New Free Knit Sweater Patterns You’ll Love: Sarah Tee For Adults
Looking for free knit sweater patterns? I’ve gathered all of my free sweater pattern here plus find THIS one below!
When I first started designing sweaters, I dreamed of creating pieces that knitters could actually wear every single day—without spending weeks trying to figure out the pattern. That’s why free knit sweater patterns are some of my favorite things to share with you. They’re practical, stylish, and (most importantly) easy to get your needles into right away.
In this post, I’m sharing my newest free swetaer pattern that you can grab today. And if you’re looking for something truly special, THIS pattern—the Adult Sarah Tee—is waiting for you at the bottom of this post. But if you’d like even more free knit sweater patterns to add to your queue, make sure you check out the full list on my free sweater pattern page.
Why I Love Free Knit Sweater Patterns
Knitting sweaters can feel intimidating. They’re bigger projects, they take more yarn, and sometimes the shaping can be tricky. That’s why free knit sweater patterns are such a gift. They give us the freedom to try out new techniques, experiment with different fits, and build confidence without worrying about the cost of an expensive pattern.
When I look back at my own knitting journey, the sweaters I’ve made with free knit sweater patterns are the ones I learned the most from. I got to practice knitting in the round, mastering increases and decreases, and even sewing seams (yes, even if they make me grumble).
Meet the Adult Sarah Tee
Okay, let’s talk about THIS pattern—the one you came here for! The Adult Sarah Tee is the much-requested big sister to the Child Sarah Tee, and I’m so excited to finally share it.
This tee is knit bottom up in the round until the sleeves, then worked flat. The only seams are at the tops of the shoulders and under the arms, which keeps the finishing super simple. It’s a short sleeve tee that you can make fitted for a classic silhouette, or you can go oversized and tuck it in for that modern, casual vibe.
I knit my sample in Premier Yarns Bamboo Fair in the color Twilight (affiliate link). I used size 6 (4mm) circular needles for the main body and size 4 (3.5mm) circular needles for the ribbing. The yarn is soft, drapey, and lightweight—perfect for a tee you’ll actually want to wear year-round.
The Adult Sarah Tee is at the bottom of this post, so don’t miss it!
Short Sleeve Free Knit Sweater Patterns
If you’re like me, you love sweaters but don’t always want long sleeves. Short sleeve free knit sweater patterns are the perfect compromise—they’re wearable in warm weather, layer well in the fall, and knit up faster than a full sweater.
Here are three of my favorite short sleeve options you should definitely check out:
Chain Tee Free Pattern – A simple but stunning stitch detail that gives the look of cables without the extra effort.
Puff Sleeve Tee Free Pattern – A modern style with statement sleeves that knitters can’t stop making.
Deborah Tee Free Pattern – A classic lightweight tee that looks good tucked in or worn loose.
All of these are free knit sweater patterns, and they’re proof that you don’t have to commit to a huge project to enjoy making (and wearing) your own sweater.
How I Style My Sweater Knits
One of the best parts of knitting sweaters is that you can customize the fit and style to suit your own wardrobe. With the Adult Sarah Tee, I love making one fitted version that works perfectly with skirts and cardigans. And then I knit another oversized version in the same Premier Yarns Bamboo Fair (affiliate link) that looks amazing tucked with a denim skirt.
That’s the beauty of free knit sweater patterns—you can knit the same design in multiple sizes or yarn colors. Each one feels new and exciting.
Why You’ll Keep Coming Back to Free Knit Sweater Patterns
Once you knit one sweater, it’s hard to stop. Free knit sweater patterns open up a world of possibilities without draining your yarn budget. You’ll learn new construction techniques (like knitting in the round or adding shoulder shaping), and you’ll get sweaters you’ll actually wear.
Plus, with yarns like Premier Yarns Bamboo Fair (affiliate link), you’ll have sweaters that not only feel amazing but last through wash and wear. Trust me, once you’ve knit a tee or sweater in this yarn, you’ll be hooked.
Final Thoughts on Free Knit Sweater Patterns
I hope you’ve found some new free knit sweater patterns to add to your project list! Whether you’re trying your first tee or hunting for something new to cast on, there’s nothing better than discovering designs that are fun, free, and wearable.
Remember, THIS pattern—the Adult Sarah Tee— the download is below. It’s a simple bottom-up construction with minimal seams, designed in Premier Yarns Bamboo Fair (affiliate link). It’s the perfect big sister pattern to the Child Sarah Tee, and I can’t wait to see how you style yours!
For even more options, head over to my free sweater pattern page where you’ll find plenty of other free knit sweater patterns to explore.
