INTRODUCTION

Challenge Accepted

by Laura Corbett

For me, knitting is active meditation, and as an educator I teach knitting as way to practice mindfulness and improve growth mindset skills. I love seeing students embrace the challenges of learning to knit and seeing their confidence grow as their skills improve. This pattern is designed for a new knitter who wants to accept the challenge of a top-down pullover. The Challenge Accepted Pullover has the classic sweatshirt feel with its easy fit, drapey fabric and crisp, clean look. The simple stitch features of a decorative row between body and ribbing stitches, the prominent bar of the knit front and back increases in the raglan seams, and the mock side seams are designed to mimic the iconic stitching detailing of a classic sweatshirt.

The Challenge Accepted Pullover uses a DK yarn knit at 20 st gauge which creates a fabric with lovely drape, making it an easy casual wear. The pattern offers the choice of three beginner-friendly yarns that are affordable, have great stitch definition and offer a greater color selection.

The collar, body hem and sleeve cuffs can be knit in 1x1 ribbing with a purl row trim, or for the more adventurous beginner, there is the option of slipped stitch ribbing with an Estonian braid row. The same size needles are used throughout the sweater, which give the ribbing the appearance of the relaxed ribbing of a well-worn sweatshirt. The body is cropped, boxy and has a false side seam. The sleeves are fitted, making it a great layer piece, as well as offering a flattering contrast to the open neckline and cropped, boxy body. The sleeve hem is designed to be either worn long or folded over, creating a cuff that delivers a flattering bracelet sleeve.

Designed to fit with a positive ease of 6-8 inches/15-20 cm, go to your closet and find your favorite oversized sweatshirt, and measure it to guide your size selection.

modesl: L Rodrigues, K. Corbett and L. Corbett

photos: L Corbett and M. Corbett

SIZE

Women's XS[S, M, L, 1X, 2X, 3X, 4X, 5X]

Blue version shown in size L with 6 inches/15 cm of ease at largest part of chest
Orange version shown in size M with 8 inches/20 cm of ease at largest part of chest
Brown version shown in size L with 6 inches/15 cm of ease at largest part of chest

FINISHED MEASUREMENTS

Chest/Bust:  36[40, 44, 48, 52, 56, 60, 64, 68] inches/ 91.5[101.5, 112, 122, 132, 142, 152.5, 162.5, 172.5] cm
Length:  19[19.75, 20.75, 22, 22.5, 23.25, 23.5, 24.25, 24.5] inches/ 48.5[50, 52.5, 56, 57, 59, 59.5, 61.5, 62] cm

MATERIALS

Yarn
Blue version: Bernat Softee Cotton [60% cotton, 40% acrylic; 254yd/232m per 4.2 oz/120 g ball]; color: Dusky Sky; 3[3, 4, 4, 4, 5, 5, 6, 6] balls

Orange version: Estelle Eco Cotton DK [100% cotton; 137yd/125m per 1.75 oz/50 g ball]; color: Tangerine; 6[7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 12, 13] balls

Brown version: Estelle Double Knit, [50% acrylic, 40% wool, 10% nylon; 273yd/250m per 3.5 oz/100 g ball]; color: Brown Q65513; 3[4, 4, 4, 5, 5, 6, 6, 7] skeins

Yarn Characteristics
This pullover is worked in three different 2-ply cotton and cotton/acrylic and acrylic/wool blends. A plied 100% acrylic, mixed cotton and acrylic, or a bouncy wool or wool-blend would make a good alternative.

Recommended needle size
[always use a needle size that gives you the gauge listed below - every knitter's gauge is unique]
US #7/4.5mm circular needles, 24 inches/60cm long or longer (for Yoke and Body)
US #7/4.5mm needles for working short circumference in the round (for Neck and Sleeves)

Notions
stitch markers
waste yarn or stitch holders
G/6-7/4mm-4.5mm crochet hook (optional, for lateral braid)
yarn needle

GAUGE

20 sts/26 rounds = 4 inches/10 cm in Stockinette stitch
21 sts/26 rounds = 4 inches/10 cm in Slip Stitch Rib

PATTERN NOTES

[Knitty's list of standard abbreviations and techniques can be found here.]

