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This beginner granny square sweater pattern is easy to make and even easier to wear! Simply make four granny squares and seam them together to create a stunning crochet box sweater that you will wear every season.
Perfect for beginners, the rainbow granny square top offers endless colour possibilities so you can make yours unique. It’s great for yarn stash busting, and it’s also a quick and easy crochet project perfect for Pride!
Scroll down for the free Granny Square Sweater pattern, or purchase an ad-free, printable PDF version here:
About the Rainbow Granny Square Sweater
If you’re anything like I was, crochet garments might scare you just a little bit.
I mean, it’s so much easier to make a blanket or scarf because it doesn’t really matter if they don’t come out the right size surely?!
Whilst I still love designing crochet blanket patterns and accessory patterns, I have found a new passion for garments over the last few years. I am really excited to bring this super duper, easy Rainbow Granny Square Sweater to you!
I guarantee that if you can make a granny square then you can crochet this sweater – it literally is 4 granny squares joined together (which also makes it a really fast crochet project too!).
If you’ve not made a granny square before, let me show you how in my granny square crochet pattern tutorial. Once you’ve cracked the technique, pop back here and we can make the sweater together!
If you’d also like to learn more about granny square crochet, you might like my post about the history of the granny square. I find it fascinating!
If granny squares really are your thing then you might also love my Franny Granny collection of patterns that feature a granny square yoke followed by a granny stitch body:
- Franny Granny Square Sweater
- Franny Granny Square Cardigan
- Franny Granny Square Poncho
Yarn
To make this rainbow granny square sweater I used West Yorkshire Spinners ColourLab DK Yarn which is 100% wool 225m/100g.
You will need 1 ball of each for all sizes: Crimson Red, Zesty Orange, Citrus Yellow, Pear Green, Thistle Purple, and Harbour Blue.
You’ll also need Natural Cream – the amount will vary for each size:
- XS/S = 2 balls
- M/L = 2 balls
- XL = 3 balls
- 2X/3X = 3 balls
I only used around 45g of each of the colour balls, so if you are raiding your yarn stash (which this pattern is perfect for!) then you’ll need around 400-500g of double knit yarn depending on the size you are making and the brand of yarn you choose.
I often get asked about ideas for alternative yarns. Here are some that I think would work really well for this granny sweater in various price ranges:
- Capra DK yarn by WeCrochet is 85% fine merino, 15% cashmere, 123yds/50g and perfect for a luxurious garment to treat yourself to.
- Cotton Bamboo Yarn by Lion Brand is 52% cotton, 48% Rayon from bamboo, 224m/100g and would make a beautiful, soft cotton sweater for Summer.
Tension and Sizing
| Size Label | To fit bust (inches/cm) | Garment bust (inches/cm) | Sleeve length (inches/cm) | Back length (inches/cm) | Cream Yarn required (no. of balls) |
| XS/S | 32-34/81-86 | 41/104 | 13.75/35 | 22.75/58 | 2 |
| M/L | 36-38/91-97 | 44.75/114 | 14.25/36.5 | 24.75/63 | 2 |
| XL | 40-42/102-107 | 48.5/123.5 | 15.25/39 | 26.25/67 | 3 |
| 2X/3X | 44-46/112-117 | 52.5/133.5 | 15.75/40 | 28.25/72 | 3 |
4 rounds measures 10X10cm (4in x 4in) over granny square pattern using a 4.5 mm hook or size needed to obtain correct gauge.
Read all about how to make a crochet gauge swatch and why it matters.
Materials
Along with your yarn, you will need the following:
- A 4.5mm/G+ crochet hook or hook size that meets the pattern gauge
- Scissors
- Tapestry needle
- Stitch markers
Pattern Options
Scroll down and continue reading to find all the design details and sign in to view the pattern for the easy granny sweater free in this post. Or purchase the ad-free PDF in my stores:
Purchase the ad-free PDF download
Perfect to print out or use on any device, for lifetime access
Don’t forget to join HanJan Crochet to receive regular discount codes (and more free patterns!) and Pin this granny square sweater crochet pattern to your crochet Pinterest board!
Glossary and Abbreviations (US Terminology)
sc – single crochet
dc – double crochet
ch(s) – chain(s)
ss – slip stitch
RS – right side
WS – wrong side
tog – together
sk – skip
rep – repeat
fl – front loop
bl – back loop
Granny Square Sweater Pattern Notes
If you are new to making wearables (or even if you’re not!) then I’d love you to read about how to make your perfect crochet wardrobe. Planning and preparation is key and there are loads of tips and tricks that will save you time (and frogging!) here.
The jumper is made up of 4 squares, one each for the front, back and sleeves.
Use the Granny Square pattern provided below when working the front, back and sleeves.
Turn after each round to alternate RS and WS facing rows, this prevents the squares from twisting and will help keep stitches aligned for joining.
The Hem is added afterwards and is worked separately on Front and Back Panels, with a longer Back Hem.
Using your chosen colours
The pattern is written for the multi colour version as pictured. But you don’t have to make yours like this!
If choosing and planning colours is something you’d like to know more about then I’d love for you to join my Using Colour In Crochet Course – it’s designed to give you all the tools you need to choose and combine the perfect colours for every project you make!
Pattern Options
View this pattern free in this blog post in US terms – just scroll down and login to find it in the exclusive members area!
You can also purchase an ad-free, printable PDF in US terms with added extras in my pattern stores here:
Purchase the ad-free PDF download
Perfect to print out or use on any device, for lifetime access
Copyright Notice
The Rainbow Granny Square Crochet Pattern and its contents are fully owned and copyrighted by HanJan Crochet Ltd., and all rights are reserved.
