Elevate your summer style effortlessly with this enchanting free crochet summer sweater pattern, designed to infuse your wardrobe with both comfort and chic sophistication.
Boasting long sleeves adorned with airy open stitches, this sweater offers a perfect blend of warmth and breathability, making it an essential companion for those sun-soaked days and balmy evenings.
Its relaxed silhouette drapes gracefully, ensuring a breezy and relaxed fit that exudes effortless charm. Whether you’re lounging poolside or strolling through a quaint coastal town, this versatile piece promises to be your go-to choice for a touch of easy elegance all season long.
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Love Summer Crochet Wear? Check out the other garments-
Cropped Cardigan and Full Length Cardigan
Materials
Hook: 6.5mm K
Yarn: Size 4 weight Cotton Yarn or Cotton Blend Yarn
Yarn Brand Options: Loops and Threads Creme Cotton, Lion Brand’s Comfy Cotton
Other: Yarn Needle, Measuring Tape & Scissors
Stitches (US Terms)
CH – Chain
SC – Single Crochet
HDC – Half Double Crochet
HDC BLO – Half Double Crochet in Back Loop Only
DC – Double Crochet
DC DEC over 3 sts- Double Crochet Decrease [YO insert into st, YO pull through, YO pull through 2 loops. YO skip 1 stitch, insert into next st, YO pull through, YO pull through 2 loops, YO pull through last 3 loop on hook.]
Sl St – Slip Stitch
St/Sts = Stitch/es
Gauge
6 HDC X 4 HDC BLO Rows = 2 X 2 inches *4 rows is just above the 2 inch mark.*
Sizing & Yardage Totals
Notes
This sweater is worked in 4 pieces. The front and back panels are made exactly the same, and sewn at the sides and shoulder seam. Then two sleeves added to complete the sweater.
CH 1 does NOT count as a stitch. You will turn your work after each row.
For all pieces, we will start at the bottom ribbing section and work flat.
Sizes will be written XS (S, M, L, XL, 2XL,3XL, 4XL)
Sunshine Sweater Pattern
Front and Back Panel
Ribbing – All Sizes
CH 6
Row 1 – HDC in 2nd CH from your hook, HDC each CH across. 5 HDC
Row 2 – CH 1, HDC in BLO in each st across. 5 HDC
Keep repeating Row 2 until you have completed a total of 32 (35, 38, 42, 46, 55, 59, 63) Rows.
[The ribbing should be long enough to reach from one side of your torso to the other. Keep in mind if using cotton yarn the yarn will have a bit of stretch to it the more you wear it! If the ribbing does not reach from side to side, go up a size. If it is too long, go down a size.]
Rotate your ribbing -CH 1, SC evenly on the top of your ribbing for a total of 49 (55, 58, 64, 70, 88, 94, 100) SC.
Body
Row 1 – CH 4 (counts as first st and CH 1) * DC DEC over next 3 sts. (Sk 1 st between dc dec) Ch 2 * repeat until last 2 sts. CH 1 sk 1, DC in last st. 15 (17, 18, 20, 22, 28, 30, 32) DC DEC clusters total.
Chart below shows the first row. The red + show the single crochets you will skip.
Row 2 – CH 4, DC DEC starting in CH 1 from the previous row, finishing in first CH 2 sp from the previous row. *CH 2. Start next DC DEC in the same CH 2 sp, ending in the next CH 2 sp.* Repeat until last CH 1 sp, CH 1 DC in 3rd CH of beginning CH 4.
Rows 3- 30- Repeat Row 2.
[This is going to create the length of your sweater. Feel free to make it as short/long as you want it! Keep in mind if using cotton yarn your top will stretch making it longer.]
Shoulder Section
Once you have created the body to the length you like, we will move on to the shoulder section. The photo below shows how your panel will look at the end of this section.
Row 1 – CH 4, DC DEC starting in CH 1 from the previous row, finishing in first CH 2 sp from the previous row. *CH 2. Start next DC DEC in the same CH 2 sp, ending in the next CH 2 sp.* Repeat 2 (3, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 9) times for a total of 4 (5, 5, 6, 7, 9, 10, 11) DC DEC clusters. Leave the rest unworked, and go to Row 2.
