Designed by Pat Menichi for Simply Knitting issue 222, the men's jumper knitting pattern has a slim fit with minimal shaping through the sides. It is worked in just two colours of yarn with a simple slip stitch pattern that gives a lovely element of texture and subtle striping to the finished jumper. If you are looking for a special knit for the man in your life, this men's jumper knitting pattern is a great choice. It is flattering for all shapes and sizes and the easy slip stitch pattern adds a really pleasing detail that won't be hard to knit. With size options from small to XXL, the men's jumper knitting pattern is a great choice for Fathers Day, whatever size your dad is. It is worked in Merino DK yarn for a super-soft finish. But you can substitute any DK yarn to use with our pattern. Take a look at our double knitting yarn guide for our current favourites.
To see more knitting patterns from Pat Menchini, take a look at her Ravelry store.
If you are looking for more designs to knit for the men in your life, take a look at our knitted tie pattern. Our DIY Tablet cover is a satisfying knit, or how about our DIY camera strap? Our men's sock knitting pattern makes a nice gift, too.
The materials you'll need to complete this men's jumper knitting pattern
- King Cole Luxury Merino DK (100% superwash Merino wool, 50g/140m) Buy from Lovecrafts
- A pair of 4.5mm needles
- A pair of 4mm needles
- A pair of 3.25mm needles
- 2 stitch holders
- Locking stitch marker
What tension do I need to knit the men's jumper?
22 sts and 28 rows to measure 10x10cm (4x4in) over st st using 4mm needles
27 sts and 46 rows to measure 10x10cm (4x4in) over slip-st pat using 4.5mm needles
For more information about tension and why it is important, see our article on knitting tension squares
Useful abbreviations for the jumper knitting pattern
M1P Make a st purlways by picking up and purling into the back of horizontal strand lying before next st.
This pattern uses standard knitting abbreviations.
Measurements and sizes
Use our size chart to work out the dimensions and measurements you want your men's jumper knitting pattern to be.
Start your men's jumper knitting pattern
Slip-Stitch Pattern
Multiple of 2 plus 3 sts.
Row 1 (RS) With Yarn A, K1, P to last st, K1.
Row 2 With Yarn B, P2, (with yarn front – i.e. towards you – slip 1 purlwise, P1) to last st, P1.
Row 3 With Yarn B, K1, P1, (take yarn to back of work and slip 1 purlwise, bring yarn to front of work and P1) to last st, K1.
Row 4 With Yarn A, purl.
Rows 5 to 16 Rep Rows 1 to 4 three times.
BACK
Cast on 117 (129: 141: 153: 165) sts using 3.25mm needles and Yarn A.
Row 1 (RS) K2, (P1, K1) to last st, K1.
Row 2 P2, (K1, P1) to last st, P1.
Rep these 2 rib rows until work measures 5cm, ending after Row 1.
Next row (WS) P6 (6: 3: 9: 6), *M1P, P8 (9: 9: 9: 9); rep from * 12 (12: 14: 14: 16) times more, M1P, P to end. [131 (143: 157: 169: 183) sts]
Change to 4.5mm needles.
Work slip-stitch patt for 16 rows using 4.5mm needles.
Note: Carry colour not in use loosely up side of work.
Change to 4mm needles.
Row 17 (RS) With Yarn A and working firmly, K1, P to last st, K1.
Row 18 With Yarn A, purl.
Row 19 With Yarn A, knit.
Row 20 With Yarn A, purl.
These 20 rows set patt.
Noting needle changes throughout, rep these 20 rows 7 times more, then rep Rows 1 to 18 again.
Break B and cont in Yarn A only.
Cont with 4mm needles and change to st st.
Purl 1 row.
Place a marker at centre of last row.
SHAPE ARMHOLES
Cast off loosely 6 (7: 8: 10: 11) sts at beg of next 2 rows.
[95 (105: 113: 121: 131) sts]
Dec 1 st at each end of next 3 (5: 5: 5: 7) rows, then on every foll alt row until 83 (89: 95: 101: 107) sts rem.**
Work straight until Back measures 21 (23: 24: 26: 27)cm from marker, measured through centre of work and ending after a purl row.
SHAPE SHOULDERS
Cast off loosely 8 (8: 9: 9: 10) sts at beg of next 4 rows, then 8 (9: 9: 10: 10) sts at beg of next 2 rows.
