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Linnea Sweater Knitting Pattern

Linnea Sweater Knitting Pattern
4.6★ Rating
18-25 Hours Time Needed
1.6K Made This
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Intermediate Level

Ideal for those with basic knitting experience, featuring slightly more advanced stitches and techniques to expand your skills.

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Slow & Steady

A 10-12 hour project—great for savoring the process over several sessions.

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Casual Chic

Relaxed style with a modern twist, perfect for everyday wear while maintaining that handcrafted uniqueness.

About This Linnea Sweater Knitting Pattern

The Linnea sweater is a beautifully constructed raglan pullover that showcases elegant cable work along each raglan line. Knitted seamlessly from the bottom up, this pattern features a comfortable ribbed hem, cuffs, and collar that provide structure while remaining soft against delicate skin. The decorative cables create visual interest without overwhelming the design, making it suitable for both dressy occasions and everyday adventures in nature.

Linnea Sweater Knitting Pattern crochet pattern - detailed view of completed project

Sized for children from 1 to 12 years, this versatile pattern includes detailed instructions for gauge, increases, and the signature cabled raglan decreases that define the sweater's elegant silhouette.

Why You'll Love This Linnea Sweater Knitting Pattern

I absolutely love how this pattern transforms basic stockinette stitch into something special with those gorgeous cabled raglan lines. The top-down construction means you can try it on as you go and adjust the length perfectly for your child. I find the cable pattern surprisingly easy to memorize after the first repeat, making this an enjoyable project that looks far more complicated than it actually is. The seamless construction minimizes finishing work, and watching those raglan cables twist their way up the shoulders is incredibly satisfying.

Linnea Sweater Knitting Pattern step 1 - construction progress Linnea Sweater Knitting Pattern step 2 - assembly progress Linnea Sweater Knitting Pattern step 3 - details and accessories Linnea Sweater Knitting Pattern step 4 - final assembly and finishing

Switch Things Up

I love experimenting with this classic pattern to make each Linnea sweater unique and personal. One of my favorite variations is working the body in a soft neutral tone and then switching to a vibrant contrast color for the sleeves, creating a modern color-blocked effect that kids absolutely adore. You could also try working the entire sweater in stripes, planning your color changes to align with the raglan decrease rounds for a dynamic visual effect.

For a more textured approach, I sometimes substitute the stockinette stitch body with a simple all-over pattern like seed stitch or broken rib, which adds visual interest while keeping the cabled raglan lines as the star feature. Another fun modification is adding a small pocket to the front of the sweater at chest height, perfect for collecting treasures on nature walks.

If you're feeling adventurous, consider working the collar in a contrasting color or extending it into a cozy turtleneck by adding several more centimeters of ribbing. You could even add decorative buttons along one shoulder to make dressing easier for younger children. The beauty of this pattern lies in its versatility as a canvas for your creative vision while maintaining its elegant, timeless structure.

Common Mistakes & How to Fix Them

✗ Forgetting to slip markers as you work the cabled raglan rounds can throw off your stitch count and cable placement completely ✗ Not checking gauge carefully before starting often results in a sweater that's too large or too small for the intended size ✗ Twisting the cast-on stitches when joining to work in the round creates a permanent twist that can't be fixed later ✗ Binding off the collar too tightly makes it difficult to pull the sweater over a child's head comfortably ✗ Missing decrease rounds in the raglan shaping disrupts the cable pattern alignment and affects the overall fit of the sweater

Linnea Sweater Knitting Pattern

Create a timeless children's sweater with elegant cabled raglan sleeves that transition beautifully from casual play to special occasions. This classic top-down knitting pattern features decorative cable details along the raglan lines, creating a sophisticated look that's surprisingly simple to achieve. Perfect for woodland walks or birthday parties, the Linnea sweater combines traditional knitting techniques with modern construction methods for a garment that grows with your little one's adventures.

