“LINDY” RETRO CROCHET SWEATER

PURCHASE THE AD-FREE PDF OF THIS RETRO CROCHET SWEATER PATTERN ON ETSY OR RAVELRY (or scroll down for the free pattern).

I am so beyond ecstatic with the way my latest project has turned out! The Lindy Sweater is a little bit downtown trendy and a little bit retro 50’s with a lot of style in between.

I’ve been dreaming up this sweater for about a year now and finally sat down to really get it going. I have always loved a cinched waist and a full bodice look and I think the very small and delicate faux bobbles are a nice touch with this 3wt yarn that doesn’t end up looking too bulky.

For the bodice portion of this retro crochet sweater I’ve used an alternating single crochet and triple crochet where the single crochet it quite tight and so it shortens the triple crochet and makes it pop like a faux bobble.

The “Lindy” retro crochet sweater is made in just one piece! Can you believe it! No fussing and mussing with assembling ribbed hems etc, just make the whole piece and seam it down the sides and under the arms. You will have to alternate between two hook sizes, even within a row, but once you get the hang of the pattern, it’s an easy, easy piece.

Check out more of my wearables: the Laurentian Cardi, the Crochet Summer Top, Mariposa Summer Sweater or the Briget Bardot inspired retro Holly Sweater.

LET’S GET MAKING! PURCHASE THE AD-FREE PDF OF THIS RETRO CROCHET SWEATER PATTERN ON ETSY OR RAVELRY (or scroll down for the free pattern).

SUPPLY LIST

4 mm hook (ribbing) and 6mm hook (all the rest) Any Category 3 yarn (Yarn Used: Bernat Baby Sport in White) Approx yardage: S: 1070 yards / 978 metres  M: 1400 yards / 1280 metres  L: 1800 yards / 1645 metres XL: 2000 yards / 1828 metres Scissors Tapestry needle

STITCHES / ABBREVIATIONS

CH – chain ST – stitch SL ST – slip stitch SC – single crochet SCBLO – single crochet in the back loop only TC – triple crochet

SIZES

Pattern is for sizes Small, Medium, Large and XL

FINISHED MEASUREMENTS

Due to the generous bodice portion of the sweater, the size measurements for bust are given in a minimum based on general size standards.  The waist measurements are also given for a ‘resting’ sweater and there is positive give of about 3” in the waist of each size. S: Waist 27” Bust min 34”, M: Waist 30” Bust Min 38”, L: Waist 34”, Bust min 42”, XL: Waist 38”, Bust Min 46”

GAUGE

For Ribbing: Approx. 24 rows x 20 stitches = 4” x 4” For Faux Bobble portion: Approx 16 rows x 16 stitches = 4” x 4”

DIFFICULTY LEVEL

Intermediate

PATTERN AND SIZING NOTES

– The stitch count is given in parentheses ( ) at the end of each row – This project is made as one piece and seamed down the under-side of the arm and down the sides (see image below). – The ‘faux bobble’ is made by alternating single crochet and triple crochet in a row so that the single crochet pulls the triple crochet down and pops it out – It’s really important that, in the rows where you’re creating the faux bobble, you keep the single crochets very tight to make the fake bobble pop out – Since this retro crochet sweater is made as one piece and seamed, you will be switching between two hook sizes throughout the project.  In the chart below, all the ribbed portions are done in the 4mm hook and all the remaining is done in the 6mm hook.

INSTRUCTIONS for the “LINDY” RETRO CROCHET SWEATER:

Legend for rows:

RB1 = Ribbing 1^st portion

MB1 = Main Body 1^st portion

BA = Body and arms

MB2 = Main Body 2^nd portion

RB2 = Ribbing 2^nd portion

SIZE X-SMALL “LINDY” RETRO CROCHET SWEATER:

With the 4mm hook, CH 45, CH 1 & turn

RB1 Row 1: 4mm SC in each ST across, CH 1 & turn (45)

RB1 Row 2 to 28: 4mm SCBLO in each ST across, CH 1 & turn (45)

* Switch to 6mm hook

MB1 Row 1: 6mm Alternate SC and TC across the row, starting and ending with a SC, CH 1 & turn (45)

