Looking for a men’s striped sweater knitting pattern that’s stylish, comfortable, and fun to knit? You’re in the right place! This post features some of my favorite free sweater patterns, all conveniently linked on my sweater pattern page—and if you’re here for the Men’s Nick Sweater pattern, you’ll find it at the bottom of this post!
Why the Men’s Striped Sweater Knitting Pattern is a Must-Knit
There’s something deeply satisfying about knitting a sweater from scratch, especially when it turns out looking this good. The Men’s Nick Sweater has everything I love in a project: a drop sleeve design, a classic crew neck, and, of course, stripes. Stripes are my go-to for adding personality without making things too complicated. This pattern has a relaxed fit, making it great for everyday wear, and it’s knit in Berroco Vintage (affiliate link)—a yarn that’s both soft and durable.
If you’re looking for a men’s striped sweater knitting pattern that’s beginner-friendly but still interesting to knit, this one’s for you.
Drop Sleeves: The Secret to a Relaxed Fit
One of the best things about the Men’s Nick Sweater is its drop sleeve construction. Unlike set-in sleeves, which require shaping at the armholes, drop sleeves are super straightforward—the body is knit as a rectangle, and the sleeves are attached afterward.
Why do I love this style so much? Because it’s comfortable, modern, and flattering. If you want to make broad shoulders look even broader, this is the silhouette to go for! Plus, the lack of complicated shaping makes this a great first sweater if you’re new to garment knitting.
The Timeless Appeal of a Crew Neck
A crew neck sweater is a wardrobe staple. It’s easy to wear, layers well, and looks polished whether you’re dressing up or keeping it casual. The Men’s Nick Sweater embraces this classic style but gives it a fresh update with striped detailing and a relaxed fit.
Pair it with jeans for a laid-back weekend look, or throw it over a collared shirt for something a little more put-together. You can even wear it under a blazer for a casual-but-refined outfit. No matter how you style it, this men’s striped sweater knitting pattern is one you’ll reach for again and again.
Stripes: A Fun and Easy Way to Add Interest
What’s a men’s striped sweater knitting pattern without some eye-catching color? The Men’s Nick Sweater features bold horizontal stripes that add just the right amount of personality. You can go classic with neutrals, high-contrast with bold colors, or soft and subtle with tonal shades.
The best part? Striped knitting is easy. Once you’ve set up the pattern, it’s just a matter of switching colors at the right time. The repetition is soothing, and you get that satisfying “just one more stripe” feeling that makes it hard to put your needles down!
The Perfect Yarn for a Long-Lasting Sweater
The Men’s Nick Sweater is knit in Berroco Vintage (affiliate link), one of my absolute favorite yarns for sweaters. Why? Because it’s the perfect blend of wool and synthetic fibers, making it soft, durable, and easy to care for.
Berroco Vintage (affiliate link) has excellent stitch definition, so those stripes will look crisp and clean. Plus, it comes in a huge range of colors—whether you want classic navy and gray, bold red and black, or something more unexpected, you’ll find the perfect shade.
Since it’s a machine-washable wool blend, this sweater will hold up beautifully over time. No shrinking, no felting, just a cozy, well-loved knit that gets even better with wear.
Customizing Your Men’s Striped Sweater Knitting Pattern
One of the best things about knitting your own garments is the ability to customize them. The Men’s Nick Sweater pattern is a fantastic base to play with:
- Switch up the colors – Try wide rugby stripes, thin pinstripes, or even a gradient fade.
- Change the fit – Want a slightly slimmer or looser look? Adjust the stitch count or try different yarn weights.
- Modify the neckline – A mock turtleneck or V-neck variation could give the pattern a whole new feel.
Even small changes make your finished sweater uniquely yours.
Why You’ll Love This Men’s Striped Sweater Knitting Pattern
Knitting a sweater might seem like a big project, but the Men’s Nick Sweater pattern makes it easy and enjoyable. Here’s why this men’s striped sweater knitting pattern is a must-try:
✔ Beginner-friendly design – No complicated shaping, just straightforward knitting.
