This free crochet pattern for a cowboy sweater was originally published in the 1920s in Universal Publishing’s Smart Crochet.
Follow the easy step-by-step instructions of this vintage crochet pattern to make this unique sweater for a boy or girl. There is absolutely no charge for personal use of this easy crochet pattern for a child’s sweater.
Free Crochet Sweater Pattern:
How to Crochet a Child’s Sweater
REQUIRED MATERIALS
Lily Sportwear Yarn, 2-oz. Ball – 4 (5, 5, 6) Balls Navy (MC)
1 Ball Each of Tan (A) and Red (B)
Crochet Hook No. 4
Steel Crochet Hook No. 2
20 1/2″ Buttons
NOTE(s)
This cowboy sweater can be crocheted in sizes 4, 6, 8, and 10. The instructions in this pattern are for size 4. Changes for sizes 6, 8, and 10 are in parentheses.
Gauge: 5 sts = 1″ ; 4 rows = 1″
STEP-BY-STEP INSTRUCTIONS
Pattern Stitch
Row 1: * 1 dc in each of next 2 sts, 1 sc in next st, repeat from* across, ch 2, turn.
Row 2: * 1 sc in each 2 dc of preceding row, 1 dc in sc; repeat from * across, ch 2, turn.
Repeat rows 1 and 2 for pat, always having dc’s over sc’s and sc’s over dc’s each row.
Right Front of Cowboy Sweater
Using MC and No. 4 hook, starting at front edge, make a ch 14 (15, 16, 17)”. Sc in 2nd ch from hook and in each ch across, ch 2, turn.
Start row 1 of pat. and work even for 6 (8, 10, 12) rows. At end of last row ch 12 (13, 15, 18) for side of neck to shoulder. Turn, keeping continuity of pat. work over this ch and remainder of row to bottom.
Sweater Pocket
Work in pat. from lower edge for 11 (12, 13, 14)”, ch 2, turn; work to lower edge. Continue over these sts, dec. 1 st at pocket edge every other row until pocket is 8 (8, 10, 10) rows wide. Break yarn.
Ch 16 for pocket lining, join to sweater in 1st st above pocket opening and continue in pat. to shoulder. Work over these sts, dec. 1 st at shoulder every other row to armhole and At Same Time—when pocket lining measures same width as pocket, lay work flat and pin lower piece over lining in position, being sure to match pat. Starting at shoulder, work down entire front, thus joining.
Continue for 2 (2, 4, 4) rows.
Cowboy Sweater Armhole
Starting from lower edge, work to within 3 3/4 (4, 4 1/2, 4 3/4)” of shoulder. Keeping to pat. at armhole edge, dec. 1 st every other row for 1 (1 1/4, 1 1/2, 1 1/2)”. Work even over remaining sts for 1 1/2 (2, 2 1/4, 2 1/2)” for underarm.
Back of Sweater
Continuing over same sts, at armhole edge inc. 1 st every other row for 1 (1 1/4, 1 1/4, 1 1/2)”. At same edge, make a ch 3 3/4 (4, 4 1/2, 4 3/4)”. Continue over all sts, inc. 1 st at shoulder edge every other row until same width as Front shoulder. Work to within 2 sts of shoulder edge and continue over these sts for 1 3/4 (2, 2 1/4, 2 1/2)”.
This is center back of sweater.
Work Left half of sweater in same manner, reversing all shaping.
Sleeves for Cowboy Sweater
Using MC and No. 4 hook, make a ch 7 1/2 (8 1/2, 9 1/2, 11)” long. Work in pat. across ch. * Make 1″ ch, turn and work across this ch and remainder of row being careful to keep continuity of pat. Ch 2, turn (underarm edge). Work across all sts. Repeat from* 3 more times until sleeve measures 10 1/2 (11 1/2, 12 1/2, 14)” or 1″ less than length desired. At Same Time—when underarm edge measures 1 (1 1/4, 1 1/4, 1 1/2)” from start, inc. 1 st at this edge every other row until sleeve measures at widest part 3 (3, 3 1/4, 3 1/2)”. Work even for 1 1/4 (1 1/2, 1 1/2, 1 1/2)”. This is center of sleeve.
Work other half to correspond, reversing all shaping. Make other sleeve the same. Seam shoulders and sleeves. Set in sleeves.
Yoke for Cowboy Sweater
Back: Using B and No. 4 hook, make a ch 4 (4, 4 1/2, 4 1/2)”. Work in pat. keeping lower edge even and inc. 1 st at shoulder edge every other row until same as Back to neck edge. Now, work 2 sts less at neck edge and, at lower edge, dec. 1 st every row to center back of neck.
Work other half to correspond, reversing all shaping.
Right Front: Starting at armhole edge, keeping lower edge even, shape shoulder same as Back. Now, at lower edge dec. 1 st every row and at shoulder edge discontinue sts along side of neck as front of sweater until same length as front. Fasten off.
Make Left Front to correspond, reversing all shaping.
Seam shoulders of yoke.
Fringe: Using No. 2 hook, starting at corner of lower edge of Back Yoke, attach B, ch 12, sc in same place, * ch 12, sc in next st, repeat from * across. Work fringe along lower edge of each front yoke. Place yoke over sweater and tack along shoulders and over armhole seams. Using MC and No. 2 hook work 6 (7, 8, 9) rows of sc around neck edge, working through both thicknesses on 1st row, holding in if necessary for snug neckline. Make buttonholes for Boys along Left Front edge; for Girls along Right Front edge. On side for buttons, using MC and No. 2 hook, work even in pat. for 4 rows. Mark position of 8 buttons evenly spaced along this border. On buttonhole side, work even for 2 rows.
Buttonhole Row: With right side to you, work 1 sc in 1st 2 sts, * sc in next st, ch 3, skip 3 sts, sc in next st, work in pat. for about 8 (9, 10, 10) sts; repeat from * ending sc in last 2 sts. Work 1 more row of pat. Fasten off. Sew buttons in band and along fronts and back of Yoke as illustrated.
Sleeve Trimming for Cowboy Sweater
Fold sleeve in half along seam, measure 1/2″ from center to back. Attach B in sleeve and work in pat. up row of sleeve for 5 (5 1/4, 5 1/2, 5 1/2)”. Work 5 more rows, dec. 1 st at top edge every other row. Fasten off.
Work 1 row of fringe along side and top edge.
Cuff: Using B and No. 4 hook, work 1 row sc around lower edge. Using MC and No. 2 hook work even in pat. for 1″.
Pocket Trimming: Using No. 2 hook and B, make a ch the width of pocket, * ch 6, sc in 7th ch from hook, repeat from * about3 times. Sew along top of pocket as pictured.
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