Looking for your next free kids knit sweater pattern? Check out my free sweater pattern page—this cozy pullover pattern is below!

---

When the chilly breeze rolls in, nothing beats seeing my kids wrapped in something I made just for them. If you’re anything like me, you’re always hunting for a new free kids knit sweater pattern. Well, friend, you’re in luck! I’ve got the perfect one for you today—the Youth Michael Pullover.

You’ll find this free kids knit sweater pattern at the very bottom of the post, but don’t rush off yet! If you’re looking for even more adorable sweater patterns for the little ones, you’ll want to check out my free sweater pattern page featuring tons of other great designs!

Why I Love This Free Kids Knit Sweater Pattern

As a mom of eight (yep, eight!), I’ve made more sweaters than I can count, but this free kids knit sweater pattern—the Youth Michael Pullover—has quickly climbed to the top of my favorites list. Why? It perfectly blends style and warmth, two things my kids rarely agree on! It’s trendy enough that my tweens actually ask for it, and cozy enough that I feel good seeing them wear it out in the cold.

Style Meets Comfort in the Youth Michael Pullover

What makes this free kids knit sweater pattern stand out is how seamlessly it blends fashion with coziness. It’s got clean, modern lines, a relaxed fit, and a texture that’s just begging to be hugged. Honestly, I’ve never seen my kids willingly put on sweaters this quickly before—seriously, miracles happen!

This pullover is handmade with love, and each stitch is like a little hug to your child. That’s the joy of knitting, right? We craft our affection right into the garments we make.

Dive into DIY with This Free Kids Knit Sweater Pattern

Whether you’re a knitting newbie or a seasoned pro, you’re going to love how easy this free kids knit sweater pattern is to follow. I designed it to be beginner-friendly but engaging enough for experienced knitters, too. Every step is laid out clearly, so all you need to worry about is which Netflix show you’ll binge while you knit!

Customize Your Creation

One of my favorite things about knitting my own sweaters is the chance to customize them. With this free kids knit sweater pattern, the Youth Michael Pullover is your blank canvas. Play with different colors, tweak the sizing, or even add fun details like stripes or color blocks—your creativity is the limit!

Getting Started: What You’ll Need for This Free Kids Knit Sweater Pattern

Let’s talk supplies! Here’s what you’ll need to bring your Youth Michael Pullover to life:

Materials:

• Yarn: KnitPicks Mighty Stitch Worsted (affiliate link). For this pattern, I chose the stunning shade Spruce, but there are plenty of beautiful colors to choose from!
• Knitting needles (check the pattern below for sizing!)
• Stitch markers
• Tapestry needle for weaving in ends
• Your favorite snack (essential!)

Quick disclosure—when you shop through my KnitPicks Mighty Stitch Worsted (affiliate link), I earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Your support helps me keep all my knitting patterns free and available for everyone!

Share Your Youth Michael Pullover!

Nothing makes my day brighter than seeing your finished projects using my free kids knit sweater pattern. Once your Youth Michael Pullover is off the needles and onto your adorable kiddo, snap a picture and share it with me on Instagram! Tag me at @knitinthewomb and use the hashtag #YouthMichaelPullover—I can’t wait to gush over your creations!

More Sweaters, More Fun!

Did you know there’s a matching sibling pattern? That’s right—if you fall in love with this free kids knit sweater pattern, you’ll absolutely adore the Baby Michael Pullover, too! Find it right here and make sure all your little ones are cozy and coordinated.

Final Thoughts on the Youth Michael Pullover Free Kids Knit Sweater Pattern

The Youth Michael Pullover isn’t just another sweater pattern—it’s a heartfelt gift you make with your own two hands. This free kids knit sweater pattern symbolizes everything I love about knitting: warmth, creativity, and pure joy. So grab your KnitPicks Mighty Stitch Worsted (affiliate link), your needles, and settle into your favorite comfy spot. It’s time to knit something wonderful!

Thanks for knitting along with me, and don’t forget—this pattern is at the bottom of this post, and more sweater patterns await on my free sweater pattern page.

Happy knitting, friends!

---

Remember, your free kids knit sweater pattern for the Youth Michael Pullover is just below. Happy crafting!

Materials and Info

MATERIALS AND INFO

Size: 3, 4 (5, 6) 7, 8 (9, 10) 11, 12 (13, 14)yrs

Materials: Approximately 3, 3 (3, 4) 4, 4 (4, 5) 5, 5, (6, 6) balls of KnitPick Mighty Stitch Worsted (208y/100g)

Needle Size: 7(US) 4.5mm circular needles and dpn, 6(US) 4mm circular and dpn

Gauge (tension): 22sts & 28 rows to make 10cm square, using size 7(US) 4.5mm needles working in stockinette stitch

Chest Measurement: 55, 57 (59, 61) 64, 67 (70, 73) 76, 79 (82, 90) cm

METHOD

This pattern a crew neck raglan worked in the round from the top down with 10cm of ease. The sleeves are held and then picked up and worked in the round. The main body is knit in a 6 stitch rib pattern while the edges are worked in a 1×1 rib pattern.

1X1 RIB PATTERN

Row 1 (right side row) – (k1, p1) across

Row 2 – knit all the knit stitches, purl all the purl stitches.

RAGLAN INCREASES

Inc row – [k2, m1l, work to 2 sts before next marker, m1r, k2, sm] repeat [to] 3 more times, then continue to end of row/round. 8 sts increased

MICHAEL RIB

Round 1 – knit around

Round 2 – (p2, k4) around

Youth Michael Pullover Pattern

YOKE

Cast on using U.S. 6 circular needle: 72, 72 (80, 76) 76, 84 (80, 84) 88, 88 (92, 92) sts.

Join in the round.

