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Elena V-Neck Sweater Knitting Pattern for Beginners

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The Elena is an easy sweater knitting pattern crafted with beginners in mind. Whether you’re new to knitting or garment making, the Elena is an easy sweater to make.

This comfy pullover sweater features a v-neck that’s simply made. Along the cuffs and hem the stretchy rib stitch gives the perfect finish.

The stockinette stitch creates a timeless classic sweater that drapes beautifully in worsted weight yarn. This is one of my favorite sweaters, I hope it will be yours too!

Woman turned in beige v-neck knit sweater.
This sweater is so comfy!

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Yarn, hooks and needles on white table.

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The Elena Sweater is knit flat, in four pieces: a front panel, back panel and two sleeves. Those pieces are then seamed together. Since this one is knit in flat pieces and seamed you can use straight needles or a circular needle, as I did.

This free knitting pattern includes 9 sizes. The sizes are to fit bust sizes 30″ through 62″ with a generous amount of ease.

Purchase the ad-free, well formatted printable PDF Pattern from my shop. Scroll down for the free pattern!

Woman looks down while wearing knit v-neck pullover.

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More Easy Knitting Patterns

The Giana Pocket Shawl is a squishy knit in garter stitch.

Another of my favorite simple knits is the Umbria Shawl knit in chunky yarn.

The Bella Vita Blanket makes a gorgeous knit home–warming gift for a favorite couple.

More top knitting patterns popular with knitters in this round up.

Yarn

Touch of Alpaca* is a lovely blend of acrylic and alpaca, which is hypoallergenic. It’s warm, wears well, washable and perfect for worsted sweater patterns.

Can you substitute a different yarn? Absolutely. Many #4 medium worsted weight yarns will work well for this sweater pattern.  If you wish to use an alternative yarn, be sure to choose a yarn that has plenty of drape and that meets the gauge requirements specified.

Stitch

The Elena Sweater is knit simply with a 2 x 2 ribbing. The main sweater is knit in stockinette stitch.

The v-neck is simple to achieve with decreases. So you’ll need to know (or learn) how to knit two together. I link up some tutorials for you in the stitches section too.


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Materials

  • Lion Brand’s Touch of Alpaca* #4 medium worsted weight yarn (90% Acrylic, 10% Alpaca, 207 yd (190 m) per 100 g skein); see yarn details by size below.
  • 4 mm (US 6) 24” or longer circular needles (for knitting flat).
  • 4.5 mm (US 7) 24” or longer circular needles or size needed to meet gauge.
  • Yarn needle, Measuring tape, Scissors

It is possible to knit this sweater on straight needles. However, if you’re in the market for knitting needles circulars are very versatile and I highly recommend interchangeables!

It is possible to knit this sweater on straight needles. However, if you’re in the market for knitting needles circulars are very versatile and I highly recommend interchangeables!

Yarn By Size

  • XS – 621 yds (568 m)
  • SM – 725 yds (663 m)
  • MED – 828 yds (757 m)
  • LG – 948 yds (867 m)
  • XL – 1078 yds (986 m)
  • 2X – 1208 yds (1105 m)
  • 3X – 1342 yds (1227 m)
  • 4X – 1449 yds (1325 m)
  • 5X – 1656 yds (1514 m)

Notes

  1. Please read through all notes and pattern before you begin.
  2. Please check gauge first by knitting at least a 6” (15cm) square in stockinette with your chosen yarn + needles, block your swatch + measure. Compare it to the listed gauge and adjust your needle size if needed. Stitch gauge is more important than row gauge for this pattern.
  3. Pattern is written for multiple sizes where the first number given is the smallest size and larger sizes come next in parenthesis. For example: CO 72 [80, 88, 96, 104, 112, 120, 128, 136] indicates to cast on 72 sts for the XS size, 80 sts for SM, 104 sts for XL size, etc. Where no size is indicated, instructions apply to all sizes.
  4. Stitch multiple is 4.

