Crochet a Snuggly Patchwork Sweater

Cozy up in style with my oversized sweater featuring a playful patchwork design crocheted in five stunning colours with simple crochet stitches. This lightweight yet snuggly project is perfect for sparking your creativity as you mix and match your favourite hues.

My crochet patchwork sweater is constructed using a clever strip-based approach for the front and back panels, allowing you to work in smaller, manageable sections—ideal for when you’re short on time. Choose from two versatile methods: join-as-you-go or create the strips separately and sew them together. The sleeves are crocheted separately in blocks of colour and complete the modern, oversized silhouette.

Whether you are stash-busting, using my colour palette or choosing your own, my sweater is as enjoyable to make as it is to wear! What colours will you choose? Come and share with us in the Facebook community.

Find the free pattern below, or grab a convenient PDF version in my Etsy and Ravelry stores.

Why you’ll Love to Crochet this Patchwork Sweater

Level

Intermediate

Supplies and Materials

• DK Yarn: Total (see colour breakdown in the Measurements section): 1975, (2150, 2350, 2650, 3300, 3800) yds
• 4mm / G-6 Crochet Hook
• Stitch markers or dressmaker pins
• Scissors
• Yarn Needle

Yarn Choices

I used King Cole Cherished DK for this patchwork sweater.  Primarily I was drawn to this #3 weight yarn because of the reviews for its softness – the colour choices were a bonus!

It is lovely and soft!  I really like the drape it gives once the patchwork strips are joined.  Four out of the five colours I used were all the same thickness but sadly Lavender, in both balls, was thinner.  I’ve used this on two patches (four if you include front and back).  The single crochet back loop only (scblo) does give it stretch and blocking to size helped.

Machine washable at 30 degrees, you can also tumble dry on a low heat setting.

Yarn Substitutions

You can substitute any DK yarn for this sweater.  As well as testing for gauge, also look out for the drape when you crochet your swatch.  You don’t want your top to be stiff with no movement so make sure you’re happy with how it will feel and look before you start crocheting.

Gauge

With a 4mm/G-6 hook

18 stitches and 22 rows of single crochet = 10cm X 10cm

Gauge does need to be accurate.  If your personal gauge is different to that above, use the stitch gauge converter to adjust your stitch count.

Glossary

You will need to know how to work these stitches:

• Single Crochet (sc)
• Single Crochet Back Loop Only (scblo)
• Single Crochet 2 Together (sc2tog)
• Slip Stitch (sl st)

Abbreviations

This pattern uses these common abbreviations:

• Back Loop (bl)
• Chain/s (ch/s)
• Decrease (decr)
• Each (ea)
• Repeat (rep)
• Right Side (RS)
• Stitch/es (st/s)
• Wrong Side (WS)

Measurements including Yarn Amounts

Sizes follow guidance from the Craft Yarn Council.

Sample is in size Medium.

How the Patchwork Crochet Sweater is worked

The front and back of this sweater is worked in strips of 3 blocks of colour using either single crochet (sc) or single crochet back loop only (scblo).

Three strips make up the front and 3 strips make up the back.

Most blocks within a strip have the same number of stitches and rows for each size and are worked side to side.  There are two exceptions to this.  The first block at the top of the middle strip has less rows to account for the neckline.  The middle block of the middle strip for front and back is worked lengthways to give variation.  If you find it easier, you can choose to work this middle block in single crochet back loop only from side to side and it will not affect the finish.

I’ve used five colours in this patchwork design.  You can substitute some or all of the colours, it’s your choice.  If you use King Cole Cherished DK and would like to follow my colour palette, I have included the image below which details the colour placement and stitches I used.  You can also use this as a guide for your own colour choices.

Joining the Strips

There are two ways you can join the patchwork strips:

1. The 3 strips can be worked separately and sewn together to join.
2. The strips can be worked with the Join As You Go (JAYG) method.

I worked the back strips separately and sewed them together.  I worked the front with JAYG.  My preference is JAYG, not just because I will procrastinate and do anything rather than sew! But the joins are stronger.  However, either way works and, in my sample, it doesn’t affect the finish.  

The image below shows you how to join as you go:

I’ve included the image below to show the front and back of the jumper.

The sleeves are worked separately from shoulder to cuff.  They are worked in rows in blocks of four colours and alternate with single crochet back loop only and single crochet.

Assembly

To assemble the front and back, the wrong side of each piece is placed on top of each other, lined up to match, pinned in place and the shoulder seams are sewn.

