Clarity: A Colour Block Sweater Pattern

With its contrasting colours, clean lines and simple boxy style, this lightweight sweater is all about elegance and drape.

The sweater is designed using a simple t-shaped dolman design, making it a great first crochet garment project.

Read on for the free pattern or purchase the add-free printable PDF version of the pattern from Love Crafts, Etsy or Ravelry.

This pattern was originally designed for Inside Crochet Magazine who have allowed the use of these images.

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Pattern Notes

General notes

• Please read all the pattern notes before starting your project.
• This pattern uses standard US crochet terms (UK equivalents are given in brackets in the abbreviations list).
• Numbers at the end of a row / round indicate the number of stitches in that row / round and are only given at the start of a section or where there is a change.
• Turning chains do not count as stitches.
• Unless otherwise indicated, stitches should be worked in consecutive stitches.
• The first stitch of each row / round should be worked into the top of the last stitch from the previous row / round, unless otherwise indicated.

Construction method

The pattern is made from two panels which are seamed together at the sides, underarm and shoulders.

Each panel is worked top down, starting with the first sleeve and shoulder, followed by the second sleeve and shoulder (I refer to first and second rather than right and left) which are crocheted together to create the top (teal) sleeve section.

The body section is worked directly into the sleeve section giving each panel a T shape with a square neckline at the top.

The panels are seamed together, cuffs and a neckline trim are added to finish.

Skills Used

This is a relatively simple sweater pattern. It requires working in rows and rounds, joining panels and simple seaming.

You will neeed knowledge of basic crochet stitches and terminology

I recommend using the mattress stitch for seaming which you can learn about here.

Materials

Hook: 5mm crochet hook, or size needed for  gauge, for the body and a 4mm for the neckline and cuffs

Yarn: You will need 1280 – 2020m of dk yarn depending on the size you choose. You will use roughly the same amount of each of the two colours – a little less of the body colour.

The item pictures uses Scheepjes Linen Soft, 47% cotton, 27% linen, 26% acrylic, 50g/135m/149yds:

• Yarn A: Teal, shade 608 x 5(5, 6, 7, 8, 8, 9) balls
• Yarn B: White, shade 630 x 5 (5, 6, 7, 7, 7, 8) balls

Notions: Yarn needle & scissors

Yarn Substitution Options: 

You can use any similar DK weight yarn which meets gauge. The pattern will work with a variety of fibres, but this will give a variation on the finished look.

You may find this post useful in choosing a substitute yarn.

Measurements & Finished Size

The finished measurements for sizes XS(S, M, L, 1X, 2X, 3X) are as follows

• Bust: 106(116, 126, 136, 146, 156, 166)cm
• Body Length: 54(54, 55, 57, 57, 58, 58)cm
• Sleeve Length: 40(39, 38, 38, 38, 37)cm

Note that the full PDF version of the pattern also includes a schematic.

This sweater is designed to be oversized in the body with a positive ease of around 30cm with a more fitted sleeve.

Instructions for different sizes are written in increasing order, with the smallest size first and larger sizes following in brackets as XS(S, M, L, 1X, 2X, 3X).

The finished sweater you see pictured is a size small (S).

Pattern gauge

12 sts and 12 rows in extended single crochet (see special stitches) in 10cm square using a 5mm hook, or size required to meet gauge. 

Learn how to make and measure a gauge swatch here

Stitches & Abbreviations: US terms 

(UK Equivalent in Brackets)

• ch = chain
• esc = extended single crochet (UK extended double crochet) – see special stitches
• sc = single crochet (UK double crochet)
• sk = skip (UK miss)
• sp = space
• ss = slip stitch
• st(s) = stitch(es)
• RS = right side
• WS = wrong side
• yo = yarn over

Special Stitches 

Extended single crochet (esc)

Insert hook, yo pull up a loop (2 loops on hook), yo, pull through 1 loop (2 loops on hook), yo, pull through remaining 2 loops to complete the stitch 

You can find a written, picture and video tutorial for the extended single crochet stitch here.

You can purchase the ad-free PDF pattern from Etsy, Ravelry or Love Crafts

The Pattern

Body Panel

Make 2

First Shoulder and Sleeve Set-up

Using Yarn A and 5mm hook, ch67(69, 71, 73, 73, 75, 77);

Row 1 (RS): 1esc in second ch from hook and each ch to end, turn. 66(68, 70, 72, 72, 74,  76) esc

Row 2: Ch1 (does not count as st here and throughout), 1esc in each st to end, turn.

