Looking for the perfect Free Chunky Sweater Pattern? The Peace Sweater is cozy, beginner-friendly, and designed with realistic sizing for women’s bodies! Head to my Free Knitting Patterns page (here) for more great designs like this one.
There’s nothing quite like the satisfaction of knitting a sweater that fits just right. That’s why I’m thrilled to share the Peace Sweater Free Chunky Sweater Pattern with you! Not only does it feature the same beloved stitch pattern as the Peace Cowl (Free Pattern here), Peace Beanie (Free Pattern here), Peace Mittens (free pattern here), and Peace Ear Warmer (Free Pattern here), but it also debuts my updated digits-and-threads sizing. Let’s face it: our bodies deserve patterns that fit well and flatter, and this sweater delivers.
What Makes the Peace Sweater So Special?
The Peace Sweater Free Chunky Sweater Pattern checks all the boxes:
1. Chunky Yarn for Speed and Warmth
This sweater uses Premier Yarns Elle by Me Charlotte (Affiliate Link), a cozy, affordable chunky yarn that works up quickly. If you’ve been intimidated by the idea of knitting a sweater, this one’s perfect because it doesn’t take forever to finish!
2. A Universal Stitch Pattern
The textured stitch pattern featured on this sweater is the same one used in the Peace Cowl (Free Pattern here), Peace Beanie (Free Pattern here), Peace Mittens (free pattern here), and Peace Ear Warmer (Free Pattern here). This makes it a great addition to your collection if you’ve already knit any of those pieces and want to create a matching set.
3. Updated Sizing for Real Bodies
One of the most exciting features of this Free Chunky Sweater Pattern is that it’s my first sweater with updated digits-and-threads sizing. This approach reflects the diversity of women’s actual bodies, ensuring that the Peace Sweater is not only stylish but comfortable and flattering.
Let’s Talk Yarn and Needles
For the Peace Sweater Free Chunky Sweater Pattern, I used Premier Yarns Elle by Me Charlotte (Affiliate Link). This yarn is soft, squishy, and a dream to knit with—perfect for achieving a chunky, cozy vibe.
You’ll also need size 10 needles to get that perfect gauge. While the chunky yarn makes the sweater warm and snuggly, the needle size keeps the fabric light enough to drape beautifully.
Why I Love the Seamless Design
Knitting sweaters can feel overwhelming if you’re not a fan of seaming. I get it—seams aren’t everyone’s favorite! That’s why the Peace Sweater is knit in the round, top-down. You’ll start at the neckline, work your way down through the body, and finish off with the sleeves.
No seaming means less stress and more time to enjoy the process. Plus, the chunky yarn (Affiliate Link) makes it quick to knit, so you’ll have a finished sweater in no time.
How the Peace Sweater Fits into the Peace Collection
The Peace Sweater is the newest addition to my Peace Collection. If you’ve already knit the Peace Cowl (Free Pattern here), Peace Beanie (Free Pattern here), Peace Ear Warmer (Free Pattern here), or Peace Mittens (Free Pattern here), then this sweater is the cherry on top of your matching winter set!
The stitch pattern is timeless and textured, making each piece feel special while still being beginner-friendly.
Styling Your Peace Sweater
The beauty of this Free Chunky Sweater Pattern is its versatility. Here are a few ways I love to style mine:
1. Casual Weekend Look
Pair it with your favorite jeans and boots for a laid-back, cozy outfit.
2. Layered Chic
Throw it over a dress or turtleneck for a polished, layered look.
3. Ultimate Lounge Outfit
For those stay-at-home days, wear it with leggings or joggers and get ready to curl up with a good book or movie.
The chunky yarn (Affiliate Link) adds just the right amount of coziness to make it your go-to sweater for any occasion.
Tips for Knitting the Peace Sweater
While this Free Chunky Sweater Pattern is beginner-friendly, here are some tips to ensure your project turns out perfectly:
Check Your Gauge
Use Premier Yarns Elle by Me Charlotte (Affiliate Link) to match the pattern’s gauge exactly.
Embrace the Texture
The stitch pattern adds a beautiful texture that hides minor imperfections, so don’t stress about every stitch being perfect.
Use Stitch Markers
These will help you keep track of increases and decreases, especially in the yoke.
A Word About Sizing
The updated digits-and-threads sizing in this Free Chunky Sweater Pattern means you’ll have more accurate and customizable measurements. Whether you’re making the smallest size or the largest, the pattern is designed to give you a comfortable and flattering fit.
