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TURTLEBACK JACKETS: Easy Sweater to Knit

EDITED APRIL 24, 2011 TO INCLUDE CROCHET VERSION LINK! Now you can crochet this one with the FREE PATTERN! Get the link at the bottom of this post~

Rectangle shown below,  folded in half, arm-holes sewn.

Easy Knitted Turtleback Sweaters
Easy Knitted Turtleback Sweaters

Easy Knitted Turtleback Sweaters


Easy Knitted Turtleback SweatersEasy Knitted Turtleback Sweaters

Both of these Turtleback sweaters are made from a one piece rectangle, then folded in half, and finished with each side being stitched together to form arm-holes. Made using worsted weight and chunky yarns.

The knitted eyelet rib is made with #11 and #17 needles and chunky yarn.1″=3 sts
The k/p ribs: small uses #6 and #13 needles and worsted weight yarn; large uses #8 and #13 needles and chunky yarn. 1″=3 sts

Skill level: Easy

Annie’s Attic
Item # 837161
Easy Knitted Turtleback  Sweaters
$6.99

If you like The Turtleback knit Wrap, you can download the easy crochet version on Lion Brand’s Website here:


Stllaa☆Phinanigans

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45 responses to “TURTLEBACK JACKETS: Easy Sweater to Knit”

  1. Sophie B. Avatar
    Sophie B.

    Hi, How much yarn do you need to knit this sweater?

    Reply
    1. Stella☆LunaC Avatar
      Stella☆LunaC

      Hi, Sophie! I bought 8 skeins of Paton’s Divine worsted. The pattern is pretty straight-forward; knit until it’s as big as you want it. Less yarn (600-800 yrds) will yeild a shrug, more (900-1200 yrds) will make a complete wrap… Hope that helps! 🙂

      Reply
  2. Pri Avatar
    Pri

    I need this pattern in Spanish. Can you tell me where i could find it. Im writting from Chile. I love it, but is very difficult to me understand this page.
    Thanks
    Pri

    Reply
  3. sherrie Avatar
    sherrie

    hi, i am wondering if i did this just with knitting needles what size knitting needles will i need and what size wool im from uk, thanks

    Reply
    1. Stella☆LunaC Avatar
      Stella☆LunaC

      Hi Sherrie, to make the Turtleback, you’ll need a needle size 10.0 mm or larger, 100cm long, and bulky weight yarn. Hope that helps! 🙂

      Reply
  4. sravanthi Avatar
    sravanthi

    hello sandra,
    can u suggest me on what patters does this turtleback sweater look more beautiful….

    Reply
    1. Stella☆LunaC Avatar
      Stella☆LunaC

      Hello Sravanthi! I used Patons Divine on size 13 US 36″ circular needles, for a fluffy warm wrap. The pattern is very easy and repeats, so the bulkier the yarn, the quicker it will work up. can’t wait to see some completed Turtlebacks!

      Reply
  5. Nani Avatar
    Nani

    Hi Sandra I hope that you still monitor this site. Is this sweater knitted in the round on the circulars or flat? I have been doing it in the round so far and it looks fab I’m just not sure how to end it. Thanks for the great pattern.

    Reply
    1. Stella☆MHorses Avatar
      Stella☆MHorses

      Hi Nani,
      The Turtleback is knit as a rectangle, flat. The piece is knitted as a rectangle, then folded and sewn up both sides with a 7″ opening for the arms to go through. Voila! Hope that helps! 🙂

      Reply
  6. PT Avatar
    PT

    Dear Sandra
    Can you tell me again how to fold the rectangle for the turtleback jacket.
    I am still trying to see that in my mind.
    Is there a picture of the folding you can refer me to?

    Reply
  7. Celia Cid Avatar
    Celia Cid

    This an easy and lovely sweater!!!Can you send me the pattern to my email please.

    Thanks.

    Reply
    1. Stella☆MHorses Avatar
      Stella☆MHorses

      Will do, Cecelia- give me a day or to to get our sick 4-legged kiddo situated and I’ll send you the files. 🙂

      Reply
  8. Donna Stephens Avatar
    Donna Stephens

    Would you please send me the free pattern to knit of the Turtle Back. Is this okay for a beginner intermediate?

    Reply
    1. Stella☆MHorses Avatar
      Stella☆MHorses

      Hi Donna,
      I’ll be happy to share the pattern! Send me an email to: sschwab@manyhorses.com and I’ll forward the pdf file I have. It’s an easy pattern, mindless knitting for a relaxing Sunday afternoon. 🙂
      Sandra

      Reply
      1. anna Avatar
        anna

        Hi Would i be able to get the pattern pdf for the circular shrug in the photo above please. My email is

      2. Stella☆LunaC Avatar
        Stella☆LunaC

        Hi Anna, I’ll email you the pdf you requested! So sorry it took me this long, it’s been a long year with Mike’s liver transplant, and I get a little lost in the jumble!

  9. De Coster Sonia Avatar
    De Coster Sonia

    Hey Sandra,

    I have a little question about the turtlback jacket. You wrote :

    Fold large needle knitted ends tog and leave 7″ – 8 ” open each side for sleeve opening, sew or sc together.

