Creating a crochet granny square sweater is like piecing together a cozy, vibrant quilt. Each square, meticulously hooked and looped with yarn, forms a patch that connects to create a wearable piece of art.
Crochet Granny Square Sweater
As you thread each block with your needle, you're stitching more than just a garment—you're stitching tradition with your personal flair. Wrap yourself in this hand-made creation and feel both the warmth of the fabric and the pride of carrying on a timeless craft. This sweater isn't simply pulled on; it's a narrative of colors and patterns that you've assembled, a narrative as unique as its maker.
Materials:
- Yarn in two colors of your choice
- 5.5 mm crochet hook
- 4.5 mm crochet hook (for the sleeves ribbing)
- Scissors
- Stitch markers
Granny Square Pattern:
Starting Loop:
- Make a slip knot.
- Chain 3, then slip stitch into the first chain to form a loop.
Round 1:
- Chain 3 (counts as the first double crochet).
- Make 2 more double crochets into the loop (forming a cluster of 3 double crochets).
- Chain 2, then make another 3 double crochet cluster into the loop.
- Repeat the cluster and chain sequence until you have 4 clusters separated by chain 2 spaces.
- Slip stitch to the top of the initial chain 3 to close the round.
- Chain 1 to secure and cut your yarn if you're changing colors here.
Round 2 and Beyond:
- Attach new color yarn if desired.
- Chain 3 (counts as the first double crochet).
- In each chain-2 space from the previous round, make a cluster of 3 double crochets, chain 2, then make another cluster of 3 double crochets into the same space (each corner gets two clusters separated by chain 2).
- After the corners, directly make a cluster of 3 double crochets into the next space between corner clusters on the previous round (without chaining in between these straight side clusters).
- Repeat around and then slip stitch to the top of the starting chain 3 to close the round.
Continue with subsequent rounds in the same manner, ensuring to increase at each corner (each corner gets 2 clusters separated by a chain 2 space) and to make straight-side clusters directly into the spaces between corner clusters without any chains in between them.
- Alternate colors every 2 rounds or as desired.
Sleeve Ribbing:
Starting the Ribbing:
- Using the 4.5 mm hook, make a slip knot and chain 10.
- Single crochet in each stitch along the chain.
- At the end of the row, chain 1 and turn.
- Creating the Ribbed Texture:
- Start with a front post single crochet, then do a back post single crochet.
- Alternate front post and back post single crochets to the end of the row.
- Chain 1 and turn at the end of each row.
- Continue until the ribbing matches the desired length to go around the wrist comfortably (approximately 9 inches or according to your measurement), ensuring an even number of rows for symmetry.
Joining and Continuing the Sleeve:
- After achieving the desired ribbing length, attach it to form a circle and begin working directly on top with normal crochet stitches, progressively increasing in width to accommodate the arm width, following the granny square pattern or a basic double crochet increase pattern for the sleeves until you reach the desired sleeve length.
Joining the Pieces:
- Once front, back, and sleeves are done, lay them out and align the sleeves with the body pieces.
- Use slip stitches or single crochets to join the pieces together along the sides and underarms, leaving appropriate gaps for the neckline and armholes.
Finishing Touches:
- Add ribbing around the waist and neckline if desired, using the front post and back post single crochet method for a ribbed effect.
- Weave in any loose ends.
