The Ribbons & Raindrops Sweater offers a refreshing take on a classic striped design, combining elements of texture and color to create a playful yet sophisticated look. Designed in stockinette stitch, the sweater is interrupted by colorful “ribbons” of garter stitch and “raindrops” of purl dots, adding an eye-catching detail. The hems and boat-neck are finished with mock cable ribbing for a polished, textured touch.
With a loose fit and drop shoulders, this sweater is both comfortable and stylish, ideal for layering. Worked flat from the bottom up in pieces and sewn together, the design is a perfect balance of casual and creative, making it a versatile piece for any wardrobe. Whether you’re dressing up or down, the Ribbons & Raindrops Sweater will add a burst of fun and texture to your collection.
Time: 55 Hours pattern
Skill level: Intermediate
Size: Finished bust size 37 (41, 45, 49, 53, 57, 61, 65, 69)”, to fit bust 28 (32, 36, 40, 44, 48, 52, 56, 60)” with 9″ ease.
Shown in size 32″
Gauge: 23.5 sts and 31.5 rows with needles US size 4 (3.5mm)= 4″ [10 cm] in Stripe pattern; 27 sts and 31.5 rows with needles US size 4 (3.5mm)= 4″ [10 cm] in Mock rib pattern, after wet blocking
Materials
Yarn: Scheepjes Catona (100% Mercerised Cotton, 136 yards [125 meters] /50 grams): #130 Old Lace (MC – 9 (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 13, 14, 15) balls), #258 Rosewood (CC1 – 1 ball), #385 Crystalline (CC2 – 1 ball), #282 Ultra Violet (CC3 – 1 ball), #409 Soft Rose (CC4 – 1 ball).
Needles: US size 4 (3.5mm) straight or circular needles.
Notions: tapestry needle, locking stitch markers.
Special Stitches
Stripe pattern (12-st rep):
Row 1 (RS): With CC1, * k12, turn, sl 1 wyif, k3, turn, p4*, rep to end.
Row 2 (WS): With CC1, *k4, turn, p4, turn, k3, sl 1 wyif, k8*, rep to end.
Row 3: With MC, *k9, sl 2 wyib, k1*, rep end.
Rows 4 – 12: With MC in St st.
Row 13: With CC2, k6, turn, sl 1 wyif, k3, turn, p4, * k12, turn, sl 1 wyif, k3, turn, p4*, rep to last 6 sts, k6.
Row 14: with CC2, k6, *k4, turn, p4, turn, k3, sl 1 wyif, k8*, rep to last st 6 sts, k4, turn, p4, turn, k3, sl 1 wyif, k2.
Row 15: With MC, k3, sl 2 wyib, k1, *k9, sl 2 wyib, k1*, rep to last 6 sts, k6.
Rows 16 – 24: With MC in St st.
Row 25: With CC3, * k12, turn, sl 1 wyif, k3, turn, p4*, rep to end.
Row 26: With CC3, *k4, turn, p4, turn, k3, sl 1 wyif, k8*, rep to end.
Row 27: With MC, *k9, sl 2 wyib, k1*, rep end.
Rows 28 – 36: With MC in St st.
Row 37: With CC4, k6, turn, sl 1 wyif, k3, turn, p4, * k12, turn, sl 1 wyif, k3, turn, p4*, rep to last 6 sts, k6.
Row 38: with CC4, k6, *k4, turn, p4, turn, k3, sl 1 wyif, k8*, rep to last st 6 sts, k4, turn, p4, turn, k3, sl 1 wyif, k2.
Row 39: With MC, k3, sl 2 wyib, k1, *k9, sl 2 wyib, k1*, rep to last 6 sts, k6.
Rows 40 – 48: With MC in St st.
Always rep Rows 1 – 48.
Sloped BO
To prevent “stair steps” from forming between subsequent BO rows, use the sloped BO method as following: On the first BO row, bind off as usual to define the initial part of the slope. Work the next row to the last st, but do not work the last st. Turn work so that the unworked st becomes the first st on the RH needle. Sl the first st on the LH needle pwise, then BO the unworked st by lifting it over the sl st and off the needle.
