How to Knit a Free Tunic Sweater Pattern

Updated on 10/17/20

Project Overview

Yield: 1 sweater

Skill Level: Intermediate

Sometimes you want to knit a sweater that's not too plain, but not too complicated. This cap-sleeve summer tunic sweater requires no shaping or complicated seaming but has a lacy hem as a beautiful detail. You'll love the loose and comfortable fit, as well as the mindless stockinette stitch, worked in the round. Because the shape is straight, you can adjust the sizing without much trouble.

Graceful Waves Knitting Swatch — The Spruce Crafts / Mollie Johanson

Sizing

This tunic has a straight, loose fit with eight inches of positive ease.

XS (S, M, L, XL, XXL, 3XL). Shown in size M on a 36-inch bust.

Tunic circumference: 36 (40, 44, 48, 52, 56, 60) inches.

Tunic length: 26 (28, 30, 32, 32, 33, 33) inches.

Gauge

25 stitches and 34 rows to four-inch in stockinette stitch on US 4 needles. 24 stitches and 24 rows to four-inch in pattern stitch.

For best results, knit a larger swatch. Then wash and block your swatch in the same way you will wash and block the sweater.

Abbreviations

K = Knit
K2tog = Knit 2 Together
P = Purl
SSK = Slip, Slip Knit
YO = Yarn Over

Note

This sweater starts with two separate lace sections for the hem. These sections come together and you knit the torso with stockinette stitch in the round. Finally, it splits to form the armholes before grafting together at the shoulders.

Equipment / Tools

US 4 circular needles
Stitch markers
Tapestry needle

Materials

2 (2, 3, 3, 3, 4, 4) skeins of Cheeky Merino Joy by Rosy Green Wool or approx. 615 (700, 840, 980, 1080, 1140, 1240) yards of sportweight yarn
Extra cable or waste yarn

Cast on and Work the First Lace Section

Using the long tail cast-on method, cast on 109 (121, 133, 145, 157, 169, 181) stitches for the back lace section.

Rows 1–4: Knit across the row.

Row 5: K1, *(K2tog) 2 times, (YO, K1) 3 times, YO, (SSK) 2 times, K1; repeat from * across row.

Row 6: Purl across the row.

Row 7: K1, *(K2tog) 2 times, (YO, K1) 3 times, YO, (SSK) 2 times, K1; repeat from * across row.

Row8: Purl across the row.

Row 9: K1, *(K2tog) 2 times, (YO, K1) 3 times, YO, (SSK) 2 times, K1; repeat from * across row.

Row 10: Purl across the row.

Row 11: K1, *(K2tog) 2 times, (YO, K1) 3 times, YO, (SSK) 2 times, K1; repeat from * across row.

Row 12: Purl across the row.

Repeat rows 1–12 two more times for a total of 36 rows. Cut the yarn, leaving a tail to weave in later.

The Spruce / Mollie Johanson
Cast on and Work the Second Lace Section

Using the long tail cast-on method, cast on 109 (121, 133, 145, 157, 169, 181) stitches for the front lace section. Add this to the same circular knitting needle, making sure that you work so that the right sides of both pieces are facing the same direction.

Work the second section in the same way as the first, but do not cut the yarn.

The Spruce / Mollie Johanson
Knit the Torso in the Round

After working the last purl row of the front lace section, knit across the row. Place a stitch marker on the needle.

Instead of turning your work, knit across the back lace section to join the two pieces on one side. When you reach the end of this section, place a stitch marker on the needle.

Join up with the beginning of the front section by knitting the first stitch.

Working in the round and slipping the markers as needed, knit every stitch until the stockinette section measures 11 (12, 13, 14, 14, 15, 15) inches.

If you wish to alter the length of the sweater, you can work more or fewer rows here or in the next step.

The Spruce / Mollie Johanson
Split and Knit the Front and Back

Stop knitting at the stitch marker at the end of the back. Place the back stitches (between the stitch markers) on an extra cable or piece of waste yarn.

Working on the front stitches, work in the following pattern:

Row 1: Knit across the row.

Row 2: K3, P to last 3 stitches, K3.

Repeat rows 1 and 2 for 9 (10, 11, 12, 12, 12, 12) inches. If you wish to alter the length of the sweater or the loose, open armholes, you can work more or fewer rows here.

Rows 3–6: Knit across the row.

Cut the yarn, leaving a tail of about 3 yards. Place the front piece on an extra cable or piece of waste yarn, then transfer the back stitches to the needles.

Repeat the pattern above for the back section. Place the front stitches on the circular needle with the back stitches.

The Spruce / Mollie Johanson
Graft the Shoulders Together

Using the active yarn, graft the first shoulder together using the kitchener stitch.

Graft 30 (35, 40, 45, 50, 55, 60) stitches together.

The Spruce / Mollie Johanson
Bind off Stitches on the Neckline

Working on the back of the neck, bind off 49 (51, 53, 55, 57, 59, 61) stitches. End off the yarn.

Turn the sweater around and repeat the shoulder grafting, this time working with the long tail of yarn. Bind off the remaining stitches.

Weave in all the ends and wet block the sweater.

The Spruce / Mollie Johanson

Wearing the Graceful Waves Tunic Sweater

This sweater looks great with a tank underneath and a pair of slim jeans. It also pairs well with pencil skirts. And because it's light, you can wear it throughout the summer or layer it in the winter.