Vanilla Bean Turtleneck Knitting Pattern

 

The last few winters I have been in love with Turtlenecks!  When Lion Brand sent me this yarn I knew that I wanted to design something special with it.  The speckles are absolutely gorgeous and stand out beautifully with a simple stockinette stitch.

This raglan style turtleneck is worked primarily in stockinette stitch with a simple ribbed detailing at the yoke. Knit from the top down, this sweater is seamlessly constructed and sized to fit S-3X.

The yarn for this pattern [linked here] is an easy, DK weight yarn that comes in many different colors. The speckles are random and don’t stripe or pool throughout the work.  Seeing each speckle show up as you knit is so fun!  Lion Brand is selling this pattern as a kit but it can be adapted to use any DK weight yarn with a matching gauge.

To access this pattern for free, keep scrolling.  If you’d like to purchase the PDF or the kit, both are linked below.

 

PATTERN:

CLICK HERE to get the ad-free, printable pattern PDF

CLICK HERE to purchase the kit with Lion Brand Yarn

 

Pattern Description:  This raglan style turtleneck is worked primarily in stockinette stitch with a simple ribbed detailing at the yoke.  Knit from the top down, this sweater is seamlessly constructed and sized to fit S-3X.

Skill Level: Intermediate

Materials Used:

S: 4 skeins, M-L: 5 skeins, XL, 2X: 6 skeins, 3X: 7 skeins – Lion Brand Ice Cream Yarn in Vanilla Bean

Size 4 (3.5 mm) 32” circular needle

Size 4 (3.5 mm) double pointed needles or circular needle for magic loop technique.

Size 5 (3.75 mm) 32” circular needle

Size 5 (3.75 mm) 16” circular needle

Size 5 (3.75 mm) double pointed needles or circular needle for magic loop technique.

4 Stitch Markers

Tapestry needle

Gauge:  22 stitches and 30 rows = 4 inches in stockinette stitch

Finished Measurements:

Note: Pattern is written for smallest size with changes for larger sizes in parenthesis. When only one number is given, it applies to all sizes.

S, (M, L, XL, 2X, 3X)

Finished Chest Circumference: 36.25, (40, 44.25, 48, 52.25, 56)”

Finished Length from bottom of neck to cast off edge: 22.5, (23.5, 26, 25.5, 26.75, 27.75)”

Finished Sleeve Length: 19, (19, 19.5, 19.5, 20, 20)”

Notes:

This pattern will be worked seamlessly from the top, down. First, neck and shoulders will be worked. Then, you will separate for sleeves and body, working the body first and finishing with each sleeve. Sleeves will be worked in the round so use either double pointed needles or a long circular needle for magic loop technique.

Abbreviations:

Beg = beginning

BO = bind off

CO = cast on

Cont = continue

Dec = decrease

K = knit

K2tog = knit 2 together

M1R = make one right. Pick up the bar between the stitch you just knit and the one you are about to knit with

your left needle from back to front, knit through the front.

M1L = make one left. Pick up the bar between the stitch you just knit and the one you are about to knit with your

left needle from front to back, knit through the back.

P = purl

PM = place marker

SM = slip marker

Ssk = slip slip knit

St st = stockinette stitch

 

PATTERN INSTRUCTIONS

Download the printable, ad-free pdf HERE

With 16” size 5 needles, cast on 128, (132, 136, 148, 160, 164) sts and join to work in round.

Work in k2, p2 rib stitch until piece measures 10” from cast on edge.

Shape Shoulders:

Row 1: k1, PM, k1, p1, k20, p1, k1, PM, k1, p1, k34, (36, 38, 44, 50, 52), p1, k1, PM, k1, p1, k20, p1, k1, PM, k1, p1, k38, (40, 42, 48, 54, 56), p1, k1. You should now have reached the first marker placed. This marker will denote the new beg/end of each round.

Note: sts between markers 1 and 2 are for the right sleeve, 2 and 3 for the back, 3 and 4 for the left sleeve, and 4 and 1 for the front.

