Be You Sweater - Free Knitting Pattern for Women in Paintbox Yarns Simply Chunky

Be You Sweater – Free Chunky Knitting Pattern for Women by Paintbox Yarns

The Be You Sweater is a women's pullover jumper knitting pattern designed by Paintbox Yarns and available as a free downloadable PDF. Worked in a bold, cosy chunky weight yarn, this intermediate-level project produces a striking colourwork sweater featuring a decorative motif rendered in two contrasting shades. It is an ideal project for knitters who are comfortable with the basics and ready to explore colourwork and construction techniques in a satisfying, wearable garment.

What Is Being Made

The pattern produces a women's knitted sweater, described as a jumper in British terminology. The design features a main body worked predominantly in one colour with a contrasting motif detail, making it a standout everyday wardrobe piece. The garment is sized across multiple options, with yarn quantities ranging from 5 to 9 balls depending on the chosen size, making it accessible across a range of fits.

Yarn and Materials

• Yarn: Paintbox Yarns Simply Chunky, a chunky weight yarn, used in two colourways:
  • Bubblegum Pink (A) – the main colour, required in 5(6:7:7:8:9:9) balls of 3½oz/100g each
  • Paper White (B) – the contrast colour for the motif, requiring 1 ball
• Knitting Needles: Two sizes are required – US 8 (5mm) and US 10 (6mm) knitting needles

Gauge and Tension

The pattern is designed to a gauge of 14 stitches and 20 rows to a 4in/10cm square worked in stockinette (stocking) stitch using US 10 (6mm) needles. Achieving the correct tension is essential for a well-fitting finished sweater, and knitters are encouraged to work a tension swatch before beginning the main project.

Techniques Used

• Intarsia colourwork – The motif is worked using the intarsia method, a colourwork technique where separate balls of yarn are used for each colour section rather than carrying yarn across the back of the work. At each colour change, the yarns are twisted together on the wrong side of the fabric to prevent holes from forming. This creates a clean, single-layer fabric without floats.
• Swiss darning (duplicate stitch) – As an alternative to knitting the motif in intarsia, the pattern offers the option to add the contrast motif using Swiss darning after the knitting is complete. This embroidery technique mimics the appearance of knitted stitches by threading yarn over existing stitches on the surface of the fabric. If using this method, it is recommended to complete the Swiss darning before seaming the garment.
• Worked flat – The pieces are knitted flat (back and forth in rows) rather than in the round, producing separate panels.
• Seamed construction – The finished pieces are joined together using seaming, a traditional construction method that can add structure and durability to the finished garment.

Stitches Used

• Stockinette stitch (stocking stitch) – The primary stitch pattern used throughout the body of the sweater, creating a smooth, classic knitted fabric
• Ribbing – Typically used on cuffs, hems, and neckbands in sweater construction at this gauge and needle size combination, providing stretch and a neat finish

Difficulty Level

This pattern is rated intermediate, making it well suited to knitters who have moved beyond beginner projects and are confident with basic shaping, reading a pattern, and managing more than one yarn colour. The intarsia technique, while straightforward in principle, does require careful yarn management, and the seamed finishing calls for neat and accurate joining of knitted panels.

Pattern Format and Availability

The Be You Sweater pattern by Paintbox Yarns is available as a free downloadable PDF, written using