Paint Your Pullover

The Paint Your Pullover sweater is a beautifully constructed knit project that combines comfort, creativity, and seamless design. Worked from the bottom up in the round, this pullover offers a smooth, uninterrupted knitting experience before transitioning to flat knitting at the armholes for easy shaping. Sleeves are then picked up directly around the armholes and worked in the round, creating a polished, cohesive finish with minimal seaming. Whether you’re looking to expand your garment-making skills or simply enjoy a relaxing knit, the Paint Your Pullover is a stylish and satisfying project you’ll love wearing season after season.

Pattern Info

Designer: Zari Eslami
Skill Level: Intermediate
Finished Size(s): Nb (3 month, 12 month, 2 year, 4 year, 6 year) to fit bust 14 (16, 18, 21, 23, 25)” / [36 (40.5, 45.5, 53, 58.5, 63.5) cm].

2–4” 5-10 Cm positive ease recommended.

Shown In Size: 4 year
Yarn Weight: DK
Category: Pullover

 

Description

Materials

Yarn: Cascade Yarns Hampton (70% Pima Cotton, 30% Linen; 273 yds [250 m]/100 g; #3 DK weight)

• Color 42 Vanilla – (MC)
• Color 44 Agate Green – (CC1)
• Color 38 Aqua Sky – (CC2)
• Color 07 Coral – (CC3)
• Color 36 Apricot Nectar – (CC4)

 

Yarn Amounts (approximate):

 

• MC: 175 (230, 295, 383, 481, 546) yds / 160 (210, 270, 350, 440, 500) m.
• CC (totals): 137 (175, 230, 295, 372, 427) yds / 125 (160, 210, 270, 340, 390) m.
• CC1: 44 (49, 58, 98, 109, 115) yds / 40 (45, 53, 90, 100, 105) m.
• CC2: 44 (49, 58, 65, 109, 115) yds / 40 (45, 53, 60, 100, 105) m.
• CC3: 22 (49, 58, 65, 76, 115) yds / 20 (45, 53, 60, 70, 105) m.
• CC4: 22 (27, 58, 65, 76, 82) yds / 20 (25, 53, 60, 70, 75) m.

 

Needles:

US 2.5 (3 mm) and US 4 (3.5 mm) circular needles, 16 (24, 32)” [40 (60, 80) cm] cable lengths depending on size; matching double-pointed needles (DPNs)

Notions:
Stitch markers, tapestry needle, scissors, blocking tools, stitch holders or waste yarn (optional)

 

Gauge

Gauge: 20 sts and 36 rows = 4” [10 cm] in pattern stitch with larger needle after blocking.
Adjust needle size as needed to obtain correct gauge.

Abbreviations

P2tog: Insert left needle into bump of last matching purl st on rnd 2 or 12, pick it up, and purl the two sts together to close it.

 

Pattern Notes

If you’re looking for a fun striped project that plays with color and texture, this pattern is perfect for you! Just a few rows of stockinette give it a totally different look.

It’s also a great way to tidy up your yarn stash before Christmas — make good use of your leftover yarns.

The pullover is worked seamlessly from the bottom up in the round. After the armholes, it’s worked flat. Stitches for the sleeves are then picked up around the armholes and worked in the round.

Change color every 10 rnds/rows, following the pattern or your own sequence.

Work a yarn over, or your preferred method, to minimize jogs when changing colors.

Keep yarns tidy and weave in ends as you work to maintain a neat finish.

When shaping Back and Front neck, maintain pattern throughout.

 

Pattern:

Body

With MC and smaller circular needles, using” Long Tail CO method”:

CO 84 (96, 108, 120, 132, 144) sts. Join without twisting, pm for BOR.

Rnd 1: Purl.

Rnd 2: Knit.

Rep the last 2 rnds until piece meas 1” or 2.5 cm from CO edge, ending with a purl rnd.

Change to larger needles. Join CC1.

Sizes Nb (-, 12 month, -, 4 year, -)

Begin Chart A.

Sizes – (3 months, -, 2 year, -, 6 year)

Begin Chart B.

 

Work in patt until piece meas 6 (6.75, 7.5, 9.25, 10.5, 10.75)” or 15 (17, 19, 23, 26, 27) cm from CO edge, ending with an odd rnd.

