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Free Knitting and Crochet Patterns from Elaine Phillips

Falling Stars Top Down Sweater

Difficulty level: *** Intermediate

Free Sweater Knitting Pattern

Introducing the Falling Stars Top Down Sweater Knitting Pattern! This seamless, top-down design showcases a mesmerizing chevron pattern, resembling the rays of stars. The round yoke features a stripey chevron motif, creating a captivating visual effect. With its customizable fit and engaging construction, this sweater promises a delightful knitting experience. Get ready to shine and bring celestial charm to your wardrobe with the Falling Stars Sweater!

Skills Required/Techniques Used:
-Knit & purl, cast on & bind off;
-Increasing: knit front and back (kfr&b)
-Decreasing: knit 2 together (k2tog); ssk.
-Working in rounds on circular needles and on double pointed needles

Size: M (L, XL)

MEASUREMENTS:
Chest: 38 [42, 46] inches (96 [106, 117] cm)

Materials:
Elann (affiliate link) Callista DK weight yarn, color Black, 50 g / 119 m (130 yards) - 8 skeins (A)
Crystal Palace (affiliate link) Yarns Panda Silk DK Print yarn, color 8114 Blooming, 50 g / 110 m (120 yards) - 1 skein (B)

Needles: circular US4 (3.5 mm) OR SIZE NEEDED TO OBTAIN GAUGE
double pointed needles for sleeves

Gauge for stockinette stitch for yarn A: 18 sts x 24 rows = 4" x 4" (10 x 10 cm)

Notions: tapestry needle, cable needle, stitch markers, 4 stitch-holders or 2 pieces of waste yarn,

Abbreviations:
st, sts - stitch, stitches
k - knit
p - purl
k2tog - knit 2 together
ssk
kfr&b - knit first in front, then in back loops of the same stitch
as est. - as established, as pattern demands
pm - place marker
sm - slip marker
rm - remove marker
RS - right side
WS - wrong side
w&t - wrap and turn


Pattern Notes:


Garter Stitch in rounds:
Round 1: knit around
Round 2: purl around
Repeat 2 rounds


Short overview of the pattern:

The top is worked from the top to the bottom in rounds without seams in chevron pattern. The increases and decreases are worked within the chevron pattern. The number of chevron repeats remains the same. Sleeves are worked in the round on dpn or shorter circular needles.


Sweater


Size M

Yoke

With yarn A cast on 108 sts. Join into round taking care not to twist the sts, continue to work in rounds. Mark the beginning of the round, slip marker (sm) while working.

Round 1: knit
Round 2: purl
Round 3: knit
Round 4: purl

With yarn B:
Round 5: *k2tog, k1, k1fr&b twice, k2, ssk*, repeat 12 times.
Round 6: knit
Rounds 7-10: repeat rounds 5-6.

With yarn A:
Round 11: repeat round 5.
Round 12: purl
Round 13 (increase round): *k3, k1f&b twice, k4*, repeat 12 times. (132)
Round 14: purl
Round 15 (increase round): *k4, k1f&b twice, k5*, repeat 12 times. (156)
Round 16: purl

With yarn B:
Round 17: *k2tog, k3, k1f&b twice, k4, ssk*, repeat 12 times.
Round 18: knit
Rounds 19-22: repeat rounds 17-18.

With yarn A:
Round 23: repeat round 17.
Round 24: purl
Round 25 (increase round): *k5, k1f&b twice, k6*, repeat 12 times. (180)
Round 26: purl
Round 27 (increase round): *k6, k1f&b twice, k7*, repeat 12 times. (204)
Round 28: purl

With yarn B:
Round 29: *k2tog, k5, k1f&b twice, k6, ssk*, repeat 12 times.
Round 30: knit
Rounds 31-34: repeat rounds 29-30. Cut yarn B and continue with yarn A.

With yarn A:
Round 35: repeat round 29.
Round 36: purl
Round 37 (increase round): *k7, k1f&b twice, k8*, repeat 12 times. (228)
Round 38: purl
Round 39 (increase round): *k8, k1f&b twice, k9*, repeat 12 times. (252)
Round 40: purl
Round 41: *k2tog, k7, k1f&b twice, k8, ssk*, repeat 12 times.
Round 42: knit
Rounds 43-46: repeat rounds 41-42.
Round 47: repeat round 41.
Round 48: purl
Round 49 (increase round): *k9, k1f&b twice, k10*, repeat 12 times. (276)
Round 50: purl
Round 51: knit
Round 52: purl
Round 53: *k2tog, k8, k1f&b, k1f&b, k9, ssk*, repeat 12 times.
Round 54: knit
Rounds 55-58: repeat rounds 53-54 (total 276 sts before dividing for sleeves).


