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I’m so happy to introduce you to the final pattern in the Mystical Collection: this easy child crochet sweater!
This simple crochet sweater pattern comes with the option for a simple edging or a traditional rib, and, once you get the hang of the increases for the raglan yoke, it really is a breeze to create. As with all the patterns in the collection, it is worked in simple crochet stitches and packed full of texture.
In this post you’ll find everything you need to know how to make this easy child crochet sweater pattern, including materials, stitches, a detailed video tutorial and free written pattern for blog subscribers.
I now have quite a selection of different garments for babies and children, but this is the first one where my son had a hand in the design process.
He insisted I add a ribbed neckline, so that’s what I’ve done. It is of course optional!
The pattern includes instructions for child sizes 0-6 months to 10 years and is easily adjustable in length and width to make it the perfect fit for you.
Whilst the stitch pattern is identical to the v neck crochet sweater pattern for adults, you’ll find that the construction is very different. The kids crochet sweater has been designed with a top down raglan construction.
A raglan sweater begins from the neckline and you increase at four points to create the yoke, then you magically start to just work the body without any joining or seaming. And then we go back and add the sleeves at the end.
Yarn
To make the child crochet sweater pattern I used Amigo DK from Hobbii which is 100% Acrylic (191yds/175m/50g).
Amigo DK is a really soft yarn with wonderful, airy volume. It is produced from 100% HB acrylic of very high quality and comes in an enormous selection of colors.
HB stands for high bulk. It is a production technique that uses steam and pressure to make the fibers contract a little and curl so that they become fuller. The result is a light and soft yarn that is both comfortable to work with and to wear on the body.
It’s a category 3, light weight yarn which gives a soft and delicate feel to the sweater. Check our handy yarn weight chart and guide to find out more about yarn weights and categories.
I used the color Dark Blue Melange for the sweater my son is wearing, but there are 60 to choose from so go for it!
Yarn Substitutes
You can use any yarn that you like bearing in mind that you need to make sure you meet the gauge. Some other great options are:
- Heatherly Sport, 80% Acrylic, 20% Merino Wool (328yds/299m/100g)
- MillaMia Soft Merino, 100% Merino Wool (137yds/125m/50g)
- Highland Wool, 100% Peruvian Highland Wool (191yds/175m/50g)
For the sweater shown in the image below, I used the color Verdigris.
Things you’ll love about this easy crochet sweater pattern
The real beauty of this pattern is that it uses just basic crochet stitches (just half double crochet and single crochet). Once you get to grips with how the increases work on the raglan yoke, this sweater is really so simple to crochet.
Getting Started: Materials Needed for Your Easy Child Crochet Sweater
Sizing
Sizes: child sizes 0-6m (6-12m, 1-2, 3-4, 5-6, 7-8, 9-10)
To fit chest sizes: 17 (18, 21, 23, 25, 26.5, 28) inches.
With finished garment chest sizes: 19 (21.5, 22.75, 24, 26.5, 27.75, 30.25) inches.
The Sweater is designed to have a small amount of ease all over with slightly tapered sleeves. The garment is worked from the top down so it is simple to change the length of both the Body and the Sleeves as you’d like.
How much yarn do I need to crochet a kids sweater?
This sweater is designed from the top down using a Raglan style to create a Yoke that then splits for the Body and Sleeves.
You can adjust the length of the Sleeves and Body to fit the wearer perfectly so do make sure if you are making any changes to order plenty of yarn.
The following yarn amounts are approximate for making the length of Body and Sleeves as detailed in the schematic.
Sizes: 0-6m (6-12m, 1-2, 3-4, 5-6, 7-8, 9-10)
You will require approximately 420 (550, 620, 680, 780, 1015, 1240) metres, 460 (600, 675, 740, 860, 1110, 1355) yards of yarn to crochet the sweater.
This is 3 (4, 4, 5, 5, 7, 8) balls of the recommended yarn.
Other Materials
Along with your yarn, you will need the following:
- A 4.0mm(G) crochet hook or hook needed to meet gauge
- Scissors
- Tapestry needle
- Stitch markers
Don’t forget to join HanJan Crochet to receive regular discount codes (and more free patterns!) and Pin this crochet toddler sweater pattern to your crochet Pinterest board!
