Today’s post is a FREE crochet sweater pattern!

Working from stash again. I’m really enjoying watching it dwindle and knowing that I’m using up what I have. This also means, of course, that I get to restock! Lol 🙂

I have several more skeins of this yarn in different colors (cream, red, bright pink, black and a blue-aqua). Still pondering what I’ll do with them. Requests?

My daughter lives several hours north, where there is an actual winter and it lasts for longer than 3 weeks, so I decided to make her a sweater- as a surprise.

Then, decided I should get a some input from her on what she would actually wear. I wanted her to love it and not just because “mom made it”, but because she actually loved it.

This is the result of her requests and my hook. Not too bad, eh?

A little about this free crochet sweater pattern post:
The page has complete directions – or – you can inexpensively purchase the pattern HERE (Etsy) or HERE (LoveCrochet) and you will receive an ad-free pdf download, which includes:

• Fully written, line by line instruction
• Schematic
• Stitch diagram

Biel Sweater

Like this sweater pattern try Biel Sweater Crochet Pattern, Biel is a 3/4 sleeve top for those cool fall nights. Link here.

PATTERN

Surprise Sweater

A free crochet pattern, by Rebecca Velasquez

#SurpriseSweater
SHOW IT OFF! Tag @RV.designs and use this hashtag to share your progress and fabulous new sweater.

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YARN: Worsted weight (#4 medium), 929 (1035, 1151, 1229, 1339, 1457, 1593, 1709, 1848) yds [849 (946, 1052, 1123, 1224, 1332, 1456, 1562, 1689) m]; Shown: Universal Yarn Deluxe Worsted 100% wool; 220 yds [201 m], 3.53 oz [100 g]: Neutral Grey; 4 (5, 5, 6, 6, 7, 7, 8, 8) skeins

Other yarns to try:
Chic Sheep 100% mercerized merino; 186 yds [170 m], 3.53 oz {100 g]: 2 skeins — I have used this yarn for several projects. It is SO.SOFT. If you haven’t tried it yet, I highly recommend.

Lion Brand Wool-Ease 80% acrylic 20% wool, 197 yds [180 m], 3 oz [85 g]: 2 skeins — Can’t go wrong with this staple yarn.

HOOK: I-9 [5.5 mm]

NOTIONS: Tapestry needle, locking stitch markers (5)

GAUGE: 13 sts and 6 rows = 4″ [10 cm] in double crochet

FINISHED MEASUREMENTS: 37 (41, 44½, 49, 53, 56½, 61, 65, 68½) [94 (104, 113, 124.5, 134.5, 143.5, 155, 165, 174) cm] at bust and hip

SIZES: XS (S, M, L, 1X, 2X, 3X, 4X, 5X); to fit bust 30 (34, 38, 42, 46, 50, 54, 58, 62) [75 (85, 95, 105, 115, 125, 135, 145, 155) cm] with approx. 7” [18 cm] + ease            

PROJECT LEVEL: Easy +

TECHNIQUES USED: Ch, stacked dc (see special stitches), dc, fpdc, bpdc, blo, sl st, seaming

ABBREVIATIONS:

Blo- back loop only

Bpdc- back post double crochet

Ch- chain

Dc- double crochet

Ea- each

Fpdc- front post double crochet

PM- place marker

Rep- repeat

RS- right side

Sl st- slip stitch

St(s)- stitch(es)

Yo- yarn over (hook)

WS- wrong side

NOTES:

• Sweater is made in pieces and seamed. Front and back upper body is worked bottom to shoulder then turned and worked to hem. Sleeves are then made, sewn in and sides seamed, rejoin yarn at neck and stitch turtleneck.
• Take time to save time. Stitch and wash a gauge swatch in the same manner you will be using for your garment to ensure proper measurements. This fabric does not need stretching, soak/wash and lay flat to dry. 
• Measure the full bust and hip, make size according to the ease/fit you desire. 
• Read through each line before beginning to avoid any confusion during stitching.
• Remember, if needed, a stitch diagram and schematic are available through my Etsy store and at LoveCrochet.

SPECIAL STITCHES:

Stacked dc (stacked double crochet): Sc in indicated st, insert hook behind leftmost vertical bar of sc just made and pull up a loop, yo and draw through 2 loops on hook. You may replace this with a traditional ch-3 if desired.

Sweater

Front/Back (make 2)

Customization:To lengthen torso, work more repeats of Row 2; to shorten, work fewer repeats of Row 2; ending on an even row. Refer to gauge to determine number of repeats for desired length. 

