Get ready for cooler weather with this free crochet sweater pattern for the Glacial Freeze Pullover. Uses only single crochet and chains!
Oh, fall. How I love you! This is most definitely my favorite time of year and I know I’m not alone in that feeling. Almost all of September was still in the 90’s here and I was so longing for some fall weather. It has finally arrived!! The only bad thing is that it brought quite a bit of rain with it. Oh, well – you win some, you lose some, right?
I think one of my favorite things about fall is the clothing that comes back out. Boots. Sweaters. Scarves. Jackets. And, oh, how I itch to be working with yarn all the time. I have a hard time keeping in the knit or crochet mood when it’s so hot out and find myself really slowing down in the summer and only working on published work but once fall hits I start breaking out all the yarn, hooks and needles!
Design Story and Inspiration for this Crochet Sweater Pattern
I wanted to design a sweater with a deep ribbed collar that had button accents. I chose the moss stitch to give this sweater texture without adding bulk.
This sweater uses one of my favorite stitch patterns that is just a combination of single crochet and chain spaces. I love the texture it creates and it is very simple to work. The only challenge comes when you start increasing or decreasing the number of stitches – just make sure you are working a single crochet in the ch-1 space and working a ch 1 over a single crochet and you will keep the stitch pattern going flawlessly.
Yarn Options for this Crochet Sweater Pattern
I also am totally in love with Malabrigo yarns. I have yet to use a colorway of theirs that I am not totally in love with and this Merino Worsted in Polar Morn is no exception!
This is a worsted weight yarn made with 100% wool. You could substitute any worsted weight yarn that gets gauge. Check Yarnsub for help if you need it!
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Crochet Sweater Pattern Details
This pattern does involve seaming but I have really come to love finishing. There is something therapeutic to me about blocking the pieces flat and then seaming them together. I love seeing how the sweater really comes together while seaming it.
Not sure why – I mean, I do love projects that have very little finishing but I really, really love projects like this that I put a lot of time and effort into and they come out even better than I pictured. I hope you don’t let the finishing part make you shy away from sweaters like this one – they are really worth the effort and I know I will wear this one for a very, very long time. If you haven’t made a sweater before, now is the time to do it!!
Buy an ad-free, large print pdf of this pattern here
Glacial Freeze Pullover
What You’ll Need
Yarn: Malabrigo Worsted (100% Merino Wool; 210 yards [192 meters]/100 grams): #009 Polar Morn, 8 (8, 9, 9, 10) skeins
Hook: US size J/10 (6.0 mm); US size G/6 (4.5mm)
Notions: Two 1½” (38 mm) buttons; tapestry needle
Skill Level: Intermediate
Size: Finished Bust Size 34 (38, 42, 46, 50)” to fit bust 32 (36, 40, 44, 48)”
I am wearing this sweater with negative ease, but if you prefer a more relaxed or oversized look make sure it has 2″ or more ease.
Gauge: 20 sts and 20 rows = 4” [10 cm] in pattern st after wet blocking
SPECIAL STITCHES
Stitch Pattern (worked over an even number of sts)
Row 1: Ch 1, sc in first sc, *ch 1, sk next sc, sc in next ch-1 sp; rep from * to last 2 sts, sc in ch-1 sp, sc in last sc, turn.
Rep Row 1 for pattern.
Stitch Pattern (worked over an odd number of sts)
Row 1: Ch 1, sc in first sc, *ch 1, sk next sc, sc in next ch-1 sp; rep from *, ending with ch-1, sc in last st, turn.
Row 2: Sc in first sc, *sc in ch-1 sp, ch 1, sk next st; rep from *, ending with sc in ch-1 sp, sc in last sc, turn.
Rep Rows 1-2 for pattern.
**This pattern is part of the Design Create Repeat blog hop for October 18!! Click on the graphic below to download the ad-free pdf for FREE today only!!
PATTERN NOTES
On some areas, you will have to work the pattern stitch over an uneven number of stitches.
If working shaping on each side, the pattern is reversed, with 2 sc at the beginning and a ch-1, sc at the end. To keep the pattern consistent, always sc in a ch-1 sp and skip the sc unless it is at the end of a row.
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PATTERN
Back
Ribbing
With smaller hook, ch 13.
Row 1: Sc in 2nd ch from hook and in each ch across, turn – 12 sc.
Row 2: Ch 1, sc blo in each sc across, turn.
Rep Row 2 until Ribbing meas 17 (19, 21, 23, 25)”, ending with WS row. Do not turn at end of last row. Change to larger hook.
Body
Continue across long side of Ribbing as follows:
Row 1: Ch 1, sc 84 (94, 104, 114, 124) evenly across, turn.
Rows 2-76: Ch 1, work in Stitch Pattern to end, turn.
