Free Crochet Pullover Pattern – Who Says Sock Yarn’s Just for Socks?

My Orla Crochet Pullover is one of those sweaters you’ll find yourself reaching for all year round. It’s so light and comfy, you barely notice you’re wearing it — the kind of garment that lives in your wardrobe and gets pulled out again and again.

Made with sock-weight merino yarn, my design is breathable enough for warmer days but cozy enough for layering in cooler weather — the best of both worlds!

I’ve kept things simple with an easy stitch pattern, no shaping, and a construction that’s perfect for a first sweater project. And yes — sock yarn isn’t just for socks! You’ll love how the drape and texture come together in this relaxing make.

The free pattern is below and includes sizes S to 3XL, written in English in US crochet terms. Prefer an ad-free printable version? Orla is also available as a PDF in my Etsy and Ravelry stores.

I hope you love this one as much as I do!

Jump to:  Sizing  |  Materials  |  Free Crochet Sweater Pattern

Skill Level

Easy — no shaping required, just basic stitches and straight seams.

This is a great first sweater project (and I’ve rounded up a few more in this beginner-friendly sweater list).

Sizing and Fit

This sweater is designed with approximately 4 inches of positive ease, meaning it will fit a little looser than your actual body measurements for a relaxed, oversized look.

For example: If your chest measures 38″, the size M (42″ chest) will give you a comfy, easy fit with 4″ of room to move.

Prefer a more fitted look?  You can go down a size for a closer fit — just make sure the finished chest measurement is still a little larger than your actual bust to allow for movement and comfort.

I use the Craft Yarn Council’s measurements as a guide.

Materials

• 4ply merino yarn; 1451, (1582, 1735, 1945, 2106, 2299) yards
• 3.5mm / E4 crochet hook (I use Clover Amour hooks)
• Tape Measure
• Stitch Marker
• Scissors
• Yarn Needle

Yarn Choices

When I saw Wool Warehouse had their merino sock prints yarn on sale I couldn’t resist!  4ply is such a fab weight for lightweight projects and although I didn’t have an idea on what I wanted to design, I knew I would use it and it wouldn’t sit there for ever.

It’s such a dream to work with! And oh so soft.  The drape on my finished sweater is just right too.  Who says sock yarn is just for socks?

With a ratio of merino 75% and nylon 25%, your garment will be quite easy to care for.  It’s a superwash merino so can be machine washed up to 30 degrees, ideally on a hand wash setting. You will need to dry flat and reshape your pullover when it’s wet though otherwise it will stretch out of shape. 

The care instructions do say it can be tumble dried on a low heat but I haven’t tried it and don’t ever tumble dry my jumpers.  What about you?  Do you tumble dry your knitwear?

If you substitute the yarn with a different fibre blend, the drape and comfort may be totally different.  If you have 4ply in your stash, work up a swatch first to see if you’re happy.  You could need more or less yarn than stated in the pattern.

Gauge

19 stitches and 10 rows of pattern repeats = 10cm X 10cm / 4” X 4”

If you struggle with matching my gauge, easily adjust your stitch count with my gauge converter tool

Stitches and Abbreviations

If you need help understanding how to work these stitches, you’ll find instructions in my stitch library.

Stitches

V-Stitch (V-st): treble crochet, ch1, treble crochet in same stitch/chain space

Single Crochet (sc)

Double Crochet (dc)

Treble Crochet (tr)

Slip Stitch (sl st)

Abbreviations

• Chain (ch)
• Each (ea)
• Pattern (patt)
• Repeat (rep)
• Right Side (RS)
• Skip (sk)
• Space (sp)
• Stitch/es (st/s)
• Wrong Side (WS)

How to Crochet the Orla Pullover Sweater

I’ve designed this sweater to be an easy and relaxing make.  There is no shaping making this a perfect project for your first sweater.

The stitch pattern I’ve used is a row of double crochet followed by a row of treble crochet V-stitches and lastly, a row of working 3 double crochet clusters in the chain spaces of row 2.  These 3 rows complete the stitch pattern.

• The front and back are simply two rectangles worked in rows.
• Measurements are taken and stitch markers used for the neck opening.
• Once the shoulders are seamed, measurements are taken for the armhole (measurements for the different sizes are in the instructions).  A seam is sewn along each side from the armhole to the hem.
• Yarn is rejoined underarm to work the sleeves.  The 3-row pattern repeat is worked in rounds and finished off with a simple single crochet edging at the cuff.

The construction gives a drop shoulder which is very comfortable!

Orla was such a soothing project to make — if you love calm, check out my free self-care resources.

