If you have been looking for a really simple sweater pattern then the Tundra Skies pullover is exactly what you need! This free crochet pattern is so easy and quick to work up, which makes it a perfect project for beginners. It is also perfect for using up all that colourful variegated yarn in your stash that you couldn’t resist buying.. sometimes its just so hard to say no to all those lovely colours! Read on to find out more about what crochet stitches you need to know, the design process and yarn options. Or you can scroll down for the free written pattern.
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Save for Later
If you want to make the Tundra Skies Pullover don’t forget to save it for later! You can also find the links below for the inexpensive PDF patterns on Etsy and Ravelry:
〜PIN this pattern to your Pinterest boards for later HERE.
〜Add this pattern to your Ravelry queue HERE.
Inspiration
I have a huge soft-spot for variegated yarn. When I first began to crochet I only bought this type of yarn because I loved watching how the colours would play out in a pattern. I fell in love with this yarn the moment I saw the colours but when it came to designing it quickly became clear that less is more! It was important to allow the yarn to do all the shining and for that the design needed a simple stitch. After some swatching I felt that the half-double crochet (US) showed off the yarn in all its glory! I then decided on making a very simple pullover with a slightly scooped neck. The cold weather has begun to set in and I made a promise to myself that I would not buy a single jumper or cardigan. Instead I would make my new winter-wardrobe myself.. I have already worn the Tundra Skies Pullover twice this week and if I have time I would love to make it again using a different yarn and maybe try out a turtleneck next time around.
Difficulty level
If you are a beginner crocheter who wants to try their hand at making a pullover then this would be a good pattern to start with. The stitch is very simple: it is a repeat of half-double crochets (US). It is comprised of a front panel, a back panel and two sleeves that are sewn together. Then you add the ribbing using an alternate of front-post and back post-half-double crochets. The only thing you need to watch out for is making sure you don’t loose any stitches as you (use stitch markers in the first stitch of every row). The front panel has a scooped neck which means that you leave a gap in the centre of the panel as you are finishing the last 13 rows. Don’t worry, this is very straight forward and you can always contact me if you get stuck!
Yarn & Materials
As I already mentioned, I have such a soft spot for variegated yarn. I was over the moon when I saw that Hobbii had this beautiful merino wool / acrylic mix in such fantastic colours. This yarn is a little odd though. Apparently it is spun in the ‘traditional way’ which meant that sometimes the yarn was really thick and then suddenly super thin. I was pleasantly surprised that this did not affect the overall look of the pullover and actually gave it a little bit of extra character. If you want to replace this yarn you could try using Hobbii Lollipop or Cookie. Both of these yarns are listed as Medium weight (as is Picazzo) but you will need to find the best hook size to meet gauge. In the pattern instructions I also explain how to make the pullover according to measurement in case you have trouble meeting gauge.
The Pattern
Save it for Later
If you want to make the Tundra Skies Pullover don’t forget to save it for later! You can also find the links below for the inexpensive PDF patterns on Etsy and Ravelry:
〜PIN this pattern to your Pinterest boards for later HERE.
〜Add this pattern to your Ravelry queue HERE.
〜 Scroll down for the free pattern.
Materials
Yarn Weight: 4 or Medium / Worsted (US) | Aran or 8ply (UK).
Suggested Yarn: Hobbii Picazzo in colourway Tundra. Alternatively Hobbii Cookie or Hobbii Lollipop (the approximate meterage for each size can be found in the table below under the heading ‘Sizing.)
Hook: 6mm (panels and sleeves) & 4.5mm (the ribbing).
Other materials: Scissors, blunt needle, stitch markers x2 and a measuring tape.
Gauge: 12sts x 10rows in hdc in each 4″ x 4″ (10cm x 10cm). To
make a gauge swatch make enough rows of half double crochets
until you have a swatch slightly larger than 10cm x 10cm (4” x 4”).
〜 Go up a hook size if you have too many stitches.
〜 Go down a hook size if you have too few stitches.
〜 Try making your stitch height taller if you have too many rows.
〜 Try making your stitch height smaller if you have too few rows.
Terminology & Abbreviations
United States (US)
ch Chain
st(s) Stitch(es)
hdc halfdouble crochet
FPhdc front post half-double crochet
BPhdc back post half-double crochet
Sizing
Choose your size based on the measurements below. Each size will have an additional 2″ of positive ease for the chest measurements. For example size XS (30″) will have a final bust measurement of 32″.
