A new summer sweater crochet pattern, the Caroline Sweater, is now a free crochet pattern on the blog! Read about the inspiration, yarn and easy construction or scroll down for the free pattern.
No time right now? Pin this easy summer sweater crochet pattern for later!
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The Sweater Inspiration
End of summer, there’s a chill in the air but it isn’t cold enough yet for the warm cozy fall sweaters, that’s when I grab my Caroline Sweater.
Light and lacy, it’s that little extra layer that keeps you comfortable when the air cools down (or when the aircon is on).
Wear it with a simple tank and your favorite jeans for a comfy yet trendy look.
The simple lace stitch is easy to master making this worsted weight sweater a breeze to work through. Available in sizes XS to 6XL, it’s worked in straight panels sewed together. No counting means it’s the perfect Netflix project.
The Yarn
All for this easy summer sweater crochet pattern I choose to work with worsted weight WeCrochet Dishie yarn. It’s not a yarn traditionally used for garments but I love it for lacy designs like the Caroline free sweater crochet pattern.
It has some amazing characteristics for lace:
- It has great stitch definition. Which means you’ll see your stitches, where to insert your hook and how the stitches are coming together much better.
- It doesn’t split easily so you won’t have to fight with it for that and you can focus 100% of your attention on the stitches.
- It’s super affordable
- Added bonus: It comes in 30 colorways, I’m sure you’ll find what you need.
It’s a soft 100% cotton yarn.
You can of course substitute with any worsted weight yarn but I recommend choosing one with a good stitch definition so the lace details pop out nicely.
Downloadable PDF
Why I Recommend You Purchase the PDF Pattern
If you’ve never used PDF patterns before, you are missing out on so much convenience!
- You don’t need to take screenshots of the pattern
- You don’t need to have your computer, phone or tablet around to work on your project.
- You don’t need to panic if your husband accidentally closed the page
- You can take notes, highlight your size and write down where you are.
- When your best friend begs you to make her the same sweater, you have the pattern ready.
- It’s a great way to support the blog so I can continue to bring you knitting tutorials.
Grab the printable PDF of the Caroline Summer Sweater crochet pattern now in my Etsy shop or on Ravelry:
More Sweater Patterns You'll Love
Before you Start your Summer Sweater Crochet Pattern
Materials
- 5.5 mm / US I – 9 hook.
- WeCrochet Dishie (worsted weight, 100% cotton, 174m/190yd, 100g/3.5oz) in colors
- Mint (color A): 2 (2, 2, 2, 3, 3, 3, 3, 3) skeins
- Kenai (color B): 1 (1, 1, 1, 2, 2, 2, 2, 2) skein(s)
- Conch (color C): 1 (1, 1, 1, 2, 2, 2, 2, 2) skein(s)
- Jalapeno (color D): 1 (1, 1, 1, 2, 2, 2, 2, 2) skein(s)
- Swan (color E): 1 (1, 1, 1, 2, 2, 2, 2, 2) skein(s)
- Tapestry needle to weave in the ends.
Size
The crochet sweater pattern is available in following sizes: XS, S, M, L, XL, 2XL, 3XL, 4XL, 5XL. Sizes are written as XS (S, M, L, XL, 2XL, 3XL, 4XL, 5XL) throughout the pattern. Pictures illustrate the M size.
The sweater is designed with a normal fit, 5 – 10 cm / 2” to 4” ease at the bust.
Below are the final top measurements for the different sizes.
- XS: bust 79 cm / 31”
- S: bust 93 cm / 36.5”
- M: bust 100 cm / 39.5”
- L: bust 107 cm / 42”
- XL: bust 121 cm / 47.5”
- 2XL: bust 129 cm / 50.5”
- 3XL: bust 143 cm / 56.5”
- 4XL: bust 150 cm / 59”
- 5XL: bust 164 cm / 64.5”
The Sweater is 70 cm / 27.5” long. To adjust the length, add/remove repeats before the final row (don’t forget to adjust your yarn quantity accordingly).
Gauge
The gauge for this pattern, in broken shell st, is 2.8 shells by 5 rows for a 10 cm by 10 cm / 4” by 4” square.
Abbreviations
This pattern uses US notations.