Video Tutorial: Follow Along to Create Your Sweater
Come along as I crochet the easy kids sweater in this step-by-step video tutorial. Press play to watch here or choose to watch on YouTube:
Crochet Terms You’ll Need to Know
Glossary and Abbreviations
beg – beginning
blo – back loop only
ch(s) – chain(s)
ch-sp(s) – chain space(s)
flo – front loop only
rep – repeat
RS – right side
sp – space
ss/sl st – slip stitch
st(s) – stitch(es)
WS – wrong side
Yoh – yarn over hook
Stitches
The pattern is written in standard US terms and uses the following crochet stitches:
sc – single crochet (UK dc – double crochet)
hdc – half double crochet (UK htr – half treble crochet)
Special Stitches
I love experimenting with texture in crochet and so was so pleased to come up with this stitch pattern!
It uses beginner stitches (half double crochet) in various loops of the stitch. You alternate the front loop only, back loop only and 3rd loop to create a wonderful texture that looks far more complicated than it really is!
I love it so much that I’ve also used it on my sweater scarf with sleeves, my chunky crochet blanket pattern, my free crochet fingerless gloves pattern, my v neck crochet sweater pattern for adults and my simple crochet top pattern!
It also works brilliantly in rounds too! My Mystical Hat pattern is such fun and makes great gifts too 🙂
3rd loop
Extra loop created on hdc from the yarn over. When working in rows it’s the first loop you come to when looking at the stitch. When working in rounds it will be the furthest away from you at the back of your crochet.
flo – front loop only
To work the front loop only, turn your work so that the top is facing you to see the front and back loops. Work into the front loop by inserting the hook into the loop of the ‘V’ nearest you.
blo – back loop only
To work the back loop only, turn your work so that the top is facing you to see the front and back loops. Work into the back loop by inserting the hook into the loop furthest from you.
Foundation half double crochet (Fhdc)
Step 1: Ch2, yarn over, insert hook into second ch from hook, yarn over and pull up a loop. [3 loops on hook]
Step 2: Yarn over and pull up another loop i.e. ch1. This creates the first “chain” in your foundation row. [still 3 loops on hook]
Step 3: Yarn over and pull through all three loops to complete the first Fhdc.
Step 4: Next stitch and subsequent stitches: Yarn over, insert hook into “chain” created in Step 2, yarn over and pull up a loop. [3 loops on hook]
Step 5: Yarn over and pull up another loop i.e. ch1. This creates the next “chain” in your foundation row. [still 3 loops on hook]
Step 6: Yarn over and pull through all three loops to complete the next Fhdc.
Repeat Steps 4, 5 and 6 as required.
Making Your Child Crochet Sweater Perfect For You
Once you have chosen the correct chest size you’d like to make, the rest of the design is easy to adjust to fit as you would like it to.
The Sweater is designed to have a small amount of ease all over with slightly tapered sleeves. The garment is worked from the top down so it is simple to change the length of both the Body and the Sleeves as you’d like.
BODY LENGTH
Main Body Length: To adjust the length, you can work more or less rounds of the Body until you are happy.
Simple Bottom Band: To adjust the length of the Simple Bottom Band, you can work more or less rounds of the Band until you are happy.
Added Bottom Rib: you can adjust the Bottom Rib length by working more or less stitches in the Join as You Go Method.
NECKLINE
You can leave the Neckline with the Foundation stitches from Round 1, or you can add an optional Join As You Go single crochet rib for a more traditional look.
SLEEVE LENGTH AND SHAPE
Sleeve Length: You can adjust the Sleeves by working as many or as few rounds of the Sleeves before adding your chosen Band and/or Rib. Make sure to work a matching number of rows for each sleeve.
Sleeve Band and/or Rib: You can adjust these in the same way as for the Body.
Straighter Sleeve Shape: If you would like a straighter sleeve then work less decrease rounds on your Sleeve.
Tapered Sleeve Shape: If you would like a more tapered sleeve then work more decrease rounds on your Sleeve.
Before you jump into crocheting your kids sweater, take a moment to read through the pattern notes—it’s a game-changer!
These handy insights will not only simplify your pattern-reading journey but also ensure a smoother crochet experience. You’ll find helpful tips on deciphering the sizing, customisation and more.
Trust me, a quick peek at these notes will set you up for crochet success!
- The pattern is worked in continuous rounds from Round 3 onwards.
- Make sure to use stitch markers at the beginning of each round so as not to lose your place.
- Read through the entire pattern before beginning.
- Before you start, go through the pattern and highlight/mark the stitch and row counts that correspond to the size you are making (this will make your life much easier!).
- Make sure that you are familiar with all of the stitches in the abbreviations list before you begin.
