A new sweater crochet pattern, the Olivia Sweater, is now a free crochet pattern on the blog! Read about the inspiration and original construction or scroll down for the free sweater crochet pattern.
No time right now? Pin this free Olivia Sweater crochet pattern for later!
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Playing with Geometry
The Olivia Sweater is stunning and yet so simple thanks to it’s unusual construction. It is worked in panels on a bias to form the v shaped color blocking.
Both front and back panels are worked in 2 identical parts placed in mirror image of each other. The sleeves are worked in the same manner, made out of 2 panels each.
This play on geometry allows to make a gorgeous V neck colorblock shaped sweater without actually working a lot of shaping. It is the perfect sweater to throw on and instantly look put together.
Downloadable PDF Olivia Crochet Sweater Pattern
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 Olivia crochet sweater pattern is now in my Etsy shop or on Ravelry:
Before you Start
Materials
- 3.5 mm / US E – 4 hook.
- Katia Cotton Mohair (fine weight (2), 70% GOTS Organic Cotton, 30% Mohair Superkid, 225m/246yd, 50g/1.75oz) in:
- Red (81) (color A): 2 (2, 3, 3, 3, 3, 4, 4, 4) skeins
- Mint green (77) (color B): 2 (2, 3, 3, 3, 3, 4, 4, 4) skeins
- Stone Grey (72) (color C): 2 (2, 3, 3, 3, 3, 4, 4, 4) skeins
- 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 S size.
The sweater is designed with a close fit, 0 – 5 cm / 0” to 2” ease at the bust.
Below are the final cardigan measurements for the different sizes.
- XS: bust 75 cm / 29.5”
- S: bust 88 cm / 34.5”
- M: bust 95 cm / 37.5”
- L: bust 104 cm / 41”
- XL: bust 116 cm / 45.5”
- 2XL: bust 128 cm / 50.5”
- 3XL: bust 134 cm / 52.75”
- 4XL: bust 146 cm / 57.5”
- 5XL: bust 161 cm / 63.5”
The sweater is 64 cm / 25” long. To adjust the length increase / decrease the length of the color B section for the front and back panels (make sure to adjust your yarn requirements accordingly).
The sleeves are designed to fit closely. If you want a looser a fit, you can follow the instructions one size up for the sleeves.
Gauge
The gauge for this pattern, in hdc, is 19 st by 21 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
- hdc = half double crochet
- sc2tog = single crochet 2 stitches together (decrease)
- hdc2tog = half double crochet 2 stitches together (decrease)
- dc2tog = double crochet 2 stitches together (decrease)
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:
- “dc 1” means to double crochet in the next stitch,
- “dc 2” means to double crochet in each of the next 2 stitches,
- and “2 dc” means to double crochet twice in the next st.
The Actual Sweater Crochet Pattern
Back Panels
Make 2.
With your 3.5 mm / US E – 4 hook and color A yarn, ch 1.
Row 1: 2 hdc, turn. <2 st>
Row 2: 2 hdc in each st, turn. <4 st>
Row 3: 2 hdc, hdc until last st, 2 hdc, turn. <6 st>
Repeat Row 3 until you reach 50 (58, 64, 70, 78, 86, 90, 98, 108) st (approx. 19 (22, 24, 26, 29, 32, 34, 37, 40) cm / 7.5 (8.5, 9.5, 10, 11.5, 12.5, 13.5, 14.5, 15.75)” width).
Row 4: hdc2tog, hdc until last st, 2 hdc, turn.
Row 5: 2 hdc, hdc until last 2 st, hdc2tog, turn
Repeat Row 4 and 5 until the long side reaches 30 cm / 11.75”.
Switch to color B.
Repeat Row 4 and 5 until the color B section reaches 20 cm / 8”.
Switch to color C.
Repeat Row 4 and 5 until the color C section reaches 14 cm / 5.5”.
Row 6: hdc2tog, hdc until last 2 st, hdc2tog, turn.
Repeat Row 6 until one st remains.
Front Panels
Make 2.
With your 3.5 mm / US E – 4 hook and color A yarn, ch 1.
Row 1: 2 hdc, turn. <2 st>
Row 2: 2 hdc in each st, turn. <4 st>
Row 3: 2 hdc, hdc until last st, 2 hdc, turn. < 6 st>
Repeat Row 3 until you reach 50 (58, 64, 70, 78, 86, 90, 98, 108) st (approx. 19 (22, 24, 26, 29, 32, 34, 37, 40) cm / 7.5 (8.5, 9.5, 10, 11.5, 12.5, 13.5, 14.5, 15.75)” width).
Row 4: hdc2tog, hdc until last st, 2 hdc, turn.
