NOTE: As of April 2020, this pattern has been updated and improved. Please see my “Mint Lace Hoodie Tunic” pattern (Which is also free). It is very much similar to this one only some improvements have been made to the hood.

This Sunday Casual Tunic is still a bit roomier than the Mint Lace Tunic (if you need the larger size), but the hood pattern in the Mint Lace Tunic could easily be adapted to work on this sweater instead of the hood that is included in the Sunday Casual Pattern.

This is a Machine Knit pattern for bulky machines such as the Brother KH-260 (or similar 9mm gauge machine). A ribber is optional (you could make the ribs manually if you don’t have a ribber). Most of the sweater is plain stockinette stitch.

The sweater has a casual ease, so although it is sized for a ladies size 38 chest, it should fit a slightly larger person as well. It is a tunic length sweater, with the back slightly longer than the front. The total length of the sweater (not counting the hood) is 31 inches.

I used Hobby Lobby I Love This Yarn Solids to make this. It is an aran weight yarn. A similar weight yarn could be substituted, but please do a gauge swatch to ensure the gauge matches.

The kangaroo pocket is added as an “afterthought”, although as you are knitting the sweater front, the pattern instructs you to insert lifelines to help with picking up the stitches and attaching the pocket after the sweater is knitted. No garter bar is required! By making the pocket this way, you can knit it as you join it with “sew as you go”. The pocket features a 2x2 cable along the slanted edges at both sides, which adds stability and interest.

At the wrists, you have the option of making thumb holes, or seaming the wrist closed. Thumb holes are nice because you have some built-in fingerless mitts when you’re done! Seaming notes include the directions for making the thumbholes.

The hood is knitted separately and mattress stitched on after the sweater is finished. There is a small ribbed band at the front over the center neckline, This is also knitted separately and attached by mattress stitch.

The pattern instructs how to knit a stockinette or a ribbed welt hemline. The example sweater in the pictures has just a plain stockinette hemline. Ribbing could be used for the hemline instead.

The pattern is wordy due to all the stripes (color changes), but it is a simple, straight-forward pattern. Many extra notes were added to help guide along the way.

Skills Required:
Crochet cast on and e-wrap cast on
Use of cast on rag/ravel cord or waste yarn
Using a ribber and/or latch tool to create ribbing
Hanging and picking up stitches from lifelines
Basic transfer tool usage (for making cables, increases/decreases)
Short rowing (for neckline shaping) and associated carriage settings for your machine for partial knitting
Bind off loop through loop (latch tool cast off)
Mattress Stitch

This pattern is being provided free of charge with hope that you will pay it forward by doing something nice for an animal today, or perhaps be inspired to share your own knitting patterns with the community!

Special thanks to PetuniaMaeWitherb for test knitting this sweater and providing wonderful, constructive input!