Nebula Bloom Bobble Sweater Free Pattern – Knit a Cosmic Garden Pullover

Wrap yourself in a hand-knitted cloud of indigo, periwinkle, and violet bobbles that mimic a starry night blooming with wildflowers. This cozy pullover features an all-over textured bobble stitch that is surprisingly simple to knit and endlessly satisfying to wear. The deep indigo base is scattered with raised bobbles in periwinkle and soft lilac, creating a dimensional, cosmic garden effect that's both eye-catching and incredibly comfortable. Whether you're a seasoned knitter looking for a meditative project or a confident beginner ready for a textured challenge, this pattern will guide you through every step to create a stunning, one-of-a-kind garment.

This free pattern includes detailed instructions for sizes S through XL, with a relaxed, straight fit that flatters every body type. The chunky worsted-weight yarn ensures your sweater works up quickly, while the repetitive bobble pattern is rhythmic and relaxing once you get the hang of it. Let's dive into creating your very own Nebula Bloom sweater!

Materials Needed

Before you begin, gather the following materials to ensure a smooth knitting experience:

• Yarn: Worsted weight yarn in 3 colors:
  • Color A (Deep Indigo) – 600g (approximately 1,200 yards)
  • Color B (Periwinkle) – 300g (approximately 600 yards)
  • Color C (Soft Lilac) – 200g (approximately 400 yards)
  Suggested: Lion Brand Wool-Ease Worsted or any similar worsted weight yarn that achieves gauge.
• Needles: US 8 (5.0 mm) circular knitting needles in two lengths:
  • 24-inch (60 cm) for the body and sleeves
  • 16-inch (40 cm) for the neckband
• Notions:
  • Bobble stitch marker (or any small locking stitch marker)
  • Stitch holders or waste yarn
  • Tapestry needle for seaming and weaving in ends
  • Scissors
  • Measuring tape

Gauge

18 stitches and 24 rows = 4 inches in stockinette stitch (knit flat, blocked). Always knit a gauge swatch before starting to ensure your finished sweater fits as intended. If your gauge is off, adjust your needle size accordingly.

Sizes & Measurements

This pattern is written for sizes S (M, L, XL) with finished chest measurements of 36 (40, 44, 48) inches. Choose the size that gives you 2-4 inches of positive ease for a comfortable, relaxed fit.

Abbreviations & Pattern Notes

Familiarize yourself with these abbreviations before you begin:

• K = knit
• P = purl
• K2tog = knit two stitches together (decrease)
• P2tog = purl two stitches together (decrease)
• M1L = make one left (increase – pick up bar between stitches from front, knit through back loop)
• M1R = make one right (increase – pick up bar between stitches from back, knit through front loop)
• MB = make bobble (detailed instructions below)
• St st = stockinette stitch (knit on right side, purl on wrong side)

How to Make a Bobble (MB)

The bobble is the star of this sweater! Here's how to create it:

1. Knit into the front, back, front, back, front of the same stitch (this creates 5 stitches from 1).
2. Turn your work and purl 5.
3. Turn and knit 5.
4. Turn and purl 5.
5. Turn and knit 5.
6. Now, using your left needle, lift the 2nd, 3rd, 4th, and 5th stitches over the 1st stitch and off the needle. Your bobble is complete!

Pattern Notes

• The sweater is worked in pieces from the bottom up, then seamed together.
• Bobbles are worked on right side (RS) rows only.
• Use a separate bobble marker to keep track of your bobble placement rows.
• Colors alternate every 8 rows: Color A, then Color B, then Color C, then repeat.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Back Panel

Cast On & Border:
With Color A, cast on 82 (90, 98, 106) stitches using your 24-inch circular needle.
Row 1 (RS): Knit all stitches.
Row 2 (WS): Purl all stitches.
Repeat Rows 1-2 until the piece measures 2 inches from the cast-on edge, ending with a wrong side row. This creates a neat garter stitch border.

Begin Bobble Pattern:
Row 1 (RS): With Color A, knit all stitches.
Row 2 (WS): Purl all stitches.
Row 3 (RS): K4 (5, 6, 7), *MB, K7; repeat from * to last 4 (5, 6, 7) stitches, K4 (5, 6, 7).
Row 4 (WS): Purl all stitches.
Row 5 (RS): Knit all stitches.
Row 6 (WS): Purl all stitches.
Row 7 (RS): K8 (9, 10, 11), *MB, K7; repeat from * to last 8 (9, 10, 11) stitches, K8 (9, 10, 11).
Row 8 (WS): Purl all stitches.

