Bring back timeless fashion with this beginner friendly knit Striped Three-Quarter Sleeved Sweater, a vintage-inspired knit pattern that combines elegance with casual comfort. Featuring subtle eyelet stripes and soft pastel contrast bands, this piece is perfect for cool spring days or crisp autumn afternoons.
This sweater blends form and function with a relaxed fit, flattering drop shoulders, and cropped three-quarter length sleeves. The vertical stripes elongate the silhouette, while the fine lace detail (created with simple yarn overs and decreases) adds a feminine touch without overwhelming the look.
Whether you wear it tucked into a high-waisted skirt or over your favorite jeans, it’s a showstopper.
Finished Sizes:
To fit bust sizes 32″ to 40″ (81.5 cm to 101.5 cm)
Design Features:
- Drop shoulders and boxy, oversized shape
- Vertical lace stripe pattern
- Ribbed waistband and cuffs
- Slightly cropped body with bracelet-length sleeves
- Knit flat and seamed for structure
Materials Needed:
- Sofil Mimosa or similar DK-weight yarn
- Three colors: main color + two contrast shades
- 2¾ mm and 3¼ mm knitting needles
- Tapestry needle for seaming
- Stitch markers and row counter (recommended)
Skill Level:
Intermediate. You’ll need to be comfortable with:
- Knitting in stocking stitch
- Yarn overs and decreases for lace panels
- Reading a row-by-row pattern
- Sewing pieces together
Techniques Involved:
- K1, P1 ribbing
- Stockinette (stocking stitch)
- Eyelet lace: Yarn over, P2tog
- Shaping with increases and decreases
- Picking up stitches for neckline ribbing
Style It With:
Pair this sweater with a high-waisted midi skirt for a polished look, or wear it with tapered trousers and flats for effortless chic. It’s versatile, breathable, and ideal for layering.
Seen Here:
Modelled in soft cream and heather gray tones with subtle shine, this version has a luxurious drape and pairs beautifully with neutral separates. The model wears it over a fitted knit skirt, with sleeves pushed up for a relaxed, modern edge.
Ready to cast on?
The full step-by-step pattern is available here on The Pattern Palace. Whether you’re building a vintage capsule wardrobe or simply want to try your hand at lace knitting, this sweater is a stylish and satisfying project to add to your needles. Looking for the pattern without ads, or ready to search for your next project, check out our Etsy shop!
FREE PATTERN
Sizes 32–40 ins (81.5–101.5 cm)
MATERIALS:
SOFIL MIMOSA yarn
- 3/3/4/4/4 balls of main colour
- 2/2/2/2/3 balls of first contrast colour
- 3/3/3/4/4 balls of second contrast colour
- 1 pair of knitting needles: sizes 2¾ mm and 3¼ mm
Note: These yarn amounts are based on average requirements and are approximate.
MEASUREMENTS:
- To fit bust: 32/34/36/38/40 ins (81.5/86.5/91.5/96.5/101.5 cm) – loosely
- Length to shoulder: 23 ins (58.5 cm)
- Sleeve seam: 16 ins (40.5 cm)
NOTES:
Where only one figure is given, it applies to all sizes. If the figure 0 appears, no sts or rows are worked for that size. please note, this is a vintage pattern and the yarn and materials listed may no longer be available. Please ensure you match gauge so that your piece turns out as it should.
TENSION:
14 sts and 18 rows = 2 in (5 cm) square over pattern on 3¼ mm needles
Important: Always test your tension before starting. Adjust needle size if needed.
ABBREVIATIONS:
- K: knit
- P: purl
- St(s): stitch(es)
- St st: stocking stitch
- Inc: increase
- Dec: decrease
- Tog: together
- Rep: repeat
- Beg: beginning
- Sl: slip
- Psso: pass slipped stitch over
- Yrn: yarn round needle
- A: main colour
- B: first contrast colour
- C: second contrast colour
BACK:
Using 3¼ mm needles and A, cast on 140 sts. Mark the 84th stitch with a coloured thread.
Work 4/8/10/14/16 rows in st st (1 row K, 1 row P), starting with a K row.
Change to B and work 5 rows in st st, ending with K row.
Continue with rows as instructed, alternating colours and following shaping directions, lace patterns using (yrn, P2tog), and stitch increases or decreases.
Full stitch-by-stitch instructions continue for all shaping, including neck and armhole shaping.
FRONT:
Work as for BACK to match up to shaping rows. Follow detailed instructions for shaping the neck, including cast-offs and lace panel placement.
SLEEVES:
Both sleeves begin with ribbing using 2¾ mm needles and A. After increasing, change to 3¼ mm needles and follow the colour sequence: B, C, A, B, etc., working lace panels and shaping increases regularly.
NECKBAND:
With right side facing and 2¾ mm needles, pick up stitches around the neckline (following provided stitch count per size), and work ¾ in (2 cm) in k1, p1 rib. Cast off in rib.
WELTS:
Pick up and knit stitches evenly along the lower edge of the front and back. Work 3 inches (7.5 cm) in k1, p1 rib. Cast off in rib.
TO MAKE UP:
Press seams lightly.
Press on wrong side with cool iron over a cloth, omit ribbing.
Use flat stitch for rib seams, and a fine backstitch for other seams.
Set in sleeves using cast-off edges to align with body markers.
Join side and sleeve seams using flat stitch and backstitch.
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