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The Simple Stripes Sweater is a quick, beginner crochet sweater complete with a full video tutorial and several picture aids. Using simple stitches, it has a cute, comfy fit with a slightly oversized shape. A great choice for a first-time sweater.
Looking for a free beginner crochet sweater pattern that is easy-to-follow and actually looks good when finished?
The Simple Stripes Sweater is a beginner-friendly crochet sweater made with bulky weight 5 yarn, so it works up quickly and is perfect for crocheters making their first garment.
This free crochet sweater pattern uses simple stitches with great drape and includes a step-by-step full video tutorial to guide you through every part of the process.
Simple Stripes Sweater
Pattern Overview:
- Craft: Crochet
- Skill Level: Confident Beginner
- Yarn: Bulky Weight 5
- Hook: US K/6.5 mm and US L/8.0 mm crochet hook
- US K/6.5 mm Gauge: 5 linen sts + 8 rows = 4″
- US L/8.0 mm Gauge: 4 hdcblo sts = 2"/5 cm, 5 rows = 4″
- Sizes: 9 Sizes - XS (S, M, L, XL, 2X, 3X, 4X, and 5X)
- Video Tutorial: Yes - watch on YouTube
- Downloadable PDF Available
DESCRIPTION
The Simple Stripes Sweater is a beginner crochet sweater pattern with a full video tutorial.
It is worked in panels, with a Back Panel, Front Panel, and two sleeves.
Each panel starts at the bottom hem/cuff using a larger hook, then is rotated so you work along the length of the hem/cuff to create the main body.
The Front Panel has simple neck shaping at the top to allow for the collar, which is added at the end.
The sleeves are worked from the cuff up, back and forth in rows, before everything is seamed together and finished with a clean, comfortable collar added at the end.
Three complementary stripes are worked throughout the sweater using Hue + Me yarn, a bulky weight yarn known for colors that pair well together.
The finished sweater is cozy, slightly oversized, and straightforward to make, making it a relaxed and enjoyable project from start to finish.
YARN
The yarn used for the Simple Stripes Sweater is Lion Brand Yarn Hue + Me yarn.
Hue + Me yarn is a bulky weight 5 yarn that is known for its rich, beautifully coordinated colorways.
It is 80% acrylic and 20% wool yarn and there’s 137 yards/125 meters per 4.4 oz/125 grams.
The yarn is machine washable and dryable, which I always look for in my handmade sweaters.
There are 41 colors in the Hue + Me yarn line, and they all play well together. They are meant to be used in multi-color designs.
I used “Desert”, “Love Song”, “Rose Water”, and “Pink Earth” for the four colors of the sweater.
I recently used Hue + Me for the first time over the summer, and I fell in love with all of the colors.
I knew I wanted to create another beginner sweater, but this time with multiple colors.
If you want to check out the Wren Poncho Cardi, that uses Hue + Me yarn also, you can check out the free pattern HERE.
If you want to stay up to date on yarn sales and when to get a good price, join my newsletter where I’ll clue you in on when there is a good sale. I love a good sale, so I want gate keep. But I also won’t spam you.
DIFFICULTY
The Simple Stripes Sweater is considered a Level 1 – Beginner pattern.
I wanted to create a sweater that would be perfect for a crocheter’s first ever sweater, so I specifically wrote and designed this pattern for that purpose.
The majority of the pattern is worked in the linen stitch, which is a single crochet and chain-1 repeat.
The stitches are staggered each row, so the single crochets are worked into the chain-1 spaces.
I love the linen stitch because it gives a granny square feel, which is so cute. It also creates a good drape because the stitch isn’t too bulky, which is important for crochet sweaters.
And especially for crochet sweaters that use a thicker yarn.
I also included a full video tutorial, so you can pause, rewind, slow the speed to .5, or rewatch any section where you need a little extra help.
In my premium PDF pattern on etsy, I have several pictures to supplement the pattern.
As always, I’m happy to answer any questions! 
FAQ
Is this pattern good for beginners?
Yes, this pattern is good for beginners. With the full video tutorial, you will be able to pause, rewind, and rewatch any sections.
The stitches used are chains, single crochets, half double crochets in the back loop only, and single crochet 2 together (decrease).
Simple stitches and simple shaping.
Can I use a different yarn?
Yes, but the gauge of the sweater may be affected, so do a gauge swatch so you can meet gauge.
- Loops & Threads, Carousel Twist
- Cascade Yarn, Anthem Chunky
- Mary Maxim, Titan
- Premier Yarns, Serenity Chunky Tweeds
My favorite website to use to find good yarn substations is https://yarnsub.com/
What if my gauge is off?
