This turtleneck sweater knitting pattern is a simple and stylish option for kids, and it fits right in with all my favorite free sweater knitting patterns.

If you’ve ever wanted a go-to sweater that’s warm, practical, and still looks put together, this one checks every box. It’s worked top-down in one piece, which means you can try it on as you go and adjust the fit without stress. I designed this with real life in mind—something kids will actually wear on repeat, not just once for photos.

If you’ve been searching for a turtleneck sweater knitting pattern that feels approachable but still looks polished, this is exactly that. It’s a relaxing knit with just enough structure to keep things interesting, and it works beautifully for everyday wear.

This is the kind of project you can pick up at the end of a long day and just enjoy. It’s straightforward, cozy, and comes together into a piece that feels really satisfying to finish.

And the best part is how wearable it is. You’ll end up with a sweater that gets pulled out again and again.

What materials do you need for this turtleneck sweater knitting pattern?

For this turtleneck sweater knitting pattern, I used KnitPicks Provincial Tweed, and it’s one of those yarns that just makes the whole project feel easy. It has a soft, slightly rustic texture that adds character without being difficult to work with. You get warmth, durability, and a finished look that feels classic without trying too hard.

You’ll also need circular needles in two sizes, double pointed needles for the sleeves, and a few stitch markers to keep your raglan increases organized. The gauge is worked in stockinette, which keeps things simple and predictable.

I always lean toward yarns that hold up well for kids, and this one does exactly that. It washes well, wears well, and still feels good against the skin.

How is this turtleneck sweater knitting pattern constructed?

This turtleneck sweater knitting pattern is worked from the top down as a seamless raglan, which keeps the entire process smooth from start to finish. You begin with a stretchy ribbed neckline, then move straight into raglan increases to build the yoke. From there, the sleeves are separated, and the body continues in simple stockinette.

Because it’s knit in the round, you don’t have to worry about seaming, which makes it especially nice if you just want to keep knitting without extra finishing steps. The sleeves are worked last, picked up from the body, and shaped with decreases for a clean fit.

If you’ve knit a raglan before, this will feel very familiar. And if you haven’t, this is a great place to start because the structure is clear and easy to follow.

Looking for more free sweater knitting patterns?

If you enjoyed this turtleneck sweater knitting pattern, there are so many other free sweater knitting patterns you can try next:

• child grace pullover
• youth saffron pullover
• child Dathan Pullover
• child love Came Down Pullover
• Youth Granite Sweater

Each of these has its own style, but they all share that same focus on being wearable, practical, and enjoyable to knit.

If you want a similar cozy turtleneck style in adult sizing, take a look at my Miriam free turtleneck sweater knitting pattern

This turtleneck sweater knitting pattern fits right into that mix. It’s one of those pieces that works for everyday life while still feeling special enough to gift or pass down.

Youth Turtleneck Pullover Pattern

MATERIALS AND INFO

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

Materials: Approximately 3, 3 (3, 3), 4, 4 (4, 4), 4, 4 (5, 5) balls of KnitPicks Provincial Tweed (250 yards/100 g); knitting needles; stitch markers; waste yarn or stitch holders; and a yarn needle.

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

Gauge: 24 sts × 28 rounds = 4 in (10 cm) square in stockinette stitch worked in the round on US 7 (4.5 mm) needles, after blocking

Intended wearer chest circumference: 21¾, 22½ (23¼, 24), 25¼, 26½ (27½, 28¾), 30, 31 (32¼, 35½) in / 55, 57 (59, 61), 64, 67 (70, 73), 76, 79 (82, 90) cm.

Finished sweater chest circumference: Approximately 27, 28¼ (28¾, 29½), 30¼, 31½ (32¾, 34), 35½, 36¾ (38, 39¼) in / 68.5, 71.5 (73.5, 75), 76.5, 80 (83.5, 86.5), 90, 93.5 (96.5, 100) cm.

Choose a size by comparing the wearer’s chest measurement with the finished sweater circumference and allowing for your preferred ease.

METHOD

Youth Turtleneck Pullover is top-down seamless raglan in a warm and soft yarn. Created for our 7th child, I wanted a classic and warm knit for her for our Montana winters.

Abbreviations can be found on the last page.

1X1 RIB PATTERN

Every round: *K1, p1; repeat from * around.

RAGLAN INCREASES

Raglan increase round: *K1, M1L, knit to 1 st before the next raglan marker, M1R, k1, slip marker; repeat from * three more times, ending at the beginning-of-round marker. 8 sts increased.

NECK

Using the smaller US 6 (4 mm) circular needle, cast on 60, 64 (64, 68), 68, 72 (72, 76), 80, 84 (84, 88) sts using a stretchy cast-on. I use Tillybuddy’s Very Stretchy Cast-On.

YOKE

Set-up round (RS): Knit 24, 26 (26, 28), 28, 30 (30, 32), 34, 36 (36, 38) front sts, place marker.

Knit 6 sleeve sts, place marker.