Color Alternation:
Repeat Rows 1-8, but on Row 3 and Row 7, alternate your bobble colors: use Color B for the next 8-row repeat, then Color C for the following repeat, then back to Color A. Continue alternating colors every 8 rows throughout the body. The background (non-bobble rows) always remains Color A.

Continue working in pattern until the piece measures 14 (15, 16, 17) inches from the cast-on edge, ending with a wrong side row.

Shape Armholes:
Bind off 4 (5, 6, 7) stitches at the beginning of the next 2 rows.
Decrease row (RS): K1, K2tog, work in pattern to last 3 stitches, K2tog, K1. (Decreases 1 stitch at each end.)
Repeat this decrease row on the next 5 (6, 7, 8) right side rows.
Continue straight in pattern (no further decreases) until the armhole measures 7 (8, 9, 10) inches from the bind-off edge, ending with a wrong side row.

Shape Shoulders:
Bind off 8 (9, 10, 11) stitches at the beginning of the next 4 rows.
Bind off the remaining 28 (30, 32, 34) stitches for the back neck. Cut yarn and weave in the end.

Front Panel

Work exactly as the back panel until the armhole shaping is complete. Continue straight in pattern until the armhole measures 5 (6, 7, 8) inches from the bind-off edge, ending with a wrong side row.

Shape Neck:
Next row (RS): Work across the first 20 (22, 24, 26) stitches, join a second ball of Color A yarn, bind off the center 12 (14, 16, 18) stitches, and work to the end of the row.
You will now work both sides of the neck simultaneously with separate balls of yarn.
Decrease row (RS): On each neck edge, K2tog (or P2tog on WS) to decrease 1 stitch at the neck edge.
Repeat this decrease on every right side row 4 times total.
Continue straight on each side until the armhole measures the same as the back panel. Bind off 8 (9, 10, 11) stitches at each shoulder edge as for the back.

Sleeves (Make 2)

Cast On & Border:
With Color A, cast on 40 (44, 48, 52) stitches.
Work the garter stitch border for 2 inches exactly as you did for the back panel.

Begin Bobble Pattern (adjusted for sleeve width):
Row 1 (RS): With Color A, knit all.
Row 2 (WS): Purl all.
Row 3 (RS): K3 (4, 5, 6), *MB, K5; repeat from * to last 3 (4, 5, 6) stitches, K3 (4, 5, 6).
Row 4 (WS): Purl all.
Row 5 (RS): Knit all.
Row 6 (WS): Purl all.
Row 7 (RS): K6 (7, 8, 9), *MB, K5; repeat from * to last 6 (7, 8, 9) stitches, K6 (7, 8, 9).
Row 8 (WS): Purl all.
Alternate bobble colors (B, C, A) every 8 rows as you did for the body.

Increase for Sleeve Shape:
Increase row (RS): K1, M1L, work in pattern to last stitch, M1R, K1. (Increases 1 stitch at each end.)
Repeat this increase row every 6th row until you have 60 (64, 68, 72) stitches on your needle. Incorporate the new stitches into the bobble pattern as you go, adjusting the spacing as needed to keep the pattern balanced.

Work straight (no increases) until the sleeve measures 17 (18, 19, 20) inches from the cast-on edge, ending with a wrong side row.

Shape Sleeve Cap:
Bind off 4 (5, 6, 7) stitches at the beginning of the next 2 rows.
Decrease row (RS): K1, K2tog, work in pattern to last 3 stitches, K2tog, K1.
Repeat this decrease row on every right side row until 20 (22, 24, 26) stitches remain.
Bind off all remaining stitches loosely. Cut yarn and weave in ends.

Finishing

Seaming:
Using your tapestry needle and Color A yarn, sew the shoulder seams together. Set in the sleeves by matching the center of the sleeve cap to the shoulder seam and sewing around the armhole. Then sew the side seams and sleeve seams, using a mattress stitch for invisible, professional-looking seams.

Neckband:
With your 16-inch circular needle and Color A yarn, pick up and knit 72 (80, 88, 96) stitches evenly around the neck edge. Join to work in the round, being careful not to twist your stitches.
Knit in the round for 1 inch.
Bind off loosely (use a larger needle or a stretchy bind-off method to ensure the neckband isn't too tight).

Final Touches:
Weave in all loose ends with your tapestry needle. Block your sweater to the specified measurements – this is crucial for even stitches and a professional finish. Lay flat to dry.

Congratulations! You've just completed your very own Nebula Bloom Bobble Sweater. The combination of deep indigo, periwinkle, and soft lilac bobbles creates a truly cosmic, garden-inspired texture that's sure to become a favorite in your wardrobe. Wear it with pride, knowing you've created something beautiful, cozy, and uniquely yours. Happy knitting!