The Dwell Chunky Crochet Sweater – Free

Pattern

makeanddocrew.com/dwell-free-pattern-chunky-crochet-sweater
September 15, 2017
This free chunky crochet sweater pattern is part of an ongoing collaboration with my friends at Lion Brand Yarn. This post contains affiliate links.

UPDATE: Find the full step-by-step video tutorial for the Dwell Sweater here.

This year, I’ve challenged myself to move out of my comfort zone of crochet
shoes, afghans and scarves to design more sweaters and other garments. There’s
something particularly satisfying about making my own clothes and I often wear the
sweater I’ve just created as I’m writing up the pattern, sort of like it’s my trophy at
the end of a hard-fought battle.
FREE PATTERNS: 1. Habitat Cardigan 2. Campfire Cardigan 3. Stonewash
Shrug 4. Greyscale Poncho
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06:22

The Construction

After experimenting with a few different variations of a basic folded-rectangle shrug,

I knew I wanted to create a chunky crochet sweater that used the same simple-to-
master concepts (ie. no increasing or decreasing!) that would be worthy of wearing
all fall and winter long. I think the Dwell Sweater is it!

The Stitch

This speedy, chunky crochet sweater pattern uses the Zeros and Crosses stitch, which
I’ve had my eye on for a while now. It’s worked a little differently than other stitches
because you cross two double crochet stitches to make and “X,” but I felt really
proud of mastering a new little crochet technique. I cover how to work this stitch in
detail in the Dwell Sweater video tutorial.
The Pattern & Video

If you’ve had a bit of experience reading patterns and want to challenge yourself to
make your first garment, this chunky crochet sweater is a great one to try. Even
better, I’ve put together a video tutorial that walks you through this pattern start to
finish.

And for those of you who are visual pattern readers like me, I’ve created a bonus
stitch chart for you in the ad-free, printable pattern PDF, which you can purchase for
$2.75 here.
Pick up a kit with all the yarn you need to complete this sweater + a hard copy
of the pattern here.

Do not re-publish this pattern as your own. You may make items to sell with this
pattern. In exchange, please link back to this post. Do NOT use my photos as your own
sales photos. You can read my policies here. Now let’s make something awesome!

The Dwell Chunky Crochet Sweater

Free Pattern
Purchase the ad-free, printable PDF with stitch chart for $2.75 here.

Add this pattern to your Ravelry favorites here.

Pin it for later here.

Find the step-by-step video tutorial here.

Explanation:
If you love the concepts of slow fashion, slow weekends at home and fast crochet
projects, this chunky cardigan is just the project for you! Creatively constructed from
a simple rectangle, this flattering sweater comes together easily with zero shaping,
increasing or decreasing. Once you have the basic repeat memorized, you’ll whiz
through this pattern and have fun watching your new sweater take form right before
your eyes.

Skills needed include double crochet and post stitches, although if you haven’t tried
post stitches before, this is a “safe” project to give them a go as their use within is
quite basic.

Supplies:
(UPDATE: Lion Brand has turned this pattern into a kit that includes all the yarn you’ll
need plus a black and white copy of the pattern. Grab yours here!)
• Lion Brand Wool-Ease Tonal (Weight: 5/ bulky – 124 yds, 4 oz)
–Smoke (149) – 7 (9, 10) skeins
• Tapestry needle
• Size N (10 mm) crochet hook
• Stitch markers or safety pins

Sizes:
The oversized nature of this sweater will accommodate many body types. The sample
pictured is a S/M on a model with a 36” bust.
Bust Size // Length of Sweater from collar to bottom edge
S/M: 34-38.5” // 30.5”

L/XL: 39-44.5” // 33”

2XL/3XL: 45-50” // 35.5”

Gauge:
10 stitches = 5”
2 repeats in the stitch pattern (6 total rows) = 5”

Abbreviations and Glossary (US Terms):

ch – chain
sc – single crochet
dc – double crochet
tch – turning chain
st – stitch
sp – space
sk – skip
RS – right side
WS – wrong side
rep – repeat
ch1sp – the space created by one chain
fpdc – front post double crochet: work 1 dc around stem of st 2 rounds below,
inserting hook around stem from right to left to draw up loops. (Left to right for left-
handed crocheters)

Overall Pattern Notes:

• Pattern is written in size S/M with L/XL and 2XL/3XL written in parenthesis. S/M
(L/XL, 2XL/3XL). Sample shown is a size S/M. Because of the oversized style of the
sweater, choosing a size is less about exact chest size and more about how loose you
want your sweater to fit.

