Who doesn’t love a warm sweater to keep you cozy? Now that winter is coming, knitters are hunkered into knitting mode. Is the coffee ready? Let’s knit this charming designer-style shawl collar sweater with the free knitting pattern.
The knitting pattern of this shawl collar sweater comes in 6 sizes that fit chest measurements of 32, 36, 40, 44, 48, and 52 inches. It is a unisex design that suits both men and women. In the written instruction, it completes with all the necessary details including materials needed, a pattern chart, a measurement diagram, and some work-in-progress photos.
What is Shawl Collar?
A shawl collar is a turned-over collar that is knitted together with the button band that extends in front of a garment. Basically, it is a short shawl piece that joins the neck and chest area of the garment to make it into a collar.
Due to its construction, a shawl collar on a sweater or cardigan is very cozy. The collar can be turned up against the wind to protect the back of the neck.
What is Cable Knit Sweater?
A cable knit sweater is a sweater that is knitted in a cable pattern. The patterns typically resemble twisted or braided ropes and range in style from quite simple to complicated.
The charm of this shawl collar wool sweater comes from the cable knit patterns. There are 2 main cable stitches in this pullover pattern, namely “Woven Lattice Stitch” and “Moss Stitch Diamond Aran”.
Cable knitting is actually easier than you thought. If you have the basics to do knit and purl stitches, cable knitting is just about crossing the stitch(es) over by changing the sequence of knitting.
The stitches crossing behind (or in front) are transferred to a small cable needle for storage while the stitches passing in front (or behind) are knitted. The former stitches are then transferred back to the original needle or knitted from the cable needle itself. You may find youtube videos on how to knit the cable stitches.
What Are The Knitting Stitches?
Besides the common single knit and purl stitches, the sides of the pullover and sleeves are knitted by Broken Rib Stitch. This stitch is similar to normal ribbing when viewed from the front, it actually looks different from the back, where there is a column seed stitch between the ribs.
The ribbing hems and collar are knitted by a 2×2 ribbing (2 knits + 2 purls) for a rugged look.
Shawl Collar Sweater Knitting Pattern
scroll ⬇️ to get the free knit sweater pattern & tutorial
Materials & Supplies
∙ Yarn
We need a warm sweater for the wintry day, and wool is the best choice for us. We chose a mixed fiber yarn that is a wool acrylic blend which is machine washable. The yarn we used is 4-ply worsted weight yarn Lion Brand Wool-Ease, Chestnut Heather color.
The total amount of yarn needed is 8 to 10 balls, depending on which size you are knitting it for. The yarn is 80% acrylic and 20% wool, and each 85g ball has approx. 197 yards/180m length of yarn.
The tension gauge of this sweater pattern is 18 sts x 24 rows (4″/10cm) using U.S. 8 (5mm) needles stockinette stitch pattern. Please take time to make a gauge swatch to check your tension before beginning the actual knitting.
Always wash and block your swatch before measuring to ensure the final size is correct. Use larger or smaller needles if necessary to obtain the correct gauge.
Lastly, if needed, up or down a size to meet the size if you are using different yarn and can’t meet the tension gauge; this will need a little knitting experience.
∙ Knitting Needles & Others
We are using circular knitting needles of 36″ U.S. 6 (4mm), U.S. 7 (4.5 mm), and U.S. 8 (5 mm) in this pattern. The smallest needles are used to knit the ribbing, while the largest needles are used to knit the body and sleeves of the sweater. U.S. 7 needles are used to pick up the neckline stitches to make the shawl collar.
Besides yarn and knitting needles, you need a cable needle to knit the cable pattern. I always use a size smaller cable needle for this function.
Keeping track of rows in knitting is very important as we don’t want to end up producing a different length of pieces. There are many ways to keep track of the numbers; the easiest way is to use stitch markers. Mark the row with a stitch marker on every 10th row, 20th row, or 50th row will make the counting easier.
At the end of the knitting, we need a tapestry needle to sew up the pieces and also to bind off the ribbing stitches at the collar. Another item you might need in this pattern is a body-size bath towel used during the blocking; read more on how to block your knitting.
As a matter of fact, I worked very hard to get this shawl collar cable pullover knitting pattern journaled as I knit it. The development is time-consuming; even so, I truly enjoy doing it because I know that you will love to knit this stylish shawl collar cable pullover too. Knitters aint’s quitters!
