The "Told-To-Me" Sweater - A Free Crochet Pattern
87© Copyright 2011 Patrice Walker All rights reserved
How the Told-to-Me Crochet Sweater Pattern Came to Be
The Told-to-Me crochet sweater pattern came to me by way of a business associate whom I met during a conference that I moderated back in the mid-nineties. During the conference, I met several women who I discovered were crocheters, and we made it a point to get together in the evenings to crochet.
One of the women had a photo of her in a beautiful, knee-length crocheted sweater that I greatly admired. So, of course, I had to ask her for the pattern. She told me that there was no pattern, but before I could moan, “Oh no!” she added that she had made it often enough that she could tell me how she made it, hence the “Told-to-Me” sweater.
I took detailed notes and asked a lot of questions as she dictated the instructions for crocheting the sweater, and once I got home from the conference, I sat down and created a rough pattern to use to crochet one for myself.
Years and many crocheted sweaters later, I decided to formalize my notes into an actual pattern and have published it at my blog on the “Free Crochet Patterns” page. I wish I could remember the woman's name so that I can give her credit as the designer of the sweater, but it was too long ago, and I simply don’t remember it.
Told-To-Me Crochet Sweater in a Variety of Colors
Click thumbnail to view full-size
Why I Like this Crochet Sweater Pattern So Much
The Told-to-Me crochet sweater pattern is one that I have used over and over again to create sweaters in many different colors and lengths.
- The pattern gets its versatility from the fact that it is crocheted vertically instead of horizontally. As a result, the length can be easily adjusted to create a waist-length sweater to a knee-length coat.
- The sweater works up fairly quickly because the pattern calls for worsted weight yarn and a J (6 mm) hook. I can knock one out in about a week if I work on it for a few hours every day.
There is no intricate shaping involved, other than some minor sleeve shaping, making it a fairly easy sweater to crochet. - Although you can create a swatch of the pattern stitch to determine a gauge in order to calculate length and width, you really don’t need to. I have simply begun by crocheting a foundation chain to match the length of the sweater I want, from the bottom of the front to the bottom of the back.
- The pattern is not graded for different bust measurements, which is actually a good thing because you can adjust the sweater’s fit to your exact measurements, You do this by adding or subtracting rows to the left and right sides. The pattern provides detailed instructions on how to do this.
- Finally, what makes the sweater really stand out is the lovely pattern stitch which keeps this simple design from being boring.
The pattern is, therefore, more like what my knitting friend, Kim, calls a “recipe.” It provides detailed “guidance” on how to create the left and right sides and center back. Row-by-row instructions are only provided for the pattern stitch, the sleeves, and the border. Once you know how to do the combination of rows that form the pattern stitch, the right and left sides and center back of the sweater are very easy to create and don’t require row-by-row instructions.
The Double Crochet "Cross Stitch"
I’ve provided separate instructions for the pattern stitch, made by crocheting several rows of the double crochet cross stitch, so that you can practice it a bit before attempting to crochet the sweater.
How Much Yarn to Purchase
You will have to estimate how much yarn your sweater will require. The pattern calls for 48 ounces of worsted weight yarn for a “sweater-length” garment. For my 5’1” frame, sweater length just covers my behind. And since I like my sweaters to fit loosely, the finished chest measurement is around 42”.
Use The Crocheter’s Handy Guide to Yarn Requirements, published by Interweave Press, to help you figure out how much yarn you’ll need for your sweater.
Never again be at a loss trying to figure out how much yarn you need for a crochet project. This handy Guide makes it easy to figure out how much yarn you'll need for crocheted hats, scarves, bags, sweaters, afghans, skirts, and tops.
 | Amazon Price: $5.95 |
If you have advanced beginner to intermediate crochet skills, you should have no problem using this free crochet pattern to whip up your own Told-To-Me crochet sweater. If you crochet one, share your masterpiece by posting a link to a photo of your sweater in the Comment section below.
vote upvote downshareprintflag
- Useful (13)
- Funny
- Awesome (4)
- Beautiful (3)
- Interesting (6)
CommentsLoading...