Shape Armholes
Row 1: Sl st in first 4 (4, 4, 6, 6) sts, ch 1, work in Stitch Pattern to last 4 (4, 4, 6, 6) sts, leave last 4 (4, 4, 6, 6) sts unworked, turn – 76 (86, 96, 102, 112) sts.
Row 2: Ch 1, work even in Stitch Pattern, turn.
Row 3: Ch 1, sc2tog, work in Stitch Pattern to last 2 sts, sc2tog, turn – 74 (84, 94, 100, 110) sts.
Rows 4-17: Rep Rows 2-3 – 60 (70, 80, 86, 96) sts.
Rows 18-38: Ch 1, work even in Stitch Pattern, turn.
Sizes 42 (46, 50) Only
Work 4 more rows even in Stitch Pattern.
All Sizes
Row 39: Sl st in first 8 (11, 12, 15, 20) sts, ch 1, work in Stitch Pattern to last 8 (11, 12, 15, 20) sts, turn, leaving remaining sts unworked – 44 (48, 56, 56, 56) sts.
Fasten off.
Front
Work same as Back to Row 53.
Row 54: Ch 1, work first 32 (37, 42, 47, 52) sts in Stitch Pattern, turn, leaving rem sts unworked – 32 (37, 42, 47, 52) sts.
Rows 55-76: Ch 1, work even in Stitch Pattern, turn.
Armhole and Neckline Shaping
Row 1: Sl st in first 4 (4, 4, 6, 6) sts, ch 1, work in Stitch Pattern to end – 28 (33, 38, 41, 46) sts.
Row 2: Ch 1, work even in Stitch Pattern, turn.
Row 3: Ch 1, sc2tog, work in Stitch Pattern to end, turn – 27 (32, 37, 40, 45) sts.
Row 4: Rep Row 3 – 26 (31, 36, 39, 44) sts.
Row 5: Rep Row 3 – 25 (30, 35, 38, 43) sts.
Row 6: Ch 1, work even in Stitch Pattern, turn.
Row 7: Ch 1, sc2tog, work to last 2 sts, sc2tog – 23 (28, 33, 36, 41) sts.
Row 8: Rep Row 6.
Rows 9-11: Rep Row 3 – 20 (25, 30, 33, 38) sts.
Row 12: Rep Row 6.
Row 13: Rep Row 7 – 18 (23, 28, 31, 36) sts.
Row 14: Rep Row 6.
Rows 15-17: Rep Row 3 – 15 (20, 25, 28, 33) sts.
Row 18: Rep Row 6.
Row 19: Ch 1, work in Stitch Pattern to last 2 sts, sc2tog – 14 (19, 24, 27, 32) sts.
Rows 20-21: Rep Row 6.
Row 22: Rep Row 3 – 13 (18, 23, 26, 31) sts.
Rows 23-24: Rep Row 6.
Row 25: Rep Row 19 – 12 (17, 22, 25, 30) sts.
Rows 26-27: Rep Row 6.
Row 28: Rep Row 3 – 11 (16, 21, 24, 29) sts.
Rows 29-30: Rep Row 6.
Row 31: Rep Row 19 – 10 (15, 20, 23, 28) sts.
Rows 32-33: Rep Row 6.
Row 34: Rep Row 3 – 9 (14, 19, 22, 27) sts.
Rows 35-36: Rep Row 6.
Row 37: Rep Row 19 – 8 (13, 18, 21, 26) sts.
Size 34 Only
Rows 38-39: Ch 1, work even in sc, turn.
Sizes 38 (42, 46, 50) Only
Row 38: Rep Row 3 – 12 (17, 20, 25) sts.
Row 39: Rep Row 19 – 11 (16, 19, 24) sts.
Sizes 42 (46, 50) Only
Row 40: Rep Row 3 – 15 (18, 23) sts.
Row 41: Rep Row 19 – 14 (17, 22) sts.
Row 42: Rep Row 3 – 13 (16, 21) sts.
Row 43: Rep Row 3 – 12 (15, 20) sts.
Fasten off.
Join yarn at opposite edge and repeat for second side.
Fasten off.
Sleeve
Ribbing
With smaller hook, ch 25.
Row 1: Sc in 2nd ch from hook and each ch across, turn – 24 sts.
Row 2: Ch 1, sc blo in each sc across, turn.
Rep Row 2 until Ribbing meas 7½ (8, 8½, 9½, 10½)”, ending with WS row. Do not turn at end of last row.
Change to larger hook.
Body
Row 1: Ch 1, sc 38 (40, 42, 48, 52) sts evenly across – 38 (40, 42, 48, 52) sts.
Rows 2-5: Ch 1, work even in Stitch Pattern, turn.