MB1 Row 2: 6mm SC in each ST across, CH 1 & turn (45)

MB1 Rows 3 to 21: 6mm Repeat MB1 rows 1 and 2 until row 21 (ending on a row of faux bobbles) (45)

**At the end of Row 21 do not CH 1 & turn but instead yarn over, tie off/cut yarn

BA Row 1: Separate from the piece do the following with the relevant hook sizes: 4mm CH 15, 6mm CH 30, line it up to your piece to continue 6mm SC  x 45, then at the end of the 45 ST, 6mm CH 30, 4mm CH 15 so that you have chains of 45 on either side of the piece, CH 1 & turn (135)

BA Row 2: 4mm SC 15, 6mm Alternate SC and TC for 115 ST, 4mm SC 15, CH 1 & turn (135)

BA Row 3: 4mm SCBLO 15, 6mm SC 115, 4mm SCBLO 15 (135)

BA Row 4: 4mm SCBLO 15, 6mm Alternate SC and TC for 115 ST, 4mm SCBLO 15, CH 1 & turn (135)

BA Rows 5 to 20: Repeat BA rows 3 & 4 until row 20 (135)

In the next row we are creating the neck hole

BA Row 21: 4mm SCBLO 15, 6mm SC 35, 6mm CH 35 & skip 35 ST, 6mm SC 35, 4mm SCBLO 15, CH 1 & turn (135)

BA Row 22: 4mm SCBLO 15, 6mm Alternate SC and TC for 115 ST, 4mm SCBLO 15, CH 1 & turn (135)

BA Row 23: 4mm SCBLO 15, 6mm SC 115, 4mm SCBLO 15 (135)

BA Row 24 to 40: Repeat BA rows 22 & 23 until row 40 (ending on a row of faux bobbles) (135)

**At the end of Row 40 do not CH 1 & turn but instead yarn over, tie off/cut yarn

MB2 Row 1: Turn so the wrong side is facing you and tie on your yarn at ST 45, yarn over and CH 1 and then start in that same stitch with 6mm SC 45, CH 1 & turn (45)

MB2 Row 2: 6mm Alternate SC and TC across the row, starting and ending with a SC, CH 1 & turn (45)

MB2 Row 3: 6mm SC in each ST across, CH 1 & turn (45)

MB2 Rows 4 to 21: 6mm Repeat MB2 rows 2 and 3 until row 21 (ending on a row of faux bobbles) (45)

* Switch to 4mm hook

RB2 Row 1: 4mm SC in each ST across, CH 1 & turn (45) RB2 Row 2 to 28: 4mm SCBLO in each ST across, CH 1 & turn (45)

SIZE SMALL “LINDY” RETRO CROCHET SWEATER:

With the 4mm hook, CH 55, CH 1 & turn

RB1 Row 1: 4mm SC in each ST across, CH 1 & turn (55)

RB1 Row 2 to 28: 4mm SCBLO in each ST across, CH 1 & turn (55)

* Switch to 6mm hook

MB1 Row 1: 6mm Alternate SC and TC across the row, starting and ending with a SC, CH 1 & turn (55)

MB1 Row 2: 6mm SC in each ST across, CH 1 & turn (55)

MB1 Rows 3 to 21: 6mm Repeat MB1 rows 1 and 2 until row 21 (ending on a row of faux bobbles) (55)

**At the end of Row 21 do not CH 1 & turn but instead yarn over, tie off/cut yarn

BA Row 1: Separate from the piece do the following with the relevant hook sizes: 4mm CH 15, 6mm CH 30, line it up to your piece to continue 6mm SC  x 55, then at the end of the 55 ST, 6mm CH 30, 4mm CH 15 so that you have chains of 45 on either side of the piece, CH 1 & turn (145)

BA Row 2: 4mm SC 15, 6mm Alternate SC and TC for 115 ST, 4mm SC 15, CH 1 & turn (145)

BA Row 3: 4mm SCBLO 15, 6mm SC 115, 4mm SCBLO 15 (145)