To assemble the sleeves, working on the wrong side:

1. The middle of the shoulder on the sleeve is lined up with the shoulder seam, pinned in place and sewn.
2.  The sleeve is folded over and a seam sewn from the cuff to underarm and continues down the side seam.

I’ve included the image below to help you visualise this:

The pullover is finished with hem and neck collar ribbing in single crochet back loop only.

Customizing your Sweater

This is an oversize design.  If you prefer a closer fitting pullover, go down a size.

If you alter the pattern, you will need more or less yarn than stated.

Related Crochet Sweater Patterns

Upgrade your cooler weather wardrobe with these free patterns:

Olivia Chunky Sweater

Moon Shimmer Hexagon Sweater

Aurora Sweater

Sunset Cascade Sweater Vest

Mystic Garden Sweater

Le Jardin Sweater

Pattern Notes

• Chain one does not count as a stitch.
• The different size instructions are noted like this; S, (M, L, XL, 2X, 3X)
• The different colour yarns are noted in the pattern as Yarn 1, Yarn 2, Yarn 3, Yarn 4, Yarn 5.  Refer to the colour placement image if you need help in identifying the colours.
• Strips are worked continuously.
• Instructions are written for working strips separately.  See image in how the pattern is worked for JAYG method.
• Read the pattern through before starting your sweater
• Using ‘how the pattern is worked’ section, these pattern notes and the instructions will help you through the process of crocheting your patchwork sweater.
• Weave in ends as you go

This promotion is running until end of day GMT 11th January 2025.

Patchwork Sweater Crochet Pattern Instructions US Crochet Terms

Front Centre Strip

Working strip top to bottom

With a 4mm hook and Yarn 2

Block 1

Ch 35, (37, 39, 43, 49, 55)

Row 1: sc in 2^nd ch from hook, sc in ea ch across, ch1, turn (34, 36, 38, 42, 48, 54 sc)

Row 2: sc in 1^st st, sc in ea st across, ch1, turn

Row 3 – 25, (25, 25, 25, 30, 35) rep row 2 changing to Yarn 4 on last pull through of last st of last row

Block 2

Now working lengthways with Yarn 4

Ch 39, (39, 39, 39, 44, 49)

Row 1: sc in 2^nd ch from hook, sc in ea ch to first block edge, sl st in next 2 sts on edge, turn

Row 2: scblo in ea st to last st, sc in last st, ch1, turn

Row 3: sc in 1^st st, scblo to block edge, sl st in next 2 sts on block edge, turn

Rep rows 2 and 3 across width of first block to last row. 

Last row: sc in ea st, change to Yarn 5 on last pull through of last st, ch1

Block 3

Pick up sts along width

Row 1: sc across width, ch1, turn (34, 36, 38, 42, 48, 54 sc)

Row 2: sc in ea st across, ch1, turn

Row 3 – 38, (38, 38, 38, 43, 48) rep row 2

Fasten off

Front Left Side Strip

Working strip bottom to top

Working with Yarn 2

Block 1

Ch 35, (37, 39, 43, 49, 55)

Row 1: sc in 2^nd ch from hook, sc in ea ch across, ch1, turn (34, 36, 38, 42, 48, 54 sc)

Row 2: sc in 1^st st, scblo in ea st to last st, sc in last st, ch1, turn

Row 3 – 38, (38, 38, 38, 43, 48) rep row 2, change to Yarn 1 on last pull through of last st

Block 2

Row 1: sc in 1^st st, sc in ea st across, ch1, turn

Row 2 – 38, (38, 38, 38, 43, 48) rep row 1, change to Yarn 3 on last pull through of last st

Block 3

Row 1: sc in 1^st st, scblo in ea st to last st, sc in last st, ch1, turn

Row 2: Row 2 – 38, (38, 38, 38, 43, 48) rep row 1

Fasten off

Front Right Side Strip

Working strip bottom to top

Working with Yarn 3

Block 1

Ch 35, (37, 39, 43, 49, 55)

Row 1: sc in 2^nd ch from hook, sc in ea ch across, ch1, turn (34, 36, 38, 42, 48, 54 sc)

Row 2: sc in 1^st st, scblo in ea st to last st, sc in last st, ch1, turn

Row 3 – 38, (38, 38, 38, 43, 48) rep row 2, change to Yarn 5 on last pull through of last st