Row 6: Ch 1, 2 sc in first st, work in Stitch Pattern to last st, 2 sc in last st, turn – 40 (42, 44, 50, 54) sts.
Rows 7-56: Rep Rows 2-6, 10 times – 60 (62, 64, 70, 74) sts.
Rows 57-60: Ch 1, work even in Stitch Pattern, turn.
Shape Cap
Row 1: Sl st in first 4 (4, 4, 6, 6) sts, ch 1, work in st pat to last 4 (4, 4, 6, 6) sts, leave last 4 (4, 4, 6, 6) sts unworked, turn – 52 (54, 56, 58, 62) sts.
Row 2: Ch 1, sc2tog, work in Stitch Pattern to last 2 sts, sc2tog, turn – 50 (52, 54, 56, 60) sts.
Rows 3-4: Rep Row 2 – 48 (50, 52, 54, 58) sts.
Row 5: Ch 1, work even in Stitch Pattern, turn.
Row 6: Rep Row 2 – 46 (48, 50, 52, 56) sts.
Size 50 Only
Rows 7-26: Rep Rows 5-6 – 36 sts.
Row 27: Rep Row 2 – 34 sts.
Row 28: Rep Row 2 – 32 sts.
Row 29: Rep Row 2 – 30 sts.
Row 30: Rep Row 2 – 28 sts.
Sizes 34 (38, 42, 46) Only
Rows 7-30: Rep Rows 5-6 – 22 (24, 26, 28) sts.
All Sizes
Rows 31-32: Rep Row 2 – 18 (20, 22, 24, 24) sts.
Fasten off.
Finishing
Wet block all pieces.
Sew Front to Back at shoulder seams.
Collar
With smaller hook, join yarn with sl st at bottom left of placket.
Row 1: Ch 1, sc across 20 sts, sc2tog in last unworked st and side of right placket edge, turn.
Row 2: Ch 1, sc backloop only (blo) in each st across, turn.
Row 3: Ch 1, sc blo in first 19 sts, sc2tog in last st and side of right placket edge.
Rep Rows 2-3 around right placket, right front neck edge, back, and left front neck edge until you reach the bottom of the slanted left neck edge. Place buttons on right placket evenly.
After working Row 2 repeat, work buttonholes opposite buttons as follows:
Row 1: Ch 1, sc blo in first 3 sts, ch 4, sk 4 sc, sc blo to last st, sc2tog in last st and side of placket, turn.
Row 2: Ch 1, sc blo in first 12 sts, sc in next 4 ch, sc blo in next 3 sc, turn.
Continue edging until you reach bottom of left placket. Fasten off.
Sew left placket over right placket, matching buttons and buttonholes. Sew first inch of open edge of left placket in place.
Sew sleeves and side seams.
That’s it! I can’t wait to see what you all make with this free pattern – I had SO much fun designing it and love wearing it as an everyday sweater. I hope you do, too!
Happy crocheting!
Amanda
this sweater looks interesting to make. I cannot wait to get started. Thank you for sharing.
Dar
So glad you like it!! It was so much fun to design 🙂
Well done! It’s a gorgeous sweater and yes, perfect for fall. Thanks so much for sharing it with us.
So glad you like it!! 😀
Such a beautiful sweater!
I understand about your 90’s. We had a cool, wet spell for about two weeks here in Texas and now it’s back in the 90’s again.
Boo for hot weather in October!! Hopefully it will feel like fall soon 🙂
Seeing a pic of this sweater and the cardigan from Joy in Motion yesterday are the two reasons I joined this blog hop. Its hard to find well designed, well fitting, plus sized sweaters. I can hardly wait to begin them both. A mindful debate over which one first, which one will keep me warmest? Thank you SO MUCH for sharing.
So glad you joined the blog hop!! They are both great designs and I think you will be happy with whichever you decide to make first 🙂 Can’t wait to see!
Thanks for sharing this! I’ve never made a sweater before (only scarves and cardigans so far), but this looks so comfy and cute.
Thank you Rachelle! This is one of my favorite sweaters I’ve ever made. 🙂
This is a great pattern and I’d love to try it. Not only is the design excellent, but I also love how the coloring works. However, I am allergic to wool. I was wondering if you could suggest another yarn, without wool in it, that may have a similar coloring effect?
Thank you for being so generous with free patterns!
Hi Tamara!
I have seen some cotton yarns with this type of dye. I’m not sure if an acrylic will give you the same effect. I’m so glad you like the patterns. 🙂
did you sell the rights to this pattern to i like crochet? i was going through my pattern stash and realized i have this twice, but with two names and from two sources: yours, as the glacial freeze pullover; and i like crochet, as the polar periwinkle pullover
They had the rights to this pattern for six months only, then it reverted back to me to do whatever I wanted with it. Instead of selling it, I chose to put it free on the blog. 🙂