Schoolhouse Sweater Free Knit Pattern
Free knitting pattern for the Schoolhouse Sweater, a drop-shoulder pullover featuring knit-and-purl textures and drop stitches. Originally featured in Vogue Knitting, this oversized design is perfect for intermediate knitters looking for a cozy, stylish winter garment.
SCHOOLHOUSE SWEATER
Stitch up a bit of knit whimsy with this drop shoulder pullover designed by Kirsten Cowan. Easy combinations of knit-and-purl and drop stitches create the schoolhouse design; the edges are finished in a single strand of blue. Shown in size Medium. The Schoolhouse Sweater first appeared in the Fall '94 issue of Vogue Knitting.
VERY EASY VERY VOGUE
SIZES
To fit Small (Medium, Large). Directions are for smallest size with larger sizes in parentheses. If there is only one figure, it applies to all sizes.
KNITTED MEASUREMENTS
- Bust at underarm 44 (49, 54)"/112 (124.5, 137)cm
- Length 27 (28, 29)"/68.5 (71, 74)cm
- Sleeve width at upper arm 18 (19, 20)"/46 (48.5, 51)cm
MATERIALS
Original Yarn
- 10 (11, 12) 3.5oz/100g balls (each approx 100yd/90m) of Cleckheaton/Plymouth Antarctica (wool 5) in #1830 sand (MC)
- 1 ball in #1825 teal (A)
Substitute Yarn
- 16 (17, 19) 1.75oz/50g balls (each approx 64yd/59m) of Merino Supreme (wool 5) in #2200 cloud
- 2 balls in #2216 blue (A)
- One pair size 10.5 (6.5mm) needles OR SIZE TO OBTAIN GAUGE
- Size J/10 (6mm) crochet hook
- Stitch markers
Note: The original yarn used for this sweater is no longer available. A comparable substitute has been made. Check gauge of substitute yarns very carefully before beginning.
GAUGE
13 sts and 17 rows to 4"/10cm using over St st using size 10.5 (6.5mm) needles. FOR PERFECT FIT, TAKE TIME TO CHECK GAUGE.
STITCH GLOSSARY
Double vertical dec: Sl 1 purlwise, p2tog, psso.
Right Purl Twist: K 2nd st, do not sl off needle, p first st, sl both sts from needle.
Left Twist: K 2nd st tbl, do not sl off needle, k first st, sl both sts from needle.
Seed st (any number of sts) Row 1 (RS) *K1, p1; rep from *. Row 2 K the purl sts and p the knit sts. Rep row 2 for seed st pat.
Note: Two selvage sts are included and are not reflected in finished measurements.
BACK
With A, cast on 74 (82, 90) sts. Change to MC. Row 1 (RS) K2, *p2, k2; rep from *. Work in k2, p2 rib as established until piece measures 1.5"/4cm from beg, end with a RS row. Next row (WS) Knit.
Beg chart #1: Row 1 (RS) P1, work 8-st rep 9 (10, 11) times, p1. Working first and last st in rev St st (p on RS, k on WS) for selvage, work chart #1 as established through row 14. Next row (RS) Purl. Cont in rev St st until piece measures 18.25 (19.25, 20.25)"/46.5 (49, 51.5)cm from beg, end with a WS row.
Beg chart #2: Row 1 (RS) P1, work 8-st rep of chart 9 (10, 11) times, p1. Cont selvage sts in rev St st and work chart #2 as established through row 16.
Beg pat: Row 1 (RS) P1, work seed st pat on 72 (80, 88) sts, p1. Cont selvage sts and seed st pat as established until piece measures 26.5 (27.5, 28.5)"/67.5 (70, 72.5)cm from beg, end with a WS row.
Neck shaping
Next row (RS) Cont in pat, work 24 (27, 30) sts, join 2nd ball of yarn and bind off center 26 (28, 30) sts, work to end. Working both sides at once, k 1 row. Bind off 24 (27, 30) sts each side. Piece measures 27 (28, 29)"/68.5 (71, 73.5)cm from beg.
FRONT
Work as for back until piece measures 6.75 (6.75, 7.25)"/16 (17.5, 18.5)cm from beg, end with a WS row.
Beg chart #3: Row 1 (RS) P18 (22, 26), pm, work 38 sts of chart #3, pm, p18 (22, 26). Work chart as established through row 47 on sts between markers and work rem sts in rev St st. Next row (WS) Knit. Cont in rev St st until piece measures 18.25 (19.25, 20.25)"/46.5 (49, 51.5)cm from beg, end with a WS row. Work chart #2 and seed st pat as for back until piece measures 23 (24, 25)"/58.5 (61, 63.5)cm from beg, end with a WS row.
Neck shaping
Next row (RS) Cont in pat, work 37 (41, 45) sts, join 2nd ball of yarn, work to end. Working both sides at once, dec 1 st at each neck edge every row 13 (14, 15) times—24 (27, 30) sts rem each side. Work even in pat until piece measures same as back to shoulder. Bind off all sts.
SLEEVES
With A, cast on 30 sts. Change to MC. Row 1 (RS) P2, *k2, p2; rep from *. Work in k2, p2 rib as established until piece measures 1.5"/4cm from beg, end with a WS row. Next row (RS) K1, pm, m1, p to last st, m1, pm, k1—32 sts. P 1 row. Next (inc) row (RS) K1, m1, work 30 sts in seed st pat, m1, k1—34 sts. Work first and last st in St st for selvage and work 15 rws more in seed st pat, AT SAME TIME, rep inc row (working inc sts into seed st pat) every other row twice, then every 4th row—42 sts. Next row (RS) K1, m1, k to last st, m1 k1—44sts. K 1 row.
Beg chart #1: Row 1 (RS) P2, work 8-st rep of chart 5 times, p2. Work pat and incs simultaneously as foll: Work chart #1 as established through row 14, then work all sts in rev St st, AT SAME TIME, inc 1 st each side (working inc sts in rev St st) every 4th row 0 (4, 10) times, every 6th row 5 (5, 1) times, every 8th row 2 (0, 0) times—58 (62, 66) sts. Work even until piece measures 18"/45.5cm from beg. Bind off all sts.
FINISHING
Block pieces. Sew shoulder seams. With RS facing, crochet hook and A, work 1 row sc around neck. Place markers 9 (9.5, 10)"/23 (24.5, 25.5)cm down from shoulders on front and back for armholes. Sew top of sleeves between markers. Sew side and sleeve seams.
--- GLOSSARY ---
MC: Main Color
A: Accent Color
St st: Stockinette stitch (K on RS, P on WS)
Rev St st: Reverse Stockinette stitch (P on RS, K on WS)
RS: Right Side
WS: Wrong Side
K: Knit
P: Purl
St(s): Stitch(es)
K2tog: Knit 2 stitches together
P2tog: Purl 2 stitches together
YO: Yarn over
Sl: Slip
Psso: Pass slipped stitch over
M1: Make 1 (increase)
Pm: Place marker