Intermediate 18-25 Hours

Materials Needed for Linnea Sweater Knitting Pattern

— Main Fabric

  • 01
    Fingering weight yarn, 167 m / 183 yards per 50 g skein
  • 02
    Total of 3-6 skeins depending on size (1 yr through 12 yrs)
  • 03
    Suggested yarns: Rauma Finull color 406, Leine Merino 2 tr color natur, or Wool4You Capella color 276

— Tools Required

  • 01
    3 mm / US 2.5 circular needles (40 cm / 16 inches)
  • 02
    3 mm / US 2.5 circular needles (60 cm / 24 inches)
  • 03
    3 mm / US 2.5 double pointed needles (DPNs)
  • 04
    3.5 mm / US 4 circular needles (60 cm / 24 inches for smaller sizes)
  • 05
    3.5 mm / US 4 circular needles (80 cm / 32 inches for larger sizes)
  • 06
    3.5 mm / US 4 double pointed needles (DPNs)
  • 07
    Cable needle
  • 08
    Stitch markers
  • 09
    Tapestry needle for weaving in ends
  • 10
    Scissors

Progress Tracker

0% Complete

— HEM :

Setup :

With 3 mm / US 2.5 needles, cast on (140) 148 (156) 164 (172) 184 (196) 208 sts. Join to knit in the round, be mindful not to twist the stitches.

Ribbing :

Work 2x2 rib (k2, p2) in the round until the work measures 5 cm / 2 inches.

— BODY :

Setup :

Switch to 3.5 mm / US 4 needles.

Next Round :

k11 (12) 13 (13) 14 (15) 16 (17), k2tog, k to end of round. You should now have (128) 136 (144) 152 (160) 172 (184) 196 sts on your needle.

Main Body :

Work in stockinette stitch in the round until the work measures approximately (24) 26 (28) 31 (33) 36 (39) 42 cm / (9.5) 10.25 (11) 12.25 (13) 14.25 (15.25) 16.5 inches.

Divide for Sleeves :

Bind off the first 6 sts (underarm of first sleeve). Continue knitting (58) 62 (66) 70 (74) 80 (86) 92 sts and bind off the following 6 sts for the other sleeve. Knit the rest of the (58) 62 (66) 70 (74) 80 (86) 92 sts and put the work on hold while the sleeves are being worked.

— SLEEVES :

Ribbed Cuff :

With 3 mm / US 2.5 needle, cast on (40) 40 (40) 44 (44) 44 (48) 48 sts. Join to work in the round. Place marker at the BOR. Work 2x2 rib (k2, p2) in the round until the work measures 5 cm / 2 inches.

Sleeve Setup :

Switch to 3.5 mm / US 4 needles and work in stockinette stitch around.

Increase Round :

Work the following Inc Round every 3 cm / 1.25 inches, a total of (4) 5 (7) 7 (9) 11 (11) 12 times: K1, m1R, k to 1 st before end, m1L, k1. You should now have (48) 50 (54) 58 (62) 66 (70) 72 sts on your needle.

Continue Sleeve :

Continue working in stockinette stitch until the work measures approximately (20) 24 (28) 31 (33) 36 (39) 42 cm / (8) 9.5 (11) 12.25 (13) 14.25 (15.25) 16.5 inches.

Sleeve Underarm :

Next Round: Bind off 3 sts, k to 3 sts before end, bind off the remaining sts. Work the other sleeve in the same manner.

— JOINING SLEEVES AND BODY :

Setup :

Resume knitting from where you left off on the body, with the body and sleeves right side facing each other. Transfer all body sts back onto the needle, ready to join the sleeves to the body.

Joining Round :

With the body sts on your needle, k3 from sleeve 1, PM, k to 3 sts before end of sleeve 1, PM, k3. K3, PM, k across body sts to 3 sts before the other sleeve, PM, k3. K3 from sleeve 2, PM, k to 3 sts before end of sleeve 2, PM, k3. K3, PM, k across body sts to 3 sts before where you began, PM. This last marker is also the BOR marker. You should have a total of (200) 212 (228) 244 (260) 280 (300) 316 sts on your needle.

Next Round :

K to end of round.

Preparation Round :

K to 2 sts before end of round.

— CABLED RAGLAN LINE :

Cable A :

Left leaning cable: Slip 3 sts purlwise onto a cable needle held in front of your work. k3 sts. k3 sts from the cable needle.

Cable B :

Right leaning cable: Slip 3 sts purlwise onto a cable needle held behind your work. k3. k3 sts from the cable needle.

