Embark on a heartwarming journey of creativity as we invite you to discover the joy of knitting with our free Youth Peter Sweater pattern. Unleash your inner artisan and dive into the world of handmade fashion for the little ones in your life. This delightful pattern is not just a guide; it’s an invitation to craft cozy memories that will last generations.

In a world that often moves too fast, taking the time to create something special with your own hands is a gift in itself. Our Youth Peter Sweater pattern empowers you to infuse love and warmth into every stitch, resulting in a timeless garment that your child will cherish and due to it’s classic style, can pass down to their own children.

One of the most beautiful aspects of this free knitting pattern is the opportunity it presents for shared moments. Gather friends or family, and create a knitting circle where laughter and creativity intertwine. Whether you’re an experienced knitter or a novice, this pattern welcomes all skill levels, making it a perfect project for a cozy crafting get-together. It would make a great first cable project due!

The Youth Peter Sweater pattern boasts a classic design that effortlessly complements a variety of styles. From playful outings to more formal occasions, the versatility of this sweater ensures that your little one will always be fashionably snug. Experiment with different color combinations to add a personal touch and make each creation uniquely yours.

To bring the Youth Peter Sweater to life, we’ve carefully curated a list of materials that blend comfort, durability, affordability, washability, and style, ensuring a delightful knitting experience. Embrace your creativity with KnitPick Mighty Stitch Worsted yarn in your preferred color, allowing you to customize the sweater to suit your little one’s personality. This thoughtfully chosen yarn not only contribute to the visual appeal of the finished sweater but also ensure that each stitch is a step closer to creating a cozy masterpiece that your child will love to wear and mom won’t have to worry about any special washing instructions. To purchase the yarn for this project click here. Yes, I do get a small commision from purchases from this link but that is what keeps all of my patterns free.

Our comprehensive pattern comes with detailed, easy-to-follow instructions, ensuring a smooth and enjoyable knitting experience. We’ve also included charts and tips to guide you through the process, making it accessible for everyone, from beginners to seasoned knitters. Your journey to crafting the perfect Youth Peter Sweater begins below.

As you embrace the art of knitting with our Youth Peter Sweater pattern, you’re not just creating a garment; you’re weaving warmth, love, and cherished memories. Join us in this delightful journey of creativity, and let the needles dance as you craft a timeless piece that will be treasured for years to come.

For an ad-free experience and to purchase a PDF version of Youth Peter Sweater on Ravelry, simply click here. Alternatively, if you prefer the free version of the pattern, feel free to continue scrolling down. The entire pattern is below!

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 (5, 5) 5, 6 (6, 7) balls of KnitPick Mighty Stitch Worsted (208y/100g) needle, stitch markers

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

Gauge (tension): 20sts & 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

Peter Sweater is bottom-up set pullover with set in sleeves in an easy-care yarn. It is worked flat. Created for our 6th child. He wanted something with cables so I created this v-neck for him with a vest for myself in the back of my mind.

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.

Youth Peter Sweater Pattern

BACK

Cast on using smaller circular needle: 70, 72 (74, 76) 80, 82 (86, 90) 92, 96 (98, 108) sts. Join in the round.

Work in 1×1 ribbing for 4cms.

Switch to larger needles.

Work in pattern until piece measures 23, 24 (25.5, 27) 28, 29.5 (30.5, 32) 33, 34 (35.5, 38.5) cm measuring from cast on.

SHAPE BACK ARMHOLES

Cast off 4, 4 (4, 4) 4, 4 (4, 5) 4, 5 (4, 5) stitches at beginning of next 2 rows. 62, 64 (66, 68) 72, 74 (78, 80) 84, 86 (90, 98) sts

Decrease 1 st at each end of following 1, 1 (1, 1) 2, 1 (2, 2) 2, 2 (2, 3) rows. 60, 62 (64, 66) 68, 72 (74, 76) 80, 82 (86, 92) sts

Then decrease 1 st each end of every right side row 2, 2 (2, 2) 2, 2 (2, 2) 2, 2 (2, 2) times 56, 58 (60, 64) 64, 68 (70, 72) 76, 82 (86, 88) sts

Continue without shaping until work measures 35, 37 (39.5, 40.5) 42.5, 44.5 (46.5, 48.5) 50.5, 52.5 (54.5, 59.5) cms

SHAPE BACK SHOULDERS

Bind off 0, 0 (0, 4) 4, 4 (4, 4) 5, 5 (6, 6) sts at beginning of the next 2 rows.

