Christmas Tree Sweater Knitting Pattern: Free Tutorial

Christmas Tree Sweater Knitting Pattern – This classic crewneck style sweater is designed with a textured tree detailing at the waist.

The unique design will be sure to find a home in your winter wardrobe as both a Christmas sweater during the holidays and as a classic addition to your cold weather wardrobe.

Make one for yourself or give it as a gift, this sweater is a real joy to knit.

Skill Level: Intermediate

Materials:

5 (5, 6, 6, 7, 8, 8) skeins, 1035 (1035, 1242, 1242, 1449, 1656, 1656) yards — Lion Brand Touch of Alpaca yarn (shown in Olive)
Size US 7 (4.5 mm) 36” (or longer for larger sizes) circular knitting needle
Size US 7 (4.5 mm) double pointed needles or long circular needle for magic loop technique Size US 6 (4 mm) 36” (or longer for larger sizes) circular knitting needle
Size US 6 (4 mm) double pointed needles or long circular needle for magic loop technique Cable needle
Stitch Markers
Tapestry needle for finishing

Gauge: 19sts x 28 rows = 4”

Dimensions:

XS (S, M, L, XL, 2X, 3X)
Finished Chest Circumference: 35.5 (38, 40, 44, 48, 53, 56)”
Length from Underarm to Bottom Edge: 15.5 (16, 16.5, 16.5, 17, 17, 17.5)”
Sleeve Length from Cuff to Underarm: 18.5 (19, 19, 19.5, 19.5, 20, 20)”

Help Choosing Size: Model is 6’ tall with a 34” bust, 36” hips, and is pictured wearing a size medium. To find your size, measure your bust and choose the size where the finished measurements are 4-6” larger. For example, if your bust measurement is 39 inches, you would wear a size large. You may add more or less ease for a looser or tighter sweater.

Notes: This pattern is worked starting at the bottom and working up to the neckline. Body and sleeves will be worked separately and then joined to form the shoulders, which will be shaped with decreases.

Abbreviations:

Beg = beginning
CO = cast on
Cont = continue
C1f = cable one front. Slip the next stitch onto a cable needle and hold in the front of your work, knit the next stitch on your left needle, then knit the stitch off the cable needle.
C1b= cable one back. Slip the next stitch onto a cable needle and hold in the back of your work, knit the next stitch on your left needle, then knit the stitch off the cable needle.
Dec = decrease K= knit
K2tog = knit 2 together (right leaning decrease)
M = stitch marker
M1R = make one right. Pick up the bar between the stitch you just knit and the one you are about to knit with your left needle from back to front, knit through the front.
M1L = make one left. Pick up the bar between the stitch you just knit and the one you are about to knit with your left needle from front to back, knit through the back.
P = purl
PM = place marker
P2sso = pass the two stitches that you slipped together knit-wise over the stitch that you just worked (2 stitches decreased)
Rep = repeat
Sl1 = slip one stitch purl-wise
Sl2 = slip the next two stitches purl-wise
Sl2tog k-wise = slip the next two stitches together as if to knit
SM = slip marker
Ssk= slip the next two stitches separately as if to knit, insert your left needle into the front loops of these stitches and knit them together (left leaning decrease)
St = stitch
Stst= stockinette stitch

PATTERN INSTRUCTIONS

Christmas Tree Sweater Knitting Pattern Free

Body:

With size 6 needles, cast on 170 (180, 190, 210, 228, 252, 266) sts. Join to work in round. Work in k1, p1 rib stitch until piece measures 2.25” from CO edge.

On the next round, switch to size 7 needles and continue working the body.

Round 1: knit.

2: *PM, k8 (9, 10, 12, 10, 12, 10), sl1, k16 (17, 18, 20, 18, 20, 18), sl1, k8. Rep from * to end of round.

3: knit.

4: *SM, k8 (9, 10, 12, 10, 12, 10), sl1, k16 (17, 18, 20, 18, 20, 18), sl1, k to M. Rep from * to end of round.

5-6: as 3-4.

7: *SM, k8 (9, 10, 12, 10, 12, 10), M1R, k18 (19, 20, 22, 20, 22, 20), M1L, k to M. Rep from * to end of round.

