Crochet Monochrome Sweater

A sweater worth loving – my Crochet Monochrome Sweater – is a free pattern here on the blog!

Read through my inspiration, design process, and lots of info on the perfect yarn I chose, or scroll on down for the free pattern.

The Inspiration + Design

When I made my Crochet Magic Stripe Sweater earlier this year and I loved it so much I made a second more fitted version. This sweater is almost the same apart from the measurements

This time around I used grey, black and cream for a more monochrome look and changed up the stripe pattern just for fun! I also made a size smaller than the first sample and shortened the body and sleeves by omitting rows. Find the original pattern in it’s entirety below!

Although this sweater looks chunky and warm, it’s actually incredibly lightweight and breezy due to the thin yarn I used. Tiny yarns take a long time to work up but they create the most gorgeous effect in a finished piece and they’re necessary for summer projects!

I chose to do some random striping and didn’t quite know how to lay them out. So I found a “stripe generator” online to help! You enter the number of rows you’ll be working for your chosen size/fit and the colors you’re working with and you can create stripe patterns with the click of a button! So neat, it’s like magic! Check that out HERE.

The Yarn

This sweater design uses a new yarn from Lion Brand called Beautiful You – it’s a category 2 weight acrylic yarn that has a very tight twist to it for great stitch definition and beautiful drape! The acrylic is really soft against the skin and this line comes in some gorgeous color options – that’s part of the reason why I wanted to create a truly customizable design!

You can work with one solid color and follow this pattern, work with 2 colors evenly striped, 3 or more colors randomly striped – you could even create a pretty rainbow of stripes! It’s all up to you and your personal style.

Even though this project is super unique to you, Lion Brand has created a kit in the blue/pink color option as well as the silver/black option pictured for the neutral lovers. Grab the kit here that comes with a printed copy of the pattern.

If you’re customizing and choosing your own palette, pick up a la carte Beautiful You yarn you need here!

PATTERN

• Get the ad-free, large print, printable PDF pattern HERE.
• Grab the Ultimate Pattern Bundle that includes 150+ patterns just like this one on sale for $20 today HERE.
• PIN this pattern to your Pinterest boards for later HERE.
• Add this pattern to your Ravelry queue HERE.

To sum it up:

Simple and chic – the Monochrome Sweater is a calming mindless make. Lots of basic stitches and drop sleeve construction make for a netflix-able project – you’ll wonder how you wound up with a sweater that looks store bought!

Materials:

–Lion Brand Beautiful You yarn (Weight: 2/Fine – 3.5oz, 326 yds)

Meteorite (Color A) – 3 (3, 3, 3, 4, 4, 4) skeins
Glacier Grey (Color B) – 3 (3, 3, 3, 4, 4, 4) skeins
Sugar Swizzle (Color C) – 3 (3, 3, 3, 4, 4, 4) skeins

OR 6 (7, 8, 9, 10, 10, 11) skeins of any color to make a solid colored sweater

–Size C 2.75mm crochet hook

–Tapestry needle

–Measuring tape

Shop all of my favorite tools & materials HERE!

Sizes:

XS, S, M, L, XL, 2XL, 3XL

Gauge:

22 sts x 16 rows in BLO Hdc = 4″

Finished Sweater Measurements:

Bust: 34 (38, 42, 46, 50, 54, 58)”
Length: 18 (18.5, 19, 19.5, 20, 20.5, 21)”
Sleeve (to underarm): 16 (16.5, 16.5, 17, 17, 17.5, 17.5)”
Armhole: 6.5 (7, 7.5, 8, 8.5, 9, 9.5)”

Skill Level:

Level 2 – Easy

Pattern Notes

-Sweater is shown in size S, model is 5’5” tall and true bust measures 38” for reference.

-Sweater is intended to have lots of room and slouchy fit. If you are between sizes, size up for an even more oversized fit or size down for a slightly slimmer fit. I sized down to a small for a more fitted look.

-Sizing listed in the pattern will be in XS, Small, Medium, Large, XL, 2XL, and 3XL listed in parenthesis such as 95 (106, 117, 128, 139, 150, 161)) whereas 95 for size XS, 106 for size S, 117 for size M, 128 for size L, 139 for size XL, 150 for size 2XL and 161 for size 3XL. When only one number is given, it applies to all sizes. To follow pattern more easily, print the pattern and circle/highlight all numbers pertaining to your size before beginning.

-Pattern is worked in flat panels from the bottom up – 2 front and back panels & 2 identical sleeve panels that are all seamed together at the end before working the collar neckline. Hemline ribbing and sleeve ribbing is sewn on pre-assembly.

