Woman's Sweater in Sirdar Freya - 7156 - Downloadable PDF

Woman's Sweater in Sirdar Freya – Pattern 7156

What You'll Be Making

This knitting pattern (Sirdar pattern number 7156) guides you through creating a women's pullover sweater in Sirdar Freya chunky weight yarn. The design is a classic, wearable sweater suitable for a wide range of dress sizes, from a size 10 through to a size 20, accommodating bust measurements of 81cm to 107cm (32–42 inches). The finished garment has a full length ranging from 58cm to 66cm (approximately 22¾ to 26 inches) depending on size, with an adjustable sleeve length of approximately 43–47cm (17–18½ inches). Actual chest measurements across all sizes range from 87cm to 110cm (34¼ to 43¼ inches), providing a comfortable, relaxed fit.

Yarn and Materials

The pattern is specifically designed for Sirdar Freya, a chunky weight yarn, used here in shade 858 (colour code F092). Depending on your size, you will need between 5 and 7 balls of 50g Sirdar Freya. Because this is a chunky yarn, the project knits up quickly and is well suited to knitters who enjoy seeing fast, satisfying progress on their needles.

In addition to yarn, you will need:

• One pair of 6mm (UK4 / USA10) knitting needles – used for the main body and sleeves
• One pair of 5mm (UK6 / USA8) knitting needles – typically used for ribbing and neckband sections
• Stitch holders – to hold live stitches while working other sections of the garment

Tension

Achieving the correct tension is essential for a well-fitting finished sweater. The pattern specifies:

• 14 stitches and 19 rows to 10cm (4 inches) over stocking stitch on 6mm needles
• 12 stitches and 18 rows to 10cm (4 inches) over the pattern stitch on 6mm needles

As with all knitting patterns, it is strongly recommended to knit a tension swatch before beginning. If you have fewer stitches than specified, switch to a thinner needle; if you have more stitches, switch to a thicker needle.

Techniques and Stitches Used

This sweater pattern incorporates a combination of classic and textured knitting techniques, making it accessible to intermediate knitters while still offering enough interest to engage more experienced crafters.

• Stocking stitch (stockinette stitch) – the primary background stitch, formed by alternating knit rows on the right side and purl rows on the wrong side, creating a smooth, classic fabric
• Pattern stitch – a textured stitch pattern worked across sections of the garment, adding visual interest and surface detail to the design
• Ribbing – typically worked on the smaller 5mm needles for cuffs, hem, and neckband, creating a stretchy, neat finish that helps the garment retain its shape
• Shaping techniques – including increases and decreases to shape the armholes, sleeves, and neckline
• Working with stitch holders – stitches are placed on holders during construction, a standard technique when working garment pieces that require joining or finishing later

Construction Overview

The sweater is constructed in the traditional flat knitting method, with separate pieces worked for the front, back, and sleeves, which are then seamed together to complete the garment. This approach is ideal for knitters who prefer working flat on straight needles rather than in the round. The use of chunky weight Sirdar Freya on relatively large needles means the individual pieces come together quickly, and the seaming process is straightforward.

Pattern Format

Sirdar pattern 7156 is available as a downloadable PDF, allowing you to access and print the instructions immediately after purchase. This makes