A Free Dk Weight Drop Sleeve Sweater Knitting Pattern for Women: The Cedar Pullover
A relaxed, textured drop sleeve sweater knit in dk weight yarn, perfect for everyday wear and ideal for knitters ready to build confidence with sweater construction.
This free dk weight drop sleeve sweater knitting pattern for women creates a classic, wearable sweater with beautiful texture and simple construction. Designed for knitters who want a satisfying project without complicated shaping, the Cedar Sweater features an all-over purled tree motif that adds interest while staying rhythmic and relaxing to knit. Worked from the bottom up in the round before transitioning to flat knitting, it gently introduces new techniques while remaining approachable. This is a wonderful project for cooler seasons, slow weekend knitting, or anyone wanting a dependable handmade sweater that feels timeless and practical in real life.
Why did I design the Cedar Sweater?
The goal behind this sweater was simple: create something textured and interesting that still feels calm to knit. Sometimes you want a project that looks impressive without demanding constant concentration, and that is exactly where this design shines.
The purled tree motif gives steady visual rhythm, and because it repeats consistently, it becomes the kind of knitting you can comfortably pick up at the end of a long day. I also wanted a sweater that fit naturally into everyday wardrobes — not overly fitted, not fussy, just easy to wear.
The Cedar Sweater also connects beautifully with the Cedar Socks, Cedar Headband, and Cedar Scarf, all featuring the same motif, so you can build a matching handmade set over time.
What should you know about the pattern at a glance?
Finished Item: A relaxed crew neck sweater with drop sleeves and all-over texture
Skill Level: Advanced beginner to intermediate
Construction Style: Bottom-up; body worked in the round to the sleeve split, then flat; sleeves worked flat from the bottom up and seamed
This construction keeps shaping straightforward while helping knitters learn how sweaters come together step by step.
What materials do you need to knit this sweater?
You will need:
- Berroco Vintage dk weight yarn (affiliate link)
- US Size 7 (4.5 mm) knitting needles
- Stitch markers (affiliate link)
- Tapestry needle (affiliate link)
- Measuring tape (affiliate link)
I chose Berroco Vintage because it balances warmth, durability, and softness. It holds textured stitches beautifully, which allows the purled tree motif to stand out clearly without feeling stiff. Throughout the project, you will notice how evenly this yarn behaves, especially when working texture repeatedly.
How does the fit of this sweater feel when worn?
The Cedar Sweater uses a drop sleeve construction, which creates a relaxed shoulder line and comfortable ease through the upper body. Instead of shaping tightly around the armhole, the sleeves join lower on the body, giving a casual, wearable silhouette.
This style works well layered over shirts and dresses and allows freedom of movement, making it ideal for everyday wear rather than special-occasion knitting.
What sizes are included and how should you choose yours?
The pattern includes xs-4x women’s sizes designed with positive ease. I recommend choosing a size based on your bust measurement. It has approximately 6 inches of ease worked into the sweater.
If you prefer a slightly more structured look, size down. If you love oversized comfort, size up and lean into the drop sleeve shape.
Why was dk weight yarn chosen for this design?
Dk weight yarn hits a sweet spot for sweaters. It works up quickly, provides warmth without heaviness, and creates stitch definition that highlights texture.
Berroco Vintage (affiliate link) especially enhances the motif because its wool blend structure helps purl stitches sit forward visually. This means the tree pattern remains visible even after washing and wear.
What gauge notes should you pay attention to?
Gauge matters most for overall fit and sleeve length. Because the sweater is worked bottom up, checking gauge early prevents surprises later.
Swatch in pattern, not just stockinette. The texture slightly changes fabric density, so measuring after blocking gives the most accurate result. Using Size 5 needles helped achieve balanced drape without stiffness.
Can you substitute yarn successfully?
Yes. Look for dk weight yarns with similar structure and elasticity.
Good substitutes include wool or wool-blend yarns that provide stitch memory. Avoid very slippery cottons or heavy alpaca blends, as they may soften the texture too much and change the garment’s shape.
When substituting, always knit and block a swatch first.
What techniques are used and who is this pattern beginner friendly for?
This sweater introduces several valuable skills:
- Knitting in the round
- Transitioning from round to flat knitting
- Reading texture patterns
- Basic seaming
- Drop sleeve construction
If you have knit hats or simple garments before, this is a very approachable first sweater. The repeating motif keeps things engaging without complicated shaping decisions.
If you ever need help brushing up on techniques, the tutorials on my knitting tutorial page walk through many of the foundational skills used here.
When and how can you wear the Cedar Sweater?
This is the kind of sweater that quietly becomes a regular in your wardrobe.