SizeChest MeasurementLengthYarn QuantitiesXS30″ / 82cm24″ / 61cm920 metersS34″ / 92cm24″ / 61cm960 metersM38″ / 102cm25″ / 64cm1160 metersL42″ / 112cm25″ / 64cm1270 metersXL46″ / 122cm26″ / 66cm1400 meters2XL50″ / 132cm26″ / 66cm1540 meters
Adapting the Sizing
〜 To make the pullover wider or narrower then add or reduce the amount of chains in the foundation chain.
〜 To make the pullover longer or shorter then add or reduce the amount of rows. When making the front panel do this before the scooped neckline is added.
〜 The same points apply to the adapting the width & length of the sleeves.
Measurements of Finished Panels Before Seaming
If you are having trouble meeting gauge or if you just want to make this pullover using a different weight yarn then you can use these tables below. Make the front & back panels according to the stated widths & lengths. Then do the same for the sleeves. You can also use these tables to check that the measurements of your panels are of a similar size (a cm or two in the different will not make too much a difference to your final project).
The Front & Back Panels
SIzeWidthLengthXS41cm / 15″57cm / 23″S46cm / 17″57cm / 23″M51cm / 19″60cm / 24″L56cm / 21″60cm / 24″XL61cm / 23″62cm / 25″2XL66cm / 25″62cm / 25″
The Sleeves
SIze Width Length XS31cm / 12″39.5cm / 15.5″S31cm / 12″41cm / 16″M33cm / 13″42cm / 16.5″L35cm / 14″43cm / 17.5″XL38cm / 15″44cm / 17.5″2XL39cm / 16″45.5cm / 18″
Important Notes Before Beginning
〜 The turning chain (ch2) does not count as a stitch for the panels or the ribbing. The first stitch of the row should be made into the same stitch as the turning chain. The last stitch of the row should be made into the last stitch and not into the turning chain.
〜 The stitch counts are indicated in brackets at the end of the row.
The front panel of the Tundra Skies Pullover
Front Panel
Make x 1
Foundation Chain: Ch54 (60, 66, 72, 78, 84) for sizes XS (S, M, L, XL, 2XL).
Row 1: Hdc into the 3rd chain. Hdc in each chain until the end of the foundation chain, turn (52, 58, 64, 70, 76, 82 sts).
Row 2: Ch2, hdc in each stitch to the end of the row, turn (52, 58, 64, 70, 76, 82sts).
Repeat Row 2: 42 (42, 45, 45, 47, 47) times for sizes XS (S, M, L, XL, 2XL).
Creating the scooped neckline
Do not yarn off & pull up a large loop or place a stitch marker so that you do not loose your last stitch. Lay the panel down on a flat surface. From the right handside count in 15 (15, 18, 21, 24, 27) stitches. Mark this stitch with a stitch marker. Repeat the same on the left hand-side. Insert hook back into the last stitch (where you pulled up a large loop / placed a stitch marker).
Neckline Side One
Row 1: Ch2, hdc in each stitch up to and including the marked stitch, turn (15, 15, 18, 21, 24, 27 sts).
Row 2: Slip stitch across to the next stitch. Ch2, hdc in each stitch to end of row, turn (14, 14, 17, 20, 23, 26 sts).
Row 3: Ch2, hdc in each stitch to end of row, turn (14, 14, 17, 20, 23, 26 sts).
Rows 4 – 13: Repeat row 3. At end of the last row, yarn off and weave in loose ends.
Neckline Side 2
Row 1: Yarn on to the the stitch marked off on the other side. Ch2, hdc in each stitch to the end of the row, turn (15, 15, 18, 21, 24, 27 sts).
Row 2: Ch2, hdc in each stitch to the second last stitch of the row (do not make a hdc into the last stitch), turn (14, 14, 17, 20, 23, 26 sts).
Row 3: Ch2, hdc in each stitch to the end of the row, turn (14, 14, 17, 20, 23, 26 sts).
Rows 4 – 13: Repeat row 3. At end of the last row, yarn off and weave in loose ends.
