Crochet Take It Easy Sweater

I named this crochet sweater Take It Easy because of multiple aspects of this pullover. From the yarn, construction, and even wearing it all lended to the naming of the Take It Easy sweater. A pattern that all makes it easy for you to relax and enjoy all aspects of it. 

For the yarn, I used Lion Brand 24/7 DK Cotton yarn. I have used the category 4 worsted weight yarn on a pair of Crochet Vacation Shoes for me and my daughters, and they wear so beautifully. A strong yarn that doesn’t pill, but is soft next to the skin. I have also used it in dish scrubbies and they have lasted a long time. So, I felt comfortable using this cotton yarn in a sweater that will hold up to wear, and make the time it takes making it worth it. 

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When I saw the DK category 3 weight in the store I knew it would be the perfect weight for a transitional season sweater, and light enough for it to be crochet. Also, with how well the worsted weight has worn and washed up, this sweater will look like the day you made it for a long time. 

Crochet makes thicker stitches than knitting, so using a thinner yarn helps to lessen the bulk. I also used a larger hook than recommended so the stitches would be more open to also help make a thinner and lighter fabric. Between the stitch pattern, yarn, and hook size this Crochet Take It Easy makes a wearable, lighter weight sweater that isn’t so open that it is see through. 

The construction of the sweater is fairly straight forward. With just using single crochets and chain stitches the stitches create a nice textured pattern, and just enough shaping to the arms and neckline to aid in a more refined fitting garment. All of the stitches and portions of the sweater are shown in the YouTube tutorial video. 

This sweater is easy to wear with jeans, skirts or shorts, making it versatile this time of year when the weather can shift seasons through out the day.  Fitted enough to not look sloppy, the Take It Easy sweater still has enough room to wear over a long sleeve shirt if needed. 

With yarn that is easy to care for and wears fantastically, a pattern that is easy to make but doesn’t look homemade, and a style that is versatile to wear – you can really take it easy, relax, and enjoy making and wearing your Take It Easy Crochet Sweater. 

Here are some other great pullovers and cardigans by City Farmhouse Studio:

Crochet Take It Easy Sweater
by City Farmhouse Studio

Get the printable PDF version of the pattern (without ads) HERE
Add it to your Ravelry queue HERE

Lion Brand 24/7 Cotton DK Yarn – 3.5 oz/100 g – 273 yd/250 m – 100% Cotton – Category 3 Light Dk Yarn – 6 (7, 7, 8, 9) [10, 10, 11, 12] skeins – get it HERE

Yarn Alternatives for Substitution: Premier Yarns Premier Afternoon Cotton, Patons (North America) Grace, Knit Picks Animation

Sizes: XS (S, M, L, XL) [2X, 3X, 4X, 5X]

Finished garment bust width: 18.25 (19.75, 21.25, 23.25, 25.25) [27.25, 29.25, 31.75, 34.25] inches

Finished garment length:  19.75 (20.25, 20.5, 20.75, 21) [21.25, 21.25, 21.75, 21.75] inches

Finished center back to sleeve cuff length:  28 (29, 29.5, 30.5, 31.5) [32, 33, 33, 33.5] inches

Gauge: 4” x 4” = 8 motifs x 14 rows

Crochet hook: J (6mm)

Notes:
A YouTube video showing step by step how to make all stitches of the pattern along with more information about the sweater construction can be found at https://youtu.be/P03Meu7g5uA

Be sure to measure your gauge after you block your gauge swatch.  The stitches will measure differently after blocking.

One motif is a (sc, ch, sc) in a specified space of the previous row, typically in a ch space.

Motif counts in the rows does not include the beginning or end sc of the row.  Only the (sc, ch, sc) motifs in that row.

The fsc is not included in the row count.

Glossary:
fsc – foundation single crochet
ch – chain 
sc – single crochet
st – stitch

Front
Fsc 77 (85, 89, 97, 105) [113, 121, 133, 141].

Row 1:  Ch 1 and turn.  Sc in 1st st of previous row.  *Skip next stitch and (sc, ch, sc) in the following stitch.*  Repeat from * to * to the end of the row until 2 stitches remain.  Skip one st and sc in the last stitch of the row. Motifs 37 (41, 43, 47, 51) [55, 59, 65, 69].

Row 2:  Ch 1 and turn.  Sc in first stitch of the row.  *(Sc, ch, sc) in the motif ch space of the previous row.*  Repeat from * to * in each motif ch spaces of the row.  Sc in the last sc of the row.  

Repeat above Row 2 until you have a total of 77 (85, 89, 97, 105) [113, 121, 133, 141] rows after the foundation sc row.  Place a stitch marker on each end of the garment to mark where the sleeves will be attached to later on.

Repeat above Row 2 for another 2 (2, 2, 4, 6) [8, 10, 12, 14] rows, for a total of 46 (48, 46, 48, 48) [48, 46, 48, 50] rows.