✔ Relaxed, modern fit – The drop sleeve gives it a stylish, laid-back look.
✔ Customizable – Change up the stripes, neckline, or length to make it yours.
✔ Perfect for layering – Wear it with anything from a T-shirt to a dress shirt.
✔ Great yarn choice – Berroco Vintage (affiliate link) is soft, durable, and machine-washable.
This is the kind of sweater you’ll actually want to knit more than once!
How to Get the Pattern
If you love men’s striped sweater knitting patterns, be sure to check out all the free sweater patterns available on my sweater pattern page. There are so many great options to explore, whether you’re looking for simple basics or something with a bit more texture.
But if you’re here for the Men’s Nick Sweater pattern, you’ll find it right at the bottom of this post! Grab your needles, pick out your colors, and get ready to cast on a cozy, stylish striped sweater you’ll love wearing for years to come.
Materials and Info
Size: XS, S (M, L) XL, XXL (2X, 3X)
Materials: Approximately 4, 4 (4, 5) 5, 6 (6, 7) balls of mc Berroco Vintage 217yds/100g, 4, 4 (4, 5) 5, 5 (6, 7) balls of cc Berroco Vintage 217yds/100g, yarn needle, stitch markers
Needle Size: 7(US) 4.5mm circular needles, 6(US) 4mm circular
Gauge (tension): 20sts & 28 rows to make 10cm square, using size 7(US) 4.5mm needles working in stockinette stitch
Chest Measurement: 88, 92 (100, 108) 116, 124 (128, 138) cm
METHOD
Nick Sweater is a bottom-up pullover with drop sleeves in an easy-care yarn. It is worked flat. Created for our 1st child. He picked the colors and the stripes, and I made it a reality. And now the pattern is available for you for you to create.
Abbreviations can be found on the last page.
Note: choose size based on bust measurement for best fit
1X1 RIB PATTERN
Row 1 (right side row) – (k1, p1) across
Row 2 – knit all the knit stitches, purl all the purl stitches.
Men’s Nick Sweater Pattern
BACK
Cast on using smaller circular needle and mc: 104, 108 (116, 120) 128, 136 (142, 150) sts. Join in the round.
Work in 1×1 ribbing for 4cms.
Switch to larger needles and join cc.
Work in 8 row stripes until piece measures 46, 46 (46.5, 46.5) 46.5, 46.5 (47, 47) cm measuring from cast on or desired length.
Place stitch marker on both ends of this row.
Continue without shaping until work measures 67.5, 67.5 (69.5, 70.5) 71.5, 72.5 (73, 74.5) cms
SHAPE BACK SHOULDERS
Bind off 9, 10 (11, 11) 12, 13 (14, 17) sts at beginning of the next 2 rows.
Bind off 9, 10 (11, 11) 12, 13 (14, 17) sts at beginning of row, k12, 12 (13, 14) 15, 16 (17, 20) [13, 13 (14, 15) 16, 17 (18, 21) sts on right needle].
Put remaining unworked sts on stitch holder.
Turn, bind off 3sts, work to end of row.
Turn, bind off remaining 10, 10 (11, 12) 13, 14 (15, 18) sts
With right side facing, rejoin yarn to stitches on hold, bind off 42, 42 (44, 46) 48, 50 (50, 50) knit remaining 22, 23 (25, 26) 28, 30 (32, 38) sts.
Turn, bind off 9, 10 (11, 11) 12, 13 (14, 17) sts
Turn, bind off 3sts
Turn, bind off 10, 10 (11, 12) 13, 14 (15, 18) sts
FRONT
Cast on using smaller circular needle and mc: 104, 108 (116, 120) 128, 136 (142, 150) sts. Join in the round.
Work in 1×1 ribbing for 4cms.
Switch to larger needles and join cc.
Work in 8 row stripes until piece measures 46, 46 (46.5, 46.5) 46.5, 46.5 (47, 47) cm measuring from cast on or desired length.
Place stitch marker on both ends of this row.