Stitches

Abbreviations In US Terms

Gauge

15 sts x 20 rows (after blocking) to 4” (10 cm) measured in St st using 4.5 mm (US 7) needles.

Please swatch carefully, as incorrect gauge will cause the sweater to come out the wrong size.

Skill Level

Beginner

Construction

This easy sweater is knit flat and from the bottom up. The body ribbing and sleeve cuffs are knit in 2×2 ribbing. There are 4 pieces: the back panel, front panel and two sleeves. After knitting you will sew the panels together, sew the sleeves together, and then add them to the main body of the sweater. I bound off and seamed the shoulders. You may choose to do a 3 needle bind off if you prefer.

Fit

Finished Measurements

After blocking 38 [42.5, 47, 51, 55.5, 60, 64, 68, 72.5] (96.5 [108, 119.5, 129.5, 141, 152.5, 162.5, 173, 184] cm) bust circumference. 

Intended to be worn with 8 – 10” (20.5 – 25.5 cm) of positive ease at the bust.

The model is 5’ 2” and wears size M with 11” (28 cm) of positive ease at the bust.

It’s best to take your bust measurements and compare it to the bust circumference of the finished sweater measurement to choose the right size. And, of course, be sure to check and meet gauge for best fit!

Size

XS [S, M, L, XL, 2X, 3X, 4X, 5X]

To fit 30 [34, 38, 42, 46, 50, 54, 58, 62] (76 [86.5, 96.5, 106.5, 117, 127, 137, 147, 157.5] cm) bust circumference.

Adjustment

To lengthen your sweater repeat more rows on the panels before the neckline. I’s often easiest to go up or down a size first in the pattern.

If you would like to add neck ribbing you can use the same ribbing technique I use for the Bosa Sweater.

Scroll down for the v–neck sweater knitting pattern.

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Woman in beige knitted sweater with long sleeves and deep v.

Pattern Instructions

Back Panel

Using smaller needles CO 72 [80, 88, 96, 104, 112, 120, 128, 136] sts using alternating cable cast on.

Row 1. K1, *k2, p2; rep from * to last st, k1.

Rows 2 – 12. Rep Row 1 for 12 rows total or until ribbing is 2.5” (6.5 cm) long.

Change to larger needles.

Row 13. (RS) K all.

Row 14. (WS) K1, *p; rep from * to last st, k1.

Rep last two rows until entire panel is 22” [23, 23, 23.5, 24, 24, 24, 24, 24.5] in (56 [58.5, 58.5, 59.5, 61, 61, 61, 61, 62] cm) long or to your desired length.

BO. Leave a long tail for seaming, cut yarn.

Front Panel Pattern

Using smaller needles CO 72 [80, 88, 96, 104, 112, 120, 128, 136] sts using alternating cable cast on.

Row 1. K1, *k2, p2; rep from * to last st, k1.

Rows 2 – 12. Rep Row 1 for 12 rows total or until ribbing is 2.5” (6.5 cm) long.

Change to larger needles.

Row 13. (RS) K all.

Row 14. (WS) K1, *p; rep from * to last st, k1.

Rep last two rows until entire panel is 18” [18.5, 17, 16.5, 16.5, 16, 15, 15, 14] in (45.5 [47, 43, 42, 42, 40.5, 38, 38, 35.5] cm) long. *If you lengthened your Back Panel add more length here. V–neck will span the last 4.5” [4.5, 6.25, 7, 7.5, 8.25, 9, 9.5, 10.5] in (11.5 [11.5, 16, 18, 19, 21, 23, 24, 26.5] cm) of panel length.

Front panel of knitted sweater with left shoulder divided.
Close up of left v-neck knitted sweater front.

Divide Panels

On the next right side row you will divide your front panel in half and begin decreases one panel at a time to create the v-neck.

Left Front Panel When Wearing

Row 1. On your next RS row K 36 [40, 44, 48, 52, 56, 60, 64, 68] sts, slip remaining 36 [40, 44, 48, 52, 56, 60, 64, 68] sts on an extra needle or spare length of yarn for later. Continue with sts on your needle.