Divide for sleeves and bodice:

Count sts and place markers: 92 sts for back, place a marker after st 92, 46 sts for right sleeve, place another marker after st 46, 92 sts for front, place another marker after st 92, 46 sts for left sleeve.(here we have the marker for the beginning of the round).

Using a spare needle, work the back stitches only back and forth as follows:
Rows 1 (RS): *k2tog, k8, k1f&b twice, k9, ssk*, repeat 4 times.
Rows 2-6: knit
Row 7 (RS): *k2tog, k8, k1f&b twice, k9, ssk*, repeat 4 times.
Row 8 (WS): purl
Rows 9-12: repeat rows 7-8 twice.


Size L

Yoke

With yarn A cast on 108 sts. Join into round taking care not to twist the sts, continue to work in rounds. Mark the beginning of the round.

Round 1: knit
Round 2: purl
Round 3: knit
Round 4: purl

With yarn B:
Round 5: *k2tog, k1, k1f&b twice, k2, ssk*, repeat 12 times.
Round 6: knit
Rounds 7-10: repeat rounds 5-6.

With yarn A
Round 11: repeat round 5.
Round 12: purl
Round 13 (increase round): *k3, k1f&b twice, k4*, repeat 12 times. (132)
Round 14: purl
Round 15 (increase round): *k4, k1f&b twice, k5*, repeat 12 times.(156)
Round 16: purl

With yarn B
Round 17: *k2tog, k3, k1f&b twice, k4, ssk*, repeat 12 times.
Round 18: knit
Rounds 19-22: repeat rounds 17-18.

With yarn A.
Round 23: repeat round 17.
Round 24: purl
Round 25 (increase round): *k5, k1f&b twice, k6*, repeat 12 times. (180)
Round 26: purl
Round 27 (increase round): *k6, k1f&b twice, k7*, repeat 12 times. (204)
Round 28: purl

With yarn B
Round 29: *k2tog, k5, k1f&b twice, k6, ssk*, repeat 12 times.
Round 30: knit
Rounds 31-34: repeat rounds 29-30. Cut yarn B and continue with yarn A.

With yarn A
Round 35: repeat round 29.
Round 36: purl
Round 37 (increase round): *k7, k1f&b twice, k8*, repeat 12 times. (228)
Round 38: purl
Round 39 (increase round): *k8, k1f&b twice, k9*, repeat 12 times. (252)
Round 40: purl
Round 41: *k2tog, k7, k1f&b twice, k8, ssk*, repeat 12 times.
Round 42: knit
Rounds 43-46: repeat rounds 41-42.
Round 47: repeat round 41.
Round 48: purl
Round 49 (increase round) : *k9, k1f&b twice, k10*, repeat 12 times. (276)
Round 50: purl
Round 51(increase round): *k10, k1f&b twice, k11*, repeat 12 times. (300)
Round 52: purl
Round 53: *k2tog, k9, k1f&b twice, k10, ssk*, repeat 12 times.
Round 54: knit
Rounds 55-58: repeat rounds 53-54.
Round 59: repeat round 53.
Round 60: purl
Round 61 (increase round): *k11, k1f&b twice, k12*, repeat 12 times. (324)
Round 62: purl
Round 63: knit
Round 64: purl
Round 65: *k2tog, k10, k1f&b twice, k11, ssk*, repeat 12 times.
Round 66: knit
Rounds 67-70: repeat rounds 65-66 (total 324 sts before dividing for sleeves).


Divide for sleeves and bodice

Count sts and place markers: 108 sts for back, place a marker after st 108, 54 sts for right sleeve, place the another marker after st 54, 108 sts for front, place another marker after st 108, 54 sts for left sleeve (here we have the marker for the beginning of the round.


Using a spare needle work the back stitches only back and forth as follows:
Row 1: *k2tog, k10, k1f&b twice, k11, ssk*, repeat 4 times.
Rows 2-6: knit
Row 7: *k2tog, k10, k1f&b twice, k11, ssk*, repeat 4 times.
Row 8: purl
Rows 9-12: repeat rows 7-8.



Size XL

Yoke

With yarn A cast on 108 sts. Join into round taking care not to twist the sts, continue to work in rounds. Mark the beginning of the round.
Round 1: knit
Round 2: purl
Round 3: knit
Round 4: purl

With color B:
Round 5 : *k2tog, k1, k1f&b twice, k2, ssk*, repeat 12 times.
Round 6: knit
Rounds 7-10: repeat rounds 5-6.

