Nothing beats pulling on a warm hoodie you made yourself. A knit hoodie is a little more work than a plain sweater because of the hood, but most hoods are just a rectangle picked up from the neckline and seamed at the top. If you have knit a simple sweater, you can knit a hoodie.
We checked all 13 of these free knit hoodie patterns. There are chunky beginner-friendly hoodies, classic hooded pullovers, cabled hooded cardigans and even a sleeveless hoodie for spring. Each one lists the yarn weight, needle size and a direct link to the free pattern.
Knit Hoodie Free Patterns
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What You’ll Need
- Long circular knitting needles (32 inch) in your pattern size
- 16-inch circular needle for sleeves and hood edging
- Worsted or bulky wool-blend yarn
- Cable needle for cabled designs
- Stitch markers and stitch holders
- Tapestry needle for seaming
- Soft tape measure
1. Tierra Stitchy Hoodie
Photo: Jessica / Mama In A Stitch
This chunky open-front hoodie is made from simple rectangles knit flat and seamed together. It mixes ribbing, Irish moss, garter, stockinette and seed stitch for a cozy patchwork texture. The designer says the beginner-friendly build makes it doable for any knitter. Super bulky yarn means it grows fast.
- Designer: Jessica / Mama In A Stitch
- Skill level: Beginner
- Yarn: Super bulky (#6)
- Needle size: US 15 (10 mm), 36-inch circular
- Price: Free web version (paid ad-free PDF)
- Get the pattern: Get the free pattern →
2. Anderson Ranch Pullover
Photo: Bobbie Fitzgerald / Lion Brand Yarn
Anderson Ranch is a relaxed women’s hooded pullover rated easy for beginner-plus knitters. Worsted yarn makes it a comfortable everyday layer for chilly mornings and weekend errands. A good pick if you have made a scarf or hat and want your first real hoodie.
- Designer: Bobbie Fitzgerald / Lion Brand Yarn
- Skill level: Easy
- Yarn: Worsted (#4)
- Needle size: see pattern
- Price: Free
- Get the pattern: Get the free pattern →
3. Nadine’s Pullover & Hood
An easy women’s pullover with a hood, offered in sizes Small, Medium and Large. It is a simple, no-fuss design that lets you focus on the basics of sweater knitting. Pick a soft, washable yarn and it becomes a go-to weekend top.
- Designer: Red Heart / Yarnspirations
- Skill level: Easy
- Yarn: see pattern
- Needle size: see pattern
- Price: Free
- Get the pattern: Get the free pattern →
4. Kenan’s Hoodie
Kenan’s Hoodie is a men’s sweater with dropped shoulders, a generous hood and a broken rib texture that is easy to memorize. The relaxed fit makes it a great unisex hoodie too. Tweed superwash yarn adds flecks of color and is easy to wash.
- Designer: Yonca Ozbelli / Universal Yarn
- Skill level: see pattern
- Yarn: see pattern (Deluxe Worsted Tweed Superwash)
- Needle size: US 8 (5 mm)
- Price: Free
- Get the pattern: Get the free pattern →
5. Corona
Photo: Teresa Gregorio / Ravelry
Corona is a hooded sweater with a youthful, slightly edgy look. It is designed to be nearly seamless, so you spend less time finishing and more time wearing it. Hundreds of knitters have rated it on Ravelry, which is a good sign the instructions work.
- Designer: Teresa Gregorio / Ravelry
- Skill level: see pattern
- Yarn: Worsted
- Needle size: US 8 (5 mm)
- Price: Free
- Get the pattern: Get the free pattern →
6. Cascading Comfort Pullover
Photo: Jean Klein / Ravelry
An oversized hooded pullover with extra-long sleeves, thumb holes and a longer hem. It is the kind of sweater you live in on cold days. The sample uses a soft llama and merino blend, and sizes run from XS to 2XL.
- Designer: Jean Klein / Ravelry
- Skill level: see pattern
- Yarn: Worsted
- Needle size: US 8 (5 mm)
- Price: Free
- Get the pattern: Get the free pattern →
7. Wild Thing
Photo: Homero Luna / Ravelry
Inspired by Max’s suit in Where the Wild Things Are, this hooded sweater comes in 19 sizes, from infant to adult with a 56-inch chest. That makes it perfect for matching family hoodies. Bulky wool keeps it warm and quick to knit.
