Light Mohair Sweater for Summer – Free Knitting Pattern for Beginners
Want to knit a light mohair sweater yourself? This free knitting pattern shows you step-by-step how to knit an airy summer sweater from the top down. This pattern is suitable for ambitious beginners and is knitted with two strands of soft Kid Seta by Pro Lana. The seamless construction makes it easy to adjust the sweater to your desired length. The pattern includes all necessary materials, a gauge swatch, and sizes from S to XL. If you want to knit a modern, fluffy mohair sweater, you'll find the complete instructions here, including explanations of the most important increases and decreases.
MATERIAL
Kid Seta by Pro Lana (70% Mohair, 30% Silk, 25 g = 210 m)
The sweater is knitted with two strands held together.
approx. 125 (150) 150–175 (175–200) g
Knitting Needles:
6 mm (US 10) circular needle 80 cm (32 in)
6 mm (US 10) circular needle 40 cm (16 in) (sleeves)
GAUGE
10 x 10 cm (4 x 4 in) in stockinette stitch: approx. 13 sts x 18 rows
SIZE GUIDE
S (M) L (XL) = approx. 86–92 (94–100) 102–108 (110–116) cm / 34–36 (37–39) 40–42 (43–46) in bust circumference
GLOSSARY
k = knit
p = purl
st(s) = stitch(es)
row(s) = (when knitting flat in back and forth rows)
rnd(s) = round(s) (when knitting in the round)
M1L = make one left (left-leaning increase)
pick up strand between two stitches from front to back and knit it through the back loop
M1R = make one right (right-leaning increase)
pick up strand between two stitches from back to front and knit it through the front loop
k2tog = knit two together (right-leaning decrease)
ssk = slip, slip, knit (left-leaning decrease)
slip 1 st, knit 1 st, pass slipped st over knit st
CONSTRUCTION
The sweater is knitted from the top down. First, the front piece is worked, then the back piece is picked up or cast on from the cast-on edge.
Then, the front and back pieces are joined in the round and the body is knitted in the round.
The sleeves are picked up directly from the armhole and worked in the round. In the lower part of the sleeve, increases create a distinct, wide flared shape.
INSTRUCTIONS
FRONT
Cast on 60 (70) 80 (90) sts
Tip for casting on:
Cast on stitches loosely so that the edge remains elastic. It can help to cast on with two needles at the same time (e.g., a 6 mm needle together with a thinner auxiliary needle). Carry both needles during the cast-on and then carefully pull out the auxiliary needle.
Row 1 (RS): k all sts
Row 2 (WS): p all sts
→ Repeat these two rows until 12–13 (13–13.5) 13.5 (14) cm / 4.7–5.1 (5.1–5.3) 5.3 (5.5) in total length is reached.
ARMHOLE INCREASES
Row 1 (RS): k2, M1L, knit until 2 sts remain, M1R, k2
Row 2 (WS): p all sts
→ Work Row 1 and Row 2 a total of 6 times.
(There are now 72 (82) 92 (102) stitches on the needle).
BACK
First, pick up 8 (11) 16 (20) sts from the left shoulder edge of the front, then cast on 40 (44) 44 (46) new sts (for the neck), and then pick up 8 (11) 16 (20) sts from the right shoulder edge.
(Starting stitch count on the needle: 56 (66) 76 (86) stitches).
Row 1 (RS): k all sts
Row 2 (WS): p all sts
→ Repeat these two rows until 11.5–12 (12.5) 13 (13.5–14) cm / 4.5–4.7 (4.9) 5.1 (5.3–5.5) in total length is reached.
ARMHOLE INCREASES
Row 1 (RS): k2, M1L, knit until 2 sts remain, M1R, k2
Row 2 (WS): p all sts
→ Work Row 1 and Row 2 a total of 8 times.
(There are now also 72 (82) 92 (102) stitches on the needle).
JOINING
Join front and back:
Cast on 6 new sts (e.g., with the backward loop cast-on)
→ knit across all 72 (82) 92 (102) stitches of the front
→ cast on 6 new sts (e.g., with the backward loop cast-on)
→ join in the round and knit across the stitches of the back.
(Total stitch count on the needle for the body: 156 (176) 196 (216) stitches).
BODY
Knit in the round (rnds) in stockinette stitch until desired length.
Bind off all stitches loosely.
SLEEVES
Pick up 66 (70) 74 (78) sts from the armhole and join in the round.
DECREASES
Every 6th round is a decrease round.
Decrease Round:
k1, k2tog, knit until 3 sts remain, ssk, k1
→ Work a total of 6 (8) 10 (12) decrease rounds.
(There are now 54 (54) 54 (54) stitches remaining on the needle).
After the last decrease round, begin the increases for the wide sleeve shape.
INCREASES
Every 4th round is an increase round.
Increase Round:
k1, M1L, knit until 1 st remains, M1R
→ Work a total of 9 (10) 11 (12) increase rounds.
(There are now 72 (74) 76 (78) stitches on the needle).
2ND SLEEVE
is worked identically.
FINISHING
Bind off all stitches loosely, weave in ends.
Enjoy wearing your new favorite sweater! :)