Viking Bulky Muscle Hoody

Beginner Seamless Ribbed Pullover Hoodie

A stretchy, body-skimming muscle hoodie knit in lofty bulky wool. Full k2p2 rib delivers serious stretch, warmth, and a clean Norse-inspired look. Worked entirely in the round with simple raglan shaping and a cozy hood—no zippers or complex stitch patterns.

Sizes

S (M, L, XL) Finished chest (stretched rib): 34 (38, 42, 46)" / 86.5 (96.5, 106.5, 117) cm Intended ease: 2–4" / 5–10 cm negative ease for muscle fit Sample shown in size M on 40" chest.

Yarn

Bulky weight wool (approx. 100–120 yd / 90–110 m per 100 g) 920 (1020, 1140, 1280) yd / 840 (930, 1040, 1170) m Suggested: 100% wool single-ply or lightly spun bulky (e.g., cascade magnum or similar). Color: charcoal, forest, or rust for Viking feel.

Needles

US 10 / 6 mm 16" / 40 cm and 32" / 80 cm circulars + DPNs (or magic-loop) for sleeves and hood US 9 / 5.5 mm 16" / 40 cm circular for optional tighter rib cuffs/brim (if desired)

Notions

Stitch markers (4 raglan + 1 BOR) Stitch holders or waste yarn Tapestry needle Optional: 1" / 2.5 cm leather toggle or horn button for hood closure

Gauge

14 sts and 18 rnds = 4" / 10 cm in k2p2 rib on larger needles, measured slightly stretched. Take time to check gauge. Adjust needle size if needed.

Abbreviations (US)

BOR: beginning of round CO: cast on dec: decrease DPN: double-pointed needle k: knit k2tog: knit 2 together p: purl p2tog: purl 2 together pm: place marker rnd(s): round(s) RS: right side sm: slip marker ssk: slip-slip-knit st(s): stitch(es) WS: wrong side wyif: with yarn in front

Pattern Notes

• Rib is worked as k2, p2 throughout; always keep pattern aligned.
• Muscle fit relies on negative ease—choose size 2–4" smaller than actual chest.
• All stitch counts given as S (M, L, XL).
• Inline validation shown as (math ✓).

BODY

With larger 32" / 80 cm circular and bulky yarn, CO 120 (132, 148, 160) sts using long-tail method. Join to work in the rnd, being careful not to twist; pm for BOR. Rnd 1: *k2, p2; rep from * to end. Work even in established k2p2 rib until piece measures 16 (16.5, 17, 17.5)" / 40.5 (42, 43, 44.5) cm from CO edge (or desired length to underarm). Next rnd (underarm divide): Work 54 (60, 68, 74) sts in rib, place next 6 (6, 6, 6) sts on holder for underarm, work 54 (60, 68, 74) sts in rib, place remaining 6 (6, 6, 6) sts on holder. 108 (120, 136, 148) sts remain on needle for body. Set body aside.

(120 – 6 – 6 = 108 ✓; 132 – 12 = 120 ✓; 148 – 12 = 136 ✓; 160 – 12 = 148 ✓)

SLEEVES (make 2)

With larger DPNs or magic-loop, CO 40 (44, 48, 52) sts. Join, pm for BOR. Work k2p2 rib for 3" / 7.5 cm. Inc rnd: K1, m1, work rib to last st, m1, k1. 2 sts increased. Rep Inc rnd every 6th rnd 7 (8, 9, 10) more times, working new sts into rib pattern. 56 (62, 68, 74) sts. (40 + 2×8 = 56 ✓; 44 + 2×9 = 62 ✓; 48 + 2×10 = 68 ✓; 52 + 2×11 = 74 ✓)

Work even until sleeve measures 18 (18.5, 19, 19.5)" / 45.5 (47, 48.5, 49.5) cm from CO (or desired length to underarm). Next rnd: Work to last 3 sts, place next 6 sts on holder for underarm (3 sts each side of BOR). 50 (56, 62, 68) sts remain. Place on holder.

YOKE (Raglan Join)

Return body sts to 32" needle. With RS facing and beginning at left front underarm: Join yarn and work across 54 (60, 68, 74) front sts in rib, pm (raglan), work 50 (56, 62, 68) left sleeve sts in rib, pm (raglan), work 54 (60, 68, 74) back sts in rib, pm (raglan), work 50 (56, 62, 68) right sleeve sts in rib, pm (raglan / BOR).
Total: 208 (232, 260, 284) sts. (54+50+54+50 = 208 ✓; 60+56+60+56 = 232 ✓; 68+62+68+62 = 260 ✓; 74+68+74+68 = 284 ✓)

Raglan Dec Rnd: *Work rib to 2 sts before marker, k2tog (or p2tog to keep rib), sm, ssk (or ssp); rep from * 3 more times, work to end. 8 sts decreased. Work 1 rnd even in rib. Rep last 2 rnds 15 (16, 18, 19) more times.
Sts remaining: 80 (88, 96, 104) (208 – 8×16 = 80 ✓; 232 – 8×17 = 88 ✓; 260 – 8×19 = 96 ✓; 284 – 8×20 = 104 ✓)

Work even in rib (if needed) until yoke depth measures 8.5 (9, 9.5, 10)" / 21.5 (23, 24, 25.5) cm from underarm join.

HOOD

Remove BOR marker. Work across next 20 (22, 24, 26) sts (right front), place remaining 60 (66, 72, 78) sts on holder for later.
You will now work the hood back and forth in rows on the center back + left front sts plus newly worked sts, but simpler pickup method follows for beginners:

Pickup method (recommended):
Place all 80 (88, 96, 104) yoke sts on holder. With larger 16" circular and RS facing, beginning at right front neck edge, pick up and knit 80 (88, 96, 104) sts evenly around neckline.
Do not join; work flat. Row 1 (WS): *p2, k2; rep from * to end (adjust first/last sts if needed to keep rib). Row 2 (RS): *k2, p2; rep from * to end. Cont in rib until hood measures 12 (12.5, 13, 13.5)" / 30.5 (32, 33, 34.5) cm from pickup, ending after a WS row.

Crown shaping (short-row free simple dec):
Place marker at center of hood (between sts 40-41 (44-45, 48-49, 52-53)). Row 1 (RS): Work rib to 4 sts before center marker, k2tog, k2, sm, k2, ssk, work to end. 2 sts dec. Row 2 (WS): Work even in rib. Rep last 2 rows 5 more times. 68 (76, 84, 92) sts. (80 – 2×6 = 68 ✓ etc.)

Seam top of hood:
Fold hood in half with RS together. Use 3-needle bind-off or mattress stitch to join the 34 (38, 42, 46) sts from each side.

FINISHING

Graft or Kitchener-stitch the 6 underarm sts of body to 6 underarm sts of each sleeve. Weave in all ends securely on WS. Block gently by soaking in cool water and laying flat to measurements—do not stretch rib excessively. Optional: Add a simple i-cord or twisted-cord tie at hood front edges, or sew a leather toggle. Optional pouch pocket: pick up 30 sts at center front 6" up from hem, work k2p2 rib for 6", bind off and sew sides down.

Wear your Viking muscle hoody and conquer the cold.

End of pattern.