Easy Crochet Sweater Patterns for Beginners (and a cardigan too)

The Harris Collection is the ultimate in easy crochet sweater patterns for beginners and better yet – it has a beginner crochet cardigan version included in it too!

Using just one basic crochet stitch the pattern is designed for everyone as it comes in child sizes (newborn baby to age 10) and you can make a sleeveless pullover, cardigan or sweater version!

With subtle armhole shaping for a set in sleeve and gentle forearm shaping for the perfect fit, you can be sure that this design will look stunning on everyone. 

With added instructions for customising, construction, seaming and gauge you’ll find everything you need to make a fabulous baby crochet sweater or indeed one for toddlers or children .

How to get the easy crochet sweater and cardigan pattern

About the Harris Collection – the perfect beginner crochet garment pattern

To start off we’ll look at what we’re covering in this post to make sure that you have everything you need to decide on which version to make and my tips and tricks to help you get the most out of the pattern.

Firstly, we’ll cover some frequently asked questions about crochet sweater and cardigan making. I know garments can be a daunting thought so we’ll cover some of the things that might help.

Then we’ll look at what the pattern sizing details are so you can choose the right size to crochet and also figure out how much yarn you’ll need.

I’ll let you know what yarn I used for the project and some great alternatives you could try.

Are easy crochet sweater patterns for beginners really that easy?

The thing that prompted me to design the Harris Collection is that I found it really hard to find really nice crochet sweater patterns that are actually easy but also all of these things:

• great for beginners
• a classic yet modern style
• shaped (at the armholes and cuffs)
• suitable for any age
• suitable for absolutely everyone to wear

I’m of course certain that there are easy crochet garment designs out there that cover all of these bases but I just couldn’t find one that I was happy enough to make and so I went about creating one.

Can I crochet a sweater as a beginner?

Absolutely. Yes!

I often get asked can a beginner crochet a sweater (or any garment really) and my answer is always yes.

Some people will say that it depends on the construction of the garment but I don’t always hold with that idea. It’s one of the things to think about but shouldn’t put you off making something.

Here are a few examples of different garment constructions for you:

• drop shoulder (like my granny square sweater)
• modified drop shoulder (like my Florence sweater)
• top down Raglan (like my Herringbone Moss Sweater)
• bottom up Raglan
• side to side (like my Sydney knit look crochet cardigan pattern)
• one piece (like my Spofforth cuff to cuff crochet sweater pattern)
• set in sleeves (like this one and the Wetherby crop crochet cardigan pattern)
• Dolman
• top down circular yoke

Garments can have aspects of more than one construction, so for example the Harris Collection is a side to side construction with set in sleeves. If you enjoy this construction then you might also like this child crochet cardigan pattern with a rolled or flat collar option.

If you’re new to crochet garment making please don’t worry! I have a fabulous guide on how to start your perfect crochet wardrobe and also learn garment making with 12 free crochet top patterns for different skill levels.

The thing with garments is that they often have a few elements that scare people (and that are easy to trip up on if you don’t get them quite right).

My best advise if you are a beginner who wants to crochet a sweater or cardigan would be firstly to make sure that you know and can work the individual stitches in the pattern (that’s why I only chose the UK half treble / US half double crochet for this design).

Secondly, I’d think about whether you understand and know about gauge. This is how you’ll know whether your sweater will turn out the size that it say s it will in the pattern.

Thirdly, (possibly most importantly) think about whether you would actually wear it! There’s no use spending time making something if you wouldn’t wear it or know someone to give it to who would.

I wouldn’t worry too much about the construction of the garment as I firmly believe that if you have a well written pattern and instructions and if you’ve ever sew or crocheted a hat, mitts or cowl together then a garment will be just fine.

Cardigan, sweater or pullover ?

So, the final thing to think about is which version you’ll make! The cardigan, sweater and pullover are equally easy to crochet as they use the same elements joined together, you’ll just need to make 2 front panels instead of 1 if you want to crochet a cardigan.

Another option that I have recently added to the pattern is the ability to make a split in the sweater collar and have it turned over. For this you just need a simple adjustment to the front panel – the rest stays exactly the same!

