Sweater Knitting Patterns For Free: My Dathan Pullover for Kids

Looking for sweater knitting patterns free? Find my favorites here — and the Dathan Pullover below!

When it comes to sweater knitting patterns for free, I have a bit of an obsession. I can’t resist scrolling through my own collection and dreaming up new ways to keep my kids snug, especially as the seasons change. There’s just something about seeing one of my kids run around in a handmade sweater that makes every stitch worth it.

This time, the star of the show is the Dathan Pullover — a bottom-up, drop-sleeve sweater for children, knit with Berroco Vintage DK (affiliate link). The yarn has that perfect balance of softness and durability, which makes it ideal for kids who, let’s be honest, don’t exactly sit still. I used size 5 (3.75mm) circular needles for the body and size 4 (3.5mm) circular needles for the ribbing edges.

Why I Love Sweater Knitting Patterns Free

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again — free knitting patterns are the backbone of creativity. When you find sweater knitting patterns for free that are both beautiful and practical, it feels like hitting the jackpot. I started designing free sweater patterns for my blog because I wanted knitters to feel confident making timeless pieces and save a little in the process.

And honestly, seeing all your finished projects on social media has been one of the best parts of sharing these designs. Whether it’s your first sweater or your fiftieth, there’s always a new twist you can try.

The Story Behind the Dathan Pullover

The Dathan Pullover was inspired by my 11-year-old son, who has very strong opinions about his knitwear. When he asked for a high-collar, buttoned Henley-style sweater, I knew I had to make it happen. The design quickly became one of my favorites among my sweater knitting patterns for free because it mixes simplicity with just enough texture to keep things interesting.

It’s worked bottom-up in the round until you reach the sleeve separation. From there, the front and back are knit separately and flat — perfect for keeping the structure neat. Once that’s done, you pick up the sleeves and work them in the round in stockinette stitch. Easy, rhythmic, and relaxing (which we all need sometimes).

The main body of the sweater is smooth stockinette until you hit the chest, where the pattern shifts to the same stitch as the Dathan Hat — yes, that means they match perfectly!

Dathan Hat Free Pattern

My Favorite Details

When I’m designing sweater knitting patterns free, I always look for ways to include thoughtful details. For the Dathan Pullover, the buttoned Henley neck and high collar make it a standout piece. They’re functional but also give it a cozy, classic look that makes any kid look like they’re ready for a fall photo shoot.

My son absolutely loves this sweater — it’s his favorite style, hands down. He even asked for another one in another color for winter. I consider that the highest form of approval! And you should have seen him wandering church showing everyone his new sweater and telling them how I finished it the day before. He is for sure knit-worthy.

The combination of Berroco Vintage DK (affiliate link) and those subtle ribbed edges created a balanced texture that works just as well for playtime as it does for family photos.

How It Fits Into My Collection

If you’ve spent any time on my blog, you already know I have a deep love for sweater knitting patterns for free. Each design tells a little story — whether it’s inspired by one of my kids, a special moment, or just a random spark of creativity that hit while drinking coffee and watching the snow fall.

The Dathan Pullover fits perfectly alongside my other kid-friendly sweater designs. It’s simple enough for confident beginners but detailed enough to keep seasoned knitters engaged. And since it matches the Dathan Hat, it’s ideal for those of us who can’t resist a coordinated set.

Yarn and Needles Recap

Just to sum it up for those of you planning your own cast-on party:

Yarn: Berroco Vintage DK (affiliate link)
Body Needles: Size 5 (3.75mm) circulars
Ribbing Needles: Size 4 (3.5mm) circulars

The DK weight gives the sweater that soft-but-structured feel we all love, while the slight stretch in the yarn makes it forgiving (especially helpful for growing kids).

If you’re looking for new needles I love bamboo needles for beginners (affiliate link to my favorites). But I also splurge on pretty and fancy wood needles often. Seriously, I have 4 different wood interchangeable sets all in different colors. You can find my favorite interchangeable sets here (affiliate link).

Tips for Knitting the Dathan Pullover

If you’re tackling this pattern or any of my sweater knitting patterns free, here are a few quick tips:

Check your gauge — DK yarn can vary slightly by brand, and since the fit matters, it’s worth the extra swatch time.
Try the Henley neck early — Test your button spacing before finishing the collar to make sure it sits right. I did )and redid) a lot of math for this but if you make the neck longer or shorter it will affect how the buttons are spaced.
Don’t skip the blocking — The texture on the chest really opens up beautifully once blocked.

These small steps make all the difference when you’re knitting something meant to be loved and worn often.

Why I Keep Sharing Sweater Knitting Patterns For Free

Creating free patterns has been one of the most rewarding parts of my knitting journey. Every design starts with a spark — sometimes a yarn I can’t stop touching, sometimes a request from one of my kids (like this one).