Neck Decreases 
Decrease #1 Row 1:  Ch 1 and turn.  Sc in first stitch of the row.  *(Sc, ch, sc) in the motif ch space of the previous row.*  Repeat from * to * for a total of 18 (20, 21, 23, 25) [27, 29, 32, 34] motifs in the row.  Sc in next motif.

Decrease #1 Row 2:   Ch 1 and turn.  Skipping the first sc of the row, (sc, ch, sc) in each of the motif ch spaces of the row.  Sc in the last stitch of the row.

Decrease #2 Row 1:  Ch 1 and turn.  Sc in first stitch of the row.  *(Sc, ch, sc) in the ch space of the previous row.*  Repeat from * to * leaving one motif left unworked.  Sc in last motif of previous row.

Decrease #2 Row 2:  Ch 1 and turn.  Skipping the first sc of the row, (sc, ch, sc) in each of the motif ch spaces of the row.  Sc in the last stitch of the row.

Repeat the rows of Decrease #2 until only 14 (16, 16, 18, 20) [22, 24, 26, 28] motifs are worked during a Decrease #2 Row 2. 

Place a stitch marker in the row just completed.  Ch 1 and turn.  Sc in first stitch of the row.  *(Sc, ch, sc) in the ch space of the previous row.*  Repeat from * to * for a leaving one motif left unworked.  Sc in last motif of previous row.  13 (15, 15, 17, 19) [21, 23, 25, 27] motifs worked in row.

Ch 1 and turn.  Sc in the first stitch.   (Sc, ch, sc) in each of the ch spaces of the row.  Sc in the last stitch of the row.

Repeat the above row until there are a total of 9 (10, 9, 10, 11) [12, 12, 10, 10] rows above stitch marker.  Total row count 65 (68, 67, 70, 71) [72, 70, 72, 74].  Bind off.  

Neck Decreases for other Shoulder
Decrease #1 Row 1:  With slip knot on hook, sc in same center motif that neck split of other side.  *(Sc, ch, sc) in the motif ch space of the previous row.*  Repeat from * to * for a total of 18 (20, 21, 23, 25) [27, 29, 32, 34] motifs in the row.  Sc in last st.

Decrease #1 Row 2:   Ch 1 and turn.  Sc in first stitch of the row.  *(Sc, ch, sc) in the motif ch space of the previous row.*  Repeat from * to * leaving one motif left unworked.  Sc in that motif.

Decrease #2 Row 1:   Ch 1 and turn.  (Sc, ch, sc) in each of the motif ch spaces of the row.  Sc in the last stitch of the row.

Decrease #2 Row 2:   Ch 1 and turn.  Sc in first stitch of the row.  *(Sc, ch, sc) in the motif ch space of the previous row.*  Repeat from * to * leaving one motif left unworked.  Sc in that motif.

Repeat the two rows of Decrease #2 until only 13 (15, 15, 17, 19) [21, 23, 25, 27] motifs are worked during a Decrease #2 Row 2.

Place a stitch marker in the row just worked.  Ch 1 and turn.  Sc in the first stitch.   (Sc, ch, sc) in each of the ch spaces of the row.  Sc in the last stitch of the row.

Repeat the above row until there are a total of 9 (10, 9, 10, 11) [12, 12, 10, 10] rows above stitch marker.   Total garment row count 73 (74, 75, 76, 79) [78, 78, 80, 80].  Bind off.

Back:
Fsc 77 (85, 89, 97, 105) [113, 121, 133, 141]

Row 1:  Ch 1 and turn.  Sc in 1st st of previous row.  *Skip next stitch and (sc, ch, sc) in the following stitch.*  Repeat from * to * to the end of the row until 2 stitches remain.  Skip one and sc in the last stitch of the row. Motifs 37 (41, 43, 47, 51) [55, 59, 65, 69].

Row 2:  Ch 1 and turn.  Sc in first stitch of the row.  *(Sc, ch, sc) in the motif ch space of the previous row.*  Repeat from * to * in each motif ch spaces of the row.  Sc in the last sc of the row.  

Repeat above Row 2 until you have a total of 44 (46, 44, 44, 42) [40, 36, 36, 36] rows after the foundation sc row.  Place a stitch marker on each end of the garment to mark where the sleeves will be attached to later on.

Repeat above Row 2 for another 19 (20, 21, 24, 27) [30, 32, 34, 36] rows, for a total of 63 (66, 65, 68, 69) [70, 68, 70, 72] rows.

Neck Decreases 
Decrease #1 Row 1:  Ch 1 and turn.  Sc in first stitch of the row.  *(Sc, ch, sc) in the motif ch space of the previous row.*  Repeat from * to * for a total of 13 (15, 15, 17, 19) [21, 23, 25, 27] motifs in the row.  Sc in next motif.

Decrease #1 Row 2:   Ch 1 and turn.  Skipping the first sc of the row, (sc, ch, sc) in each of the motif ch spaces of the row.  Sc in the last stitch of the row.  Bind off.  