Slip rem 35 (39: 41: 45: 47) sts on a stitch holder for Neckband.
FRONT
Work as Back until **.
Work straight in st st until Front measures 24 (26: 28: 30: 32) rows fewer than Back up to start of shoulder shaping, ending after a purl row.
SHAPE NECK
Next row (RS) K29 (30: 32: 33: 35), turn.
Cont on this group of sts for left half of neck and leave rem sts on hold.
***Dec 1 st neatly at neck edge on next 5 rows.
[24 (25: 27: 28: 30) sts]
Work 18 (20: 22: 24: 26) rows straight, thus ending at armhole edge.
Next row (RS dec) K5 (5: 1: 7: 1), *k2tog, K3 (4: 4: 3: 4), k2tog, K3 (3: 3: 4: 4); rep from * 11 (11: 13: 13: 14) times more, K6 (6: 2: 8: 2).
[107 (119: 129: 141: 153) sts]
SHAPE SHOULDER
Cast off loosely 8 (8: 9: 9: 10) sts at beg of next row and foll alt row.
Work 1 row straight.
Cast off rem 8 (9: 9: 10: 10) sts.
With RS facing slip next 25 (29: 31: 35: 37) sts (centre sts) on a stitch holder for Neckband. Rejoin yarn to rem sts and knit to end of row. [29 (30: 32: 33: 35) sts]
Complete from *** to match left neck, working 1 row more before shaping shoulder.
SLEEVES
Cast on 43 (45: 49: 51: 53) sts using 3.25mm needles and taking care not to cast on tightly.
Work in rib as on Back for 7cm, ending after a RS row.
Next row (WS) Purl, working M1P 2 (4: 4: 4: 6) times evenly across.
[45 (49: 53: 55: 59) sts]
Change to 4mm needles. Beg with a knit row, work 2 rows in st st.
Cont in st st shaping Sleeve by inc 1 st at each end of next row, then on every foll 4th row until there are 59 (69: 79: 95: 105) sts, then on every foll 6th row until there are 85 (91: 97: 105: 111) sts.
Work straight until sleeve measures 47 (48: 48: 49: 49)cm from cast-on edge, ending after a WS row.
SHAPE TOP
Cast off 6 (7: 8: 10: 11) sts at beg of next 2 rows.
[73 (77: 81: 85: 89) sts]
Dec 1 st at each end of next row and every foll alt row until 45 (47: 49: 49: 51) sts rem then on every row until 31 (33: 35: 35: 37) sts rem.
Cast off loosely, working k2tog at each end of the cast-off row.
NECKBAND
Join left shoulder.
Size S
With 3.25mm needles and RS facing, K35 sts from Back holder, pick up and knit 21 sts evenly down left neck, K25 sts from Front holder, pick up and knit 22 sts evenly up right neck. [103 sts]
Size M
With 3.25mm needles and RS facing, work across sts from Back holder as: K1, (k2tog, K17) twice, pick up and knit 23 sts evenly down left neck, work across sts from Front holder as: K1, (k2tog, K12) twice, pick up and knit 24 sts evenly up right neck. [111 sts]
Size L
With 3.25mm needles and RS facing, work across sts from Back holder as: K2, (k2tog, K11) 3 times, pick up and knit 24 sts evenly down left neck, work across sts from Front holder as: k2tog, K29, pick up and knit 25 sts evenly up right side of neck. [117 sts]
Size XL
With 3.25mm needles and RS facing, work across sts from Back holder as: (k2tog, K7) 5 times, pick up and knit 26 sts evenly down left neck, work across sts from Front holder as: K2, (k2tog, K9) 3 times, pick up and knit 27 sts evenly up right neck. [125 sts]
Size XXL
With 3.25mm needles and RS facing, work across sts from Back holder as: K5, (k2tog, K5) 6 times, pick up and knit 28 sts evenly down left neck, work across sts from Front holder as: K1, (k2tog, K7) 4 times, pick up and knit 29 sts evenly up right neck. [131 sts]
all sizes
Next row (WS) Purl.
Work 12 rows in rib as on Back, ending after a WS row.
Cast off loosely.
Making up the Men's jumper knitting pattern
Omitting ribbing, press work on WS following any yarn care instructions on the ball band. Join right shoulder. Fold Neckband in half to WS and hem in position. Sew in Sleeves. Join side and Sleeve seams. Weave in ends. Press seams.
Download the men's jumper knitting pattern now
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