My hope is that every knitter who finds my sweater knitting patterns for free will feel inspired to keep creating, learning, and growing. There’s something special about making a sweater with your own hands — especially when it ends up being someone’s favorite piece in the closet.

Where to Find More

You can find more sweater knitting patterns free on my Free Sweater Patterns Page. I’ve included a variety of styles, from lightweight pullovers to chunky winter knits.

But if you want this pattern — the Dathan Pullover — keep scrolling! It’s right at the bottom of this post. And if you knit the Dathan Hat too (link here), you’ll have the perfect matching set for your little one.

Dathan Pullover Free Pattern

MATERIALS AND INFO

Size: 0-3m, 3-6m (6-12m, 12m) 18m, 24m (3/4y, 5/6y) 7/8y, 9/10y (11/12y, 13/14yrs)

Materials: Approximately 270, 320 (390, 450) 490, 560 (635, 740) 880, 1020 (1190, 1352) yds of Berroco Vintage DK 100g/2290yds yarn needle, stitch markers

Needle Size: 5(US) 3.75mm circular needles and dpn, 4(US) 3.5mm circular and dpn

Gauge (tension): 24sts & 32 rows to make 10cm square, using size 6(US) 4mm needles working in stockinette stitch

Chest Measurement: 41, 44 (47, 50), 52, 54 (57, 61) 66, 72 (77.5, 85) cm or 16, 17.25 (18.5, 19.5) 20.5, 21 (22.5, 24) 26.5, 28.75 (31, 34) ins

METHOD

Dathan Pullover is bottom-up drop sleeve pullover in an easy-care yarn. It is worked in the round until the sleeves. Created for our 6th child, he wanted something sokt and comfortable for winter to layer when we go to church.

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

Row Instructions

Row 1 – knit across

Row 2 – [p3,k3] across

Row 3 – knit across

Row 4 – [p3,k3] across

Row 5 – knit across

Row 6 – [p3,k3] across

Row 7 – knit across

Row 8 – [p3,k3] across

Row 9 – knit across

Row 10 – [p3,k3] across

Row 11 – knit across

Row 12 – [k3,p3] across

Row 13 – knit across

Row 14 – [k3,p3] across

Row 15 – knit across

Row 16 – [k3,p3] across

Row 17 – knit across

Row 18 – [k3,p3] across

Row 19 – knit across

Row 20 – [k3,p3] across

BODY

Cast on using smaller circular needle: 124, 132 (140, 148) 152, 156 (164, 172) 188, 200 (216, 232) sts. Join in the round.

Work in 1×1 ribbing for 2.5, 2.5 (3, 3) 3, 3 (4, 4) 4, 4 (4, 4)cms or 1, 1 (1.25, 1.25) 1.25, 1.25 (1.5, 1.5) 1.5, 1.5 (1.5, 1.5)ins.

Switch to larger needles.

Work in stockinette until piece measures 14, 15 (17.5, 19.5) 21, 22.5 (24, 26) 28.5, 30 (32, 36) cm or 5.5, 6 (7, 7.75) 8.5, 9 (9.5, 10.5) 11.5, 12 (13, 14.5) measuring from cast on.

SEPARATE FOR ARMHOLE

Work 62, 66 (70, 74) 76, 78 (82, 86) 94, 100 (108, 116) sts place remaining 62, 66 (70, 74) 76, 78 (82, 86) 94, 100 (108, 116) sts on holder.

You will now work flat.

Work in stitch chart pattern until piece measures 21, 24 (25, 28.5) 31, 32.5 (36, 40) 43.5, 46 (50, 55) cms or 8.5, 9.5 (10.5, 11.5) 12.5, 13 (14.5, 16) 17.5,18.5 (20, 22) ins from cast on bottom edge.

SHAPE BACK SHOULDERS

Bind off 7, 7 (7, 8) 8, 8 (8, 9) 10, 10 (11, 12) sts at beginning of the next 2 rows.

Bind off 7, 7 (7, 8) 8, 8 (8, 9) 10, 10 (11, 12) sts at beginning of row, work in pattern for 9, 10 (11, 11) 11, 12 (12, 12) 12, 14 (14, 15) [10, 11 (12, 12) 12, 13 (13, 13) 13, 15 (15, 16) sts on right needle].

Put remaining sts on stitch holder.

Turn, bind off 3sts, work to end of row.

Turn, bind off remaining 7, 8 (9, 9) 9, 10 (10, 10) 10, 12 (12, 13) sts

With right side facing, rejoin yarn to stitches on hold, bind off 14, 16 (18, 18) 20, 20 (24, 24) 28, 30 (34, 36) knit remaining 17,18 (19, 20) 20, 21 (21, 22) 23, 25 (26, 28) sts.

