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| Photo above © (Jessica) Mama in a stitch |
Easy Knit Blanket Sweater by Jessica Reeves Potasz of Mama In A Stitch is a wonderfully simple idea: knit a large, cozy rectangle, fold and seam it strategically, and turn it into an oversized cocoon-style cardigan.
There is no complicated traditional sweater construction here. The main fabric uses stockinette stitch with seed-stitch edging, making this an approachable wearable project for knitters who are comfortable with basic knit and purl stitches.
The finished sweater is intentionally oversized, soft and blanket-like rather than fitted — perfect if you love relaxed layering pieces.
Best of all, the complete pattern is still available for free from Mama In A Stitch. Below you'll find the key project details, construction notes, yarn-substitution advice and a link to Jessica's current free pattern.
✓ Free Pattern Availability
Easy Knit Blanket Sweater is currently available as a free knitting pattern on the designer's Mama In A Stitch website. An optional printable version may also be offered, but you can read the pattern for free on the official website.
Easy Knit Blanket Sweater at a Glance
Pattern: Easy Knit Blanket Sweater
Designer: Jessica Reeves Potasz
Source: Mama In A Stitch
First Published: October 2016
Category: Cardigan / Cocoon Sweater
Construction: Rectangle, worked flat, then folded and seamed
Main Stitch: Stockinette stitch
Edging: Seed stitch
Original Yarn: Lion Brand Woolspun (discontinued)
Original Yardage: Approx. 1,016 yards / 929 m
Needles: US 19 / 15 mm, 29-inch circular needle
Finished Measurement: Approx. 40.5 × 34 in
Style: Very oversized, loose and blanket-like
Availability: Free on Mama In A Stitch
About the Easy Knit Blanket Sweater
Jessica Reeves Potasz created the knitted Easy Knit Blanket Sweater after receiving requests for a knit version of her crocheted blanket sweater.
The concept is deliberately uncomplicated. Instead of shaping several separate sweater pieces, you create one large piece of knitted fabric and transform it into a wearable cocoon through folding and seaming.
The result looks much more involved than the actual construction.
It Really Is Almost a Knitted Blanket
The name “Blanket Sweater” is especially appropriate here.
The project is essentially a large knitted rectangle. Once the knitting is complete, the fabric is folded and seamed to create the cardigan shape and arm openings.
That makes it an interesting bridge between knitting a blanket and knitting your first wearable.
If traditional sweater shaping feels intimidating, this construction removes much of that complexity.
Beginner-Friendly Construction
You do not need to shape a neckline, calculate a raglan yoke or knit separate fronts, back and sleeves.
The important skills are much more familiar:
- Knitting
- Purling
- Stockinette stitch
- Seed stitch
- Working flat
- Basic seaming
- Weaving in ends
For a newer knitter who wants to make something wearable, that simplicity is one of the biggest attractions of the design.
Stockinette Body with Seed-Stitch Edging
Most of the sweater is worked in stockinette stitch, creating the smooth, classic knitted surface you see across the oversized body.
Seed stitch is used at the edges to add texture and provide a visual frame around the simpler stockinette section.
This combination keeps the knitting repetitive enough to be relaxing without making the finished piece look completely plain.
The Sweater Is Intentionally Oversized
This is important to understand before beginning: Easy Knit Blanket Sweater is not designed as a fitted cardigan.
Jessica describes it as a heavy, blanket-like cocoon with a loose, drapey appearance.
The oversized dimensions are therefore part of the design rather than an indication that your sweater is turning out too large.
Finished Measurements
The published dimensions are approximately:
40.5 inches × 34 inches
Treat these measurements as especially useful information when deciding whether the original proportions will give you the amount of coverage and drape you want.
Fit Note
This is an intentionally oversized cocoon-style garment rather than a conventionally sized fitted sweater. Compare the published dimensions with a loose cardigan or wrap you already enjoy wearing before making major size modifications.
Original Yarn
The original sample used Lion Brand Woolspun.
The designer notes that the original Woolspun yarn has since been discontinued.
That does not mean the pattern is unavailable. The pattern itself remains free; only the original yarn needs to be substituted.
How Much Yarn?
The original project called for approximately:
1,016 yards / 929 meters
The original instructions used eight skeins of Woolspun at the specified skein yardage.
If you substitute another yarn, calculate by total yardage rather than assuming you will also need eight skeins. Skein sizes vary enormously between yarn brands.
Important Yarn Substitution Note
The Original Yarn Is Discontinued
Don't let that stop you from making the sweater. The pattern is still available, and this simple construction is well suited to yarn substitution. Focus on achieving a fabric and gauge similar to the designer's sample rather than searching indefinitely for discontinued Woolspun.
When choosing a substitute, consider:
- Gauge
- Finished fabric thickness
- Drape
- Total yardage
- Fiber weight
- How much the fabric stretches when worn
A very stiff substitute can dramatically change the character of this garment, because the original design depends on a loose, comfortable, blanket-like fabric.
