How to Embroider on a Sweater

By
Mollie Johanson
Mollie Johanson
Mollie Johanson
Mollie Johanson is a professional needlecrafter with over 10 years of hands-on embroidery, sewing, and knitting experience. She is the author of “Stitch Love: Sweet Creatures Big & Small." Mollie also designs and sells stitching projects, co-hosts a crafting podcast, and has taught online embroidery courses.
Learn more about The Spruce Crafts' Editorial Process
Updated on 10/19/20
Sewing accessories, Fabric
HUIZENG HU / Getty Images

Are you a fan of snuggling up in a cozy sweater on a cool, crisp day? Embroider your love for sweater weather on the collar of your favorite pullover! A touch of hand-stitching on a ready-made or handmade sweater makes it extra-special.

Because sweaters stretch, you need to stitch carefully. It's best to work without an embroidery hoop. However, the process is simple when you use the tracing paper method for marking your pattern. Not only does the paper show you what to stitch, but it also acts as a stabilizer for your embroidery.

Tip

When choosing a sweater, look for a knit that is fairly smooth. Chunky knits work, but they are more difficult to embroider on evenly.

What You'll Need

Equipment / Tools

  • Pencil
  • Scissors
  • Needle

Materials

  • Sweater
  • Embroidery floss
  • Tracing paper
  • Thread

Instructions

  1. Download and Print the Pattern

    Download the Sweater Weather pattern. Print out the pattern at your desired size; the pattern page includes three versions, each with a different curve. Hold the patterns up to the neckline of your sweater to see which one works best.

    Tip

    If you don't want to use the "sweater weather" phrase, you can write something in your handwriting or print it out in a simple font.

  2. Trace the Pattern

    Use a regular pencil to trace the pattern on tracing paper. Cut loosely around the design so there's at least 1/2-inch of extra space around the words.

    Tracing the Pattern
    Mollie Johanson

  3. Baste the Pattern to the Sweater

    Use regular thread and long-running stitches to baste the tracing paper pattern along the neckline of the sweater. Make sure that the pattern aligns with the neckline as you attach the paper. If it's crooked now, the embroidery will also be crooked.

  4. Embroider the Design

    Start your embroidery with an away knot, which will hold the end of embroidery floss temporarily. A standard knot at the end of the thread will pull through the sweater and won't be secure.

    Embroider the design with your favorite basic stitch. The sample uses three strands and reverse chain stitch, but you can also use something as simple as a backstitch.

    Tip

    If you want to make some of the lines thicker than others, you can add a second line of stitching right next to the first, but it's best to do this after you remove the paper in the next step.

    When ending a thread and starting a new one, weave the ends in securely on the back of the previous stitches. After all the embroidery is done, carefully snip the away knot. Thread the end of the loose thread through your needle and weave it through the back of the completed stitches.

    Stitching on the Sweater
    Mollie Johanson

  5. Remove the Paper Template

    To finish off your embroidered sweater, remove the basting stitches from the tracing paper. Next, begin carefully tearing away the paper. Try to tear along the edges of the stitching, but avoid tugging at the stitches too much. Sometimes the pieces of paper get stuck under the embroidery. If that happens, use a needle and/or tweezers to gently remove the pieces.

    Tearing Away the Paper
    Mollie Johanson