Turn, bind off 7, 7 (7, 8) 8, 8 (8, 9) 10, 10 (11, 12) sts work to end of row

Turn, bind off 3sts

Turn, bind off 7, 8 (9, 9) 9, 10 (10, 10) 10, 12 (12, 13) sts

SHAPE FRONT ARMHOLES

With larger needle pick up the 62, 66 (70, 74) 76, 78 (82, 86) 94, 100 (108, 116) sts on hold.

Work in stitch chart pattern until you have worked 16, 17.5 (20, 22) 24, 25 (26, 28.5) 31, 32.5 (35, 36) cm or 6.5, 7 (8, 8.75) 9.5, 10 (10.5, 11.5) 12.5, 13 (14, 14.5) measuring from cast on.

LEFT FRONT NECK SHAPING

Work 28, 30 (32, 34) 35, 36 (38, 40) 44, 47 (51, 55) sts, put remaining sts on holder, turn, place marker, cast on 6 sts (this is your button band).

34, 36 (38, 40) 41, 42 (44, 46) 50, 53 (57, 61) sts

Work in stitch chart pattern until piece measures 20, 21 (25, 27.5) 28.5, 30 (33.5, 37.5) 41, 42.5 (46, 51) cms or 8, 8.5 (10, 11) 11.5, 12 (13.5, 15) 16.5, 17 (18.5, 20) ins from bottom cast on edge keeping the button band in garter stitch (knit every row). Finish after completing a wrong side row.

Work 24, 25 (27, 29) 29, 30 (30, 32) 35, 37 (42, 45) sts, put remaining sts 10, 11 (11, 11) 12, 12 (14, 14) 15, 16 (15, 16) on a stitch holder, turn.

Decrease 1 st at neck edge of next 2, 2 (2, 2) 2, 2 (2, 2) 3, 3 (5, 5) rows.

Then decrease 1 st at neck edge of every other row 1, 2 (2, 2) 2, 2 (2, 2) 2, 2 (2, 3) times.

21, 22 (23, 25) 25, 26 (26, 28) 30, 32 (34, 37) sts remain.

End after completing a wrong side row.

LEFT FRONT SHOULDER SHAPING

Starting on a right-side row, bind off 7, 7 (7, 8) 8, 8 (8, 9) 10, 10 (11, 12) sts, work across remains sts, turn.

Work 1 row with no decreases, turn.

bind off 7, 7 (7, 8) 8, 8 (8, 9) 10, 10 (11, 12) sts, work across remains sts, turn.

Work 1 row with no decreases, turn.

Bind off remaining 7, 8 (9, 9) 9, 10 (10, 10) 10, 12 (12, 13) sts.

RIGHT FRONT NECK SHAPING

Rejoin yarn, working on stitches on stitch holder. Bind off 6 sts

Work to the end of the row. Turn, place marker, cast on 6 sts (this is your button band), pm, work to end of the row.

34, 36 (38, 40) 41, 42 (44, 46) 50, 53 (57, 61) sts

Right Front Button Band

The button band is worked in garter stitch from here on. You will work in garter stitch on the button band only and then place your buttonholes as follows:

Buttonhole row: Worked on a right-side row only, k2, k2tog, yo, k1

Place 3, 3 (3, 3) 3, 3 (4, 4) 4, 4 (5, 5) buttonholes:

1 – After working .75, .75 (1, 1) 1, 1 (1.25, 1.5) 1.25, 1.5 (1.25, 1.25) in or 2, 2 (2.5, 2.5) 2.5, 2.5 (3, 4) 3, 4 (3, 3) cms in garter from cast on edge of button band

2 – After working .75, .75 (1, 1) 1, 1 (1, 1.5) 1.25, 1.25 (1.25, 1.5) in or 2, 2 (2.5, 2.5) 2.5, 2.5 (2.5, 4) 3, 3 (3, 4) cms in garter from last buttonhole

3 – After working .75, .75 (1, 1) 1, 1 (1, 1.5) 1.25, 1.25 (1.25, 1.5) in or 2, 2 (2.5, 2.5) 2.5, 2.5 (2.5, 4) 3, 3 (3, 4) cms in garter from last buttonhole

For sizes 3/4y – 13/14y only

4 – After working x, x (x, x) x, x (1, 1.5) 1.25, 1.25 (1.25, 1.5) in or x, x (x, x) x, x (2.5, 4) 3, 3 (3, 4) cms in garter from last buttonhole

For size 13/14y only

5 – After working x, x (x, x) x, x (x, x) x, x (1.25, 1.5) in or x, x (x, x) x, x (x, x) x, x (3, 4) cms in garter from last buttonhole

These instructions are for the entire length of this button band including when you are working after picking up the neckband.