With yarn A:
Round 11: repeat round 5.
Round 12: purl
Round 13 (increase round): *k3, k1f&b twice, k4*, repeat 12 times.(132)
Round 14: purl
Round 15 (increase round): *k4, k1f&b twice, k5*, repeat 12 times. (156)
Round 16: purl

With yarn B
Round 17: *k2tog, k3, k1f&b twice, k4, ssk*, repeat 12 times.
Round 18: knit
Rounds 19-22: repeat rounds 17-18.

With yarn A:
Round 23: repeat round 17.
Round 24: purl
Round 25 (increase round): *k5, k1f&b twice, k6*, repeat 12 times. (180)
Round 26: purl
Round 27 (increase round): *k6, k1f&b twice, k7*, repeat 12 times. (204)
Round 28: purl

With yarn B:
Round 29: *k2tog, k5, k1f&b twice, k6, ssk*, repeat 12 times.
Round 30: knit
Rounds 31-34: repeat rounds 29-30.

With yarn A
Round 35: repeat round 29. Cut yarn B and continue with yarn A.
Round 36: purl
Round 37 (increase round): *k7, k1f&b twice, k8*, repeat 12 times.(228)
Round 38: purl
Round 39 (increase round): *k8, k1f&b twice, k9*, repeat 12 times. (252)
Round 40: purl
Round 41: *k2tog, k7, k1f&b twice, k8, ssk*, repeat 12 times.
Round 42: knit
Rounds 43-46: repeat rounds 41-42.
Round 47: repeat round 41.
Round 48: purl
Round 49 (increase round): *k9, k1f&b twice, k10*, repeat 12 times. (276)
Round 50: purl
Round 51 (increase round): *k10, k1f&b twice, k11*, repeat 12 times. (300)
Round 52: purl
Round 53: *k2tog, k9, k1f&b twice, k10, ssk*, repeat 12 times.
Round 54: knit
Rounds 55-58: repeat rounds 53-54.
Round 59: repeat round 53.
Round 60: purl
Round 61 (increase round): *k11, k1f&b twice, k12*, repeat 12 times.(324)
Round 62: purl
Round 63 (increase round): *k12, k1f&b twice, k13*, repeat 12 times. (348)
Round 64: purl
Round 65: *k2tog, k11, k1f&b, k1f&b, k12, ssk*, repeat 12 times.
Round 66: knit
Rounds 67-70: repeat rounds 65-66.
Round 71: repeat round 65.
Round 72: purl
Round 73 (increase round): *k13, k1f&b twice, k14*, repeat 12 times. (372)
Round 74: purl
Round 75: knit
Round 76: purl
Round 77: *k2tog, k12, k1f&b, k1f&b, k13, ssk*, repeat 12 times.
Round 78: knit
Rounds 79-82: repeat rounds 65-66 (total 372 sts before dividing for sleeves).


Divide for sleeves and bodice

Count sts and place markers: 124 sts for back, place a marker after st 124, 62 sts for right sleeve, place another marker after st 62, 124 sts for front, place another marker after st 124, 62 sts for left sleeve (here we have the marker for the beginning of the round.

Using a spare needle work the back stitches only back and forth as follows:
Row 1: *k2tog, k12, k1f&b, k1f&b, k13, ssk*, repeat 4 times.
Rows 2-6: knit
Row 7: *k2tog, k12, k1f&b, k1f&b, k13, ssk*, repeat 4 times.
Row 8: purl
Rows 9-12: repeat rows 7-8.


Bodice

Knit 92 (108, 124) sts of the back, rm, transfer 46 (54, 62) sts of the right sleeve to a length of yarn, rm, knit 92 (108, 124) sts of the front, rm, transfer 46 (54, 62) sts of the left sleeve to a length of yarn, join and continue to work the bodice in rounds, do not remove the first marker, [184 (216, 248) sts] as follows:
Round 1: *k2tog, k8 (10, 12), k1f&b twice, k9 (11, 13), ssk*, repeat 8 times.
Round 2: purl
Round 3: knit
Round 4: purl
Round 5: knit
Round 6: purl
Round 7: *k2tog, k8 (10, 12), k1f&b twice, k9 (11, 13), ssk*, repeat 8 times.
Round 8: knit
Rounds 9-12: repeat rounds 7-8.
Round 13: *k2tog, k8 (10, 12), k1f&b twice, k9 (11, 13), ssk*, repeat 8 times.
Round 14: purl
Round 15 (decrease round): *k2tog, k19 (23, 27), ssk*, repeat 8 times. [168, (200, 232)]
Round 16: purl
Round 17: knit
Round 18: purl
Round 19: *k2tog, k7 (9, 11), k1f&b twice, k8 (10, 12), ssk*, repeat 8 times.
Round 20: knit
Rounds 21-24: repeat rounds 19-20.
Round 25: *k2tog, k7 (9, 11), k1f&b twice, k8 (10, 12), ssk*, repeat 8 times.
Round 26: purl
Round 27 (decrease round): *k2tog, k17 (21, 25), ssk*, repeat 8 times. [152 (184, 216)]
Round 28: purl
Round 29: knit
Round 30: purl
Round 31: *k2tog, k6 (8, 10), k1f&b twice, k7 (9, 11), ssk*, repeat 8 times.
Round 32: knit
Rounds 33-36: repeat rounds 31-32.
Round 37: *k2tog, k6 (8, 10), k1f&b twice, k7 (9, 11), ssk*, repeat 8 times.
Round 38: purl
Round 39: knit
Round 40: purl
Round 41: knit
Round 42: purl
Round 43: *k2tog, k6 (8, 10), k1f&b twice, k7 (9, 11), ssk*, repeat 8 times.
Round 44: knit
Rounds 45-48: repeat rounds 43-44.
Rounds 49-60: repeat rounds 37-48.
Rounds 61-66: repeat rounds 37-42.
Bind off