Customise Your Sweater

There are several ways you customise this pattern:

• Length – I wouldn’t recommend making your sweater longer, however, if that’s your preference just add more of the 3-row repeats.  If you prefer a shorter or cropped length, just work less of the 3-row repeats.
• Sleeve Length – it’s easy to adjust the sleeve length by trying on as you go.  When you’ve reached your desired length, work the single crochet round to finish off.  The image below shows how your sweater will look with shorter sleeves.

• Sweater vest – leave off the sleeves completely.  You’ll need to stop at the instructions for the sleeves and I suggest you work a round of single crochet around the armhole to neaten the edge and finish it off perfectly.  You can see how it will look in the image below.

• Neckline –  for a smaller neck opening, reduce the number of inches when placing stitch markers in the setting up neckline instructions.

My Pattern Notes

• Pattern is written in US crochet terms in English.
• Instructions for the different sizes are written like this: S, (M, L, XL, 2XL, 3XL).
• Repeated instructions are written like this: *instruction*
• Chain 1 does not count as a stitch.
• Chain 3 counts as a double crochet.
• Chain 4 counts as a treble crochet.
• Chain 5 (sleeves) counts as a treble crochet, chain 1.
• Row 3 and repeats – treble crochet in 1^st stitch is worked in the turning chain.
• Row 4 and repeats – double crochet in 1^st stitch is worked in the turning chain.
• Front and back are worked in rows.
• Sleeves are worked in turned rounds.
• Weave in ends as you go.

Orla Crochet Pullover Sweater Pattern Instructions (US crochet terms)

Make 2 (front and back)

With a 3.5 mm / E4 hook

Ch 98, (110, 119, 128, 140, 152)

Row 1 (RS): working in back bumps, sc in 2^nd ch from hook, sc in ea ch across, ch3, turn

Row 2: dc in ea st across, ch4, turn

Row 3: tr in 1^st st, *sk 2 sts, V-st in next st, * rep to last 3 sts, sk 2 sts, 2tr in last st, ch3, turn

Row 4: dc in 1^st st, *3dc in ea ch1-sp, * rep to last 3 sts, sk 2 sts, 2dc in last st, ch3, turn

Rows 2 – 4 complete st patt

Row 5 – 59, (59, 59, 62, 62, 62): rep rows 2 – 4

Fasten off leaving a long tail to sew shoulder seam

Setting Up Neckline and Shoulder Seam

On both front and back panels

Identify middle st at top on last row and place a st marker

Measure 5.5 inches to the right and place a st marker

Measure 5.5” inches to the left and place a st marker

Remove centre st marker

Sp between st markers is the neckline

With WS facing outwards, line up front and back panels on top of ea other

Sew shoulder seam through both panels from st marker at neck edge to arm edge

Rep on the other shoulder

Side Seams

Still working on WS

From top of shoulder towards hem on one side, measure 7, (7.5, 8, 8.5, 9, 9.5) inches and place st marker

Sew side seam from st marker to hem

Armhole made

Rep on other side

Sleeve

Rejoin yarn on RS underarm, ch5

Working evenly around armhole in multiples of 3

Row 1: tr in same st, *sk 2 sts, V-st into next st, * rep around, join with sl st to ch1-sp, ch3, turn

Row 2: 2dc in same ch-sp as joined, *3dc in ea ch1-sp, * rep around, join with sl st to 1^st dc, ch3, turn

Row 3: dc in ea st around, ch5, turn

Rows 1 – 3 complete sleeve st patt

Row 4 – 36, (36, 37, 37, 38, 38) rep rows 1 – 3, ch1 at end of last row

Final row: sc in ea st around, join with sl st

Fasten off

Rep for other sleeve

Congratulations, your sweater pullover is finished!

Copyright Notice

The pattern and photographs of this design are the property of Sharon Goodwin at Jera’s Jamboree.  This pattern and design are subject to copyright and are for personal, non-commercial use only.  You may not share, resell, alter or redistribute this pattern in part or in whole. You may, however, sell any finished items you make.  If you would like to include this pattern in a roundup, you may take one photo and link back to this pattern.

I hope you enjoy making (and wearing!) my Orla Pullover as much as I did. Whether you keep it light for spring or layer it up through autumn, it’s a versatile piece that works hard in your handmade wardrobe.

If you crochet the Orla Sweater, I’d love to see your finished project! Share it in the Jera’s Jamboree Crochet Community on Facebook — it’s always so inspiring to see everyone’s makes.

Want to explore more lightweight garments? You might also enjoy my free crochet top patterns or cardigan collection.

Happy crocheting!

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