Bind off 5, 5 (5, 4) 4, 4 (4, 4) 5, 5 (6, 6) sts at beginning of row, k7, 8 (8, 6) 6, 8 (8, 8) 8, 8 (8, 9) [8, 9 (9, 7) 7, 9 (9, 9) 9, 9 (9, 10) sts on right needle].

Put remaining sts on stitch holder.

Turn, bind off 3sts, work to end of row.

Turn, bind off remaining 5, 6 (6, 4) 4, 6 (6, 6) 6, 6 (6, 7) sts

With right side facing, rejoin yarn to stitches on hold, bind off 30, 30 (32, 32) 34, 34 (36, 38) 38, 40 (40, 44) knit remaining 13, 14 (14, 11) 11, 13 (13, 13) 14, 14 (15, 16) sts.

Turn, bind off 5, 5 (5, 4) 4, 4 (4, 4) 5, 5 (6, 6) sts

Turn, bind off 3sts

Turn, bind off 5, 6 (6, 4) 4, 6 (6, 6) 6, 6 (6, 7) sts

FRONT

Provisional cast on using smaller circular needle: 70, 72 (74, 76) 80, 82 (86, 90) 92, 96 (98, 108) sts. Join in the round.

Work in 1×1 ribbing for 4cms.

Switch to larger needles.

Set-up Row 1: k[22, 23 (24, 25) 27, 28 (30, 32) 33, 35 (36, 41)] p2, k2, pm (Peter Center Cable marker) p2, k2, p2, pm (Peter Center Cable marker) p5, (m1, k1) 4 times, p5, pm, p2, k2, p2, k[22, 23 (24, 25) 27, 28 (30, 32) 33, 35 (36, 41)]

74, 76 (78, 80) 84, 86 (90, 94) 96, 100 (102, 112) sts

Set-up Row 2: k[22, 23 (24, 25) 27, 28 (30, 32) 33, 35 (36, 41)] k2, p2, k7, p8, k7, p2, k2,k[22, 23 (24, 25) 27, 28 (30, 32) 33, 35 (36, 41)]

Work in pattern, working Peter Center Cable between markers, until piece measures 23, 24 (25.5, 27) 28, 29.5 (30.5, 32) 33, 34 (35.5, 38.5) cm measuring from cast on.

Work armhole shaping and AT THE SAME TIME start front neck shaping when work measures 25, 27.5 (29.5, 31) 32.5, 34 (36, 37) 39, 40.5 (42, 46) cm

SHAPE FRONT ARMHOLES

Cast off 4, 4 (4, 4) 4, 4 (4, 5) 4, 5 (4, 5) stitches at beginning of next 2 rows. 66, 68 (70, 72) 76, 78 (82, 84) 88, 90 (94, 102) sts

Decrease 1 st at each end of following 1, 1 (1, 1) 2, 1 (2, 2) 2, 2 (2, 3) rows. 64, 66 (68, 70) 72, 76 (78, 80) 84, 86 (90, 96) sts

Then decrease 1 st each end of every right side row 2, 2 (2, 2) 2, 2 (2, 2) 2, 2 (2, 2) times 60, 62 (64, 68) 68, 72 (74, 76) 80, 86 (90, 92) sts

LEFT FRONT NECK SHAPING

Work 30, 30 (31, 33) 34, 36 (37, 38) 40, 41 (43, 46) sts, put remaining sts on holder, turn.

Decrease 1 st at neck edge of next and following 11, 13 (12, 15) 15, 16 (16, 18) 16, 18 (16, 16) rows.

Then decrease 1 st at each end of each right side row 8, 6 (7, 5) 6, 6 (7, 6) 8, 7 (9, 11) times.

10, 11 (11, 12) 13, 14 (14, 14) 16, 16 (18, 19) sts remain.

Continue without shaping until work measures 35, 37 (39.5, 40.5) 42.5, 44.5 (46.5, 48.5) 50.5, 52.5 (54.5, 59.5) cms

LEFT FRONT SHOULDER SHAPING

Starting on a right side row, bind off 5, 5 (5, 4) 4, 4 (4, 4) 5, 5 (6, 6) sts, turn.

Bind off 0, 0 (0, 4) 4, 4 (4, 4) 5, 5 (6, 6) turn.

Bind off remaining, 5, 6 (6, 4) 4, 6 (6, 6) 6, 6 (6, 7) sts.

RIGHT FRONT NECK SHAPING

Rejoin yarn to work on stitch holder.

Decrease 1 st at neck edge of next and following 11, 13 (12, 15) 15, 16 (16, 18) 16, 18 (16, 16) rows.

Then decrease 1 st at each end of each right side row 8, 6 (7, 5) 6, 6 (7, 6) 8, 7 (9, 11) times.

