The Ombre Aurora Sweater: A Free Knitting Pattern for a Dip-Dye, Textured Yoke Pullover
Introducing the Ombre Aurora Sweater: A Free Knitting Pattern
Create a stunning, modern sweater with a unique dip-dye effect achieved through strategic color changes and a richly textured, all-over stitch pattern. This free pattern guides you through crafting a cozy, oversized pullover with a gradient that mimics the northern lights. The Ombre Aurora Sweater is designed for knitters who want to add a dramatic, ethereal piece to their wardrobe. With a relaxed, slightly dropped shoulder and a generous fit, this sweater is as comfortable as it is beautiful. The textured yoke provides a subtle, woven-like fabric that contrasts beautifully with the smooth stockinette body and sleeves.
Materials Needed
To create your own Ombre Aurora Sweater, you will need the following materials:
- Yarn: Worsted weight yarn in 3 colors:
- Color A (dark teal): 400g
- Color B (light teal): 350g
- Color C (pale mint): 300g
- Needles:
- US 8 (5.0 mm) circular needles in 24-inch and 16-inch lengths
- US 7 (4.5 mm) circular needles in 16-inch length for ribbing
- Notions: Stitch markers, tapestry needle
Gauge
- 18 stitches and 24 rows = 4 inches in stockinette stitch on larger needles, after blocking.
- 20 stitches and 28 rows = 4 inches in textured yoke pattern on larger needles, after blocking.
Sizes
XS (S, M, L, XL, 2XL, 3XL). Finished chest circumference: 34 (38, 42, 46, 50, 54, 58) inches. Intended ease: 4-6 inches positive ease.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Abbreviations
- CO: cast on
- k: knit
- p: purl
- k2tog: knit two together
- ssk: slip slip knit
- yo: yarn over
- pm: place marker
- sm: slip marker
- m1L: make one left
- m1R: make one right
- rep: repeat
- RS: right side
- WS: wrong side
Textured Yoke Pattern (worked in the round)
- Round 1: *K2, p2; rep from * to end.
- Round 2: *K2, p2; rep from * to end.
- Round 3: *P2, k2; rep from * to end.
- Round 4: *P2, k2; rep from * to end.
- Rep Rounds 1-4 for pattern.
Yoke
With Color A and larger 24-inch circular needle, CO 80 (84, 88, 92, 96, 100, 104) sts. Pm and join in the round, being careful not to twist.
Knit 1 round.
Begin Textured Yoke Pattern. Work even for 2 (2, 2, 3, 3, 3, 3) inches.
Increase Round 1: *K8 (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14), m1L; rep from * to end. 90 (94, 98, 102, 106, 110, 114) sts.
Work even in pattern for 1 inch.
Increase Round 2: *K9 (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15), m1L; rep from * to end. 100 (104, 108, 112, 116, 120, 124) sts.
Work even in pattern for 1 inch.
Increase Round 3: *K10 (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16), m1L; rep from * to end. 110 (114, 118, 122, 126, 130, 134) sts.
Work even in pattern for 1 inch.
Increase Round 4: *K11 (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17), m1L; rep from * to end. 120 (124, 128, 132, 136, 140, 144) sts.
Work even in pattern for 1 inch.
Increase Round 5: *K12 (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18), m1L; rep from * to end. 130 (134, 138, 142, 146, 150, 154) sts.
Work even in pattern for 1 inch.
Increase Round 6: *K13 (14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19), m1L; rep from * to end. 140 (144, 148, 152, 156, 160, 164) sts.
Work even in pattern for 1 inch.
Increase Round 7: *K14 (15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20), m1L; rep from * to end. 150 (154, 158, 162, 166, 170, 174) sts.
Work even in pattern for 1 inch.
Increase Round 8: *K15 (16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21), m1L; rep from * to end. 160 (164, 168, 172, 176, 180, 184) sts.
Work even in pattern for 1 inch.
Increase Round 9: *K16 (17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22), m1L; rep from * to end. 170 (174, 178, 182, 186, 190, 194) sts.
Work even in pattern for 1 inch.
Increase Round 10: *K17 (18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23), m1L; rep from * to end. 180 (184, 188, 192, 196, 200, 204) sts.
Work even in pattern for 1 inch.
Increase Round 11: *K18 (19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24), m1L; rep from * to end. 190 (194, 198, 202, 206, 210, 214) sts.
Work even in pattern for 1 inch.
Increase Round 12: *K19 (20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25), m1L; rep from * to end. 200 (204, 208, 212, 216, 220, 224) sts.
Work even in pattern for 1 inch.
Increase Round 13: *K20 (21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26), m1L; rep from * to end. 210 (214, 218, 222, 226, 230, 234) sts.
Work even in pattern for 1 inch.
Increase Round 14: *K21 (22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27), m1L; rep from * to end. 220 (224, 228, 232, 236, 240, 244) sts.
Work even in pattern for 1 inch.
Increase Round 15: *K22 (23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28), m1L; rep from * to end. 230 (234, 238, 242, 246, 250, 254) sts.
Work even in pattern for 1 inch.
Increase Round 16: *K23 (24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29), m1L; rep from * to end. 240 (244, 248, 252, 256, 260, 264) sts.
Work even in pattern for 1 inch.
Divide for Body and Sleeves
Knit 36 (37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42) sts (half back), place next 48 (48, 48, 48, 48, 48, 48) sts on holder for sleeve, CO 6 (6, 6, 6, 6, 6, 6) sts underarm, knit 72 (74, 76, 78, 80, 82, 84) sts (front), place next 48 (48, 48, 48, 48, 48, 48) sts on holder for sleeve, CO 6 (6, 6, 6, 6, 6, 6) sts underarm, knit 36 (37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42) sts (half back). Total body sts: 156 (160, 164, 168, 172, 176, 180).
Body
Knit 1 round even.
Switch to Color B. Knit 1 round even.
Continue in stockinette stitch (knit every round) until body measures 10 (10, 11, 11, 12, 12, 13) inches from underarm, or desired length to hem.
Switch to Color C. Knit 1 round even.
Work 2 inches in k2, p2 ribbing with smaller 16-inch circular needle. Bind off loosely in pattern.
Sleeves
Place 48 (48, 48, 48, 48, 48, 48) sts from holder onto larger 16-inch circular needle. Pick up and knit 6 (6, 6, 6, 6, 6, 6) sts from underarm. Pm and join in the round. Total sleeve sts: 54 (54, 54, 54, 54, 54, 54).
Knit 1 round even.
Switch to Color B. Knit 1 round even.
Continue in stockinette stitch, decreasing 2 sts every 6 (6, 5, 5, 4, 4, 4) rounds as follows: k1, ssk, knit to last 3 sts, k2tog, k1. Repeat until 40 (40, 40, 40, 40, 40, 40) sts remain.
Work even until sleeve measures 12 (12, 13, 13, 14, 14, 15) inches from underarm, or desired length.
Switch to Color C. Knit 1 round even.
Work 2 inches in k2, p2 ribbing with smaller 16-inch circular needle. Bind off loosely in pattern.
Finishing
Weave in all ends. Block sweater to measurements, gently stretching to open up the textured yoke pattern. Enjoy your unique, gradient Aurora Sweater!