8: *SM, k8 (9, 10, 12, 10, 12, 10), sl2, k16 (17, 18, 20, 18, 20, 18), sl2, k to M. Rep from * to end of round.

9: *SM, k7 (8, 9, 11, 9, 11, 9), c1b, k1, M1L, k16 (17, 18, 20, 18, 20, 18), M1R, k1, c1f, k to M. Rep from * to end of round.

10: *SM, k7 (8, 9, 11, 9, 11, 9), sl1, k1, sl2, k16 (17, 18, 20, 18, 20, 18), sl2, k1, sl1, k to M. Rep from * to end of round.

11: *SM, k6 (7, 8, 10, 8, 10, 8), c1b, k2, c1f, k14 (15, 16, 18, 16, 18, 16), c1b, k2, c1f, k to M. Rep from * to end of round.

12: *SM, k6 (7, 8, 10, 8, 10, 8), sl1, k2, sl1, k1, sl1, k14 (15, 16, 18, 16, 18, 16), sl1, k1, sl1, k2, sl1, k to M. Rep from * to end of round.

13: *SM, k5 (6, 7, 9, 7, 9, 7), c1b, k2, M1R, k2, c1f, k12 (13, 14, 16, 14, 16, 14), c1b, k2, M1L, k2, c1f, k to M. Rep from * to end of round.

14: *SM, k5 (6, 7, 9, 7, 9, 7), sl1, k3, sl2, k2, sl1, k12 (13, 14, 16, 14, 16, 14), sl1, k2, sl2, k3, sl1, k to M. Rep from * to end of round.

15: *SM, k4 (5, 6, 8, 6, 8, 6), c1b, k2, c1b, k1, M1L, k2, c1f, k10 (11, 12, 14, 12, 14, 12), c1b, k2, M1R, k1, c1f, k2, c1f, k to M. Rep from * to end of round.

16: *SM, k4 (5, 6, 8, 6, 8, 6), sl1, k3, sl1, k1, sl2, k3, sl1, k10 (11, 12, 14, 12, 14, 12), sl1, k3, sl2, k1, sl1, k3, sl1, k to M. Rep from * to end of round.

17: *SM, k3 (4, 5, 7, 5, 7, 5), c1b, k2, c1b, k2, c1f, k2, c1f, k8 (9, 10, 12, 10, 12, 10), c1b, k2, c1b, k2, c1f, k2, c1f, k to M. Rep from * to end of round.

18: *SM, k3 (4, 5, 7, 5, 7, 5), sl1, k3, sl1, k2, sl1, k1, sl1, k3, sl1, k8 (9, 10, 12, 10, 12, 10), sl1, k3, sl1, k1, sl1, k2, sl1, k3, sl1, k to M. Rep from * to end of round.

19: *SM, k2 (3, 4, 6, 4, 6, 4), c1b, k2, c1b, k2, M1R, k2, c1f, k2, c1f, k6 (7, 8, 10, 8, 10, 8), c1b, k2, c1b, k2, M1L, k2, c1f, k2, ssk, k to M. Rep from * to end of round.

20: *SM, k2 (3, 4, 6, 4, 6, 4), sl1, k3, sl1, k3, sl2, k2, sl1, k3, sl1, k6 (7, 8, 10, 8, 10, 8), sl1, k3, sl1, k2, sl2, k3, sl1, k to M. Rep from * to end of round.

21: *SM, k1 (2, 3, 5, 3, 5, 3), c1b, k2, c1b, k2, c1b, k1, M1L, k2, c1f, k2, c1f, k4 (5, 6, 8, 6, 8, 6), k2tog, k2, c1b, k2, M1R, k1, c1f, k2, c1f, k to M. Rep from * to end of round.

22: *SM, k1 (2, 3, 5, 3, 5, 3), sl1, k3, sl1, k3, sl1, k1, sl2, k3, sl1, k3, sl1, k7 (8, 9, 11, 9, 11, 9), sl1, k3, sl2, k1, sl1, k3, sl1, k to M. Rep from * to end of round.