Wear it:
- Layered over dresses in cooler weather
- With jeans for everyday errands
- As a cozy travel knit you’ll actually use later
- As a handmade gift for someone who appreciates practical pieces
It also pairs naturally with the Cedar Socks, Cedar Headband, and Cedar Scarf for a coordinated handmade look.
If you enjoy sweater knitting, you can find more designs on the sweater knitting pattern page, where styles range from simple basics to more textured garments.
What questions do knitters usually ask about this pattern?
Yes, especially if you have knit smaller projects before. The construction is straightforward and easy to follow.
No. Simply follow the instructions exactly as written.
The seams are minimal and beginner friendly, mainly used to finish the sleeves cleanly.
Absolutely. Because it is worked bottom up, length adjustments are simple before the sleeve split.
Not after the first repeat. Most knitters find the rhythm relaxing once established.
Want to share how your Cedar Sweater turns out?
I always love seeing how different yarn colors and personal touches change a pattern. If you knit one, scroll down and leave a comment sharing your yarn choice or what part you enjoyed most while knitting.
A Free Dk Weight Drop Sleeve Sweater Knitting Pattern for Women: The Cedar Pullover
MATERIALS AND INFO
Size: : xs, s (m, l) xl, 2x (3x, 4x)
Materials: Approximately 1277, 1520 (1580, 1667) 1807, 1936 (2048, 2225) 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 5(US) 3.75mm needles working in stockinette stitch
Chest Measurement: 75, 85 (95, 105) 115, 125 (135, 145) cm or 30, 34 (38, 42) 46, 50 (54, 58)
METHOD
Cedar Pullover is bottom-up drop sleeve pullover. It is worked in the round until the sleeves. Created for our 3rd child, she saw a similar sweater on shein and asked if I could make her one instead because “It’ll be nicer.” It made me so happy that she recognized the difference in quality. I looked all over for a pattern and couldn’t find one so created one for her.
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. This sweater has 6ins of positive ease.
1X1 RIB PATTERN
Row 1 (right side row) – (k1, p1) across
Row 2 – knit all the knit stitches, purl all the purl stitches.
Row Instructions
Row 1 – [k11, m1r, k4, vdd, k4, m1l]
Row 2 – [k5, p1, k5, p11]
Row 3 – [k11, p5, k1, p5]
Row 4 – purl across
Row 5 – [k12, m1r, k3, vdd, k3, m1l, k1]
Row 6 – [p1, k4, p1, k4, p12]
Row 7 – [k12, p4, k1, p4, k1]
Row 8 – purl across
Row 9 – [k13, m1r, k2, vdd, k2, m1l, k2]
Row 10 – [p2, k3, p1, k3, p13]
Row 11 – [k13, p3, k1, p3, k2]
Row 12 – purl across
Row 13 – [k14, m1r, k1, vdd, k1, m1l, k3]
Row 14 – [p3, k2, p1, k2, p14]
Row 15 – [k14, p2, k1, p2, k3]
Row 16 – purl across
Row 17 – [k15, m1r, vdd, m1l, k4]
Row 18 – [p4, k1, p1, k1, p15]
Row 19 – [k15, p1, k1, p1, k4]
Row 20 – purl across
Row 21 – [m1r, k4, vdd, k4, m1l, k11]
Row 22 – [p11, k5, p1, k5]
Row 23 – [p5, k1, p5, k11]
Row 24 – purl across
Row 25 – [k1, m1r, k3, vdd, k3, m1l, k12]
Row 26 – [p12, k4, p1, k4]
Row 27 – [p4, k1, p4, k12]
Row 28 – purl across
Row 29 – [k2, m1r, k2, vdd, k2, m1l, k13]
Row 30 – [p13, k3, p1, k3]
Row 31 – [p3, k1, p3, k13]
Row 32 – purl across
Row 33 – [k3, m1r, k1, vdd, k1, m1l, k14]
Row 34 – [p14, k2, p1, k2]
Row 35 – [p2, k1, p2, k14]
Row 36 – purl across
Row 37 – [k4, m1r, vdd, m1l, k14]
Row 38 – [p14, k2, p1, k2]
Row 39 – [p2, k1, p2, k14]
Row 40 – purl across
In the Round Instructions
Row 1 – [k11, m1r, k4, vdd, k4, m1l]
Row 2 – [k11, p5, k1, p5,]
