TOP 20 minimalist sweater patterns

April 02, 2023



Do you love the minimalist style?  It certainly has taken over the knitting world and doesn’t look like it’s going away anytime soon. Whether you call it the New Nordic popularized by Danish designer PetiteKnit, or simply call it minimalist, it's been the rage in the knitting community for awhile and I hope it never goes away. The look is characterized by uncomplicated lines and streamlined shapes. Unnecessary details have been removed and the essential classic is left to shine on its own.  The patterns I'm sharing today are ideal for showcasing those beautiful yarns that are so readily available to us lucky hand knitters and will make sweaters you’ll reach fit again and again. I hope this post inspires you and you find some new patterns to add to your queue. So are you ready for the top 10, 20, 28? (I meant to make a top ten list but couldn't stop because there's too many cuties out there!) Let's go!

I guess you already know that the Basic Pullover by Cleome Smith is one of my favorites. I've made it now 4 times and this is the most recent one, knit with Rowan's new summer yarn, Four Seasons, an aran weight mix of cotton and acrylic. If you remember Rowan's vintage, All Seasons Cotton, it's the same stuff, just a new name because it has a new manufacturer. The colors this time around are absolutely gorgeous. This is Blossom. I made this to use as a summer sweatshirt as it can be put in the washer and dryer. When I do put a handknit in the washer and dryer, I'm gentle with the temperatures and the spin and with the amount of time it’s in the machines. 


Basic Pullover by Cleome Smith

Why I love it: Four weights, fingering, dk, worsted or bulky in ONE PATTERN! So versatile, this pattern deserves to be in every knitter's library. The eyelet raglan adds a romantic flair. Make it fitted or slouchy, stripe it, add some colorwork; it's a blank slate for your creativity.

 Basic V from Minima Knit
Why I want it: Love the wide neck and the deep twisted ribbing, a modern take on a classic.

 Since I am a pattern junkie, I immediately purchased the pattern and bought some beloved Rowan Handknit Cotton for a summery sweater to wear with jeans.

First Raglan Sw eater by Jared Flood
Like all Brooklyn Tweed patterns, First Raglan is well written and this particular one is perfect for a beginner, but advanced knitters will simply appreciate knitting an essential sweater in a yummy yarn. I love the wide raglan column detail, see below--such a sophisticated and dramatic statement.


The Reboot Pullover above and the Reset Cardigan below, both from La Maison Rililie. 


Wildly popular and extremely adorable is the Danish designer Mette of PetiteKnit. Designs from this mother of four seem to be on everyone's needles. Her most popular patterns are her most basic, and she does them so well. Cumulus Blouse above.

The Novice Cardigan by PetiteKnit belongs in everyone's wardrobe, modernized with a more generous sleeve with a slight puff at the cuff.


No Frills by PetiteKnit is crazy popular with close to 9000 projects on Ravelry!

Who can resist a twin set? This will never go out of style! Extra swoon over pearl buttons.
The Classic Twin Set by Nadine Joerg Fauvel.


The Peter Pan collar is having a moment and I've been seeing them all around the knitterverse. 
This is charming Claudine by Tricot Design MCL.

The Camomile Blouse by Celina Dyhring is newly published this week.
I love the deep ribs and the delicate sweetheart shaped V.

The Warmup Sweater by Espace Tricot
Another basic, and this one is free.

Everyone's darling, American designer Andrea Mowry
has gotten in the act too with her Everyday Sweater.

The multi talented and completely adorable German designer Isabell Kraemer has a portfolio of
designs to swoon over. Here in Fjolla, you can have your lace and minimalist look together!


Aldous is another from Isabell. Both of these sweaters use a modified version of the contiguous sleeve method, and if you've never tried that technique, it's fabulous and worth trying. A twisted braid edges the hem and cuffs and the sweater can be knit with or without  A-line shaping. In my queue.


German designer Anke of Ankestrick was one of the first to embrace the minimalist look even before we gave it a name. I love her early Antler above, but she has so many other gorgeous designs too. She is a designer worth following.

Another one from Anke, Simple Something uses leftover bits of fingering weight yarn doubled.

LOL, sometimes she wears it wrong side out!

The Vella Vest by Elise Yang
Why I love it: That neckline! I'm a sucker for a V and the addition of the ribbing detail alongside the V is lovely, especially in this fluffy yarn, and it's a free pattern.


Dartmoor Sweater V Neck by Caidree
If you are looking for a bulky weight V, this might be it!

Haru V Neck Sweater by Manmi Choi
Also free, an oversized basic with dropped shoulders and cross-over V.

Nola Slipover by Svetlana Volkova. Free!


The Daily Pullover is one you'll want to knit again and again. By Paula Pereia.

If you are looking for an aran weight, this Felix Pullover from Amy Cristophers is
lovely with a feather eyelet detail on the raglan.

White Mountains Light by Midori House 
is a simple top down with options for neck, sleeve length and traditional or split hem. 
Very versatile in sizes children's to adult 6XL.


All of the sweaters above are knit top down in one piece, but if you prefer a more traditional construction that is knit bottom up, flat, then seamed, Rennie by Quail Studio has just that. Knit with aran weight yarn, this oversized beauty would go quickly!

At the moment I'm swooning over the boxy shape of Mondrago by Quail Studio,
also knit in a more traditional way. Must make.


What do you think? 

Are you a fan or no? Do you look at these and as a knitter think, "zero challenge, zero fun", or do you relish the idea of a blank slate that shows off gorgeous yarn? 

Did I miss one of your favorites? 

I'd love to know your thoughts!

xo Kristen


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8 Comments

  1. Oh my Goodness! An embarrassment of riches. Thank you for several I didn’t know about - the BT one with its slightly dropped crew neck (so much more comfy and flattering) for instance. And all the v-necks. This was great with my Sunday morning coffee. Thanks, Kristin! Chloe

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Oh thank you! I'm glad I'm not alone in loving the plain old plain stuff!

      Delete
  2. These are beautiful selections! Thank you for putting together such a lovely collection!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Thank you, thank you, thank you!

    ReplyDelete
  4. So much inspiration! Thank you for putting these together, just what I hope I need to pull me out of this knitting funk.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It just takes one great pattern to get out of the dreaded knitting funk!

      Delete

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