Making sweaters is one of my favorite things to do this time of year, so I thought I’d create an inexpensive cropped sweater using less than 5 skeins of yarn!

The BEST Cropped Sweater!

Have you been wondering what to make with the brand new release of Shawl in the Ball in CAKE form from Lion Brand?

Today I am sharing this super fun cropped sweater pattern you can make using a few cakes over the course of a weekend! That sounds like a good deal right?

I have also created a video tutorial to help guide you along. So get ready and head below for supplies, details, and a printable pattern you can purchase here!

What You Will Need:

• 2 – 4 Shawl In the Ball CAKES (get them from Lion Brand HERE!)
• 5MM hook (get my favorite hooks here)
• tapestry needles (get a set of 9 here)
• scissors (get my favorite Fiskars scissors here)

Cropped Sweater Pattern Notes:

This cropped sweater is made of 4 separate pieces. You will have two identical front and back panels. Then, you will create identical sleeve panels.

The sweater is started at the ribbing section and turned to work each panel from the bottom up. The design offers a drop-sleeve style. I also created the top to have a wider head hole for a great off-the-shoulder look if that is how you desire to style it.

You can also size down if you would like the sweater to be more fitted or you can size up for a more loose fit. Keep in mind I design all of my garments based on the bust sizing of the Craft Yarn Council women’s size chart.

FIND THE CHART HERE

The pattern is written for sizes XS – XL. You will see it written below as follows XS (S, M, L, XL)

Gauge is 40sts X 8rows = 4″squared

The Cropped Sweater Pattern

Front & Back Panels

Ribbing Section:

CH 11

Row 1 – In the second CH from the hook place a SC. Continue all the way across with SCs. CH 1. Turn.

Row 2 – (CH 1 counts as SC) SC in the back loop of each stitch all the way across. CH 1. Turn.

Rows 3 – Rows 69(81, 90, 105, 111) – Repeat row 2.

Stitch Pattern Section:

Here is where you will turn the ribbing long-ways so you can begin working the panel from the bottom up.

***please view the video if you need more visual instruction***

Row 1 – CH 1 (counts as SC). Place the same number of SCs as the number of ribbing rows you made. For instance, if you are making the XS, you will add 68 additional SCs to the row (don’t forget to include your CH 1 and add it to the 68!). When you get to the end you will CH 4 and turn.

Row 2 – (CH 4 counts as DC and CH 1) Skip the next stitch. *DC into the next stitch. CH 1 – Skip 1. DC into the next stitch. Repeat from * across ending the row with a DC in the top of the 3 CH of the CH 4. CH 3. Turn.

Row 3 – (CH 3 counts as DC) *Skip the CH 1 space and DC into the next CH 1 space. DC into the skipped CH 1 space to create the “x” look. Repeat from * across ending with a DC in the top of the CH 3. CH 1. Turn.

Row 4 – (CH 1 counts as SC) SC in each stitch all the way across. CH 4. Turn.

Rows 5 – Rows 30(34, 34, 38, 38) – Repeat rows 2 – 4

Tie off.

(remember to make identical front and back panels)

Sleeves (make 2):

Ribbing Section:

CH 7

Row 1 – In the second CH from the hook place a SC. Continue all the way across with SCs. CH 1. Turn.

Row 2 – (CH 1 counts as SC) SC in the back loop of each stitch all the way across. CH 1. Turn.

Rows 3 – Rows 30(36, 39, 42, 45) – Repeat row 2.

Stitch Pattern Section:

Here is where you will turn the ribbing long-ways so you can begin working the panel from the bottom up.

***please view the video if you need more visual instruction***

Row 1 – CH 1 (counts as SC). Place the same number of SCs as the amount of ribbing rows you made. For instance, if you are making the XS, you will add 30 additional SCs to the row (don’t forget to include your CH 1 and add it to the 29!). When you get to the end you will CH 4 and turn.

Row 2 – (CH 4 counts as DC and CH 1) Skip the next stitch. *DC into the next stitch. CH 1 – Skip 1. DC into the next stitch. Repeat from * across ending the row with a DC in the top of the 3 CH of the CH 4. CH 3. Turn.

Row 3 – (CH 3 counts as DC) *Skip the CH 1 space and DC into the next CH 1 space. DC into the skipped CH 1 space to create the “x” look. Repeat from * across ending with a DC in the top of the CH 3. CH 1. Turn.

Row 4 – (CH 1 counts as SC) SC in each stitch all the way across. CH 4. Turn.

Rows 5 – Rows 48(50, 50, 52, 52) – Repeat rows 2 – 4

Tie off.

***keep in mind you can decrease the number of stitch pattern rows you work if you would like to make a shorter length sleeve***

Assembly/Seaming The Sweater

Once you have created all 4 of your panels you will lay your front and back panels as follows:

From here you will determine how large you would like the head hole. If you want a more open, over-one-shoulder look you will want to keep your head hole bigger. But if you desire to have a more fitted neck section you can leave a head opening between 6 – 8 inches.

This is where you can have a little freedom and customization when it comes to your own garment!

I like to use a SC row to seam my garments. I have found it keeps the fibers from bunching up and gives a nice, finished look to the piece.

Seaming the sleeves of your sweater:

Once you have the front and back pieces seamed, you will want to line up your sleeves. Be sure to keep the shoulder seam in the center of the sleeve panel. You can use stitch markers or safety pins to help keep things in place while you SC these pieces together.

Once you have both sleeves attached you will fold the sweater wrong side out. From here we are going to start at the cuff and SC the pieces together all the way down to the waistband.

Be sure you are keeping an eye on both the front and back panels and be sure to frequently check to make sure things are lining up.

Buy This Crochet Sweater Pattern For Your Library Here!

Once you have seamed both sides you can turn your sweater right-side-out and wear!

For my maker friends who need to hear verbal instructions or like to SEE something being explained, I encourage you to check out the YouTube tutorial down below I created for the Scarlett sweater.

I think it will help you understand what I mean if I have caused any confusion!

Video Tutorial: