Happy day, friends! I have another free crochet sweater pattern for you. I’m really excited to see variations of this one… That’s right, VARIATIONS. This top has options that are going to get you through spring and fall!!
Here's the story:
A sweater for that weather that’s not quite spring, but not at all winter.
You know the days… when the sun peeks out, its oh-so-lovely, but those moments are fleeting because it’s cloudy and the wind is cold. But winter is over and you just don’t want to wear your bulky layers anymore. Change is in the air and you’re ready to dress for spring in short sleeves and no socks.
Yep.
This is what to reach for.
I first tried this stitch a while back when planning out a pair of fingerless gloves using fingering/sock weight yarn and really loved the look.
It danced around in my yarny mind for days until I finally gave in a started to swatch it in other yarns.
And to my total surprise and delight, it looked great in worsted!
About the yarn:
A Touch of Alpaca by Lion Brand Yarn is a lovely lovely thing. It’s affordable and has that luuuuuuxe feel of alpaca. Even at only 10%, the alpaca comes through with it’s softness and gorgeous halo. The 90% acrylic is all about function and price.
Oh, and the colors! – 15 at my last peek of their site.
The halo that comes with the alpaca is one reason Touch of Alpaca is so perfect for this sweater. It “fills the gaps” and gives this little-bit-lace stitch a solid look and feel– no undershirt necessary!
Ya’ll this yarn is a win-win!
Let's talk sizing:
This top has an easy-going, boxy body and sleeves.
Because it is made from rectangles with no shaping, there are options when choosing what size to make.
For the one shown, I chose a positive ease fit of about 6″ [15 cm], which is a 2X.
I’m going to be making another Keck for myself and will drop down to the 1X which will have a 2″ [5 cm] positive ease.
Going up/down in sizing also changes the depth of the arm, making the sleeve circumference change.
So, if you want the body of your sweater to have an oversized positive ease, but would rather the sleeve fit a little closer, simply drop down a size for the instructions when you reach the sleeve portion of the pattern.
While I have written the pattern in standard XS-5X sizing, please note the FINISHED MEASUREMENTS and make size according to the ease you desire.
Also of note about the sweater shown:
Remember, I am but a wee 5′ almost 2″, so the “standard” sweater length is long on me.
I have an idea for your next spring top...
Bifrost is another free crochet sweater pattern offered on the site! This is the best, lounging-on-the-couch project. Beginner friendly, made from Dk weight (#3 light). The sleeve construction makes all the magic for this top. If you can double crochet, you can make this! {FREE pattern}
The skills you need:
Keck sweater is not a difficult sweater to make. If you are a baby-fresh beginner, there might be a few new stitches to you. But don’t be afraid of them because 1- there are few of them to stitch and 2- I’ve made you videos and picture tutorials!
Watch for links in the pattern for crocheting tutorials.
foundation single crochet – chain – half double crochet – front post – back post – single crochet – slip stitch – seaming
Prefer a PDF?
Yes, this page has complete directions for creating the Keck Sweater – or – you can inexpensively purchase the pattern HERE (Etsy) or HERE (LoveCrochet) and you will receive an ad-free pdf download, which also includes:
- Schematic of measurements
- Complete stitch diagram
Getting started:
Friend, ya need to swatch. I know its no fun. I know you want to get right to the good stuff. I know it feels like a waste of yarn, and yarn ain’t cheap.
I know.
But– You want your sweater to fit. This means you need to know how your stitching sizes up to my stitching.
We are all different. Heck, we’re different from ourselves at any given time. I know my gauge is tighter when watching a show than it is if I’m in my stitching chair listening to a book.
Grumble and grump about it (I do), but do it.
Chain 24 (32 would be better).
Set up: Hdc in 2nd ch from hook, hdc in ea ch across to end, turn. 23 (31) hdc
Row 1: Sc in first hdc, sk hdc, * v-stitch in next hdc, sk hdc; rep from * across, sc in last hdc, turn
Row 2: Ch 1, sc in first sc, v-stitch in ea v-stitch across, sc in last sc, turn.
Rep Row 2 until you swatch is at least 6″ tall.
Measuring the inside stitches, not at the edges, count out your gauge and go up or down a hook size if needed for your sweater.
The pattern
Keck Sweater
A free crochet pattern, by Rebecca Velasquez
#KeckSweater
SHOW IT OFF! Tag @RV.designs (instagram) and use this hashtag to share your in-progress pics of your new spring top!
MATERIALS & TOOLS
YARN: Worsted weight (#4 medium); 819 (908, 1020, 1124, 1257, 1370, 1543, 1682, 1843) yd [749 (831, 933, 1028, 1150, 1253, 1411, 1539, 1686) m]
Shown: Lion Brand Yarn, Touch of Alpaca (90% acrylic 10% alpaca; 207 yd [189 m] / 3.53 oz[100 g]), 4 (5, 5, 6, 7, 7, 8, 9, 9) skeins; #138 crimson.