- Stitch counts are given in [ ] at the end of each row. If no stitch count is given, then the count is the same as the previous row.
- The count number referring to each size is laid out as follows: 0-6 months (6-12 months, 1-2 years, 3-4 years, 5-6 years, 7-8 years, 9-10 years) unless otherwise indicated.
- If an instruction does not apply to a particular size then a – is used instead of a number. E.g. – (-, 4, 4, 5, 6, 6) means that the 0-6 months and 6-12 months sizes do not apply to this instruction.
Free Easy Child Crochet Sweater Pattern
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Copyright Notice
The Mystical Child Raglan Sweater Crochet Pattern and its contents are fully owned and copyrighted by HanJan Crochet Ltd., and all rights are reserved.
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Round 11: hdc in each st to ch1-sp, (hdc, ch1, hdc) in ch1-sp, hdc in 3rd loop only of each st to ch1-sp, (hdc, ch1, hdc) in ch1-sp, hdc in each st to ch1-sp, (hdc, ch1, hdc) in ch1-sp, hdc in 3rd loop only of each st to ch1-sp, (hdc, ch1, hdc) in ch1-sp, hdc in next 9 sts. [134 (138, 138, 150, 154, 172, 176)hdc, 4 x ch1-sps]
Round 12:
First Sleeve: hdc in next 18 (18, 19, 24, 22, 28, 28) sts,
Corner Increase: (hdc, ch1, hdc) in ch1-sp,
Front: hdc in next X (1, 2, 1, X, X, 1) sts, (hdc in flo of next st, hdc in 3rd loop only of next st, hdc in blo of next st, ) for 39 (39, 36, 39, 45, 48, 48) sts, hdc in next X (1, 2, 1, X, X, 1) sts,
Corner Increase: (hdc, ch1, hdc) in ch1-sp,
Second Sleeve: hdc in next 28 (28, 29, 34, 32, 38, 38) sts,
Corner Increase: (hdc, ch1, hdc) in ch1-sp,
Back: as per Round 12 Front,
Corner Increase: (hdc, ch1, hdc) in ch1-sp,
First Sleeve: hdc in next 10 sts.
[142 (146, 146, 158, 162, 180, 184)hdc, 4 x ch1-sps]
Round 13: hdc in each st to ch1-sp, (hdc, ch1, hdc) in ch1-sp, hdc in 3rd loop only of each st to ch1-sp, (hdc, ch1, hdc) in ch1-sp, hdc in each st to ch1-sp, (hdc, ch1, hdc) in ch1-sp, hdc in 3rd loop only of each st to ch1-sp, (hdc, ch1, hdc) in ch1-sp, hdc in next 11 sts. [150 (154, 154, 166, 170, 188, 192)hdc, 4 x ch1-sps]
Size 0-6 months continue to Final Yoke Round below. All other sizes continue to Round 14 of Yoke.
Size 0-6 months only
Final Yoke Round:
First Sleeve: hdc in next 20 sts, 2hdc in ch1-sp,
Front: hdc in next 2 sts, (hdc in 3rd loop only of next st, hdc in blo of next st, hdc in flo of next st) for 39 sts, hdc in next 2 sts, 2hdc in ch1-sp,
Second Sleeve: hdc in next 32 sts, 2hdc in ch1-sp,
Back: as per Front of this round, 2hdc in ch1-sp,
First Sleeve: hdc in next 12 sts.
[158hdc]
For this size continue to Split For Sleeves.
Sizes 6-12 months, 1-2 years, 3-4 years, 5-6 years, 7-8 years, 9-10 years
Note – there is no instruction here for the smallest size so the sizing will now show as X (6-12 months, 1-2 years, 3-4 years, 5-6 years, 7-8 years, 9-10 years)
Round 14:
First Sleeve: hdc in next X (20, 21, 26, 24, 30, 30) sts,
Corner Increase: (hdc, ch1, hdc) in ch1-sp,
Front: hdc in next X (X, 1, X, 2, 2, X) sts, (hdc in 3rd loop only of next st, blo on next st, hdc in flo of next st) for X (45, 42, 45, 45, 48, 54) sts, hdc in next X (X, 1, X, 2, 2, X) sts,
Corner Increase: (hdc, ch1, hdc) in ch1-sp,
Second Sleeve: hdc in next X (32, 33, 38, 36, 42, 42) sts,
Corner Increase: (hdc, ch1, hdc) in ch1-sp,
Back: as per Round 14 Front,
Corner Increase: (hdc, ch1, hdc) in ch1-sp,
First Sleeve: hdc in next 12 sts.
[X (162, 162, 174, 178, 196, 200)hdc, 4 x ch1-sps]
Round 15: hdc in each st to ch1-sp, (hdc, ch1, hdc) in ch1-sp, hdc in 3rd loop only of each st to ch1-sp, (hdc, ch1, hdc) in ch1-sp, hdc in each st to ch1-sp, (hdc, ch1, hdc) in ch1-sp, hdc in 3rd loop only of each st to ch1-sp, (hdc, ch1, hdc) in ch1-sp, hdc in next 13 sts. [X (170, 170, 182, 186, 204, 208)hdc, 4 x ch1-sps]
Size 6-12 months continue to Final Yoke Round below. All other sizes continue to Round 16 of Yoke.
Size 6-12 months only
Final Yoke Round:
First Sleeve: hdc in next 22 sts, 2hdc in ch1-sp,
Front: hdc in next 2 sts, (hdc in blo of next st, hdc in flo of next st, hdc in 3rd loop only of next st) for 45 sts, hdc in next 2 sts, 2hdc in ch1-sp,
Second Sleeve: hdc in next 36 sts, 2hdc in ch1-sp,
Back: as per Front of this round, 2hdc in ch1-sp,
First Sleeve: hdc in next 14 sts.[178hdc]
For this size continue to Split For Sleeves.
1-2 years, 3-4 years, 5-6 years, 7-8 years, 9-10 years
Note – there is no instruction here for the 2 smallest sizes so the sizing will now show as X (X, 1-2 years, 3-4 years, 5-6 years, 7-8 years, 9-10 years)
Round 16:
First Sleeve: hdc in next X (X, 23, 28, 26, 32, 32) sts,
Corner Increase: (hdc, ch1, hdc) in ch1-sp,
Front: hdc in next X (X, X, 2, 1, 1, 2) sts, (hdc in blo of next st, hdc in flo of next st, hdc in 3rd loop only of next st, ) for X (X, 48, 45, 51, 54, 54) sts, hdc in next X (X, X, 2, 1, 1, 2) sts,
Corner Increase: (hdc, ch1, hdc) in ch1-sp,
Second Sleeve: hdc in next X (X, 37, 42, 40, 46, 46) sts,
Corner Increase: (hdc, ch1, hdc) in ch1-sp,
Back: as per Round 16 Front,
Corner Increase: (hdc, ch1, hdc) in ch1-sp,
First Sleeve: hdc in next 14 sts.
[X (X, 178, 190, 194, 212, 216)hdc, 4 x ch1-sps]
Round 17: hdc in each st to ch1-sp, (hdc, ch1, hdc) in ch1-sp, hdc in 3rd loop only of each st to ch1-sp, (hdc, ch1, hdc) in ch1-sp, hdc in each st to ch1-sp, (hdc, ch1, hdc) in ch1-sp, hdc in 3rd loop only of each st to ch1-sp, (hdc, ch1, hdc) in ch1-sp, hdc in next 15 sts. [X (X, 186, 198, 202, 220, 224)hdc, 4 x ch1-sps]
Size 1-2 years continue to Final Yoke Round below. All other sizes continue to Round 18 of Yoke.
Size 1-2 years only
Final Yoke Round:
First Sleeve: hdc in next 25 sts, 2hdc in ch1-sp,
Front: hdc in next 2 sts, (hdc in flo of next st, hdc in 3rd loop only of next st, hdc in blo of next st) for 48 sts, hdc in next 2 sts, 2hdc in ch1-sp,
Second Sleeve: hdc in next 41 sts, 2hdc in ch1-sp,
Back: as per Front of this round, 2hdc in ch1-sp,
First Sleeve: hdc in next 16 sts.
[194hdc] For this size continue to Split For Sleeves.
Sizes 3-4 years, 5-6 years, 7-8 years, 9-10 years
Note – there is no instruction here for the first 3 sizes so the sizing will now show as X (X, X, 3-4 years, 5-6 years, 7-8 years, 9-10 years)
Round 18:
First Sleeve: hdc in next X (X, X, 30, 28, 34, 34) sts,
Corner Increase: (hdc, ch1, hdc) in ch1-sp,
Front: hdc in next X (X, X, 1, X, X, 1) sts, (hdc in flo of next st, hdc in 3rd loop only of next st, hdc in blo of next st) for X (X, X, 51, 57, 60, 60) sts, hdc in next X (X, X, 1, X, X, 1) sts,
Corner Increase: (hdc, ch1, hdc) in ch1-sp,
Second Sleeve: hdc in next X (X, X, 46, 44, 50, 50) sts,
Corner Increase: (hdc, ch1, hdc) in ch1-sp,
Back: as per Round 18 Front,
Corner Increase: (hdc, ch1, hdc) in ch1-sp,
First Sleeve: hdc in next 16 sts. [X (X, X, 206, 210, 228, 232)hdc, 4 x ch1-sps]
Size 3-4 years continue to Final Yoke Round below. All other sizes continue to Round 19 of Yoke.