Let’s see the projects from the Ravelry knitters on this shawl collar sweater. I hope this will motivate you to start knitting this Shawl Collar Cable Pullover for your loved one.
If you are looking to knit more sweaters, perhaps Raglan Sweater and the Fair Isle Sweaters (kids and teenager size only) will be your next ones to knit.
Happy knitting, and enjoy making the loops and counting the stitches!
What’s Next
- Start knitting and share your completed handmade on Facebook and/or Instagram. Remember to tag us, @craftpassion, so that we are able to see them.
- Pin it to Pinterest for future To-Knit List
- Share with your knitting groups for a knit-along event.
- Browse more free knitting patterns to make.
Shawl Collar Sweater Knitting Pattern
Finally, I have gotten the knitting pattern of this stylish and luxury Shawl Collar Cable Pullover published here. I can’t wait to share the pattern out before my husband can wear it for our winter vacation in Japan next month. The knitting pattern comes in 6 sizes that fit chest measurements of 32, 36, 40, 44, 48 and 52 inch, suitable for both men and women. The written instruction completes with all the necessary details including materials needed, a pattern chart, a measurement diagram, and some work-in-progress photos. Above all, there are 2 main cable stitches in this knitted pullover, namely Woven Lattice Stitch and Moss Stitch Diamond Aran. The sides of the pullover and sleeves are knitted by Broken Rib Stitch which gives an elongate and slim appearance. The ribbing hems and collar are knitted by a 2×2 ribbing for a rugged look.
Enjoy knitting them!
Download and print separately: Panel Pattern Charts (in pdf), Dimension Diagram (in pdf)
Materials
- Yarn: Lion Brand Wool Ease 80% acrylic, 20% wool (approx. 197 yards/180m per 85g ball) - Yarn Color: Chestnut Heather, Balls needed: 8 (8; 8; 9; 9; 10) balls
Tools
- Needles: 36″ Circular needle U.S. 6 (4mm), U.S. 7 (4.5mm) and U.S. 8 (5mm).
- Cable needle (size should be smaller than the largest circular needle)
- Stitch Markers
- Tapestry needle
Instructions
Size:
(Figures in square brackets refer to larger sizes)
To Fit Chest: 32 [36; 40; 44; 48; 52] inch / 81[91;102;112;122;132] cm
Actual Measurement: 36 [40; 44; 48; 52; 56] inch / 91 [102; 112; 122; 132; 142] cm
Length From Shoulder: 27.75 [28; 28.5; 29; 29.75; 30] inch / 70.5 [71; 72.5; 73.5; 75.5; 76.2] cm
Sleeve Seam: 19 [19; 19; 19.5; 19.5; 19.5] inch / 48 [48; 48; 49.5; 49.5; 49.5] cm
Tension Gauge:
· Stockinette Stitch: 18 sts and 24 rows = 4″ (10cm) using U.S. 8 (5mm) needles
· Pattern A gauge: 21 sts and 26 rows = 4″ (10cm) using U.S. 8 (5mm) needles
· Pattern B gauge: 27 sts and 26 rows = 4″ (10cm) using U.S. 8 (5mm) needles
- Take time to make a gauge swatch for each pattern to check your tension.
- Wash and block your swatch before measuring.
- Use larger or smaller needles if necessary to obtain correct gauge.
More Details On How To Knit A Shawl Collar Cable Sweater
The instructions are written for the smallest size. If changes are necessary for larger size(s) the instructions will be written thus [ ].
Numbers for each size are shown in the same order throughout the pattern.
When only one number is given, it applies to all sizes.
KEY
(Right-Click to open in new tab for a larger chart,)
Abbreviations
· alt = Alternate(ing)
· beg = Beginning
· C4B = Slip next 2 sts onto cable needle and leave at back of work. K2, then k2 from cable needle
· C4F = Slip next 2 sts onto cable needle and leave at front of work. K2, then k2 from cable needle
· C5F = Slip next 3 sts onto cable needle and leave at front of work, k2, slip the purl st from point of cable needle back onto left-hand needle, purl this st, then k2 from cable needle.
