How to Knit a Cropped Sweater for Winter

Put your knitting skills to work and make this cute color-blocked pull-over with playful scalloping. The body is knit seamlessly from the top down, and the sleeve stitches are picked up around the armhole and shaped using short rows. Its cropped length makes this sweater a relatively quick knit, and it creates a flattering silhouette when worn with a full skirt.

Supplies

3 (3, 3, 4, 4, 4) skeins Cascade 220 Heathers in Wisteria for main color
1 (1, 1, 1, 2, 2) skeins Cascade 220 Heathers in Peacock for contrast color
US 8/5 mm needles with 16 inch cable or size needed to get 9 stitches and 12 rows over 2 square inches
US 8/5 mm needles with 32 inch cable or size needed to get 9 stitches and 12 rows over 2 square inches
2 stitch markers labelled A and B
Scissors
Yarn needle

1. Pick Your Size

The pattern includes sizes XS (S, M, L, 1X, 2X, 3X). Use the schematic below to help you pick the perfect size to fit you.

2. Knit the Upper Back

With longer needles, using the main color, cast on 61 (67, 71, 76, 77, 80, 81) sts.

Row 1 (Wrong Side): Purl to end.

Row 2: Knit to end.

Repeat Row 1-2 19 (21, 22, 23, 22, 23, 23 more times.

Next Row: Purl to end.

Next Row: K1, m1, knit to last st, m1, k1.

Repeat the above 2 rows 0 (0, 0, 1, 3, 4, 5) more times.

Next Row: Purl to end.

Cut yarn tail.

63 (69, 73, 80, 85, 90, 93) sts.

3. Knit the Front

Left Front

With the right side facing you, using the main color, pick up and knit 12 (13, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17) across the top edge of the upper back using shorter needles.

Row 1 (Wrong Side): Purl to end.

Row 2: Knit to end.

Row 3: Purl to end.

Repeat Rows 2-3 5 (6, 5, 5, 5, 6, 6) more times.

Next Row: K1, m1, knit to end.

Next Row: Purl to end.

Repeat the above 2 rows 0 (0, 1, 2, 2, 2, 2) more times.

Cut yarn tail.

13 (14, 15, 17, 18, 19, 20) sts.

Right Front

With the left front still on your left needle and with the right side facing you, using the main color, pick up and k12 (13, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17) across the top edge of the upper back.

Row 1 (Wrong Side): Purl to end.

Row 2: Knit to end.

Row 3: Purl to end.

Repeat Rows 2-3 5 (6, 5, 5, 5, 6, 6) more times.

Next Row: Knit to last st, m1, k1.

Next Row: Purl to end.

Repeat the above 2 rows 0 (0, 1, 2, 2, 2, 2) more times.

13 (14, 15, 17, 18, 19, 20) sts.

Front Neckline

Row 1 (Right Side): K13 (14, 15, 17, 18, 19, 20) across right front, cast on 35 (39, 41, 42, 41, 42, 41), k13 (14, 15, 17, 18, 19, 20) across left front, joining the two pieces.

Row 2: Purl to end.

Row 3: Knit to end.

Repeat Rows 2-3 12 (13, 14, 14, 13, 13, 13) more times.

Next Row: Purl to end.

Next Row: K1, m1, knit to last st, m1, k1.

Repeat the above 2 rows 0 (0, 0, 1, 3, 4, 5) more times.

Next Row: Purl to end.

63 (69, 73, 80, 85, 90, 93) sts.

4. Knit the Body

Underarm Cast-On and Shaping

Round 1: With the longer needle, k63 (69, 73, 80, 85, 90, 93) across the front so all stitches are now on the longer needle, cast on 4 (6, 10, 12, 16, 20, 26), k63 (69, 73, 80, 85, 90, 93) across the back, cast on 4 (6, 10, 12, 16, 20, 26) and join in the round. 134 (150, 166, 184, 202, 220, 238) sts.

