Crochet Jumper

So I went from creating a (unintentionally ill-fitting) hat, to my first amigurumi creature, to now a jumper. And I am so proud of it. Definitely going to be wearing it a LOT.

I decided on a jumper, because I really like the idea of being able to make something wearable from essentially a few bits of string. I also like the fact that with crochet, there’s no pattern needed- well, not when you don’t want there to be and can essentially work something up straight from your imagination. Self drafting my third crochet creation and first proper wearable was perhaps a bold move. But to be honest, I find the idea of self drafting much easier than following a written pattern, because I’m much more of a visual person than anything else and find the patterns harder to follow than the wording/ diagrams etc that I come up with to create my own. If mine was written into a pattern, then it would read the same, but I feel like I understand my way much better. Saying that though, I did use this tutorial as a guide, but went off piste in a lot of places.

I based this jumper on an already existing one of mine, which I’ve had for ten years now, so it’s showing a bit of wear. It was from Primark, so ten years is pretty good going IMO. Anyway, it’s been relegated to a skate jumper now: the graveyard where my clothes go when I don’t want to wear them for normal wear anymore if they’re looking a bit tatty, so don’t mind them getting a bit ripped or dirty during a skate sesh!

This was my original pattern diagram, with measurements:

The final piece measures slightly differently, but still fits great. Acrylic yarn stretches, a lot! Plus, there was a lot to learn regarding tension etc.

I’ll kind of write out what I did as best as I can in order, mainly for myself for when I do it again, but also to impart any knowledge if you’re reading this and are inspired to create your own. I urge you to do so- crochet is honestly super fun. Plus, you can make whatever you want. But, be warned: crochet is extremely addictive! Don’t say I didn’t tell you.

This jumper is made in the ‘drop shoulder’, bottom up construction technique. So I started with creating the two main panels- one each for the front and back. I started on the front one, creating a chain to stretch to my desired width of 23 inches. I wanted the jumper to be a loose fitted crop style piece, mirroring the jumper that I was trying to replicate. I chained 93, ending up with 90 actual crochet stitches on each row. I just used a basic double crochet stitch (US terminology and that will be used throughout this post. I am UK based, but it seems from what I’ve gathered online that the US terms are the most universally used). I used this stitch because it works up quite fast, plus I think it looks pretty nice and also it’s quite stretchy, which is good for wearables.

…And before I forget, I used a 4mm hook (besides for the ribbing and when sewing it all together, where I dropped to a 3mm hook- I felt the ribbing looked a bit nicer and less bulky with the smaller hook). The yarn I used was a DK yarn, ‘Wendy Supreme’ 100% acrylic, in the shade ‘cinnamon’. I purchased 6 skeins (around £2.45 each if I remember correctly, from northern discount store Boyes) of 100g/ 322 yards, but only used 4 balls in total, or just over- hard to tell exactly. So now I have a better gauge of how much yarn is needed for a project such as this. But I now also have a lot left over- colour block or patchwork jumper coming up anyone?!

I actually started creating the panels a few times and needed to unravel it at various different stages. Firstly, because my project was fanning out. I got several rows in and realised this was just going to get bigger and bigger. It’s because I didn’t realise that the turning chain of 2 actually counts as a stitch in double crochet. So there I was crocheting into the base of my turning chain without knowing I really needed to be going into the next one along. Rookie error!

fanning out

yarn noodles

practise piece- no longer fanning out, good to go!

Once I had learned how to do it properly, I ended up creating 30 regular rows (measuring approx 13.5 inches), plus 6 decrease rows, stitching 38, then invisible decrease two together, turn and repeat, for 6 rows. Then again on the other side, attaching the yarn to the 40th stitch (I think) ready to decrease, then working back along the other way.