Row 3 – [k11, p5, k1, p5]
Row 4 – knit across
Row 5 – [k12, m1r, k3, vdd, k3, m1l, k1]
Row 6 – [k12, p4, k1, p4, k1]
Row 7 – [k12, p4, k1, p4, k1]
Row 8 –knit across
Row 9 – [k13, m1r, k2, vdd, k2, m1l, k2]
Row 10 – [k13, p3, k1, p3, k2]
Row 11 – [k13, p3, k1, p3, k2]
Row 12 – knit across
Row 13 – [k14, m1r, k1, vdd, k1, m1l, k3]
Row 14 – [k14, p2, k1, p2, k3]
Row 15 – [k14, p2, k1, p2, k3]
Row 16 – knit across
Row 17 – [k15, m1r, vdd, m1l, k4]
Row 18 – [k15, p1, k1, p1, k4]
Row 19 – [k15, p1, k1, p1, k4]
Row 20 – knit across
Row 21 – [m1r, k4, vdd, k4, m1l, k11]
Row 22 – [p5, k1, p5, k11]
Row 23 – [p5, k1, p5, k11]
Row 24 – knit across
Row 25 – [k1, m1r, k3, vdd, k3, m1l, k12]
Row 26 – [p4, k1, p4, k12]
Row 27 – [p4, k1, p4, k12]
Row 28 – knit across
Row 29 – [k2, m1r, k2, vdd, k2, m1l, k13]
Row 30 – [p3, k1, p3, k13]
Row 31 – [p3, k1, p3, k13]
Row 32 – knit across
Row 33 – [k3, m1r, k1, vdd, k1, m1l, k14]
Row 34 – [p2, k1, p2, k14]
Row 35 – [p2, k1, p2, k14]
Row 36 – knit across
Row 37 – [k4, m1r, vdd, m1l, k14]
Row 38 – [p2, k1, p2, k14]
Row 39 – [p2, k1, p2, k14]
Row 40 – knit across
BODY
Cast on using smaller circular needle: 220, 264 (264, 286) 308, 330 (374, 396) sts. Join in the round.
Work in 1×1 ribbing for 4, 4 (4, 4) 4, 4 (4, 4) cms or 1.5, 1.5 (1.5, 1.5) 1.5, 1.5 (1.5, 1.5)ins.
Switch to larger needles.
Work in charted stitch pattern until piece measures 36, 36 (35, 35) 35, 36 (35, 35) cm or 14.5, 14.5 (14, 14) 14, 14.5 (14, 14) measuring from cast on ending after completing an even round on the stitch chart.
SEPARATE FOR ARMHOLE
Cast on 1 sts, work 110, 132 (132, 143) 154, 165 (187, 198) sts, cast on 1 sts, place remaining 110, 132 (132, 143) 154, 165 (187, 198) sts on holder. Those cast on stitches are salvage stitches to sew the sleeve onto without interrupting the stitch pattern already established. These salvage stitches will be worked in stockinette.
You will now work flat.
Work in stitch chart pattern until piece measures 54, 55 (56, 56) 57.5, 58.5 (58.5, 60) cms or 21.5, 22 (22.5, 22.5) 23, 23.5 (23.5, 24) ins from cast on bottom edge, ending after completing a wrong side row.
SHAPE BACK SHOULDERS
Bind off 12, 13 (15, 16) 17, 21 (21, 22) sts at beginning of the next 2 rows.
Bind off 11, 12 (14, 15) 17, 20 (20, 21) sts at beginning of row, work in pattern for 13, 16 (16, 18) 20, 23 (23, 25) [14, 15 (17, 19) 21, 24 (24, 26) sts on working needle].
Put remaining sts on stitch holder.
Turn, bind off 3sts, work to end of row.
Turn, bind off remaining 11, 13 (14, 16) 18, 21 (21, 23) sts
With right side facing, rejoin yarn to stitches on hold, bind off 38, 38 (42, 45) 44, 37 (59, 62) knit remaining 25, 28 (31, 34) 38, 44 (44, 47) sts.
Turn, bind off 11, 12 (14, 15) 17, 20 (20, 21) sts work to end of row
Turn, bind off 3sts
Turn, bind off 11, 13 (14, 16) 18, 21 (21, 23) sts
SHAPE FRONT ARMHOLES
With larger needle pick up the 110, 132 (132, 143) 154, 165 (187, 198) sts on hold. Cast on 1 sts on either end of the first row. Those cast on stitches are salvage stitches to sew the sleeve onto without interrupting the stitch pattern already established. These salvage stitches will be worked in stockinette.
Work in stitch chart pattern until you have worked 47.5, 47.5 (49, 49) 50, 50 (50, 51) cm or 19, 19 (19.5, 19.5) 20, 20 (20, 20.5) measuring from cast on.
LEFT FRONT NECK SHAPING
Work 44, 48 (53, 58) 64, 72 (74, 79) sts in pattern, put remaining sts on holder, turn.
Decrease 1 st at neck edge of next 6, 6 (6, 6) 6, 6 (7, 7) rows.