Too many stitches in a 4″x4″ swatch?
→ The fabric is too tight, so you need to go up a hook size.
Too few stitches in a 4″ x 4″ swatch?
→ The fabric is too loose, so you need to go down a hook size.
Can I sell items from this crochet pattern?
Yes.
MATERIALS
- 515 (545, 580, 625, 690, 715, 770, 815, 855) yds/4 (4, 5, 5, 6, 6, 6, 6, 7) balls of Lion Brand Yarn Hue + Me yarn, “Desert” (617-099U), weight 5, 80% acrylic, 20% wool, 137 yds/125 m, 4.4 oz/125 g (A)
- 50 (52, 55, 60, 66, 68, 73, 80, 85) yds/1 ball of Lion Brand Yarn Hue + Me yarn, “Love Song” (617-140U), weight 5, 80% acrylic, 20% wool, 137 yds/125 m, 4.4 oz/125 g (B)
- 36 (38, 40, 43, 48, 50, 53, 57, 60) yds/1 ball of Lion Brand Yarn Hue + Me yarn, “Rose Water” (617-101AZ), weight 5, 80% acrylic, 20% wool, 137 yds/125 m, 4.4 oz/125 g (C)
- 36 (38, 40, 43, 48, 50, 53, 57, 60) yds/1 ball of Lion Brand Yarn Hue + Me yarn, “Pink Earth” (617-195U), weight 5, 80% acrylic, 20% wool, 137 yds/125 m, 4.4 oz/125 g (D)
- US K/6.5 mm crochet hook
- US L/8.0 mm crochet hook
- Stitch Markers
- Scissors
- Tapestry Needle
GAUGE
Linen Stitch Gauge
US K/6.5 mm crochet hook
5 sts + 8 rows = 4”/10 cm in linen st
Only the sc are included in the st count
Hem Gauge
US L/8.0 mm crochet hook
4 sts = 2”/5 cm, 5 rows = 4”/10 cm in hdcblo
SIZE
9 sizes: XS (S, M, L, XL, 2X, 3X, 4X, and 5X)
TERMINOLOGY
- A – color A
- B – color B
- blo – back loop only
- C- color C
- ch- chain
- D – color D
- hdc – half double crochet
- inc -increase
- rep – repeat
- rnd(s) – round(s)
- RS – right side
- sc – single crochet
- sc2tog – single crochet 2 together
- sl st – slip stitch
- sp – space
- st(s) – stitch(es)
- WS – wrong side
- yo – yarn over
NOTES
- Pattern is written for 9 sizes: XS (S, M, L, XL, 2X, 3X, 4X, 5X). Highlight your size throughout the pattern for ease of reading.
- Model is 5’7”/167.5 cm & is wearing size Medium with a 38”/95 cm bust & 5”/9 cm of positive ease.
- When reading pattern, if a size is marked by “-”, that means do not do the instruction for your size.
- Gauge is taken with the piece blocked.
- Check hook size for each gauge and adjust accordingly in the pattern to meet both gauges listed.
- Sweater is worked in panels – Front Panel, Back Panel, and Sleeves.
- Beginning ch(s) do not count as a st.
- To switch colors, stop the last st in the old color with 2 loops on your hook. Yarn over with new color and pull through both loops to complete the st.
- When switching to another color from A, you do not need to fasten off A. You can carry it up the edge and pick it up in 2 rows. We will seam the edges, so you will not see the strand from the RS.
- To shorten/lengthen sweater or sleeves, subtract/add rows to the bottom by the hem/cuff.
SPECIAL STITCHES
Single Crochet 2 Together (sc2tog) – insert hook into next st, yo, pull up loop, insert hook into next st, yo, pull up loop, yo, pull through 3 loops.
Linen St – *ch 1, sc 1 in ch-1 sp, rep from * across placing the last sc into the beginning ch.
Only the sc are included in the st count.
Half Double Crochet Back Loop Only (hdcblo) – yo, insert hook into blo of next st, yo, pull up a loop, yo, pull through all loops on hook.
VIDEO TUTORIAL
There is a full video tutorial to help you make the Simple Stripes Sweater. You can view it HERE.
AD-FREE PREMIUM PDF
Check out my shops if you want to get the concise, ad-free, printable pattern. I have three different shops you can purchase it from or you can purchase the Lion Brand Yarn kit that includes all the yarn needed + the free pattern.
Best part about Lion Brand Yarn kits is that you do not have to choose the colors I used for the design.
You can customize the yarn colors to what you like best!
