Hygge Diamond Hooded Pullover: Free Knit Pattern

Introduction

The Hygge Diamond Hooded Pullover is a warm, easygoing knit designed for anyone who wants a cozy layer without fussy shaping. It is a great first garment project for knitters who are comfortable with knit and purl stitches and ready to try working in the round. The body is a simple stockinette tube in deep ocean blue, with a single large pale-blue diamond panel on the chest worked in double knitting. Ribbed cuffs and a deep ribbed-then-stockinette hood add extra warmth, and the finished pullover feels soft, smooth, and wonderfully wearable.

Materials Needed

• Yarn: Worsted weight cotton, 200 yards per 100 g skein. Color A (deep ocean blue): 4 skeins (800 yards). Color B (pale ocean blue): 2 skeins (400 yards).
• Needles: US 7 (4.5 mm) circular needle, 32-inch length, plus US 7 (4.5 mm) double-pointed needles for small circumferences. US 6 (4.0 mm) circular needle for ribbing.
• Notions: Stitch markers, stitch holders or scrap yarn, a tapestry needle, and a crochet hook (optional, for picking up stitches).
• Finished size: Chest circumference 40 inches; length from shoulder to hem 26 inches; sleeve length from underarm to cuff 20 inches; hood height 14 inches.

Abbreviations

• CO: cast on
• k: knit
• p: purl
• st(s): stitch(es)
• rnd(s): round(s)
• pm: place marker
• sm: slip marker
• St st: stockinette stitch (knit every round when working in the round)
• BO: bind off
• m1: make one (increase by lifting the bar between stitches and knitting it)
• k2tog: knit two stitches together (decrease)
• ssk: slip, slip, knit the two slipped stitches together (decrease)
• A / B: Color A (deep ocean blue) / Color B (pale ocean blue)
• RS / WS: right side / wrong side

Gauge

18 stitches and 24 rows = 4 inches in stockinette stitch with the larger needles. Knit a 4-inch swatch in the round, wash and dry it as you will the finished pullover, and measure the center to check your gauge before beginning.

Tips Before You Start

• Swatch in the round: because you knit every round, a flat swatch can mislead you. Work a small tube or use the float method so your gauge matches the body.
• Keep the double-knit panel relaxed. Give the two colors a little slack at each color change so the diamond panel does not pull in the chest.
• Try on as you go. Slip the body onto a long circular needle or scrap yarn to check the 16-inch body length before dividing for the armholes.
• Mark your raglan lines clearly. Four removable markers make the every-other-round decrease rhythm easy to follow.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Body

With Color A and the larger circular needle, CO 180 sts. Join in the round, being careful not to twist, and pm for the beginning of the round.

Rnd 1: k (180 sts).

Rnd 2: k (180 sts).

Rnd 3: p (180 sts).

Rnd 4: k (180 sts).

Rnd 5: p (180 sts).

Rnd 6: p (180 sts).

Change to St st (knit every round). Work even until the piece measures 16 inches from the cast-on edge.

Diamond Panel

Next rnd: k to last 30 sts, pm, work Chart A across 30 sts, pm, k to end.

Chart A (30 sts, double knitting):

Row 1 (RS): [k1 A, p1 B] x15 (30 sts).

Row 2 (WS): [p1 A, k1 B] x15 (30 sts).

Continue in double knitting, following the chart for the diamond pattern, until the panel measures 10 inches, ending with Row 30 of the chart. Break Color B.

Divide for Armholes

Next rnd: k to first marker, BO 4 sts, remove marker, k to next marker, BO 4 sts, remove marker, k to end. Place front and back sts on holders.

Sleeves (make 2)

With Color A and the larger double-pointed needles, CO 40 sts. Join in the round and pm.

Work in k2, p2 rib for 2 inches.

Change to St st.

Inc rnd: k1, m1, k to last st, m1, k1 (42 sts).

Repeat the increase round every 8 rnds 8 times more (58 sts).

Work even until the sleeve measures 20 inches from the cast-on edge.

Next rnd: BO 4 sts at the beginning of the round. Place remaining sts on a holder (54 sts).

Join Body and Sleeves

With the larger circular needle and Color A, k across the back sts, pm, k across one sleeve sts, pm, k across the front sts, pm, k across the second sleeve sts, pm. Join in the round (164 sts).

Raglan Decreases

Rnd 1: [k to 3 sts before marker, k2tog, k1, sm, k1, ssk] rep around (156 sts).

Rnd 2: k (156 sts).

Repeat Rnds 1-2 until 60 sts remain, ending with Rnd 2. Place sts on a holder.

Hood

With Color A and the smaller circular needle, pick up and k 60 sts around the neck opening. Join in the round and pm.

Work in k2, p2 rib for 2 inches.

Change to the larger needles. Work in St st until the hood measures 12 inches from the pick-up edge.

Divide for top: k to last 30 sts, pm, k to end.

Next rnd: k to 2 sts before marker, k2tog, sm, ssk, k to end (58 sts).

Repeat the decrease round every other rnd 4 times more (50 sts).

Graft the top opening using Kitchener stitch.

Assembly and Finishing

Sew the underarm gaps closed using the yarn tails and a tapestry needle. Weave in all ends on the wrong side, working in opposite directions to secure them. Block the pullover to the finished measurements: chest 40 inches, length 26 inches, sleeve 20 inches, hood height 14 inches. Lay flat to dry, shaping the hood and diamond panel gently while damp.

Pro Tips and Variations

• Swap the pale ocean blue for a soft cream or charcoal to change the mood of the diamond panel while keeping the hygge feel.
• Add 2 inches of length to the body or sleeves for a more oversized, slouchy fit, adjusting yarn amounts accordingly.
• Work the hood ribbing on the larger needles for a looser, drapier hood edge, or add a single crochet trim around the face opening for a finished look.