Rows 3 – 9: As Row 2

Fasten off and set aside

Second Shoulder and Sleeve Set-up

Rows 1 – 9: Repeat as First Shoulder, and Sleeve do not fasten off

Row 10 (WS): Ch1, 1esc in each st to end, ch28(28, 28, 28, 32, 32, 32), then, working onto Row 9 of First Sleeve and Shoulder, with WS facing (to join two panels), 1esc in each st to end, turn. 160(164, 168, 172, 176, 180, 184) sts

Row 11: Ch1, 1esc in each st and ch to end, turn 

Row 12: Ch1, 1esc in each st to end, turn

Rows 13 – 20(20, 22, 24, 26, 26, 28): As Row 12

Fasten off Yarn A

Body Section

With RS facing, sk 48(47, 46, 45, 44, 43, 42) sts from end of sleeve, join Yarn B to next st.

Row 1 (RS): Ch1, starting in same st as yarn is joined, make 64(70, 76, 82, 88, 94, 100)esc, leaving 48(47, 46, 45, 44, 43, 42) sts unworked for the other sleeve, turn. 64(70, 76, 82, 88, 94, 100) esc

Row 2: Ch1, 1esc in each st to end, turn

Rows 3 – 44(44, 43, 43, 42, 42, 40): As Row 2

Do not fasten off

Hem

Row 1: Continuing from final row of body, ch1, 1sc in each st to end, turn. 64(70, 76, 82, 88, 94, 100) sc

Rows 2 – 5: Ch1, 1sc in each st to end, turn

Fasten off

Joining Panels

You may wish to block each panel to shape before joining.

With RS together (WS facing you), using Yarn A, sew together underarms from body to cuff-end of sleeve, matching stitch to stitch. Seam the tops of the sleeves by sewing the tops of the panels together from cuff to the top of the neckline shaping.

Using Yarn B and working from the underarm downwards, sew side seams together on each side of body, stopping at last row of esc and before hem rows of sc start.

Neckline

With WS facing, using a 4mm hook, attach Yarn A to corner of neckline;

Round 1 (WS): Ch1, working across neckline, 1sc in next 28(28, 28, 28, 32, 32, 32) sts, work 1sc in each of the 18 row ends over shoulder, 1sc in next 28(28, 28, 28, 32, 32, 32) sts across other side of neck, 1sc in each of 18 row ends over the other shoulder, ss to top of first st to join, turn. 92(92, 92, 92, 100, 100, 100) sc

Round 2: Ch1, sc to end, ss to top of first st, turn

Round 3: Ch1, sk first st, 1sc in next 26(26, 26, 26, 30, 30, 30) sts, sk 2 sts, 1sc in next 16 sts, sk 2 sts, 1sc in next 26(26, 26, 26, 30, 30, 30) sts, sk 2 sts, 1sc in next 16 sts, sk last st, ss to top of first st, turn. 84(84, 84, 84, 92, 92, 92) sc

Round 4: Ch1, sk first st, 1sc in next 14 sts, sk 2 sts, 1sc in next 24(24, 24, 24, 28, 28, 28) sts, sk 2 sts, 1sc in next 14 sts, sk 2 sts, 1 sc in next 24(24, 24, 24, 28, 28, 28) sts, sk last st, ss to top of first st, turn. 76(76, 76, 76, 84, 84, 84) sc

Round 5: Ch1, sk first st, 1sc in next 22(22, 22, 22, 26, 26, 26) sts, sk 2 sts, 1sc in next 12 sts, sk 2 sts, 1sc in next 22(22, 22, 22, 26, 26, 26) sts, sk 2 sts, 1sc in next 12 sts, sk last st, ss to top of first st. 68(68, 68, 68, 76, 76, 76) sc

Fasten off

Cuffs

With WS still facing, using a 4mm hook, join Yarn A to underarm seam at cuff;

Round 1 (WS): Ch1, 1sc in each row end around cuff, ss to top of first st, turn. 44(44, 50, 54, 56, 60, 64) sc

Round 2: Ch1, 1sc in each st around, ss to top of first st, turn

Rounds 3 – 5: As Round 2

Fasten off  and sew in all remaining ends

Sharing your finished makes

I love seeing your finished makes – it gives me all the happy feels!

Here’s how you can share them on social media, if that’s your cup of tea!

• On Instagram, you can use the hashtag #DoraDoes r or just tag me @doraexplored
• You can share your photos on my Facebook page
• If you have the bug for creating garments, why not join my dedicated facebook group “My Crochet Wardrobe” and share them there?
• If Pinterest is your happy place, you can add them there too – check out my Pinterest account for lots more crochet inspiration from makers across the web!

Happy Hooking 

Dx

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