BA Row 4: 4mm SCBLO 15, 6mm Alternate SC and TC for 115 ST, 4mm SCBLO 15, CH 1 & turn (145)

BA Rows 5 to 20: Repeat BA rows 3 & 4 until row 20 (145)

In the next row we are creating the neck hole

BA Row 21: 4mm SCBLO 15, 6mm SC 35, 6mm CH 45 & skip 45 ST, 6mm SC 35, 4mm SCBLO 15, CH 1 & turn (145)

BA Row 22: 4mm SCBLO 15, 6mm Alternate SC and TC for 115 ST, 4mm SCBLO 15, CH 1 & turn (145)

BA Row 23: 4mm SCBLO 15, 6mm SC 115, 4mm SCBLO 15 (145)

BA Row 24 to 40: Repeat BA rows 22 & 23 until row 40 (ending on a row of faux bobbles) (145)

**At the end of Row 40 do not CH 1 & turn but instead yarn over, tie off/cut yarn

MB2 Row 1: Turn so the wrong side is facing you and tie on your yarn at ST 45, yarn over and CH 1 and then start in that same stitch with 6mm SC 55, CH 1 & turn (55)

MB2 Row 2: 6mm Alternate SC and TC across the row, starting and ending with a SC, CH 1 & turn (55)

MB2 Row 3: 6mm SC in each ST across, CH 1 & turn (55)

MB2 Rows 4 to 21: 6mm Repeat MB2 rows 2 and 3 until row 21 (ending on a row of faux bobbles) (55)

* Switch to 4mm hook

RB2 Row 1: 4mm SC in each ST across, CH 1 & turn (55)

RB2 Row 2 to 28: 4mm SCBLO in each ST across, CH 1 & turn (55)

SIZE MEDIUM “LINDY” RETRO CROCHET SWEATER:

With the 4mm hook, CH 69, CH 1 & turn

RB1 Row 1: 4mm SC in each ST across, CH 1 & turn (69)

RB1 Row 2 to 30: 4mm SCBLO in each ST across, CH 1 & turn (69)

* Switch to 6mm hook

MB1 Row 1: 6mm Alternate SC and TC across the row, starting and ending with a SC, CH 1 & turn (69)

MB1 Row 2: 6mm SC in each ST across, CH 1 & turn (69)

MB1 Rows 3 to 23: 6mm Repeat MB1 rows 1 and 2 until row 23 (ending on a row of faux bobbles) (69)

**At the end of Row 23 do not CH 1 & turn but instead yarn over, tie off/cut yarn

BA Row 1: Separate from the piece do the following with the relevant hook sizes: 4mm CH 15, 6mm CH 30, line it up to your piece to continue 6mm SC  x 69, then at the end of the 69 ST, 6mm CH 30, 4mm CH 15 so that you have chains of 45 on either side of the piece, CH 1 & turn (159)

BA Row 2: 4mm SC 15, 6mm Alternate SC and TC for 129 ST, 4mm SC 15, CH 1 & turn (159)

BA Row 3: 4mm SCBLO 15, 6mm SC 129, 4mm SCBLO 15 (159)

BA Row 4: 4mm SCBLO 15, 6mm Alternate SC and TC for 129 ST, 4mm SCBLO 15, CH 1 & turn (159)

BA Rows 5 to 22: Repeat BA rows 3 & 4 until row 22 (159)

In the next row we are creating the neck hole

BA Row 23: 4mm SCBLO 15, 6mm SC 42, 6mm CH 45 & skip 45 ST, 6mm SC 42, 4mm SCBLO 15, CH 1 & turn (159)

BA Row 24: 4mm SCBLO 15, 6mm Alternate SC and TC for 115 ST, 4mm SCBLO 15, CH 1 & turn (159)

BA Row 25: 4mm SCBLO 15, 6mm SC 115, 4mm SCBLO 15 (159)

BA Row 26 to 44: Repeat BA rows 24 & 25 until row 44 (ending on a row of faux bobbles) (159)

