Mini Crochet Sweater Tutorial!

Since the whole idea of the sweaters was to use up leftover yarn, I created a template instead of writing out a pattern. This way, I could use different weights of yarn and the sweaters would more or less come out the same size. When yarn ran out, I changed colors creating interesting designs. See more example here. For this example, I used an E hook and Sugar 'n Cream cotton.

Template

This template is at actual size. To make your own, fold a piece of paper. The fold being the top of the sweater, cut a sweater shape at the desired size. At the middle of the fold, cut a slit to show the placement of the neck hole. When cutting your template, please make sure your arms are the same length. Unfold the template and lie flat.

Starting the Sweater

Starting at the bottom left corner of the sweater, make a chain the width of the template, add one chain and turn. Please leave a long enough tail to sew one side together at the end. Sc to the end of the row, ch 1 and turn. Repeat until you need to start the right arm.

Arms

Instead of turning, chain the length of an arm, chain one and turn. (Make a note of how many chains you made so your other sleeve will be the same length.) Sc the chain and width of the body of the sweater. At the end, make a chain the same length as the right sleeve (making sure to include the extra stitch) and turn. Sc until you need to start the neck hole. Be sure to ch 1 and turn at the end of each row. If your arms look uneven, don't worry, that will be resolved when it gets sewn together.

Neck Hole

OK, here is where the math comes in. Count the stitches between the beginning of the arm and where you want the neck hole to start. Now subtract the number from the remaining stitches. That is the amount of chains you need to do to make sure your neck whole is in the middle of your sweater and your arms are even. Skip the same amount of stitches as your chain. Sc in the next stitch and cont. to the end of row, ch 1 and turn. Sc as many rows as you need to match the template, ch 1 and turn at the end of each row.

Sweater Back

Going by your template, sc just the width of the body of the sweater, matching the front, stopping at the sleeve, ch 1 and turn. Counting in from the other side, sc to the end of the body of the sweater stopping at the sleeve on the other side, ch 1 and turn. Sc the rest of the body. Stop at the top right corner of the template. Make sure your tail is at the bottom left. Leave enough yarn to sew the other side, cut and pull the yarn through.

Sewing Sweater Together

Fold the sweater in half, with the neck hole at the top. Using your tails, sew each side and the arms. Do not sew your arm holes, make a knot and weave in your ends. Congrats, you have a mini sweater!

(I made my own wire hangers and decorated them as desired.)

This is my first tutorial ever, so if there are any problems, please let me know!

Have fun!

Comments

[dianne]

Marci this is great!! Thanks so much for posting!!

[Carol]

It doesn't get any easier! Thank you for sharing your recipe for really great and instant gratification crochet! Now we have no excuse for not having at least our ornaments ready for next year ;-)

[Piper]

Marci this is so awesome!
Great tutorial and so thoughtful of you to share!

[futuregirl]

Too cute, Marci! It's much easier than I thought it would be. Great tutorial. :)

[bon]

How sweet! Your directions are wonderfully simple. I'm going to get started on some today. Any instructions on the hangers?

[Pooch]

Thanks for the crochet mini-sweaters! I am a knitter, however to make something this small, I do prefer to crochet. Many thanks!

:)

[Pooch]

HANGERS: I just remembered some hangers I've seen for tiny sweaters. I think the ones made from a chenille pipe cleaner are so cute. They can be made from florists wire--both by twisting. Tiny bows, glitter, and jingle bells can be added for decorations on the hangers.

:)

[Knot By Gran'ma]

This is a great tutorial. Thanks for sharing!

[deb]

Great tutorial, thank you for sharing!

[Tabitha]

Those are adorable. I've been looking for a crocheted version of these little sweaters! Thanks!

[sukigirl]

Thank you so much for a great crochet pattern. I made three for a swap and I can't wait to make some for myself!
I posted them in my blog here
http://sukigirl74.blogspot.com/2008/12/crocheted-ornaments-sweaters-and-skates.html
Thanks again!

[Patti]

Thank you so much for sharing this pattern! I have been wanting to make these for a while now.

Sheryl*

[AmyP]

I'm such a crochet dunce and this is just the step-by-step thing I need - thank you!