23: *SM, k0 (1, 2, 4, 2, 4, 2), k2tog, k2, c1b, k2, c1b, k2, c1f, k2, c1f, k2, c1f, k5 (6, 7, 9, 7, 9, 7), c1b, k2, c1b, k2, c1f, k2, ssk, k to M. Rep from * to end of round.

24: *SM, k3 (4, 5, 7, 5, 7, 5), sl1, k3, sl1, k2, sl1, k1, sl1, k3, sl1, k3, sl1, k5 (6, 7, 9, 7, 9, 7), sl1, k3, sl1, k1, sl1, k2, sl1, k to M. Rep from * to end of round.

25: *SM, k2 (3, 4, 6, 4, 6, 4), c1b, k2, c1b, k2, M1R, k2, c1f, k2, c1f, k2, ssk, k3 (4, 5, 7, 5, 7, 5), k2tog, k2, c1b, k2, M1L, k2, c1f, k to M. Rep from * to end of round.

26: *SM, k2 (3, 4, 6, 4, 6, 4), sl1, k3, sl1, k3, sl2, k2, sl1, k3, sl1, k9 (10, 11, 13, 11, 13, 11), sl1, k2, sl2, k3, sl1, k to M. Rep from * to end of round.

27: *SM, k1 (2, 3, 5, 3, 5, 3), k2tog, k2, c1b, k2, c1b, k1, M1L, k2, c1f, k2, c1f, k7 (8, 9, 11, 9, 11, 9), c1b, k2, M1R, k1, c1f, k2, ssk, k to M. Rep from * to end of round.

28: *SM, k4 (5, 6, 8, 6, 8, 6), sl1, k3, sl1, k1, sl2, k3, sl1, k3, sl1, k7 (8, 9, 11, 9, 11, 9), sl1, k3, sl2, k1, sl1, k to M. Rep from * to end of round.

29: *SM, k3 (4, 5, 7, 5, 7, 5), c1b, k2, c1b, k2, c1f, k2, c1f, k2, ssk, k5 (6, 7, 9, 7, 9, 7), k2tog, k2, c1b, k2, c1f, k to M. Rep from * to end of round.

30: *SM, k3 (4, 5, 7, 5, 7, 5), sl1, k3, sl1, k2, sl1, k1, sl1, k3, sl1, k11 (12, 13, 15, 13, 15, 13), sl1, k1, sl1, k2, sl1, k to M. Rep from * to end of round.

31: *SM, k2 (3, 4, 6, 4, 6, 4), k2tog, k2, c1b, k2, M1R, k2, c1f, k2, c1f, k9 (10, 11, 13, 11, 13, 11), c1b, k2, M1L, k2, ssk, k to M. Rep from * to end of round.

32: *SM, k5 (6, 7, 9, 7, 9, 7), sl1, k3, sl2, k2, sl1, k3, sl1, k9 (10, 11, 13, 11, 13, 11), sl1, k2, sl2, k to M. Rep from * to end of round.

33: *SM, k4 (5, 6, 8, 6, 8, 6), c1b, k2, c1b, k1, M1L, k2, c1f, k2, ssk, k7 (8, 9, 11, 9, 11, 9), k2tog, k2, M1R, k1, c1f, k to M. Rep from * to end of round.

34: *SM, k4 (5, 6, 8, 6, 8, 6), sl1, k3, sl1, k1, sl2, k3, sl1, k13 (14, 15, 17, 15, 17, 15), sl2, k1, sl1, k to M. Rep from * to end of round.

35: *SM, k3 (4, 5, 7, 5, 7, 5), k2tog, k2, c1b, k2, c1f, k2, c1f, k11 (12, 13, 15, 13, 15, 13), c1b, k2, ssk, k to M. Rep from * to end of round.

36: *SM, k6 (7, 8, 10, 8, 10, 8), sl1, k2, sl1, k1, sl1, k3, sl1, k11 (12, 13, 15, 13, 15, 13), sl1, k1, sl1, k to M. Rep from * to end of round.

37: *SM, k5 (6, 7, 9, 7, 9, 7), c1b, k2, M1R, k2, c1f, k2, ssk, k9 (10, 11, 13, 11, 13, 11), k2tog, k to M. Rep from * to end of round.