Size 3-4 years only
Final Yoke Round: hdc in each st to ch1-sp, 2hdc in ch1-sp, hdc in 3rd loop only of each st to ch1-sp, 2hdc in ch1-sp, hdc in each st to ch1-sp, 2hdc in ch1-sp, hdc in 3rd loop only of each st to ch1-sp, 2hdc in ch1-sp, hdc in next 17 sts. [214hdc] For this size continue to Split For Sleeves.
5-6 years, 7-8 years, 9-10 years
Note – there is no instruction here for the first 4 sizes so the sizing will now show as X (X, X, X, 5-6 years, 7-8 years, 9-10 years)
Round 19: hdc in each st to ch1-sp, (hdc, ch1, hdc) in ch1-sp, hdc in 3rd loop only of each st to ch1-sp, (hdc, ch1, hdc) in ch1-sp, hdc in each st to ch1-sp, (hdc, ch1, hdc) in ch1-sp, hdc in 3rd loop only of each st to ch1-sp, (hdc, ch1, hdc) in ch1-sp, hdc in next 17 sts. [X (X, X, X, 218, 236, 240)hdc, 4 x ch1-sps]
Size 5-6 and 7-8 years continue to Final Yoke Round below. Size 9-10 years continue to Round 20 of Yoke.
Sizes 5-6 (7-8) years only
Final Yoke Round:
First Sleeve: hdc in next 30 (36) sts, 2hdc in ch1-sp,
Front: hdc in next 2 (2) sts, (hdc in 3rd loop only of next st, hdc in blo of next st, hdc in flo of next st) for 57 (60) sts, hdc in next 2 (2) sts, 2hdc in ch1-sp,
Second Sleeve: hdc in next 48 (54) sts, 2hdc in ch1-sp,
Back: as per Front of this round, 2hdc in ch1-sp,
First Sleeve: hdc in next 18 sts. [226 (244)hdc]
For these sizes continue to Split For Sleeves.
Size 9-10 years only
Round 20:
First Sleeve: hdc in next 36 sts,
Corner Increase: (hdc, ch1, hdc) in ch1-sp,
Front: (hdc in 3rd loop only of next st, hdc in blo of next st, hdc in flo of next st) for 66 sts,
Corner Increase: (hdc, ch1, hdc) in ch1-sp,
Second Sleeve: hdc in next 54 sts,
Corner Increase: (hdc, ch1, hdc) in ch1-sp,
Back: as per Round 20 Front,
Corner Increase: (hdc, ch1, hdc) in ch1-sp,
First Sleeve: hdc in next 18 sts. [248hdc, 4 x ch1-sps]
Round 21: hdc in each st to ch1-sp, (hdc, ch1, hdc) in ch1-sp, hdc in 3rd loop only of each st to ch1-sp, (hdc, ch1, hdc) in ch1-sp, hdc in each st to ch1-sp, (hdc, ch1, hdc) in ch1-sp, hdc in 3rd loop only of each st to ch1-sp, (hdc, ch1, hdc) in ch1-sp, hdc in next 19 sts. [256hdc, 4 x ch1-sps]
Final Yoke Round:
First Sleeve: hdc in next 38 sts, 2hdc in ch1-sp,
Front: hdc in next 2 sts, (hdc in blo of next st, hdc in flo of next st, hdc in 3rd loop only of next st) for 66 sts, hdc in next 2sts, 2hdc in ch1-sp,
Second Sleeve: hdc in next 58 sts, 2hdc in ch1-sp,
Back: as per Front of this round, 2hdc in ch1-sp,
First Sleeve: hdc in next 20 sts. [264hdc] For this size continue to Split For Sleeves.
SPLIT FOR SLEEVES AND BODY
All Sizes – Note
With the Yoke complete, we now need to split for the Sleeves and continue to work the Body.
This is done in a different sequence for each size due to the amount of rounds in each Yoke so will be written in full for each individual size.