Knit 24, 26 (26, 28), 28, 30 (30, 32), 34, 36 (36, 38) back sts, place marker.

Knit 6 sleeve sts to the beginning-of-round marker.

The beginning-of-round marker also marks the fourth raglan boundary. Continue in stockinette stitch, knitting every round.

RAGLAN SHAPING ROWS/ROUNDS

Work the raglan increase round on every round a total of 18, 18 (18, 16), 16, 16 (18, 16), 16, 16 (18, 16) times.

Then alternate one raglan increase round with one plain knit round a total of 8, 9 (10, 12), 13, 14 (14, 16), 17, 18 (18, 20) times.

STITCH COUNT CHECK

Once all the raglan increases have been completed you will have 268, 280 (288, 292) 300, 312 (328, 332) 344, 356 (372, 376) sts on your needles divided as follows:

76, 80 (82, 84) 86, 90 (94, 96) 100, 104 (108, 110) sts (front),

58, 60 (62, 62) 64, 66 (70, 70) 72, 74 (78, 78) sts (sleeve),

76, 80 (82, 84) 86, 90 (94, 96) 100, 104 (108, 110) sts (back),

58, 60 (62, 62) 64, 66 (70, 70) 72, 74 (78, 78) sts (sleeve)

DIVIDE FOR SLEEVES

Remove markers as you get to them.

Work across the front sts, place the next 58, 60 (62, 62) 64, 66 (70, 70) 72, 74 (78, 78) sts on a holder or waste yarn (left sleeve), cast on using the backwards loop method 6, 6 (6, 6) 6, 6 (6, 8) 8, 8 (8, 10) sts (left underarm), knit 76, 80 (82, 84) 86, 90 (94, 96) 100, 104 (108, 110) sts (back), place the next 58, 60 (62, 62) 64, 66 (70, 70) 72, 74 (78, 78)  sts on a holder or waste yarn (right sleeve), cast on using the backwards loop method 6, 6 (6, 6) 6, 6 (6, 8) 8, 8 (8, 10) sts (right underarm), knit to beginning of round marker. 164, 172 (176, 180) 184, 192 (200, 208) 216, 224 (232, 240) sts

SWEATER BODY

Knit every round until the body measures 7½, 7¾ (8½, 9), 9½, 10 (10½, 11), 11½, 11¾ (12½, 13½) in / 19, 20 (21.5, 23), 24, 25.5 (26.5, 28), 29, 30 (31.5, 34.5) cm from the underarm.

Switch to the smaller US 6 (4 mm) circular needle. Work in 1×1 ribbing for 1½ in (4 cm). Bind off in pattern.

SLEEVES

Keeping in stockinette stitch pattern as already established, work each sleeve one at a time as follows: Pick up 4, 4 (4, 4) 4, 4 (4, 5) 5, 5 (5, 6) sts from underarm, work 58, 60 (62, 62) 64, 66 (70, 70) 72, 74 (78, 78) sts of the sleeve on the holder, pick up 4, 4 (4, 4) 4, 4 (4, 5) 5, 5 (5, 6) sts from underarm on to larger double pointed needles, place marker at center underarm to keep track of the beginning of round. 66, 68 (70, 70) 72, 74 (78, 80) 82, 84 (88, 90) sts

Knit 6, 8 (8, 9), 6, 7 (7, 9), 9, 11 (9, 14) rounds without decreasing.

DECREASES

Decrease round: K1, ssk, knit to the last 3 sts of the round, k2tog, k1. 2 sts decreased.

Work a decrease round every 6th round a total of 0, 0 (0, 0), 7, 8 (6, 6), 8, 7 (7, 6) times.

Then work a decrease round every 4th round a total of 9, 11 (12, 14), 5, 4 (8, 9), 7, 9 (10, 12) times.

Then work a decrease round every other round a total of 4, 2 (2, 0), 0, 0 (0, 0), 0, 0 (0, 0) times.

There are 40, 42 (42, 42), 48, 50 (50, 50), 52, 52 (54, 54) sts remaining.

Continue in stockinette stitch without further decreases until the sleeve measures 7, 7¾ (8½, 9¼), 9¾, 10 (10¾, 11½), 12, 12½ (12¾, 13¾) in / 18, 20 (21.5, 23.5), 24.5, 25.5 (27, 29), 30.5, 32 (32.5, 35) cm from the underarm, or your desired length before the cuff.

CUFF

Switch to the smaller US 6 (4 mm) sleeve needles.

Work in 1×1 ribbing for 1½ in (4 cm). Bind off in pattern.

Repeat for the second sleeve.

FINISHING

Weave in all ends and block as desired.

ABBREVIATIONS

K – knit                                                    

K2tog -knit 2 stitches 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

P – purl

PM – place marker                                  

SM – slip marker

SSK – slip, slip, knit the slipped sts together

If you make this one, I’d love to hear how it turns out or what yarn color you chose. Drop a comment and let me know—I always enjoy seeing what you’re working on.

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