Large Needles Make This an Interesting Quick-Knit Style
The original pattern calls for:
US 19 / 15 mm circular knitting needles
The designer specifies a 29-inch circular needle.
Although the sweater is worked flat rather than in the round, a circular needle is useful for comfortably holding the large piece of fabric.
Why Gauge Still Matters
A rectangle may seem more forgiving than a fitted sweater, but gauge still controls the dimensions of your finished garment.
Changing yarn thickness or needle size without checking the resulting fabric can make an already oversized design substantially larger or smaller.
This matters even more when substituting for a discontinued yarn.
Make a Swatch with Your Substitute Yarn
Before purchasing a large quantity of substitute yarn, make a generous stockinette swatch.
Check more than stitch count. Hold the swatch up and allow it to hang naturally.
Ask yourself:
- Does it drape comfortably?
- Is it too stiff?
- Is it becoming excessively heavy?
- Do you like the openness of the stitches?
- Will the fabric feel comfortable as an oversized cardigan?
Those questions are especially useful for a garment whose appeal comes from its relaxed drape.
From Rectangle to Cardigan
The transformation happens after the main rectangle is complete.
The fabric is folded according to the designer's assembly instructions and partially seamed to create openings for the arms.
This simple finishing step turns what looked like a blanket on the needles into a cocoon-style cardigan.
Follow Jessica's original assembly photographs and instructions rather than guessing where to seam, because seam placement affects both the arm openings and how the cardigan hangs.
Two Buttons Help Hold the Sweater in Place
Jessica added two buttons near the upper portion of the garment.
They are both decorative and practical, helping the oversized sweater remain comfortably positioned when worn.
Because the knitted fabric is very open, the designer notes that the buttons can pass through the stitches without separately knitted buttonholes.
Choosing Buttons
Large buttons suit the scale of this oversized design particularly well.
Before permanently attaching them, temporarily position the buttons and try on the finished sweater.
This lets you check whether their placement gives you the amount of closure and drape you prefer.
Be Patient with Stockinette Curl
Stockinette naturally wants to curl at unsupported edges.
The textured edging and final construction help control the shape, but do not be alarmed if the unfinished rectangle does not lie perfectly flat while you are knitting it.
Watch the Weight of the Fabric
This is a substantial garment.
As the rectangle grows, its own weight can stretch the stitches and affect how the fabric looks compared with when it is resting on a table.
When checking length, allow the fabric to relax naturally rather than aggressively stretching it.
Why This Can Be a Good First Wearable
Many first sweater projects introduce several new skills at once: shaping, sleeve construction, neckline shaping, multiple sizes and seaming several separate pieces.
Easy Knit Blanket Sweater takes a different route.
The knitter can concentrate on making a large, consistent piece of fabric and learning simple assembly at the end.
That makes the project especially appealing if you can knit a rectangle confidently but have not yet attempted a traditional cardigan.
Is the Easy Knit Blanket Sweater Pattern Still Free?
Yes.
Jessica Reeves Potasz currently provides the complete Easy Knit Blanket Sweater pattern free on Mama In A Stitch.
You may also encounter an optional paid printable version. That does not change the availability of the free web pattern.
Amazing Knitting does not reproduce Jessica's complete copyrighted instructions. Use the official Mama In A Stitch article for the stitch counts, row-by-row instructions and assembly details.
Get the Free Easy Knit Blanket Sweater Pattern
Visit Jessica's original Mama In A Stitch tutorial for the complete free pattern, photographs and assembly instructions:
Get the Free Easy Knit Blanket Sweater Pattern →
You can also view the Ravelry record for project examples and additional pattern information:
View Easy Knit Blanket Sweater on Ravelry →
More Free Sweater and Cardigan Patterns
Looking for another approachable cardigan? Explore these free patterns already verified in the Amazing Knitting archive:
- Harvest Cardigan - Free Pattern
- Autumn Leaves Sweater - Free Pattern
- Fuss Free Baby Cardigan - Free Pattern
Or browse:
Before You Start
Remember that the original Woolspun yarn has been discontinued, but the pattern has not. There is no need to abandon this project simply because you cannot find the original yarn.
Choose a suitable substitute, make a swatch, and pay particular attention to drape and finished dimensions.
Then use the official Mama In A Stitch pattern for the exact stitch counts and assembly instructions.
If you are comfortable knitting a large rectangle, this project offers a clever way to turn those basic skills into a cozy wearable.
Pattern credit: Easy Knit Blanket Sweater was designed by Jessica Reeves Potasz of Mama In A Stitch. The existing photograph on this Amazing Knitting page is credited to Jessica / Mama In A Stitch. Amazing Knitting provides an independent project guide and does not reproduce the designer's complete copyrighted knitting instructions.