Adult Sarah Tee Free Pattern
MATERIALS AND INFO
Size: XS, S (M, L) XL, 2X (3X, 4X)
Materials: Approximately 1000, 1075 (1200, 1345) 1455, 1600 (1755, 1870) yds of Premier Yarns Bamboo Fair 273yds/100g yarn needle, stitch markers
Needle Size: 6(US) 4mm circular needles and dpn, 4(US) 3.5mm circular and dpn
Gauge (tension): 22sts & 32 rows to make 10cm square, using size 6(US) 4mm needles working in stockinette stitch
Chest Measurement of person: 75, 85 (95, 105) 115, 125 (135, 145) cm or 30, 34 (38, 42) 46, 50 (54, 58) ins
METHOD
Sara Tee is bottom-up drop sleeve pullover in an easy-care yarn. It is worked in the round until the sleeves. Created for our 4th child. She wanted something fun and breezy for summer. Once I saw it on her I HAD to make one for me.
Abbreviations can be found on the last page.
Note: choose size based on chest measurement for best fit. Measurements above are measurement of the person not sweater measurements.
1X1 RIB PATTERN
Row 1 (right side row) – (k1, p1) across
Row 2 – knit all the knit stitches, purl all the purl stitches.
STITCH CHART
In the Round Instructions
Round 1 – [k2, yo, ssk, k2, yo, ssk, k2tog, yo, k2, k2tog, yo, k2] around
Round 2 – knit around
Round 3 – [k1,yo, ssk, k2, yo, ssk, k2, k2tog, yo, k2, k2tog, yo, k1] around
Round 4 – knit around
Round 5 – [k4, yo, ssk, k4, k2tog, yo, k4] around
Round 6 – knit around
Round 7 – [k3, yo, ssk, k6, k2tog, yo, k3] around
Round 8 – knit around
Row Instructions
Row 1 – [k2, yo, ssk, k2, yo, ssk, k2tog, yo, k2, k2tog, yo, k2] across
Row 2 – purl across
Row 3 – [k1,yo, ssk, k2, yo, ssk, k2, k2tog, yo, k2, k2tog, yo, k1] across
Row 4 – purl across
Row 5 – [k4, yo, ssk, k4, k2tog, yo, k4] across
Row 6 – purl across
Row 7 – [k3, yo, ssk, k6, k2tog, yo, k3] across
Row 8 – purl across
BODY
Cast on using smaller circular needle: 256, 272 (288, 320) 352, 384 (416, 448) sts. Join in the round.
Work in 1×1 ribbing for 2.5, 2.5 (2.5, 2.5) 2.5, 2.5 (2.5, 2.5)cms or 1, 1 (1, 1) 1, 1 (1, 1) ins.
Switch to larger needles.
Work in stitch chart pattern until piece measures 35, 35 (35, 35) 35, 34.5 (34.5, 34) cms or 14, 14 (14, 14) 14, 13.75 (13.75, 13.5) ins measuring from cast on.
SEPARATE FOR ARMHOLE
Work 128, 136 (144, 160) 176, 192 (208, 224) sts place remaining 128, 136 (144, 160) 176, 192 (208, 224sts on holder.
You will now work flat.
Cast on 9, 9 (9, 9) 9, 9 (9, 9) 9, 9 (9, 9) sts at the beginning of the next 2 rows
[146, 154 (162, 178) 194, 210 (226, 242) sts]
Work in stitch chart pattern until piece measures 53.5, 54 (55, 55) 56.5, 56.5 (57.5, 58) cms or 21.5, 21.75 (22, 22.5) 22.5, 23 (23.5, 23.5) ins from bottom cast on (not sleeve cast on).
SHAPE BACK SHOULDERS
Bind off 19, 21 (23, 25) 27, 28 (30, 32) sts at beginning of the next 2 rows.
Bind off 10, 12 (14, 16) 18, 19 (21, 23) sts at beginning of row, work in pattern for 14, 16 (17, 19) 21, 23 (24, 26) [15, 17 (18, 20) 22, 24 (25, 27) sts on right needle].
Put remaining sts on stitch holder.
Turn, bind off 4, 4 (4, 4) 4, 4 (4, 4) sts, work to end of row.
Turn, bind off remaining 11, 13 (14, 16) 18, 20 (21, 23) sts
With right side facing, rejoin yarn to stitches on hold, bind off 50, 54 (58, 60) 62, 68 (72, 74) knit remaining 25, 29 (32, 36) 40, 43 (46, 50) sts.
Turn, bind off 10, 12 (14, 16) 18, 19 (21, 23) sts work to end of row
Turn, bind off 4, 4 (4, 4) 4, 4 (4, 4) sts
Turn, bind off 11, 13 (14, 16) 18, 20 (21, 23) sts
SHAPE FRONT ARMHOLES
With larger needle pick up the 128, 136 (144, 160) 176, 192 (208, 224sts on holder.