 

Shape armscye

Next Rnd: (Even Rnd): Work in patt to 40 (46, 52, 58, 64, 70) sts. BO 4 sts, Work in patt

37 (43, 49, 55, 61, 67) sts. Place these sts onto scrap yarn or stitch holder for Front.

BO 4 sts remove Bor marker. 38 (44, 50, 56, 62, 68) sts for each section, Front & Back.

 

Note:

From this part, front and back sides are separated. Now cont. knitting the back of the garment.

When working flat, work even rows in purl, except for Rows 2, 10, 12, and 20, which are worked in knit.

RS: Sl first st Kwise; Wyib

WS: Sl first st Pwise Wyif to keep edge neat.

Work in pattern flat until piece meas 2.5 (3.25, 3.75, 4.25, 4.75, 5)” or 6.5 (8, 9.5, 10.5,

12, 12.5) cm from underarm.

 

Important:

In the last row of center neck sts and the shoulder, if you have worked 2, 4, or 6

rows of the stockinette section from the chart, make sure to work Row 9 or Row 19 to

keep this part consistent with the rest of the patt and garment.

 

Shape Back Neck

Right shoulder:

 (RS): Sl1k, work in patt 11 (13, 14, 16, 17, 19) sts in patt, slip rem 26 (30, 35,

39, 44, 48) sts onto a stitch holder or waste yarn.

Next Row (WS):  Sl1p, p2tog to decrease, work in patt to end.

Next Row (RS): Sl1k, work in patt to 3 sts before neck edge, k2tog, k1.

Work 3 rows in patt. (10 (12, 13, 15, 16, 18) sts)

Cut yarn. Slip sts onto a stitch holder or waste yarn.

Note:

Place a marker on 18 (20, 22, 24, 28, 30) rows before the shoulder sts to indicate where to cont. working for the front section.

Left shoulder:

(RS): Slip the rem stitches onto the needle. To keep the center neck stitches in pattern and consistent with the chart, work Row 9 or Row 19 across 14 (16, 20, 22, 26, 28) center sts or slip them onto a stitch holder or scrap yarn. Work in patt to end.

Next Row (WS): Sl1p, work in patt to 3 sts before neck edge, p2tog tbl, p1.

Next Row (RS): Sl1k, ssk, work in patt to end.

Work 4 rows in patt. (10 (12, 13, 15, 16, 18) sts)

Leaving a long tail (approximately 20″ or 50 cm long), cut yarn. Slip sts onto a stitch

holder or waste yarn.

 

Front

Join yarn on RS. Work in patt until you reach the row indicated on the back row. It should be on row 15 (13, 11, 9, 5, 3).

Shape Front Neck

Right shoulder:

Next Row (RS): Sl1k, work 13 (16, 18, 21, 23, 25) sts in patt, slip rem 24 (27, 31, 34, 38,

42) sts onto a stitch holder or waste yarn.

Next Row (WS): Sl1p, p2tog to decrease, work in patt to end.

Next Row (RS): Sl1k, work in patt to 3 sts before neck edge, k2tog, k1.

Rep the last 2 rows. – (-, 1, 1, 1, 1) more times. (12 (15, 15, 18, 20, 22) sts)

Next Row (WS): Sl1p, p1, work in patt to end.

Next Row (RS): Sl1k, work in patt to 3 sts before neck edge, k2tog, k1.

Rep the last 2 rows. 1 (2, 1, 2, 3, 3) more times. (10 (12, 13, 15, 16, 18) sts)

Work 11 (11, 13, 13, 15, 17) rows in patt. or until you reach the back shoulder. Cut yarn. Slip sts onto a stitch holder or waste yarn.

 

Left shoulder:

(RS): Slip the rem stitches onto the needle. To keep the center neck stitches in pattern and consistent with the chart, work Row 9 or Row 19 across 10 (10, 12, 12, 14, 16) center sts or slip them onto a stitch holder or scrap yarn. Work in patt to end.

Next Row (WS): Sl1p, work in patt to 3 sts before neck edge, p2tog tbl, p1.

Next Row (RS): Sl1k, ssk, work in patt to end.

Rep the last 2 rows. – (-, 1, 1, 1, 1) more times. (12 (15, 15, 18, 20, 22) sts)

Next Row (WS): Sl1p, work in patt to last 2 sts, p2.

Next Row (RS): Sl1k, ssk, work in patt to end.

