I’ll guide you step by step on how to knit The Artist’s Sweater - a seamless, top-down sweater designed for adventurous beginners ready to explore beyond basic patterns.
✅ *Download the PDF knitting pattern* because you'll need it to know the stitch count for your size.
On Etsy: https://juliapiro.etsy.com/listing/1854698844
On Ravelry: https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/the-artists-sweater
and let’s get started!
Next up: The Summer Soul top! Subscribe and hit the bell to stay notified: https://youtube.com/@Juliapiro
---
*SKILL LEVEL:*
Ideal for knitters who have completed at least one sweater. The Artist’s Sweater is a gentle introduction to textured knitting, using simple stitches you already know, with just a few new techniques to learn.
If you're just starting out, I recommend you begin with the Drop in Dream sweater https://youtu.be/KzFavboPuSk before moving on to The Artist’s Sweater.
*METHOD:*
The sweater is knitted seamlessly from the top down, starting with back-and-forth rows and then moving to working in the round. It begins at the upper back, gradually shaped with increases on every row.
Next, stitches are picked up from the shoulders to shape the neckline, then the front and back are joined to continue in the round.
The shoulder seam is slightly shifted toward the back.
Stitches for the sleeves are picked up and knitted in the round, with decreases made along the way.
Finally, stitches for the neckline are picked up and worked in 1x1 rib.
*SIZES:*
Available in 11 sizes: XXS-XS-S-M-L-XL-2XL-3XL-4XL-5XL-6XL. The sweater is designed with approximately 13-23 cm/ 5-9 inches of positive ease.
Size reference: I am wearing size S and am 168 cm (5’6”) tall, with a bust circumference of 89 cm/ 35 inches.
🍭 *MATERIALS*
*1. YARN.*
- Sample 1 was worked in Drops “Nepal” yarn (65% Wool, 35% Alpaca), /10 ply / aran , 50 g/ 75 m or 1.8 oz/ 82 yards per skein, color 1101, White).
You will need: 11-12-12-13-14-16-17-18-20-20-21 50 grams/ 1.8 oz skeins for your size.
- Sample 2 was worked in Isager Aran Tweed yarn (100% Wool), /Single ply/ 100g/ 160 m or 3.6 oz/ 164 yards per hank, color Sand).
You will need: 6-6-6-7-7-7-9-9-10-10-11, 100 grams/ 3.6 oz hank for your size.
Check the colors on Isager’s website https://isagerstrik.dk/en/product/aran-tweed/ or search online to find a local retailer, just as I did.
Yardage by size:
902(2XS) - 984(XS) - 984(S) -1066(M) - 1148(L) - 1312(XL) - 1394(2XL) - 1476(3XL) - 1640(4XL) - 1640(5XL) - 1722(6XL) yards.
For men: Consider adding an extra skein for longer sleeves or body length, if necessary.
28 Yarn options! Check the *FREE Aran weight yarn guide* for this sweater! https://juliapiro.com/pages/goodies
*2. CIRCULAR NEEDLES.*
*4.5 mm (US 7) and 5.5 mm (US 9) circular needles* in the following lengths: 40 cm (16 inches)* and 80 or 100 cm (31 or 40 inches).
You can use the Magic Loop technique and work with one needle length of 80-100 cm (31-40 inches).
*GAUGE* is 16 sts x 26 rows in a 10x10 cm (4x4 inches) piece in pattern stitch on 5.5 mm (US 9) needles (after blocking).
------
⏱ *TIMESTAMPS*
00:01 Intro.
02:54 Yarn.
04:16 Swatch.
10:13 Back. Part 1.
24:09 Control point 1.
25:19 Back. Part 2.
27:09 Control point 2.
28:18 Front. Part 1. Left Shoulder.
37:38 Control point 3.
38:33 Front. Part 1. Right Shoulder.
44:33 Control point 4.
44:56 Front. Part 2. Join.
48:54 Control point 5.
49:38 Body.
52:31 Control point 6.
55:41 Sleeves.
How to pick up stitches for the sleeve: https://youtu.be/KzFavboPuSk?si=fWgCEqUw07yYNz2K&t=2023
How to knit sleeve with Magic Loop https://youtu.be/QVHsMRNt11Q?si=bgn3Sehsh5HoDq4i
01:06:02 Neckband.
How to pick up stitches for the neck: https://youtu.be/KzFavboPuSk?si=2ePMg_mMK0TDxlyd&t=2588
01:16:10 The final touches.
Esenotes about wet-blocking: https://juliapiro.com/blogs/esenotes/think-wet-blocking-is-optional
*****
This tutorial wouldn’t be what it is without my husband, Alex. He fine-tuned every detail—from charts to highlights—making sure everything is clear for you. So much of his work happens quietly in the background, but it makes all the difference!
🍿 *WATCH NEXT*
The First Star Sweater—a perfect foundation for those dreaming of stunning Nordic sweaters. Watch here https://youtu.be/f-5MfgE-pO8
---
*Knit with Julia Piro* - Knitting patterns with video tutorials for the adventurous beginners.
*About me* - My name is Julia Piro [’piro], and I'm a knitwear designer on a mission to make knitting easy and enjoyable for everyone.
💌 Contacts - [email protected]
📸 Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest @juliapiroknits
#howtoknitsweater #knittingtutorial #beginners