-Body colorwork requires changing color every few rows. I suggest carrying your yarn up the side of your work loosely to maintain good tension and reduce the number of ends you must weave later. When changing color, always join new color before Ch 2 and turn of following Row.

-I used www.RandomStripes.com to map out the random stripe pattern of my sweater. You can follow my stripe instructions below to make a sweater that looks just like mine or play with your own stripe design.

-You may not need all 3 skeins of each color included in your kit for this pattern. However I’ve set up the kit to have equal amounts of yarn in each color so that you may decide on your own stripe pattern and have plenty of yarn. Use your extras for other projects or start on another sweater!

-In this pattern, Color A is Black, Color B is Silver, Color C is Sugar Swizzle.

-Anytime the pattern indicates you work a row of BLO Hdc I recommend making the last stitch of that row a regular Hdc through both loops. This will keep your edges more solid and easier to sew later.

-All pattern instructions will be listed for different sizes in ( ). All final stitch counts will be listed in < >.

– View the Magic Stripe Sweater pattern HERE for a step-by-step photo tutorial on a very similar sweater.

Crochet Monochrome Sweater

Front Panel

Body:

With Color A, Ch 95 (106, 117, 128, 139, 150, 161)

Row 1: Hdc in the 3rd st from hook and in each across <93, 104, 115, 126, 137, 148, 159>

Row 2: Ch 2, t, Hdc in each st across <93, 104, 115, 126, 137, 148, 159>

Rep Row 2 following stripe guide below until you’ve finished 58 rows

Stripe Guide:

*This guide begins with Row 1 of the body that you’ve already made with Color A

4 Rows: Color A

4 Rows: Color C

3 Rows: Color A

3 Rows: Color B

2 Rows: Color A

4 Rows: Color C

6 Rows: Color B

3 Rows: Color C

3 Rows: Color A

4 Rows: Color C

3 Rows: Color B

2 Rows: Color A

2 Rows: Color C

5 Rows: Color A

4 Rows: Color B

6 Rows: Color C

2 (4, 6, 8, 10, 10, 10) Rows: Color B

Sizes 2XL-3XL only: (2, 4) Rows: Color A

Shoulder Shaping:

Change to Color A

Row 1: Ch 2, t, Hdc next 24 (27, 30, 32, 35, 38, 41) sts <24, 27, 30, 32, 35, 38, 41>

Row 2: t, Sk 1 st, Hdc to end <23, 26, 29, 31, 34, 37, 40>

Row 3: Ch 2, t, Hdc next 22 (25, 28, 30, 33, 36, 39) sts <22, 25, 28, 30, 33, 36, 39>

Row 4: t, Sk 1 st, Hdc to end <21, 24, 27, 29, 32, 35, 38>

Change to Color B

Row 5: Ch 2, t, Hdc next 20 (23, 26, 28, 31, 34, 37) sts <20, 23, 26, 28, 31, 34, 37>

Row 6: t, Sk 1 st, Hdc to end <19, 22, 25, 27, 30, 33, 36>

Finish off, weave ends.

Continuing from where you worked your last st from Row 1 of Shoulder Shaping, sk 45 (50, 55, 62, 67, 72, 77) sts

Join Color A yarn to next st, pull up loosely on loop (do not chain)

Row 1: Hdc in same st as join and in each across to end <24, 27, 30, 32, 35, 38, 41>

Row 2: Ch 2, t, Hdc next 23 (26, 29, 31, 34, 37, 40) sts <23, 26, 29, 31, 34, 37, 40>

Row 3: t, Sk 1 st, Hdc to end <22, 25, 28, 30, 33, 36, 39>

Row 4: Ch 2, t, Hdc next 21 (24, 27, 29, 32, 35, 38) sts <21, 24, 27, 29, 32, 35, 38>

Change to Color B

Row 5: t, Sk 1 st, Hdc to end <20, 23, 26, 28, 31, 34, 37>

Row 6: Ch 2, t, Hdc next 19 (22, 25, 27, 30, 33, 36) sts <19, 22, 25, 27, 30, 33, 36>

Finish off, weave ends.

Back Panel:

Rep front panel pattern to end of 58 Rows and stripe guide.

Continue:

4 Rows: Color A

2 Rows: Color B

Finish off, weave ends.

Hemline Ribbing:

With Color B, Ch 14

Row 1: Hdc in the 3rd st from hook and in each across <12>

Row 2: Ch 2, t, BLO Hdc in each st across <12>

Rep Row 2 until your piece measures 17 (19, 21, 23, 25, 27, 29)” or 68 (76, 84, 92, 100, 108, 116) rows

Finish off, leaving one long tail for sewing.