• A video tutorial for this pattern will be available on 9.23.2017.

BODY OF SWEATER

Notes:
• If you’re a visual learner, consider purchasing the printable PDF of this pattern
which contains a stitch chart.

• The end of Row 4 might seem off to you, but know that the tch from the previous
row is considered a stitch in this case, so the last dc of the row will be worked into
that tch.
• To adjust the width of the sweater, chain a multiple of 2 sts + 4.

• Finished dimensions of rectangle should be approx.: 27 (30, 33)” tall by 44 (49.5,

54)” wide

Foundation Row: Ch 98 (110, 122).

Row 1: 1 dc in the sixth ch from the hook (counts as 1 dc and 1 ch1sp), *ch 1, sk 1 ch,
1 dc in next ch; rep from * to end; turn.95 (107, 119)

Row 2: Ch 3, sk next ch1sp work 2 crossed stitches as follows: 1 dc forward into next
ch1sp, 1 dc back into just skipped ch1sp going behind forward dc so as not to catch
it, *1 dc forward into next unoccupied ch1sp, 1 dc into back into previous ch1sp; rep
from * to end when last forward dc occupies first tch, 1 dc into second tch; turn.

Row 3: Ch 1, 1 sc into first st, 1 sc into next and each st to end, working last sc into
top of tch; turn.

Row 4: Ch 4 (counts as 1 dc and a ch1sp), sk 2 sts, 1 dc into next st, *1 ch, sk 1 st, 1
dc into next st; rep from * ending last rep in tch; turn. (See note above.)

Repeat Rows 2-4 ten (eleven, twelve) more times. At this point, you should have 12
(13, 14) rows of little ch1sp “windows” (Rows 1 and 4).

SEAMING RECTANGLE

Notes:
• There is no right side (RS) or wrong side of this fabric, so just choose the one you
like best to face out.

Fold rectangle in half with RS facing in so that the foundation row and the final row
of the rectangle are touching. (Stripes should be running horizontally as in photo
below.) Pin in place along side seams using stitch markers or safety pins. Take care to
line up stripes.

Place a stitch marker 5 (5, 6) inches from the folded side on either side of the
rectangle. Using a tapestry needle and a doubled over strand of MC yarn, begin
seaming the rectangle, working from the open side to the folded side. Stop at the
stitch marker. Repeat for second seam.

Turn your new shrug-lette right side out and lay it flat as pictured in photo below.
Place a stitch marker in the double crochet stitch that falls at the intersection of the
bottom of the shrug and the perpendicular collar edge. Repeat on second side.
ADDING COLLAR

Notes:

• Collar is worked along the edge of the shrug back and forth in rows starting at the
bottom-most front edge of the sweater, working around the back of the neck and
returning to the bottom-most front edge on the other side. (See photo below.)

• The marked double crochet stitches will become where you work the first and last
stitches of Row 1. All subsequent rows will be worked between these stitch markers.

Right-Handed Crocheters: Attach yarn in left stitch marker, as seen when looking at
the sweater laying flat.

Left-Handed Crocheters: Attach yarn in right stitch marker, as seen when looking at
the sweater laying flat.

Row 1: Ch 3, sk next ch1sp work 2 crossed stitches as follows: 1 dc forward into next
ch1sp, 1 dc back into just skipped ch1sp going behind forward dc so as not to catch
it, *1 dc forward into next unoccupied ch1sp, 1 dc into back into previous ch1sp; rep
from * to end when last forward dc occupies the ch1sp before the marked stitch, 1 dc
into marked dc; turn.
Row 2: Ch 1, 1 sc into first st, 1 sc into next and each st to end, working last sc into
top of tch; turn.