- st = stitch
- ch = chain
- sc = single crochet
- dc = double crochet
Notes
Work instructions between [] the indicated number of times or until the end of the row / round.
The final number of stitches is indicated at the end of the row / round between < >.
The turning ch 1, ch 2 don’t count as stitches throughout the pattern except if mentioned otherwise.
The pattern is written in crochet shorthand. For example:
- “sc 1” means to single crochet in the next stitch,
- “sc 2” means to single crochet in each of the next 2 stitches,
- and “2 sc” means to single crochet twice in the next st.
Special Stitches
- This pattern uses the broken shell stitch. Find a detailed tutorial here.
- Shell = (2 dc, ch 3, 2 dc) worked in the same st.
Tips and Tricks
- When working the broken shell stitch with an uneven number of colors, you can carry the colors up the side, avoiding too many ends to weave in. You can then hide the float lines in the seams.
- Because of the open lace fabric, it isn’t easy to make neat seams. Therefore, I recommend using an invisible seaming technique. If you’re not familiar with invisible seams, this tutorial is very helpful.
Summer Sweater Crochet Pattern Construction
The crochet sweater is worked in 4 panels from the bottom up. The front and back are identical.
The ribbed edges are worked first from which the striped lace sections are then worked.
The panels are then sewed together to form the Caroline Sweater.
The Actual Free Sweater Crochet Pattern
Front and Back Panels
Make 2.
Ribbing
With your 5.5mm / US I- 9 hook and color A, ch 61 (71, 76, 81, 91, 96, 106, 111, 121) + 2.
Row 1: Dc in 3rd chain from hook, dc across, turn. <61 (71, 76, 81, 91, 96, 106, 111, 121) st>
Row 2: Ch 2, [back post dc, front post dc] across, turn.
Repeat Row 2 three times.
Body
Switch to color B.
Row 1: Ch 2, dc, skip 2, [shell, skip 4] until last 3 st, skip 2, dc in last st. <11 (13, 14, 15, 17, 18, 20, 21, 23) shells>
Switch to color C.
Row 2: Ch 2, dc, [shell in the ch-3 space, skip until next ch-3 space] until last st, dc, turn.
Repeat Row 2 in following color pattern D, E, A.
Repeat Row 2 in following color pattern: [B, C, D, E, A] five times.
Last Row: Ch 1, [sc in each st and sc 2 in each ch-3 space] repeat across.
Bind off.
Sleeves
With your 5.5mm / US I- 9 hook and color A, ch 36 (36, 36, 34, 34, 40, 40, 43, 46) + 2.
Ribbing
Row 1: Dc in 3rd chain, dc across, turn. <36 (36, 36, 34, 34, 40, 40, 43, 46) st>
Row 2: Ch 2, [back post dc, front post dc] across, turn.
Row 3: Ch 2, [front post dc, back post dc] across, turn
Repeat Row 2 and 3.
Body
Switch to color B.
Row 1: Ch 2, dc, skip 1, [shell, skip 3 (3, 3, 2, 2, 2, 2, 2, 2)] repeat until last 2 st, skip 1, dc in last st. <8 (8, 8, 10, 10, 12, 12, 13, 14) shells>
Switch to color C.
Row 2: Ch 2, dc, [shell in the ch-3 space, skip until next ch-3 space] repeat until last st, dc, turn.
Repeat Row 2 in following color pattern: D, E, A.
Repeat Row 2 in following color pattern: B, C, D, E, A four times.
Size 2XL onwards: Repeat Row 2 one more time in color B.
Blocking
You’re done with the crocheting part. Make sure to weave in all the ends.
To make your top even prettier, help even your stitches and open up the eyelets, wet block your project.
Don’t skip this step as it can make a huge difference. Read my detailed tutorial on why block, how-to, and all my tips and tricks if you need help.
Assembly
To assemble the sweater, start by sewing the front and back panels. Sew the shoulder seams leaving the middle 28 cm / 11” unseamed.
Sew up the sides leaving 16 (17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 23, 24, 25) cm / 6.25 (6.5, 7, 7.5, 7.75, 8.25, 9, 9.5, 9.75)” unseamed for the armholes.
Finally attach the sleeves and sew them closed.