Rows 2-4 – CH 4, DC DEC starting in CH 1 from the previous row, finishing in first CH 2 sp from the previous row. *CH 2. Start next DC DEC in the same CH 2 sp, ending in the next CH 2 sp.* Repeat until last CH 1 sp, CH 1 DC in 3rd CH of beginning CH 4.
Row 5 – CH 1, SC in each stitch and CH space across. Tie off.
Attach your yarn to the other side of your panel and repeat these 5 shoulder rows.
Once both shoulder parts are complete, follow these same steps to create your back panel.
Sleeves
We are starting from the wrist ribbing, working flat.
CH 6
Row 1 – HDC in 2nd loop from hook. HDC in each st across. [5 HDC]
Row 2 – CH 1, HDC in BLO in each st across. [5 HDC]
Repeat Row 2 for a total of 14 (14, 14, 14, 16, 16, 16, 16) Rows.
Rotate your ribbing. CH 1, SC evenly across the top. 21 (21, 21, 21, 24, 24, 24, 24) SC [about 3 SC for every 2 rows]
Now we will work on the body of the sleeve.
Row 1 – CH 1, 2SC in each st until last st. Place 3 SC in last st. 43 (43, 43, 43, 49, 49, 49, 49) SC
Row 2 – CH 4 (counts as first st and CH 1) * DC DEC over next 3 sts. (Sk 1 st between dc dec) CH 2 * repeat until last 2 sts. CH 1, sk 1, DC in last st. 13 (13, 13, 13, 15, 15, 15, 15) DC DEC clusters. [See Photos on next page for visual help!]
Rows 3-8 – CH 4, DC DEC starting in CH 1 from the previous row, finishing in first CH 2 sp from the previous row. *CH 2. Start next DC DEC in the same CH 2 sp, ending in the next CH 2 sp.* Repeat until last CH 1 sp, CH 1 DC in 3rd CH of beginning CH 4. 13 (13, 13, 13, 15, 15, 15, 15) DC DEC clusters.
Row 9 – Increase Row- CH 4 DC DEC starting in CH 1 from the previous row, finishing in first CH 2 sp from the previous row. CH 2. Create a DC DEC all within the same CH 2 space. *CH 2, Start next DC DEC in the same CH 2 sp, ending in the next CH 2 sp.* Repeat until last CH 2 sp. Create a DC DEC all within the same CH 2 space. CH 2, Start next DC DEC in the same CH 2 sp, ending in the CH 1 sp. CH 1, DC in 3rd CH of beginning CH 4. 15 (15, 15, 15, 17, 17, 17, 17) DC DEC clusters.
See chart below for visual help.
Rows 10-13 – CH 4, DC DEC starting in CH 1 from the previous row, finishing in first CH 2 sp from the previous row. *CH 2. Start next DC DEC in the same CH 2 sp, ending in the next CH 2 sp.* Repeat until last CH 1 sp, CH 1 DC in 3rd CH of beginning CH 4. 15 (15, 15, 15, 17, 17, 17, 17) DC DEC clusters.
Row 14 – Increase Row- CH 4 DC DEC starting in CH 1 from the previous row, finishing in first CH 2 sp from the previous row. CH 2. Create a DC DEC all within the same CH 2 space. *CH 2, Start next DC DEC in the same CH 2 sp, ending in the next CH 2 sp.* Repeat until last CH 2 sp. Create a DC DEC all within the same CH 2 space. CH 2, Start next DC DEC in the same CH 2 sp, ending in the CH 1 sp. CH 1, DC in 3rd CH of beginning CH 4.
17 (17, 17, 17, 19, 19, 19, 19) DC DEC clusters.
Rows 15-18 – CH 4, DC DEC starting in CH 1 from the previous row, finishing in first CH 2 sp from the previous row. *CH 2. Start next DC DEC in the same CH 2 sp, ending in the next CH 2 sp.* Repeat until last CH 1 sp, CH 1 DC in 3rd CH of beginning CH 4.
17 (17, 17, 17, 19, 19, 19, 19) DC DEC clusters.
