How to crochet a Crop Sweater- Thuto Sweater

Crop sweaters are comfortable, add a bit of sex appeal to an outfit. Wear it with a high waist jeans or pencil skirt or over a Maxi dress.The truth is, they can be worn a year around.

About

Presenting Thuto Crop sweater.It has a special place in my heart. This means as my first ever sweater pattern, I went through a lot of learning, both negative and positive. Thuto means Education. I learnt a lot, sometimes trial and error. I frogged the sweater a few times but I was not going to give up.

I was initially going for a sleeve to form fitting and it did not work. I am actually kicking myself for frogging it before I took pictures to compare, but like I said “education”. I learnt that, I needed to take pictures for every step of pattern process wether it works out on not. It is a good reference for the future.

Inspiration

 There are two inspirations for this sweater, The first one and idea for this pattern came from “our” song by Michelle called “say Yes” Keely Rowland wore a beautiful white mesh crop top and I got inspired to design something similar. My kids and I listen to it on repeat and it is our sing along song in the car when I drive them to school or to their extra-curricular.

The second one was going with a bright colour. Yellow is one of those colours that is hardly in my wardrobe. I love it when other people wear it, so I figured it is time to come out of my comfort zone and try something new and I must say, I made the right choice.

Fit

I must admit to you guys, showing my tummy has never been my cup of tea especially after I had my kids, I warmed up to the idea in recent years just to get out of my comfort zone, to stop being my worst critique. I tested a pattern a while ago for an amazing designer @evolvecrochet and thought to myself,I am rocking this sweater.Check out her Instagram Handle, she has gorgeous patterns.

The pattern is cropped which would be great as a cover up on days at the beach on top of your swim suit and shorts. You could also wear it over a mexi dress for colour blocking. Wear it with a high waisted Pencil skirt and go to work, you cannot go wrong here.

It is a simple construction of 4 panels, back panel front with a simple neck shaping and sleeves. It is made with bobble and slip stitch.

 Believe it or not, it is quick to make. If you are looking for a cute Gift idea for a fashionista, this is the sweater for you. It is easy to customize, if crop sweater is not your thing, just add more rows.

The yarn

I used Loops and Thread. Baby Rainbow, 100% polyester.5.3oz/150g.364yd/333 m. It is very soft, strong and comforting feel to work with, It does not stretch a lot which means your sweater will be in shape all the time. The testers made used other yarns and they turned out beautifully. What is important is use what you have available.

Get the AD free PDF downloadable below

Tester did such an amazing job, They all rocked their sweaters

Ok, let’s get to it and have fun!!

MATERIALS

5mm/H hook or hook needed to obtain gauge. 4mm hook for ribbing

Worsted weight yarn. See finished chart below for yardage. Loops & threads Baby.100% polyester, weight 4. 364 yds /5.3oz 333m/150g. Sample uses Colour Lemon

Measuring tape

Blocking mats and pins

Locking stitch markers

GAUGE

9 dc cluster & 9 ch 1 x 8 rows = 4”/10cm

SKILL LEVEL

Easy

ABBREVIATIONS US TERMINOLOGY

ch: chain 

Dc: double crochet 

sk: skip 

St: stitch

sl st: slip stitch

YO: yarn over

Dc cluster: double crochet cluster (see special stitch below)

NOTES

• Sizes are XS, S, {M, L, XL,} (2XL, 3XL) 4XL, 5XL.

• There is no wrong or right side on the pattern.

• Ch 4 counts as dc & ch 1 throughout.

• Sweater is constructed in panels that are seamed together. Ribbing is added after all the seaming is complete.

The back panel is worked top to bottom and then continue to add ribbing.

• The pattern is made with Zero ease.

• I used Mattress stitch for seaming but you are welcome to use what you are comfortable with.

• Each decrease is made by eliminating the last ch 1 space at the end of the row.

SPECIAL STITCH (DOUBLE CROCHET CLUSTER)

Double crochet cluster: YO, insert hook into indicated st and pull up a loop (3 loops on hook).  YO, insert hook into same st and pull up a loop (5 loops on hook).  YO, pull through 4 loops, YO, pull through the last 2 loops. 

Yardage: 732/670 ,766/700, 809/740, 875/800, 930/850, 984/900, 1050/960, 1094/1000, 1213/1100

PATTERN

Back panel  

Ch 71, 79, {87, 97, 105}, (115, 123), 135, 141.

Row 1: dc cluster in the 5th ch, *sk 1 ch, ch 1, dc cluster in the next ch.  Repeat from * to the last 2 sts.  Sk 1 st, ch 1, dc in the last st.  69, 77 {85, 95, 103}, (113, 121), 133, 139 sts

Row 2: ch 4 & turn (counts as dc & ch 1). Sk next st, dc cluster in the next st. *Sk 1 st, ch 1, dc cluster in the next st.  Repeat from * to the last 2 sts.  Sk 1 st, ch 1, dc in the last st.

Rows 3- 24, 24, {26, 26, 28,} ( 28, 30,) 30, 32: repeat row 2.

Bottom ribbing switch to 4mm hook

Using the yarn from the above rows, ch 10 and turn.

Row 1: sl st into the second ch from the hook and each ch down toward the panel. Sl st into the first 2 sts on the panel, ch 1 & turn.  9 sts

Row 2: working into the ribbing sts, sl st in the blo across. Ch 1 & turn.

Row 3: sl st in the blo of each st across, sl st into the next 2 sts on the panel, ch 1 & turn.