Size 0-6 months only
Stitch count at end of Yoke: 158hdc
Break yarn and place stitch marker in the last st of the Yoke. This will be in the middle of the Sleeves.
Join yarn to 2nd hdc of 2hdc in the ch1-sp on last round of the Yoke that allows you to work across the Back of the Sweater.
Work the Body in continuous rounds.
Round 1: *hdc in 3rd loop only of the next 45 sts, skip next 34 sts (leave fore Sleeve); rep from * once more [90hdc]
Round 2: *hdc in blo of next st, hdc in flo of next st, hdc in 3rd loop only of next st; rep from * around.
Round 3: hdc in 3rd loop only of each st around.
Round 4: *hdc in flo of next st, hdc in 3rd loop only of next st, hdc in blo of next st; rep from * around.
Round 5: hdc in 3rd loop only of each st around.
Round 6: *hdc in 3rd loop only of next st, hdc in blo of next st, hdc in flo of next st; rep from * around.
Round 7: hdc in 3rd loop only of each st around.
Rounds 2-7 create the Body Set Pattern for this size.
Rounds 8-25: Repeat the Body Set Pattern for this size. Do not break yarn.
Continue to Simple Bottom Band.
SPLIT FOR SLEEVES AND BODY
Sizes 6-12 months (9-10 years) only
Stitch count at end of Yoke: 178 (264)hdc
Break yarn and place stitch marker in the last st of the Yoke. This will be in the middle of the Sleeves.
Join yarn to 2nd hdc of 2hdc in the ch1-sp on last round of the Yoke that allows you to work across the Back of the Sweater.
Work the Body in continuous rounds.
Round 1: *hdc in 3rd loop only of the next 51 (72) sts, skip next 38 (60) sts (leave for Sleeve); rep from * once more [102 (144)hdc]
Round 2: *hdc in flo of next st, hdc in 3rd loop only of next st, hdc in blo of next st; rep from * around.
Round 3: hdc in 3rd loop only of each st around.
Round 4: *hdc in 3rd loop only of next st, hdc in blo of next st, hdc in flo of next st; rep from * around.
Round 5: hdc in 3rd loop only of each st around.
Round 6: *hdc in blo of next st, hdc in flo of next st, hdc in 3rd loop only of next st; rep from * around.
Round 7: hdc in 3rd loop only of each st around.
Rounds 2-7 create the Body Set Pattern for these sizes.
Rounds 8-25 (37): Repeat the Body Set Pattern for this size.
Round 26 (38): Rep Round 2. Do not break yarn.
Continue to Simple Bottom Band.
SPLIT FOR SLEEVES AND BODY
Size 1-2 years only
Stitch count at end of Yoke: 194hdc
Break yarn and place stitch marker in the last st of the Yoke. This will be in the middle of the Sleeves.
Join yarn to 2nd hdc of 2hdc in the ch1-sp on last round of the Yoke that allows you to work across the Back of the Sweater.
Work the Body in continuous rounds.
Round 1: *hdc in 3rd loop only of the next 54 sts, skip next 43 sts (leave for Sleeve); rep from * once more [108hdc]
Round 2: *hdc in 3rd loop only of next st, hdc in blo of next st, hdc in flo of next st; rep from * around.
Round 3: hdc in 3rd loop only of each st around.
Round 4: *hdc in blo of next st, hdc in flo of next st, hdc in 3rd loop only of next st; rep from * around.
Round 5: hdc in 3rd loop only of each st around.
Round 6: *hdc in flo of next st, hdc in 3rd loop only of next st, hdc in blo of next st; rep from * around.
Round 7: hdc in 3rd loop only of each st around.
Rounds 2-7 create the Body Set Pattern for this size.
Rounds 8-25: Repeat the Body Set Pattern for this size.
Rounds 26-28: Rep Round 2-4. Do not break yarn.
Continue to Simple Bottom Band.
SPLIT FOR SLEEVES AND BODY
Size 3-4 years only
Stitch count at end of Yoke: 214hdc
Break yarn and place stitch marker in the last st of the Yoke. This will be in the middle of the Sleeves.
Join yarn to 2nd hdc of 2hdc in the ch1-sp on last round of the Yoke that allows you to work across the Back of the Sweater.
Work the Body in continuous rounds.
Round 1: *(hdc in 3rd loop only of next st, hdc in blo of next st, hdc in flo of next st) for 57 sts, skip next 50 sts (leave for Sleeve); rep from * once more [114hdc]
Round 2: hdc in 3rd loop only of each st around.