Row 3: Ch 4 (counts as 1 dc and a ch1sp), sk 2 sts, 1 dc into next st, *1 ch, sk 1 st, 1
dc into next st; rep from * ending last rep in tch; turn.

Repeat Rows 1-3 two more times.

Row 4: Repeat Row 1.

Round 5: Ch 1, 1 sc into first st, 1 sc into next and each st to end, working 2 sc
into top of tch; do not turn; continue around bottom edge of sweater evenly spacing
sc sts all the way to bottom corner where round began; sl st to first sc of round to
join.

Fasten off.

ADDING SLEEVES

Notes:
• Sleeve ribbing is achieved using post stitches. Please reference glossary of the
pattern, the video tutorial or photo below for additional help.

• The sleeves are worked in the round. Do not turn work at the end of each round.

Attach yarn in armhole at seam created from sewing the rectangle together. Be sure
to work with the RS (outside) of the sweater facing you at all times.

Round 1: Ch 1, work 22 (22, 26) sc sts around armhole edge, sl st to first sc of round
to join.

Round 2: Ch 1, 1 sc in each sc, sl st to first sc of round to join.

Round 3: Ch 1, *1 sc in next sc, 1 fpdc around next sc two rows below; rep from * to
end of round, sl st to first sc of round to join.

Round 4: Ch 1, 1 sc in each sc, sl st to first sc of round to join.

Round 5: Ch 1, *1 sc in next sc, 1 fpdc around stem of next fpdc two rows below; rep
from * to end of round, sl st to first sc of round to join.

Repeat Rounds 4 and 5 seven times. Add additional repeats if longer sleeves are
desired. Fasten off.
ADDING POCKETS

Make 2:

Foundation Row: Ch 18.

Row 1 (RS): 1 sc into second ch, 1 sc into next and each ch to end; turn. (17)

Row 2 (WS): Ch 4 (counts as 1 dc and a ch1sp), sk 2 sts, 1 dc into next st, *1 ch, sk 1
st, 1 dc into next st; rep from * ending last rep in last sc; turn.

Row 3 (RS): Ch 3, sk next ch1sp work 2 crossed stitches as follows: 1 dc forward into
next ch1sp, 1 dc back into just skipped ch1sp going behind forward dc so as not to
catch it, *1 dc forward into next unoccupied ch1sp, 1 dc into back into previous
ch1sp; rep from * to end when last forward dc occupies first tch, 1 dc into second tch;
turn.

Row 4 (WS): Ch 1, 1 sc into first st, 1 sc into next and each st to end, working last sc
into top of tch; turn.

Rep Rows 2-4 once more.

Row 5 (WS): Rep Row 2.

Row 6 (RS): Ch 1, 1 sc into first st, 1 sc into next and each st to end, working sc into
top of tch; do not turn; continue around corner working 2 additional sc in same tch,
continue evenly spacing sc along top edge of pocket, stop when corner is reached
(chain tail should be at the same corner).

Fasten off, leaving a 24” tail.

Pin pockets to front of sweater using stitch markers or safety pins. See photo above
for exact placement or to customize to your liking. Take care to line up rows on
pockets and sweater so that the pockets visually recede into the sweater.

Use leftover tail and a tapestry needle to sew pockets onto sweater using a whip
stitch.

Weave in any remaining ends.

Wrap yourself in your new chunky Dwell Sweater, brew a cup of tea and
embrace your inner home-dwelling homebody!
I love to see your finished projects! Use #MakeAndDoCrew and tag
me Instagram (@MakeAndDoCrew) to show off your stitches and have a chance
to be featured.

Now that you’ve got a cozy sweater to wear, you can stay in and make one of these
other free crochet patterns from Make & Do Crew.