The SALT hoodie is a cozy, laid-back hoodie inspired by my husband’s favorite pieces, which I love stealing from him. This design was created to be gender neutral, so everyone can have their own!

This hoodie has a relaxed fit, with about 10-15 cm (4-8”) positive ease at the bust. It has a straight cut, deep armholes, long sleeves and a roomy hood. A zipper closure concealed behind a double-knit band, seamless pockets and a drawstring round up the design.

Knit in recommended yarn, it has a beautiful salt-speckled look, and the cotton-wool blend is perfect to wear year-round. The pattern includes an alternative yarn suggestion for a deliciously warm, cuddly version.

CONSTRUCTION

This garment is knit flat in one piece, top-down, in stockinette stitch. The work starts at the neckline. The yoke is shaped using a contiguous saddle shoulder construction. At the underarm, the work is divided in body and sleeves. Each piece is knit separately and finished with a hem in twisted rib. Stitches are picked up at the neckline to knit the hood bottom-up. The edges are finished with a double stockinette band. Seamless pockets can be added at the end, as their unique construction doesn’t require planning ahead.

The pattern also includes tips on how to adjust for a different row gauge, instructions for optional bust darts, as well as modifications for narrower/wider shoulders, roomier sleeves and deeper armholes.

NEW TO VERSION 2.0

This design was first launched in February 2023 and was updated in April 2026. The first version of this pattern was graded based on standard man sizes and included fit suggestions for smaller frames. When I set out to update the pattern to match my current writing style and layout, I took the chance to review the fit and fully graded both standard man (large frame / LF) and woman (small frame / SF) sizes. The main instructions are written for LF sizes, with adjustments on the side for the SF sizes.

KNITTING LEVEL

Intermediate. The pattern includes step-by-step instructions along with pictures and schematics, explains the used techniques and includes links to video tutorials.

TECHNIQUES:
Stockinette stitch flat and circular (K/P), half-twisted rib stitch, double stockinette stitch, RS/WS increases and decreases, long tail cast-on (LTCO), backwards loop cast-on (BLCO), knitted cast-on (KCO), German short rows (GSR), pick-up-and-knit (PUK), Italian bind-off, faux seams, mattress stitch, grafting, seaming a zipper.

AVAILABLE SIZES

1 (2, 3, 4) 5 (6, 7, 8) 9 (10, 11, 12) 13 (14, 15, 16)
Each size has a small frame (SF) and a large frame (LF) version
in total 32 individually graded sizes.

graded for bust circumferences (cm / inch):
76-80 (81-85, 86-90, 91-95) 96-100 (101-105, 106-110, 111-115) 116-120 (121-125, 126-130, 131-135) 136-140 (141-145, 146-150, 151-155) cm / 30-32 (32-34, 34-36, 36-38) 38-40 (40-42, 42-44, 44-46) 46-48 (48-50, 50-52, 52-54) 54-56 (56-58, 58-60, 60-62)“

The pattern includes an extensive size chart and schematics. Follow the pattern’s size guide to choose your size, frame and determine yardage.

Martin’s chest circumference is 95 cm (37½”), his shoulder width is 41 cm (16¼”). He is wearing size 4 LF, modified per pattern to fit a taller person.

My bust circumference is 91 cm (36½“), my shoulder width is 38 cm (15¼”. I’m wearing size 4 SF.

GAUGE

in 10 x 10 cm (4 x 4”)
Main fabric: 18 sts x 24 R in stockinette stitch
Hem / LF-Cuff: 22 sts x 28 R in half-twisted rib stitch
SF-Cuff: 25 sts x 32 R in half-twisted rib stitch
in 10 cm (4”):
Edge: 24-25 visible R in double stockinette stitch

SUGGESTED YARN

Retrosaria Rosa Pomar “Mungo” (220 m / 100 g)
50% recycled wool and 50% recycled cotton
LF 6 (6, 7, 7) 7 (7, 8, 8) 8 (8, 8, 9) 9 (10, 10, 10) balls
SF 6 (6, 6, 6) 6 (7, 7, 7) 7 (7, 8, 8) 8 (8, 8, 9) balls

OR (warmer version)

Retrosaria Rosa Pomar “Mondim” (385 m / 100 g)
100% wool
LF 4 (4, 4, 4) 4 (4, 5, 5) 5 (5, 5, 5) 6 (6, 6, 6) balls
SF 3 (4, 4, 4) 4 (4, 4, 4) 4 (5, 5, 5) 5 (5, 5, 5) balls
held together with
Isager “Soft Fine” (150 m / 25 g)
63% alpaca, 26% silk and 11% yak
LF 9 (9, 10, 10) 10 (11, 11, 11) 12 (12, 13, 13) 13 (14, 14, 14) balls
SF 8 (8, 8, 9) 9 (9, 10, 10) 10 (11, 11, 11) 11 (12, 12, 12) balls

Martin’s hoodie was knit in Mungo, colorway “003”.

My hoodie was knit in Mondim, colorway “500”, held together with Soft Fine, colorway “E7S” (both undyed!)

Prefer a rustic non-superwash yarn that blooms well after washing and has good memory, which can provide the much needed structure to hold the zipper, pockets and hood.

NEEDLES AND NOTIONS

Use the necessary needle sizes to get the given gauge. You’ll need different sizes circular needles and DPN or shorties.
For the main fabric, I used 3.5 mm (US 4) needles. For the finishes, I used smaller needles, between 2.5 mm (US 1.5) and 3 mm (US 2.5).

You will also need 1 separating medium weight zipper, 1 piece of cord (or I-cord) for the drawstring, 4+ stitch markers, 10+ removable stitch markers, 2 safety pins, 2+ stitch holders, scrap yarn for a lifeline, tapestry needle, measuring tape, sewing needle, sewing thread to match your zipper, as well as contrasting sewing thread.

Need help at any point? Make sure to check the last pattern pages for tips, abbreviations, tutorials, and a contact