    Is it possible that you have to change to larger needles again at the end of the work?

    I’m very thrilled to get started on my jacket. i’m glad i finally found the patern.

    Thanks for sharing it with us.

    Greetings Sonia

    Reply
    1. Stella☆MHorses Avatar
      Stella☆MHorses

      Hi Sonia,
      Well, I will have to dig out my pattern, because I can’t seem to track back to the original post in here to see what I actually wrote down. I’ll dig out the pattern again, but if memory serves me, yes you start out working 6 rows with larger needles and then switch to smaller, then back to larger for the other edge.
      I copied it verbatim, so I’m guessing that the edges are started and finished with larger needles, so when you fold it and sew up the sides, both sides of the seam will match.

      I’ll update when I find that patter (or the original post) 🙂

      Happy Knitting!
      Sandra

      Reply
  10. Rosita Brown Avatar
    Rosita Brown

    I’m a crocheter but can do basic knitting so I must give this a try. Thanx for posting & your ideas!

    Reply
  11. Freda Avatar
    Freda

    Hi,

    Does this come in a crochet version pattern also? It is so cute and I would love to make it. Thanks

    Reply
    1. Sandra Avatar
      Sandra

      Hi Freda~ It would be very easy to make one in crochet, and there are patterns out there for it too! I found one at Annie’s Attic, the very same site that has the knit version I’m making.
      Here’s the link to get the pattern, and you can download it to pdf. and not have to pay shipping!
      http://www.anniesattic.com/crochet/detail.html?prod_id=80220

      Hope that helps, and we’d LOVE to see what you make-do come back and share!
      Blessings,
      Sandra

      Reply
      1. Freda Avatar
        Freda

        Thanks Sandra, anniesattic’s version is ok,but not as cute,lol.I’ll look awhile longer,but will probably end up making this crochet version. Thanks for taking the time to look for it,for me.

        God Bless,
        Freda

      2. Sandra Avatar
        Sandra

        Hey Freda,
        This is a really easy pattern, you simply knit/crochet a rectangle 38″ long, then fold the ends together and leave armhole openings of 9″. I found a simplified explanation at this blog tonight: http://loomlady.blogspot.com/2010/04/shrug-for-princess.html It also lists a book I want to get eventually: Easy Turtleback Jackets
        Hope that helps, I know you can do it!!! ♥♥♥

    2. De Coster Sonia Avatar
      De Coster Sonia

      Freda,

      I have found this :

      http://www.maggiescrochet.com/uptown-downtown-shrug-pattern-p-683.html?zenid=9bc5fa9d43104e1178be9f5818bf0c24

      They are very lovely, i think, i hope you like them to.

      Greetings,

      Sonia

      Reply
  12. Carol Avatar
    Carol

    Sandra, Hope you can help me, I want to make this for my DD, she wants it in worsted weight yarn, and a long sleeve, she is small boned, but has a C cup boobs.

    Is there and would appreciate it very much, if you know how to convert to the above.

    BTW,she is5’3″ tall

    Reply
    1. Sandra Avatar
      Sandra

      Hi Carol!

      You can make it in the worsted weight yarn, no problem. Go here to see another book I’m going to order; it has 8 new versions, including a shorty shrug that your DD might love! I can’t wait to get/download the new book at Annie’s Attic: Easy Turtleback Jackets

      Let me know when you make yours!

      Cheers,
      Sandra

      Reply
      1. Carol Avatar
        Carol

        Sandra, thanks for the info, but I couldn’t figure out to make it long sleeved so I went with this pattern http://www.berroco.com/exclusives/rena_venus/rena.html, this pattern is just folded differently, look at the schematics on the right side of page it’s not fancy no shawl collar
        Re: the Annie’s Attic book, I had seen that before patterns seem to be a little to lacy for me or my DD.

      2. Sandra Avatar
        Sandra

        Hi Carol!
        I REALLY like that one with the sleeves, have already printed it off. As for the shawl collar, it would still be one if you folded it over. If you do any of those Turtlebacks in just a rib stitch, (k2, p2) like mine is going to be, there won’t be any lacing…Once you get the rectangle dimensions, you can do just about any knit pattern that you like. That’s the beauty of this simple garment!!
        Thanks for sharing that pattern link with us!
        Venus Sleeved Shrug
        Folding the shrug, a diagram:
        Schematic

        Cheers!

  13. Sandra Avatar
    Sandra

    The pattern is simple and calls for the following needles and yarn:

    #6 – 29″ Circular knitting needles
    #13 – 29″ Circular knitting needles

    Chunky Weight Yarn: 6-7 Skeins Berroco -Peruvian Quick – 100g/103 yards

    Gauge: 3 sts- 1″ on #11 Needles, 3 rows – 1″

    Turtleback is made as follows:

    Cast on 180 st with #13 – 29″

    Work 6 rows for pattern: K1, P1, or K2, P2, then change to smaller needles and work pattern for 38″ or desired length. Bind off loosely. Fold large needle knitted ends tog and leave 7″ – 8 ” open each side for sleeve opening, sew or sc together. Collar and flounce are formed by turning one end of ruffle back around neck.