*Yardage given is for sweater as shown: standard length with ribbing collar. Yardage with vary with option collar and/or lengthening/shortening of sweater body.
HOOK: I/9- 5.50 mm & J/10 [6 mm]; or size needed to obtain gauge; I prefer the hand cushions and head shaping of Tulip Brand or Clover Amour hooks
NOTIONS: Locking stitch markers (4), tapestry needle
For a complete list of all the tools/supplies I use, find it HERE (affiliate link)
GAUGE: 10 sts and 10 rows = 4” [10 cm] in stitch pattern before blocking
SIZES: XS (S, M, L, 1X, 2X, 3X, 4X, 5X)
FINISHED MEASUREMENTS:
Bust / Hip: 36 (40, 44, 48, 52, 56, 60, 64, 68) [91.5 (101.5, 112, 122, 132, 142, 152.5, 162.5, 172.5) cm] after light blocking of seams.
Hem to Shoulder: 21 (21 3/4, 22, 22 1/2, 23, 23 3/4, 24 1/2, 25 1/2, 26 1/4) [53.5 (55, 56, 57, 58.5, 60.5, 62, 65, 66.5)].
Sleeve circumference: 15 (16 1/4, 17, 17 3/4, 19, 20 1/2, 21 3/4, 23 3/4, 25 1/4)[38 (41 1/2, 43, 45, 48 1/2, 52, 55, 60 1/2, 64)]
Sample shown in Size 2X, model is 5’ 2” [157 cm] with 49“ [124.5 cm] bust, 50”[127 cm] hip
PROJECT LEVEL: Easy +
TECHNIQUES USED: foundation single crochet – chain – half double crochet – front post – back post – single crochet – slip stitch – seaming
NOTES:
- Sweater is worked bottom up, sleeves worked at the same time, divided for neck opening/shoulders and rejoined for second side. Seam shoulders. Collar and sleeve cuffs are then added, side edges/underarms seamed cuff to hem.
- Pattern is written for full length, customization and cropped recommendations provided.
- For full length sweater- choose sizing from largest of high hip or bust measurement, make size according to ease/fit desired.
- For cropped sweater- choose sizing from bust measurement, make size according to ease/fit desired.
- Take time to save time. Stitch, wash, and block a gauge swatch in the same manner you will be using for your garment to ensure proper measurements.
- Read through each line before beginning to avoid any confusion during stitching.
- Refer to special stitches instruction as needed.
ABBREVIATIONS:
Beg – begin(ning)
Bphdc – back post hdc
Ch – chain
Ea – each
Fphdc – front post hdc
Hdc – half double crochet
Prev – previous
Rem – remaining
Rep – repeat
RS – right side
Sc – single crochet
Sk – skip
Sl st – slip stitch
Sp(s) – space(s)
St(s) – stitch(es)
Tog – together
WS – wrong side
Yo – yarn over (hook)
SPECIAL STITCHES:
Fsc (foundation single crochet): Ch 2, insert hook in 2nd ch from hook, yo and draw up a loop, yo and draw through 1 loop (first “chain” made), yo and draw through 2 loops on hook (first sc made), *insert hook under 2 loops of the “chain” just made, yo and draw up a loop, yo and draw through 1 loop (“chain” made), yo and draw through 2 loops on hook (sc made); rep from * for indicated number of foundation sts.
V-stitch: (Sc, ch 2, sc) in indicated stitch.
TOP
Front/Back (make 2)
With larger hook, fsc 45 (49, 55, 59, 65, 69, 75, 79, 85), turn.
ROW 1 (RS): Ch 1, hdc in first fsc, * fphdc in next fsc, hdc in next fsc; rep from * across to end, turn.
ROW 2 (WS): Ch 1, hdc in first hdc, * bphdc in next hdc, hdc in next hdc; rep from * across to end, turn.
ROW 3: With smaller hook, ch 1, sc in first hdc, sk hdc, * v-stitch in next hdc, sk hdc; rep from * across, sc in last hdc, turn. 21 (23, 26, 28, 31, 33, 36, 38, 41) v-stitch
ROW 4: Ch 1, sc in first sc, v-stitch in ea v-stitch across, sc in last sc, turn.
ROWS 5-40 [See customization below]: Rep Row 4.
Customization
Cropped recommend length [7” (18 cm)]: Rows 5-20.
To shorten/lengthen torso, Rep Row 4; refer to gauge for number of repeats necessary to achieve length desired.
Make a notation of repeats made for referral when making Back.
Pattern continued
PM in 13 (14, 14, 16, 17, 18, 20, 21, 22) and 23 (24, 27, 29, 31, 32, 35, 36, 38) v-stitch for neck/shoulder placement, move markers up with each row.