Row 2. (WS) K1, *p; rep from * to last st, k1. 36 [40, 44, 48, 52, 56, 60, 64, 68] sts

Decrease

Row 3. (RS) K to last 3 sts, k2tog, k1. 1 st decreased.

Row 4. (WS) K1, *p; rep from * to last st, k1.

Rep last two rows continuing to decrease every RS row until you have 24 [28, 29, 31, 34, 36, 38, 42, 42] sts left and shoulder is 6.5” [7.5, 7.75, 8.5, 9, 9.5, 10, 11.25, 11.25] in (16.5 [19, 19.5, 21.5, 23, 24, 25.5, 28.5, 28.5] cm) wide. Leave a long tail for seaming and cut yarn. BO.

Right side of shoulder on knitted sweater panel.
V-neck decreases complete.

Right Front Panel When Wearing

Slip other half of sts back onto your working needle. Rejoin join yarn at center st.

Row 1. (RS) K all. 36 [40, 44, 48, 52, 56, 60, 64, 68] sts

Row 2. (WS) K1, *p; rep from * to last st, k1.

Decrease

Row 3. (RS) K1, K2tog-L, k to end. 1 st decreased.

Row 4. (WS) K1, *p; rep from * to last st, k1.

Rep last two rows continuing to decrease every RS row until you have 24 [28, 29, 31, 34, 36, 38, 42, 42] sts left and shoulder measures 6.5” [7.5, 7.75, 8.5, 9, 9.5, 10, 11.25, 11.25] in (16.5 [19, 19.5, 21.5, 23, 24, 25.5, 28.5, 28.5] cm) wide. Leave a long tail for seaming and cut yarn. BO.

Front and back panels laid flat.

Block Panels

Block your panels now, before seaming.

Assembly

Seam Panels

Lay front and back panels together with RS touching. 

Sew together at the shoulders. 

Sew sides together from hem to last 6.5” [7, 7.5, 8, 8.5, 9, 9.5, 10, 10.5] in (16.5 [18, 19, 20.5, 21.5, 23, 24, 25.5, 26.5] cm) of panel, leave this open for armhole. 

Two knitted sweater panels in beige yarn one on top of the other.

Sleeves

Make 2

To find the exact sleeve length for you try your sweater on now. Measure from where the sweater comes off your shoulder down to where you would like your sleeve to stop. Usually this is between the wrist and first thumb joint. Sleeve is knit from the wrist up, so you can also check width and length as you go and make adjustments, if needed.

Using smaller needles CO 32 [32, 32, 36, 36, 36, 40, 40, 40] sts using alternating cable cast on.

Row 1. K1, *k2, p2; rep from * to last st, k1.

Rows 2 – 12. Rep Row 1 for 12 rows total or until ribbing is 2.5” (6.5 cm) long.

Change to larger needles.

Row 13. (RS) K all.

Row 14. (WS) K1, *p; rep from * to last st, k1.

Row 15. K1, kfb, k to last 2 sts, kfb, k1. 2 sts decreased.

Row 16. (WS) K1, *p; rep from * to last st, k1.

Repeat last two rows until you have 48 [52, 56, 60, 64, 68, 72, 76, 78] sts and sleeve is 13” [14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21] in (33 [35.5, 38, 40.5, 43, 45.5, 48.5, 51, 53.5] cm) wide.

Then rep rows 13 – 14 until your sleeve is 18”/45.7cm long or to desired length. 

Cut yarn, leaving a long tail for seaming.

Block Sleeves

Block your sleeves now, before seaming. 

Two sleeves knit flat.

Seam Sleeves

Fold sleeve in half lengthwise with RS touching. 

Sew long edge together. 

Turn sleeve RS out. 

Knit sleeve with seam labeled.