Neck Decreases for other Shoulder
Decrease #1 Row 1:  With slip knot on hook, skipping 9 (9, 11, 11, 11) [11, 11, 13, 13] motifs, sc in next motif.  *(Sc, ch, sc) in the motif ch space of the previous row.*  Repeat from * to * for a total of 13 (15, 15, 17, 19) [21, 23, 25, 27] motifs in the row.  Sc in last st.

Decrease #1 Row 2:   Ch 1 and turn.  Sc in first stitch of the row.  *(Sc, ch, sc) in the motif ch space of the previous row.*  Repeat from * to * leaving one motif left unworked.  Sc in that motif.  Bind off.  

Sleeve: 
Fsc 35 (35, 35, 35, 35) [39, 39, 39, 39]   

Row 1:  Ch 1 and turn.  Sc in 1st st of previous row.  *Skip next stitch and (sc, ch, sc) in the following stitch.*  Repeat from * to * to the end of the row until 2 stitches remain.  Skip one and sc in the last stitch of the row. Motifs 16 (16, 16, 16, 16) [18, 18, 18, 18].

Row 2:  Ch 1 and turn.  Sc in first stitch of the row.  *(Sc, ch, sc) in the motif ch space of the previous row.*  Repeat from * to * in each motif ch spaces of the row.  Sc in the last stitch of the row.  

Increase Row 1:  Place a stitch marker in the previous row.  Ch 1 and turn.  Sc in first stitch of the row.  Ch 1.  *(Sc, ch, sc) in the motif ch space of the previous row.*  Repeat from * to * in each motif ch spaces of the row.  Chain 1 and sc in the last sc of the row.

Repeat Increase Row 1 an additional 3 (2, 2, 1, 1) [1, 0, 0, 0] times for a total of 4 (3, 3, 2, 2) [2, 1, 1, 1] times worked. 

Increase Row 2:  Ch 1 and turn.  (Sc, ch, sc) in the first ch space of the previous row.  *(Sc, ch, sc) in the motif ch space of the previous row.*  Repeat from * to * in each motif ch spaces of the row. (Sc, ch, sc) in the last ch space.    

Repeat Increase Row 2 an additional 3 (3, 2, 2, 2) [1, 1, 0, 0] times for a total of 4 (4, 3, 3, 3) [2, 2, 1, 1] times worked.

Increase Row 3:  Ch 1 and turn.  Sc in first sc of the row.  *(Sc, ch, sc) in the motif ch space of the previous row.*  Repeat from * to * in each motif ch spaces of the row.  Sc in the last stitch of the row.  

Repeat Increase Row 3 an additional 3 (3, 2, 2, 1) [1, 1, 1, 0] times for a total of 4 (4, 3, 3, 2) [2, 2, 2, 1] times worked.  Rows above stitch marker 12 (11, 9, 8, 7) [6, 5, 4, 3].

Repeat Increase Row 1-3 and all repeat rows for a total of 4 (5, 6, 7, 8) [9, 11, 12, 13] times and there are a total of 24 (26, 28, 30, 32) [36, 40, 42, 44] motifs.

Place a stitch marker in the previous row.  Ch 1 and turn.  Sc in first stitch of the row.  *(Sc, ch, sc) in the motif ch space of the previous row.*  Repeat from * to * in each motif ch spaces of the row.  Sc in the last stitch of the row.  

Repeat above row until there are 13 (6, 7, 5, 5) [5, 4, 9, 13] rows above stitch marker.  Bind off.

Seam shoulder seams together.  Attach sleeves and position between stitch markers on front and back body panels.  Seam along the sleeve and body edges.

Bottom Band:
Row 1:  With a slip knot on hook and starting at the seam, sc in first sc of row. Sc in each sc of the fsc of the row.  Slip stitch in beginning sc.  

Row 2:  Ch 1 and turn.  *Sc in next 5 sts.  Sc 2 together.*  Repeat from * to * to the end of the round, row may not end even with pattern repeat. 

Row 3:  Ch 1 and turn.  Sc in each stitch of the previous row.

Repeat Row 3 three more times for a total of 6 rows of sc at bottom.  Bind off.

Wrist Band:
Row 1:  With a slip knot on hook and starting at the seam, sc in first sc of row. Sc in each sc of the fsc of the row.  Slip stitch in beginning sc.

Row 2:  Ch 1 and turn.  *Sc in next 5 sts.  Sc 2 together.*  Repeat from * to * to the end of the round, row may not end even with pattern repeat. 

Row 3:  Ch 1 and turn.  Sc in each stitch of the previous row.

Repeat Row 3 once.  Bind off.

Neck Band:
Row 1:  With a slip knot on hook and starting at the seam, sc in each sc of the motifs of the row, skipping the ch spaces, and evenly sc along edge of front neck.  Slip stitch in beginning sc.  

Row 2:  Ch 1 and turn.  Sc in each stitch of the previous row.

Repeat Row 2 once.  Bind off.