Polo sweaters come in many shapes and variations. Typically, a polo sweater simply refers to a thicker version of a tennis or golf shirt with a knitted collar, a handful of buttons, and a pocket on the chest.
Collared sweater knitting patterns in this kind of style have grown in popularity recently and are now being released in various forms by knitwear designers all the time – some with two or three buttons, some chunky, some smart, and some super casual.
To help you decide which one to go for, we’ve curated this list of 10 polo sweater knitting patterns from indie knitwear designers all over the world. You’ll find a selection of colourful, modern patterns from Denmark, Sweden, the UK, and more – but they’re all available in the US, too.
Polo neck sweaters are more complicated to knit than traditional sweaters that can simply be knit in straight blocks. The sweater’s collar usually requires some shaping, increasing, and decreasing – techniques that some beginners might find difficult.
You’ll find some beginner-friendly patterns in this list, but most of them will be much easier if you’re familiar with common intermediate knitting techniques.
The ladies polo sweater and polo tee knitting patterns we’ve collected here are mainly worked seamlessly from the top down using ribbing, twisted rib stitch, and stockinette stitch for the cuffs, collar, and waistband. You’ll be using decreases including SSK or SSP, K3tog or P3tog, and more – check out our guide to knitting abbreviations if you need any help with these.
10 Polo Sweater Knitting Patterns (Collared Sweaters)
In the list below, you’ll find a collection of casual, contemporary polo sweater knitting patterns from indie designers all over the world. We’ve included a range of smart and casual patterns all of which sport the classic preppy polo sweater style.
All of these patterns include the classic polo collar, but each one varies when it comes to stripes, knitting method, buttons, yarn weight, and much more. You’ll find colorful vintage and 90s-inspired patterns along with a selection of contemporary designs.
1. “Lollipop” Polo Knitting Pattern
| Price | $8.58/£6.24 |
|---|---|
| Techniques Required | N/A |
| Difficulty Level | Intermediate |
| Designer’s Website | Lollipop Polo Sweater – Spektakelstrik |
Recommended Materials
To knit this pattern, you will need the following materials:| Needle Size | US Size 9/5.5mm Circular Needles (60-80 cm) US Size 6/4mm Circular Needles (60-80 cm) |
|---|---|
| Yarn Weight | 100g = 500m (5 Ply/12 wpi) |
| Yarn Quantity | 200-300g (Color A) 200-300g (Color B) |
| Suggested Yarn | Merino 10/2 – Hjelholts Uldspinderi Tilia – Filcolana |
2. Striped Polo Sweater by “TrendsKnitting”
| Price | $7.99/£6.27 |
|---|---|
| Techniques Required | Stockinette Stitch Twisted Rib Stitch Decreasing |
| Difficulty Level | Intermediate |
| Designer’s Website | Striped Polo Sweater – TrendsKnitting on Etsy |
This is a thinner polo sweater pattern that’s best suited to intermediate knitters. It is worked seamlessly in one piece from the top down, with some shaping for the collar. The sleeves are then picked up from the armholes and worked in the round.
The knitting pattern is designed to create a boxy, raglan polo sweater with a collar. You’ll need to be comfortable with twisted rib stitch and various decreasing methods, but the results will be worth it.
Recommended Materials
To knit this pattern, you will need the following materials:| Needle Size | US Size 6/4mm Circular Needles US Size 8/5mm Circular Needles |
|---|---|
| Yarn Weight | 50g = 105m |
| Yarn Quantity | N/A – See Pattern |
| Suggested Yarn | Concept Cotton Merino – Katia Yarn |
3. “Stripe Overload” Polo Sweater Pattern
| Price | $8.58/£6.24 |
|---|---|
| Techniques Required | N/A |
| Difficulty Level | Intermediate |
| Designer’s Website | Stripe Overload Sweater – Spektakelstrik |
This striped polo sweater knitting pattern is one of our favourites. It’s worked from the top down in one piece, and includes instructions for sizes XS to XXXL. The final sweater measures between 48cm and 57cm in length and will require two sets of regular circular needles.
