The ‘Squish It’ Fluffy Cropped Crochet Sweater Pattern
The Squish-it Sweater is a lightweight oversized cropped jumper with gentle shoulder shaping and a round neckline. Made side-to-side with a vertical rib stitch, the boxy, short sleeves reach to the elbow because of the oversized body.
Purchase the PDF crochet pattern from Etsy, Ravelry or Love Crafts or read on to learn more about the pattern.
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About the ‘Squish It’ crochet sweater pattern
Squish it is as much as a description of this crochet sweater as it is a pattern name. It’s the most squishy, floaty fluffy crochet project I have ever made. It works up super quickly with a relatively small amount if yarn (less than two skeins for my size!).
This pattern was one of those which started with the yarn. I bought this beautiful mega mohair DK at the Unravel Yarn Festival from Independent UK yarn dyer Mamie and Florrie. I just fell in love with the yarn and the pattern just fell off the hook. And the name fell out of my mouth is a ‘say what you see’ kind of episode… Sometimes it happens that way!
The yarn is the star of the show for me, but don’t worry if the fluff isn’t for you, or you want something a little more budget friendly, then I give a lot of information about approaches to yarn substitution in the pattern, and included some suggestions in the Materials section below.
I knew from the off that I wanted to make a boxy cropped sweater and am loving the short sleeve feel at the moment. The oversized body mean that the sleeves actually reach almost to the elbow, but the simple rounded neckline ensures the sweater won’t fall off the shoulders.
The pictures you see where I’m wearing the sweater were all taken at the Wonder Wool Wales yarn festival, about 4 months after I purchased the yarn. It seemed like wearing the sweater to another festival would complete the circle!
Read on for all the important details about the pattern to help you choose whether it’s for you.
Sweater Construction Style
- The sweater is crocheted in two pieces (front and back) from side to side with a dolman style construction
- You will make simple increases and decreases for the body, shoulder and neckline shaping as you work across
- The two pieces are sewn together across the shoulders / sleeves and side and underarm and a simple trim is added to the neck, hem and cuffs to finish (mattress stitch is my preferred way to seam crochet panels – you can learn how to do it here)
Skills Used
This is a fairly basic crochet sweater pattern, made in just two pieces, requiring knowledge of basic crochet stitches, techniques and terminology. I would say that it’s suitable for adventurous beginners who can follow a written pattern.
Any special stitches are described with written instructions and video tutorials where available.
You will be crocheting in rows with simple increases and decreases. The pattern uses post stitches and whilst some experience working with post stitches would be a benefit, written and video tutorials for the stitches are included in the pattern.
I have also created a video for the stitch pattern used in this project which demonstrates the stitch pattern used as well as sharing my tips for crocheting post stitches in rows to achieve a consistently neat edge.
You can watch the right handed video tutorial here (or click below) and the left handed tutorial here.
Materials Used
Crochet Hook
I used a 12mm crochet hook for the sweater (I love my clover amour 12mm hook) which is significantly larger than you would normally use for a double knit yarn. The super fluffy yarn means it actually works up more like a chunky yarn, and the nature of the stitch means that a bigger hook gives much better drape.
This large hook means that the pattern works up super quickly. I’d say probably in less than 6 hours from start to finish!
It’s important when working this pattern that you use the full 12mm diameter of the hook to make sure you hit gauge and have nice relaxed stitches. You can learn more about crochet hook anatomy in this article (which explains which part of the hook you use to get consistent stitches)
You may also wish to learn about the golden loop which is useful to understand when working with bigger crochet hooks than the yarn typically calls for.
Yarn Requirements
To achieve a similar result as the sweater pictured, you will need approximately 360(380, 420, 500, 540, 580, 640, 690, 730) metres of mega mohair double knit for sizes XS(S, M, L, 1X, 2X, 3X, 4X, 5X) respectively (or equivalent yarn which meets gauge).
