Classic Pullover Crochet Sweater – Free and Easy Pattern

The Textured Pullover Sweater is a classic boatneck pullover made in a slightly textured stitch. The entire sweater is crocheted in one piece, including the cuffs. After two seams, the only thing added is the bottom ribbing.

The first time you pick up a hook with the intent to actually crochet a sweater, it can be VERY intimidating.

Not only is this so much yarn compared with the crochet patterns you’re probably used to, but the idea of making something that actually needs to fit on and around the human body can be daunting-even if it’s your own. 

If you’ve spent the last few hours searching for easy crochet sweater patterns, I’d encourage you to give this design a try. It has a simple construction while being uniquely worked in one piece.

It also uses the Spider Stitch technique which gives it that unique and beautiful texture to it.

With 9 sizes available (including the FREE pattern medium size one below), this is a fantastic option for a wide range of crocheters. 

With a boatneck, generous sleeves, and practical ribbing along the cuffs and hem, this simple design is made to be suitable for many body types and use only basic shapes in a precise combination to create this one-piece pattern.

About The Textured Pullover Sweater

The Textured Pullover design is a cozy sweater pattern that is perfect for just about anyone, from beginner crocheters and beyond. Worked completely in one piece, this easy crochet pattern starts at the front panel, increases on either side for the sleaves, and finishes at the bottom of the back panel.

There are no shoulder seams, and the only part that is added after seaming up the sides of the sweater is the bottom ribbing at the waist.

With minimal shaping provided by the ribbing there and at the cuffs (which are worked at the same time as the sleeves) there are no increases or decreases to worry about other than during a few rows where all of the sleeve stitches are added at once. 

The stitch pattern for this sweater is done all in very basic crochet stitches. Specifically, the Spider Stitch is used throughout this sweater from the foundation chain all the way to binding off.

With an incredibly simple repeat of chain stitches and single crochet, this stitch not only uses basic stitches but also actually makes it easy to keep track of the number of stitches that you should have in any given row (once you work with it for awhile or watch the video tutorial below, you’ll see what I’m talking about).

Each repeat row is easy to crochet and while making a whole sweater is still quite an undertaking, using an easy repeat like the spider stitch makes it much easier.

See also: 

• The Textured Turnover Sweater-Kids Version
• The Thankfulness Sweater
• The Granny Gifts Cardigan

Gauge

For any crochet garment that you are planning to make, it’s going to prove invaluable to create a guage swatch before you get started. The reason is repeatability. Even if you know that you typically get very consistent results with a given hook size and yarn weight, that still doesn’t mean that a pattern designer gets those same results. In order to get “repeat” their results with a design, it’s important to make a gauge swatch as a test and make sure you can get the same results as they did with that small piece. Even if you end up needing to use a smaller hook or larger hook to get the same results, that really doesn’t matter if it ultimately allows you to get the perfect fit with your finished project.  In the end, meeting gauge is MUCH more important to getting a good result than actually using the exact size hook that is listed. 

With that being said, the Gauge for this sweater is 15sts x 12 rows of STITCH TYPE per 4×4” square(or 2×2”, etc). I have a crochet hook size K(6.5 mm crochet hook) listed because that is what I personally used to design this sweater crochet pattern. It will most likely work for many other crocheters who want to make this same design, however don’t be scared to deviate from that if you are able to match my gauge better with a different mm hook. 

For a very thourough explanation of gauge, check out this post.

Sizing 

Here is a guide to sizing this sweater, based on the hip size in inches at the largest point. After sizing the sweater in this way, a small amount of positive ease is provided in the pattern for a comfortable fit. While this is not an oversized sweater, enough positive ease is provided so that you should find this design to be true to size, whether you opt for the free crochet pattern or the full version in the Crochet Makers Vault. 

Size	XS	S	M	L	XL	2Xl	3XL	4XL	5XL
Hip Size in inches	38	40	42	44	48	52	56	60	64

Materials Needed for Size Medium

• 1,291 yards of heavy worsted/medium weight yarn-see chart below (Lion Brand’s Pound of Love yarn in Pumpkin Pie is shown) 
• K/6.5mm hook 
• Tapestry needle (optional, for weaving in ends)
• Scissors
• Stitch Markers(optional, but definitely helpful)

Having stitch markers handy for this pattern is not a necessity, but it is nice to know that you have them in your toolbox in the event that it makes crocheting a new sweater easier.

I appreciated using stitch markers when testing this design for marking when to stop certain rows, when to stop and start the neck opening, and where I should be after specific numbers of repeats in the Spider Stitch. I even enjoyed using them to help with counting my rows until I became completely confident in counting rows from a finished piece of spider stitch. 

Yardage note: In addition to the exact calculation for yardage in each size of this sweater, 2% has been added as a buffer and also to cover the yarn needed for seaming. Here is a breakdown by size” 

Size	XS	S	M	L	XL	2Xl	3XL	4XL	5XL
Yards Needed	1,125	1,261	1,291	1,495	1,594	1,776	1,844	2,053	2,170

Skill Level

The skill level for this project is crochet beginner to intermediate.

Foundation stitches are used when adding the sleeves, and slip stitches make the ribbing, which is done both in the construction of the sweater and added to the bottom after seaming. Both of these techniques may be best practiced beforehand if they are new to you.  

Accessing All the Sizes of the Textured Turnover Sweater

For anyone who would like the option to make the textured Turnover Sweater in any of the other sizes, or multiple sizes, the design is offered in full within the Crochet Makers Vault + Community. 