Continue without shaping until work measures 60, 60.5 (62, 62.5) 63.5, 63.5 (64, 65.5) cms
LEFT FRONT NECK SHAPING
Work 38, 40 (43, 44) 48, 51 (54, 63) sts, put remaining sts on holder, turn.
Decrease 1 st at neck edge of next and following 6 rows.
Then decrease 1 st at neck edge of each right-side row 3 times.
Then decrease 1 st at neck edge of every other right-side row 1, 1 (1, 1) 2, 2 (2, 2) times.
28, 30 (33, 34) 37, 40 (43, 52) sts remain.
Continue without shaping until work measures 67.5, 67.5 (69.5, 70.5) 71.5, 72.5 (73, 74.5) cms
LEFT FRONT SHOULDER SHAPING
Starting on a right-side row, bind off 9, 10 (11, 11) 12, 13 (14, 17) sts, turn.
Bind off 9, 10 (11, 11) 12, 13 (14, 17) turn.
Bind off remaining, 10, 10 (11, 12) 13, 14 (15, 18) sts.
RIGHT FRONT NECK SHAPING
Rejoin yarn to work on stitch holder.
Bind off 28, 28 (30, 32) 32, 34 (34, 34) sts for the center front, work across remainder of row.
Decrease 1 st at neck edge of next and following 6 rows.
Then decrease 1 st at neck edge of each right-side row 3 times.
Then decrease 1 st at neck edge of every other right-side row 1, 1 (1, 1) 2, 2 (2, 2) times.
28, 30 (33, 34) 37, 40 (43, 52) sts remain.
Continue without shaping until work measures 67.5, 67.5 (69.5, 70.5) 71.5, 72.5 (73, 74.5) cms
RIGHT FRONT SHOULDER SHAPING
Starting on a wrong side row, bind off 9, 10 (11, 11) 12, 13 (14, 17) sts, turn.
Bind off 9, 10 (11, 11) 12, 13 (14, 17) turn.
Bind off remaining, 10, 10 (11, 12) 13, 14 (15, 18) sts.
SLEEVES (MAKE 2)
With smaller needles, cast on 60, 62 (62, 64) 64, 64 (66, 66) sts.
Work for 4cms in 1×1 ribbing.
Change to larger needles and begin working in stockinette stitch and 8 row stripes.
SLEEVE SHAPING TO UNDER ARM
Work 2 rows.
Next row –
Increase 1 sts at each end of every following 4th row 0, 0 (6, 8) 12, 17 (18, 26) times.
Then increase 1 st at each end of every following 6th row 9, 13 (13, 12) 10, 7 (7, 1) times.
Then increase 1 st at each end of every following 8th row 6, 3 (0, 0) 0, 0 (0, 0) times.
90, 94 (100, 104) 108, 112 (114, 120) sts
Continue in stockinette stitch until sleeve measures 45.5, 45.5 (46.5, 47.5) 49, 49.5 (50, 50) or desired length) measuring from cast on finishing after completing a wrong side row.
Bind off all stitches.
NECKBAND
Sew shoulder seams.
With smaller needles and MC pick up and knit 19, 19 (19, 20) 20, 22 (22, 22) sts down left front, 28, 28 (30, 32) 34, 34 (34, 34) sts along center front, 19, 19 (19, 20) 20, 22 (22, 22) sts up right front, 48, 48 (50, 52) 54, 56 (56, 56) sts around back.
Join in the round. 114, 114 (118, 124) 128, 134 (134, 134) sts
Work in k1p1 pattern until the neck measures 2.5cms.
Bind off in pattern.
FINISHING
Sew remaining seams, weave in all ends and block as desired.
Stitch Key
K – knit
P – purl
PM – place marker
SM – slip marker
MC – main color
CC – contrast color
K2tog -knit 2 stitches together
SSK – slip, slip, knit the slipped sts together
M1L – With left needle pick up strand between 2 stitches front to back. Knit through back loop
M1R – With left needle pick up strand between 2 stitches back to front. Knit through front loop
Download Men’s Nick Sweater PDF
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