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Oversized knit sweater is a very trendy item this winter and doesn’t require precise measurements, so I decided to give it a try and today want to share with you the outcome. My first oversized sweater I decided to knit in a smaller size to master the techniques and make a worthy gift for upcoming birthday of my friend’s daughter. So far I like the outcome and going to make an oversized knit sweater for adults as well. I’d say that knitting any oversized sweater is a medium difficulty project and wouldn’t recommend total beginners to jump in without practicing on some easier projects. I hope you enjoy creating this cute oversized knit sweater and feel free to experiment with its decoration, yarn colors and adding your elements to the pattern.
Knitting materials and knitting tools:
<> Circular or straight needles in size US 10 (6 mm) for main part and circular needles in size US 8 (5 mm) 16” for neck;
<> Bonito Lanoso 49% wool, 51% acrylic. White color: 100 grams -300 m per skein – 3 balls.
Measurements of the oversized knit sweater for toddlers:
Age: 24-36 months;
Chest 68 сm (26″);
Length – 28 cm (11″) from underarm.
Gauge: 16 stitches = 4 inches in garter stitch
24 rows = 4 inches in garter stitch
Note for knitters:
<> Knit with two strands of yarn at once.
<> Each Row has selvage stitches.
Common abbreviations of knitting stitches:
k – knit
p – purl
dec – decrease
sel s– selvage stitch – Always slip the first stitch purlwise, work to the last stitch, purl the last stitch
bbl – bobble
k5tog – knit five together (use hook to help yourself)
inc – increase from the previous row. Please check my Instagram video on how to increase from the previous row/round .
How to knit a bobble stitch:
In the same stitch – knit 1, yarn over, knit 1, yarn over, knit 1 and then drop the stitch from your left needle.
Knit oversized sweater pattern with bobbles
Knitting front part of the oversized sweater body
Cast on 48 stitches.
Row 1: sel s, [k1, p1] – till the end of row, sel s.
Repeat Row 1 six times or until piece measures 3.5-4 cm.
Continue working in garter stitch (knit all next rows) until the front piece measures 36 cm.
From the next row we start shaping a neckline. For the specified model the neckline is 14 cm wide and 7 cm deep. Current gauge of 22 stitches should be cast off over 16 rows. I start to cast off 6 stitches in the center. Then, in every second row 2 stitches twice and 1 stitch 4 times. Knit last 2 rows without decreasing. Check more clear pattern:
Row 1: sel s, k20, cast off next 6 stitches, k20, sel s, turn.
Row 2: sel s, k19, hold yarn in front, slip the last stich, turn.
Row 3: slip next 2 stitches to the right needle, pass first slipped stitch over the second, dec 1 (k1, pass first stitch on the right needle over knit stitch), k17, sel s.
Row 4: sel s, k17, hold yarn in front, slip the last stich, turn.
Row 5: slip next 2 stitched to the right needle, pass first slipped stitch over the second, dec 1, k15, sel s.
Row 6: sel s, k15, hold yarn in front, slip the last stitch, turn.
Row 7: slip next 2 stitched to the right needle, pass first slipped stitch over the second, k14, sel s.
Row 8: sel s, k14, hold yarn in front, slip the last stich, turn.
Row 9: slip next 2 stitches to the right needle, pass first slipped stitch over the second, k13, sel s.
Row 10: sel s, k13, hold yarn in front, slip the last stitch, turn.
Row 11: slip next 2 stitches to the right needle, pass first slipped stitch over the second, k12, sel s.
Row 12: sel s, k12, hold yarn in front, slip the last stitch, turn.
Row 13: slip next 2 stitched to the right needle, pass first slipped stitch over the second, k11, sel s.
Row 14: sel s, k11, sel s.
Rows 15-16: Repeat Row 14. Bind off.
Turn, attach yarn and repeat the same steps for the right part starting from Row 3.
Knitting back part of the oversized sweater body
Knit back part as front until piece measures 43 cm. Bind off. This part doesn’t have any decreases for the neckline.
Knitting sleeves of the oversized sweater:
Cast on 25 stitches.
Row 1: sel s, [p2, k1, p2, bbl] – repeat 3 times, p2, k1, p2, sel s.
Row 2: sel s, k2, [p1, k9] – repeat 3 times, p1, k2, sel s.
Row 3: sel s, p2, [k1, p9] – repeat 3 times, k1, p2, sel s.
