Retro Batwing Jumper - Free Jumper Knitting Pattern For Women in Paintbox Yarns Cotton 4 Ply by Paintbox Yarns

Retro Batwing Jumper – Free Knitting Pattern for Women by Paintbox Yarns

The Retro Batwing Jumper is a free, downloadable knitting pattern designed by Paintbox Yarns for women. It produces a stylish, vintage-inspired pullover sweater with a distinctive batwing silhouette — a classic shape that creates wide, sweeping sleeves integrated into the body of the garment, giving it a relaxed, retro aesthetic. This is an intermediate level pattern, making it a rewarding project for knitters who are comfortable with basic shaping and lace techniques and are ready to take on something with a little more character and structure.

What Is Being Made

This pattern produces a women's batwing-style jumper (sweater) worked in a lightweight 4 ply yarn. The finished garment features a fitted-to-relaxed silhouette with actual underarm measurements ranging from 62.5 cm to 81.5 cm (approximately 24½ to 32 inches), accommodating bust sizes from 76–81 cm up to 112–117 cm (30–32 in up to 44–46 in) across five sizes. The finished length sits at approximately 58 to 62 cm (22¾ to 24½ inches) depending on size, and the sleeve length is a consistent 50 cm (19¾ inches) across all sizes. The batwing construction gives the sleeves a dramatic, wide shape that flows naturally from the body, a hallmark of retro knitwear design.

Techniques Used

• Bottom-up construction: The jumper is worked from the lower edge upward, which is a traditional approach that allows knitters to try on the piece as they go and adjust length before committing to the yoke or upper body shaping.
• Worked flat: Sections of this pattern are knitted flat (back and forth in rows), meaning knitters work on both right-side and wrong-side rows rather than knitting in the round throughout. This is typical for garments that are later seamed together.
• Lace: The pattern incorporates lace detailing, adding decorative openwork texture to the design. Lace knitting involves a combination of yarn-overs and decreases to create intentional holes arranged in a repeating pattern, giving the finished fabric a delicate, ornamental quality that complements the retro styling of the jumper.

Stitches Used

• Stocking stitch (stockinette stitch): The primary fabric stitch, created by knitting on right-side rows and purling on wrong-side rows, producing a smooth, V-shaped texture on the right side.
• K2tog (knit 2 together): A right-leaning decrease used for shaping.
• ssk (slip, slip, knit): A left-leaning decrease that mirrors K2tog, commonly used in paired shaping and lace.
• P2tog (purl 2 together): A decrease worked on purl (wrong-side) rows.
• P2togtbl (purl 2 together through the back loop): A twisted purl decrease used for directional shaping on wrong-side rows.
• s2kp / sk2p: Double decreases that reduce three stitches to one, often used in lace patterns to create sharp, centred points in the stitch design.
• m1 (make 1): An increase stitch used to add stitches during shaping sections.

Materials Required

The pattern calls for Paintbox Yarns Cotton 4 Ply, a lightweight, smooth yarn that is well-suited to lace work and stitch definition. The recommended colourway shown is Fuchsia (colour A), a bold, vibrant pink that enhances the retro character of the design. Yarn quantities range from 8 balls up to 11 balls of 50g each, depending on the size being knitted.

• Needles: 3.25mm (UK 10 / US 3) circular knitting needles, 100 cm (40 in) length, are required for the main body sections. 3.25mm double pointed needles are also needed, likely for working smaller