Pattern notes
Read each section throughout before starting knitting.
When working the dots, pull the yarn as tight as possible before and after working the first st every time you turn.
Pay attention to work the exact number of rows given in the instruction, so that the stripes of the sleeves will match the stripes of the body.
Pattern
Back
With MC, CO 126 (140, 154, 168, 182, 196, 208, 222, 236) sts
SIZES 28 (–, 36, –, 44, –, –, 56, –) ONLY
Row 1 (RS): P1, *k2, p2*, rep from * to last st, p1.
Row 2 (WS): P1, *k2, p2*, rep from * to last st, p1.
Row 3: P1, *k2, p2*, rep from * to last st, p1.
Row 4: P1, *k2, p2*, rep from * to last st, p1.
Row 5: P1, *k2tog leaving the sts on LH needle, then knit the first only and sl both sts from needle, p2*, rep from * to last st, p1.
Row 6: P1, *k2, p2*, rep from * to last st, p1.
SIZES – (32, –, 40, –, 48, 52, –, 60) ONLY
Row 1 (RS): P1, *k2, p2*, rep from * to last 3 sts, k2, p1.
Row 2 (WS): P3, *k2, p2*, rep from * to last st, p1.
Row 3: P1, *k2, p2*, rep from * to last 3 sts, k2, p1.
Row 4: P3, *k2, p2*, rep from * to last st, p1.
Row 5: P1, *k2tog leaving the sts on LH needle, then knit the first only and sl both sts from needle, p2*, rep from * to last 3 sts, k2tog leaving the sts on LH needle, then knit the first only and sl both sts from needle, p1.
Row 6: P3, *k2, p2*, rep from * to last st, p1.
ALL SIZES
Rep Rows 3-6 until piece measures 2.75″.
Work 8 rows in St st, dec 14 (16, 16, 18, 22, 24, 24, 26, 28) sts evenly in first Row. (112 (124, 138, 150, 160, 172, 184, 196, 208) sts)
Set pattern:
Work pattern from chart or written instructions.
Next Row (RS): P1, k1 (1, 2, 2, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1), work Row 1 of Patt 9 (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17) times, k1 (1, 2, 2, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1), p1.
Next Row (WS): P1, k1 (1, 2, 2, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1), work Row 2 of Patt 9 (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17) times, k1 (1, 2, 2, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1), p1.
These 2 rows set position of patt for your size.
Cont. as set, until Back measures 18.25 (18.25, 18.50, 18.25, 18.25, 18.50, 18.50, 18.50, 18.75)”, ending after a WS row. 124 (124, 126, 124, 124, 126, 126, 126, 128) rows have been completed after rib.
Shape neck and shoulders
Divide for neck
Next Row (RS): Work 39 (44, 50, 55, 60, 64, 69, 74, 79) sts in patt, BO central 34 (36, 38, 40, 40, 44, 46, 48, 50) sts, work in patt to end. 39 (44, 50, 55, 60, 64, 69, 74, 79) sts for each side of Back neck.
Next Row: Work 39 (44, 50, 55, 60, 64, 69, 74, 79) sts in patt, turn and place unworked sts on hold for Left Back neck.
Shape Right Back neck
SIZES XS (S, M, –, –, –, –, –, –) ONLY
** Next Row: BO 4 sts at neck edge, work in patt to end. (35 (40, 46, –, –, –, –, –, –) sts)
Work 1 row in patt.
Next Row: BO 3 sts at neck edge, work in patt to end. (32 (37, 43, –, –, –, –, –, –) sts)
Work 1 row in patt.
Next Row: BO 2 sts, work in patt to end. (30 (35, 41, –, –, –, –, –, –) sts)
Work 1 row in patt.