Row 4: repeat Row 2.
Row 5: repeat Row 3.
Row 6: repeat Row 2.
Row 7: sel s, [p2, bbl, p2, k5tog] – repeat 3 times, p2, bbl, p2, sel s.
Row 8: sel s, [k9, p1] – repeat 3 times, k9, sel s.
Row 9: sel s, [p9, k1] – repeat 3 times, p9, sel s.
Row 10: repeat Row 8.
Row 11: repeat Row 9.
Row 12: repeat Row 8.
Row 13: sel s [p2, k5tog, p2, bbl] – repeat 3 times, p2, k5tog, p2, sel s.
Row 14: sel s, inc, k2, [p1, k9] – repeat 3 times, p1, k2, inc, sel s.
Row 15: sel s, p3, [k1, p9] – repeat 3 times, k1, p3, sel s.
Row 16: sel s, k3, [p1, k9] – repeat 3 times, p1, k3, sel s.
Row 17: Repeat Row 15.
Row 18: Repeat Row 16.
Row 19: sel s, p1, [p2, bbl, p2, k5tog] – repeat 3 times, p2, bbl, p3, sel s.
Row 20: sel s, inc, k1, [k9, p1] – repeat 3 times, k9, inc, k1, sel s.
Row 21: sel s, p2, [p9, k1] – repeat 3 times, p11, sel s.
Row 22: sel s, k2, [k9, p1] – repeat 3 times, k11, sel s.
Row 23: Repeat Row 21.
Row 24: Repeat Row 22.
Row 25: sel s, p2, [p2, k5tog, p2, bbl] – repeat 3 times, p2, k5tog, p4, sel s.
Row 26: sel s, k4, [p1, k9] – repeat 3 times, k4, sel s.
Row 27: sel s, p4, [k1, p9] – repeat 3 times, k1, p4, sel s.
Row 28: Repeat Row 26.
Row 29: Repeat Row 27.
Row 30: Repeat Row 26.
Row 31: sel s, p1, k1, [p2, bbl, p2, k5tog] – repeat 3 times, p2, bbl, p2, k1, p1, sel s.
Row 32: sel s, inc, k1, p1, [k9, p1] – repeat 3 times, k9, p1, inc, k1, sel s.
Row 33: sel s, p2, k1, [p9, k1] – repeat 3 times, p9, k1, p2, sel s.
Row 34: sel s, k2, p1, [k9, p1] – repeat 3 times, k9, p1, k2, sel s.
Row 35: Repeat Row 33.
Row 36: Repeat Row 34.
Row 37: sel s, [p2, bbl, p2, k5tog] – repeat 4 times, p2, bbl, p2, sel s.
Row 38: sel s, inc, [k9, p1] – repeat 3 times, k8, inc, k1, sel s.
Row 39: sel s, p1, [p9, k1] – repeat 4 times, p10, sel s.
Row 40: sel s, k1, [k9, p1] – repeat 4 times, p10, sel s.
Row 41: Repeat Row 39.
Row 42: Repeat Row 40.
Row 43: sel s, p1, [p2, k5tog, p2, bbl] – repeat 4 times, p2, k5tog, p3 sel s.
Row 44: sel s, inc, k3, [p1, k9] – repeat 4 times, p1, k2, inc, k1, sel s.
Row 45: sel s, p4, [k1, p9] – repeat 4 times, k1, p4, sel s.
Row 46: sel s, k4, [p1, k9] – repeat 4 times, p1, k4, sel s.
Row 47: Repeat Row 45.
Row 48: Repeat Row 46.
Row 49: sel s, p1, k1, [p2, bbl, p2, k5tog] – repeat 4 times, p2, bbl, p2, k1, p1, sel s.
Row 50: sel s, inc, k1, [p1, k9] – repeat 5 times, p1, inc, k1, sel s.
Row 51: sel s, p2, [k1, p9] – repeat 5 times, k1, p2, sel s.
Row 52: sel s, k2, [p1, k9] – repeat 5 times, p1, k2, sel s.
Row 53: Repeat Row 51.
Row 54: Repeat Row 52.
Row 55: sel s, p2, k1, [p2, k5tog, p2, bbl] – repeat 4 times, p2, k5tog, p2, k1, p2, sel s.
Row 56: sel s, k2, p1, k2, [p1, k9] – repeat 4 times, p1, k2, p1, k2, sel s. Bind off.