And this is crochet? Wow. I love it and now I have to think about it. I would absolutely love to do a sweater. I have to say each year friends and I sit around and talk about what crochet or knit project we will do - and after all the talk, it turns into all of us going home and making a scarf again that does not get finished.
But to do something like this? Wow. Ok I am going to bookmark this, finish a wreath I am working on and then come back here and go through it all again. Hmmmm.
Thanks a million for yet another great hub for me to bookmark.
Rated up and more. Excellent!
I love the sweater. It looks like it would be easy enough for me to make without getting myself in a snarl. Thanks for sharing.
@Seeker7 - I'm glad you like the hub and the pattern. Hope you get to try it. And thanks for your positive feedback!
@BkCreative - Yes, this is crochet! It probably doesn't look like it because it's crocheted vertically instead of horizontally. Let me know if you have any questions about the pattern once you get started. Thanks for the vote up!
@KoffeeKlatch Gals - You're welcome! It is a very easy sweater to make. Ask questions in the comment section if you have any.
This sweater looks deliciously cozy. Thanks so much for sharing the pattern with us!
You're welcome, Simone, Yes, the sweater is VERY cozy. I've even worn it as a coat with proper layering underneath. Thanks for stopping by and commenting.
Wow--I wonder if I could do it! I may make this a goal for the New Year. So beautiful and comfortable looking--I love the coral color.
Voted up.
Hey RTolloni, this is one of my all-time, favorite sweaters to crochet. I'm sure you could make one. A coat would be really nice. Let me know if you do. Would love to see it. And if you have questions about the pattern, ask away! Thanks for checking it out and for your positive feedback.
Ta-daa!!
~~~~~~ HUB OF THE DAY ~~~~~~~~~
Onya PW, it's about time.
I know a friend who will definitely be delighted in this hub. Those are nice sweaters. She'd be envious for sure. Will forward this. Voted up and congratulations for the "hub of the day". You truly deserved it.
Crochet is an all time favorite, but wasn't really sure of knitting a sweater with it. Now I can try, thanks to your hub.
Your Hub of the Day comes just in time for the New Year! Congrats! :)
Very nice, the sweater is beautiful and looks easy to crochet. Just what I was looking for. Great hub!
This is great, thanks. I double crocheted a multi- colored fall sweater years ago and I don't think I ever had on anything so warm, so I know how worth the work it is.
That is just beautiful. I am working on a wine colored sweater right now using cotton yarn with a tunisian stitch which is new to me. I want to make a turquoise one next and your pattern will work perfect. I have bookmarked your page and added you to my followers. :o)
I love to crochet. I will have to make me one of these. It loves so pretty. I certainly like the colors your have chosen to make several of yours.
Congrats on hub of the day!
Thank you! This looks super easy, great instructions. Congratulations on a fabulous Hub of the Day.
Very nice hub and glad you won a Hub of the t only have the basic stitch down. So if I ever get the courage to go beyond blankets I will try this project out for sure. So, I am bookmarking it!
Thank you so much you are motivating me again to crochet. I used to find crochet and yarn for a decent price at dollar store, though since last winter, it becomes more expensive and a lot of don't carry them no more.
I am looking for store around me and I will start my craft again. I love creating and enjoying my work afterwards...and make other people benefit from them!
Thank you for inspiring me : ) Congratulations on Hub of the Day! Voted up and useful.
Good instructions.video is also excellent. thanks for sharing this! Voted up
i love your video, its very interesting ,it inspired us very much , thanks for sharing with us.
Congrats for 'Hub of the Day'. Very much inspiring crochet sweater. Right time seasonal idea! Let me try one like this soon. Keep writing!
SWEET!! I've been looking for an easy sweater to make, and since I'm not a great knitter, at all, in anyway, this is the perfect solution! Thank you so much for this hub!