Then decrease 1 st at neck edge of every other row 3, 3 (3, 3) 3, 3 (4, 4) times.
Then decrease 1 st at neck edge every 4th row 1, 1 (1, 2) 2, 1 (2, 2) times
34, 38 (43, 47) 53, 62 (62, 66) sts remain.
Work in stitch chart pattern until piece measures 54, 55 (56, 56) 57.5, 58.5 (58.5, 60) cms or 21.5, 22 (22.5, 22.5) 23, 23.5 (23.5, 24) ins from bottom cast on edge. Finish after completing a wrong side row.
LEFT FRONT SHOULDER SHAPING
Starting on a right-side row, bind off 12, 13 (15, 16) 17, 21 (21, 22) sts, work across remains sts, turn.
Work 1 row with no decreases, turn.
bind off 11, 12 (14, 15) 17, 20 (20, 21) sts, work across remains sts, turn.
Work 1 row with no decreases, turn.
Bind off remaining 11, 13 (14, 16) 18, 21 (21, 23) sts.
RIGHT FRONT NECK SHAPING
Rejoin yarn to work on stitch holder and bind off 24, 24 (30, 29) 28, 23 (41, 42) sts
Work to the end of the row.
Decrease 1 st at neck edge of next 6, 6 (6, 6) 6, 6 (7, 7) rows.
Then decrease 1 st at neck edge of every other row 3, 3 (3, 3) 3, 3 (4, 4) times.
Then decrease 1 st at neck edge every 4th row 1, 1 (1, 2) 2, 1 (2, 2) times
(34, 38 (43, 47) 53, 62 (62, 66) sts remain.
Work in stitch chart pattern until piece measures 54, 55 (56, 56) 57.5, 58.5 (58.5, 60) cms or 21.5, 22 (22.5, 22.5) 23, 23.5 (23.5, 24) ins from bottom cast on edge. Finish after completing a right side row.
RIGHT FRONT SHOULDER SHAPING
Starting on a wrong-side row, bind off 12, 13 (15, 16) 17, 21 (21, 22) sts, work across remains sts, turn.
Work 1 row with no decreases, turn.
bind off 11, 12 (14, 15) 17, 20 (20, 21) sts, work across remains sts, turn.
Work 1 row with no decreases, turn.
Bind off remaining 11, 13 (14, 16) 18, 21 (21, 23) sts.
Sew shoulder seams.
SLEEVES (MAKE 2)
With smaller needles, cast on 46, 46 (46, 46) 48, 50 (52, 54) sts.
Work in 1×1 ribbing for 1.5ins or 4cms.
Switch to larger sized needles.
K1,1 (1, 1) 2, 3 (4, 5) work in charted stitch pattern 2, 2 (2, 2) 2, 2 (2, 2) times, k1, 1 (1, 1) 2, 3 (4, 5) for 4, 4 (4, 4) 4, 4 (4, 4) rows.
DECREASES
Decrease 1st at each side of marker every other round 0, 0 (10, 11) 13, 11 (16, 19) times,
Then decrease 1st at each side of marker every 4th round 16, 22 (22, 22) 21, 22 (20, 19) times,
Then decrease 1 st at each side of marker every 6th round 7, 4 (0, 0) 0, 0 (0, 0) times
92, 98 (110, 112) 116, 116 (124, 138) sts
Work in stockinette until sleeve measures from cast on stitches 42.5, 44 (45, 45) 45, 46 (46, 47.5) ins or 17, 17.5 (18, 18) 18, 18.5 (18.5, 19) cms or desired sleeve length.
Bind off.
NECKBAND.
With right side facing pick up:
19, 20 (22, 22) 24, 26 (25, 27) sts down front of neck,
24, 24 (28, 29) 28, 23 (41, 42) sts from front neck edge,
19, 20 (22, 22) 24, 26 (25, 27) sts up front neck,
44, 44 (48, 51) 50, 45 (65, 68) sts on back neck edge.
[106, 108 (120, 124) 126, 120 (156, 164) sts]
Work in 1×1 ribbing for a total of 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.
Bind off all sts in pattern.
FINISHING
Sew sleeves onto the armholes then sew underarm seam.
Weave in all ends. Block as desired.
ABBREVIATIONS
K – knit
m1l – With left needle pick up strand between 2 stitches front to back. Knit through back loop
m1r – With left needle pick up strand between 2 stitches back to front. Knit through front loop
p – purl
st(s) – stitch(es)
vdd – vertical double decrease – slip the next 2 stitches on the left needle as if to knit them together and then slip them off the left needle and onto the right needle, knit the next st, pass slipped stitches over the knitted stitch together
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