38: *SM, k5 (6, 7, 9, 7, 9, 7), sl1, k3, sl2, k2, sl1, k14 (15, 16, 18, 16, 18, 16), sl1, k to M. Rep from * to end of round.

39: *SM, k4 (5, 6, 8, 6, 8, 6), k2tog, k2, c1b, k1, M1L, k2, c1f, k to M. Rep from * to end of round.

40: *SM, k7 (8, 9, 11, 9, 11, 9), sl1, k1, sl2, k3, sl1, k13 (14, 15, 17, 15, 17, 15), sl1, k to M. Rep from * to end of round.

41: *SM, k6 (7, 8, 10, 8, 10, 8), c1b, k2, c1f, k2, ssk, k to M. Rep from * to end of round. 42: *SM, k6 (7, 8, 10, 8, 10, 8), sl1, k2, sl1, k1, sl1, k to M. Rep from * to end of round. 43: *SM, k5 (6, 7, 9, 7, 9, 7), k2tog, k2, M1R, k2, c1f, k to M. Rep from * to end of round. 44: *SM, k8 (9, 10, 12, 10, 12, 10), sl2, k2, sl1, k to M. Rep from * to end of round.

45: *SM, k7 (8, 9, 11, 9, 11, 9), c1b, k1, M1L, k2, ssk, k to M. Rep from * to end of round.

46: *SM, k7 (8, 9, 11, 9, 11, 9), sl1, k1, sl2, k to M. Rep from * to end of round.

47: *SM, k6 (7, 8, 10, 8, 10, 8), k2tog, k2, c1f, k to M. Rep from * to end of round.

48: *SM, k8 (9, 10, 12, 10, 12, 10), sl1, k1, sl1, k to M. Rep from * to end of round.

49: *SM, k10 (11, 12, 14, 12, 14, 12), ssk, k to M. Rep from * to end of round.

50: *SM, k8 (9, 10, 12, 10, 12, 10), sl1, k to M. Rep from * to end of round.

51: knit.

52-53: as 50-51.

Continue in stst (all knit) until piece measures 15.5 (16, 16.5, 16.5, 17, 17, 17.5)” from CO edge. Note: You may knit more or less here to add more/less length to the torso of your sweater.

Separate Body to Form Front and Back

Knit one more round stopping 3 (3, 3, 4, 4, 4, 5) sts before final M. Removing markers as you work, BO next 6 (6, 6, 8, 8, 8, 10) sts, k79 (84, 89, 97, 106, 118, 123), BO 6 (6, 6, 8, 8, 8, 10) more sts, k79 (84, 89, 97, 106, 118, 123). You will now have 158 (168, 178, 194, 212, 236, 246) sts on your needles, separated by 6 (6, 6, 8, 8, 8, 10) bound off sts on either end. This will become the front and the back body and the 12 bound off sts will be the underarms. Set aside and work sleeves.

Left Sleeve

Using size 6 needles, cast on 40 (41, 42, 44, 48, 48, 52) sts. Join to work in round using either double pointed needles or a long circular needle for magic loop technique. Place a marker to denote beg/end of each round.

Work in k1, p1 rib stitch until piece measures 2.25” from CO edge. Switching to size 7 needles on the next round,

1: knit.

2 (increase row): k1, M1L, k to end.

Work 5 (4, 4, 3, 3, 2, 2) rounds even in stst and then increase as row 2.

Continue in this way increasing every 6th (5th, 5th, 4th, 4th, 3rd, 3rd) row until you have 59 (63, 66, 72, 79, 88, 93) sts for the left sleeve.

Work a couple more rounds in stst until sleeve measures 18.5 (19, 19, 19.5, 19.5, 20, 20)” from CO edge ending 3 (3, 3, 4, 4, 4, 5) sts before end of round. BO 6, (6, 6, 8, 8, 8, 10) sts, knit to end of round.

Cut yarn leaving a tail to be woven in later. You will now have 53 (57, 60, 64, 71, 80, 83) sts for the left sleeve along with 6 (6, 6, 8, 8, 8, 10) bound off stitches that will become the left underarm.

Set aside to work right sleeve.

