note: this garment is meant to be worn loose and should be 3-5 inches larger than the wearer’s bust size.)   

Bust: 35 (38, 41, 44, 47, 50) in. 

Length:  23.5 (24, 24.5, 25, 25.5, 26) in.

(This loosely knit fabric will stretch a few inches when worn, so your finished measurements may not match these until blocked or worn for a while). 

Copyright Notice:

Feel free to sell your finished shawls made from this pattern, however, please do not copy, alter, or sell the pattern itself. For each of your listings, you must include the following: “Pattern provided by Judy Jewell of The Autumn Acorn at http://www.theautumnacorn.etsy.com“.

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You can also purchase a PDF version of the Five Days Quick Sweater Knitting Pattern.

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You can also purchase this pattern from The Autumn Acorn, Etsy, or Ravelry stores.

Let’s Begin The Free Knitting Pattern

FRONT BOTTOM:  

Begin at bottom edge of front, and work flat, turning at the end of each row as follows:

Using size 10/6 mm circular or straight knitting needles: CO 71 (77, 83, 89, 95, 101) sts loosely.

EYELET PATTERN SECTION: (mult. of 6 plus 5)

Row 1 (RS): k4, *p3, k3; rep from * to last st. k1. 

Row 2 (WS): p4, *k2tog, yo, k1, p3; rep from * to last st, p1. 

Row 3: k4, *p3, k3; rep from * to last st, k1. 

Row 4: knit. 

Row 5: k1, *p3, k3; rep from *, end p3, k1. 

Row 6: p1, *k2tog, yo, k1, p3; rep from * to last 4 sts, k2tog, yo, k1, p1.  Row 7: k1, *p3, k3: rep from *, end p3, k1.  Row 8: knit. 

Repeat rows 1-8 four times total. 

GARTER SECTION:

Knit back and forth (every row) in garter stitch for 30 rows. End last row on WS. 

EYELET PATTERN SECTION:

Work eyelet pattern section rows 1-8 four times total.

GARTER SECTION:

Knit back and forth (every row) in garter stitch for 30 (32, 34, 36, 38, 40) rows, or until pullover front reaches desired length from hip to top of shoulder. End last row on WS. 

NECK OPENING: 

Knit 21 (23, 25, 27, 30, 32) sts, BO 29 (31, 33, 35, 35, 37) sts using Jeny’s Surprisingly Stretchy Bind-OFF, knit 21 (23, 25, 27, 30, 32) sts.

Turn. Knit 21 (23, 25, 27, 30, 32), CO 29 (31, 33, 35, 35, 37) sts LOOSELY, knit 21 (23, 25, 27, 30, 32) sts. 

Turn. Do NOT break yarn. 

You will now continue working in one piece as you work the back section from the shoulders down to the back hip. 

GARTER SECTION:

Knit back and forth (every row) in garter stitch for 30 (32, 34, 36, 38, 40) rows (OR the same number of rows knit just before neckline). End last row on WS. 

EYELET PATTERN SECTION:

Work pattern section rows 1-8 four times total.

GARTER SECTION:

Knit back and forth (every row) in garter stitch for 30 rows. End last row on WS.

EYELET PATTERN SECTION:

Work pattern section rows 1-8 four times.

BO loosely on row 8 of your last repeat of the pattern section. 

SIDE SEAMS:

(Optional: block the body of the sweater first to help with seaming. Allow to dry completely.)  

Fold sweater in half so right sides are facing one another, and with darning needle and matching yarn, use mattress stitch to sew up both side seams, leaving an optional 7” opening at the hips to allow more movement when wearing if you like.  LEAVE a 7.25 (8, 8.5, 9, 9.25, 9.75)” opening at the top of the sweater on each side for armholes. 

SLEEVES:

Using the US 9/5.5 mm, 16” circular knitting needles, pick up 72 (80, 86, 90, 94, 98) sts for sleeve. [36 (40, 43, 45, 47, 49) sts along front and the same number along back armhole edges] 

Place a stitch marker at beg of 1st rnd (at side seam/underarm) and slip marker after you work each round. 

Purl 3 (3, 0, 2, 2, 2) rounds even. End last round 3 sts before marker. (For size Medium skip to “Then purl…” below.)

Work Dec round: P2tog, p 1, slip marker, p1, p2togtbl, p to marker.

Repeat these 4 (4, 0, 3, 3, 3) rounds 12 (5, 0, 20, 18, 16) times total. [48 (20, 0, 60, 54, 48) rounds worked.]

Then purl 2 (2, 2, 1, 1, 1) rounds even. 

Work Dec round: Purl to 3 sts before marker, p2tog, p 1, slip marker, p1, p2togtbl, p to marker. Repeat these 3 (3, 3, 2, 2, 2) rounds 4 (14, 21, 3, 6, 10) times total OR until sleeves are desired length, minus 1.25 (1.25, 1.25, 12.5, 1.5, 1.75) ins for ribbed cuff.

CUFFS:

Switch to US 7/4.5mm 16” circular needles (or DPNs or magic needles) and K1, p1 around for 8 (8, 8, 8, 10, 12) rounds or to desired cuff length. BO loosely in knit stitch.  Repeat on other side for second sleeve. 

NECKBAND:

Using US size 10/6.00 mm, 16” circular knitting needles, pick up and knit 64 (68, 72, 76, 76, 80 sts all around neck opening. Knit around twice. BO in “Jeny’s Surprisingly Stretchy Bind Off.”

BLOCKING:

Block sweater by soaking in tepid water with wool wash or mild shampoo. Wrap sweater in towel and gently roll it and up and press to remove excess water. Lay out flat and stretch gently to desired measurements. Allow to air dry completely. Weave in ends with darning needle or crochet hook.