Sleeves

Sleeves are worked in rounds on double pointed needles.

Transfer 46 (54, 62) sts from the length of yarn to the needles and pick up 11 sts over the edge of the back rows. You'll have 57 (65, 73) sts. Work 54 rounds as follows:
Round 1: *k2tog, k8 (10, 12), k1f&b twice, k9 (11, 13), ssk*, repeat 2 times, k2tog, k2, k1f&b twice, k3, ssk.
Round 2: purl
Round 3: knit
Round 4: purl
Round 5: knit
Round 6: purl
Round 7: *k2tog, k8 (10, 12), k1f&b twice, k9 (11, 13), ssk*, repeat 2 times, k2tog, k2, k1f&b twice, k3, ssk.
Round 8: knit
Rounds 9-12: repeat rounds 7-8.
Rounds 13-48: repeat rounds 1-12.
Rounds 49-54: repeat rounds 1-6.
Cast off.

Finishing:

Block the top.

Have fun!








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Comments

There are 25 total comments on this article.

Leave a comment about the article.
Poster: Louise Roderick
July 31, 2021

In almost 60 years of knitting I have finally decided to try a top down pattern and fell in love with this design. I bought my DK yarn and, because I couldnt get 3.5mm circular needles I am using 4mm instead. I thought that the larger needles would give me a bit more ease. I am knitting size M which is for a 38" bust ( I am a 36") and I have followed the pattern exactly but it looks as though it is going to end up far too small. Has anyone found the same thing? I really live the pattern and would like to make one to fit me. What would it turn out like if I use an aran weight yarn and 5mm needles (and perhaps knit to the large)? Would love to hear some comments.
Poster: Elaine Phillips
December 15, 2012

You have to scroll down the pattern to Bodice for further instructions.
Poster: Helen
July 10, 2014

I have not made this sweater, but I have made others in the round from top-down. The stitches are divided only the create an opening for the sleeves that will be finished later. Simply transfer the 60 plus stitches for the sleeve onto a contrasting piece of yarn and tie it off. After you finish the body of the sweater, you pick up the stitches and finish off your sleeve to the length you want.
Poster: Helen
July 10, 2014

After looking at the directions again, it looks like the back is divided off the circular needled and onto straights for 12 or 13 rows. Then the stitches for the back is placed back onto the circular needles and the stitches for a sleeve is placed on a holding piece of yarn or string and the stitches for the front is picked. The remaining stitches for the second sleeve is placed on a separate piece of string to be worked on after the body of the sweater is finished.
Poster: helen
July 1, 2013

I also would like this pattern in small and extra small if anyone has figured it out yet
Poster: Elaine Phillips
March 13, 2013

Ssk is slip, slip, knit (left-slanted decrease)
Poster: Elaine Phillips
March 20, 2013

Yes, you would need the same amount of yarn, unless you a planning to make the sweater longer, than in the pattern.
Poster: Leny van der Kraan
August 11, 2019

I'm knitting the largest size. There is a small mistake in the pattern. The last couple of rows before dividing. However, I figured that out. Now I'm finished with row 82. I don't understand the extra rows for the back. I understand where they are for, but my guess is, that there should be 1 knit row, then the rows purl/knit etc.. Is that the case? Then, further along when picking up underarm stitches. I wonder, where do these stitches come from. From the extra 12 rows? Please help. Thank you.
Poster: Margaret Bosnyak
November 14, 2017

Love the look of the sweater but 45" around the middle(waist) is not enough. How would I increase to make it more of a swing sweater.
Poster: Cyndy
December 23, 2016

Thank you for the quick response. In over 50 years of knitting, I haven't seen this! I'll keep going, do love this pattern
View All Comments (25)

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