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Crocheted Pullover Sweater
Old Sweater That FitsFind a pullover that fits you the way you want the new pullover to fit. You will use this pullover to get the lengths and widths of the four sweater pieces: front, back, right sleeve, and left sleeve. While you are at it, note the stitch used and the weight and type of yarn. You do not have to use the exact same stitch and yarn, but this information will inform your stitch and yarn decisions for the new sweater especially if you want a similar look and fit. Measure the lengths and widths of the front, back, and sleeves, and record this information somewhere. If you want the new sweater to be a little tighter, looser, or longer than the old sweater in any of the pieces, you can account for that when you spec out the new sweater. Note: The first time you make a sweater this way, consider following the old sweater as closely as possible except for minor tweaks to the length or width of the sleeves or body pieces. Stitch You LikeBrowse the web and/or stitch books to find a few stitches you like. If this is your first sweater, you might want to go with something simple rather than a pattern because with patterns you have to figure in how the pattern can evenly repeat within the required width, and how the sides are to join when you sew them together. For example a pattern that alternates between 5 double crochets and shells should probably end with the double croshets at each end to make it easier to sew the sides together evenly. Yarn You LikeBrowse the web and/or yarn stores to find a yarn you like. The yarn, stitch, and hook or needle need to work together for the overall sweater effect you want to achieve. My best recommendation is that you keep the stitches you are considering in mind when choosing the yarn. Once you choose and purchase the yarn, try making a 5 inch by 5 inch square of the yarn and stitch using different size hooks or needles until you like the result. Note: If you choose a much heavier or lighter yarn than the old sweater or use a larger or smaller stitch, the final new sweater's look and fit will be somewhat different as a result. Know-HowOnce you settle on the stitch, yarn, and hook or needle size, you are ready to get started. MeasurementsDecide if you want your new sweater to have the same dimensions as the old one. If you do, you can work from the original dimensions you recorded from the old sweater. If you want the new sweater a little larger or smaller, add or subtract where necessary. That is, if your original sweater reaches your mid-thigh and you want one that stops at your waist, subtract the appropriate number of inches from the front and back sweater pieces. Don't forget to include the finishing in your calculations for the final front, back, or sleeve lengths. Note: Depending on how you join the pieces, you might want take into account the seams and how they might shorten the desired width. BackI like to start with the back so that any glitches I run into where I don't want to start over will be in the back. Take the square that uses the stitch, yarn, and hook or needle you decided on and figure out your gauge. Using the gauge, figure out how many stitches you need to reach your desired width for the back piece of the sweater. Chain the appropriate number of chains, turn, and work your stitch across. As you make the rows, measure to be sure you will end up with the desired width.
Drop ShouldersIf the sweater you are matching has drop shoulders, you do not have to adjust the shape of the sweater back for the sleeves. Just keep making rows until you reach the bottom-most row of the back neckline curve. You want to end up with a square or rectangle with a neckline curve. Contoured Armholes
Back Neckline CurveMake row after row while watching your gauge until you reach the row that matches the bottom-most row of the back neckline curve. However, if you sweater does not curve at the back, keep making rows until you reach your desired length. To do the back neckline curve, work a row in until you reach the next point in the neckline curve. Turn to go back, but decrease as needed to match the shape of the back neckline curve on the old sweater. Keep doing this until you match one side of the back neckline curve and the desired length of the sweater. Tie off and do the same thing on the other side so that you have a back piece that matches the size and shape of your old sweater taking into account any adjustments you made for the length or width. Front
Note: You can make the front and back neckline curves the same. Then, there is really no difference between the front and back of the sweater in terms of the shape. SleevesThe shape and size of the sleeves depend on whether the sweater has drop shoulders or contoured armholes. Drop Shoulders
Contoured Armholes
Tapered CuffsConsider if you want the sleeve to taper a little from the forearm to the cuff holes. If so, decrease every 3 or 4 rows or so to make the sleeve gradually narrow. You can do more tapering when you add the cuffs. Assembly
Finishing
Note that it is a good idea to be somewhat consistent in the finishing length. That is, you might want to match the cuff and bottom hemline finishing in terms of the number of rows, but leave the neckline either thinner or longer depending on the effect you want. Adding more rows to the neckline can give you a mock turtleneck or turtleneck effect. Tapered Cuffs and Bottom Hemline
RibbingIn crochet, there are two ways of making ribbed stitches that work well for finishing. One way is with front and back post double crochets, and the other is with single crochets. PocketsTo add a pocket to the sweater make a square or rectangle in the size you want and that works with the overall design and size of the sweater. Use the same stitch you used for the sweater and sew the bottom and sides of the square or rectangle onto the sweater where you want the pocket(s). Be sure to line up the pattern so the pocket blends into the sweater design. CollarYou can add a mock or turtleneck collar to the sweater by starting your yarn at the shoulder seam, and making a single crochet stitch all the way around, then use your finishing stitch to extend the neckline into a collar by as many rows as it takes to achieve the mock or turtleneck effect you want. Try the sweater on as you go and stop making rows when you are happy with the result. |