· cont = Continue
· dec = Decrease(ing)
· foll = Following
· k = Knit
· inc = Increase(ing)
· mp = make 1 purl-wise
· P = Purlpatt = Pattern
· rem = Remaining
· rep = Repeat
· RS = Right Side
· sl = slip
· st(s) = Stitch(es)
· T3B = Slip next st onto cable needle and leave at back of work. K2, then p1 from cable needle
· T3F = Slip next 2 sts onto cable needle and leave at front of work. P1, then k2 from cable needle
· T4B = Slip next 2 sts onto cable needle and leave at back of work. K2, then p2 from cable needle
· T4F = Slip next 2 sts onto cable needle and leave at front of work. P2, then k2 from cable needle
· TW2L = Slip next st onto cable needle and leave at front of work, K1, then K1 from cable needle.
· WS = Wrong Side
Cable Patterns
There are 2 main cable patterns used in this shawl collar cable pullover: Moss Stitch Diamond Aran (side) & Woven Lattice Stitch (center)
Panel Pattern A – Moss Stitch Diamond Aran
(Right-Click to open in new tab for a larger chart. Or, download pdf version here)
Worked over 21 sts
Row 1 (RS): TW2L, p5, T3B, k1, T3F, p5, TW2L
Row 2 and alt rows: Purl all purl sts and knit all knit sts as they appear
Row 3: TW2L, p4, T3B, k1, p1, k1, T3F, p4, TW2L
Row 5: TW2L, p3, T3B, (k1, p1) twice, k1, T3F, p3, TW2L
Row 7: TW2L, p2, T3B, (k1, p1) 3 times, k1, T3F, p2, TW2L
Row 9: TW2L, p2, T3F, (p1, k1) 3 times, p1, T3B, p2, TW2L
Row 11: TW2L, p3, T3F, (p1, k1) twice, p1, T3B, p3, TW2L
Row 13: TW2L, p4, T3F, p1, k1, p1, T3B, p4, TW2L
Row 15: TW2L, p5, T3F, p1, T3B, p5, TW2L
Row 17: TW2L, p6, C5F, p6, TW2L
Row 18: As 2nd row
These 18 rows form Panel Patt A.
Panel Pattern B – Woven Lattice Stitch
(Right-Click to open in new tab for a larger chart.)
Worked over 36 [44; 44; 44; 44; 44] sts
Row 1 (RS): (p4, C4B) 4 [5; 5; 5; 5; 5] times, p4.
Row 2 and alt rows: Knit all knit sts and purl all purl sts as they appear.
Row 3: p2, (T4B, T4F) 4 [5; 5; 5; 5; 5] times, p2.
Row 5: p2, k2, p4, (C4F, p4) 3 [4; 4; 4; 4; 4] times, k2, p2
Row 7: p2, (T4F, T4B) 4 [5; 5; 5; 5; 5] times, p2.
Row 8: As 2nd row
These 8 rows form Panel Patt B.
DIAGRAM
(Right-Click to open in new tab for a larger chart. Or, download pdf version here.)
BACK
Using 4mm needles, 2×2 tabular cast on 82 [94; 102; 110; 118; 130] sts. (Watch video on how to do 2×2 tubular cast-on)
Row 1 (RS): k2, (p2,k2) to end.
Row 2: p2, (k2, p2) to end.
Rep these 2 2×2 rib rows for 2.25″ (5.5cm), ending after Row 1. (about 18 rows including 3 rows of 2×2 tabular cast-on)
Next Row: p5 [3; 7; 7; 11; 10], *mp, p3 [4; 4; 4; 4; 5], rep from * to last 5 [3; 7; 7; 11; 10] sts, p to end. 106 [116; 124; 134; 142; 152] sts.
Change to U.S.8 (5mm) needles and work pattern as following:
Row 1 (RS): k12 [13; 17; 22; 26; 31], p2, Patt A, Patt B, Patt A, p2, k12 [13; 17; 22; 26; 31] to end.
Row 2: p0 [1; 1; 0; 0; 1], (k1,p1) 6 [6; 8; 11; 13; 15] times, k2, Patt A, Patt B, Patt A, k2, (p1, k1) 6 [6; 8; 11; 13; 15] times, p0 [1; 1; 0; 0; 1] to end.
These 2 rows form pattern, panel patterns are now in position. Continue to establish the pattern until work from rib measures 16″, ending after a WS row. (approx. 106 rows)
Shape armhole
Bind off loosely 5 [6; 7; 7; 8; 9] sts at beg of next 2 rows.