Recommended Materials
To knit this pattern, you will need the following materials:| Needle Size | US Size 6/4mm Circular Needles (60 cm) US Size 8/5mm Circular Needles (80 cm) |
|---|---|
| Yarn Weight | 50g = 100m (Yarn A) 25g = 210m (Yarn B) |
| Yarn Quantity | 200-350g (Color A) 50-100g (Color B) |
| Suggested Yarn | Peruvian Highland Wool – Filcolana Tilia – Filcolana |
4. “Maude” Polo Tee
| Price | $7.02/£5.10 |
|---|---|
| Techniques Required | Stockinette Stitch Raglan Increases |
| Difficulty Level | Advanced |
| Designer’s Website | Maude Tee – PetiteKnit |
The Maude Polo pattern is also worked seamlessly from the top down. You’ll knit the collar in the round with the stockinette stitch, followed by the yoke with raglan increases and then the body and sleeves at the end. Though it’s called a polo “tee”, it’s sweater-like in texture and thickness.
It’s worth mentioning that this pattern can get a little complicated – you’ll be using techniques like double knitting and German Short Rows often simultaneously, so make sure to knit carefully and only tackle this pattern if you’re reasonably confident in your skill level.
There are tutorial videos available in Danish, though the pattern is in English. As always, knit a gauge swatch first to determine your needle size.
Recommended Materials
To knit this pattern, you will need the following materials:| Needle Size | US Size 6/4mm Circular Needles (40cm) 3mm Double Pointed Needles |
|---|---|
| Yarn Weight | 50g = 235m (Yarn A) 25g = 212m (Yarn B) |
| Yarn Quantity | 200g-400g (Yarn A) 100g-225g (Yarn B) |
| Suggested Yarn | Sunday – Sandnes Garn |
5. “Breathe” Polo Tee Knitting Pattern
| Price | $8.58/£6.24 |
|---|---|
| Techniques Required | N/A |
| Difficulty Level | Intermediate |
| Designer’s Website | Breathe Tee – Spektakelstrik |
The Breathe Polo Tee is another thin knitted sweater pattern with a polo collar. It is worked using three separate yarns, one of which is used throughout the entire pattern. The pattern includes instructions for sizes XS to XXL, and uses the Intarsia method to produce the contrast in the middle section. If you like this style, you can check out other projects by Spektakelstrik in our list of mitten knitting patterns.
Recommended Materials
To knit this pattern, you will need the following materials:
| Needle Size | US Size 7/4.5mm Circular Needles (60 cm) US Size 2.5/3mm Circular Needles (60 cm) |
|---|---|
| Yarn Weight | 100g = 380m |
| Yarn Quantity | 100g-150g (Color A) 100g-150g (Color B) 200g-300g (Color C) |
| Suggested Yarn | Pickles Pure Wool – Pickles |
6. “Dorotha” Polo Sweater Knitting Pattern
| Price | $7.88/£5.73 |
|---|---|
| Techniques Required | N/A |
| Difficulty Level | Intermediate |
| Designer’s Website | Dorotha Polo – GregoriaFibers |
The Dorotha sweater is a vintage-inspired polo sweater with a simple, smart-casual style that’s suitable for everyday wear. It is knitted from the bottom up, with the collar and sleeves picked up from the body at the end. The pattern also suggests a mixture of yarns to crease a fluffy, airy texture that’s distinct from the other patterns in this list.
Recommended Materials
To knit this pattern, you will need the following materials:
| Needle Size | US Size 8/5mm Circular Needles (80cm or 100cm) US Size 6/4mm Circular Needles (40cm or 60cm) |
|---|---|
| Yarn Weight | 25g = 210m |
| Yarn Quantity | 11-14 skeins |
| Suggested Yarn | Kidsilk Lace – Gregoria Fibers |
7. “Marco Polo” Sweater Pattern
| Price | $12.60/£9.16 |
|---|---|
| Techniques Required | Stockinette Stitch |
| Difficulty Level | Beginner |
| Designer’s Website | Marco Polo Sweater – KarasKnitEng on Etsy |
This oversized, boxy polo sweater knitting pattern is fun and super playful. It features a loose, slightly cropped fit that’s worked up using chunky yarn, which is much easier for beginners to produce.