Make a notation of repeats added or subtracted for referral when making back.

Upper body

Row 1 (RS): Ch 60 (68, 76, 80, 88, 96, 100, 108, 116), stacked dc in first ch from hook, dc in ea ch to end, turn- 60 (68, 76, 80, 88, 96, 100, 108, 116) dc.

Row 2: Stacked dc in first dc, dc in ea dc to end, turn.

Rows 3-21 (21, 23, 23, 23, 23, 25, 25, 25):  Rep Row 2.

Row 22 (22, 24, 24, 24, 24, 26, 26, 26): Rep Row 2, PM in 20 (23, 25, 27, 30, 31, 35, 37, 40) dc made for shoulder placement, turn. PM in first and last stitch of row 14 (14, 15, 14, 13, 12, 13, 12, 11) of front and back for sleeve placement.

Shoulder 1/Neck shaping

Row 23 (23, 25, 25, 25, 25, 27, 27, 27):  Stacked dc in first dc, dc in ea of next 20 (23, 25, 27, 30, 31, 35, 37, 40) dc, leave remaining sts unworked, (Front only- leaving a tail approximately 3x width of shoulder), fasten off.

Shoulder 2/Neck shaping

Row 23 (23, 25, 25, 25, 25, 27, 27, 27):  With RS facing you, join new yarn with sl st in marked dc, stacked dc in same dc as sl st, dc in dc across, (Front only- leaving a tail approximately 3x width of shoulder), fasten off.

Lower Body

Row 1:  With RS facing, turn top so that you will now be working into the unused loops of the foundation chain, join new yarn with sl st in blo of first dc, stacked dc in blo of same dc as sl st, dc in blo of ea dc to end, turn.

Row 2:  Stacked dc in first dc, bpdc in next 2 dc, *dc in next 2 dc, bpdc in next 2 dc; rep from * across, dc in last dc, turn.

Row 3:  Stacked dc in first dc, fpdc in next 2 dc, *dc in next 2 dc, fpdc in next 2 dc; rep from * across, dc in last dc, turn.

Rows 4-11:  Rep Rows 2-3.

Row 12:  Rep Row 2.

Row 13:  Loosely sl st in blo of ea dc to end, leaving a tail approximately 5x length of body, fasten off.

Sleeve (make 2)

Customization: To lengthen torso, work more repeats of Row 2; to shorten, work fewer repeats of Row 2; ending on an even row. Refer to gauge to determine number of repeats for desired length. 

Make a notation of repeats added or subtracted for referral when making back.

Row 1 (RS): Ch 38 (42, 44, 48, 52, 56, 62, 66, 72) stacked dc in first ch from hook, dc in ea ch to end, turn.

Row 2:  Stacked dc in first dc, dc in ea dc to end, turn.

Row 3-26:  Rep Row 2.

Row 27:  Stacked dc in blo of first dc, dc in blo of ea dc to end, turn.

Row 28:  Stacked dc in first dc, bpdc in next 2 dc, *dc in next 2 dc, bpdc in next 2 dc; rep from * to end, dc in last dc, turn.

Row 29:  Stacked dc in first dc, fpdc in next 2 dc, *dc in next 2 dc, fpdc in next 2 dc; rep from * to end, dc in last dc, turn.

Rows 30-31:  Rep Rows 28-29.

Row 32:  Rep Row 28.

Row 33: Loosely sl st in blo of ea dc to end, fasten off.

Finishing

With RS together, using long tails and yarn needle, sew front to back at shoulders using mattress stitch.

With RS facing up, place sweater flat, with RS facing down, center top of sleeve over shoulder seam and between markers , (RS are together), with a length of yarn approximately 3x width of sleeve, sew sleeve in place using mattress stitch. Turn sweater inside-out so that RS are together, using long tails at hem, sew from hem to underarm and across to cuff using mattress stitch.

Turtleneck

Row 1:  With RS facing, join new yarn at center back with sl st, stacked dc in same dc as sl st, evenly dc around neck opening, join with sl st in blo of first dc, turn.

Row 2:  Stacked dc in first dc, dc in ea dc around, join with sl st in blo of first st, turn.

Rows 3-9:  Rep Row 2.

Row 10:  Stacked dc in first dc, dc in ea dc around, join with sl st in first st, turn.

Row 33: Loosely sl st in blo of ea dc to end, fasten off.

Remove marker(s), weave in ends. Block to measurements. Ÿ

#SurpriseSweater

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