Dec 1 st at each end of next 5 [5; 5; 7; 7; 9] rows, then on every foll alt row until 82 [88; 94; 98; 104; 110] sts rem. **
Cont straight until BACK measures 24.5 [24.75; 25.25; 25.75; 26.5; 26.75] inch from rib, or 160 [162; 164; 168; 172; 174] rows from rib, measured through center of work, ending after a WS row.
Shape Shoulder
Bind off loosely 7 [8; 9; 9; 10; 11] sts at beg of next 4 rows, then 8 [8; 8; 10; 10; 11] sts at beg of next 2 rows.
Bind off rem 38 [40; 42; 42; 44; 44] sts.
FRONT
Work as BACK to **.
Cont straight until FRONT measures 20.5 [20.75; 21.25; 21.75; 22.5; 22.75] inch from rib, or, 133 [135; 137; 141; 145; 148] rows from rib, measured through center of work.
Divide for neck
Next Row: Patt 22 [24; 26; 28; 30; 33], bind off next 38 [40; 42; 42; 44; 44] sts, patt to end.
Continue straight on last group of sts until FRONT measures same a Back to shoulder shaping, 160 [162; 164; 168; 172; 174] rows from rib, ending at armhole edge.
Shape Shoulder
Bind off 7 [8; 9; 9; 10; 11] sts at beg of next and foll alt rows.
Work 1 row. Bind off. Rejoin yarn to rem st from the neck-hole edge and complete the match first half.
SLEEVES (knit 2)
Using 4mm needles, 2×2 tabular cast on 38 [38; 38; 38; 38; 42] sts.
Work in 2×2 rib as on BACK for 2.25″ (5.5 cm), ending after Row 1.
Next Row: p3 [1; 1; 2; 2; 3], (mp, p2) 7 [11; 11; 18; 18; 9] times, (mp, p3) 7 [5; 5; 0; 0; 7] times. 52 [54; 54; 56; 56; 58] sts.
Change to U.S.8 (5mm) needles and work pattern as following:
Row 1 (RS): k14 [15; 15; 16; 16; 17], p2, Patt A, p2, k13 [14; 14; 15; 15; 16]
Row 2: p1 [0; 0; 1; 1; 0], (k1, p1) 6 [7; 7; 7; 7; 8] times, k2, Patt A, k2, (p1, k1) 7 [7; 7; 8; 8; 8] times, p0[1; 1; 0; 0; 1]
Cont in patt and at the same time inc 1 st at each end on the 9th [9th; 7th; 7th; 7th; 6th] row, then on every foll 9th [9th; 7th; 7th; 7th; 6th] row until there are 60 [66; 72; 76; 80; 82] sts, then on every foll 11th [11th, 11th, 11th, 10th, 10th] row until there are 70 [74; 78; 82; 84; 88] sts, taking extra sts into patt.
Cont straight until SLEEVE measures 16.75 [16.75; 16.75; 17.25; 17.25; 17.25] inch from rib, or, 109 [109; 109; 112; 112; 112] rows from rib.
Shape Top
Bind off loosely 5 [6; 7; 7; 8; 9] sts at beg of next 2 rows, work 2 [3; 3; 2; 3; 5] rows straight.
Dec 1 st at each end of next row, then on every foll 3rd row until 56 [56; 56; 56; 50; 50] sts rem, then on every foll alt row until 24 [28; 30; 34; 36; 38] sts rem, work 1 row straight, then on every row until 12 [14; 16; 18; 20; 22] sts rem. You have worked 47 [48; 49; 51; 55; 56] rows for the top of the sleeve.
Bind off loosely.
BLOCKING
Block each piece of work as soon as it is done and before joining up.
COLLAR
Join Shoulders.
With RS work facing you and begin at the front Right neck edge, using U.S. 7 (4.5mm) needles to pick up 104 [108; 112; 112; 116; 116] sts. Do not pick up stitches from Front neck edge.
Row 1: p3, (k2, p2) to last st, p1.
Row 2 (RS): k3, (p2, k2) to last st, k1.
Cont in rib as set on these 2 rows for 2.75″ (7cm), approx 18 rows.
Change to U.S. 6 (4mm) needles and cont in rib until work measures 5″ (13cm), approx 34 rows, ending after Row 1.
Shape Neck Edge
Row 1 (RS): rib to last 8 sts, turn.
Row 2: sl1 to right needle, pull yarn tight, rib to last 8 sts, turn.
Row 3 to 4: sl1 to right needle, pull yarn tight, rib to last 12 sts, turn.