Block 2

Row 1: sc in 1^st st, sc in ea st across, ch1, turn

Row 2 – 38, (38, 38, 38, 43, 48) rep row 1, change to Yarn 1 on last pull through of last st

Block 3

Row 1: sc in 1^st st, scblo in ea st to last st, sc in last st, ch1, turn

Row 2: Row 2 – 38, (38, 38, 38, 43, 48) rep row 1

Fasten off

Assemble Front

Sew strips together making sure centre strip has the reduced rows in Yarn 2 at the top for the neckline

Back Centre Strip

Working strip top to bottom

Block 1

Ch 35, (37, 39, 43, 49, 55)

Row 1: sc in 2^nd ch from hook, sc in ea ch across, ch1, turn (34, 36, 38, 42, 48, 54 sc)

Row 2: sc in 1^st st, sc in ea st across, ch1, turn

Row 3 – 38, (38, 38, 38, 43, 48) rep row 2, change to Yarn 4 on last pull through of last st

Rep front centre strip instructions for blocks 2 and 3

Back Left Side Strip

Rep front left side strip instructions for blocks 1, 2 and 3

Back Right Side Strip

Rep front right side strip instructions for blocks 1, 2 and 3

Assemble Back

If you would like the back and front to have the same colour blocks line up on either side of the middle strip you will need to mirror the placements when you sew the strips together.  The choice is yours.  Try out the placements on different sides to see which you prefer.  There is no right or wrong side of the strips. 

Shoulder Seams

With WS facing outwards, line up front on top of back.

Shoulder seam runs from arm edge to the neckline across the first block

Pin seams in place

Sew shoulder seam

Sleeves

Make 2

Worked from shoulder to cuff

Sleeves decr by working sc2tog at start and end of rows.  Follow instructions in the table below for which rows to decr for your size.

Working with Yarn 2

Ch 67, (69, 81, 87, 101, 107)

Row 1: sc in 1^st st, sc in ea ch across, ch1, turn (66, 68, 80, 86, 100, 106 sc)

Row 2 – 18, (18, 18, 18, 21, 21): sc in 1^st st, scblo in ea st across to last st, sc in last st, ch1, turn

Change to Yarn 4 on last pull through of last st of last row

Row 19, (19, 19, 19, 22, 22) – 38, (38, 38, 38, 44, 44): sc in 1^st st, sc in ea st across, ch1, turn

Change to Yarn 1 on last pull through of last st of last row

Row 39, (39, 39, 39, 44, 44) – Row 58, (58, 58, 58, 67, 67): sc in 1^st st, scblo in ea st to last st, sc in last st, ch1, turn

Change to Yarn 3 on last pull through of last st of last row

Row 59, (59, 59, 59, 68, 68) – 78, (78, 78, 78, 87, 87): sc in 1^st st, sc in ea st across, ch1, turn

Fasten off

Setting in Sleeves and Side Seams

Refer to image in how the pattern is worked section

Working on the WS, open up sweater so that it is laid flat

Identify the middle st of the sleeve at the shoulder edge and place a st marker

Line the st marker up with the shoulder seam and pin in place

Pin the sleeve along the shoulder edge of the sweater and sew the seam

Still working on the WS, fold the sleeve in half

Sew the sleeve seam from the cuff edge to underarm and continue sewing along the side seam

Fasten off

Hem Ribbing

Working on the RS join Yarn 5 at hem on side seam

Ch11

Row 1: sc in 2^nd ch from hook, sc in ea ch to hem edge, sl st in next 3 sts on hem edge, turn

Row 2: scblo in ea st to last st, sc in last st, ch1, turn

Row 3: sc in 1^st st, scblo in ea st to hem edge, sl st in next 3 sts on hem edge, turn

Rep rows 2 and 3 around hem

Join with a sl st through bl

Neck Ribbing

Working on RS

Set up round

Join Yarn 5 at back of neck on shoulder seam

Ch1, sc in 1^st st, *sc in next st, sc2tog, * rep around, join with sl st

Ribbing

Ch7

Row 1: sc in 2^nd ch from hook, sc in ea ch to neck edge, sl st in next 2 sts on neck edge, turn

Row 2: scblo in ea st to last st, sc in last st, ch1, turn

Row 3: sc in 1^st st, scblo in ea st to hem edge, sl st in next 2 sts on neck edge, turn

Rep rows 2 and 3 around neck

Join with a sl st through bl

Fasten off

Congratulations! your patchwork sweater is ready to be blocked and worn.

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.

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