**At the end of Row 46 do not CH 1 & turn but instead yarn over, tie off/cut yarn

MB2 Row 1: Turn so the wrong side is facing you and tie on your yarn at ST 45, yarn over and CH 1 and then start in that same stitch with 6mm SC 69, CH 1 & turn (69)

MB2 Row 2: 6mm Alternate SC and TC across the row, starting and ending with a SC, CH 1 & turn (69)

MB2 Row 3: 6mm SC in each ST across, CH 1 & turn (69)

MB2 Rows 4 to 23: 6mm Repeat MB2 rows 2 and 3 until row 23 (ending on a row of faux bobbles) (69)

* Switch to 4mm hook

RB2 Row 1: 4mm SC in each ST across, CH 1 & turn (69)

RB2 Row 2 to 30: 4mm SCBLO in each ST across, CH 1 & turn (69)

SIZE LARGE “LINDY” RETRO CROCHET SWEATER:

With the 4mm hook, CH 89, CH 1 & turn

RB1 Row 1: 4mm SC in each ST across, CH 1 & turn (89)

RB1 Row 2 to 36: 4mm SCBLO in each ST across, CH 1 & turn (89)

* Switch to 6mm hook

MB1 Row 1: 6mm Alternate SC and TC across the row, starting and ending with a SC, CH 1 & turn (89)

MB1 Row 2: 6mm SC in each ST across, CH 1 & turn (89)

MB1 Rows 3 to 29: 6mm Repeat MB1 rows 1 and 2 until row 29 (ending on a row of faux bobbles) (89)

**At the end of Row 29 do not CH 1 & turn but instead yarn over, tie off/cut yarn

BA Row 1: Separate from the piece do the following with the relevant hook sizes: 4mm CH 15, 6mm CH 30, line it up to your piece to continue 6mm SC  x 89, then at the end of the 89 ST, 6mm CH 30, 4mm CH 15 so that you have chains of 45 on either side of the piece, CH 1 & turn (179)

BA Row 2: 4mm SC 15, 6mm Alternate SC and TC for 149 ST, 4mm SC 15, CH 1 & turn (179)

BA Row 3: 4mm SCBLO 15, 6mm SC 149, 4mm SCBLO 15 (179)

BA Row 4: 4mm SCBLO 15, 6mm Alternate SC and TC for 149 ST, 4mm SCBLO 15, CH 1 & turn (179)

BA Rows 5 to 28: Repeat BA rows 3 & 4 until row 28 (179)

In the next row we are creating the neck hole

BA Row 29: 4mm SCBLO 15, 6mm SC 52, 6mm CH 45 & skip 45 ST, 6mm SC 52, 4mm SCBLO 15, CH 1 & turn (179)

BA Row 30: 4mm SCBLO 15, 6mm Alternate SC and TC for 149 ST, 4mm SCBLO 15, CH 1 & turn (179)

BA Row 31: 4mm SCBLO 15, 6mm SC 149, 4mm SCBLO 15 (179)

BA Row 32 to 56: Repeat BA rows 30 & 31 until row 56 (ending on a row of faux bobbles) (179)

**At the end of Row 58 do not CH 1 & turn but instead yarn over, tie off/cut yarn

MB2 Row 1: Turn so the wrong side is facing you and tie on your yarn at ST 45, yarn over and CH 1 and then start in that same stitch with 6mm SC 89, CH 1 & turn (89)

MB2 Row 2: 6mm Alternate SC and TC across the row, starting and ending with a SC, CH 1 & turn (89)

MB2 Row 3: 6mm SC in each ST across, CH 1 & turn (89)

MB2 Rows 4 to 29: 6mm Repeat MB2 rows 2 and 3 until row 29 (ending on a row of faux bobbles) (89)

* Switch to 4mm hook

RB2 Row 1: 4mm SC in each ST across, CH 1 & turn (89)

RB2 Row 2 to 36: 4mm SCBLO in each ST across, CH 1 & turn (89)

SIZE XL “LINDY” RETRO CROCHET SWEATER:

With the 4mm hook, CH 109, CH 1 & turn

RB1 Row 1: 4mm SC in each ST across, CH 1 & turn (109)

RB1 Row 2 to 40: 4mm SCBLO in each ST across, CH 1 & turn (109)

