Forest Saver Color DK Circular Yoke Sweater (Free Knitting Pattern)
Forest Saver Color DK Circular Yoke Sweater (Free Knitting Pattern)
Embrace rich earthy tones and seamless top-down construction with the Forest Saver Color DK Circular Yoke Sweater. Designed with a textured 2x2 ribbed circular yoke that gracefully expands down the shoulders into a smooth stockinette body, this lightweight yet cozy sweater lets the self-striping yarn create organic horizontal color bands automatically.
Crafted with Ice Yarns Saver Color DK, a soft, budget-friendly 100% premium anti-pilling acrylic yarn, this project offers smooth glide on your needles and easy-care everyday wear.
Materials Needed & Recommended Yarns
Primary Yarn:
- Self-Striping Premium Acrylic Option: Ice Yarns Saver Color DK (100% Premium Anti-Pilling Acrylic; 100g / 3.53oz, 280m / 306yds per ball) in Forest Green / Brown Marled.
- Solid Alternative: Ice Yarns Classic DK or Ice Yarns Camilla Cotton.
Yarn Category & Weight Links:
Discover more light DK-weight choices in our Category 3 Light DK Collection and explore vibrant colorways in our Self-Striping Yarns Collection.
Skein Requirement & Size Calculator
| Size | Bust Measurement (Inches / cm) | Skeins of Ice Yarns Saver Color DK |
|---|---|---|
| XS | 28-30" / 71-76 cm | 3 Skeins (approx. 800 m) |
| S | 32-34" / 81-86 cm | 4 Skeins (approx. 920 m) |
| M | 36-38" / 91-96 cm | 4 Skeins (approx. 1040 m) |
| L | 40-42" / 101-106 cm | 5 Skeins (approx. 1180 m) |
| XL | 44-46" / 111-116 cm | 5 Skeins (approx. 1320 m) |
| 2XL | 48-50" / 121-126 cm | 6 Skeins (approx. 1460 m) |
| 3XL | 52-54" / 132-137 cm | 6 Skeins (approx. 1600 m) |
| 4XL | 56-58" / 142-147 cm | 7 Skeins (approx. 1740 m) |
| 5XL | 60-62" / 152-157 cm | 7 Skeins (approx. 1880 m) |
Tools & Pattern Specifications
-
Knitting Needles:
- US 6 (4.0 mm) 16" & 32" circular needles (for main stockinette body).
- US 4 (3.5 mm) 16" & 32" circular needles (for ribbed collar, yoke ribbing, and cuffs).
- Notions: Stitch markers (1 unique for BOR), Stitch holders or waste yarn, Tapestry needle, Measuring tape, Scissors.
- Gauge: 22 sts and 28 rnds = 4" x 4" (10 x 10 cm) in Stockinette Stitch using US 6 (4.0 mm) needles after light steam blocking.
Size Chart & Finished Measurements
Designed with approx. 2 to 4 inches (5–10 cm) of comfortable positive ease.
| Measurement (Inches / cm) | XS | S | M | L | XL | 2XL | 3XL | 4XL | 5XL |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Finished Bust Circumference | 33" / 84cm | 37" / 94cm | 41" / 104cm | 45" / 114cm | 49" / 124cm | 53" / 134cm | 57" / 145cm | 61" / 155cm | 65" / 165cm |
| Yoke Depth | 7.5" / 19cm | 8" / 20.5cm | 8.5" / 21.5cm | 9" / 23cm | 9.5" / 24cm | 10.5" / 26.5cm | 11" / 28cm | 11.5" / 29cm | 12" / 30.5cm |
| Body Length (Underarm to Hem) | 14" / 35.5cm | 14.5" / 37cm | 15" / 38cm | 15.5" / 39cm | 16" / 40.5cm | 16.5" / 42cm | 17" / 43cm | 17.5" / 44.5cm | 18" / 46cm |
| Sleeve Length | 17" / 43cm | 17.5" / 44.5cm | 18" / 46cm | 18" / 46cm | 18.5" / 47cm | 18.5" / 47cm | 19" / 48cm | 19" / 48cm | 19.5" / 49.5cm |
Glossary & Abbreviations (US Knitting Terms)
- CO: Cast On
- BO: Bind Off
- K: Knit
- P: Purl
- PM / SM: Place Marker / Slip Marker
- BOR: Beginning of Round
- M1R / M1L: Make 1 Right / Make 1 Left
- K2tog / SSK: Decreases
- Rnd(s): Round(s)
Step-by-Step Written Pattern
1. Neck Collar
Using US 4 (3.5 mm) 16" circular needles, CO 88 (96, 104, 112, 120, 128, 136, 144, 152) sts. PM for BOR and join in the round.
Work K2, P2 ribbing for 1.5" / 4 cm.
2. Ribbed Circular Yoke (Seamless Top-Down)
- Yoke Increase Rnd 1: *K2, P2, M1P; repeat from * around (increases purl sections to 3 sts).
- Work 8 to 12 rnds in *K2, P3* pattern.
- Yoke Increase Rnd 2: *K2, M1R, P3; repeat from * around (increases knit sections to 3 sts).
Switch to US 6 (4.0 mm) circular needles when sts feel crowded. Continue expanding yoke in ribbing until total stitch count reaches 240 (264, 296, 328, 360, 392, 424, 456, 488) sts and Yoke Depth measures 7.5 (8, 8.5, 9, 9.5, 10.5, 11, 11.5, 12)" / 19 (20.5, 21.5, 23, 24, 26.5, 28, 29, 30.5) cm.
3. Separating Body & Sleeves
Knit across 70 (76, 84, 94, 102, 112, 120, 130, 138) Back sts. Transfer next 50 (56, 64, 70, 78, 84, 92, 98, 106) Sleeve sts onto scrap yarn. CO 6 (8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, 22) sts for underarm. Knit across 70 (76, 84, 94, 102, 112, 120, 130, 138) Front sts. Transfer next 50 (56, 64, 70, 78, 84, 92, 98, 106) Sleeve sts onto scrap yarn. CO 6 (8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, 22) sts for underarm.
Work body in Stockinette Stitch until 12" / 30.5 cm from underarm. Switch to US 4 (3.5 mm) needles, work 1x1 ribbing for 2" / 5 cm. BO loosely.
4. Sleeves (Work Both Alike)
Transfer sleeve sts to US 6 (4.0 mm) needles, pick up underarm sts. Work in Stockinette Stitch, decreasing 1 st at each side of BOR marker every 8th rnd 8 (11, 15, 18, 22, 25, 29, 32, 36) times. Work straight until sleeve measures 15" / 38 cm from underarm. Switch to US 4 (3.5 mm) needles, work 1x1 ribbing for 2.5" / 6.5 cm. BO loosely.
Blocking & Finishing Protocol (100% Premium Anti-Pilling Acrylic)
- Weave in Ends: Secure all yarn tails on the wrong side.
- Steam Blocking: Lay flat on blocking mats. Hold steam iron 2 inches (5 cm) ABOVE fabric without touching fibers directly. Allow steam to set yoke increases and smooth out stockinette stitches. Leave to dry completely.
