Nothing says the holidays like a hand-knit Christmas sweater. Whether you want a cozy Nordic yoke for family photos or a bold ugly sweater for the office party, Christmas sweater knitting is a fun way to get into the festive mood. Start early, though, because even a quick sweater takes a few weeks.
We opened and checked each of these 10 free patterns. You will find reindeer, snowmen, gingerbread motifs, Christmas trees and a build-your-own ugly sweater, in sizes for adults, kids and even the whole family.
Christmas Sweater Knitting Free Patterns
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What You’ll Need
- Worsted or DK yarn in red, green and cream
- Circular needles, 16″ and 24″
- Double-pointed needles for sleeves
- Bobbins for intarsia motifs
- Stitch markers
- Magnetic chart keeper
- Tapestry needle
1. Christmas Jumper by Fiona Bennet
Photo: Fiona Bennet (Ravelry)
This seamless round-yoke jumper is knit in the round with stranded colorwork. The fun part is that you can choose your motif: Christmas puddings, snowmen or reindeer. All the charts are included. Aran weight yarn means it knits up faster than you might expect, and sizes run from S to XL.
- Designer: Fiona Bennet (Ravelry)
- Skill level: see pattern
- Yarn: aran (#4)
- Needle size: 5 mm (US 8) and 4 mm (US 6)
- Price: Free
- Get the pattern: Get the free pattern →
2. Christmas Jumper by Sarah Hatton
Photo: Sarah Hatton (Ravelry)
This crew-neck jumper was made for a Christmas Jumper Day charity event, and it is a great family pattern. It comes in child and adult sizes, from a 22″ to a 50″ chest. You add one big intarsia motif to the front: a reindeer, a snowman, a tree or Santa. Everyone in the family can pick their own.
- Designer: Sarah Hatton (Ravelry)
- Skill level: see pattern
- Yarn: DK (#3)
- Needle size: 4 mm (US 6) and 3.25 mm (US 3)
- Price: Free
- Get the pattern: Get the free pattern →
3. #48 Ugly Christmas Sweater
Photo: Yuko Nagakura (Ravelry)
This one is different. Instead of fixed sizes, you take your own measurements and your own gauge, and the pattern walks you through building a top-down, seamless sweater that fits. A video tutorial goes with it. It works for adults, teens, kids and toddlers, so it is perfect for matching family ugly sweaters.
- Designer: Yuko Nagakura (Ravelry)
- Skill level: see pattern
- Yarn: aran (#4)
- Needle size: 5 mm (US 8) and 4 mm (US 6)
- Price: Free
- Get the pattern: Get the free pattern →
4. Gingerbread Love Sweater
Photo: Wiam’s Crafts
Inspired by gingerbread cookies, this sweater uses five stranded colorwork charts with hearts and little plant motifs. It is top-down and seamless with a double-folded neck. The look is sweet and cozy rather than loud, so you can wear it all winter, not just on Christmas Day. Sizes run from S to XXL.
- Designer: Wiam’s Crafts
- Skill level: Intermediate
- Yarn: see pattern
- Needle size: 4 mm (US 6) and 3 mm (US 2.5)
- Price: Free written pattern + paid PDF
- Get the pattern: Get the free pattern →
5. Meretricious!
Photo: Professor Fonz (Ravelry)
TV fans will recognize this one. It is inspired by the Christmas jumper worn by John Watson in Sherlock, with stranded colorwork adapted from an Icelandic design. The body and sleeves are knit in the round, then joined for the round yoke. It comes in a child size and women’s sizes S–XL.
- Designer: Professor Fonz (Ravelry)
- Skill level: see pattern
- Yarn: DK (#3)
- Needle size: 3.5 mm (US 4)
- Price: Free
- Get the pattern: Get the free pattern →
6. Patons Reindeer Knit Holiday Sweater
A reindeer on a chunky sweater is about as classic as Christmas knitting gets. This pattern uses chunky yarn, so it is thick, warm and quick to knit. The size range is very wide, from XS/S to 4/5XL, which makes it easy to knit one for anyone on your list.