I did have to unravel the neckline the first tine round, because I made it much too wide. Plus I didn’t attach the left side of the yarn from the centre, instead I turned the garment and did it from the edge going inwards, which messed up the stitch pattern. Plus, one side the tension was much too tight, so ended up being about 1cm shorter than the other side! I learned a lot making this!

finished neckline

The back panel was 34 regular rows, with just 2 decrease rows, stitching 33, then two together. I re-did the whole of the back panel actually, after having crocheted 29 rows. My tension was way off matching up with the first panel (much looser, so didn’t line up well enough). Again, beginner mistake and I didn’t realise that the tension would be so wildly off. But it was. And I wasn’t happy with it. So took the brave move of redoing the whole of the back panel, watching my tension as I went the second time round. It only took a day to rework it, so didn’t lose that much time in getting it back where it was, but still, it was a bit of a disappointment. But now I know to watch my tension better.

both finished panels- before any neckline shaping

I actually did the ribbing (single crochet, back loop only) before I had the full length of each of the panels, because I was testing the length of it on my body and to get a true idea of how it would look and hang with the ribbing attached, was to actually create and attach the ribbing. I did it 10 stitches tall, but no idea how many rows, because I didn’t need to count them as it was going straight on to the body. And why do extra counting when there’s no need?! I’m not that much of a masochist.

After I was satisfied with the two body panels, I stitched them together (wrong sides out) using single crochet, 3mm hook. Then, it was time to make the neck ribbing. I must admit, I’m super pleased with how that turned out! I did it the same method as creating the bottom ribbing, but instead of 10 stitches, I used just 5, because I didn’t want a turtle neck or owt like that for this garment.

I’d say, despite loving how it looks, on my next one, I’d prefer a slightly bigger neck hole as it would make it hang a little better, plus it would be a bit more comfortable when wearing it with a shirt or something underneath. It does feel quite up to my neck right now, but it’ll stretch over time, I’m sure. It’s not like suffocating me or anything, but a little more room would be nice! And yes, yes I am wearing it as I type. It’s actually really comfortable and warm. And not itchy. Win!

neck ribbing close up

Then the sleeves were next. These took quite quick, after I had got over the anxiety of ‘will the sleeve holes be too big/ small/ tight/ loose’ and so on. I measured the gap I left for the arm hole after sewing up the sides, times it by two and stitched a foundation chain of that length. The length was 15 inch (chain was just below), ending up with 59 stitches across (62 in the chain).

I wanted the sleeves to taper in, because I didn’t want the sleeves being super baggy along my forearms. Didn’t want them getting in the way or feeling annoying or anything! So I decided to decrease every so often. There was not an exact maths or science to this part! I just decreased an amount I felt was right. So my pattern went like: 4 rows (4R), decrease (de) at each end, 3R, de, 4R, de, 3R, de, 4R, de, 3R, de, 3R, de, 3R, de. So a total of 35 rows, measuring 15.25 inches.

With these, learning from the body panels, I was very aware of watching my tension throughout, especially with the second sleeve. But, as you can see from the picture below, I pretty much was able to replicate the first one almost like for like on the second.

The sleeve ribbing I created separately, because I wanted it to fit nicely round my wrists, but also with enough give so I’d be able to roll the sleeves up. Which they do without being either too tight or falling down. Again, I used the same method as before and here I used 10 stitches, so it matched the bottom cuff. These ended up being 37 rows each, measuring 7.5 inches across. I then single crocheted them to the sleeves.

I stitched the sleeves up (again using single crochet), and attached them to the sleeve holes: turning the main body wrong side out, with each sleeve being right side out. So right sides facing inside the garment. I made sure that the sleeve seams were at the bottom (underarm, rather than the shoulder) and then stitched round the hole, using stitch markers as pins to make sure it was evenly spaced round the opening.

And then, I had a new jumper. Well, apart from weaving in all those pesky ends! I now see why everyone on the crochet internet moans about that part. It’s sooo tedious!

I am so proud of the finished piece and also quite in disbelief at how I made it from very little experience. It fits just perfectly and I love the colour. Honestly can’t wait to be wearing it everywhere! Now I’ve sooo many ideas for more jumpers/ projects in general. There’s just never enough time in the day, plus I can’t lose sight of my animation career! Pics down below- watch this space as usual for more xo