If you love the pullover version and the side to side construction then I also think you’d love my Chloe Tabard Top which is a great crochet sleeveless top pattern for summer with an easy crew neck line or the child and baby crochet vest pattern that matches!

Yarn and quantities

It’s really lovely to work with, is at a great price point for the fibre and wears so well.

You will approximately need the following amounts of yarn for each size to crochet the sweater and cardigan (you’ll need slightly less if you want to make the sleeveless version of course):

Child Sizes

Child sizes: 0-6 months, (6-12 months, 1-2 yrs, 3-4 yrs, 5-6 yrs, 7-8 yrs, 9-10 yrs)

To fit chest: 43 (46, 53, 58.5, 63.5, 67, 71)cm

Yarn required (balls): 2 (2, 3, 3, 4, 4, 5)

Yarn required (approx): 300 (375, 475, 560, 660, 760, 890) metres

Choosing yarn is so important (and fun!) but I know it’s great to have options depending on your budget and who you are making for – here are some great alternatives I’ve found.

Whatever yarn you choose, just make sure to check your gauge before starting your project as they will all be slightly different.

Gauge and Sizing

The crochet garment pattern comes in child sizes 0-6 months, (6-12 months, 1-2 yrs, 3-4 yrs, 5-6 yrs, 7-8 yrs, 9-10 yrs) to fit chest measurements of 43 (46, 53, 58.5, 63.5, 67, 71)cm.

As boring as they are to make, gauge swatches will be the difference between an ill-fitting garment and a stunning one that makes you look and feel amazing!

As you can see from the pictures the crochet garment is designed to have positive ease (meaning it’s bigger than your body measurements) and so make sure you match the gauge otherwise it might not fit as you’d like.

The gauge for this sweater is 11 rows and 15sts over main pattern = 10cm by 10cm.

Work a gauge swatch as given in the pattern and then block it lightly before measuring to make sure you meet the gauge.

If you have more stitches in your swatch than the tension states, try changing to a bigger hook.

If you have less stitches in your swatch than the tension states, try changing to a smaller hook.

Glossary and Abbreviations

Ch – chain

Sts(s) – stitch(es)

Rep – repeat

RS – right side

WS – wrong side

blo – back loop only

Ss – slip stitch

What crochet stitch is best for a sweater?

In my opinion, there isn’t a better stitch than the US half double crochet (UK half treble) for a great crochet sweater.

There are a few reasons for this being my stitch of choice. A hdc is the perfect beginner crochet stitch that’s easy to master and become consistent at (your fabric will look beautiful if your stitches are even). Plus, it has lots of options to create a lovely texture whilst forming a warm and cosy fabric that you really want to wear!

So, you might have guessed it – this beginner crochet garment pattern uses the following crochet stitch:

Standard UK Crochet Term	Standard US Crochet Term
htr – half treble crochet	hdc – half double crochet

Yes! You read that right!

It really only uses the one stitch!

The nature of the hdc stitch means that you have lots of lovely loops to choose from to work in to create the ribbed texture you can see.

All of the shaping in the garment happens with slip stitches used around the collar, armholes, at the bottom cuff and at the forearms so nice and easy too!

I just love how it creates a fabric that looks like knitted rib stitch with crochet stitches 🙂

Does it come in Adult Sizes?

Absolutely! The Sweater version is available in store and I even worked one up as just a vest that’s perfect for layering in the warmer months 🙂

Join HanJan and Share Your Crochet!

I hope you’ve enjoyed taking a peek at my Harris Collection and my take on an easy crochet sweater pattern for beginners that can also be a cardigan or pullover! I’d love to know if you decide to make it! You can sign up to become a member of HanJan Crochet and I’ll let you know about all the fabulous crochet adventures, offers, lives and more too!

Other great crochet garment patterns to try

I am starting to get quite the collection of crochet garment designs in my library – I love coming up with new constructions and stitch patterns to use for them. Here are some of my favourites you might enjoy too.

Child Crochet Garment Patterns:

If you love creating clothes for your little ones then you might enjoy my herringbone moss stitch sweater which is a top down raglan construction making it super easy to adjust. If you love the top down method then I also have my granny stitch sweater for kids that is super fun!

Or if you have the garment making bug then you’ll love this collection of easy crochet cardigan patterns for beginners!