This pattern is protected by copyright and other intellectual property laws and may not be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means without the prior written consent of the author (Hannah Cross of HanJan Crochet Ltd). Unauthorised distribution or reproduction of this pattern or elements of the instructions is strictly prohibited. The free to view crochet pattern is intended for personal viewing only. By accessing this pattern, you acknowledge and agree to comply with these copyright terms and conditions.
Pattern Support
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Free Granny Square Sweater Pattern
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Basic Granny Square Crochet Pattern
The jumper uses the following granny square pattern as the basis for the Front, Back and Sleeves. See instructions for details on colour sequencing, extensions and seaming. Instructions are in US terminology.
Make a magic loop.
Round 1 (RS): Ch5 (counts as dc and ch2 throughout), (3dc, ch2) 3 times into loop, 2dc, ss to third ch of beg ch-5 to join, ss into ch-2 sp. [4 3-dc groups]
Round 2: Ch5, (3dc, ch1) into same sp, (3dc, ch2, 3dc, ch1) into next 3 ch-2 sps, 2dc into same sp as beg ch-5, ss to third ch of beg ch-5, ss into ch-2 sp. [8 3-dc groups]
Round 3: Ch5, (3dc, ch1) into same sp, *(3dc, ch1) into ch-1 sp, (3dc, ch2, 3dc, ch1) into ch-2 corner sp; rep from * twice more, (3dc, ch1) into next ch-1 sp, 2dc into same sp as beg ch-5, ss to third ch of beg ch-5, ss into ch-2 sp. [12 3-dc groups]
Round 4: Ch5, (3dc, ch1) into same sp, *(3dc, ch1) into each ch-1 sp to next corner, (3dc, ch2, 3dc, ch1) in ch-2 corner sp; rep from * around, 2dc into same sp as beg ch-5, ss to third ch of beg ch-5, ss into ch-2 sp. [16 3-dc groups]
Repeat Round 4 as many times as indicated in pattern.
Fasten off.
Rainbow Granny Square Sweater Crochet Pattern
This free pattern is in standard US crochet terms. The printable PDF has both US and UK terms.
FRONT
Work 21 (23, 25, 27) rounds using the Granny Square pattern and the following colour sequence:
*Natural Cream, Crimson Red, Zesty Orange, Natural Cream Citrus Yellow, Pear Green, Natural Cream, Thistle Purple, Harbour Blue; rep from * until all rounds have been worked.
Fasten off.
BACK PANEL
Work 21 (23, 25, 27) rounds using the Granny Square pattern and the following colour sequence:
*Natural Cream, Harbour Blue, Thistle Purple, Natural Cream, Pear Green, Citrus Yellow, Natural Cream, Zesty Orange, Crimson Red; rep from * until all rounds have been worked.
Fasten off.
With RS facing, join Natural Cream into any stitch.
Next round Ch1, sc in each st and ch around, ss in beg st to join
Fasten off.
Repeat Natural Cream border on front Panel
SLEEVES (MAKE 2)
Sizes XS/S and M/L only.
Work 13 rounds using the Granny Square pattern and the following colour sequence:
Crimson Red, Zesty Orange, Citrus Yellow, Pear Green, Thistle Purple, Harbour Blue, Natural Cream, Crimson Red, Zesty Orange, Citrus Yellow, Pear Green, Thistle Purple, Harbour Blue.
Sizes XL and 2X/3X only.
Work 14 rounds using the Granny Square pattern and the following colour sequence:
Natural Cream, Crimson Red, Zesty Orange, Citrus Yellow, Pear Green, Thistle Purple, Harbour Blue, Natural Cream, Crimson Red, Zesty Orange, Citrus Yellow, Pear Green, Thistle Purple, Harbour Blue.
All sizes
Join Natural Cream into any st.
Next round Ch1 (does not count as a st throughout), *sc in each st and ch-1 to ch-2 corner, sc in next ch, ch1, sc in next ch: rep from * around, ss to beg ch. [212 (212, 228, 228) sts}
Work a further 0 (1, 1, 2) rounds of sc in bl only working (sc, ch1, sc) in each ch-1 corner sp. [212 (220, 236, 254) sts]
TO MAKE UP
You can seam your motifs however you would like but I have 3 favourite ways of joining crochet squares together that you might enjoy learning.
Place Front and Back Panel together with WS facing out. Ss the shoulders together working through the fl on the upper Panel and the bl on the lower Panel, leaving 37 sts across the centre unworked for the neckline.
Fold sleeve in half and pin fold-line to the shoulder seam. Join the Sleeves to the Front and Back Panels as you did for the shoulder seems.
Seam the underarm seam of the Sleeves and side seams of the Panels in the same way, beginning at the Sleeve and making sure all the sts line up.
HEM
The 3-dc group of the Hem are worked into the ch-1 sps on the final round of the granny square and NOT the edging.
With RS facing, join Natural Cream to bottom corner of Front Panel.
Row 1 (RS) Ch2, dc on st at base of ch-2, (3dc, ch1) in each ch-1 sp across, dc in final st, turn.
Repeat Row 1 another 1 (1, 0, 0) times.
Fasten off.
CUFFS
With RS facing, join Natural Cream to bl of stitch at Sleeve seam.
Round 1 (RS) Ch1, sc in bl of each st around, ss to beg st to join.
Round 2 (RS) As Round 1.
Fasten off and weave in all ends.
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More Crochet Patterns You Might Enjoy
If you enjoy making granny squares here are a couple more patterns and tutorials you would enjoy crocheting!
