Whistler Bell Sleeve Crochet Sweater Free Pattern

The Whistler Bell Sleeve Crochet Sweater is a free and easy crochet pattern that is made to measure, size inclusive and beginner friendly.

The Whistler Bell Sleeve Crochet Sweater uses basic stitch changes and has an oversized feel. Its a great transitional piece for spring and fall. The initial design drawings had long sleeves, but they were cropped to give it a lighter more casual feel. This is a great beginner, made to measure, size inclusive free pattern.

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Although this would look amazing in any colour, we always had white on our mind for the Whistler sweater. Team it with light coloured jeans in the fall and as the weather gets warmer, wear it with a pair of shorts or a cute skirt. It’s designed to be loose and oversized, with large wide bell sleeves that hit mid length – keeping the sweater cool and modern!

One of our favourite necklines is the boatneck. It gives you flexibility in crocheting it on the shoulder or off the shoulder. If you love wearing scarves then crocheting a simple neckline (versus a roll neck) will always allow you to throw on your beautiful crocheted scarf. Can you picture wearing a beautiful multi-coloured scarf with this top? Gorgeous. Consider the Capilano Crochet Shawl and Scarf to change the look of this outfit….and for more boatneck designs take a look at the Sea to Sky Laced Short Sleeve Crochet Top.

The Whistler Bell Sleeve Crochet Sweater uses three types of stitches. It starts with the floret stitch at the base of the sweater, then the bead stitch and the majority is in one our favourites – the simple half double crochet. We wanted a slightly longer tunic style sweater – so the floret stitch isn’t always as visible when we tuck it – however we are thinking of crocheting a shorter version of this sweater to show it off more, because it really is a beautiful stitch.

The Whistler Bell Sleeve Crochet Sweater is made from Soft & Shiny yarn by Loops & Threads. This yarn is affordable, doesn’t split, and feels super soft. It’s also easy to frog (ie. unravel) which is sometimes really important when you are a new beginner and make mistakes. The colour used here is Creme Freshe – however the colour Cadet Blue is in the Kiks + Jack Crochet stash, ready to go.

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DESCRIPTION of the Whistler Bell Sleeve Crochet Sweater

The Whistler Bell Sleeve Crochet Sweater is a slightly oversized sweater perfect for spring to fall. It has wider bell sleeves that sit slightly below the elbows. It features a boat neck design that can be customized to be worn on the shoulder or off the shoulder. The top is designed to hit around the hips. It is an easy design for beginners and the pattern is free and available with made to measure instructions.

CROCHET MEASUREMENTS & SIZES

The Whistler Bell Sleeve Crochet Sweater pattern instructions are made to measure, based on your required measurements.

Kiks + Jack Crochet will always try to write patterns that are “made to measure” (versus graded sized patterns) so that crocheters can get the wonderful benefits of making a garment that fits perfectly. However we do appreciate taking measurements can be inconvenient for some and have also provided standard measurements for those who wish to use it.

To use The Whistler Bell Sleeve Crochet Sweater pattern you will need the following measurements and you should write them down for easy reference:

Chest/Bust: Measure around the fullest part of your chest/bust. Do not draw the tape too tightly.

Finished Length: Measure from your top of hip (or where you would like the top to end) up to the top of your shoulder.

Length to armpit: Measure from the top of your hips (or where you would like the top to end) up to bottom of your armpit

Armpit to Elbow Length: Measure from armpit to elbow (or where you would like the sleeve to end)

Standard Sizing (For Reference)

If you would like to use standard sizing for the chest/bust – then for XS (S, M , L, XL, 2XL, 3XL, 4XL, 5XL) use approximately 28-30 (32-34, 36-38, 40-42, 44-46, 48-50, 52-54, 56-58, 60-62) inches or 71-76 (81-86, 91-96, 102-107, 112-117, 122-127, 132-137, 142-147, 152-158) centimetres.

Note: The Whistler Bell Sleeve Crochet Sweater is designed as a loose fit with significant positive ease.

CROCHET GAUGE

Using a crochet hook size 5 (US 8), approximately 12 stitches and 10 rows of half double crochet in 4″ x 4″ (10 cm x 10 cm).

CROCHET MATERIALS for the Whistler Bell Sleeve Crochet Sweater

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Yarn brand: Soft & Shiny by Loops & Threads. Weight 4/Medium/Worsted. 170g skein and 311 yards (or 285m).

Approximately 3.4 skeins or 1070 yards (980m) used for this Kiks + Jack crochet version (approximately size S) with a finished width of 18 inches and a finished length of 23 inches.

Color used is Creme Freshe.

We would love to also try this pattern in: Yarn brand: Patons Canadiana by Yarnspirations. Weight 4/Aran/Worsted.

5.0 mm crochet hook (US size 8). We use many different crochet hooks and some of them can get quite pricey – but if you are a beginner and looking for some great budget friendly ergonomic crochet hooks try these from Amazon. It comes in a set and the grip and shape is amazing for beginner crocheters.

