Knitting Patterns

Cobalt Tweed Drop-Stitch Pullover with Lemon Appliqués: Free Knit Pattern

CompatNest: Cozy Knits & Yarn Haven • November 09, 2026

Introduction

This pullover is for knitters who have a few sweaters under their belt and are ready for a fun, slightly adventurous texture. Worked in a rich cobalt tweed wool, it features vertical drop-stitch columns that open into airy ladders between smooth stockinette panels, giving the fabric a light, bohemian feel. The boxy, straight shape is easy to wear and easy to knit, with simple ribbing at the hem, cuffs, and neck. Six bright orange crocheted lemon-slice appliqués finish the look with a playful pop of color.

Materials Needed

Yarn: Worsted weight tweed wool (100% wool, approx. 200 yds/100 g). Main Color (MC) Cobalt: 800 (900, 1000, 1100) yds. Contrast Color (CC) Orange: 50 yds for appliqués.
Needles: 5.0 mm (US 8) circular needles, 80 cm, for the body and sleeves; 4.5 mm (US 7) circular needles for ribbing.
Hook: 4.0 mm (US G-6) crochet hook for the lemon appliqués.
Notions: Stitch holders or scrap yarn, stitch markers, tapestry needle, tape measure, scissors.
Finished size: Bust 36 (40, 44, 48) inches; length 24 (24.5, 25, 25.5) inches; sleeve length to underarm 18 (18, 18.5, 19) inches. Sample shown in the first size.

Abbreviations

CO – cast on
BO – bind off
k – knit
p – purl
st(s) – stitch(es)
RS – right side (the outside of the sweater)
WS – wrong side (the inside of the sweater)
inc – increase (knit into the front and back of the same stitch)
dec – decrease (knit two stitches together)
drop 1 – slip the next stitch, unravel it 4 rows down, pick up the live stitch and knit it
rep – repeat
beg – beginning
MR – magic ring
sc – single crochet
sl st – slip stitch

Gauge

16 sts and 24 rows = 4 inches (10 cm) in stockinette stitch with 5.0 mm needles. Knit a 6-inch swatch, block it lightly, and count stitches and rows over 4 inches before beginning.

Tips Before You Start

Drop stitches are easiest when you work them slowly: let the stitch ladder down, then pick up the lowest live loop with the left needle and knit it as usual.
Keep a crochet hook nearby to catch any dropped stitch that ladders further than intended.
Because the drop-stitch columns add texture, block your swatch before measuring gauge — the fabric relaxes after washing.
Place a marker between pattern repeats on the first row so the drop-stitch columns stay aligned as you work upward.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Back

Row 1 (set-up): With 4.5 mm needles and MC, CO 82 (90, 98, 106) sts.

Rows 2–13: Work in k1p1 rib for 2 inches, ending with a WS row.

Next row: Change to 5.0 mm needles.

Row 1 (RS): K3, *drop 1, k5; rep from * to last 4 sts, drop 1, k3 (82 [90, 98, 106] sts).

Row 2 (WS): Purl.

Row 3: Knit.

Row 4: Purl.

Rows 5–end of body: Rep Rows 1–4 until piece measures 15 (15, 15.5, 15.5) inches, ending with a WS row.

Shape armholes: BO 4 (5, 6, 7) sts at beg of next 2 rows. Dec 1 st each side every RS row 3 (4, 5, 6) times (68 [72, 76, 80] sts).

Work even: Continue in pattern until armhole measures 7 (7.5, 8, 8.5) inches, ending with a WS row.

Shape shoulders: BO 6 (7, 8, 9) sts at beg of next 4 rows, then 6 (6, 6, 6) sts at beg of next 2 rows. Place remaining 32 (32, 32, 32) sts on a holder for the neck.

Front

Work as for Back until armhole measures 3 (3.5, 4, 4.5) inches, ending with a WS row.

Shape neck: Work 26 (28, 30, 32) sts, place center 16 (16, 16, 16) sts on a holder, join a second ball of yarn and work to end.

Next rows: Dec 1 st at each neck edge every RS row 5 times (21 [23, 25, 27] sts each side).

Work even: Continue until armhole measures 7 (7.5, 8, 8.5) inches, ending with a WS row.

Shape shoulders: BO 6 (7, 8, 9) sts at beg of next 2 rows, then 6 (6, 6, 6) sts at beg of next 2 rows. BO remaining 9 (10, 11, 12) sts each side.

Sleeves (make 2)

Row 1 (set-up): With 4.5 mm needles and MC, CO 42 (46, 50, 54) sts.

Rows 2–13: Work in k1p1 rib for 2 inches, ending with a WS row.

Next row: Change to 5.0 mm needles and set drop-stitch pattern as for Back.

Increase rows: Inc 1 st each side every 8th row 10 (10, 11, 11) times (62 [66, 72, 76] sts).

Work even: Continue in pattern until sleeve measures 18 (18, 18.5, 19) inches, ending with a WS row.

Shape sleeve cap: BO 4 (5, 6, 7) sts at beg of next 2 rows. Dec 1 st each side every RS row 12 (13, 14, 15) times. BO remaining 30 (30, 32, 32) sts.

Neckband

With 4.5 mm needles and MC, pick up 80 (80, 80, 80) sts around the neck, including the held stitches. Work in k1p1 rib for 1 inch. BO in rib.

Lemon Appliqués (make 6)

Rnd 1: With CC and 4.0 mm hook, work 6 sc into a magic ring (6 sts).

Rnd 2: Inc in each st around (12 sts).

Rnd 3: [sc, inc] x6 (18 sts).

Rnd 4: [2 sc, inc] x6 (24 sts).

Rnd 5: [3 sc, inc] x6 (30 sts). Sl st to join. Fasten off, leaving a long tail for sewing.

Assembly and Finishing

Sew the shoulder seams. Sew the side and sleeve seams, then set in the sleeves, matching the center of the sleeve cap to the shoulder seam. Arrange the appliqués: 3 on the front (one at center chest, two offset below), 1 on each sleeve on the outer upper arm, and 1 on the center upper back. Sew each in place with the yarn tail and tapestry needle, catching only the surface of the knitted fabric so the appliqué stays flat. Weave in all ends. Block lightly to the finished measurements and let dry completely.

Pro Tips and Variations

Try a contrasting tweed for the ribbing, or work the neckband in orange to tie in with the appliqués.
For a lighter summer version, use a cotton-blend worsted and go up one needle size for extra drape.
Space the lemon slices differently — cluster all six on the front, or scatter them down one sleeve for an asymmetric look.

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