* Switch to 6mm hook

MB1 Row 1: 6mm Alternate SC and TC across the row, starting and ending with a SC, CH 1 & turn (109)

MB1 Row 2: 6mm SC in each ST across, CH 1 & turn (109)

MB1 Rows 3 to 33: 6mm Repeat MB1 rows 1 and 2 until row 33 (ending on a row of faux bobbles) (109)

**At the end of Row 33 do not CH 1 & turn but instead yarn over, tie off/cut yarn

BA Row 1: Separate from the piece do the following with the relevant hook sizes: 4mm CH 15, 6mm CH 30, line it up to your piece to continue 6mm SC  x 109, then at the end of the 109 ST, 6mm CH 30, 4mm CH 15 so that you have chains of 45 on either side of the piece, CH 1 & turn (199)

BA Row 2: 4mm SC 15, 6mm Alternate SC and TC for 169 ST, 4mm SC 15, CH 1 & turn (199)

BA Row 3: 4mm SCBLO 15, 6mm SC 169, 4mm SCBLO 15 (199)

BA Row 4: 4mm SCBLO 15, 6mm Alternate SC and TC for 169 ST, 4mm SCBLO 15, CH 1 & turn (199)

BA Rows 5 to 32: Repeat BA rows 3 & 4 until row 32 (199)

In the next row we are creating the neck hole

BA Row 33: 4mm SCBLO 15, 6mm SC 62, 6mm CH 45 & skip 45 ST, 6mm SC 62, 4mm SCBLO 15, CH 1 & turn (199)

BA Row 34: 4mm SCBLO 15, 6mm Alternate SC and TC for 115 ST, 4mm SCBLO 15, CH 1 & turn (199)

BA Row 35: 4mm SCBLO 15, 6mm SC 115, 4mm SCBLO 15 (199)

BA Row 36 to 64: Repeat BA rows 34 & 35 until row 64 (ending on a row of faux bobbles) (199)

**At the end of Row 58 do not CH 1 & turn but instead yarn over, tie off/cut yarn

MB2 Row 1: Turn so the wrong side is facing you and tie on your yarn at ST 45, yarn over and CH 1 and then start in that same stitch with 6mm SC 109, CH 1 & turn (109)

MB2 Row 2: 6mm Alternate SC and TC across the row, starting and ending with a SC, CH 1 & turn (109)

MB2 Row 3: 6mm SC in each ST across, CH 1 & turn (109)

MB2 Rows 4 to 33: 6mm Repeat MB2 rows 2 and 3 until row 33 (ending on a row of faux bobbles) (109)

* Switch to 4mm hook

RB2 Row 1: 4mm SC in each ST across, CH 1 & turn (109)

RB2 Row 2 to 40: 4mm SCBLO in each ST across, CH 1 & turn (109)

ASSEMBLY FOR ALL SIZES OF THE “LINDY” RETRO CROCHET SWEATER:

– Fold your piece with the wrong sides out, right sides facing each other and alight from the bottom up.

– Cut a piece of yarn approximately 4 feet in length, join your yarn at the bottom of the first side and with your tapestry needle, whip stitch (or any joining of your choice) your sides and the under part of the arms together stitch by stitch, remembering that each stitch is a single crochet.  The number of whip stitches you have will depend upon the size you’re making but in general, one joining stitch per one stitch/row on the piece.  Repeat on the other side.

– Tie off and weave in ends

FINISHING THE NECK FOR ALL SIZES:

– Turn your piece right side out

– Join your yarn in one of the shoulder corners of the piece

– Using the 4mm hook, make 3 rounds as follows:

• Round 1 – in the stitch you joined, yarn over and pull through, CH 1 and SC in that same stitch, SC in each ST around, SL ST to the first ST and CH 1 (90)
• Round 2 – starting in the same ST your CH 1 is in, SC in each ST around, SL ST to the first ST and CH 1 (90)
• Round 3 – Starting in the same ST your CH 1 is in, SL ST in each ST around, SL ST to the first S and yarn over, tie off and cut yarn (90)

Weave in all ends and Voila!