    Happy Knitting!

    Reply
  14. Alanna Avatar
    Alanna

    Thank you so much for the images posted here. I have been searching the web for something I could wrap my mind around to figure what folded to what LOL Now I can SEE it!
    After I finish my first triagular shawl I’ll give a Turtleback a try!
    Alanna in Florida

    Reply
  15. Katherine Avatar
    Katherine

    Sandra, You said cast on with #13, but in directions you say Work 6 rows then change to #13. Can you please clarify this.

    Thank you
    Katherine

    Reply
    1. Sandra Avatar
      Sandra

      Hi Katherine!

      My apologies for the error~ I’ve edited it to read correctly now. Here’s the link: http://sandrashappyplace.wordpress.com/2009/10/20/easy-turtleback-jackets-the-book/#comment-187

      Reply
  16. Irene Avatar
    Irene

    In the Spring/Summer 2009 Vogue Knitting, on the cover
    is a beautiful knitted sweater. For a very experienced knitter
    (not me yet)
    but is sooo beautiful. It is called Botanica Medallion cardigan.
    go to Vogueknitting.com and
    type in Vogueknitting Spring/summer 2009 and click
    on the link further down and see the pic.
    Can also get the pattern by typing in Botanica Medallion cardigan.
    Maybe someday 🙂

    Reply
    1. Sandra Avatar
      Sandra

      Hi Irene!

      I actually have that magazine in my searches on Ebay. I hope to make it someday as well. I LOVE that pattern!

      …someday we will be Botanica Medallion cardigan-worthy ♥♥♥

      Reply
  17. maritza madrid Avatar
    maritza madrid

    Wonderful…… very easy to do it…… I loved………I want to do it…..!!!!! I am chilean and I like very much to crochet…….thanks a lots to show it.
    Regards
    thanks

    Reply
  18. Ana Maria Avatar
    Ana Maria

    Really? !!!!!

    Thank you, sweetie!

    Have a nice week end with your beautiful family.

    Hugs,

    Reply
  19. Ana Maria Avatar
    Ana Maria

    Dear Sandra,

    I would like to make one turtleback, but I live in Brazil and I don´t know what needles numbers and yarns kind I need to use…
    Sorry, my bad English.
    I hope that you can understand me.
    Best Regards,
    Ana Maria.

    Reply
    1. Sandra Avatar
      Sandra

      Hello Hola Ana Maria!
      The pattern is simple and calls for the following needles and yarn:

      #6 – 29″ Circular knitting needles
      #13 – 29″ Circular knitting needles

      Chunky Weight Yarn: 6-7 Skeins Berroco -Peruvian Quick – 100g/103 yards

      Gauge: 3 sts- 1″ on #11 Needles, 3 rows – 1″

      Turtleback is made as follows:

      Cast on 180 st with #13 – 29″

      Work 6 rows for pattern: K1, P1, or K2, P2, then change needles to #13 =29 and work pattern for 38″ or desired length. Bind off loosely. Fold large needle knitted ends tog and leave 7″ – 8 ” open each side for sleeve opening, sew or sc together. Collar and flounce are formed by turning one end of ruffle back around neck.

      Enjoy!

      Reply
      1. Ana Maria Avatar
        Ana Maria

        Dear Sandra,

        I´m very happy because you sent me the pattern!
        I didn´t expected!
        I´m so exciting!
        Thank you again,
        Big hug,
        Ana Maria.

      2. Sandra Avatar
        Sandra

        You are very welcome! and your English is perfecto! Hugs back XOXOSandra

  20. Marianissa Avatar
    Marianissa

    Dear Sandra,

    Thank you very much for the tips!
    I felt stupid when I realised it is just a rectangle! 🙂

    I’ll try to find some time to knit one, or two… or more! My colleagues will want it too!

    Thank you once again!
    Greetings,
    Ana Rita (Marianissa)

    Reply
    1. Sandra Avatar
      Sandra

      Hello Ana Rita! Thanks for your comments! That’s the beauty of these shawl sweaters, the mindless simplicity 🙂

      Have fun and post when you get one completed!

      Blessings,
      Sandra

      Reply
  21. arleen Avatar
    arleen

    thanks, Sandra!
    happy knitting 🙂
    aa

    Reply
  22. Sandra Avatar
    Sandra

    Hi Arleen!
    I haven’t finished it yet, but according to the pattern, the finished length of the rectangle is 34-38 inches.
    There is a new pattern book for this and 7 other versions, by Annie’s Attic, it was just released this week~ and you can download it to .pdf format for $7.95 and don’t have to wait on the mail. Here’s the link to the book:
    http://www.anniesattic.com/detail.html?prod_id=76946

    Go to http://www.anniesattic.com and type in “turtleback” in the search bar to see the 3 pattern offers 🙂

    happy knitting!
    Sandra

    Reply
  23. arleen Avatar
    arleen

    Dear Sandra,
    wow!! this is awesome!!
    Is it really just a rectangle?
    May I know the length of widht of the rectangle?

    thanks 🙂

    happy knitting 🙂

    Reply

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