Rep last 2 rows once more. (28 (33, 39, –, –, –, –, –, –) sts)
Next Row: BO 1 st, work in patt to end. (27 (32, 38, –, –, –, –, –, –) sts)
Work 1 row in patt.
Rep last 2 rows 3 more times. (24 (29, 35, –, –, –, –, –, –) sts)
Shape shoulder
Row 1: BO 4 (5, 6, –, –, –, –, –, –) sts at shoulder edge, work in patt to end. (20 (24, 29, –, –, –, –, –, –) sts)
Row 2: BO 1 st, work in patt to end. (19 (23, 28, –, –, –, –, –, –) sts)
Row 3: BO 4 (5, 6, –, –, –, –, –, –) sts, work in patt to end. (15 (18, 22, –, –, –, –, –, –) sts)
Row 4: Work in patt to end.
Row 5: BO 4 (5, 6, –, –, –, –, –, –) sts, work in patt to end. (11 (13, 16, –, –, –, –, –, –) sts)
Row 6: Work in patt to end.
Row 7: BO 4 (5, 6, –, –, –, –, –, –) sts, work in patt to end. (7 (8, 10, –, –, –, –, –, –) sts)
Row 8: Work in patt to end.
Row 9: BO 4 (4, 5, –, –, –, –, –, –) sts, work in patt to end. (3 (4, 5, –, –, –, –, –, –) sts)
Row 10: Work in patt to end.
BO.
SIZES — (–, –, L, XL, 2XL, –, –, –) ONLY
** Next Row: BO 4 sts at neck edge, work in patt to end. (– (–, –, 51, 56, 60, –, –, –) sts)
Work 1 row in patt.
Next Row: BO 3 sts at neck edge, work in patt to end. (– (–, –, 48, 53, 57, –, –, –) sts)
Work 1 row in patt.
Next Row: BO 2 sts, work in patt to end. (— (–, –, 46, 51, 55, –, –, –) sts)
Work 1 row in patt.
Rep last 2 rows once more. (— (–, –, 44, 49, 53, –, –, –) sts)
Next Row: BO 1 st, work in patt to end. (— (–, –, 43, 48, 52, –, –, –) sts)
Work 1 row in patt.
Rep last 2 rows 4 more times. (— (–, –, 39, 44, 48, –, –, –) sts)
Shape shoulder
Row 1: BO — (–, –, 7, 8, 8, –, –, –) sts at shoulder edge, work in patt to end. (— (–, –, 32, 36, 40, –, –, –) sts)
Row 2: BO — (–, –, 0, 1, 1, –, –, –) st, work in patt to end. (— (–, –, 32, 35, 39, –, –, –) sts)
Row 3: BO — (–, –, 7, 7, 8, –, –, –) sts, work in patt to end. (— (–, –, 25, 28, 31, –, –, –) sts)
Row 4: Work in patt to end.
Row 5: BO — (–, –, 7, 7, 8, –, –, –) sts, work in patt to end. (— (–, –, 18, 21, 23, –, –, –) sts)
Row 6: Work in patt to end.
Row 7: BO — (–, –, 6, 7, 8, –, –, –) sts, work in patt to end. (— (–, –, 12, 14, 15, –, –, –) sts)
Row 8: Work in patt to end.
Row 9: BO — (–, –, 6, 7, 8, –, –, –) sts, work in patt to end. (— (–, –, 6, 7, 7, –, –, –) sts)
Row 10: Work in patt to end.
BO.
SIZES — (–, –, –, –, –, 3XL, 4XL, 5XL) ONLY
** Next Row: BO 4 sts at neck edge, work in patt to end. (– (–, –, –, –, –, 65, 70, 75) sts)
Work 1 row in patt.
Next Row: BO 3 sts at neck edge, work in patt to end. (– (–, –, –, –, –, 62, 67, 72) sts)
Work 1 row in patt.
Next Row: BO 2 sts, work in patt to end. (— (–, –, –, –, –, 60, 65, 70) sts)
Work 1 row in patt.
