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Rainbow Smiles – Top Down V-neck Crochet Sweater Pattern

Crochet Rainbow Sweater hanging on white wall

Rainbow smiles is a top down raglan sweater with a gentle v-neck. Made with simple stitches, it is close fitting with a chevron burst of rainbow colour.

Back during my 2018 visit to Yarndale, I picked up a set of sparkly rainbow 7 mini skeins from Eden Cottage yarns.

I had been saving them for ‘something special’ (we all have that special yarn don’t we!) and began to shape the idea of a chevron rainbow sweater.

The Rainbow smiles sweater was the result!

Purchase Rainbow Smiles now from Ravelry, Love Crafts Crochet or Etsy

Dora holds her hair out of the way as she looks down at the long sleeve grey crochet sweater with chevron rainbow stripes that she is wearing. A text overlay reads ‘top down crochet sweater pattern.’

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Close up of Crochet Rainbow Sweater hanging on white wall

Skill Level

This is a great pattern for beginners looking to try their first garment.

You will need to know how to work basic crochet stitches, basic increases and decreases, work in the round and count!

Rainbow Smiles uses simple stitches all the way through and because it is worked using the top down method, it has no seaming.

Learn more about the advantages of top down method in this post demystifying top down crochet garment making.

The pattern calls for use of foundation chains (which are explained), but modifications are given if you prefer to work into a starting chain rather than use the foundation row technique

Using place markers (which translates as scraps of yarn for me!) is encouraged and the pattern guides you through where to put them

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Close up of Crochet Rainbow Sweater hanging on white wall

Materials

Crochet Hook

4mm (US G/6) crochet hook, or size needed to obtain gauge.

I used my clover amour hook.

Yarn

Approximately 830-1500m 4ply / fingering yarn in total (approx 300g -500g depending on fibre) depending on size chosen.

The sweater pictured used Drops Nord (4ply) in Pearl Grey mix for the main colour (4, 4, 4, 5, 6, 6, 7 x 50g balls)

For the coloured yarn: As mentioned, I used my special Eden Cottage Yarns Nateby 4 ply mini, Rainbow Fade series but any coloured yarn of a similar weight will work. You will need less than 10-20g / 40- 80m of each colour depending on size selected.

Yarn Substitution Options: Any lightweight / 4 ply / sport or sock weight yarn which meets gauge can be used for this sweater. I would recommend wool / alpaca, acrylic or blend yarns but would probably avoid 100% cotton as the weight may cause additional stretch.

You may find this post helpful when choosing yarn.

Other Materials & Notions

Yarn needle, scissors and a tape measure

5 Place Markers or scraps of yarn for ‘corners’

You may wish to block this project, in which case I recommend a blocking matt and pins.

Learn more about blocking here.

Woman wearing rainbow crochet sweater holding hair

Sizes

The sweater is designed to be close fitting and the pattern is written in sizes XS through to 3X (bust 74-134cm)

However, because the pattern uses the top down method, you can easily adjust the fit as you go. I have added comments and guidance throughout the pattern on how you might tailor your sweater to the fit that is exactly right for you

This article discusses methods for adjusting the size of top down yoke based crochet sweaters.

How to purchase a Dora Does crochet pattern:

I sell my PDF crochet patterns in my Etsy, Ravelry and Love Crafts stores. You can purchase this pattern on any of these platforms, depending on your preference. Simply click the relevant links throughout this pattern page to be taken to the listing, or visit the store homepages in the links at the start of this paragraph.

Woman in rainbow chevron crochet sweater in country garden

Pattern Gauge

The gauge is 15sts x 11rows in 10cm x 10cm of double crochet (US) lightly blocked using a 4mm hook or size needed to obtain tension.

Woman in rainbow chevron crochet sweater in country garden

Get the PDF crochet pattern now from Love Crafts Crochet, Ravelry or Etsy

I hope you enjoy the pattern and, as always don’t forget to tag me on Instagram @doraexplored, or use #rainbowsmiles or #doradoes. I’d love to see and share your efforts!

Happy hooking

Dx

More crochet garment patterns

Crochet Rainbow Sweater hanging on white wall
Woman in rainbow chevron crochet sweater in country garden

Copyright Dora Does Limited, Registered in England, Company Number 13992263. This pattern is for personal use only and may not be shared or reproduced in written, photo, video or any other form without prior written consent. All rights reserved. Terms of service.

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13 Comments

  1. Hi, just purchased this beautiful sweater pattern. Do you think I could substitute DK #3 weight yarn? And use a larger sized hook? ( I need to make the size small )
    Thanks in advance.
    Kat

    1. Hi, the gauge is fairly relaxed in this pattern so if you can match gauge and are happy with the drape of you your chosen yarn and hook (always swatch to check!) then it should work okay.

    1. Hi there, you can click on the download from etsy, ravelry or love crafts buttons or links in the post, depending on your preferred place to buy patterns, or follow this link to the etsy listing: https://etsy.me/2RvHuhN thanks for your interest 🙂

  2. Love this pattern and bought it from your etsy store, but there is one part I don’t understand in the main body. Round 5 starts “5 – 5 (5, 6, 7, 8 , 9, 10)”. What do those numbers in the brackets mean? I understand all the other numbers in brackets. Haven’t done many patterns before! 🙂