Construction method: This pullover is worked seamlessly top-down in the round. The neck is cast on and a neckband worked in your choice of K1, P1 (Option 1, shown in orange), or slipped stitch ribbing (Option 2, shown in blue and brown), in order to create a relaxed fit neckline with a slightly rolled edge. A single purl row (Option 1, orange) or a lateral braid (Option 2, blue) creates a defined seam line between the ribbing and the body sections. Knit front and back increases along the raglan seam produces the look of a serge seam. The body has either a single purl stitch (Option 1, orange) or purl/slipped st/purl combination along the sides to create the illusion of a seam (Option 2, blue). The body and sleeve hems are worked with either a single purl row and a K1, P1 rib (Option 1, orange), or a lateral braid with slipped st ribbing (Option 2, blue), both finishing off with 2 rows of stockinette stitch, creating a wide hem with a slightly rolled edge. If you would like sleeves with more ease, additional sleeve increases can be added at the second set of increases for the Front and Back of the raglan (noted in the pattern text), and/or by reducing the number of decreases along the sleeve.

Techniques:

• Lateral (Estonian) Braid in the Round (video)
• Lateral Braid
  *Skip the first stitch on the left needle; knit the second st on the left needle through the back of the loop (do not drop stitches from needle), knit the first st and drop both sts from left needle. Slip last st on the right needle purlwise back onto the left needle. Repeat from * to end of rnd, but keep last st worked on the right needle to close the braid.
• Close the Lateral Braid
  Using crochet hook, insert hook into the first lateral stitch (the horizontal-leaning braid stitch) at the beginning of the round from top to bottom. Slip first st on right needle onto hook and pull through lateral braid stitch. Place this stitch on to left needle. With crochet hook, insert hook into the top half of the lateral stitch directly below the last stitch on the right needle, from top to bottom. Slip first st on left needle onto hook, then pull through lateral braid stitch. Place this stitch on to right needle.

Slip Stitch Rib
Rnd 1: (Sl1 purlwise wyib, p1) to end.
Rnd 2: (K1, p1) to end.
Rep these 2 rnds for patt.

DIRECTIONS

YOKE
With needles for working short circumference in the round, cast on 96[106, 114, 120, 128, 136, 148, 160, 164] sts. Pm and join to work in the round, being careful not to twist sts.

Note: Change to longer circ when needed.

Rnd 1: K 9[11, 12, 12, 12, 14, 15, 16, 16] , pm, k 39[42, 45, 48, 52, 54, 59, 64, 66] , pm, k 9[11, 12, 12, 12, 14, 15, 16, 16] , pm, k 39[42, 45, 48, 52, 54, 59, 64, 66] . 9[11, 12, 12, 12, 14, 15, 16, 16] sts for each Sleeve, 39[42, 45, 48, 52, 54, 59, 64, 66] sts each for Back and Front.
Note: Beg of rnd is at left front raglan.
Rnd 2: Knit.

Neckband, Option 1 (shown in orange): K1, P1 Ribbing with Purl round
Rnds 1-10: (K1, p1) to end.
Rnd 11: Purl.

Neckband, Option 2 (shown in blue): Slip Stitch Ribbing with Lateral Braid
Rnd 1: (Sl1 wyib, p1) to end.
Rnd 2: (K1, p1) to end.
Repeat last 2 rnds 4 more times.

Work Lateral Braid.

Shape yoke:

Sizes XS & L only:
Knit 1 rnd.

Sizes -[S, M, -, -, -, -, -, -] only:
Front inc rnd: *Knit to m, sm; rep from * 2 times more, k -[14, 15, -, -, -, -, -, -] , M1R, k -[14, 15, -, -, -, -, -, -] , M1L, k -[14, 15, -, -, -, -, -, -] . 2 sts increased at Front.

Size 1X only:
Front inc rnd: *Knit to m, sm; rep from * 2 times more, (k7, M1R, k6) 2 times, (k7, M1L, k6) twice. 4 sts increased at Front.

Sizes -[-, -, -, -, 2X, 3X, 4X, 5X] only:

Back and front inc rnd:
Sleeve: Sm, knit to m, sm.
Back: K -[-, -, -, -, 0, 2, 2, 2] , (M1R, k -[-, -, -, -, 18, 11, 12, 7] ) -[-, -, -, -, 3, 5, 5, 9] times, M1R, k -[-, -, -, -, 0, 2, 2, 1] .
Sleeve: Sm, knit to m, sm.
Front: K -[-, -, -, -, 3, 3, 1, 1] , (M1R, k -[-, -, -, -, 6, 6, 7, 5] ) -[-, -, -, -, 8, 9, 9, 13] times, (M1R) -[-, -, -, -, 0, 1, 1, 1] times, k -[-, -, -, -, 3, 2, 0, 0] .