- Designer: Homero Luna / Ravelry
- Skill level: see pattern
- Yarn: Bulky
- Needle size: see pattern
- Price: Free
- Get the pattern: Get the free pattern →
8. Bella Hooded Cardigan
Photo: Nancy Fry / Ravelry
A buttoned hooded cardigan inspired by the one Bella wears in the movie New Moon. It is worked flat from the bottom up, with set-in pockets and a three-needle bind-off. Sizes S, M and L fit about 33 to 41 inches at the bust. Fun for movie fans and anyone who loves a cozy cardigan.
- Designer: Nancy Fry / Ravelry
- Skill level: see pattern
- Yarn: Aran
- Needle size: US 7 (4.5 mm) and US 8 (5 mm)
- Price: Free
- Get the pattern: Get the free pattern →
9. Cozy Cable Knit Hooded Cardigan
A classic cable cardigan with a hood, made for lounging at home or wearing with jeans. Tweed yarn gives the cables a soft, rustic look. It is rated intermediate, so you should be comfortable with cables and basic sweater finishing.
- Designer: Caron / Yarnspirations
- Skill level: Intermediate
- Yarn: see pattern (Caron Simply Soft Tweeds)
- Needle size: see pattern
- Price: Free
- Get the pattern: Get the free pattern →
10. Niall
Photo: Berroco Design Team / Berroco
Niall is a bulky, textured cardigan with a hood, made for crisp fall days. The textured stitch gives it a sturdy, outdoorsy feel, a bit like a knit jacket. It is rated intermediate and comes as a free PDF.
- Designer: Berroco Design Team / Berroco
- Skill level: Intermediate
- Yarn: see pattern (Berroco Inca Tweed)
- Needle size: see pattern
- Price: Free PDF
- Get the pattern: Get the free pattern →
11. Lazy Day Chic Sweater
A roomy hooded sweater worked in double moss stitch, which gives a soft, checkered texture. It is made for layering on cold weekends. The pattern is rated intermediate mostly for the shaping, while the stitch itself is just knits and purls.
- Designer: Marly Bird / Red Heart
- Skill level: Intermediate
- Yarn: see pattern (Red Heart Chic Sheep)
- Needle size: see pattern
- Price: Free
- Get the pattern: Get the free pattern →
12. Mariah
Photo: Jodi Green / Knitty
Mariah is a zip-up hooded cardigan sized to fit under a fall jacket. Rope cables run along the deep ribbing, and the sleeves have a wide knotwork panel inspired by the Book of Kells. With cables, charts and short rows, it is a project for knitters ready for a challenge.
- Designer: Jodi Green / Knitty
- Skill level: see pattern
- Yarn: see pattern (Patons Classic Merino suggested)
- Needle size: US 7 (4.5 mm)
- Price: Free
- Get the pattern: Get the free pattern →
13. Spring League Sleeveless Hoodie
Photo: Alexandra Tavel / Two of Wands
A sporty, sweatshirt-style hoodie without sleeves. It has a drawstring hood with an i-cord tie, a V-shaped neck detail and a relaxed fit. It is worked flat from the top down with side seams. Wear it over a long-sleeve tee in spring or fall.
- Designer: Alexandra Tavel / Two of Wands
- Skill level: Intermediate
- Yarn: Worsted (#4)
- Needle size: US 7 (4.5 mm) and US 6 (4 mm)
- Price: Free web version (paid ad-free PDF)
- Get the pattern: Get the free pattern →
Which One Should You Make?
- First hoodie ever? Start with #1 Tierra Stitchy Hoodie. It is all rectangles.
- Want an easy pullover? #2 Anderson Ranch and #3 Nadine’s are both rated easy.
- Knitting for a guy? #4 Kenan’s Hoodie has a relaxed, unisex fit.
- Matching family sweaters? #7 Wild Thing goes from infant to adult.
- Ready for cables? Try #9 Cozy Cable first, then #12 Mariah for a real challenge.
FAQ
How do you knit a hood on a sweater?
Most hoods are picked up around the neckline after the body is done. You knit straight up for the height of the hood, then fold it in half and seam the top with a three-needle bind-off or mattress stitch. Some patterns add a ribbed or garter edge around the face opening so it does not curl.
How much yarn do I need for a knit hoodie?
A hood adds roughly 150–300 yards to a sweater. An adult worsted hoodie often takes about 1,300–2,000 yards depending on size and length. Chunky hoodies use fewer yards but more skeins by weight. Always check your size in the pattern and buy an extra skein.
What is the best yarn for a knit hoodie?
Pick a soft, sturdy wool or wool blend in worsted or bulky weight. Superwash wool or acrylic blends are easy to wash, which matters for a hoodie you will wear a lot. Avoid very slippery yarns, because the hood can stretch and droop over time.
Pick your favorite and cast on, and you will have a cozy new hoodie in time for cold weather.
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