Right Sleeve:

Work in k1, p1 rib stitch until piece measures 2.25” from CO edge. Switching to size 7 needles on the next round,

1: knit.

2 (increase row): k to last st, M1R, k1.

Work 5 (4, 4, 3, 3, 2, 2) rounds even in stst and then increase as row 2.

Continue in this way increasing every 6th (5th, 5th, 4th, 4th, 3rd, 3rd) row until you have 59 (63, 66, 72, 79, 88, 93) sts for the left sleeve.

Cut yarn leaving a tail to be woven in later. You will now have 53 (57, 60, 64, 71, 80, 83) sts for the right sleeve along with 6 (6, 6, 8, 8, 8, 10) bound off stitches that will become the right underarm.

Shoulder Joining

Each sleeve will now have 53 (57, 60, 64, 71, 80, 83) sts and the front and back body pieces will each have 79 (84, 89, 97, 106, 118, 123) sts. You will now join all of these pieces to create a round with 264 (282, 298, 322, 354, 396, 412) sts.

Knit 79 (84, 89, 97, 106, 118, 123) sts from front body piece, PM, knit 53 (57, 60, 64, 71, 80, 83) sts

from right arm, knit 1 st from back body piece, PM, knit remaining 78 (83, 88, 96, 105, 117, 122) sts

from back body piece, PM, knit 53 (57, 60, 64, 71, 80, 83) sts from left arm, knit 1 st from front body piece to join the round, PM. This final marker will denote the beg/end of each round.

You will now have 264 (282, 298, 322, 354, 396, 412) sts total. 54 (58, 61, 65, 72, 81, 84) sts for each arm and 78 (83, 88, 96, 105, 117, 122) sts for the front and back body pieces.

Work stst in the round 1” from the point where the body and sleeves were joined.

Decreases:

1: *knit to 2 before M, sl2tog k-wise, remove M, k1, p2sso, PM. Rep from * to end of round. [8 sts decreased, 256, (274, 290, 314, 346, 388, 404) sts total].

2: *k to 1 before M, sl1, SM. Rep from * to end of round.

Repeat rows 1-2 18 (20, 22, 24, 27, 32, 33) more times. You will now have:

16 (16, 15, 15, 16, 15, 16) sts on needles for each left and right sleeves, 40 (41, 42, 46, 49, 51, 54) sts on needles for front and back, 112 (114, 114, 122, 130, 132, 140) sts total.

Neckline Shaping:

1: k 17 (17, 17, 17, 17, 17, 17), BO 5 (6, 7, 11, 14, 16, 19) sts, (k to 2 before M, sl2tog k-wise, remove marker, k1, p2sso, PM) 3 more times, knit to point where sts were cast off. This is now the end of row. From this point, neckline will be worked flat and the center cast off sts will denote the beg/end of each row. (99 (100, 99, 103, 108, 108, 113) sts).

Note: There will be a different number of sts between each side of the neckline and the markers, although this may seem wrong, it is actually correct and is centered due to the decrease being on the right side of the markers.

2: BO 3 sts, (p to M, SM, sl1) 3 more times, p to end. (96 (97, 96, 100, 105, 105, 110) sts).

3: BO 3 sts (k to 2 before M, sl2tog k-wise, remove marker, k1, p2sso, PM), 3 more times, k to end. (85 (86, 85, 89, 94, 94, 99) sts).

4: as 2. (82 (83, 82, 86, 91, 91, 96) sts).

5: as 3. (71 (72, 71, 75, 80, 80, 93) sts).

6: as 2. (68 (69, 68, 72, 77, 77, 90) sts).

7: as 3. (57 (58, 57, 61, 66, 66, 79) sts).

8: as 2. (54 (55, 54, 58, 63, 63, 76) sts).

9: BO in knit.

Neckline:

Using size 7 needles and starting at the back of neckline, pick up sts around neck opening. Pick up one st for each neckline st. Be sure to pick up an even number of sts.

Join to work in round and work 5 rows in k1, p1 rib st. Bind off using the tubular cast off method.

Finishing:

Weave in all ends. Seam the bottom 6 (6, 6, 8, 8, 8, 10) sts at each underarm. Block by soaking in warm water and lay flat to dry.