The back panel of the Tundra Skies Pullover
Back Panel
Make x 1
Foundation Chain: Ch54 (60, 66, 72, 78, 84) for sizes XS (S, M, L, XL, 2XL).
Row 1: Hdc into the 3rd chain. Hdc in each chain until the end of the foundation chain, turn (52, 58, 64, 70, 76, 82 sts).
Row 2: Ch2, hdc in each stitch to the end of the row, turn (52, 58, 64, 70, 76, 82 sts).
Repeat Row 2: 55 (55, 58, 58, 60, 60) times for sizes XS (S, M, L, XL, 2XL). At the end of the last row yarn off and weave in all loose ends.
1x sleeve folded over of the Tundra Skies Pullover
The Sleeves
Make x 2
Foundation Chain: Ch39 (39, 41, 44, 47, 50) for sizes XS (S, M, L, XL, 2XL).
Row 1: Hdc into the 3rd chain. Hdc in each chain until the end of the foundation chain, turn (37, 37, 39, 42, 45, 48 sts).
Row 2: Ch2, hdc in each stitch to the end of the row, turn (52, 58, 64, 70, 76, 82 sts).
Repeat Row 2: 37 (39, 40, 41, 42, 44) times for sizes XS (S, M, L, XL, 2XL). At the end of the last row yarn off and weave in all loose ends.
Pullover Assembly
Seam One: Shoulders
Lay both panels down on a flat surface with the right side facing upwards. Using the mattress stitch sew the front and back panels together along the shoulders. Weave in loose ends. Where you must sew is indicated with a yellow line on the diagram.
Seam Two: Adding the Sleeves
Now the panels are attached at the shoulders. Lay both panels out flat with the right-side facing up. Place a stitch marker in the center stitch on each the sleeves where they will be attached to the panel. This is the centre of the short-side of each sleeve. Use the same (or another stitch marker) to attach the sleeves directly onto the seam you have just made attaching the front and back panels together. This is indicated with the black arrow on the diagram. Using the mattress stitch, start at one end of a sleeve and sew it onto the front panel and then the back panel of the pullover. You can use stitch markers to hold the sleeve in place. Repeat this for the other sleeve.
Seam Three: The sides & the sleeves
With the right-side up lay the panels down on a flat surface with the front-panel folded on top of the back panel. The sleeves should also be folded in half. Starting at the bottom right-handside of the front panel use the mattress stitch to sew the sides of the panel together. When you reach the sleeve continue on sewing the two sides of the sleeve together. Repeat this on the bottom left-handside of the pullover. Where you must sew is indicated with an orange line on the diagram.
Adding the Ribbing
This pullover has ribbing around: (1) the neckline, (2) the hemline, and (3) both sleeves. To make the ribbing switch to a smaller hook size. The sample pullover switched to a 4.5mm hook for the ribbing.
The Neckline
Round 1: Yarn on to the scoop neckline in the middle of the back panel. Ch2, evenly hdc in each stitch and the side of each stitch around the scoop neckline. End row with a slip stitch to join.
Round 2: Ch1, *FPhdc, BPhdc; Repeat from * to the end of the row. End row with a slip stitch to join.
Rounds 3 – 5: Repeat round 2. *TIP* Everyone has a different sized head. After round 4 check the fit of the pullover. If the neckline is tight enough then skip round 5 and continue with round 6. If it is still too loose continue working in rounds until the neckline is tight enough and then complete with the instructions from round 6.
Round 6: Ch1, sc in each stitch to the end of the round. Slip stitch to join.Yarn off and weave in loose ends.
The Hemline & Sleeves
Round 1: Yarn on to the hemline at the back of the panel. For the sleeves yarn onto the underneath of the sleeve beside the seam. Ch1, *FBhdc, BPhdc; Repeat from * to the end of the row. End row with a slip stitch to join.
Rounds 2 – 5: Repeat round 2. *Tip* When creating the ribbing for the sleeves use an even smaller hook (4mm) for the last two rows if you want the ribbing to be tighter.
Round 6: Ch1, sc in each stitch to the end of the round. Slip stitch to join.Yarn off and weave in loose ends.
You can watch a video tutorial for the mattress stitch from Heart Hook Home below
I hope you have enjoyed making the Tundra Skies Pullover as much I have designing it. I would love to see your finished pieces, you can share them with me here:
〜 Tag your work on instagram with #onedutchstitch
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