Place the first 10, 11 (11, 11) 12, 12 (14, 14) 15, 16 (15, 16) sts on stitch holder, work to end of row in charted stitch pattern.

Turn.

Decrease 1 st at neck edge of next 2, 2 (2, 2) 2, 2 (2, 2) 3, 3 (5, 5) rows.

Then decrease 1 st at neck edge of every other row 1, 2 (2, 2) 2, 2 (2, 2) 2, 2 (2, 3) times.

21, 22 (23, 25) 25, 26 (26, 28) 30, 32 (34, 37) sts remain.

End after completing a right side row.

RIGHT FRONT SHOULDER SHAPING

Starting on a wrong-side row, bind off 7, 7 (7, 8) 8, 8 (8, 9) 10, 10 (11, 12) sts, work across remains sts, turn.

Work 1 row with no decreases, turn.

bind off 7, 7 (7, 8) 8, 8 (8, 9) 10, 10 (11, 12) sts, work across remains sts, turn.

Work 1 row with no decreases, turn.

Bind off remaining 7, 8 (9, 9) 9, 10 (10, 10) 10, 12 (12, 13) sts.

Sew shoulder seams.

SLEEVES (MAKE 2)

With larger circular or dpn needles, pick up and knit 46, 48 (52, 56) 60, 62 (68, 74) 80, 88 (96, 104) sts with the beginning of round being the underarm separation of front and back. Join in the round.

Working in stockinette st for 3, 5 (7, 7) 7, 7 (9, 13) 13, 13 (15, 17) rounds.

DECREASES

Decrease 1st at each side of marker every 4th round 0, 3 (4, 5) 6, 7 (13, 13) 16, 19 (19, 18) times,

Then decrease 1 st at each side of marker every other round 8, 5 (5, 6) 6, 6 (0, 3) 0, 0 (3, 7) times

30, 32 (34, 34) 36, 36 (42, 42) 48, 50 (52, 54) sts

Work in stockinette until sleeve measures from picked up stitches 3.5, 4.5 (5, 6) 6.5, 7 (9, 10) 11, 11.5 (13.5, 14.5) ins or 9, 11.5 (12.5, 14.5) 16, 17.5 (22.5, 25) 27, 29 (34 , 36.5) cms

Work in k1p1 ribbing for 1, 1 (1.25, 1.25) 1.25, 1.25 (1.5, 1.5) 1.5, 1.5 (1.5, 1.5) ins or 2.5, 2.5 (3, 3) 3, 3 (4, 4) 4, 4 (4, 4)cms. Bind off in pattern.

NECKBAND.

With right side facing pick up 10, 11 (11, 11) 12, 12 (14, 14) 15, 16 (15, 16) sts on stitch holder on right front edge,

6, 8 (8, 8) 9, 9 (9, 11) 11, 12 (14, 14) sts up right front of neck,

20, 22 (24, 24) 26, 26 (30, 30) 34, 36 (40, 42) sts from back neck,

6, 8 (8, 8) 9, 9 (9, 11) 11, 12 (14, 14) sts up left front and side of neck,

10, 11 (11, 11) 12, 12 (14, 14) 15, 16 (15, 16) sts on stitch hold on left front edge.

[52, 60 (62, 62) 68, 68 (76, 80) 86, 92 (98, 102) sts]

Work in 1×1 ribbing but keeping the button bands in pattern for a total of 1.5, 1.5 (1.75, 1.75) 2, 2 (2.5, 2,5) 2.5, 2.5 (3, 3)ins 4, 4 (4.5, 4.5) 5, 5 (6, 6) 6, 6 7.5, 7.5) cms.

*Remember to work the right front button band as notated above in the right front neck shaping section. It is italicized. The left front button band is to continue in garter stitch throughout. *

Bind off all sts in pattern. Fold over (toward the wrong side) the neck and sew it down.

FINISHING

Weave in all ends. Sew the button band cast on edge down making sure the right side is over the left side. Sew the buttons on the left button band to correspond with the buttonholes on the right button band. Block as desired.

ABBREVIATIONS

K – knit

P – purl

PM – place marker

SM – slip marker

INS – inches

CMS – centemeters

ST – stitch

STS – stitches

Dathan Pullover PDF Download

dathan pullover Download

Affiliate Disclaimer

This post contains affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you if you make a purchase through one of the links. Thank you for supporting my work and helping me keep creating sweater knitting patterns free for everyone!

I’d love to hear what you think! Have you tried any of my sweater knitting patterns for free yet? Are you team Henley or crew neck? Drop a comment below — I read every one and love seeing what you’re making!

The post Sweater Knitting Patterns For Free: My Dathan Pullover for Kids appeared first on The Knit in the Womb Blog.

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