All Sizes:
 96[108, 116, 120, 132, 148, 164, 176, 188] total sts: 9[11, 12, 12, 12, 14, 15, 16, 16] sts for each Sleeve, 39[42, 45, 48, 52, 58, 65, 70, 76] sts for Back, 39[44, 47, 48, 56, 62, 69, 74, 80] sts for Front.

Raglan Increases
Raglan inc rnd: Kfb, *k to 2 sts before m, kfb, k1, sm, kfb; repeat from * 2 times more, knit to last 2 sts, kfb, k1. 8 sts increased.
Next rnd: Knit.
Rep last 2 rnds 18[19, 20, 22, 22, 26, 29, 31, 38] times more. 248[268, 284, 304, 316, 364, 404, 432, 500] sts: 47[51, 54, 58, 58, 68, 75, 80, 94] sts for each Sleeve, 77[82, 87, 94, 98, 112, 125, 134, 154] sts for Back, 77[84, 89, 94, 102, 116, 129, 138, 158] sts for Front.

Note: If you would like more ease at the Sleeve, at this point, you may wish to replace some Back and Front inc rnds with Raglan inc rnds. Each additional Raglan inc rnd worked will increase stitch count by 2 for each sleeve and add approx. .5 inch/1 cm to upper arm circumference.
Back and Front inc rnd: *Knit to m, sm, kfb, k to 2 sts before m, kfb, k1, sm; rep from * 1 time more. 4 sts increased.
Next rnd: Knit.
Raglan inc rnd: Kfb, *k to 2 sts before m, kfb, k1, sm, kfb; repeat from * 2 times more, knit to last 2 sts, kfb, k1. 8 sts increased.
Next rnd: Knit.
Rep last 4 rnds 1[2, 3, 4, 5, 4, 3, 3, 0] time(s) more. 272[304, 332, 364, 388, 424, 452, 480, 512] sts: 51[57, 62, 68, 70, 78, 83, 88, 96] sts for each Sleeve, 85[94, 103, 114, 122, 132, 141, 150, 158] sts for Back, 85[96, 105, 114, 126, 136, 145, 154, 162] sts for Front.

Divide for Body and Sleeves:

Body, Option 1 (shown in orange): Single Purl Faux Side Seam
Set-up rnd: Remove m, place first 51[57, 62, 68, 70, 78, 83, 88, 96] sts on holder for left Sleeve, CO 2[2, 3, 3, 3, 3, 3, 4, 5] , pm for new beg of rnd, CO 3[3, 3, 3, 3, 3, 4, 4, 5] sts, knit across Back sts to next m, remove m, place next 51[57, 62, 68, 70, 78, 83, 88, 96] sts on holder for right Sleeve, remove m, CO 2[2, 3, 3, 3, 3, 3, 4, 5] , pm for side "seam", CO 3[3, 3, 3, 3, 3, 4, 4, 5] sts, k to new end of rnd. 180[200, 220, 240, 260, 280, 300, 320, 340] sts.

Rnd 1: P1, k to next m, p1, k to end.

Repeat Rnd 1 until Body measures 6.5 inches/16.5cm or 3.5 inches/9 cm shorter than desired length.

Body, Option 2 (shown in blue): Purl/Slip St/Purl Faux Side Seam
Set-up rnd: Remove m, place first 51[57, 62, 68, 70, 78, 83, 88, 96] sts on holder for left Sleeve, CO 2[2, 3, 3, 3, 3, 3, 4, 5] , pm for new beg of rnd, CO 3[3, 3, 3, 3, 3, 4, 4, 5] sts, knit across Back sts to next m, remove m, place next 51[57, 62, 68, 70, 78, 83, 88, 96] sts on holder for right Sleeve, remove m CO 2[2, 3, 3, 3, 3, 3, 4, 5] , pm for side "seam", CO 3[3, 3, 3, 3, 3, 4, 4, 5] sts, k to new end of rnd. 180[200, 220, 240, 260, 280, 300, 320, 340] sts.

Rnd 1: *K1, p1, k to 1 st before m, p1, sm; rep from * 1 time more.
Rnd 2: *Sl1 purlwise, p1, k to 1 st before m, p1, sm; rep from * 1 time more.

Repeat Rnd 1 until Body measures 6.5 inches/16.5cm or 3.5 inches/9 cm shorter than desired length.

Hem, Option 1 (shown in orange): Purl Row with K1, P1 Ribbing
Rnd 1: Purl.

Rib rnd: (P1, k1) to end.