Work in 1×1 rib for 2.5cms

Set up row (wrong side) – [k30, 30 (32, 32) 32, 34 (34, 36) 38, 38 (40, 40)], pm, [k6, 6 (8, 6) 6, 8 (6, 6) 6, 6 (6, 6)] pm, [k30, 30 (32, 32) 32, 34 (34, 36) 38, 38 (40, 40)], pm, [k6, 6 (8, 6) 6, 8 (6, 6) 6, 6 (6, 6)]

Start working Michael Rib now with a round 1.

RAGLAN SHAPING ROWS/ROUNDS

Work raglan increases as described above every other round 13, 14 (11, 14) 15, 12 (15, 14) 15, 16 (17, 16) times, then every 4^th round 2, 2 (4, 3) 3, 5 (4, 5) 5, 5 (5, 6) times working the Michael rib as follows:

After the m1l on the front/back

3yr – Work in Michael rib across

4yr – Work in Michael rib across

5yr – k1, Work in Michael rib across

6yr – k1, Work in Michael rib across

7yr – k1, Work in Michael rib across

8yr – k2, Work in Michael rib across

9yr – k2, Work in Michael rib across

10yr – k3, Work in Michael rib across

11yr – k4, Work in Micael rib across

12yr – k4, Work in Micael rib across

13yr – p1, k4, Work in Michael Rib across

14yr – p1, k4, Work in Michael Rib across

After the m1l on the sleeves

3yr – p2

4yr – p2

5yr – k1, p2, k1

6yr – k2

7yr – k2

8yr – k1, p2, k1

9yr – k2

10yr – k2

11yr – k2

12yr – k2

13yr – p2

14yr – p2

Then work 3 rounds without increases

STITCH COUNT CHECK

Once all the raglan and neck increases have been completed you will have 192, 200 (200, 212) 220, 220 (232, 236) 248, 256 (268, 268) sts on your needles divided as follows:

60, 62 (62, 66) 68, 68 (72, 74) 78, 80 (84, 84) sts (front),

36, 38 (38, 40) 42, 42 (44, 44) 46, 48 (50, 50) sts (sleeve),

60, 62 (62, 66) 68, 68 (72, 74) 78, 80 (84, 84) sts (back),

36, 38 (38, 40) 42, 42 (44, 44) 46, 48 (50, 50) sts (sleeve)

DIVIDE FOR SLEEVES

Remove markers as you get to them.

Knit across the front sts, place the next 36, 38 (38, 40) 42, 42 (44, 44) 46, 48 (50, 50) sts on a holder or waste yarn (right sleeve), cast on using the backwards loop method 6, 4 (4, 6) 4, 4 (6, 4) 6, 4 (6, 6) sts (right underarm), knit 60, 62 (62, 66) 68, 68 (72, 74) 78, 80 (84, 84) sts (back), place the next 36, 38 (38, 40) 42, 42 (44, 44) 46, 48 (50, 50) sts on a holder or waste yarn (left sleeve), cast on using the backwards loop method 6, 4 (4, 6) 4, 4 (6, 4) 6, 4 (6, 6) sts (left underarm), knit to beginning of round marker. 132, 132 (132, 144) 144, 144 (156, 156) 168, 168 (180, 180) sts

SWEATER BODY

Continue in Michael Rib pattern until piece measures 19.5, 20 (21.5, 23) 24.5, 25.5 (27, 28) 29.5, 31 (32, 33.5) cm (or desired length) measuring from underarm.

Switch to smaller circular needle.

Work in 1×1 rib for 4 cms. Bind off all sts in pattern.

SLEEVES

Keeping in stripe pattern, work each sleeve one at a time as follows: Pick up 4, 3 (3, 4) 3, 3 (4, 3) 4, 3 (4, 4) sts from underarm, knit 36, 38 (38, 40) 42, 42 (44, 44) 46, 48 (50, 50) sts of the sleeve on the holder, pick up 4, 3 (3, 4) 3, 3 (4, 3) 4, 3 (4, 4) sts from underarm on to U.S. 8 double pointed needles, place marker at center underarm to keep track of the beginning of round. 44, 44 (44, 48) 48, 48 (52, 50) 54, 54 (58, 58) sts

Work 7, 9 (9, 9) 11, 13 (13, 13) 13, 15 (13, 17) rounds in pattern.

DECREASES

Decrease 1 st at each side of marker 14^th round 0, 0, (0, 0) 5, 5 (2, 4) 0, 2 (3, 4) times then every 10^th round 0, 3 (5, 0) 0, 0 (5, 2) 8, 6 (4, 3) then every 8th round 6, 3 (1, 8) 0, 0 (0, 0) 0, 0 (0, 0) times  [32, 32 (32, 32) 38, 38 (38, 38) 38, 38 (44, 44) sts].

Continue without increasing in stripe pattern until sleeve measures 18, 19.5 (21.5, 23) 25, 26 (27.5, 29) 30.5, 32 (33, 34.5) (or desired length) measuring from underarm.

CUFF

Switch to smaller dpn needles

Work in 1×1 rib for 4 cms. Bind off in pattern.

FINISHING

Weave in all ends and block as desired.

Abbreviations

k – knit

P – purl

pm – place marker

sm – slip marker

k2tog -knit 2 stitches together

ssk – slip next st knitwise, slip next st knitwise, place stitches back onto left needle, knit both slipped sts together

m1l – pick up from front to back the strand between the 2sts on your needles, knit through back loop

m1r – pick up from back to front the strand between the 2sts on your needles, knit through the front loop

Download Youth Michael Pullover PDF

Disclaimer: This page contains affiliate links. If you choose to make a purchase after clicking a link, I may receive a commission at no additional cost to you. Thank you for your support!