10, 11 (11, 12) 13, 14 (14, 14) 16, 16 (18, 19) sts remain.

Continue without shaping until work measures 35, 37 (39.5, 40.5) 42.5, 44.5 (46.5, 48.5) 50.5, 52.5 (54.5, 59.5) cms

RIGHT FRONT SHOULDER SHAPING

Starting on a wrong side row, bind off 5, 5 (5, 4) 4, 4 (4, 4) 5, 5 (6, 6) sts, turn.

Bind off 0, 0 (0, 4) 4, 4 (4, 4) 5, 5 (6, 6) turn.

Bind off remaining, 5, 6 (6, 4) 4, 6 (6, 6) 6, 6 (6, 7) sts.

SLEEVES (MAKE 2)

With smaller needles, cast on 36, 36 (36, 36) 42, 42 (44, 44) 46, 46 (48, 50) sts.

Work for 4cms in 1×1 ribbing.

Change to larger needles and begin working in stockinette stitch (knit every right side row, purl every wrong side row).

SLEEVE SHAPING TO UNDERARM

Work 2 rows in stockinette stitch.

Next row – increase 1 st at each end of following 8^th row 0, 0 (2, 0) 0, 0 (0, 0) 0, 0 (0, 0) times.

Then increase 1 st at each end of every following 10^th row 5, 3 (4, 5) 0, 0 (0, 0) 0, 0 (0, 3) times

Then increase 1 st at each end of every following 12^th row 0, 2 (0, 1) 0, 0 (0, 3) 0, 7 (6, 5) times

Then increase 1 st at each end of every following 14^th row 0, 0 (0, 0) 0, 4 (2, 3) 6, 0 (1, 0) times.

Then increase 1 st at each end of every following 16^th row 0, 0 (0, 0) 0, 1 (3, 0) 0, 0 (0, 0) times.

Then increase 1 st at each end of every following 18^th row 0, 0 (0, 0) 4, 0 (0, 0) 0, 0 (0, 0) times.

46, 46 (48, 48) 50, 52 (54, 56) 58, 60 (62, 66) sts

Continue in stockinette stitch until sleeve measures 22, 24 (25.5, 27.5) 28, 29.5 (31, 33) 34.5, 36 (36.5, 39) (or desired length) measuring from cast on finishing after completing a wrong side row.

SLEEVE HEAD

Bind off 4, 4 (4, 4) 4, 4 (4, 5) 4, 5 (4, 5) sts of beginning of next 2 rows.

Decrease 1 st at each end of next 1, 1 (1, 1) 2, 1 (2, 2) 2, 2 (2, 3) rows.

Then decrease on the following 4, 4 (2, 2) 2, 2 (2, 2) 2, 2 (2, 2) right side rows.

Then every other right side row 0, 0 (1, 1) 2, 1 (2, 2) 3, 4 (3, 5) times.

Then decrease on the following 0, 0 (2, 2) 2, 4 (2, 2) 4, 4 (5, 4) right side rows.

Then decrease on the following 5, 5 (5, 5) 3, 4 (4, 4) 3, 5 (3, 6) rows.

Bind off remaining 18, 18 (18, 18) 20, 20 (22, 22) 22, 16 (24, 16) sts.

NECKBAND

Sew shoulder seams.

Pick up and knit 24, 22 (24, 24) 25, 25 (27, 27) 28, 28 (30, 32)  sts down left front, 1 st at center of “v”, pm, knit 24, 22 (24, 24) 25, 25 (27, 27) 28, 28 (30, 32)  sts up right front, 37, 37 (39, 39) 41, 41 (43, 45) 45, 47 (47, 51) sts around back. Join in the round. 86, 82 (88, 88) 92, 92 (98, 100) 102, 104 (108, 116) sts

V-Neck rounds – work in k1p1 ribbing to 2 sts before center stitch marker, work vdd, continue in k1p1 around

Continue repeating v-neck rounds until the neck measures 2.5cms.

Bind off in pattern.

FINISHING

Sew remaining seams, 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, 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

2/1LPC – slip the next 2sts onto cable needle and hold at front of work, p1 from left needle, then k2 from cable needle

2/1RPC – slip, the next st onto cable needle and hold at back of work, k2 from left needle, them p1 from cable needle

2/2LC – slip the next 2 sts onto cable needle and hold at front of work, k2 from left needle, k2 from cable needle

VDD – vertical double decrease – slip the next 2 sts together as if to knit, knit the next st, pass over the 2 slipped sts together

Check out all of our left-handed knitting tutorials here.