PATTERN
Back Panel Hem
Using A and the larger hook, ch 5,
Row 1: starting in the 2nd ch from the hook, hdc across, turn [4 sts]
Rows 2-21 (23, 26, 28, 31, 33, 36, 38, 40): ch 2, hdcblo across, turn
Do not fasten off.
Back Panel
Rotate the work 90 degrees to work along the long edge.
With A still connected and using the larger hook,
Row 1 (RS): ch 1, sc 2 in each row end until last end, sc 1, turn [41 (45, 51, 55, 61, 65, 71, 75, 79) sc sts]
Change to use smaller hook,
Row 2: ch 1, sc in first st, *skip 1 st, ch 1, sc in next st, rep from * placing the last sc into the beginning ch instead of the last st and using B to complete last st in row, turn [21 (23, 26, 28, 31, 33, 36, 38, 40) sc sts]
Using B,
Rows 3-4: ch 1, sc in ch-1 sp, linen st across, using A to complete last st in last row, turn
Fasten off B.
With A still connected,
Rows 5-11 (11, 11, 10, 10, 10, 9, 9, 9): ch 1, sc in ch-1 sp, linen st across, using C to complete last st in last row, turn
Using C,
Next 2 Rows: ch 1, sc in ch-1 sp, linen st across, using A to complete last st in last row, turn
Fasten off C.
With A still connected,
Rows 14 (14, 14, 13, 13, 13, 12, 12, 12)-20 (20, 20, 18, 18, 18, 16, 16, 16): ch 1, sc in ch-1 sp, linen st across, using D to complete last st in last row, turn
Using D,
Next 2 Rows: ch 1, sc in ch-1 sp, linen st across, using A to complete last st in last row, turn
Fasten off D.
With A still connected,
Rows 23 (23, 23, 21, 21, 21, 19, 19, 19)-37 (37, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43): ch 1, sc in ch-1 sp, linen st across, turn
Fasten off.
Front Panel Hem
Using A and the larger hook,
Rep Back Panel Hem instructions.
Front Panel
Rotate the work 90 degrees to work along the long edge.
With A still connected and using the larger hook,
Rep Back Panel instructions to Row 30 (30, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36).
Do not fasten off.
Neck Shaping
FIRST SHOULDER
For Size XS, S, M, XL, 3X, and 5X:
With RS facing, place st marker in ch space after 9 (10, 11, –, 14, –, 16, –, 18) sc sts from both the right and the left ,
For Size L, 2X, and 4X:
With WS facing, place st marker in ch space after – (–, –, 12, –, 15, –, 17, –) sc sts from both the right and the left,
All Sizes:
With A still connected and smaller hook,
Row 1: ch 1, sc in ch-1 sp, linen st across until last 2 sc sts before first marked sp, ch 1, sc2tog in next 2 ch-1 spaces, turn [8 (9, 10, 11, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17) sc sts]
Row 2: ch 1, sc in ch-1 sp, linen st across, turn
Row 3: ch 1, sc in ch-1 sp, linen st across until last 2 sc sts, ch 1, sc2tog in the last ch-1 space and the beginning ch, turn [7 (8, 9, 10, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16) sc sts]
Rows 4-7: rep Row 2
Leaving a tail 4x the shoulder width for seaming, fasten off.
SECOND SHOULDER
For Sizes XS, S, M, XL, 3X, and 5X:
With RS facing, A, and smaller hook, sl st in the second marked sp,
For Sizes L, 2X, and 4X:
With WS facing, A, and smaller hook, sl st in the second marked sp,
All Sizes:
Row 1: ch 1, sc2tog in the next 2 ch-1 spaces, linen st across, turn [8 (9, 10, 11, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17) sc sts]
Row 2: ch 1, sc in ch-1 sp, linen st across, turn
Row 3: ch 1, sc2tog in the next 2 ch-1 spaces, linen st across, turn [7 (8, 9, 10, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16) sc sts]
Rows 4-7: rep Row 2
Leaving a tail 4x the shoulder width for seaming, fasten off.
Sleeve Cuff
Using A and the larger hook, ch 4,
Row 1: starting in the 2nd ch from the hook, hdc across, turn [3 sts]
Rows 2-12 (13, 13, 14, 16, 16, 17, 18, 18): ch 2, hdcblo across, turn
Do not fasten off.
Sleeve
Rotate the work 90 degrees to work along the long edge.
The larger sizes have “shorter” sleeves because the drop shoulder comes down further on the arm.
