There’s something special about finding a modern sweater knitting pattern that feels fresh, creative, and full of personality. Lately, I’ve been diving into a treasure trove of Russian knitting patterns, and I have to say — they’re unlike anything else out there. The designs are modern yet classic, full of thoughtful detail, texture, and shape.
What makes these patterns even more exciting is that most of them come with clear knitting charts and symbol diagrams. The challenge, of course, is that they’re written in Russian — but that’s where I come in. I’ll be translating these Russian knitting patterns into English, chart by chart, symbol by symbol, so you can enjoy them too.
Why Russian Knitting Patterns Stand Out
Russian designers have a distinct way of combining traditional techniques with modern fashion sensibilities. You’ll see sculpted cables, openwork lace panels, and clever shaping that flatters all body types. Many of these patterns are minimalist yet elegant — exactly what we mean when we say modern knits.
Modern Chevron Knit Sweater – Free Russian Knitting Pattern (Translated to English)
This modern chevron sweater pattern combines elegant texture with a clean, flattering silhouette. Originally a Russian knitting pattern, it features a striking zigzag lace design, balanced by smooth stockinette sections for a modern, wearable look.
Knit flat in separate pieces and finished with a beautifully simple crochet neckline edge, this sweater is perfect for knitters who love structured style and subtle detail.
Using Lana Grossa “Elastico” yarn, a soft cotton blend with gentle stretch, the sweater offers both comfort and drape. Available in sizes 38/40 (44/46), the design showcases the unique artistry of Russian pattern makers — now fully translated into English with clear charts and instructions.
A timeless piece you’ll wear again and again.
Legend:
- + = 1 edge/selvage stitch
- ☐ = 1 knit stitch
- – = 1 purl stitch
- U = 1 yarn over
- ⇙ = Knit 2 stitches together (k2tog)
- ↓ = Knit 2 stitches together with a left slant (= slip 1 stitch, knit 1 stitch, then pass the slipped stitch over the knitted one) – This is often called a “slip, knit, pass over” (SKP) or “slip 1, knit 1, pass slipped stitch over” (s1kp).
- ⇞ = Purl 2 stitches together (p2tog)
- 2> = Purl 2 stitches together through the back loop (p2tog tbl)
- 3⇞ = Purl 3 stitches together (p3tog)
- ↑ = A centered double decrease, where 1 stitch is decreased with a double left slant so that the middle stitch is on top (= slip 2 stitches together as if to knit, knit 1 stitch, then pass the 2 slipped stitches over the knitted one). This is often abbreviated as S2KP (slip 2, knit 1, pass slipped stitches over).
Sizes: 38/40 (44/46)
Materials:
400 (450) g of dark bluish-green yarn LANA GROSSA “Elastico” (96% cotton, 4% polyester; 160 m/50 g).
Knitting needles sizes 3 and 3.5.
Also, crochet hook size 3.
PATTERNS ♥
Pattern 1: Stockinette Stitch.
Right-side rows – knit stitches, wrong-side rows – purl stitches.
Pattern 2: Chevron Pattern (number of stitches multiple of 20 + 1 + 2 edge stitches).
Knit following the chart. Rows 1–16 show only right-side rows; on wrong-side rows, knit the stitches as they appear, and purl all yarn overs.
Rows 17–26 include both right- and wrong-side rows.
Begin with the stitch before the right arrow, repeat the 20-stitch pattern between the arrows continuously, and end with the stitches after the left arrow.
Repeat rows 1–26 throughout.
Gauge:
Pattern 2 – 25 sts x 28 rows = 10 x 10 cm
Pattern 1 – 22 sts x 28 rows = 10 x 10 cm
INSTRUCTIONS ♥
Back:
Using needles size 3, cast on 143 (163) sts and knit 1 WS row in knit stitches (this row is not included in further calculations).
Continue with needles size 3.5 in Pattern 2.
After 56 cm = 156 rows from the cast-on edge, switch to Pattern 1, decreasing evenly across the first row by 18 (20) sts = 125 (143) sts remain.
At 60 cm = 168 rows (62 cm = 174 rows) from the cast-on edge, bind off on both sides for shoulder shaping: 1 x 5 (7) sts, then in every 2nd row bind off 1 x 5 (7) sts and 3 x 6 sts.
At 64 cm = 180 rows (66 cm = 184 rows) from the cast-on edge, bind off remaining 69 (79) sts, with the center 57 (67) sts forming the neckline and the outer 6 sts on each side forming the shoulders.
Front:
Work as for the back, but for a deeper neckline:
At 59 cm = 166 rows (61 cm = 170 rows) from the cast-on edge, bind off the center 27 (37) sts and finish each side separately.
For the curved neckline, bind off along the inner edge in every 2nd row 1 x 6 sts, 1 x 4 sts, 1 x 3 sts, and 2 x 1 sts.
At 60 cm = 168 rows (62 cm = 174 rows) from the cast-on edge, bind off along the outer edge for the shoulder slope 1 x 5 (7) sts, then in every 2nd row bind off 1 x 5 (7) sts and 4 x 6 sts.
Sleeves:
Using needles size 3, cast on 103 (109) sts for each sleeve and knit 1 WS row in knit stitches (this row is not included in further calculations).
Continue on needles size 3.5, distributing stitches as follows:
Edge stitch, 0 (3) sts in Pattern 1, 101 sts in Pattern 2 (repeat the 20-st pattern 5 times and finish with the stitch after the left arrow), 0 (3) sts in Pattern 1, edge stitch.
After 24.5 cm = 68 rows from the cast-on edge, bind off all stitches.
Finishing:
Sew shoulder seams.
Using crochet hook size 3, work 1 round of single crochet along the neckline edge, followed by 1 round of reverse single crochet (“crab stitch” = single crochet worked from left to right).
Set in sleeves. Sew sleeve seams and side seams.