Row 19 – Increase Row- CH 4 DC DEC starting in CH 1 from the previous row, finishing in first CH 2 sp from the previous row. CH 2. Create a DC DEC all within the same CH 2 space. *CH 2, Start next DC DEC in the same CH 2 sp, ending in the next CH 2 sp.* Repeat until last CH 2 sp. Create a DC DEC all within the same CH 2 space. CH 2, Start next DC DEC in the same CH 2 sp, ending in the CH 1 sp. CH 1, DC in 3rd CH of beginning CH 4.
19 (19, 19, 19, 21, 21, 21, 21) DC DEC clusters.
Rows 20- 23 – CH 4, DC DEC starting in CH 1 from the previous row, finishing in first CH 2 sp from the previous row. *CH 2. Start next DC DEC in the same CH 2 sp, ending in the next CH 2 sp.* Repeat until last CH 1 sp, CH 1 DC in 3rd CH of beginning CH 4.
19 (19, 19, 19, 21, 21, 21, 21) DC DEC clusters.
Row 24 – CH 1, SC in each DC DEC and CH sp across.
Tie off. Repeat for second sleeve.
Construction
For your front and back panel, we are going to create a SC edge along the sides.
Starting on the bottom corner of your ribbing, attach your yarn. Place a SC in each st of the ribbing. *Place 2 SC around each bar/chain. SC in the next st.* Repeat until the end.
Tie off. Attach yarn to the other side of the panel and repeat. Do this for both sides of your front and back panels.
Once your sides are edged. Lay your front and back panel on top of each other (wrong side facing outward. I don’t see a huge difference between the sides, so use your best judgement! Whatever side you don’t want seen have that facing out now, because we will be turning it inside out.)
Using a long yarn tail and your yarn needle, we are going to seam the sides. Start from the bottom of the ribbing seaming upward to the shoulder sections. I whipped stitched but feel free to use your preferred seaming method. Seam until you have about 7 (7, 7, 7, 8, 8, 8, 8) inches left. We are going to leave that unworked for our armholes.
Repeat for the other side.
Now that your sides are seamed together, line up the shoulder pieces and using a yarn tail and your yarn needle, seam your shoulder pieces together.
Repeat for the other side.
With your sleeve laying flat, fold it in half long ways.
Take a long yarn tail and your yarn needle and seam the sides together. Use your favorite seaming method. (I whip stitch mine!)
Once your sleeves are seamed together we are going to seam them to the armhole on the body of the sweater.
The first photo shows the sleeve with the seam in the middle of the back of the sleeve. Use this seam and line it up with the seam on the sides of the body of the sweater.
Use your yarn needle and a long yarn tail and seam around to attach the sleeve to the armhole opening. You will be working in the round, starting with the two lined up seams.
Repeat for other sleeve.
Ribbed Collar
Now that your sweater is all seamed together, turn it right side out. This will be created with top down ribbing.
Attach your yarn at a shoulder seam (where the red dot is) CH 1, SC evenly around. Place a SC in each st, and 1 SC around each CH sp/Chain bar. Sl St to the beginning SC. (Try not to place your SC too close together. You want them a little spaced out, so your collar lays flat)
1-CH 6, HDC in 2nd CH from hook. HDC in each ch working down toward the neckline. Sl St in the next 2 sts. (If your rows are becoming wavy try slip stitching over 3 stitches after each row.)
2-Turn your work, HDC in BLO of the 5 HDC.
3- Turn your work, HDC in BLO of the 5 HDC working down toward the neckline. Sl St in next 2 sts.
Repeat 2-3 until you worked all the way around and you have 0 or 1 st left between the beginning.
This is how your collar should look once finished. If you are having issues with it being “wavy” please check out this YouTube video.
If you want the ribbed collar to be shorter you will simply chain less then the 6 listed above. You can also just do a single crochet boarder and leave it 🙂 Feel free to make the sweater your own!
Weave in any and all tails you have and you are done!
That’s it, friends! I hope you enjoyed this free crochet summer sweater pattern!
If you make one I would love to see them! Please tag me on Instagram @SierrasCraftyCreations
Happy Crocheting
Sierra