The yarn used in the sample is ‘Mamie and Florrie‘, Mega mohair DK, 78% Kid Mohair, 13% Wool, 9% Nylon, 100g = 200m. Shade: Swizzles Factory
A similar yarn from a more widely available brand is Rico Design Fashion Mohair Merino Chunky.
Yarn Substitution Guidance
Using different fibres and yarns will produce a different finished result. You may find this post useful when substituting yarn.
The pattern includes a lot of guidance for choosing a substitute yarn and I also made a video tutorial looking at yarn substitution options to support this pattern.
To help you with yarn substitution for this design I swatched with a number of different yarns including other fluffy fibres such as kid mohair silk, suri alpaca and other fibre blends in different weights. Because the pattern uses a 12mm hook with a DK yarn, there is a lot of scope for working with different yarns.
The closest substitution I found on yarnsub.com was Rico Design Mohair Merino Chunky which has the same fibre content and length per 100g as the mega mohair used in the sample. You can check that out, along with yarn sub’s suggested alternatives here.
However, if you find it difficult to source, there are many different ways to achieve a similar result by holding multiple strands of other fibres together which I’ve explored in my yarn sub recommendations below. I won’t deny that yarn substitution may be a bit of trial and error with this one!
Suggested Yarn Substitutions
Below are a list of yarn substitutions which I would use myself for this pattern. I go through all of these in the video on yarn substitution too. There is always an element of personal preference to substituting yarn, so these are just a starting point.
The image above shows these swatches from top left to bottom right in rows left to right. The first swatch on the top left is the original yarn.
2 Strands of Suri Alpaca Fluff held together
- 2 Strands Little Grey Girl Suri Silk Cloud: 74% Baby Suri Alpaca 26% Mulberry Silk, 50g = 300m
- Whilst the meterage suggests this is a Lace-weight yarn, I feel it works up more like a classic 4 ply. The swatch has a lot of drape, possible too much, but that’s down to personal preference.
1 Strand Sock yarn with 1 strand Brushed Alpaca silk held double with
- 1 Strand Paintbox Yarns Socks Solids 75% Wool, 25% Polyamide, 100g = 390m
- 1 Strand Drops Alpaca Silk, 77% Alpaca, 23% Silk, 25g = 140m (classed as aran weight due to the halo)
1 Strand Double Knit Merino with 2 strand Lace-weight Mohair
- 1 Strand Yarnsmiths Merino DK, 100% Merino Wool, 50g = 110m (shade 3183)
- 1 Strand Drops Kid-Silk, 75% Mohair, 25% Silk, 25g = 210m (pale green, shade 47)
- 1 Strand Yarnsmiths Kid Mohair Silk, 74% Kid Mohair, 26% Silk, 25g = 212m (mid green, shade 3185)
1 Strand 4 ply Sock with 2 strands Lace-weight Mohair
- 1 Strand Paintbox Yarns Socks Solids 75% Wool, 25% Polyamide, 100g = 390m
- 1 Strand Drops Kid-Silk, 75% Mohair, 25% Silk, 25g = 210m (shade 47)
- 1 Strand Yarnsmiths Kid Mohair Silk, 74% Kid Mohair, 26% Silk, 25g = 212m (shade 3185)
3 Strands of Lace weight Mohair held together
- 1 Strand Drops Kid-Silk, 75% Mohair, 25% Silk, 25g = 210m (pale green, shade 47)
- 1 Strand Yarnsmiths Kid Mohair Silk, 74% Kid Mohair, 26% Silk, 25g = 212m (shade 3185)
- 1 Strand Texere Yarns (from stash discontinued) 72% Kid Mohair, 28% Nylon, Lace-weight meterage unknown, undyed.