Rep rows 2 & 3 until you reach the end of the panel. Cut yarn and fasten off.

Front panel

Ch 71, 79, {87, 97, 106} (112, 122,) 134, 142

Repeat back panel instructions until you have worked 20, 20, {22, 23, 24,} ( 24,26,) 26, 28, rows.

Neck shaping Side 1

Row 21, 21, {23, 23, 25,} ( 25, 27,) 27, 29: ch 4 & turn. Sk next st, *dc cluster in the next st, sk 1 st, ch 1. Repeat from * until you’ve worked 21, 25, {29, 33 ,37,} ( 41, 45,) 51, 53 sts (end with dc cluster).

Row 22, 22, {24, 24, 26,} ( 26, 28,) 28, 30: ch 3 & turn, sk next st, *dc cluster in the next st, sk 1 st, ch 1. Repeat from * until last 2 sts, sk 1 st, ch 1, dc in the last st. 20, 26, 28, 32, 36, 40, 44, 50, 52 sts.

Row 23, 23, {25, 25, 27,} ( 27, 29,) 29, 31: ch 4 & turn. Sk next st, *dc cluster in the next st, sk 1 st, ch 1. Repeat from * until last 2 sts, sk next st, dc cluster in last st.

Row 24, 24, {26, 26, 28,} ( 28, 30,) 30, 32: ch 4 & turn. Sk next st, *dc cluster in the next st, sk 1 st, ch 1 in the next. Repeat from * until the last st, dc cluster in last st. Leave a long tail, cut yarn and fasten off.

Side 2

Join yarn on opposite edge after row 20. Repeat side 1 instructions

Bottom ribbing (switch to 4mm hook)

Join yarn into the first st of the panel at the bottom edge, ch 10.

Row 1: sl st into the second ch from the hook and each ch down toward the panel. Sl st into the 2 sts on the panel, ch 1 & turn.  9 sts

Row 2: working into the ribbing sts, sl st in the blo across. Ch 1 & turn.

Row 3: sl st in the blo of each st across, sl st into the next 2 sts on the panel, ch 1 & turn.

Rep rows 2 & 3 until you reach the end of the panel. Cut yarn and fasten off.

Sleeve (Make 2)

Ch 29, 33, (37, 41, 43), {47, 51}, 59, 59.

Row 1: dc cluster in the 5th ch, sk 1 ch, *dc cluster in the next ch, sk a ch, ch 1. Rep from * to last 2 sts, sk 1, ch 1 dc cluster in the last st.  27, 31, (35, 39, 41), {45, 49}, 57, 57 sts

Row 2: ch 4 & turn. Dc cluster in the same st, *sk 1 st, ch 1, dc cluster in the next st.  Repeat from * to last 2 sts, sk 1 st, dc cluster in last st, ch 1, dc in the last st.  29, 33, (37, 41, 43), {47, 51}, 59, 59 sts

Row 3: ch 4 & turn. Sk next st, *dc cluster in the next st, sk 1 st, ch 1. Repeat from * to the last st, dc in the last st.

Row 4: ch 4 & turn. Dc cluster in the same st, *sk 1 st, ch 1, dc cluster in the next st.  Repeat from * to last 2 sts, sk 1 st, dc cluster in last st, ch 1, dc in the last st.  31, 35, (39, 43, 45), {49, 53}, 61, 61 sts

Repeat row 3 & 4 until you’ve worked 18, 18, (18, 20, 22), {26, 28}, 28, 28 rows.

Repeat Row 3 until you’ve worked a total of 24, 24, (26, 26, 28), {28, 30}, 30, 32 rows.

Leave a long tail, cut yarn and fasten off.

Cuff ribbing switch to 4mm hook

Join yarn to the first st at the bottom (narrow end) of the sleeve, ch 10.

Row 1: sl st into the second ch from the hook and each ch down toward the panel. Sl st into the first 2 sts on the panel, ch 1 & turn.  9 sts

Row 2: working into the ribbing sts, sl st in the blo across. Ch 1 & turn.

Row 3: sl st in the blo of each st across, sl st into the next 2 sts on the panel, ch 1 & turn.

Rep rows 2 & 3 until you reach the end of the panel. Cut yarn and fasten off.

Seaming

Sleeves

Fold the sleeve in half, cut a 60”/152.5 cm length of yarn, and use your preferred method to seam from the cuff to the top. Do the same on the other sleeve.

Panels

Use the locking stitch markers to hold front and back panels together. 

Bring sleeves and panels together, pin them together. Sew the sleeve around the armholes. Using the long tails, seam the sides together. Cut yarn and weave in the ends.

Neck ribbing (switch to 4mm hook)

Join yarn on either side of the neckline (it doesn’t matter which side), ch 6.

Row 1: sl st into the second ch from the hook and each ch down toward the panel. Sl st into the first 2 sts on the panel, ch 1 & turn.  (5 sts)

Row 2: working into the ribbing sts, sl st in the blo across. Ch 1 & turn.

Row 3: sl st in the blo of each st across, sl st into the next 2 sts on the panel, ch 1 & turn.

Rep rows 2 & 3 around the neckline. Align ribbing edges and sl st them together.  Cut yarn, fasten off & weave in the ends.

Block the sweater. Pin the sweater on a blocking mats to keep the edges straight and open up the mesh and steam block it.

VOILA!!! YOU ARE DONE. Congratulations!! I hope you had fun making this top. 

Please share your finished project with me on Instagram, I would love to see it!!! and tag me using #Thutosweater #croknitessentialsand I would love to show it off!!