Repeat Rib rnd until hem measures 3.25 inches/8.5 cm.

Knit 2 rnds.
BO loosely knitwise.

Hem, Option 2 (shown in blue): Lateral Braid Row with Slip Stitch Ribbing

Work Lateral Braid.

Rnd 1: (Sl1 purlwise wyib, p1) to end.
Rnd 2: (K1, p1) to end.

Repeat Rnds 1-2 until hem measures 3.25 inches/8.5 cm.

Knit 2 rnds.
BO loosely knitwise.

Sleeves
With needles for working short circumference in the round, join yarn to center of underarm CO. Pick up and knit 3[3, 3, 3, 3, 3, 4, 4, 5] sts, knit across 51[57, 62, 68, 70, 78, 83, 88, 96] held Sleeve sts, pick up and knit 2[2, 3, 3, 3, 3, 3, 4, 5] sts to center of underarm. Join to work in the rnd and pm for beg of rnd. 56[62, 68, 74, 76, 84, 90, 96, 106] sts.

Knit 2 rnds.

Shape sleeve:
Dec rnd: K1, k2tog, k to last 3 sts, ssk, k1. 2 sts decreased.

Cont in St st, rep Dec rnd every foll 8[8, 6, 6, 6, 4, 4, 4, 4] rnds 8[2, 9, 5, 5, 17, 15, 13, 9] times more, then every foll 6[6, 4, 4, 4, 2, 2, 2, 2] rnds 1[9, 4, 10, 10, 1, 5, 9, 17] time(s). 36[38, 40, 42, 44, 46, 48, 50, 52] sts.

Work even in St st until Sleeve measures 13 inches/33 cm or 3.5 inches/9 cm shorter than total desired length.

Cuff, Option 1 (shown in orange): Purl Row with K1, P1 Ribbing
Rnd 1: Purl.

Rib rnd: (P1, k1) to end.

Repeat Rib rnd until cuff measures 3.25 inches/8 cm.

Knit 2 rnds.
BO loosely knitwise.

Cuff, Option 2 (shown in blue): Lateral Braid Row with Slip Stitch Ribbing

Work Lateral Braid.

Rnd 1: (Sl1 purlwise wyib, p1) to end.
Rnd 2: (K1, p1) to end.

Repeat Rnds 1-2 until cuff measures 3.25 inches/8 cm.

Knit 2 rnds.
BO loosely knitwise.

FINISHING

Weave in ends. Block to measurements.

A – Chest circumference: 36[40, 44, 48, 52, 56, 60, 64, 68] inches / 91.5[101.5, 112, 122, 132, 142, 152.5, 162.5, 172.5] cm
B – Total length: 19[19.75, 20.75, 22, 22.5, 23.25, 23.5, 24.25, 24.5] inches / 48.5[50, 52.5, 56, 57, 59, 59.5, 61.5, 62] cm
C – Body length: 10 inches / 25.5 cm
D – Yoke length: 9[9.75, 10.75, 12, 12.5, 13.25, 13.5, 14.25, 14.5] inches / 23[25, 27.5, 30.5, 32, 33.5, 34.5, 36, 37] cm
E – Wrist circumference: 7 .25[7.5, 8, 8.5, 8.75, 9.25, 9.5, 10, 10.5] inches / 18.5[19, 20.5, 21.5, 22, 23.5, 24, 25.5, 26.5] cm
F – Underarm to top of cuff: 13 inches / 33 cm
G – Hem/cuff length: 3.5 inches / 9 cm
H – Neck circumference: 18.25[20.25, 21.75, 22.75, 24.5, 26, 28.25, 30.5, 31.25] inches / 46.5[51.5, 55, 58, 62, 66, 72, 77.5, 79.5] cm
I – Upper arm circumference: 11.25[12.5, 13.5, 14.75, 15.25, 16.75, 18, 19.25, 21.25] inches / 28.5[32, 34.5, 37.5, 38.5, 42.5, 45.5, 49, 54] cm

ABOUT THE DESIGNER

Laura is a passionate knitter who views knitting as active meditation. As an educator, she advocates for knitting, crocheting and corking in the classroom, on the playground and at lunch to reduce stress for children, youth and adults. She loves nothing better than getting someone hooked into the fiber arts. She is currently an Early Literacy, Self-Regulation and Growth Mindset Coach. When she's not playing with yarn, you will find her hiking with her dog Nacho, dancing, writing or reading a good book.

Find more of her work on Ravelry.

Pattern & images © 2026 Laura Corbett