Weekend Hoodie in Lion Brand Homespun - 80979AD

Weekend Hoodie in Lion Brand Homespun – Free Knitting Pattern (80979AD)

The Weekend Hoodie (Pattern Number 80979AD) is a free downloadable knitting pattern from Lion Brand Yarn that produces a classic pullover hoodie with a comfortable, relaxed fit. The pattern is sized to cover a wide range of wearers, from Child's sizes 2, 4, 6–8, and 10–12 through Adult's sizes Small, Medium, Large, 1X, 2X, and 3X, making it a genuinely versatile project suitable for the whole family. Finished chest measurements range from 26 inches (66 cm) for the smallest child's size up to 57 inches (145 cm) for the largest adult size. The pattern is rated Intermediate in skill level, meaning it is best suited to knitters who are comfortable with shaping, seaming, and a few specialty techniques beyond basic knit and purl.

What Is Being Made

This pattern produces a hooded pullover sweater — commonly known as a hoodie — knitted in pieces and seamed together. The garment features a structured body with front and back panels, set-in or shaped sleeves, and a hood that is worked separately and attached at the neckline. The relaxed weekend styling and the use of a bulky, textured yarn give the finished hoodie a cozy, casual character ideal for everyday wear in cooler weather.

Materials Required

• Yarn: Lion Brand Homespun in colorway Ocean (shade 406). The quantity needed ranges from 2 balls for the smallest child's size up to 6 balls for the largest adult size (3X). Lion Brand Homespun is a bulky-weight yarn with a distinctive looped, textured surface that gives knitted fabric a soft, almost fleece-like appearance and excellent drape.
• Needles: Two sizes of Lion Brand Knitting Needles are required — Size 8 (5 mm) for ribbed edgings and Size 10 (6 mm) for the main body fabric. Lion Brand Double-Pointed Needles Size 8 are also called for, most likely for working the hood edging or cords in the round.
• Notions: Lion Brand Stitch Holders for holding live stitches during shaping, and a set of six Large-Eye Blunt Needles for seaming and weaving in ends.

Gauge

The pattern requires a gauge of 12 stitches and 18 rows to 4 inches (10 cm) in Stockinette Stitch using the larger Size 10 (6 mm) needles. Checking gauge before beginning is essential, particularly with a textured yarn like Lion Brand Homespun, which can behave differently depending on individual knitting tension. Adjusting needle size up or down as needed will ensure the finished hoodie matches the intended dimensions.

Stitches and Techniques Used

• Stockinette Stitch (St st): The primary fabric stitch, worked by knitting on right-side rows and purling on wrong-side rows. Stockinette creates a smooth, flat fabric on the knit side and is the foundation of the hoodie's body and sleeves.
• K1, P1 Rib: A classic one-by-one ribbing pattern worked by alternating a knit stitch and a purl stitch across every row. This stretchy, textured edging is used on the cuffs, hem, and other borders to provide a neat, fitted finish that holds its shape over time.
• 3-Needle Bind Off: A professional seaming technique in which stitches from two needles are joined simultaneously using a third needle. With right sides held together, one stitch from each needle is knitted together and bound off across the row, creating a clean, sturdy seam without the need for separate sewing. This technique is commonly used at the shoulder seams of garments like this hoodie.
• Working with Stitch Holders: Live stitches are placed on holders during neck and armhole shaping, allowing the knitter to return to them later — a standard intermediate technique for constructing shaped garment pieces.
• Seaming and Finishing: Because