The Free Flow Sweater: Free, easy crochet jumper pattern

Pattern Notes

General pattern notes

• Please read through the pattern and all associated notes before starting your project
• This pattern uses standard US crochet terminology (UK equivalents are given in brackets in the abbreviations list)
• Numbers at the end of a row indicate the number of stitches in that row and are only given at the start of a section or where there is a change
• Chain 1 spaces are included in the stitch count
• The stitch count is given in full and broken down into numbers of esc and ch1-sp for ease of counting
• Instructions written after *asterisks should be repeated as indicated 
• Right and wrong sides are nominal

Sweater Construction Notes

• This sweater is constructed by joining two identical ’t-shaped’ pieces. 
• The sweater is worked from the bottom up
• After blocking, the pieces are seamed at the sides, underarm and top of the sleeves

Materials

Yarn Requirements

You will need approximately 1600(1800, 2050, 2250, 2550, 2750, 3000) meters of 4 ply / fingering weight yarn for sizes XS(S, M, L, 1X, 2X, 3X) respectively

The item pictured uses 4(5, 6, 6, 7, 7, 8) x 100g balls of Laxtons’ Bluefaced Leicester Sock Yarn, 100% wool, 100g = 400m / 440yds

The yarn used in the item pictured was picked up at a yarn show and was an unnamed end of line colourway.

Substitution Options

Any similar fingering weight yarn (e.g., sock, 4ply or fine) can be used if it meets the gauge. Different fibres will create different effects on the finished fabric.

You may find this post useful when choosing yarn.

Other Materials & Notions

• Yarn needle & scissors
• 2 stitch markers to help with the neckline trim
• I recommend blocking this project, for which a blocking matt and pins will be required. Learn more about blocking here

Finished Sizes

The pattern is written in sizes XS(S, M, L, 1X, 2X, 3X) for a finished bust of 96(106, 116, 126, 136, 146, 156)cm.

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.

Stitches & Abbreviations: US terms 

(UK equivalents in brackets)

• ch = chain
• ch-sp = chain space
• esc = extended single crochet (see special stitches)
• fsc = foundation single crochet (see special stitches)
• PM = place marker
• rep = repeat
• RS = right side
• sc = single crochet (UK double crochet)
• sc2tog = single crochet 2 together (UK double crochet 2 together) – see special stitches
• sk = skip (UK miss)
• sp = space
• ss = slip stitch
• st(s) = stitch(es)
• WS = wrong side
• yo = yarn over (UK yarn round hook)

Special Stitches 

Foundation Single Crochet (fsc)

You can find a full tutorial for the chainless foundation single crochet here, but below is a written description of the crochet stitch.

Ch2, insert hook into second chain from hook, yo and pull up a loop (2 loops on hook). *Yo and pull through 1 loop (this creates the base chain of the next fsc), yo and pull through 2 loops to complete the st. To start the next st, insert the hook into the ‘v’ of the base chain you just created, yo and pull up a loop. Repeat from * for required number of sts.

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 2 loops.

You can find a full tutorial for the extended single crochet here.

Single Crochet 2 Together (sc2tog)

This is used for decreasing by one stitch.

Insert hook, yo, pull up a loop (2 loops on hook), insert hook into next st, yo, pull up a loop (3 loops on hook), yo, pull through all 3 loops. Decrease made.

Gauge

24 sts and 14 rows in 10cm (4inches) of blocked extended single crochet moss stitch using a 4mm crochet hook or size needed to obtain gauge. 

The fabric will have some stretch so your unblocked swatch will likely be more dense, i.e., you will probably count more stitches than stated in the gauge above.  To obtain the same measurements given in the measurement section, you should check your blocked swatch matches gauge.

Learn how to make and measure a gauge swatch here

Pattern repeat for gauge swatch

Make an odd numbered chain measuring 15-20cm;

Row 1: 1esc in third ch from hook, *ch1, sk 1st, 1esc in next st;  rep from * to end, turn

Row 2: Ch3 (counts as 1 esc, ch1 throughout), 1esc in next ch1-sp, *ch1, 1esc in next ch1-sp, rep from * to end, turn

Rep Row 2 until swatch reaches a suitable size.