This Men’s Knitted Sweater Pattern is a timeless, wearable design that fits right into any free sweater knitting pattern collection.

This Men’s Knitted Sweater Pattern is a classic, wearable design that also fits perfectly into any free sweater knitting pattern collection. If you’ve been searching for a sweater that looks structured without feeling stiff—or something you can knit that will actually get worn—this is exactly what you need. A good Men’s Knitted Sweater Pattern should balance comfort, fit, and style, and that’s what I focused on here. This design solves the all-too-common problem of sweaters that feel too bulky, too plain, or just not practical for everyday wear.

Free Men’s Knitted Sweater Pattern: Men's Granite Sweater For The Men In Your Life

If you’ve ever struggled to find a men’s sweater that feels modern but still timeless, this one checks those boxes. It’s designed to look clean and put-together while still being easy to layer and comfortable enough for daily wear.

The texture keeps things interesting without making the knitting feel overwhelming. It’s the kind of project you can settle into and actually enjoy.


What materials work best for a Men’s Knitted Sweater Pattern?

When I’m working on a Men’s Knitted Sweater Pattern, I always look for yarn that can handle real life. That means something durable, easy to care for, and soft enough that it actually gets worn. My go-to for this design is Premier Yarns Stitch Please Superwash because it holds its shape well and stands up to frequent washing without losing that smooth finish.

Using a size 7 (4.5mm) needle gives you a fabric that feels structured but still flexible. That balance makes a huge difference in how the finished sweater looks and wears.

You’ll also want stitch markers and circular needles for working the raglan construction smoothly. Having the right setup makes the entire process feel more manageable from the start.

Once you’ve got your materials ready, everything else starts to fall into place. This is one of those projects where the prep really sets you up for success.


How is this Men’s Knitted Sweater Pattern constructed?

This Men’s Knitted Sweater Pattern is worked top-down in a raglan construction, which means you can try it on as you go and make adjustments if needed. That alone makes a big difference in getting a fit that actually works for the person you’re knitting for.

The folded neckline adds comfort and structure, while the short rows raise the back of the neck so the sweater sits naturally instead of pulling forward. It’s a small detail, but it completely changes how the sweater feels when worn.

The Granite stitch texture, built with the k1b stitch, creates a clean, slightly raised fabric that looks tailored without feeling stiff. It gives the sweater that finished, polished look while still being simple enough to knit without constant checking.

As you work through the pattern, you’ll see the texture build row by row, which makes it really satisfying to keep going. It’s one of those designs that keeps your interest without slowing you down.


Looking for more patterns like this Men’s Knitted Sweater Pattern?

If you love this texture, there’s a whole lineup built around the same Granite stitch:

Baby Granite Sweater
Youth Granite Sweater
Men’s Nick Sweater
Child Dathan Sweater
Ladies Michael Sweater

Each one uses similar stitch ideas in slightly different ways, so you can take what you learn here and apply it across multiple projects. It’s a great way to build confidence while still creating pieces that feel fresh.

What I love most about this Men’s Knitted Sweater Pattern is how versatile it is. It works just as well for everyday wear as it does for something a little more put-together, and that’s not always easy to find in men’s designs.

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Men’s Granite Sweater

MATERIALS AND INFO

Size: S (M, L) XL, XXL

Materials: Approximately 1575 (1760, 1930) 2100, 2240 yds of Premier Yarns Stitch Please (220y, 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: 36 (39, 42) 45, 48 ins or 90 (97.5, 105) 112.5, 120

METHOD

Granite Sweater is top-down seamless raglan in an easy care yarn with a simple texture. Created for our 2nd child, I wanted a quick knit with a touch of texture to layer easily for him. Granite was my very first sweater design. This new Granite Sweater is for adult men because you asked for it!

Abbreviations can be found on the last page.

Note: choose size based on bust measurement for best fit

GRANITE STITCH PATTERN:

Rounds 1-3 – knit around

Round 4 – (K1, k1B) repeat around

1X1 RIB PATTERN

Row 1 (right side row) – (k1, p1) across Row 2 – knit all the knit stitches, purl all the purl stitches.

NECK

Provisional cast on using smaller circular needle: 120 (120, 120) 132, 132 sts. Join in the round.

Work in 1×1 ribbing for 3ins or 7.5cms.

Switch to larger needles.

Join hem of collar by knitting the active stitches together with the provisional cast on stitches LOOSELY.

YOKE

Set up row –k24 (25, 24) 25, 26 pm, k12 (10, 12) 16, 14 pm, k48 (50, 48) 50, 52 pm, k12 (10, 12) 16, 14 pm, k24 (25, 24) 25, 26

Begin Granite Stitch Pattern as described above

RAGLAN SHAPING

Raglan shaping and neck shaping are worked AT THE SAME TIME using short rows. You can use the method of short rows that works best for you. I am using wrap and turn short rows and describe those below.

Row 1 (RS): Work in pattern to 1 st before marker, M1R, k1, sm, k1, M1L, Work in pattern to 1 sts before next marker, M1R, k1, sm, k1, M1L, k1, wrap the yarn around next stitch (w&t).

Turn your work.

Step 2 (WS): work in pattern to beginning of round marker (mid back).  

Step 3 (WS): work in pattern to 1 st before marker, M1L, p1, sm, p1, M1R, work in pattern to 1 sts before marker, M1L, p1, sm, p1, M1R, p1, wrap the yarn around the next stitch.

Turn your work.

Step 4 (RS): work in pattern to beginning of round (mid back).