With A still connected and using the larger hook,
Row 1 (RS): ch 1, sc 2 in each row end until last end, sc 1, turn [23 (25, 25, 27, 31, 31, 33, 35, 35) sc sts]
Change to use smaller hook,
Row 2: ch 1, sc in first st, *skip 1 st, ch 1, sc in next st, rep from * placing the last sc into the beginning ch instead of the last st and using B to complete last st in row, turn [12 (13, 13, 14, 16, 16, 17, 18, 18) sc sts]
(inc) Row 3: ch 1, [sc, ch 1, sc] in first ch-1 sp, linen st across, turn [13 (14, 14, 15, 17, 17, 18, 19, 19) sc sts]
Rows 4-8 (8, 8, 6, 6, 6, 4, 4, 4): ch 1, sc in ch-1 sp, linen st across, turn
(inc) Row 9 (9, 9, 7, 7, 7, 5, 5, 5): ch 1, [sc, ch 1, sc] in first ch-1 sp, linen st across, using B to complete last st in row, turn [14 (15, 15, 16, 18, 18, 19, 20, 20) sc sts]
Using B,
Next 2 Rows: ch 1, sc in ch-1 sp, linen st across, using A to complete last st in last row, turn
Fasten off B.
With A still connected,
(inc) Row 12 (12, 12, 10, 10, 10, 8, 8, 8): ch 1, [sc, ch 1, sc] in first ch-1 sp, linen st across, turn [15 (16, 16, 17, 19, 19, 20, 21, 21) sc sts]
Rows 13 (13, 13, 11, 11, 11, 9, 9, 9)-17 (17, 17, 14, 14, 14, 11, 11, 11): ch 1, sc in ch-1 sp, linen st across, turn
(inc) Row 18 (18, 18, 15, 15, 15, 12, 12, 12): ch 1, [sc, ch 1, sc] in first ch-1 sp, linen st across, using C to complete last st in row, turn [16 (17, 17, 18, 20, 20, 21, 22, 22) sc sts]
Using C,
Next 2 Rows: ch 1, sc in ch-1 sp, linen st across, using A to complete last st in last row, turn
Fasten off C.
With A still connected,
(inc) Row 21 (21, 21, 18, 18, 18, 15, 15, 15): ch 1, [sc, ch 1, sc] in first ch-1 sp, linen st across, turn [17 (18, 18, 19, 21, 21, 22, 23, 23) sc sts]
Rows 22 (22, 22, 19, 19, 19, 16, 16, 16)-26 (26, 26, 22, 22, 22, 18, 18, 18): ch 1, sc in ch-1 sp, linen st across, turn
(inc) Row 27 (27, 27, 23, 23, 23, 19, 19, 19): ch 1, [sc, ch 1, sc] in first ch-1 sp, linen st across, using D to complete last st in row, turn [18 (19, 19, 20, 22, 22, 23, 24, 24) sc sts]
Using D,
Next 2 Rows: ch 1, sc in ch-1 sp, linen st across, using A to complete last st in last row, turn
Fasten off D.
For Size XS, S, L, XL, 3X, and 4X:
With A still connected,
Rows 30 (30, -, 26, 26, -, 22, 22, -)-32 (31, -, 29, 28, -, 24, 23, -): ch 1, sc in ch-1 sp, linen st across, turn
For Size M, 2X, and 5X:
With A still connected,
Row – (-, 30, -, -, 26, -, -, 22): ch 1, sc in ch-1 sp, linen st across, turn
All Sizes:
Fasten off. Rep for second sleeve.
Seaming
Block panels.
With RS of Front and Back Panel facing towards each other, use tails to whip st tops of shoulders.
With everything WS facing up, unfold body panels, center the sleeves on the shoulder seam, and seam the sleeve to the sweater.
With RS of Front and Back Panel facing towards each other, seam the underside of sleeve starting at the cuff to the underarm and down the side of the sweater.
Collar Trim
The exact st count does not matter for the Collar Trim.
Using B and the smaller hook,
Rnd 1 (RS): starting on the back of neck, sl st to join, ch 1, sc around placing 1 sc in each st, ch-1 space, and row end, sl st to join
Rnd 2: ch 1, *sc 3, sc2tog, rep from * around, sl st to join (you may not end on a full rep)
Rnd 3: sl st around, sl st to join
Fasten off. Weave in ends.
And that’s how you make the Simple Stripes Sweater!
Such a fun, quick design that I will be wearing all season.
Code Word: SIMPLE
ABOUT THE DESIGNER
Cozy Nooks Designs
Rachel Alford from Cozy Nooks Designs was on the PBS TV show Knit and Crochet Now! season 13. She also designs for Lion Brand Yarn, has been in several crochet/knit magazines, and freelances by filming videos for Annie’s online episodes. Be sure to check out her YouTube Channel for tips, tricks, & tutorials!