Written Pattern for the Textured Turnover Sweater

Pattern Notes for Size Medium

• This pattern is done in This pattern is done in the spider stitch. 
• Includes 2 inches of positive ease. 
• Turning chains do not count as stitches. 

Abbreviations Used 

• ch – chain (yarn over, pull loop through)
• ch-space – the space created from chain stitches in a previous row
• sc-single crochet(insert hook, yarn over, draw up a loop, yarn over, and draw through two loops)
• SS-slip stitch(insert hook, yarn over, draw up a loop through the work and through the loop on your hook)
• ssBLO-slip stitch in the back loop only
• ST/STS – stitch/stitches

Also used- foundation single crochet

Written Directions – Size Medium

Sweater Front

Ch  42

Row 1: sc,ch, and sc again in the second ch from the hook. *skip a ch and (sc,ch,sc) in the next stitch* Repeat for the remainder of the row. Total stitch count should be 63. Ch1 and turn. 

For the next 29 rows:(sc,ch,sc) in every ch-space across the row. Total stitch count should still be 63. Ch1 and turn.

Starting the Sleeves

Continuing from the end of row 30 ch59.

Row 31:skip a ch and ss10 (this starts the first cuff of the sweater). *Skip a ch and (sc,ch,sc) in the next ch* repeat from * until you get back to the existing sweater panel. Continue to (sc,ch,sc) in every ch-space of main body portion already worked to end of the row.

At end of main body panel, work 48sts in foundation single crochet.  Ch11 and turn. 

 Note: this last section that you have done, which starts the second sleeve, might look a little longer than the first sleeve at this point. But, this should change once you do another row or two..

Row 32: skip a ch and ss10, *Skip a st and (sc,ch,sc) 24 times. Then, (sc,ch,sc) in every ch-space across the sweater front panel and first sleeve. SsBLO10 to finish the row. Total stitch count should be 227.Ch1 and turn.

For the next 12 Rows: ssBLO10, (sc,ch,sc) in every ch-space, ssBLO10. Ch1 and turn. 

Shaping the Neck

For the next 5 rows: ssBLO10, (sc,ch,sc) in the first 29 ch-spaces. SsBLO33. (sc,ch,sc) in the last 29 ch-spaces. ssBLO10. Ch1 and turn. 

Row 49: ssBLO10, (sc,ch,sc) in the first 29 ch-spaces. Ch39 and skip the ss section. (sc,ch,sc) in the last 29 ch-spaces. ssBLO10 for a total of 233 stitches. Ch1 and turn. 

Sweater Back

Row 50: ssBLO10, (sc,ch,sc) in the first 29 ch-spaces. ss39. (sc,ch,sc) in the last 29 ch-spaces. ssBLO10 for a total of 233 stitches. Ch1 and turn. 

Row 51: ssBLO10, (sc,ch,sc) in the first 29 ch-spaces. ss39BLO. (sc,ch,sc) in the last 29 ch-spaces. ssBLO10 for a total of 233 stitches. Ch1 and turn. 

Row 52: ssBLO10, (sc,ch,sc) in the first 29 ch-spaces.. *Skip 2sts, then in the next st (sc,ch,sc).* repeat from * to * 13 times for a total of 39sts across the back of the neckline. (Sc,ch,sc) in the last 29 ch-spaces. ssBLO10. Ch1 and turn.

NOTE: the way that stitches were added to create the neck opening and then skipped two at a time in this last row, allows the neckline to have some stretch. Plus, it ultimately keeps our stitch count the same and therefore a bit simpler to keep track of. 

For the next 17 rows: ssBLO10, (sc,ch,sc) in every ch-space, ssBLO10 Ch1 and turn. 

Row 70: ssBLO10, (sc,ch,sc) in the first 47 ch-spaces for a total of 151 stitches. Ch1 and turn. 

Row 71: (sc,ch,sc) in the first 23 ch-spaces  for a total of 69 stitches. Ch1 and turn. 

For the next 29 rows: (sc,ch,sc) in every ch-space across the row. Ch1 and turn. Bind off. In total, your sweater should have 100 rows. 

Seaming up the Sweater

Fold the sweater in half so the neckline is at the top. Line up the front and back edges of the sweater, and the bottoms of the sleeves. Seam from the bottom of the sweater, up the side, and down the bottom of the sleeve. Repeat on the other side:

Note: if ss are turning out too tight for these seams, try adding a ch1 in-between each ss.

Adding the Bottom Ribbing

At one side of the sweater bottom, add your yarn and ch 11.

Row 1: skip a ch and ss10. Ss into the next stitch along the bottom edge of the sweater. Turn. 

Row 2: skip the last ss you did and ssBLO in the remaining 10 sts. Ch1 and turn. 

Row 3: ssBLO in the 10 ribbing sts. ss into the next stitch . Turn. 

Repeat rows 2-3 until you get all the way around the sweater The exact number of rows may vary.  Ideally, finish on a row 2 so that the seam can go from the end of the ribbing inward. 

To seam the ribbing, ssBLO of your last row and BLO of the first row together. Ss to the sweater end so there’s no hole, and bind off. 

Enjoy your finished sweater! 

Final Thoughts

It’s been great having you at Amelia Makes today! If you like this project, be sure to get on the list for updates and so you can be the first to see new projects just like this one. . Each week I send, crochet tips and tutorials, behind-the-scenes info, and other resources for my readers. Plus, as a bonus for signing up you’ll immediately get my mini bundle of surprise patterns straight to your inbox!

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Happy Crocheting! 

Amelia

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Find your new favorite Crochet Sweater by creating the Textured Turnover Sweater, available in sizes XS-5XL

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