If you’ve struggled with sweater sizing in the past, this pattern will be a game-changer.
Where to Get the Peace Sweater Free Chunky Sweater Pattern
You can download the full Peace Sweater Free Chunky Sweater Pattern on my Free Knitting Patterns page. While you’re there, don’t forget to check out the rest of the Peace Collection, including the Peace Cowl (Free Pattern here), Peace Beanie (Free Pattern here), Peace Mittens (free pattern here), and Peace Ear Warmer (Free Pattern here).
Final Thoughts on the Peace Sweater
Knitting the Peace Sweater was such a joy for me, and I hope it will be for you too. From the squishy Premier Yarns Elle by Me Charlotte (Affiliate Link) to the updated digits-and-threads sizing, this sweater is everything I wanted it to be: stylish, cozy, and inclusive.
Whether you’re knitting your first sweater or your fiftieth, the Peace Sweater Free Chunky Sweater Pattern is a must-try. Don’t forget to share your finished projects with me on social media—I can’t wait to see your Peace Sweaters in action!
Materials and Info
Size: XS, S (M, L) XL, 1X (2X, 3X) 4X, 5X
Materials: Approximately 6, 6 (6, 6) 7, 7 (8, 8) 8, 9 skeins of Premier Yarns Elle By Me Charlotte yarn (196yds/150g), needle, stitch markers
Needle Size: 9(US) 5.5mm circular needles, 10(US) 6mm circular
Gauge (tension): 18sts & 26 rows to make 10cm square, using size 10(US) 6mm needles working in stockinette stitch
Chest Measurement: 76, 81.5 (86.5, 91.5) 96.5, 106.5 (112, 117) 122, 127cm
METHOD
Peace Sweater is a bottom-up pullover with drop sleeves in an easy-care yarn. It is worked flat. Created for myself to go over my short sleeve dresses for our frigid Montana winters. It is loose fit and comfy but also so warm thanks to the chunky yarn with a touch of wool.
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.
PEACE STITCH PATTERN
Round 1 – knit around
Round 2 – purl around
Round 3 – knit around
Round 4 – purl around
Round 5 – knit around
Round 6 – [k1, p1] around
Round 7 – [k1, p1] around
Round 8 – [k1, p1] around]
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
Peace Sweater Pattern
BACK
Cast on using smaller circular needle: 81, 85 (89, 95) 99, 107 (113, 117) 121, 127 sts.
Work in 1×1 ribbing for 4cms.
Switch to larger needles.
Work in Peace Stich Pattern until piece measures 38, 38 (37.5, 37.5) 36.5, 36 (36, 36.5) 37, 36 cm measuring from cast on or desired length.
Place stitch marker on both ends of this row.
Continue without shaping until work measures 53, 53.5 (54, 55) 55.5, 56 (56.5, 57) 57.5, 58 cms
SHAPE BACK SHOULDERS
Bind off 7, 7 (8, 8) 9, 10 (11, 11) 12, 12 sts at beginning of the next 2 rows.
Bind off 7, 7 (8, 8) 9, 10 (11, 11) 12, 12 sts at beginning of row, k9, 11 (10, 12) 12, 13 (13, 15) 14, 16 [10, 12 (11, 13) 13, 14 (14, 16) 15, 17 sts on right needle].
Put remaining unworked sts on stitch holder.
Turn, bind off 3sts, work to end of row.
Turn, bind off remaining 7, 9 (10, 10) 10, 11 (11, 13) 12, 14 sts
With right side facing, rejoin yarn to stitches on hold, bind off 33, 33 (35, 37) 37, 39 (41, 41) 43, 45 knit remaining 17, 19 (19, 21) 22, 24 (25, 27) 27, 29 sts.
Turn, bind off 7, 7 (8, 8) 9, 10 (11, 11) 12, 12 sts
Turn, bind off 3sts
Turn, bind off 7, 9 (8, 10) 10, 11 (11, 13) 12, 14 sts
FRONT
Cast on using smaller circular needle: 81, 85 (89, 95) 99, 107 (113, 117) 121, 127 sts.
Work in 1×1 ribbing for 4cms.
Switch to larger needles.
Work in Peace Stitch Pattern until piece measures 38, 38 (37.5, 37.5) 36.5, 36 (36, 36.5) 37, 36 cm measuring from cast on or desired length.
Place stitch marker on both ends of this row.
Continue without shaping until work measures 47, 47 (47.5, 48) 48.5, 48.5 (49, 49) 49, 49.5cms
LEFT FRONT NECK SHAPING
(if you are a left-handed knitter this is the Right front)
Work 29, 31 (34, 36) 38, 40 (42, 44) 46, 48sts, put remaining sts on holder, turn.