As long as you’re comfortable with knitting in the round, picking up stitches, and some basic decreases, you’ll be ready to get started on the Marco Polo sweater pattern! For similar designs without the sleeves, take a look at our list of V-neck vest knitting patterns, too.
Recommended Materials
To knit this pattern, you will need the following materials:
| Needle Size | US Size 17/12mm Circular Needles (60cm-90cm) US Size 19/15mm Circular Needles (60cm-90cm) |
|---|---|
| Yarn Weight | 200g = 80m |
| Yarn Quantity | 2-4 skeins (Yarn A) 2-4 skeins (Yarn B) |
| Suggested Yarn | N/A |
8. “Polo Polo” Sweater
| Price | $6.37/£4.63 |
|---|---|
| Techniques Required | N/A |
| Difficulty Level | Beginner/Intermediate |
| Designer’s Website | Polo Polo Sweater – Laura Dalgaard Knit |
The Polo Polo Sweater pattern is a beautiful knitted variation on the classic golf or tennis shirt. It includes the traditional collar, small buttons on the neck, and an optional pocket. You’ll find instructions for sizes XS to XXL.
If you’re interested in finding more colorful patterns by Laura Dalgaard, check out our list of knitting patterns that use intarsia.
Recommended Materials
To knit this pattern, you will need the following materials:
| Needle Size | US Size 7/4.5mm Circular Needles (60-80 cm) US Size 9/5.5mm Circular Needles (60-80 cm) |
|---|---|
| Yarn Weight | 50g = 150m (Yarn A) 50g = 420m (Yarn B) |
| Yarn Quantity | 6-9 skeins (Yarn A) 2-4 skeins (Yarn B) |
| Suggested Yarn | Alice – Permin Silk Mohair Lace – KAOS Yarn |
9. Polo Sweater by Originally Lovely
| Price | $6.29/£4.57 |
|---|---|
| Techniques Required | Twisted Rib Stitch Stockinette Stitch Increasing Decreasing Double Knitting |
| Difficulty Level | Intermediate |
| Designer’s Website | Polo Sweater Knitting Pattern – OriginallyLovely on Etsy |
This intermediate knitting pattern by OriginallyLovely on Etsy is also worked from the top down. The yoke and collar are both knit flat while the body and sleeves are knit in the round. The sleeves, neckline, and hem are all worked using a twisted rib stitch and the collar is double knitted, so you’ll have to be comfortable with these stitch types.
The polo sweater pattern includes instructions for 9 sizes and creates a classic, preppy look with a sporty collar, a very slight crop and a traditional front pocket.
Recommended Materials
To knit this pattern, you will need the following materials:
| Needle Size | US Size 6/4mm) Circular Needles US Size 5/3.75mm Circular Needles US Size 4/3.5mm Circular Needles |
|---|---|
| Yarn Weight | 100g = 219m |
| Yarn Quantity | 4-7 Skeins |
| Suggested Yarn | Superwash Merino Yarn – Lion Brand LB Collection |
10. Vintage Women’s Ribbed Polo Sweater
| Price | $2.48/£1.80 |
|---|---|
| Techniques Required | N/A |
| Difficulty Level | Advanced |
| Designer’s Website | Vintage Womens Ribbed Polo – Hobohooks on Etsy |
Finally, if you’re looking for a vintage polo sweater knitting pattern then this one’s for you. This old pattern contains instructions for a classic ribbed ladies polo jumper that uses Aran/Worsted (10 Ply) yarn for a timeless silhouette.
Finding the right yarn might be slightly more difficult than it is with modern patterns – as always, check the needle size recommendation and test your tension beforehand. If you’re into vintage patterns, we also recommend checking out our list of knitted dress patterns.
Recommended Materials
To knit this pattern, you will need the following materials:
| Needle Size | US Size 11/8mm Circular Needles US Size 7/4.5mm Circular Needle |
|---|---|
| Yarn Weight | Aran/Worsted Weight |
| Yarn Quantity | 12 x 50g Balls |
| Suggested Yarn | Shetland Sport – Brunswick |
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