With a strong influence from nature’s timeless Pine Tree, the Southern Pines Sweater is a round yoke, top-down crochet sweater design which uses post stitches to create a ring of branches expanding outwards, as if reaching for the light.

This pattern was inspired by the Falling Pines Poncho pattern, which I designed back in 2017. Ever since I finished working on Falling Pines, I knew I wanted to transform it into a sweater. It has taken me 2 years to get there, but the experience in garment design I have gained in that time has been essential in making this sweater design everything I hoped it could be!

The name of this sweater has retained its link to the pine needle imagery, but the Southern element was added because most of the design work was done whilst I was on holiday down in the beautiful green South Devon countryside.

Download the pattern now from Ravelry, Etsy or Love Crafts

Sizing & Style

The pattern is written in US terms (with UK equivalents given in the abbreviation list) for sizes XS – 3X. It includes a schematic with approximate finished measurements for each size, including the bust, length, upper arm circumference, cuff and neckline.

The sweater is a classic fit (neither too tight or baggy) and the item you see here is a size Small. I’m wearing it in the pics and 5ft 1 (and a bit) and a UK size 8-10 (US 4-6).

The sweater is worked down to the waist where the hem is designed to pull the top in, to give it a little shape.

However, because the jumper is crocheted top down, it is easy to change the length to make a longer length and and have the sweater fall straight onto the hips (without the shaping) if you prefer.

Guidance is given for such adjustments in the pattern.

Skills Needed

This project is suitable for advanced (or adventurous!) beginners or intermediate crocheters. The pattern is worked in the round and requires the use of post stitches, simple increases and decreases.

The pattern includes some photos of the construction process to help those less familiar with top-down garments.

If you’ve never made a top down garment before or if you want to learn more about how they work, you may find this post demystifying the process helpful.

Materials

You will need 4.5mm Crochet Hook for the body of sweater and 4mm hook for cuffs, hem and neckline.

The sweater requires approximately 450 – 900g or 1000 – 1950m of DK Yarn, depending on size chosen. Specific meterage by size is given in the pattern.

Pattern pictured uses Eden Cottage Yarns, Milburn DK, 85% Bluefaced Leicester, 15% silk; 50g ball = 112m / 122yds. Shade: Estuary.

I hope you enjoy making this sweater and would love to see how you get on, so please do tag me on Instagram @doraexplored, or use #SouthernPinesSweater. I can’t wait to see and share your efforts!

And as always if you enjoyed this pattern, please help to get the word out by sharing with your friends or using the social buttons below!

Happy hooking

Dx

You may sell what you make from this pattern but please credit me as the designer doradoes.co.uk. The pattern is for personal use only and may not be shared or reproduced without prior written consent. Photos may be shared with credit. Copyright Dora Does 2019.