2: *SM, k1, p1, k to 2 before marker, p1, k1. Rep from * to end of round.

3: *SM, k1, p1, k1, m1l, k to 3 before marker, m1r, k1, p1, k1. Rep from * to end of round.

Switching to longer circular needle when necessary, repeat rows 2-3, until 328, (364, 408, 436, 472, 508) stitches total; 74, (82, 92, 96, 102, 110) sts between 1st and 2nd markers, 88, (98, 110, 120, 132, 142) sts between 2nd and 3rd markers, 74, (82, 92, 96, 102, 110) sts between 3rd and 4th markers, and 92, (102, 114, 124, 136, 146) sts between 4th and 1st marker.

 

Separate to Work Arms and Body:

Removing existing st markers as you work, slip first 74, (82, 92, 96, 102, 110) sts onto stitch holder. CO 3 stitches, place new st marker, CO 7 stitches, knit next 88, (98, 110, 120, 132, 142) sts, slip next 74, (82, 92, 96, 102, 110) sts onto stitch holder, CO 7 sts, place new marker, CO 3 sts, knit remaining 92, (102, 114, 124, 136, 146) sts and then the 3 that were cast on. End at the new stitch marker. This marker will denote beg/end of each round.

You will now have 200, (220, 244, 264, 288, 308) stitches on your needles for the body, and 74, (82, 92, 96, 102, 110) stitches on each stitch holder for the sleeves.

 

Body:

Work 6” in st st.

Waist shaping row 1: *k6, k2tog, k to 8 before 2nd marker, ssk, k6, SM. Rep from * to end of round.

2-4: knit

5: as row 1.

Repeat rows 2-5 three times. [180, (200, 224, 244, 268, 288) sts].

Work 1.75, (2, 2.25, 2.5, 2.75, 2.75)” in st st.

6: *k6, m1l, k to 6 before 2nd marker, m1r, k6, SM. Rep from * to end of round.

7-9: knit.

10: as row 6.

Repeat rows 7-10 three times. [200, (220, 244, 264, 288, 308) sts].

Work 2” in st st.

Switch to size 4 circular needle. Work 2.5” in k1, p1 rib stitch. Bind off.

 

Sleeves:

Pick up 74, (82, 92, 96, 102, 110) stitches from scrap yarn to work first sleeve. At underarm, pick up 8 stitches, PM, pick up 8 more sts [90, (98, 108, 112, 118, 126) total sts]. Marker will denote beg/end of each round.

1-3: knit.

4 and all decrease rows: k2, k2tog, k to 4 before end of round, ssk, k2.

Repeat rows 3-4 seven more times [74, (82, 92, 96, 102, 110) sts].

5-6: knit.

7: decrease row [72, (80, 90, 94, 100, 108) sts].

8-10: knit.

11: decrease row.

Repeat rows 8-11 three more times [64, (72, 82, 86, 92, 100) sts].

12-16: knit.

17: decrease row [62, (70, 80, 84, 90, 98) sts].

18-24: knit.

25: decrease row [60, (68, 78, 82, 88, 96) sts].

Work 3, (3, 3.5, 3.5, 4, 4)” in st st. **Note: if you would like your sleeves longer or shorter than the standard 17, (17, 17.5, 17.5, 18, 18)” from underarm to cuff, you can knit more or less at this point.

26: decrease row [58, (66, 76, 80, 86, 94) sts].

Work 1 .” in st st.

28: decrease row.

Repeat 1 .” st st and row 28 twice more. [52, (60, 70, 74, 80, 88) sts].

29-32: knit

33 (S, M, L, 2X, 3X): decrease row.

33 (XL): k2, k2tog, k to end of round.

Switch to size 4 needles; work 2” in k1, p1 rib stitch. Bind off.

Repeat for second sleeve.

 

Finishing:

Weave in all ends. Block by soaking in warm water and lay flat to dry.

 

I hope you enjoy this pattern!  Let me know if you have any questions or make this sweater — I love seeing photos of your finished work!

With Love, Kaitlin