With sweater body still WS out, and sleeve RS out, slide sleeve in sweater, from the neckhole to the armhole. Sleeve seam should be down (it will lie along the elbow). Line up shoulder end of sleeve to armhole opening for seaming.

Sleeve tucked inside knitted sweater ready for seaming.

Sew sleeve to armhole. Rep for other sleeve.

Finishing

Cut yarn, weave in ends.

Woman wearing Elena v-neck knit sweater in beige.

Elena Sweater Knitting Pattern

Yield: 1
Prep Time: 30 minutes
Active Time: 12 hours
Additional Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 13 hours
Difficulty: Easy
Estimated Cost: $30

The Elena Sweater is an easy knitting pattern crafted with beginners in mind.

Materials

  • #4 medium worsted weight yarn, pictured is Lion Brand’s Touch of Alpaca (90% Acrylic, 10% Alpaca, 3.5 oz/100 g, 207 yd/190 m):
  • XS-3 skeins or approximately 621 yds/568 m
  • SM-4 skeins or approximately 725 yds/663 m
  • MED-4 skeins or approximately 828 yds/757 m
  • LG-5 skeins or approximately 948 yds/867 m
  • XL-6 skeins or approximately 1078 yds/986 m
  • 2X-6 skeins or approximately 1208 yds/1105 m
  • 3X-7 skeins or approximately 1342 yds/1227 m
  • 4X-7 skeins or approximately 1449 yds/1325 m
  • 5X-8 skeins or approximately 1656 yds/1514 m

Tools

  • US 7/4.5mm needles or needles needed to meet gauge
  • Yarn needle
  • Measuring tape
  • Scissors

Instructions

Back Panel
Using smaller needles CO 72 [80, 88, 96, 104, 112, 120, 128, 136] sts using alternating cable cast on.

Row 1. K1, *k2, p2; rep from * to last st, k1.
Rows 2 – 12. Rep Row 1 for 12 rows total or until ribbing is 2.5” (6.5 cm) long.

Change to larger needles.
Row 13. (RS) K all.
Row 14. (WS) K1, *p; rep from * to last st, k1.

Rep last two rows until entire panel is 22” [23, 23, 23.5, 24, 24, 24, 24, 24.5] in (56 [58.5, 58.5, 59.5, 61, 61, 61, 61, 62] cm) long or to your desired length.

BO. Leave a long tail for seaming, cut yarn.

Front Panel Pattern
Using smaller needles CO 72 [80, 88, 96, 104, 112, 120, 128, 136] sts using alternating cable cast on.

Row 1. K1, *k2, p2; rep from * to last st, k1.
Rows 2 – 12. Rep Row 1 for 12 rows total or until ribbing is 2.5” (6.5 cm) long.

Change to larger needles.
Row 13. (RS) K all.
Row 14. (WS) K1, *p; rep from * to last st, k1.

Rep last two rows until entire panel is 18” [18.5, 17, 16.5, 16.5, 16, 15, 15, 14] in (45.5 [47, 43, 42, 42, 40.5, 38, 38, 35.5] cm) long. *If you lengthened your Back Panel add more length here. V–neck will span the last 4.5” [4.5, 6.25, 7, 7.5, 8.25, 9, 9.5, 10.5] in (11.5 [11.5, 16, 18, 19, 21, 23, 24, 26.5] cm) of panel length.

Divide Panels
On the next right side row you will divide your front panel in half and begin decreases one panel at a time to create the v-neck.

Left Front Panel When Wearing
Row 1. On your next RS row K 36 [40, 44, 48, 52, 56, 60, 64, 68] sts, slip remaining 36 [40, 44, 48, 52, 56, 60, 64, 68] sts on an extra needle or spare length of yarn for later. Continue with sts on your needle.

Row 2. (WS) K1, *p; rep from * to last st, k1. 36 [40, 44, 48, 52, 56, 60, 64, 68] sts

Decrease
Row 3. (RS) K to last 3 sts, k2tog, k1. 1 st decreased.
Row 4. (WS) K1, *p; rep from * to last st, k1.

