Sunshine Sweater: Beginner Knitting Pattern and Video Tutorial

Hannah Reed

4 years ago · Updated 21 hours ago

The Sunshine Sweater by ByKaterina Designs is a loose, everyday pullover made almost entirely in stockinette stitch. The designer rates it as a beginner pattern, and the video tutorial below shows each step, so it is a good choice if this is your first sweater.
Sunshine Sweater knitting pattern by ByKaterina Designs

Images and patterns courtesy of ByKaterina Designs

Sunshine Sweater at a Glance

Designer: ByKaterina Designs
Skill level: beginner
Sizes: 8 sizes, from S to 5XL
Yarn: light weight (category 3, DK); the sample uses a self-striping cotton, viscose and linen blend
Needles: 3.5 mm circular needles (the sample uses a 100 cm cable)
Gauge: 21 stitches and 29 rows = 10 cm in stockinette stitch
Techniques: stockinette, knit 1 purl 1 ribbing, make 1 increases, k2tog decreases and a slipped-stitch edge
Video length: about 35 minutes

How the Sweater Is Made

This sweater has an unusual construction for a beginner project: it is knitted sideways in one piece, from one cuff to the other. You begin at one cuff, work the first sleeve and then the body, with the front and back knitted together. At the neckline the piece is split into two panels, then joined again to finish the second half of the body and the other sleeve.
Knitting the body of the Sunshine Sweater in stockinette stitch on circular needles
When the knitting is done, the piece is folded in half and the side seams are sewn. The ribbing at the hem can be added either before or after this assembly step, whichever you find easier.

Tips for Beginners

Keep your edges neat. The pattern uses a slipped-stitch edge, which makes the side seams much easier to sew later. Work it the same way on every row so both edges match.
Practise the increases first. The shaping uses make 1 increases. If they are new to you, try a few on a small swatch before you start. The creator also has a separate video on increases, linked in the description of the main tutorial on YouTube.
Adjust the length to fit you. The written pattern explains how to make the sleeves and body longer or shorter, so check those measurements before you cast on.
Finished Sunshine Sweater knitted in a yellow self-striping yarn, worn with a relaxed fit

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Sunshine Sweater good for a first sweater? Yes. It is mostly stockinette with simple ribbing, and the only shaping comes from basic increases and decreases.
Where can I find the written pattern? The full written pattern for all sizes is on the ByKaterina website, and a printable PDF is sold through her shop and on Etsy, Ravelry and LoveCrafts.

Watch the Sunshine Sweater Video Tutorial

Source: ByKaterina Designs

More from ByKaterina Designs

Hannah Reed

Hi, I’m Hannah! I’m a firm believer that there’s no problem a cup of tea and a few rows of knitting can’t fix. I’m not a professional designer; I’m just a girl obsessed with soft textures and the magic of turning a ball of yarn into something wearable. From my first (very wonky) scarf to my current projects, I love sharing the cozy highs and the 'oops, I dropped a stitch' lows of my knitting journey. Let’s grab our needles and make something handmade together!