1 Strand Synthetic Mohair blend Aran with 1 strand Lace-weight Suri Alpaca
- 1 Strand Stylecraft Grace, 85% Premium Acrylic, 10% Mohair, 5% Wool, 100g=295m
- 1 strand Zakami Yarns Lace Weight NSW Baby Suri Alpaca, 75% Baby Suri Alpaca, 25% Silk, 50g = 420m
Single strands of other fibre blends to consider
- James C Brett Norske Lightweight Chunky, 88% Premium Acrylic, 8% Polyamide, 4% Viscose, 50g=85metres (shade NK08)
- Knitcraft Leader of the Pac from Hobbycraft, 90% Acrylic, 10% Alpaca, 100g=170m (shade 1006, Cream)
- West Yorkshire Spinners Re:treat chunky, 100% wool 1005=140m (shade 714, Mind)
Other single strand yarns not featured in the pictures which made gauge:
- Hobbii Happy Sheep Aran Wool, 100% Wool. 100g=160m
- Rico Design Chenillove, 100% Polyester Chenille, 100g=110m I made gauge with this using a 10mm hook. Out of the 3 chenille yarns I tried, this is the only one I would consider.
Yarns / Yarn combinations I would not use to substitute
Inevitably with the number of swatches I tried there were some fails. Below I’ve listed the combinations and yarns I swatched with but either didn’t meet gauge (in which case I have stated the gauge I achieved) or they made gauge but I did not consider the fabric a suitable substitution.
- 1 Strand 4 ply Sock with 1 strand Lace-weight Mohair – 9sts and 7.5 rows
- 1 Strand DK Merino with 1 strand Lace-weight Mohair, 8.5sts and 8 rows
- 1 Strand Stylecraft Grace with 1 strand Lace-weight Mohair 7.5 sts 6.5 rows – nearly there but preferred this mix with Suri Alpaca rather than Mohair.
- Drops Air Aran weight, 28% Polyamide,7% Wool. 65% Alpaca, 50g = 150m (shade 08) – I did make gauge with this but I wasn’t keen on the resulting fabric,
- Stylecraft Squeeze me Double Knit Chenille, 100% Polyester, 100g=200m – I did actually make gauge with this but it was just horrible!
- Yarnsmiths Chenille Chunky, 100% Polyester, 100g=100m – 6 sts and 6 rows
Obviously you are free to try swatching with any of these combinations. Many of them were lovely but just didn’t meet gauge or weren’t suitable for other reasons. We all crochet differently, so what doesn’t work for me might be great for you!
Other Materials & Notions:
- Yarn needle, scissors and a tape measure
- 4 stitch markers to mark edges of shoulder seam to assist with joining
- You may wish to block this project, in which case I recommend a Blocking board and pins. I gave the sweater a very gentle soak block which did not impact my gauge.
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.
Measurements and Finished Size
The sweater is designed to be cropped and boxy with short sleeves. It’s oversized in the body with around 25-30cm of positive ease.
The crochet pattern is offered in 9 adult sizes for women’s standard sizes XS(S, M, L, 1X, 2X, 3X, 4X, 5), with a finished bust size from 105(111, 123, 135, 148, 160, 166, 178, 191)cm.
The pattern includes more detailed finished measurements, including a schematic of the finished item.
I have also included guidance on making adjustments to the sizing to customise your fit in the pattern.
You can purchase this pattern from Etsy, Ravelry or Love Crafts.
How to find me and share your finished makes
And there we have all the details for the Squish it Sweater Pattern. If you have any questions, please do drop them in the comments.
I would love to see your finished makes, below are some suggestions as to how you can share!
- On Instagram, you can use the hashtag #DoraDoes to share your finished projects or just tag me @doraexplored
- If you have the bug for creating garments, why not join my dedicated facebook group “My Crochet Wardrobe” and share them there?
- Sign up to the WiP Tip for weekly crochet chat, offers and exclusives straight to your inbox – click here to sign up
- Visit doradoes.co.uk for free patterns, stitch tutorials, crochet blog posts and more
Happy Hooking
Dx
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