With a whip stitch, sew selvedge edge of ribbing to foundation stitches of Front Panel.

Repeat Hemline Ribbing and sew to Back Panel.

Sleeves:

*make 2

With Color B, Ch 36 (38, 40, 42, 44, 46, 48)

Row 1: Hdc in the 3rd st from hook and in each across <34, 36, 38, 40, 42, 44, 46>

Row 2: Ch 2, t, *2 Hdc, Hdc; Rep from * across <51, 54, 57, 60, 63, 66, 69>

Row 3: Ch 2, t, Hdc in each st across <51, 54, 57, 60, 63, 66, 69>

Row 4: Ch 2, t, *2 Hdc, Hdc next 2; Rep from * across <68, 72, 76, 80, 84, 88, 92>

Change to Color C

Row 5: Ch 2, t, Hdc in each st across <68, 72, 76, 80, 84, 88, 92>

Rep Row 5 following stripe guide below until you’ve finished 56 (58, 58, 60, 60, 62, 62) rows

Stripe Guide:

*This guide begins with Row 1 of the sleeve that you’ve already made with Color B

4 Rows: Color B

3 Rows: Color C

4 Rows: Color A

2 Rows: Color B

5 Rows: Color C

4 Rows: Color B

8 Rows: Color A

3 Rows: Color B

4 Rows: Color C

2 Rows: Color A

2 Rows: Color C

6 Rows: Color B

4 Rows: Color C

2 Rows: Color A

5 Rows: Color B

4 (6, 6, 8, 8, 6, 6) Rows: Color A

Sizes 2XL-3XL only 2 Rows: Color C

Finish off, weave ends.

Sleeve Ribbing:

*make 2

With Color B, Ch 14

Row 1: Hdc in the 3rd st from hook and in each across <12>

Row 2: Ch 2, t, BLO Hdc in each st across <12>

Rep Row 2 until your piece measures 6 (6.5, 7, 7.25, 7.5, 8, 8.25)” or 25 (26, 28, 29, 30, 32, 33) rows

Finish off, leaving one long tail for sewing.

With a whip stitch, sew selvedge edge of ribbing to foundation stitches of Sleeve.

Make second sleeve and repeat sleeve ribbing.

Assembly:

We will sew our sweater together with Color B (or whatever color you have plenty of to do all your sewing. Your seams won’t show).

Lay your back panel out flat with the RS facing up.

Lay your front panel out flat on top of your back panel with the RS facing down.

You should now have RS facing together.

With a spare piece of yarn thread on a tapestry needle, whip stitch each front panel shoulder to the back panel, lining up the outside edges.

Open up your body panels to lie flat, RS facing down.

Lay each sleeve out flat perpendicular to the shoulder seams with the RS facing down.

Line up the center st of the last row of your sleeve with the shoulder seam.

Optional: Use locking stitch markers to keep your sleeve in place along the selvedge edge of the body.

Whip stitch the last row of your sleeve piece along the edge of the body.

Repeat sleeve sewing on other side.

Fold sweater such that the WS is facing out, front panel on top of back panel, sleeves folded lengthwise (hot dog style) and the side seams of the body are lined up.

Whip stitch along selvedge edge of sleeve and body in one continuous seam from the sleeve ribbing down to the hemline ribbing.

Reinforce the underarm area by adding extra whip stitches where appropriate.

Tip: To avoid lots of obvious stitches along contrast color stripes, sew your whip stitches around the turning chains and final Hdc stitches themselves – not through the middles of stitches. This will make it easier to keep a consistent looking seam that’s less noticeable.

Repeat sewing along other side.

Turn your sweater RS out

Neckline Ribbing:

With Color B, Ch 8

Row 1: Hdc in the 3rd st from hook and in each across <6>

Row 2: Ch 2, t, BLO Hdc in each st across <6>

Rep Row 2 until your piece measures 16 (18, 20, 22.5, 24.5, 26, 28)” or 64 (73, 80, 90, 97, 105, 112) rows

Finish off, leaving one long tail for sewing.

With a whip stitch, sew selvedge edge of ribbing to open edge of neckline evenly around.

Weave all ends and steam your sweater to block. Enjoy!

Abbreviations (US terms):
blo – back loop only
ch – chain
hdc – half double crochet
sk – skip
t – turn
st(s) – stitch(es)
rep – repeat
RS – right side
WS – wrong side

OTHER FREE SWEATER PATTERNS FOR FALL

1. Crochet Everyday Cotton Cadigan / 2. Knit Betty Cardigan / 3. Crochet Slouchy Stripe Cardigan