Round 1 (Decrease Round) :

Starting at 2 sts before the BOR, *ssk, work Cable A, k2tog, k to 2 sts before next marker, ssk, work Cable B, k2tog*. K to 2 sts before next marker, repeat *–* once. K to end of round. (8 sts decreased)

Round 2 :

K to 2 sts before end of round.

Round 3 (Decrease Round) :

Starting at 2 sts before the BOR, *ssk, k6, k2tog, k to 2 sts before next marker*. Repeat from *–* 3 times. (8 sts decreased)

Round 4 :

K to 2 sts before end.

Repeat :

Repeat Rounds 1-4 until you have worked a total of (16) 17 (18) 19 (21) 23 (25) 27 decrease rounds. You should now have (72) 76 (84) 92 (92) 96 (100) 100 sts on your needle.

— RIBBED COLLAR :

Collar :

Switch to 3 mm / US 2.5 needles and work 2x2 rib (k2, p2) in the round until the ribbing measures (2) 2 (2.5) 2.5 (3) 3 (3) 3 cm / (0.75) 0.75 (1) 1 (1.25) 1.25 (1.25) 1.25 inches.

Finishing :

Bind off all sts in pattern loosely. Weave in all ends and sew the gaps at the underarms shut.

Assembly Instructions

  • After binding off the collar, weave in all yarn ends securely using a tapestry needle, hiding them within the fabric structure.
  • Close the small gaps at each underarm where the sleeves meet the body by using mattress stitch or whip stitch with matching yarn.
  • Block the finished sweater gently by soaking in cool water with wool wash, then laying flat to dry to even out stitches.
  • Check that all markers have been removed from the knitting before final blocking and wearing.
  • Steam block lightly if needed to help the cable details pop and create a professional finished appearance.

Important Notes

  • 💡Always check your gauge before beginning as fingering weight yarns can vary significantly between brands and fiber contents
  • 💡Keep track of which decrease round you're on during raglan shaping to maintain the cable pattern correctly
  • 💡Use lifelines every few rounds during the raglan shaping in case you need to rip back and fix mistakes
  • 💡The sweater is designed to be worn with approximately 3-5 cm of positive ease for comfortable movement
  • 💡When binding off the collar, use a stretchy bind-off method or go up a needle size to ensure the neck opening stretches comfortably
  • 💡Cable needles can be substituted with a double pointed needle of the same size if you don't have a dedicated cable needle

The Linnea Sweater pattern brings together timeless elegance and practical construction techniques to create a garment your child will treasure for years. With its beautiful cabled raglan lines and seamless top-down design, this sweater works up beautifully in any fingering weight yarn you love. Whether you're knitting for your own little one or creating a heartfelt handmade gift, the Linnea sweater combines traditional craftsmanship with modern knitting convenience. Happy knitting and may every stitch bring you joy! 🧶✨

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FAQs

Can I substitute a different weight yarn for this pattern?

While the pattern is written for fingering weight yarn, you could adapt it for sport or DK weight by adjusting needle sizes and recalculating stitch counts based on your gauge. However, this requires experience with pattern modifications.

How do I know which size to knit for my child?

Measure your child's chest circumference and add 3-5 cm for positive ease. Compare this to the finished bust measurements listed in the pattern to select the appropriate size.

Is this pattern suitable for a beginning knitter?

This pattern is best suited for knitters with some experience who are comfortable with increases, decreases, working in the round, and basic cable techniques. Beginners might find the raglan shaping and cables challenging.

Can I make the sleeves or body longer or shorter?

Yes! Simply knit more or fewer rounds in stockinette stitch before dividing for the sleeves or before joining the sleeves to the body. Just ensure you maintain the same total length for both body and sleeves.

What's the best way to keep track of my raglan decrease rounds?

Use a row counter, make tick marks on paper, or use a knitting app to track each decrease round. This is especially important since you need to alternate between cable rounds and plain decrease rounds.

Do I need to use the exact yarn suggested in the pattern?

No, any fingering weight yarn that achieves the correct gauge will work beautifully. Choose a yarn appropriate for children's wear that's soft, washable, and durable for active play.