Decrease 1 st at neck edge of next 5, 5 (6, 6) 6, 5 (5, 5) 6, 6 rows.
Then decrease 1 st at neck edge of each right-side row 2, 2 (3, 3) 3, 3 (3, 3) 3, 3 times.
Then decrease 1 st at neck edge of every other right-side row 1, 1 (1, 1) 1, 1 (1, 1) 1, 1 time.
21, 23 (24, 26) 28, 31 (33, 35) 36, 38 sts remain.
Continue without shaping until work measures 53, 53.5 (54, 55) 55.5, 56 (56.5, 57) 57.5, 58 cms
LEFT FRONT SHOULDER SHAPING
(if you are a left-handed knitter this is the Right front)
Starting on a right-side row, bind off 7, 7 (8, 8) 9, 10 (11, 11) 12, 12 sts, work to end of row, turn.
Work 1 row without shaping.
Bind off 7, 7 (8, 8) 9, 10 (11, 11) 12, 12 work to end of row, turn.
Work 1 row without shaping.
Bind off remaining, 7, 9 (8, 10) 10, 11 (11, 13) 12, 14 sts.
RIGHT FRONT NECK SHAPING
(if you are a left-handed knitter this is the left front)
Rejoin yarn to work on stitch holder.
Bind off 23, 23 (21, 23) 23, 27 (29, 29) 29, 31sts for the center front, work across remainder of row.
Decrease 1 st at neck edge of next 5, 5 (6, 6) 6, 5 (5, 5) 6, 6 rows.
Then decrease 1 st at neck edge of each right-side row 2, 2 (3, 3) 3, 3 (3, 3) 3, 3 times.
Then decrease 1 st at neck edge of every other right-side row 1, 1 (1, 1) 1, 1 (1, 1) 1, 1 time. 21, 23 (24, 26) 28, 31 (33, 35) 36, 38sts remain.
Continue without shaping until work measures 53, 53.5 (54, 55) 55.5, 56 (56.5, 57) 57.5, 58 cms
RIGHT FRONT SHOULDER SHAPING
(if you are a left-handed knitter this is the left front)
Starting on a wrong side row, bind off 7, 7 (8, 8) 9, 10 (11, 11) 12, 12sts, turn.
Work 1 row without shaping.
Bind off 7, 7 (8, 8) 9, 10 (11, 11) 12, 12 turn.
Work 1 row without shaping.
Bind off remaining, 7, 9 (8, 10) 10, 11 (11, 13) 12, 14sts.
SLEEVES (MAKE 2)
With smaller needles, cast on 31, 31 (31, 31) 31, 31 (33, 33) 33, 35sts.
Work for 4cms in 1×1 ribbing.
Change to larger needles and begin working in Peace Stitch Pattern.
SLEEVE SHAPING TO UNDER ARM
Work 4, 4 (4, 4) 4, 4 (4, 4) 4, 4 rows.
Next row –
Increase 1 sts at each end of every following 2nd row 0, 0 (0, 0), 0, 3 (3, 2) 2, 4 times
Increase 1 sts at each end of every following 4th row 2, 5 (10, 12) 21, 21 (21, 22) 22, 21 times.
Then increase 1 st at each end of every following 6th row 13, 11 (8, 7) 1, 0 (0, 0) 0, 0 times.
You know have 62, 64 (68, 70) 76, 80 (82, 82) 82, 86 sts
Continue in stockinette stitch until sleeve measures 43, 43.5 (44, 45) 45.5, 46 (46.5, 47) 47, 47.5 desired length) measuring from cast on finishing after completing a wrong side row.
Bind off all stitches.
NECKBAND
Sew shoulder seams.
With smaller needles pick up and knit 16, 16 (16, 17) 17, 17 (19, 19) 19, 19 sts down left front,
22, 22 (24, 26) 26, 26 (28, 28) 28, 30 sts along center front,
16, 16 (16, 17) 17, 17 (19, 19) 19, 19 sts up right front,
38, 38 (40, 42) 42, 44 (46, 46) 48, 50 sts around back.
Join in the round. 92, 92 (96, 102) 102, 104 (112, 112) 114, 118sts
Work in k1p1 pattern until the neck measures 2.5cm.
Bind off in pattern.
FINISHING
Sew remaining seams (under arm and sides). Weave in all ends and block as desired.
Peace Sweater PDF
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