Oh my goodness, WO. I almost didn't get on the computer today because I've come down with a bug and just didn't feel like getting out of bed. But I'm glad I did. You know, I've had it in the back of my mind that one of my hubs would get hub-of-the-day and that I would wait patiently for it. I'm just surprised (although absolutely delighted) that this hub was selected. As always, thanks for your support!
Hi rLcassLme! I'm so glad you like the sweater. Crocheting them, as you can see, was an addiction for me at one time. Thanks so much for sharing the pattern with your friend. I know she'll enjoy crocheting it. And thanks for the congrats and for your positive feedback.
Senioritaa - Crochet is just as versatile as knitting. Glad you're going to give this sweater a try. Thanks for commenting.
RTalloni - Thanks so much. It's a very nice pick-me-up on a day when I'm a bit under the weather. Thanks for commenting.
creativelycc - Yes, this is a wonderful sweater to crochet, and easy, too. Let me know if you have any questions about the pattern, and thanks for commenting.
Jackie Lynnley - Yes, this sweater will definitely keep you warm; I've worn it in the winter as a coat with proper layering underneath. Thanks for your comment!
Pamela N Red - Your tunisian sweater sounds wonderful! I did Tunisian crochet way back in the 80s but haven't gone back to it yet. I think you'll enjoy this pattern. Let me know how it goes. Thanks for commenting and for the follow!
homesteadbound - I bet you can't make just one. It's hard to stop crocheting them once you get started. Good luck with yours and thanks for the congrats and your comment!
Sherry Hewins - Yes, it's a pretty simple pattern; a good reason to crochet several. Thanks so much for commenting and for your positive feedback!
StephanieBCrosby - So glad you like the sweater. Keep crocheting and you'll be making this one soon enough. The only stitches involved are chain stitch, single and double crochet; and the cross-stitch is just a variation of double crochet. Thanks so much for stopping by and commenting. Appreciate the positive feedback.
NiaLee - Oh, do I remember the days of buying yarn at the five and dime store. Yes, yarn is a lot more expensive today, but you can still find nice yarn at a decent (by today' standards) price. Try JoAnn's, Michaels, AC Moore, and Hobby-Lobby. Those are the big craft stores on the mainland (I'm in Hawaii - that's what we call the continental US) that I'm familiar with that sell yarn. Also Walmart. I used good ole Red Heart Super Saver to make these sweaters. Glad to know you are getting back into crochet. Let me know how it goes, and thanks for reading and commenting.
prasonline - Glad you found the video and instructions helpful. Thanks for your positive feedback and the vote up!
deepak2u - Glad you like the video; hope it inspires you to tackle the stitch. Thanks for stopping by and commenting.
Twilight Dream - Yes, this is the perfect time of the year for this sweater. Hope you crochet one soon. Thanks so much for the congrats and positive feedback.
Daughter of Maat - Even though I know how to knit, I find crochet much easier and quicker. Glad to know this pattern has inspired you to crochet a sweater. Thanks for your comments and positive feedback!
I love your sweater and this hub but when I tried to get to the pattern I couldn't get there. I don't know if it's my computer or if others are having this problem. It would act crazy every time I clicked on the pattern name.
Hi moonlake, so glad you like the sweater. I just clicked the link and it took me to the pattern pdf file, so the problem may be on your end.
However, I also have it at my crochet blog. Here's the url:
http://yarnoverpullthrough.com/free-crochet-patter
It's the first free pattern listed. Let me know if this works for you.
Lovely sweaters and the colors too. Thanks for sharing.
Glad you like the sweater, vasantha. Thanks for stopping by and commenting.
What an interesting pattern!!!!! Super! Voted up!
Glad you like it, Mercia. Hope you have fun making it. Thanks for the positive feedback!
Seeker7 Level 8 Commenter 6 months ago
What a beautiful pattern this is and all round great hub with very good instructions. The video is also excellent. Many thanks for sharing this! Voted up