- Designer: Patons (Yarnspirations)
- Skill level: Intermediate
- Yarn: Patons Shetland Chunky (see pattern)
- Needle size: see pattern
- Price: Free
- Get the pattern: Get the free pattern →
7. Christmas Sweater by Katia
Photo: vicnaranjavicristal for Katia
This is a fun, customizable ugly Christmas sweater in rose, ecru, fuchsia and red. It combines jacquard colorwork with embroidery, so you can personalize the front. Big US 11 needles and chunky yarn make it one of the fastest sweaters on this list. It is one size.
- Designer: vicnaranjavicristal for Katia
- Skill level: Intermediate
- Yarn: Katia WOW chunky (see pattern)
- Needle size: 8 mm (US 11)
- Price: Free
- Get the pattern: Get the free pattern →
8. Tree Sweater
Photo: Lion Brand Yarn
Lion Brand’s Tree Sweater is rated easy, which makes it a good pick if this is your first holiday sweater. It uses worsted weight acrylic, so it is soft and simple to wash after holiday dinners. It comes in eight sizes, from a 34″ to 62″ finished chest.
- Designer: Lion Brand Yarn
- Skill level: Easy
- Yarn: worsted (#4)
- Needle size: see pattern
- Price: Free
- Get the pattern: Get the free pattern →
9. Holiday Jay
Holiday Jay is a red and white tee with a colorwork yoke, a contrast edge and a broken rib hem. It is knit top-down and seamless in Pima cotton. The designer calls it a Christmas-in-July piece, so it is great for warm climates or for layering over a long-sleeve shirt in December. Sizes run XS to 5X.
- Designer: Rachel Brockman, adapted by Yonca Ozbelli for Universal Yarn
- Skill level: Easy
- Yarn: Fibra Natura Cotton True Sport (see pattern)
- Needle size: 4 mm (US 6) and 3.75 mm (US 5)
- Price: Free
- Get the pattern: Get the free pattern →
10. Gumdrop Jumper
Photo: Yarnsmiths (via Wool Warehouse)
The Gumdrop Jumper is a short, four-page Christmas pattern for babies and children. It uses DK yarn, which keeps the fabric soft for little ones. It is a sweet option if you want the youngest member of the family dressed up for their first Christmas photos.
- Designer: Yarnsmiths (via Wool Warehouse)
- Skill level: see pattern
- Yarn: DK (#3)
- Needle size: 4 mm (US 6) and 3.25 mm (US 3)
- Price: Free
- Get the pattern: Get the free pattern →
Which One Should You Make?
- First Christmas sweater? Start with #8 Tree Sweater. It is rated easy.
- Knitting for the whole family? #2 Sarah Hatton’s jumper and #3 #48 Ugly Christmas Sweater cover kids and adults.
- Short on time? #7 Katia and #6 Patons Reindeer use chunky yarn and big needles.
- Love colorwork yokes? Try #1 Fiona Bennet’s jumper or #4 Gingerbread Love.
- Live somewhere warm? #9 Holiday Jay is a cotton tee with a festive yoke.
FAQ
When should I start knitting a Christmas sweater?
Give yourself at least six to eight weeks for an adult sweater. Chunky patterns can be faster, but colorwork and intarsia take extra time. Starting in September or October means you can finish without stress and still have time to block it before the holidays.
What is the difference between Fair Isle and intarsia?
Fair Isle, or stranded colorwork, carries two colors across every row, usually in small repeating patterns. Intarsia uses separate bobbins of yarn for big single motifs, like one reindeer on the front. Fair Isle is often knit in the round, while intarsia is usually worked flat.
What yarn is best for a Christmas sweater?
Wool is warm and makes colorwork look neat. Acrylic and acrylic blends are cheaper and easy to wash, which is handy for kids and party sweaters. Pick strong contrast colors, like red and cream or green and white, so the motifs stand out clearly.
Pick a pattern, grab your red and green yarn, and start your Christmas sweater knitting early this year.
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