This simple lace sweater knitting pattern free is designed for knitters who want an elegant, lightweight pullover with an airy openwork stitch. The pattern uses a four-row repeat lace motif that is easy to memorize, making it a great choice for both beginners comfortable with yarn overs and more experienced knitters looking for a relaxing project. The easy sweater features a relaxed fit, a longer back for extra coverage, and set-in sleeves. Thanks to the silk and yak wool blend, the fabric has beautiful drape and a soft halo, but keep in mind that the finished garment stretches noticeably after washing — so be sure to knit and block a gauge swatch before starting. This free knit pattern includes sizes from XS to L, with detailed stitch counts for each size.
Sizes:
34 (36/38 – 40/42 – 44/46)
Corresponds to US sizes: XS (S – M – L)
Materials:
- Yarn: 70% silk, 30% yak wool; 145 m (158 yds) / 50 g
– 500 (550 – 600 – 650) g in gray-blue - Needles: straight needles US 4 (3.5 mm)
- Circular needle: US 2.5 (3 mm), 40 cm (16″) long
Ribbing:
Alternately k1, p1.
Lace Pattern (openwork stitch):
Multiple of 4 sts + 2 selvedge sts.
- Row 1 (RS): Knit all sts.
- Row 2 (WS): Selvedge st, * p4, yo, repeat from *, selvedge st.
- Row 3 (RS): Selvedge st, * yo, drop the yo from previous row, slip 1 knitwise (yarn behind), draw up the loop, k3, then pass the slipped st over the 3 knit sts, repeat from *, selvedge st.
- Row 4 (WS): Purl all sts and yos.
Repeat Rows 1–4 for pattern.
Gauge (with US 4 / 3.5 mm needles):
- Stockinette stitch: 26.5 sts x 33 rows = 10 x 10 cm (4″ x 4″)
- Lace pattern: 23 sts x 33 rows = 10 x 10 cm (4″ x 4″)
Important Notes:
The finished garment stretches after washing. All measurements in this pattern and schematics are taken from unwashed pieces. To determine the final size, knit two swatches and wash one.
This simple lace sweater knitting pattern free includes a longer back piece. The back is 6.5 cm (2.5″) longer than the front — see assembly.
BACK (longer than front)
Using US 4 (3.5 mm) needles, cast on 148 (158 – 170 – 180) sts.
Row 1 (WS – hem setup):
Selvedge st, p1 (0-0-1), * k1, p1 *, repeat 24 (27-30-32) times,
work 48 sts in lace pattern beginning with Row 4 (purl all), repeat 4-st repeat 12 times,
** k1, p1 ** repeat 24 (27-30-32) times, p1 (0-0-1), selvedge st.
After 8.5 cm (27 rows) from cast-on, work hem sts in stockinette.
At row 11 from hem, bind off for side shaping: 1 st each side once, then 1 st each side every 10th row 10 times.
At the same time, at row 13 from hem, decrease next to the lace panel:
work the last 2 sts before lace as k2tog‑L (slip 1 knitwise, k1, psso), and the 2 sts after lace as k2tog.
Repeat: once, then every 12th row 3 times, then every 10th row 6 times = 106 (116 – 128 – 138) sts.
After 36 cm (119 rows) from hem, bind off for armholes:
- 3 sts each side once
- then every 2nd row: 1 (1-2-3) x 2 sts, and 3 (4-4-3) x 1 st = 90 (98 – 106 – 114) sts.
After 15.5 (17.5 – 19.5 – 21.5) cm = 52 (58-64-70) rows from armhole start, bind off center 40 sts for neck. Finish left side first.
Neck shaping (inner edge): bind off every 2nd row: 4 sts once, 1 st once.
Shoulder shaping (outer edge): at 2 cm (6 rows) from neck start, bind off 6 (8-10-10) sts, then every 2nd row 2 x 7 (8-9-11) sts.
Finish right side symmetrically.
FRONT
Work same as back, but hem ribbing is only 2 cm (6 rows).
For deeper neckline: after 9 (11-13-15) cm = 30 (36-42-50) rows from armhole, bind off center 24 sts.
Neck shaping (inner edge): every 2nd row – 4 sts once, 2 sts twice, 1 st three times; then every 4th row – 1 st twice.
SLEEVES
With US 4 needles, cast on 42 (48 – 52 – 58) sts.
Row 1 (WS): Selvedge st, 2 (5-7-10) sts stockinette, work 36 sts lace pattern (beginning Row 4, repeat 4-st repeat 9 times), 2 (5-7-10) sts stockinette, selvedge st.
Increase for sleeve shaping:
- Size 34: every 16th row 6×1 st + every 14th row 3×1 st
- Size 36/38: every 12th row 6×1 + every 10th row 6×1
- Size 40/42: every 10th row 6×1 + every 8th row 8×1
- Size 44/46: every 8th row 7×1 + every 6th row 10×1
New sts work in stockinette. = 60 (72 – 80 – 92) sts.
After 46 (43 – 40 – 37) cm = 152 (142 – 132 – 122) rows from cast-on, shape cap:
- Bind off 3 sts each side once
- then every 2nd row: 2 sts once, 1 st 5 times
- then every 4th row: 1 st 6 (7-7-8) times
- then every 2nd row: 1 st 4 (3-4-4) times, 2 sts once, 3 sts once = 10 (22 – 28 – 38) sts.
After 15 (16-17-18) cm = 50 (52-56-60) rows from cap start, bind off remaining sts.
FINISHING
Sew shoulder seams.
With circular needle US 2.5 (3 mm), pick up 122 sts around neck. Work in the round: 1.5 cm (4 rounds) in ribbing (k1, p1). Bind off.
Sew in sleeves. Sew sleeve seams and side seams.
Note: The back is 6.5 cm (2.5″) longer than the front — this is correct.
This complete instruction is a simple lace sweater knitting pattern free of charge, perfect for knitters looking for an elegant openwork pullover. You can share this simple lace sweater knitting pattern free as long as you credit the original source.
Knitting Chart