Row 5: 2 hdc, hdc until last 2 st, hdc2tog, turn
Repeat Row 4 and 5 until the long side reaches 30 cm / 11.75”.
Switch to color B.
Repeat Row 4 and 5 until the color B section reaches 20 cm / 8”.
Switch to color C.
Repeat Row 4 and 5 until the color C section reaches 10 cm / 4”.
Row 6:
- XS: sc2tog, sc 15, place a marker in next st, hdc 16, place a st marker in next st, dc 16, 2 dc.
- S: sc2tog, sc 19, place a marker in next st, hdc 19, place a st marker in next st, dc 17, 2 dc.
- M: sc2tog, sc 21, place a marker in next st, hdc 21, place a st marker in next st, dc 19, 2 dc.
- L: sc2tog, sc 23, place a marker in next st, hdc 23, place a st marker in next st, dc 21, 2 dc.
- XL: sc2tog, sc 25, place a marker in next st, hdc 26, place a st marker in next st, dc 24, 2 dc.
- 2XL: sc2tog, sc 28, place a marker in next st, hdc 29, place a st marker in next st, dc 26, 2 dc.
- 3XL: sc2tog, sc 29, place a marker in next st, hdc 30, place a st marker in next st, dc 28, 2 dc.
- 4XL: sc2tog, sc 31, place a marker in next st, hdc 33, place a st marker in next st, dc 31, 2 dc.
- 5XL: sc2tog, sc 34, place a marker in next st, hdc 36, place a st marker in next st, dc 35, 2 dc.
Row 7: 2dc, dc until marked st included, move marker up, hdc until marked st included, move marker up, sc until last 2 st, sc2tog.
Row 8: sc2tog, sc until marker (move marker up), hdc until next marker (move marker up), dc until last 2 st, 2 dc.
Repeat Row 7 and 8 until color C section reaches 14 cm / 5.5”.
Decrease to shape V neck.
Row 9: dc2tog, dc until marked st included, move marker up, hdc until marked st included, move marker up, sc until last 2 st, sc2tog. <48 (56, 62, 68, 76, 84, 88, 96, 106) st>
Row 10: sc2tog, sc until marker (move marker up), hdc until next marker (move marker up), dc until last 2 st, dc2tog. <46 (54, 60, 66, 74, 82, 86, 94, 104) st>
Repeat Row 9 and 10 until 38 (40, 44, 48, 52, 56, 60, 66, 70) st remain. Depending on the size you’re working, you will end with a Row 9 or 10.
Fasten off.
Sleeves
Make 4.
With your 3.5 mm / US E – 4 hook and color A yarn, ch 1.
Row 1: 2 hdc, turn. <2 st>
Row 2: 2 hdc in each st, turn. <4 st>
Row 3: 2 hdc, hdc until last st, 2 hdc, turn. <6 st>
Repeat Row 3 until you reach 34 (34, 34, 36, 36, 36, 38, 38, 40) st.
Row 4: hdc2tog, hdc until last 2 st, 2 hdc in each of last 2 st, turn. <35 (35, 35, 37, 37, 37, 39, 39, 41) st>
Row 5: 2 hdc, hdc until last 2 st, hdc2tog, turn.
Repeat Row 4 and 5 until you reach 38 (40, 40, 42, 42, 42, 44, 46, 48) st.
Switch to Color B.
Size M to 5XL: Repeat Row 4 and 5 until you reach X (X, 48, 50, 54, 56, 62, 64, 68) st.
Row 6: hdc2tog, hdc until last st, 2 hdc, turn.
Row 7: 2 hdc, hdc until last 2 st, hdc2tog, turn
Repeat Row 6 and 7 until the color B section reaches 15 cm / 6”.
Switch to color C.
Repeat Row 6 and 7 until the color C section reaches 16 cm / 6.25”.
Row 8: hdc2tog, hdc until last 2 st, hdc2tog, turn. <36 (38, 46, 48, 52, 54, 60, 62, 66) st>
Repeat Row 8 until one st remains.
Blocking
You’re done with the crocheting part. Before assembly, block each sweater panel separately. Leave the long tails for sewing.
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
Start by sewing both back panels together (make sure you place the panels such that the colors match and the V-shaped geometry appears).
Repeat for the front panels.
Sew front and back together at side seam, leaving the top 14 (15, 18, 18.5, 20, 21, 23, 24, 25) cm / 5.5 (6, 7, 7.25, 7.75, 8.25, 9, 9.5, 10)” open for the armhole.
Assemble the sleeves by sewing the 2 panels together forming the V colorblock shape. Attach the sleeves to the sweater armholes. Make sure the sleeve increase side is at the underarm.
Optional: make a split hem by leaving 10 cm / 4” without seam at the bottom.
Make sure you weave in all your ends.