Sleeves
ROW 41: Ch 1, V-stitch in first sc, V-stitch in ea V-stitch across, V-stitch in last sc, turn. 23 (25, 28, 30, 33, 35, 38, 40, 43) v-stitch
ROW 42: Ch 1, sc in first sc of V-stitch, V-stitch in ea V-stitch across through last v-stitch, sc in second sc of last v-stitch, turn.
ROWS 43-44: Rep Rows 41-42. 25 (27, 30, 32, 35, 37, 40, 42, 45) v-stitch
PM in last sc of row just made for sleeve.
ROW 45: Ch 11 (11, 11, 13, 13, 13, 15, 15, 15), sc in 2nd ch from hook, * sk next ch, V-stitch in next ch; rep from * across to sleeve marker, sk marked sc, remove marker, V-stitch in ea V-stitch across, sc in last sc, turn. 30 (32, 35, 38, 41, 43, 47, 49, 52) v-stitch
PM in last sc of row just made for sleeve.
ROW 46: Rep Row 45. 35 (37, 40, 44, 47, 49, 54, 56, 59) v-stitch
ROW 46-56 (58, 59, 60, 62, 64, 66, 69, 71): Rep Row 4.
Neckline / Shoulder 1
ROW 57 (59, 60, 61, 63, 65, 67, 70, 72): Ch 1, sc in first sc, V-stitch in ea v-stitch across to marker, sc in marked v-stitch, leave remaining sts unworked, remove marker, turn. 12 (13, 13, 15, 16, 17, 19, 20, 21) V-stitch
ROW 58 (60, 61, 62, 64, 66, 68, 71, 73)- 61 (63, 64, 65, 67, 69, 71, 74, 76): Rep Row 4.
ROW 62 (64, 65, 66, 68, 70, 72, 75, 77): Ch 1, sc in first sc, ch 1, * sc in V-stitch, ch 1; rep from * across, sc in last sc, on Front only, leave tail approximately 4x length of shoulder/sleeve for seam, fasten off.
Neckline / Shoulder 2
ROW 57 (59, 60, 61, 63, 65, 67, 70, 72): Join new yarn in marked V-stitch for neck, ch 1, sc in marked V-stitch, V-stitch in ea v-stitch across to sleeve edge, sc in last sc, turn. 12 (13, 13, 15, 16, 17, 19, 20, 21) V-stitch
ROW 58 (60, 61, 62, 64, 66, 68, 71, 73)- 61 (63, 64, 65, 67, 69, 71, 74, 76): Rep Row 4.
ROW 62 (64, 65, 66, 68, 70, 72, 75, 77): Ch 1, sc in first sc, ch 1, * sc in V-stitch, ch 1; rep from * across, sc in last sc, on Front only, leave tail approximately 4x length of shoulder/sleeve for seam, fasten off.
Finishing
With RS together, using long tails and yarn needle, sew front to back at shoulders/sleeves using interlocking stitch.
Sleeve Cuffs (edging)
With WS facing, using larger hook, working into the sides of sleeve edge stitches, join new yarn at underarm seam with sl st, ch 1, evenly hdc across.
ROW 1 (RS): Ch 1, hdc in first hdc, * fphdc in next hdc, hdc in next fsc; rep from * across to end, turn.
ROW 2 (WS): Ch 1, hdc in first hdc, * bphdc in next hdc, hdc in next hdc; rep from * across to end, turn.
With RS together, using interlocking stitch, sew from sleeve cuff to underarm, then down to hem.
Collar - Ribbing option (shown)
With WS facing, using larger hook, join new yarn at shoulder seam with sl st, ch 1, evenly hdc around neckline; working 1 hdc into sides of stitches across shoulders where necessary, work 1 hdc into each hdc, skipping ch spaces, ending with an odd number of stitches, sl st to first hdc to join, turn.
ROW 1 (RS): Ch 1, * fphdc in next hdc, hdc in next hdc; rep from * across to end, turn.
ROW 2 (WS): Ch 1, hdc in first hdc, * bphdc in next hdc, hdc in next hdc; rep from * across to end, turn.
Rep Rows 1-2 to desired length of collar, fasten off.
Collar - V-stitch option (not shown)
ROW 1 (RS): With RS facing, using larger hook, join new yarn at shoulder seam with sl st, ch 1, V-stitch around neckline, working into V-stitches and sides of stitches across shoulders where necessary, sl st to first sc of first v-stitch to join, turn.
Remove marker(s), weave in ends.
Lightly steam seams and edges for best results.
Stitch & Share
#KeckSweater and #RVdesigns
When you’re showing off your gorgeous handmades on social sites, please tag all your in-progress and completed postings – I really do love to see the different variations!
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QUESTIONS about this pattern?
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Other free crochet sweater patterns you may like:
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