Round 3: *hdc in blo of next st, hdc in flo of next st, hdc in 3rd loop only of next st; rep from * around.
Round 4: hdc in 3rd loop only of each st around.
Round 5: *hdc in flo of next st, hdc in 3rd loop only of next st, hdc in blo of next st; rep from * around.
Round 6: hdc in 3rd loop only of each st around.
Round 7: *hdc in 3rd loop only of next st, hdc in blo of next st, hdc in flo of next st; rep from * around.
Rounds 2-7 create the Body Set Pattern for this size.
Rounds 8-25: Repeat the Body Set Pattern for this size.
Rounds 26-28: Rep Rounds 2-4. Do not break yarn.
Continue to Simple Bottom Band.
SPLIT FOR SLEEVES AND BODY
Sizes 5-6 (7-8) years only
Stitch count at end of Yoke: 226 (244)hdc
Break yarn and place stitch marker in the last st of the Yoke. This will be in the middle of the Sleeves.
Join yarn to 2nd hdc of 2hdc in the ch1-sp on last round of the Yoke that allows you to work across the Back of the Sweater.
Work the Body in continuous rounds.
Round 1: *hdc in 3rd loop only of the next 63 (66) sts, skip next 50 (56) sts (leave for Sleeve); rep from * once more [126 (132)hdc]
Round 2: *hdc in blo of next st, hdc in flo of next st, hdc in 3rd loop only of next st; rep from * around.
Round 3: hdc in 3rd loop only of each st around.
Round 4: *hdc in flo of next st, hdc in 3rd loop only of next st, hdc in blo of next st; rep from * around.
Round 5: hdc in 3rd loop only of each st around.
Round 6: *hdc in 3rd loop only of next st, hdc in blo of next st, hdc in flo of next st; rep from * around.
Round 7: hdc in 3rd loop only of each st around.
Rounds 2-7 create the Body Set Pattern fro this size.
Rounds 8-25 (31): Repeat the Body Set Pattern for these sizes.
Size 5-6 years only:
Rounds 26-29: Rep Rounds 2-5. Do not break yarn.
Size 7-8 only:
Rounds 32-33: Rep Rounds 2-3. Do not break yarn.
Continue to Simple Bottom Band.
SIMPLE BOTTOM BAND
All Sizes
SIMPLE BOTTOM BAND
Working in continuous rounds.
Round 1: sc in 3rd loop only of each st around. [90 (102, 108, 114, 126, 132, 144)]
Rounds 2-3: sc in blo of each st around, ss in 1st st at end of Round 3 to join.
If desired, add a Join As You Go Bottom Cuff as detailed below, otherwise break yarn and continue to Sleeves.
OPTIONAL BOTTOM RIB
All Sizes
Continue with the yarn and ch5 (or as many as you like to set the length of your Rib.
Row 1: sc in 2nd chain from hook and next 3 chains, ss into next st of final round of Body, turn. [4]
Row 2: sc in blo of each st, turn.
Row 3: ch1, sc in blo of each st, ss into next 2 sts of final round of Body, turn.
Rows 2 and 3 create the Bottom Rib Set Pattern.
Repeat the Bottom Rib Set Pattern around the final round of the Body.
Join the final row of the Bottom Rib to the first row with a ss seam to complete. Break yarn.
SLEEVES
All Sizes
The First Sleeve is worked by joining the yarn to the stitch at the underarm of the Sleeve without a stitch marker. Join with the RS facing and work in continuous rounds.
Remember to work each hdc through the back and 3rd loops of the stitch.
Round 1: ch1, hdc in each st around sleeve opening. [34 (38, 43, 50, 50, 56, 60)hdc]
Round 2: hdc in each st around.
Rounds 3-4: Rep Round 2.
After completing Round 4, each sleeve has decrease rounds at various points in the sleeve in order to shape the sleeve. When instructed to work a decrease round, follow the decrease round instructions below.
Decrease Round: hdc2tog, hdc in remaining sts around. [decreases stitch count by 1]
From now on you will either work a straight round (Rep Round 2) or a Decrease Round (as above).
0-6 months only (23 rounds in total)
Rounds 5, 8, 11, 14, 17, 21: Decrease Rounds [33, 32, 31, 30, 29, 28]
Work all other rounds as a rep of Round 2.
Rounds 22-23: Rep Round 2. Do not break yarn. Continue to Simple Sleeve Band.