Knitting the neck edge of oversized sweater:
Now join all seams together starting from the shoulders.
Using US size 8 (5cm) 16’’ circular needles, pick up stitches around the neck. Make sure it is an even number. Place marker and join to work in the round.
Round 1-6: Rib k1, p1.
Bind off. Weave in ends.
PS: credit for pattern design goes to unknown yet to me author. I saw a woman wearing this sweater and fall in love with it. 🙂
26 comments
I LOVE it!! Do you know where I can find a pattern for adults? Thanks
Yeah! I know 🙂
It is here https://crazyhands.net/adult-oversized-knit-sweater-pattern-bobbles/
Darling !!! Any help on enlarging to fit child size 6-8 ?? Such a fun sweater for the school girl !
Hi Leslie, you simply need gauge and mentioned measurement (chest and length). Then follow the knit sweater pattern description. It is not that hard to adjust it. I can help you with sleeves adjustment if needed.
Hi! Love the pattern. Thanks so much. I think there is a small mistake in row 14 of sleeve. Last K1b4t1 should be k2. Also, when I apply selvage to sleeves, one side is not smooth. Has ‘bumps’. Maybe slip knitwise instead? Not sure. Thank you!
Hello Sue. Thank you for your comment, I did correct Row 14. How is your sweater going on? Did you finish it already. It actually doesn’t matter how you slip, try then knitwise if it looks better. Let me know if you have more questions. Ann
I also need help with size. I love this sweater for my great grand daughter. I am not good at adjusting at all. I need to make for a size 4-5. Can you please help me? Also on the pattern picture it shows cuffs on th sleeves, but I do not see pattern for them. Should I put cuffs on them? Thank you so much.
Hi Mary, unfortunately I can not say you exact number of stitches to cast on but you can resize this sweater by yourself. Cast on 20 + stitches, knit swatch in garter stitch for about 10 cm (4 inches), dont block it. Wash it and lay it flat to dry. Now it is time to measure your stitch gauge and row gauge (for example 1 cm – 2 stitches or 1 cm -1.5 stitches). Measure your great grand daughter best sitting sweater and resize oversized sweater with bobbles. I hope these tips are helpful. Let me know if you need more of my help.
I have a problem. When I get to row 14 I do not have enough stitches. I have enough for row 13, but when I get to 14 I do not have enough. What am I doing wrong? Help! !
Hi Mary. What are you knitting – sleeves or body part? I have checked the pattern and it is correct. Tell me more where is your problem
I have the same problem too 😭
let me know where is your problem please
can this be worn by a boy, i think the bobble are more of a girl thing
Hi. You can knit sleeves without bobbles. I would suggest you using same garter stitch pattern as for the body.
Row 25 of the sleeves I seem to have an additional 4 stitches. Help!
Hi. I think i have answered you on Instagram 🙂
I just finished the front following the directions and just compared it to the diagram which shows an additional 8 cm which I didn’t find in the pattern. I worked till I had 28 cm and then it immediately started the neck shaping. I want to verify this before I start the rest of the sweater pieces. I just love the sweater.
Hi Jane. You have to knit 36 cm before the neck line. Or any other length that you need.
Do you have this pattern for 1 year old. I’m no good at adjusting. Thank you. Cathy
Hi Cathy. No I dont have. Can only suggest takeing for example aran yarn and knit the same pattern.
Hi, can you use 10 ply (Worsted) instead of 2 strands of 5ply?
Thanks.
Hi Diana. You can use any yarn, just check your gauge. If it is +1/-1 sts compare to mine, then it is ok.
Why is the knitting the front to 36 cm to account for the extra 8 cm shown in the diagram not mentioned in the pattern? I already bound off the front and when I got to the back and read the required measurements I realized something was off. A bit frustrated.
Hi Stacey. The sweater was too long (like a dress) and I changed couple of times the length that you knit before neckline. If the length of your front part is 36, then knit back part 36 cm as well. This length will be perfect for 2 -2.5 years child. If you knit the sweater longer, it might fit even for 3-4 years child.
I just came across this pattern and I love it; however, like everyone else i cannot adjust. you did baby and adult wish you would consider toddlers 6-8. i love it but cannot do it w/o written instructions.
Thank you for your feedback. This sweater was not that popular as I wanted so i decided not to knit other sizes, even though I adore it