Round 2: K64 (72, 78, 86, 93, 100, 106), place marker A, k67 (75, 83, 92, 101, 110, 119), place marker B. This is now the beginning of the round.

Round 3: Knit to end.

Repeat Round 3 15 (8, 5, 1, 1, 1, 1) more times.

Next 2 Rounds: Knit to end.

Decrease Round: K1, k2tog, knit to 3 sts before marker A, ssk, k2, k2tog, knit to last three stitches, ssk, k1.

Repeat the previous 3 rounds 7 (8, 9, 9, 9, 7, 5) more times. 32 (36, 40, 40, 40, 32, 24) sts decreased.

For sizes 2X and 3X, continue on to Decreases for 2X and 3X. For all other sizes continue on to Bottom Band.

102 (114, 126, 144, 162, 188, 214) sts.

Decreases for 2X and 3X

Decrease Round: K1, k2tog, knit to 3 sts before marker A, ssk, k2, k2tog, knit to last three stitches, ssk, k1.

Repeat the previous 2 rounds -(-, -, -, -, 1, 3) more times. -(-, -, -, -, 8, 16) more sts decreased.

Continue on to Bottom Band.

- (-, -, -, -, 180, 198) sts.

Bottom Band

Rounds 1-8: Knit to end.

Rounds 9-10: Knit the scallop chart, repeating it 17 (19, 21, 24, 27, 30, 33) times across the round.

Rounds 11-12: Knit to end in contrast color.

Rounds 13-36: *K1, p1; repeat from * to end in contrast color.

Bind off.

5. Knit the Sleeves

Sleeve Cap

With the shorter needle, starting at the center of the underarm and working around the armhole, pick up and knit 4 (5, 6, 8, 12, 15, 19), PM A, pick up and knit 40 (44, 46, 48, 46, 48, 48) sts, pick up and knit 4 (5, 6, 8, 12, 15, 19), PM B, and join in the round. 48 (54, 58, 64, 70, 78, 86) sts.

Short Row 1: K29 (32, 34, 37, 40, 44, 48), w&t.

Short Row 2: P10, w&t.

Short Row 3: K11, W&t.

Short Row 4: P12, w&t.

Continue to work short rows in stockinette. Work one stitch more than previously until the last stitches before markers A and B are wrapped.

Last Short Row: Knit to end.

Sleeve Shaping

Next Round: Knit to end.

Repeat the previous round 4 (1, 5, 0, 2, 7, 3) more times.

Decrease Round: K1, k2tog, knit to last 3 sts, ssk, k1.

Next 8 (9, 6, 7, 7, 4, 4) Rounds: Knit to end.

Repeat from Decrease Round, knitting the previous 9 (10, 7, 8, 8, 5, 5) rounds 5 (5, 7, 7, 7, 11, 12) more times.

36 (42, 42, 48, 54, 54, 60) sts.

Sleeve Cuff

Rounds 1-2: Rounds 1-2: Knit the scallop chart, repeating it 6 (7, 7, 8, 9, 9, 10) times across the round.

Rounds 3-4: Knit to end in contrast color.

Rounds 5-16: *K1, p1; repeat from * to end in contrast color.

Bind off.

Second Sleeve

Repeat from sleeve cap through sleeve cuff.

6. Knit the Neckline

With the longer needle and contrast color, starting at the back shoulder, pick up and knit 92 (102, 108, 112, 112, 114, 114) sts around the neckline, and join in the round.

Rounds 1-5: *K1, p1; Repeat from * to end.

Bind off.

7. Finish Up

Weave in and trim all ends.

Block according to the schematic.

Show Off Your Finished Sweater

Use your cozy new sweater to get extra wear out of flirty summer dresses. Add a pair of tights and boots, and you’re ready for fall!

This sweet pull-over adds retro style to any outfit, and with it’s variety of techniques like short rows and stranded colorwork, it’s a great way to challenge your knitting skills.

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