Rep last 2 rows once more. (— (–, –, –, –, –, 58, 63, 68) sts)
Next Row: BO 1 st, work in patt to end. (— (–, –, –, –, –, 57, 62, 67) sts)
Work 1 row in patt.
Rep last 2 rows 5 more times. (— (–, –, –, –, –, 52, 57, 62) sts)
Shape shoulder
Row 1: BO — (–, –, –, –, –, 9, 10, 11) sts at shoulder edge, work in patt to end. (— (–, –, –, –, –, 43, 47, 51) sts)
Row 2: Work in patt to end.
Row 3: BO — (–, –, –, –, –, 9, 10, 11) sts, work in patt to end. (— (–, –, –, –, –, 34, 37, 40) sts)
Row 4: Work in patt to end.
Row 5: BO — (–, –, –, –, –, 9, 10, 10) sts, work in patt to end. (— (–, –, –, –, –, 25, 27, 30) sts)
Row 6: Work in patt to end.
Row 7: BO — (–, –, –, –, –, 9, 9, 10) sts, work in patt to end. (— (–, –, –, –, –, 16, 18, 20) sts)
Row 8: Work in patt to end.
Row 9: BO — (–, –, –, –, –, 8, 9, 10) sts, work in patt to end. (— (–, –, –, –, –, 8, 9, 10) sts)
Row 10: Work in patt to end.
BO.
Shape Left Back neck & shoulder
With WS facing, rejoin yarn to rem sts. (39 (44, 50, 55, 60, 64, 69, 74, 79) sts)
Work as for Right front neck from ** to end.
Front
Work as for Back.
Sleeves
Work both the same.
With MC, CO 62 (62, 68, 68, 68, 72, 72, 78, 78) sts.
SIZES 28 (32, –, –, –, –, –, 56, 60) ONLY
Row 1 (RS): P1, *k2, p2*, rep from * to last st, p1.
Row 2 (WS): P1, *k2, p2*, rep from * to last st, p1.
Row 3: P1, *k2, p2*, rep from * to last st, p1.
Row 4: P1, *k2, p2*, rep from * to last st, p1.
Row 5: P1, *k2tog leaving the sts on LH needle, then knit the first only and sl both sts from needle, p2*, rep from * to last st, p1.
Row 6: P1, *k2, p2*, rep from * to last st, p1.
SIZES – (–, 36, 40, 44, 48, 52, –, –) ONLY
Row 1 (RS): P1, *k2, p2*, rep from * to last 3 sts, k2, p1.
Row 2 (WS): P3, *k2, p2*, rep from * to last st, p1.
Row 3: P1, *k2, p2*, rep from * to last 3 sts, k2, p1.
Row 4: P3, *k2, p2*, rep from * to last st, p1.
Row 5: P1, *k2tog leaving the sts on LH needle, then knit the first only and sl both sts from needle, p2*, rep from * to last 3 sts, k2tog leaving the sts on LH needle, then knit the first only and sl both sts from needle, p1.
Row 6: P3, *k2, p2*, rep from * to last st, p1.
ALL SIZES
Rep Rows 3-6 until piece measures 2.5″.
Work 10 (12, 10, 4, 8, 12, 2, 4, 6) rows in St st.
Set pattern:
Work pattern from chart or written instructions.
SIZES 28 (32, 36, –, –, –, –, –, –) ONLY
Next Row (RS): P1, k0 (0, 3, –, –, –, –, –, –), work Row 1 of Patt 5 times, k0 (0, 3, –, –, –, –, –, –), p1.
Next Row (WS): P1, k0 (0, 3, –, –, –, –, –, –), work Row 2 of Patt 5 times, k0 (0, 3, –, –, –, –, –, –), p1.
These 2 rows set position of patt for your size.
SIZES — (–, –, 40, 44, 48, –, –, –) ONLY
Next Row (RS): P1, k– (–, –, 3, 3, 5, –, –, –), work Row 37 of Patt 5 times, k– (–, –, 3, 3, 5, –, –, –), p1.
