The Clover Lane Sweater: A Free Knitting Pattern for a Cozy, Textured Yoke Pullover

Introducing the Clover Lane Sweater: Your New Cozy Knitting Companion

Wrap yourself in the comfort of the Clover Lane Sweater, a modern take on the classic textured yoke pullover. This free knitting pattern features a stunning all-over stitch pattern that mimics delicate clover leaves, creating a garment that is both stylish and incredibly cozy. The sweater is worked seamlessly from the top down, making it a perfect project for adventurous beginners and seasoned knitters alike. With its relaxed, slightly oversized fit and beautiful botanical yoke, this pullover will quickly become a wardrobe staple. The soft heather moss green shown here evokes a sense of natural elegance, but feel free to choose your favorite Aran weight yarn to make it your own.

Materials Needed

Before you begin, gather the following materials to ensure a smooth knitting experience.

• Yarn: Aran weight (10 ply) wool or wool blend yarn. Approximately 1000 (1100, 1200, 1350, 1500) yards. The sample is shown in a soft heather moss green.
• Needles:
  • US 7 (4.5 mm) circular needles, 24-inch and 16-inch lengths (for ribbing)
  • US 8 (5.0 mm) circular needles, 24-inch and 16-inch lengths (for main fabric)
  • US 8 (5.0 mm) double-pointed needles (DPNs) for sleeves (or use a long circular for magic loop)
• Notions: Stitch markers, tapestry needle for weaving in ends, stitch holders or waste yarn for holding sleeve stitches.
• Gauge: 18 stitches and 24 rows = 4 inches in stockinette stitch on larger needles, after blocking. Always check your gauge for best fit.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Sizes: XS (S, M, L, XL). Finished chest circumference: 34 (38, 42, 46, 50) inches. Instructions are written for the smallest size, with larger sizes in parentheses.

Stitch Pattern: Clover Lace (Worked in the Round, Multiple of 8 Stitches)

This pattern creates the delicate clover leaves on the yoke. Repeat rounds 1-8 as instructed.

• Round 1: *K2, yo, ssk, k4; rep from * to end.
• Round 2 and all even rounds: Knit.
• Round 3: *K1, k2tog, yo, k1, yo, ssk, k3; rep from * to end.
• Round 5: *K2tog, yo, k3, yo, ssk, k1; rep from * to end.
• Round 7: *K1, yo, ssk, k1, k2tog, yo, k2; rep from * to end.
• Round 8: Knit.

Yoke

1. With smaller needles (US 7), cast on 80 (88, 96, 104, 112) stitches. Join in the round, being careful not to twist. Place a marker to indicate the beginning of the round.
2. Work k1, p1 rib for 1.5 inches.
3. Switch to larger needles (US 8). Knit 1 round, increasing 8 (8, 8, 8, 8) stitches evenly around = 88 (96, 104, 112, 120) stitches.
4. Begin the Clover Lace pattern. Work rounds 1-8 a total of 3 (3, 4, 4, 5) times. Then work rounds 1-4 once more. The yoke should measure approximately 6 (6, 7, 7, 8) inches from the cast-on edge.
5. Increase Round: *K11 (12, 13, 14, 15), M1L (make one left); rep from * to end. You now have 96 (104, 112, 120, 128) stitches.
6. Continue in stockinette stitch (knit every round) until the yoke measures 8 (8.5, 9, 9.5, 10) inches from the cast-on edge.
7. Increase 8 stitches evenly every 1.5 inches 3 more times as follows:
   • Next increase round: *K12 (13, 14, 15, 16), M1L; rep from * to end = 104 (112, 120, 128, 136) stitches.
   • After 1.5 inches: *K13 (14, 15, 16, 17), M1L; rep from * to end = 112 (120, 128, 136, 144) stitches.
   • After another 1.5 inches: *K14 (15, 16, 17, 18), M1L; rep from * to end = 120 (128, 136, 144, 152) stitches.

Separate Body and Sleeves

1. Knit 36 (38, 40, 42, 44) stitches for the back. Place the next 24 (26, 28, 30, 32) stitches on a holder or waste yarn for the left sleeve.
2. Cast on 4 (4, 6, 6, 8) stitches for the left underarm using the backward loop method or your preferred cast-on.
3. Knit 36 (38, 40, 42, 44) stitches for the front. Place the next 24 (26, 28, 30, 32) stitches on a holder for the right sleeve.
4. Cast on 4 (4, 6, 6, 8) stitches for the right underarm. You now have 80 (84, 92, 96, 104) stitches for the body. Join in the round, placing a marker at the beginning of the round.

Body

1. Knit in stockinette stitch (knit every round) until the body measures 12 (13, 14, 15, 16) inches from the underarm cast-on.
2. Switch to smaller needles (US 7). Work k1, p1 rib for 2 inches.
3. Bind off loosely in pattern (knit the knits and purl the purls as you bind off).

Sleeves

1. Transfer the held 24 (26, 28, 30, 32) sleeve stitches to larger DPNs (US 8) or a short circular needle.
2. With the right side facing, pick up and knit 4 (4, 6, 6, 8) stitches from the underarm cast-on edge. Place a marker to indicate the beginning of the round. You now have 28 (30, 34, 36, 40) stitches.
3. Knit in stockinette stitch (knit every round).
4. Decrease Round: K1, k2tog, knit to last 3 stitches, ssk, k1. This decreases 1 stitch on each side of the underarm marker.
5. Repeat the decrease round every 6 (6, 7, 7, 8) rounds until 20 (22, 24, 26, 28) stitches remain.
6. Continue knitting without decreases until the sleeve measures 14 (15, 16, 17, 18) inches from the underarm.
7. Switch to smaller DPNs (US 7). Work k1, p1 rib for 1.5 inches.
8. Bind off loosely in pattern.
9. Repeat for the second sleeve.

Finishing

1. Weave in all ends using a tapestry needle, securing them on the wrong side.
2. Block the sweater to the specified measurements. Gently pin out the lace pattern on the yoke to open up the clover leaves. Lay flat to dry.

Your Clover Lane Sweater is now complete! Enjoy the cozy, textured elegance of your handmade garment.