Mellowspun Sweater Free Pattern: A Cozy Brioche Knit Pullover

Wrap yourself in the plush, cloud-like comfort of the Mellowspun Sweater, a modern take on the classic oversized pullover. This pattern uses a simple two-color brioche stitch to create a reversible, squishy fabric that feels like a warm hug. Whether you're curling up with a book or heading out for a crisp autumn walk, this sweater is your new best friend. The oversized, boxy silhouette with dropped shoulders and wide cuffed sleeves drapes elegantly, while the muted sage green and warm cream color combination gives it a gentle, earthy aesthetic. Best of all, this free pattern is worked seamlessly from the top down, making it an achievable and rewarding project for knitters ready to try something new.

Materials Needed

Before you begin, gather the following materials to ensure a smooth knitting experience:

• Yarn: Super bulky weight yarn (approx. 800-1000 yards). You will need two colors: Color A (Main Color) – a soft, muted sage green, and Color B (Contrast Color) – a warm cream. The exact yardage will depend on your chosen size.
• Needles: US 11 (8.0 mm) circular knitting needle with a 32-inch cable for the body, and US 11 (8.0 mm) double-pointed needles for the sleeves.
• Notions: Stitch markers, stitch holders or waste yarn, a tapestry needle for weaving in ends, and a tape measure.
• Gauge: 10 stitches and 14 rows = 4 inches in brioche stitch (after blocking). Always knit a gauge swatch to ensure your finished sweater matches the intended measurements.

Step-by-Step Instructions

This pattern is written for sizes XS (S, M, L, XL) with a finished chest measurement of 40 (44, 48, 52, 56) inches. The sweater is worked seamlessly from the top down, starting with the yoke and finishing with the body and sleeves. Follow along carefully, and you'll have a beautiful, cozy sweater in no time.

Abbreviations

• CO: Cast on
• K: Knit
• P: Purl
• sl1yo: Slip 1 stitch with yarn over (bring yarn to front, slip next stitch purlwise, then bring yarn over the needle to the back)
• brk: Brioche knit (knit the stitch together with its yarn over)
• brp: Brioche purl (purl the stitch together with its yarn over)
• k2tog: Knit two stitches together
• p2tog: Purl two stitches together
• pm: Place marker
• sm: Slip marker

Special Stitch: Brioche Rib (Worked in the Round)

This pattern uses a simple two-round repeat. Once you get the hang of it, it's incredibly rhythmic and meditative.

• Round 1: *sl1yo, brk; repeat from * to end of round.
• Round 2: *sl1yo, brp; repeat from * to end of round.

Repeat these two rounds for the pattern. The sl1yo creates a "yarn over" that sits on top of the slipped stitch, which you'll work together with the stitch on the next round to create the signature brioche texture.

Yoke

Step 1: With Color A, CO 60 (66, 72, 78, 84) stitches. Join in the round, being careful not to twist your stitches. Place a marker for the beginning of the round.

Step 2: Work 2 rounds of 1x1 rib (k1, p1) with Color A. This will create a neat, stretchy neckline edge.

Step 3: Switch to the brioche rib pattern in the round. Work Rounds 1 and 2 of the brioche rib as described above. Repeat these two rounds for a total of 4 rounds of brioche rib. This establishes the brioche fabric before you begin increasing.

Step 4 – Increase Round: *sl1yo, brk, pm, sl1yo, brk, pm; repeat from * to end of round. You will now have a marker placed every 2 stitches, for a total of 30 (33, 36, 39, 42) markers. These markers indicate where your raglan increases will happen.

Step 5 – Next Round: *sl1yo, brk, sm, sl1yo, brk, sm; repeat from * to end of round. This round establishes the pattern with the markers in place.

Step 6 – Increase Round: *sl1yo, brk, sm, sl1yo, brk, sm; repeat from * to end of round. This round increases 1 stitch at each marker, for a total of 30 (33, 36, 39, 42) increases per round. To increase, you are working a brk into the stitch before the marker and another brk into the stitch after the marker, effectively adding a new stitch at each marker point.

Step 7: Repeat the increase round every 4th round until you have increased a total of 12 (14, 16, 18, 20) times. After all increases, you will have 420 (462, 504, 546, 588) stitches on your needle. The yoke should now measure approximately 9-10 inches from the cast-on edge, depending on your size.

Separate Body and Sleeves

Step 1: Next Round: Work brioche rib over the first 60 (66, 72, 78, 84) stitches (this is the front of the sweater). Place the next 90 (99, 108, 117, 126) stitches on a stitch holder or waste yarn for the sleeve. CO 6 (6, 8, 8, 10) stitches underarm using a simple backward loop cast-on or your preferred method. Work brioche rib over the next 120 (132, 144, 156, 168) stitches (this is the back). Place the next 90 (99, 108, 117, 126) stitches on a holder for the second sleeve. CO 6 (6, 8, 8, 10) stitches underarm. Work brioche rib over the remaining 60 (66, 72, 78, 84) stitches (this is the other half of the front).

Step 2: You now have a total of 252 (276, 300, 324, 348) stitches on your needle for the body. The underarm cast-on stitches will be worked in the brioche pattern as you continue.

Body

Step 1: Continue working in brioche rib in the round, following the established pattern, until the body measures 16 (17, 18, 19, 20) inches from the underarm, or your desired length. Remember to try it on as you go to ensure the perfect fit.

Step 2: Switch to Color B and work 2 rounds of 1x1 rib (k1, p1). This creates a beautiful, contrasting hem that matches the neckline.

Step 3: Bind off loosely in pattern. To bind off in rib, knit the knit stitches and purl the purl stitches as you bind off, ensuring your bind-off is not too tight so the hem retains its stretch.

Sleeves

Step 1: Transfer the sleeve stitches from the holder onto your double-pointed needles. Pick up and knit 6 (6, 8, 8, 10) stitches from the underarm cast-on edge. Join in the round, placing a marker at the underarm to indicate the beginning of the round.

Step 2: Work brioche rib in the round, continuing the established pattern. To shape the sleeve, decrease 2 stitches every 6 rounds. To decrease, work a brk2tog (brioche knit two together) or brp2tog (brioche purl two together) at the underarm marker. This will gradually taper the sleeve for a comfortable fit.

Step 3: Continue decreasing until the sleeve measures 18 (19, 20, 21, 22) inches or your desired length. The sleeve should be wide and slouchy, so don't decrease too aggressively.

Step 4: Switch to Color B and work 2 rounds of 1x1 rib (k1, p1). Bind off loosely in pattern, just as you did for the body hem.

Finishing

Step 1: Weave in all loose ends using a tapestry needle. Be sure to secure them well so they don't unravel with wear.

Step 2: Block your sweater to the specified measurements. Wet block by soaking the sweater in lukewarm water with a gentle wool wash, then gently squeeze out excess water (never wring). Lay flat on a towel and shape to the correct dimensions. Allow to dry completely. Blocking will even out the brioche stitches and give your sweater a professional, polished finish.

Congratulations! You've just created a stunning, cozy Mellowspun Sweater. The plush brioche fabric and oversized silhouette make it a wardrobe staple you'll reach for all season long. Enjoy wearing your handmade creation, and don't forget to share your finished project with the knitting community!