You will work flat.
Cast on 9, 9 (9, 9) 9, 9 (9, 9) 9, 9 (9, 9) sts at the beginning of the next 2 rows
[146, 154 (162, 178) 194, 210 (226, 242) sts]
Continue working in stitch chart pattern until you have worked 47, 47.5 (47.5, 48) 48.5, 49 (49, 49.5) 49.5, 50 cms or 18.75, 19 (19, 19.5) 19.5, 19.5 (20, 20) 20, 20 ins from bottom cast on (not sleeve cast on)
LEFT FRONT NECK SHAPING
Work 52, 58 (64, 71) 77, 82 (88, 94) sts, put remaining sts on holder, turn.
Decrease 1 st at neck edge of next 7, 7 (7, 8) 8, 9 (9, 9) rows.
Then decrease 1 st at neck edge of every other row 5, 5 (6, 6) 6, 6 (7, 7) times.
40, 46 (51, 57) 63, 67 (72, 78) sts remain.
Work in stitch chart pattern until piece measures 53.5, 54 (55, 55) 56.5, 56.5 (57.5, 58) cms or 21.5, 21.75 (22, 22.5) 22.5, 23 (23.5, 23.5) ins from bottom cast on (not sleeve cast on)
LEFT FRONT SHOULDER SHAPING
Starting on a right-side row, bind off 19, 21 (23, 25) 27, 28 (30, 32) sts, work across remains sts, turn.
Work 1 row with no decreases, turn.
Bind off 10, 12 (14, 16) 18, 19 (21, 23) sts, work across remains sts, turn.
Work 1 row with no decreases, turn.
Bind off remaining 11, 13 (14, 16) 18, 20 (21, 23) sts.
RIGHT FRONT NECK SHAPING
Rejoin yarn to work on stitch holder and bind off 34, 38 (40, 40) 42, 46 (48, 50) sts
Work to the end of the row.
Decrease 1 st at neck edge of next 7, 7 (7, 8) 8, 9 (9, 9) rows.
Then decrease 1 st at neck edge of every other row 5, 5 (6, 6) 6, 6 (7, 7) times.
40, 46 (51, 57) 63, 67 (72, 78) sts remain.
Work in stitch chart pattern until piece measures 53.5, 54 (55, 55) 56.5, 56.5 (57.5, 58) cms or 21.5, 21.75 (22, 22.5) 22.5, 23 (23.5, 23.5) ins
RIGHT FRONT SHOULDER SHAPING
Starting on a wrong-side row bind off 19, 21 (23, 25) 27, 28 (30, 32) sts, work across remains sts, turn.
Work 1 row with no decreases, turn.
Bind off 10, 12 (14, 16) 18, 19 (21, 23) sts, work across remains sts, turn.
Work 1 row with no decreases, turn.
Bind off remaining 11, 13 (14, 16) 18, 20 (21, 23) sts.
Sew shoulder seams.
SLEEVES (MAKE 2)
With smaller needles, pick up and knit 78, 88 (94, 104) 116, 128 (138, 146) sts.
Work for 2.5, 2.5 (2.5, 2.5) 2.5, 2.5 (2.5, 2.5cms or 1, 1 (1, 1) 1, 1 (1, 1) ins in k1p1 ribbing. Bind off in pattern.
Sew underarm seam.
NECKBAND
Pick up and knit 20, 22 (24, 24) 25, 28 (28, 30) sts down left front,
34, 38 (40, 40) 42, 46 (48, 50) sts across neck,
20, 22 (24, 24) 25, 28 (28, 30) sts up right front,
58, 62 (66, 68) 70, 76 (80, 82) sts around back.
Join in the round. 132, 144 (154, 156) 162, 178 (184, 192) sts
Work for 2.5, 2.5 (2.5, 2.5) 2.5, 2.5 (2.5, 2.5) cms or 1, 1 (1, 1) 1, 1 (1, 1) ins in k1p1 ribbing. Bind off in pattern.
FINISHING
Weave in all ends and block as desired.
ABBREVIATIONS
K – knit
P – purl
PM – place marker
SM – slip marker
K2tog – knit 2 stitches together
SSK – slip, slip, knit the slipped sts together
Have you tried knitting tees or sweaters yet? Tell me in the comments which free knit sweater patterns you’re adding to your queue—I love hearing about your projects!
Affiliate Disclaimer
This post contains affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission if you purchase through them—at no extra cost to you. Thank you for supporting my knitting content and helping me keep sharing free knit sweater patterns!
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