Row 5 to 6: sl1 to right needle, pull yarn tight, rib to last 16 sts, turn.
Row 7 to 8: sl1 to right needle, pull yarn tight, rib to last 20 sts, turn.
Cont in this way working 4 sts fewer on every row until row 16 or the 2 rows “sl1, rib to last 36 sts, turn” have been woked.
Next row: sl1, rib to end of row.
Bind off in 2×2 rib.
TO FINISH OFF
Overlapping left neck edge over right neck edge, stitch side edges of collar to cast off sts at front of neck as shown in the picture.
Sew in Sleeve Tops. Join side and Sleeve seams.
Instructions with pictures to assist in knitting Shawl Collar Cable Pullover
a. Get ready the yarns and needles needed to knit this shawl collar cable pullover pattern.
I used Lion Brand Wool Ease, Color: Chestnut Heather, Balls needed: 8 [8; 8; 9; 9; 10] balls. You can always find equivalent yarn to knit as long it matched the required gauge in the pattern.
b. Spend some time to make the gauge swatch to check your tension.
Increase or decrease the needle size if required.
Wash and block your swatch before measuring.
When you match the gauge in the pattern, your project will be the size specified in the pattern and the yarns stated in this pattern will be sufficient.
You can start your knitting after you have determined the correct yarn and needle to use.
This pattern is a Bottom to Top knitting, begin with a 2×2 ribbing on the waist. I used 2×2 tubular cast-on which gives more stretchy rib.
Here is a very useful video on 2×2 tubular cast-on I’ve found in youtube that you may follow to knit it.
Otherwise, you can use long tail cast-on or your choice of cast-on which you feel more comfortable.
Continue to knit the 2×2 ribbing after the 3 rows of 2×2 tabular cast-on is done.
Follow the BACK pattern to knit the Panel Patterns.
Place a marker to indicate the last row of 2×2 ribbing as you will need to refer to the first row after the ribbing.
I blocked every piece of the work after it is done.
My preferred blocking method is to soak the knit piece into a 40ºC of warm water with fabric softener. Press dry the knit piece with a big towel. Lay it on a dry towel, adjusting the knit piece to obtain the dimension stated in the pattern. Leave it to dry in a well-ventilated room.
a. While the Back piece is blocking and drying, continue to knit the Front piece of the Shawl Collar Cable Pullover.
b. Block it to shape.
Follow the knitting pattern to knit and block the Sleeve pieces as well.
a. While waiting for the Sleeves to be blocked, the Back and Front pieces are ready for joining up.
b. Join the shoulders of the Back and Front piece.
c. Pick up stitches from the collar edges as stated in the pattern.
Knit the Shawl Collar according to the pattern.
Place the right side edge of the collar down to the front neck edge.
Overlapping left neck edge over right neck edge, stitch side edges of the collar to the front of the neck as shown in the picture.
Sew to attach the sleeve to the armhole, then sew the side seam and the sleeve seam.
Repeat the same to the other sleeve to complete this stylish Shawl Collar Cable Pullover.
Keep warm, stay stylish!
Notes
Yarn amounts given are based on average requirements and are approximated.
Get the full article at https://www.craftpassion.com/shawl-collar-cable-pullover/
Cheryl Maumill
Wednesday 27th of July 2022
How do I download the free pattern for the Shawl collar sweater plz.. Cheryl
Jane Isabel Olmsted
Wednesday 4th of August 2021
Can you provide the finished measurements in inches? I've run into some trouble with the 36" bust and the bottom being too narrow for the hips--it's measuring at the ribbing 18" with a stretch, and that's too narrow. Thanks! I love this pattern and really want it to work out.
Jane Cole
Friday 16th of April 2021
Thank you for your kindness to share with out charging. This is a rare gift in a society that does not live by the golden rule by rather live just for the gold for their own.
Kathy
Monday 15th of February 2021
Just the sweater I was looking for. Do you have a printable version of the directions for the whole sweater not just the cable patterns? Thanks for sharing your pattern with wonderful details and pictures!
Penny
Sunday 3rd of January 2021
I love this pattern it's so pretty. Thank you for taking the rime to write it out and share it. I have a question on the neck shaping though as I might be overthinking it or not understanding how it works up. (I am fairly new to knitting sweaters my apologizes) Can you contact me so I can maybe work it out to finish it for my daughter thank you so much again for this lovely pattern.