A total of 8 (8, 8) 8, 8 stitches have been increased in these 4 steps (the 4 steps equals 2 raglan rounds) Repeat steps 1-4, but each time working 2 more sts before turning, knitting the wraps and the next stitch as you pass them, 3 times, so the first 4 (4, 4) 4, 4 raglan increases have been worked.

Next round: knit around, knitting the wraps and the stitch they are wrapped around together.

Now work each raglan round as follows:

Inc round/row – [work in pattern to 1 sts before marker, M1R, k1, sm, k1, M1L] repeat across

Work raglan increases as described above (note: the first 4 (4, 4) 4, 4 were worked in the neck shaping short row rounds)

Then every other round/row 20 (21, 26) 31, 36 times.

Then work increases every 4th round 5 (6, 4) 2, 0 times.

Work 3 (3, 3) 3, 1 rounds without any raglan increases.

STITCH COUNT CHECK

Once all the raglan and neck increases have been completed you will have 320 (336, 360) 396, 420 sts on your needles divided as follows:

98 (104, 108) 116, 124 sts (front/back),

62 (64, 72) 82, 86 sts (each sleeve),

DIVIDE FOR SLEEVES

Remove markers as you get to them.

Work across first to marker, rm, place the next 62 (64, 72) 82, 86 sts on a holder or waste yarn (right sleeve), rm,

Cast on using the backwards loop method 6 (8, 8) 8, 8 sts (right underarm),

Work in pattern 98 (104, 108) 116, 124 sts (front), rm,

Place the next 62 (64, 72) 82, 86 sts on a holder or waste yarn (left sleeve), rm,

Cast on using the backwards loop method 6 (8, 8) 8, 8 sts (left underarm),

Work in pattern to beginning of round marker.

208 (224, 232) 248, 264 sts

SWEATER BODY

Work in granite stitch pattern until piece measures 17 (17, 17) 17, 17 ins or 42.5 (42.5, 42.5) 42.5, 42.5 cm measuring from underarm or desired length (remember that if you add extra length you will use more yarn than the recommended yardage!).

Switch to smaller circular needle.

Using work in 1×1 rib for 1.5 ins or 4 cm. Bind off all sts in pattern.

SLEEVES

Keeping in granite stitch pattern as already established, work each sleeve one at a time as follows:

Pick up 3 (4, 4) 4, 4 sts from underarm,

Work 62 (64, 72) 82, 86 in pattern,

sts of the sleeve on the holder,

Pick up 3 (4, 4) 4, 4 sts from underarm, pm to marker bor

68 (72, 80) 90, 94 sts

Work 17 (17, 17) 19, 21 rounds in pattern.

DECREASES

Decrease 1 st at each side of marker every 24th round 5 (0, 0) 0, 0 times

Then decrease 1st at each side of marker every 16th round 0 (7, 0) 0, 0 times,

Then decrease 1 st at each side of marker every 12th round 0 (0, 5) 13, 0 times,

Then decrease 1 st at each side of marker every 10th round 0 (0, 5) 1, 0 times

Then decrease 1 st at each side of marker every 8th round 0 (0, 0) 0, 7 times,

Then decrease 1 st at each side of marker every 6th round 0 (0, 0) 0, 9 times

[58 (58, 60) 62, 62 sts].

Continue in granite stitch pattern until sleeve measures 16.5 (16.75, 17) 17.75, 18 ins or 42 (42, 42.5) 44.5, 45 cms (or desired length) measuring from underarm.

CUFF

Switch to smaller dpn needles

Work in 1×1 rib for 1.5ins or 4 cm.

Bind off in pattern.

FINISHING Weave in all ends and block as desired

ABBREVIATIONS

K –  knit                                                    

P – purl

PM – place marker                                  

SM – slip marker

BOR – beginning of round

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

K1B- Knit in row below, inserting right needle into the st in the row below the next st. Knit this st as well as the stitch above it on left needle. (tutorial here)

Have you knit a Men’s Knitted Sweater Pattern before? Do you prefer top-down raglans or something else? I’d love to hear what you like to make—drop a comment below and tell me!

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9 Replies to “Free Men’s Knitted Sweater Pattern: Men’s Granite Sweater For The Men In Your Life”

  1. I have a question about the sweater pattern.
    I started the sweater. 3” 1×1 ribbed. Switched to larger needles. Knit a round on the now larger needles. Then it says “set up row (wrong side)” I’m confused. We are knitting in the round. What wrong side? Am I missing something?

      1. I just finished the first wrap and turn of the raglan shaping. It says work in pattern. I’m assuming purl wrong side? Then it said work in pattern to beginning of round . So purl until the beginning of the round? Then do Continue past the beginning of the round marker? I’m just a bit confused. I can also send my questions privately if you email me

        1. If I continue in pattern to the beginning of the round on the wrong side. I pass over several markers

        2. yes, go to the beginning of round for step 2 slipping the raglan markers as you get to them. Once at the beginning of the round marker you will go to step 3 of the short row neck shaping. over the 4 steps you will work 2 rows.

  2. I completed step 1-4 of raglan shaping.
    I then completed step1-4 again, working 2 stitches before turning [so 4 extra stitches worked]
    The next direction confuses me. Do I repeat step 1-4 3 more times? If so, do I work 2 additional steps each time before turning? For example, on the next repeat I would work 4 more stitches then the first time?

  3. For the every other increases. It says for XL. 36 times. Does that mean 36 increases + 36 regular rounds or 36 total rounds?

Comments are closed.

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