Measuring Tape. We use a super budget friendly measuring tape. Make sure it has cm and inches (not all patterns are written with both). We are always crocheting on the go so we like our tapes small and compact and we put one in our design area, one in our bag and one in our car. Retractable works best! We use these super cheap mini measuring tapes from Amazon.

Stitch Markers. We use these locking crochet stitch markers from Amazon and these stitch markers that do not lock. They are cheap and colourful.

Blocking Pins. You should buy more pins than you think you need. If you are going to take the time to block don’t skimp on the pins. We like T shaped stainless steel pins that don’t rust when they get wet. We love these blocking T pins from Amazon and the tin means the pins don’t fall out on the floor.

Yarn Needle. Buy blunt needles with large eyes for yarn. We use these Yarn Needles because we like the convenient bottle, they are budget friendly and we get lots of them!

Scissors. We love these thread snippers because they are cheap, we get two of them AND they come with a case (some don’t). Don’t carry these without the case! After you use thread snippers you won’t want to snip with scissors.

CROCHET STITCHES & ABBREVIATIONS

This pattern uses US terminology.

ch = chain (With one loop on your hook, yarn over and pull through the loop)

hdc = half double crochet (Yarn over and insert hook into desired stitch. Yarn over and pull through the stitch. You now have three loops on your hook. Yarn over and pull through all three loops)

dc = double crochet (Yarn over and insert hook into desired stitch. Yarn over and pull through the stitch. You now have three loops on your hook. Yarn over and pull through the first two loops. You now have two loops on your hook. Yarn over and pull through all two loops)

BS = bead stitch (1dc into the required st. *Yarn over, insert hook behind the post of the dc from right to left, and pull up a loop. You should have 3 loops on the hook. Repeat * one more time around the same dc post. You should now have 5 loops on the hook. Repeat * one more time around the same dc post. You should now have 7 loops on the hook. Yarn over and pull through first 6 loops. Yarn over and pull through remaining 2 loops on hook)

sl st = slip stitch (Insert hook into desired stitch. Yarn over and pull through the stitch and the loop on your hook)

tch = turning chain

st = stitch

sk = skip stitch

* = repeat the instructions following the * as directed

Note unless stated otherwise turning chains do not count as a stitch if there are 1 or 2 chains and the turning chain does count as a stitch if there are 3 or 4 chains.

SUMMARY of CONSTRUCTION for The Whistler Bell Sleeve Crochet Sweater

The Whistler Bell Sleeve Crochet Sweater is made up of two identical panels. We will first crochet a back panel and then a front panel. Each panel will be crocheted bottom up in the form of a “T shape” where the top of the T will make up the sleeves. We will seam the two panels together and the neckline to allow for an off the shoulder or on the shoulder design. The panels will be made from primarily three crochet stitches. The floret stitch, the bead stitch and half double crochets. This is an easy free pattern that is made to measure and size inclusive.

PERMISSIONS AND COPYRIGHT

Please do not publish or share The Whistler Bell Sleeve Crochet Sweater pattern as your own. You may crochet items to sell using this pattern upon permission by email at [email protected]. Please link back to this post in exchange. Please do NOT use my photos as your own photos.

PATTERN INSTRUCTIONS for The Whistler Bell Sleeve Crochet Sweater

Crochet the Lower Part of the Back Panel

Calculate the length of your foundation chain as follows:

Halve your “Chest/Bust Measurement“	Our chest/bust measurement = 32 inches around Half our chest/bust measurement = 32/2 = 16 inches
Add additional 2 inches (for significant positive ease and a slightly oversized look). Note: it will also increase in width after a few rows	16 + 2 = 18 inches

Chain a length as calculated above. Do not pull the chain too tight when you measure it.

Count the number of stitches.

We want your total foundation chain to be a multiple of 2 stitches. If it is not, add more chains to ensure your total chain ends on a multiple of 2 stitches.

Example: Our chest/bust measurement = 32 inches around and we have to chain 18 inches as per our calculation above. We reached 18 inches after chaining 69 chains. However 69 chains is not a multiple of 2. So we add one more chain to give a total of 70 chains to achieve a multiple of 2.

Add 1 more chain.

Example: After we chained 70 chains, we added 1 more chains, so the total number of chains in our foundation = 71 chains.

Row 1: ch2, dc in 4th ch from hook, dc in each ch until end of row. Turn

Row 2: ch1, sk st, *1dc in next st, sl st in next st, rep from * until end, sl st in tch. Turn

Row 3: ch3, sk st, *1dc in next dc, 1 dc in next sl st; rep from * until end, dc in tch. Turn

Row 4: repeat row 2

This is a good time to check that you are happy with the width of your sweater. Sometimes the yarn stretches out more or less than you expect (and sometimes you change your mind on how oversized you want it). It’s important to check the width again before you go any further. Place it up against you after 4 rows of crochet and see if the width is correct for you (or measure it if you are making it for someone else).