Next Row (WS): P1, k– (–, –, 3, 3, 5, –, –, –), work Row 38 of Patt 5 times, k– (–, –, 3, 3, 5, –, –, –), p1.
These 2 rows set position of patt for your size.
Work Rows 39 – 48, then always rep Rows 1-48.
SIZES — (–, –, –, –, –, 52, 56, 60) ONLY
Next Row (RS): P1, k– (–, –, –, –, –, 5, 2, 2), work Row 25 of Patt — (–, –, –, –, –, 5, 6, 6) times, k– (–, –, –, –, –, 5, 2, 2), p1.
Next Row (WS): P1, k– (–, –, –, –, –, 5, 2, 2), work Row 26 of Patt — (–, –, –, –, –, 5, 6, 6) times, k– (–, –, –, –, –, 5, 2, 2), p1.
These 2 rows set position of patt for your size.
Work Rows 27 – 48, then always rep Rows 1-48.
ALL SIZES
AT THE SAME TIME, shape sleeve as following:
Work 8 (8, 8, 6, 4, 4, 4, 2, 2) more rows as set.
Shape sleeve
Incorporate new sts into Patt throughout.
Next Row (RS, inc): P1, m1, work in patt as set to last st, m1, p1. (2 sts inc’d)
Work 9 (9, 9, 7, 5, 5, 5, 3, 3) rows straight in patt.
Rep inc row.
Rep last 10 (10, 10, 8, 6, 6, 6, 4, 4) rows 10 (6, 10, 13, 18, 10, 2, 26, 22) more times. (86 (78, 92, 98, 108, 96, 80, 134, 126) sts)
SIZES – (32, –, –, –, 48, 52, 56, 60) ONLY
Work — (7, –, –, –, 3, 3, 1, 1) rows straight.
Rep inc row.
Rep these last — (8, –, –, –, 4, 4, 2, 2) rows — (4, –, –, –, 11, 23, 1, 8) more times. (– (88, –, –, –, 120, 128, 138, 144) sts)
ALL SIZES
Cont. even, until Sleeve measures 18 (18, 18, 18, 18, 17.75, 17.75, 17.25, 17.25)”, ending after a WS row. 126 (126, 126, 126, 126, 124, 124, 120, 120) rows in patt have been worked after rib.
Shape sleeve top
Cast off 2 (2, 2, 2, 3, 3, 3, 4, 4) sts at beg of next 12 (10, 8, 2, 24, 12, 6, 26, 20) rows. (62 (68, 76, 94, 36, 84, 110, 34, 64) sts)
Cast off 3 (3, 3, 3, 4, 4, 4, 5, 5) sts at beg of next 18 (20, 22, 28, 6, 18, 24, 4, 10) rows. (8 (8, 10, 10, 12, 12, 14, 14, 14) sts)
BO rem sts.
Finishing
Block all pieces to finished measurements.
With yarn threaded on a tapestry needle, sew right shoulder.
Neckband:
With RS facing and MC, pick up and knit 170 (174, 178, 186, 190, 198, 204, 208, 212) sts along neck edge
Row 1 (RS): P1, *k2, p2*, rep from * to last st, p1.
Row 2 (WS): P1, *k2, p2*, rep from * to last st, p1.
Row 3: P1, *k2tog leaving the sts on LH needle, then knit the first only and sl both sts from needle, p2*, rep form * to last st, p1.
Row 4: P1, *k2, p2*, rep from * to last st, p1.
Rep Rows 1-4 3 more times. BO all sts in rib.
Sew left shoulder and neckband seam.
Insert a locking stitch marker on each side of Front and Back 7.75 (8, 8.25, 8.75, 9.50, 10.50, 11, 11.75, 12.25)” down from shoulder seam, to mark armholes. Fold each Sleeve in half and, lining up fold on BO edge with shoulder seam, sew sleeves in place between markers.
Sew sleeve and side seams.
Weave in ends.