This free crochet pattern for a sleeveless 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 preppy sweater for a boy. 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
Chadwick’s Red Heart Sock and Sweater Yarn
3 Ply, 1-oz. Ball – 6 (6, 7, 7, 8) Balls
Afghan Hook No. 3
NOTE(s)
This sleeveless sweater can be crocheted in sizes 8, 10, 12, 14, and 16. The instructions in this pattern are for size 8. Changes for sizes 10, 12, 14, and 16 are in parentheses.
Gauge: 6 stitches = 4″; 5 1/2 rows = 1″.
Chest Measurements: 28 (30, 32, 34, 36)”.
STEP-BY-STEP INSTRUCTIONS
Back of Sleeveless Sweater
Waistband: Make a ch 3″ long.
Row 1: Sc in 2nd ch from hook and in each ch across. Ch 1, turn.
Row 2: Sc in back lp of each sc across. Ch 1. turn.
Repeat row 2 until piece measures 12 (13, 14, 15, 16)”.
Work along one long side as follows:
Row 1: Insert hook in next st (end of row st) and draw up a lp, retaining all lps on hook draw up a lp in same manner until there are 85 (91, 97, 103, 109) lps across row, ** yarn over and thru 1 lp, * yo and thru 2 lps, repeat from * across until 1 lp remains on hook. The lp that remains counts as the first st of next row. **.
Row 2: Skip 1st vertical bar, * insert hook immediately to right of next vertical bar and bring it thru the lp formed by this vertical bar and the bar behind it, yarn over and draw lp thru. Repeat from * across. Repeat between **’s of row 1 to complete row.
Repeat row 2 (afghan st pat.) until piece measures in all 14 1/2 (15, 15, 15 1/2, 15 1/2)”.
Armholes for Sleeveless Sweater
Sl st across (decs.) 6 (7, 8, 9, 12) sts. Work in pat. to within last 6 (7, 8, 9, 12) sts, complete row as before. Continue in pat. dec 1 st each end of each row (To Dec.—insert hook under one bar and thru following bar as before and draw lp thru, thus making 1 lp out of 2 sts) until there remain 65 (67, 69, 71, 71) sts.
Work even until piece measures 8 1/2 (8 1/2, 9, 9, 9 1/2)” from 1st row of armhole shaping. Sl st in each vertical bar across. Break off.
Front of Sleeveless Sweater
Work exactly the same as back until 1 1/2″ above armhole shaping.
Neck: Mark center st. Work to center st, work off all lps as before. Continue in pat. decreasing same number of sts at armhole edge as on back and at same time dec. 1 st at neck edge every row until 21 (22, 23, 23, 24) sts remain.
Work even until piece measures 8 1/2 (8 1/2, 9, 9, 9 1/2)” from start of armhole shaping. Sl st across in each vertical bar. Fasten off. Work other side to correspond, reversing shaping. Sew side and shoulder seams.
Armhole and Neck Bands: Make separate bands 3/4″ wide the same as Waistband and long enough to go around each armhole and neck edge. Sew Bands in place, mitering neatly at center front.