If your yarn is more stretchy than expected and/or you want to reduce the width, we suggest you frog (unravel) and start again reducing the number of chains you originally crocheted. Or if you decide you want it more oversized and you want to increase the width we suggest you frog and start again increasing the number of chains. It’s better to get this width right at the start.

Row 5: repeat row 3

(You have just completed 5 rows of the Floret stitch).

Row 6: ch2, hdc in each ch across to the last st. Turn

Row 7: repeat row 6

Row 8: repeat row 2

Row 9: repeat row 3

Row 10: repeat row 2

Row 11: repeat row 3

Row 12: ch2, hdc in each ch across to the last st. Turn

Row 13: repeat row 12.

Row 14: ch3, *sk 1st, BS into next st, rep* until the end finishing with 1dc into the top of tch. Turn

Bead Stitch (BS): 1dc into the required st. *Yarn over, insert hook behind the post of the dc from right to left, and pull up a loop. You should have 3 loops on the hook. Repeat * one more time around the same dc post. You should now have 5 loops on the hook. Repeat * one more time around the same dc post. You should now have 7 loops on the hook. Yarn over and pull through first 6 loops. Yarn over and pull through remaining 2 loops on hook.

Row 15: ch2, hdc into 1st st, hdc in each st across to the last st. Turn

Row 16: repeat row 14

Row 17 – 20: repeat row 15

Row 21: repeat row 14

Row 22: repeat row 15

Row 23: repeat row 14

Repeat row 15 until your panel reaches the “Length to Armpit Measurement” minus 1 inch.

Example: Our Length to Armpit Measurement equals 15 inches so we crochet row 15 until we reach a total panel length of 14 inches (15-1 = 14 inches).

Do not fasten off.

Crochet the Upper Part of the Back Panel (the sleeves)

Using the same working yarn, chain a length equal to your “Armpit to Elbow Length Measurement” on one side of the lower back panel. Cut the yarn. Attach a new yarn to the last st on the other side and ch a length equal to your “Armpit to Elbow length measurement“. You should now have the start of a “T shape” and this will be the start of your sleeves. Turn

Example: Our Armpit to Elbow Length Measurement is 10 inches and we had to chain 38 to achieve a length of 10 inches. We chained 38 on the left side of the panel and chained 38 on the right side of the panel giving us the start of the T shape.

Row 1: ch2, hdc in each ch across to the last st. Turn

Example: We are crocheting hdc across the entire panel. In our example this means we hdc across 38 chains, then across the entire width of the back panel and then across the 38 chains on the other side

Repeat row 1 until the length of the upper part of the back panel (the sleeves) is equal to your “Finished Length Measurement” minus your “Length to Armpit Measurement” plus 1 inch.

Example: Our Finished Length Measurement is 23 inches. Our Length to Armpit Measurement is 15 inches. We repeat row 1 until the entire length of the upper part of the back panel equals 9 inches (23 – 15 + 1 =9 inches. (Please see diagram below to help illustrate – not to scale).

Fasten off.

Crochet the Front Panel

Repeat all the instructions in the Lower Back Panel and Upper Back Panel.

You should now have two T-shaped panels that are identical.

Assemble Front and Back Panel

Kiks + Jack Crochet highly recommends blocking all your panels before assembly. We understand you have finished and are eager to seam this all together! However blocking your panels will set your panels to the shape and size you want and give it a polished look.

We block our panels by pinning all the pieces on to an old yoga mat and manipulating the shape and edges so the front and back panel are similar and the two sleeve panels are similar. We then spray it with water focusing on the edges and ensuring it is well saturated. Do not remove the pins until the panels are completely bone dry.

Step 1: Seam the Front and Back Panel at the shoulder. Place 2 stitch markers to mark the left and right side of the neckline. We measured approximately 15 inches from each side (from the end of the sleeve). Do the same for the back panel.

Customization Tip: Place the two panels over your head (joined by stitch markers) and shift the stitch markers closer to the neck or further away depending on whether you want a wide off the shoulder look or a tighter on the shoulder look. If you would like to make the neckline tighter add another inch or so on all sides and adjust the stitch markers. If you would like to make the neckline wider and possibly off the shoulder, then reduce an inch or so on all sides and adjust the stitch markers.

When you are happy with the neckline, seam the two panels together at the shoulders by using a yarn needle and matching yarn. Make sure the right sides are facing together. Start at one end and seam across the shoulders up to the stitch markers. Do the same on the other side.

Step 2: Seam the sides together. With the right sides still facing together, seam from the bottom all the way up the side towards the armpit and across the bottom of the sleeve. Fasten off. Do the same on the other side.

Fasten off.

Finish & Celebrate your Whistler Bell Sleeve Crochet Sweater

Weave in all your ends.

Congratulations you have finished The Whistler Bell Sleeve Crochet Sweater we hope you enjoyed this free crochet pattern.

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Tags: mid sleeve

Whistler Bell Sleeve Crochet Sweater Free Pattern