6-12 months only (26 rounds in total)
Rounds 5, 8, 11, 14, 17, 21, 24: Decrease Rounds [37, 36, 35, 34, 33, 32, 31]
Work all other rounds as a rep of Round 2.
Rounds 25-26: Rep Round 2. Do not break yarn. Continue to Simple Sleeve Band.
1-2 years only (31 rounds in total)
Rounds 5, 8, 11, 14, 17, 21, 24, 27, 30: Decrease Rounds [42, 41, 40, 39, 38, 37, 36, 35, 34]
Work all other rounds as a rep of Round 2.
Round 31: Rep Round 2. Do not break yarn. Continue to Simple Sleeve Band.
3-4 years only (35 rounds in total)
Rounds 5, 8, 11, 14, 17, 20, 22, 24, 26, 28, 30, 32, 34: Decrease Rounds [49, 48, 47, 46, 45, 44, 43, 42, 41, 40, 39, 38, 37]
Work all other rounds as a rep of Round 2.
Round 35: Rep Round 2. Do not break yarn. Continue to Simple Sleeve Band.
5-6 years only (42 rounds in total)
Rounds 5, 8, 11, 14, 17, 20, 23, 26, 29, 32, 36, 39: Decrease Rounds [49, 48, 47, 46, 45, 44, 43, 42, 41, 40, 39, 38]
Work all other rounds as a rep of Round 2.
Rounds 40-42: Rep Round 2. Do not break yarn. Continue to Simple Sleeve Band.
7-8 years only (44 rounds in total)
Rounds 5, 8, 11, 14, 17, 20, 23, 25, 27, 29, 31, 33, 35, 37, 39, 41, 43: Decrease Rounds [55, 54, 53, 52, 51, 50, 49, 48, 47, 46, 45, 44, 43, 42, 41, 40, 39]
Work all other rounds as a rep of Round 2.
Round 44: Rep Round 2. Do not break yarn. Continue to Simple Sleeve Band.
9-10 years only (50 rounds in total)
Rounds 5, 8, 11, 14, 17, 20, 23, 25, 27, 29, 31, 33, 35, 37, 39, 41, 43, 45, 47, 49: Decrease Rounds [59, 58, 57, 56, 55, 54, 53, 52, 51, 50, 49, 48, 47, 46, 45, 44, 43, 42, 41, 40]
Work all other rounds as a rep of Round 2.
Round 50: Rep Round 2. Do not break yarn. Continue to Simple Sleeve Band.
SIMPLE SLEEVE BAND
All Sizes
Working in continuous rounds.
Round 1: sc in 3rd loop only of each st around. [28 (31, 34, 37, 38, 39, 40)]
Round 2: *sc in blo of next st, sc2tog in blo over next 2 sts; rep from * 9 (10, 11, 12, 12, 13, 13) more times, sc in blo only of next 1 (1, 1, 1, 2, X, 1) sts. [19 (21, 23, 25, 26, 26, 27)]
Round 3: sc in blo of each st around, ss in 1st st to join.
If desired, add a Join As You Go Bottom Cuff as detailed below, otherwise break yarn and fasten off.
OPTIONAL SLEEVE RIB
All Sizes
Continue with the yarn and ch5 (or as many as you like to set the length of your Rib.
Repeat as for Bottom Rib but slip stitching into the final round of the Sleeve instead.
OPTIONAL NECK RIB
All Sizes
If you would like to also add a sc blo rib to the neckline you can. This is pictured in the navy version in the images and not in the lighter blue to help you decide.
For smaller sizes, I recommend that if you are adding this extra rib that you do not join the first and last row to create a full band.
Instead, you can leave it unjoined and then add a button or popper fastening to make sure it is easy to get on and off.
Join the yarn to a stitch on the existing neckline where you would like either the seam or the fastening to be. I would recommend doing this at a shoulder point.
Repeat as for Bottom Rib but when working into the stitches of the Front and Back, for a slighter tighter neckline you can slip stitch into 3 sts rather than 2.
This is a great place to customise your neckline but just make sure to make a note of what you do so that you can make the Front and Back match for an even finish.
If desired, join the final row of the Neck Rib to the first row with a ss seam to complete. Break yarn.
Once complete, weave in all ends and block to measurements to finish.
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If you’ve enjoyed making this child sweater pattern, then why not try a few more? Here’s a few other of my designs you might like:
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Congratulations on crocheting your very own child crochet sweater! 🌟 Now that you’ve crafted this fun project, why stop here? Dive into my other adult crochet garment patterns, each waiting to be transformed into your next crochet masterpiece.
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