Let’s learn together how to knit a lovely crop sweater! All you need are a pair of needles, our Rain or Shine yarn, and of course, the pattern below. This project is perfect for those already skilled with knitting needles, so it’s not ideal for beginners. By the end, you’ll have a handmade crop sweater, perfect for pairing with high-waisted trousers, for example. Made with pure wool, since Rain or Shine is 100% merino wool. Warm yet lightweight.
A quick tip: the final result greatly depends on the yarn you use, as this pattern is specifically designed for Rain or Shine. Choose your favorite color from our store—there’s something for everyone!
MATERIALS
Rain or Shine yarn col. Hazelnut 530 g / 18.7 oz
Knitting needles size n° 4 EU / 6 US
Knitting needles size n° 4½ EU / 7 US
Stitch holder
Tapestry needle
GAUGE – SEED STITCH
10 cm x 10 cm / 4" x 4"
12 stitches and 17.5 rows
Using knitting needles size n° 4½ EU / 7 US
KNITTING STITCHES USED
Knit
Purl
Twisted knit stitch:
knit into the back loop of the next stitch
Twisted purl stitch:
purl into the back loop of the next stitch
1/1 rib:
alternate between 1 knit and 1 purl stitch on both right and wrong sides.
Seed stitch (worked over an odd number of stitches):
row 1: Repeat (1 knit stitch, 1 purl stitch) to the last stitch, knit the last stitch
row 2 and all subsequent rows: Work as Row 1.
Knit increase:
lift the strand between the worked stitch and the next stitch, knit into the back loop.
Purl increase:
lift the strand between the worked stitch and the next stitch, purl into the back loop.
SIZES
Instructions are provided for size S (M, L).
FINISHED GARMENT MEASUREMENTS (SIZE S [M, L])
Bust circumference: 104 (112, 120) cm / 41" (44.1", 48")
Total length: 40 (42, 44) cm / 16" (16.5", 17.3")
Underarm to hem: 21 (22, 23) cm / 8.3" (8.7", 9.1")
Neck opening: 16 (16, 17) cm / 6.3" (6.3", 6.7")
Sleeve length: 29 (29, 27) cm / 11.4" (11.4", 10.6")
DIFFICULTY LEVEL
Intermediate
INSTRUCTIONS
The crop sweater is worked flat and consists of four pieces: back, front, and two sleeves. The bust circumference is 10 cm / 4" larger than the bottom hem circumference due to the change in stitch patterns and needle size, eliminating the need for increases during knitting. The neckline is finished after sewing one shoulder seam.
Using knitting needles size n° 4 EU / 6 US, cast on 63 (67, 73) stitches.
Row 1: repeat (1 knit, 1 purl) to the last stitch, knit the last stitch
row 2: purl the first stitch, repeat (1 knit, 1 purl) to the end of the row.
Repeat rows 1 and 2 for 9 (9, 10) more times, completing 20 (20, 22) rows, which measures approximately 10 (10, 11) cm / 4" (4", 4.3"). Switch to knitting needles n° size 4½ EU / 7 US and work in seed stitch for 52 (56, 58) rows, measuring approximately 30 (32, 33) cm / 12" (12.6", 13") from the hem.
Bind off.
Using knitting needles size n° 4 (US 6), cast on 63 (67, 73) stitches and work the bottom hem in 1/1 ribbing as for the back, completing 20 (20, 22) rows, measuring approximately 10 (10, 11) cm / 4" (4", 4.3"). Switch to knitting needles size n° 4½ EU / 7 US and work in seed stitch for 42 (46, 48) rows, measuring approximately 24 (26, 27) cm / 9.4" (10.2", 10.6") from the hem.
Row 43 (47, 49): work the first 24 (26, 28) stitches in seed stitch, bind off the next 15 (15, 17) stitches for the neckline, and work the last 24 (26, 28) stitches in seed stitch
row 44 (48, 50): work in seed stitch across the second set of 24 (26, 28) stitches, leaving the first set on a stitch holder
row 45 (49, 51): bind off 1 stitch for the neckline, work in seed stitch to the end of the row
row 46 (50, 52): work remaining stitches in seed stitch
row 47 (51, 53): repeat Row 45 (49, 51)
row 48 (52, 54): work remaining stitches in seed stitch
rows 49 (53, 55) to 52 (56, 58): continue in seed stitch.
Bind off.
Return to the stitches on the holder and work the other side of the neckline in a mirrored pattern.
Using knitting needles size n° 4 EU / 6 US, cast on 34 (36, 40) stitches and work the cuff in 1/1 ribbing for 20 rows, measuring approximately 10 cm / 4". Switch to knitting needles size n° 4½ EU / 7 US.
Row 21: (1 knit, 1 purl) to the last stitch, increase 1 purl stitch, work 1 knit stitch
row 22: repeat (1 purl, 1 knit) across the row
rows 23 and 25: repeat (1 knit, 1 purl) across the row
rows 24 and 26: work as Row 22
row 27: (1 purl, 1 knit) to the last stitch, increase 1 purl stitch, work 1 knit stitch
row 28: repeat (1 knit, 1 purl) across the row
rows 29 and 31: repeat (1 purl, 1 knit) across the row
rows 30 and 32: work as row 28
Repeat rows 21–32 once more, then repeat rows 21–30 (21–30, 21–26) once more. By row 54 (54, 50), you will have 46 (48, 50) stitches, measuring approximately 29 (29, 27) cm / 11.4" (11.4", 10.6").
Bind off.
Work the left sleeve as for the right sleeve.
Sew one shoulder seam. For the neckline: using knitting needles size n° 4 EU / 6 US, pick up stitches evenly around the front and back necklines (final stitch count must be even). Work 6 rows in 1/1 rib, then bind off.
Sew the remaining shoulder and neckline edges. Attach each sleeve along its armhole, centering it on the shoulder seam. Sew the side seams and underarm seams. Your crop sweater is complete!
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