Rep the last 2 rows. 1 (2, 1, 2, 3, 3) more times. (10 (12, 13, 15, 16, 18) sts)

Work 12 (12, 14, 14, 16, 20,18) rows in patt or until you reach the back shoulder.

Leaving a long tail (approximately 20″ or 50 cm long), cut yarn. Slip sts onto a stitch holder or waste yarn.

Place the front and back shoulder together with RS facing each other. Slip shoulder sts onto DPNs. Using the shoulder yarn tail and another DPNs, work a 3-needle BO. Weave in ends.

Neckband

With RS facing, join MC at the right front shoulder seam. Using smaller needles, pick up and knit 9 (10, 11, 12, 14, 15) sts evenly along the front neck edge, knit 10 (10, 12, 12, 14, 16) sts across the front center sts, 9 (10, 11, 12, 14, 15)  sts evenly along the front neck edge, 5 sts evenly along the back neck edge, knit 14 (16, 20, 22, 26, 28) sts across the back neck center sts, and 5 sts evenly along the back neck edge.  (52 (56, 64, 68, 78, 84) sts)

Join to work in the rnd place BOR marker.

Rnd 1: Purl to end.

Rnd 2: Knit to end.

Rep the last 2 rnds 2 (2, 2, 3, 3, 3) more times.

BO all sts stretchy.

 

Sleeves (make 2)

Note: if you find that there is a gap at the underarm or top shoulder seam, pick up and knit an extra st into those areas.

With larger circular needles or DPNs. Begin at the center of the underarm. Join MC. Pick up and knit 2 st from the body. Pick up and knit 38 (42, 48, 54, 60, 64) sts from the edging on the back and front, pick up and knit 2 st from the body, pm for BOR. (42 (46, 52, 58, 64, 68) sts)

Next Rnd (Dec):  K1, ssk, knit until 3 sts remain before end of rnd, k2tog, k1.

Next Rnd: Knit for 1” or 2.5 cm.

Next Rnd (Dec):  K1, ssk, knit until 3 sts remain before end of rnd, k2tog, k1.

Rep the last 2 rnds 4 (4, 6, 7, 9, 10) more times. (30 (34, 36, 40, 42, 44) sts)

Work in stockinette stitch until sleeve meas 5 (5.75, 7.5, 8.5, 10.5, 11.75)” or 12.5

(14.5, 18.5, 21.5, 26.5, 29.5) cm from under arm or 1” or 2.5 cm from desired length.

Change to smaller size needles.

Rnd 1: Purl.

Rnd 2: Knit.

Rep the last 2 rnds for 1” or 2.5 cm ending with a knit rnd.

BO Pwise.

 

Finished Measurements:

 

Size	New Born	3 months	12 months
A: Chest	16.75” / 42 cm	19.25” / 48 cm	21.5” / 54 cm
B: Sleeve length	6” / 15 cm	6.75” / 17 cm	8.5” / 21 cm
C: Body length	6” / 15 cm	6.75” / 17 cm	7.5” / 19 cm
D: Total length	9.25” / 23 Cm	10.5” / 26.5 Cm	12” / 30 Cm

 

Size	2 years	4 years	6 years
A: Chest	24” / 60 cm	26.5” / 66 cm	28.75” / 72 cm
B: Sleeve length	9.5” / 24 cm	11.5” / 29 cm	12.75” / 32 cm
C: Body length	9.25” / 23 cm	10.5” / 26 cm	10.75” / 27 cm
D: Total length	14” / 35 cm	15.75” / 39.5 cm	16.5” / 41 cm

Finishing

• Weave in all ends.
• Block piece to finished measurements.
• Sew any seams if necessary.

 

Chart A:

Rnd 1: Knit.

Rnd 2: Purl.

Rnds 3 – 8: Knit.

Rnd 9: (p2tog) 6 times, K6.  

Rnd 10: Purl.

Rnd 11: Knit.

Rnd 12: Purl.

Rnds 13 – 18: Knit.

Rnd 19: K6, (p2tog) 6 times.

Rnd 20: Purl.

Chart B:

Rnd 1: Knit.

Rnd 2: Purl.

Rnds 3 – 8: Knit.

Rnd 9: K3, (p2tog) 6 times, K3.

Rnd 10: Purl.

Rnd 11: Knit.

Rnd 12: Purl.

Rnds 13 – 18: Knit.

Rnd 19: (p2tog) 3 times, K6, (p2tog) 3 times.

Rnd 20: Purl.
 
 

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