The Juliet East Chunky Knit Sweater sweater is a simple, modern and free knitting pattern suitable for everyone from beginners to pro knitters.
This step by step tutorial teaches you how to knit a simple chunky jumper even if you are a total beginner and the best bit about King&Eye patterns is that they are designed for newbies so they are quick and easy meaning you won’t still be working on it next Winter!
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What Materials Do I Need For My Easy Chunky Knit Sweater?
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Super Bulky (Size 6) Yarn – I used King & Eye Super Chunky Merino because it’s super soft!
12mm straight or circular needles (I would recommend 60-80cm length)
Scissors these ones are a really pretty addition to your crafting essentials bag
Tapestry needle for weaving in ends. This set is really useful for all of your craft projects and the storage tube ensures they don’t get lost!
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How Big Should I Knit My Chunky Jumper?
This easy chunky knit sweater is available in sizes XS (28 inch chest) through to 5XL (60-62 inch chest).
Shoulder to waist is approximately 18 inches (45cm), ease around the bust is approximately 3-4 inches
Instructions are given for the smallest size (XS/S/M). Minor changes for larger sizes are given in brackets:
XS/S/M 30-38 inch chest
L/XL/2XL 40-50 inch chest (in brackets)
3XL/4XL/5XL 52-62 inch chest (second number in brackets)
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Which Stitches Do I Use For My Easy Chunky Knit Sweater?
The pattern allows you to try out the basic knit stitches to create the texture in your pattern, these are:
CO – cast on
K – knit
P – purl
KFB Inc – Knit Front & Back to increase 1 stitch by knitting into the front and then the back of the same stitch
BO – bind Off
If you’re unsure of any of the stitches I have tutorials on youtube
Do I Need A Gauge Swatch?
Gauge is important to give you an idea of whether your project will be the size you want, especially important with clothing!
I usually recommend making a swatch that measures at least 10 x 10 cm / 4 x 4 inches using the stitch in the pattern the gauge is given for (see below).
Test your yarn against the gauge sizing below or see your yarn information label to check the typical gauge if you want to use an alternative.
Stockinette Stitch = 9 stitches x 11 rows (10x10cm)
If your swatch is smaller than this then swap to a larger needle, if you have a larger swatch then use a smaller size needle until the required gauge is reached.
I know it’s a step we ALL want to ignore but checking your gauge is a really important habit to get into, as once you progress to more complicated projects it plays an important role in making sure your project is the right size.
Trust me when I say you DON’T want to spend hours creating something beautiful that will only fit your six year old next door neighbour!
How Do I Knit My Easy Chunky Sweater?
First Knit Your Front & Back Sweater Pieces
(make 2)
CO (Cast on) 44 (68,88) stitches
Row 1 – work 2x2rib by alternating k2,p2 across the stitches, you should finish on p2.
R2-6 Repeat the 2×2 rib, knitting all the knit stitches and purling each purl stitch (Don’t forget to turn your work if you are working on circular needles).
Row 7 knit all stitches
Row 8 Purl all stitches to give you a flatter stitch pattern made up of ‘V’ stitches that you will see on most of your knitted sweaters, this is called stockinette or stocking stitch.
Continue with stockinette stitch (alternating rows of knit and purl stitches) until your piece measures 17” (43cm)
Shape the Shoulders
BO (Bind off) 8 (12,16) stitches, knit to the end of the row (36,56,72)
BO (Bind off) 8 (12,16) stitches, purl to the end of the row (28,44,56)
Make The Neckline
*k2,p2* the remaining stitches on your needle for the next 9 rows
Cast off
Sleeves (Make 2)
CO 28 (36,44) stitches
Row 1 work 2×2 rib (k2,p2) as with the main body
Row 2-30 Continue with 2×2 rib (k2,p2)
Row 31 KFB to Inc 1 – to do this insert your right needle into the front of the loop as normal, yarn over and pull up your loop but do not slip the original loop off the left needle just yet. Knit another stitch into the back of the loop on the left needle by inserting the right needle through the back of the loop, yarn over and pull the loop through on the right needle. You should now have two loops on the right needle. Now you can slip the original stitch off the left needle. If you count your stitches you will now have one extra.
Repeat KFB then continue with the 2×2 rib for the rest of the row
Your stitch count should have increased by 2
Row 32 KFB two times then continue with 2×2 rib. (you will now have 2 extra stitches at each end of the row that look as though they are not matched but when you sew the sleeves together these will join so the seam is not visible.
Row 33-50 continue working in 2×2 rib.
Bind off
Putting it all together
Lay your two main body pieces on a flat surface with right sides together then pin the shoulders including the side edge of the ribbed neckline.
Join at the shoulders using your preferred stitch (I use mattress stitch as it gives a nice flat seam).
Find a good flat surface and lay your work flat with the shoulder seam in the middle and the wrong sides facing upwards.
Fold the sleeves right sides together lengthways (along the rib) and mark the shoulder centre point with a pin or stitch marker.
Line this pin up with your shoulder seam on the wrong side of your work and join the short edge of the sleeve to the main piece so that half of the sleeve sits on each side of the shoulder seam. (Do this on each sleeve).
Fold your sweater in half at the shoulder seam with the wrong sides facing out and join from the base to the wrist of the sleeve.
Turn your sweater the right way out -Ta Da!!
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