Rep last two rows continuing to decrease every RS row until you have 24 [28, 29, 31, 34, 36, 38, 42, 42] sts left and shoulder is 6.5” [7.5, 7.75, 8.5, 9, 9.5, 10, 11.25, 11.25] in (16.5 [19, 19.5, 21.5, 23, 24, 25.5, 28.5, 28.5] cm) wide. Leave a long tail for seaming and cut yarn. BO.

Right Front Panel When Wearing
Slip other half of sts back onto your working needle. Rejoin join yarn at center st.

Row 1. (RS) K all. 36 [40, 44, 48, 52, 56, 60, 64, 68] sts
Row 2. (WS) K1, *p; rep from * to last st, k1.

Decrease
Row 3. (RS) K1, K2tog-L, k to end. 1 st decreased.
Row 4. (WS) K1, *p; rep from * to last st, k1.

Rep last two rows continuing to decrease every RS row until you have 24 [28, 29, 31, 34, 36, 38, 42, 42] sts left and shoulder measures 6.5” [7.5, 7.75, 8.5, 9, 9.5, 10, 11.25, 11.25] in (16.5 [19, 19.5, 21.5, 23, 24, 25.5, 28.5, 28.5] cm) wide. Leave a long tail for seaming and cut yarn. BO.

Block Panels
Block your panels now, before seaming.

Seam Panels
Lay front and back panels together with RS touching.

Sew together at the shoulders.

Sew sides together from hem to last 6.5” [7, 7.5, 8, 8.5, 9, 9.5, 10, 10.5] in (16.5 [18, 19, 20.5, 21.5, 23, 24, 25.5, 26.5] cm) of panel, leave this open for armhole.

Sleeves
Make 2
To find the exact sleeve length for you try your sweater on now. Measure from where the sweater comes off your shoulder down to where you would like your sleeve to stop. Usually this is between the wrist and first thumb joint. Sleeve is knit from the wrist up, so you can also check width and length as you go and make adjustments, if needed.

Using smaller needles CO 32 [32, 32, 36, 36, 36, 40, 40, 40] sts using alternating cable cast on.

Row 1. K1, *k2, p2; rep from * to last st, k1.
Rows 2 – 12. Rep Row 1 for 12 rows total or until ribbing is 2.5” (6.5 cm) long.

Change to larger needles.
Row 13. (RS) K all.
Row 14. (WS) K1, *p; rep from * to last st, k1.
Row 15. K1, kfb, k to last 2 sts, kfb, k1. 2 sts decreased.
Row 16. (WS) K1, *p; rep from * to last st, k1.

Repeat last two rows until you have 48 [52, 56, 60, 64, 68, 72, 76, 78] sts and sleeve is 13” [14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21] in (33 [35.5, 38, 40.5, 43, 45.5, 48.5, 51, 53.5] cm) wide.

Then rep rows 13 – 14 until your sleeve is 18”/45.7cm long or to desired length.

Cut yarn, leaving a long tail for seaming.

Block Sleeves
Block your sleeves now, before seaming.

Seam Sleeves
Fold sleeve in half lengthwise with RS touching.
Sew long edge together.
Turn sleeve RS out.

With sweater body still WS out, and sleeve RS out, slide sleeve in sweater, from the neckhole to the armhole. Sleeve seam should be down (it will lie along the elbow). Line up shoulder end of sleeve to armhole opening for seaming.

Sew sleeve to armhole. Rep for other sleeve.

Finishing
Cut yarn, weave in ends.

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4 Comments

  1. Thank you for sharing so much info for making this sweater. I’m just getting back into knitting and I’m sure to enjoy making this one

  2. Hi Barbara,
    The shoulders are sewn to the back panel here:
    Seam Panels
    Lay front and back panels together with RS touching.
    Sew together at the shoulders.

    Alternatively, if you have not bound off yet, you can use a three needle bind off to join the shoulders to the back panel.

    I hope this helps!
    Crystal