First Crush Sweater

[Sign up for my newsletter here to receive a discount on all new patterns!][1] This pattern is also available as a [Lion Brand knit kit][2]. The kit comes with a free copy of the PDF pattern as well as all the yarn required in your chosen colourways! ---------- [Shop my first book, Modern Crochet Sweaters, here or wherever you buy your books!][3] [Shop my second book, Summer Crochet, here or wherever you buy your books!][4] ---------- ABOUT ===== Fall in love at first wear with the First Crush Sweater. This plush pullover features bold, fuzzy stripes that pop against the neutral backdrop, creating a fabric full of dreamy texture. Knit top-down with a relaxed, drop-shoulder silhouette, it’s an easy, approachable knit that feels comforting, effortless, and elevated. For more information and additional photos, visit [knitsnknots.ca/first-crush-sweater][5]. [Shop the Lion Brand Knit Kit here.][6] MATERIALS ========= **Yarn:** **Main Color (MC):** Bulky—[Lion Brand Hue And Me][7] in colorway “Salt” * 100% Acrylic * 137 yds (125 m) per 4.4 oz (125 g) skein * Find this yarn on [lionbrand.com][8] or visit [yarnsub.com][9] to find comparable substitutes available in your region. * Shop the [full knitting kit here][10] (comes with free PDF) **MC Yardage Required:** 4 (4, 5, 5, 5) (6, 6, 7, 7) skeins 410 (430, 465, 510, 525) (580, 635, 680, 690) yds 375 (393, 425, 466, 480) (530, 581, 622, 631) m **Contrasting Colors (CC) (Fuzzy Stripes):** Bulky—[Lion Brand Feels Like Bliss][11] in colorways “Dusk” (CC1), “Sage” (CC2), “Dusty Rose” (CC3), and “Aqua” (CC4) * 100% Nylon * 109 yds (100 m) per 3.5 oz (100 g) skein * Find this yarn on [lionbrand.com][12] or visit [yarnsub.com][13] to find comparable substitutes available in your region. **CC1 (Dusk) – Top Stripe** 1 (1, 1, 2, 2) (2, 2, 2, 2) skein(s) 80 (85, 90, 110, 115) (125, 145, 155, 160) yds 73 (78, 82, 101, 105) (114, 133, 142, 146) m **CC2 (Sage)** 2 skeins (all sizes) 130 (145, 150, 175, 180) (125, 145, 160, 165) yds 119 (133, 137, 160, 165) (114, 133, 146, 151) m **CC3 (Dusty Rose) and CC4 (Aqua) - each** 2 (2, 2, 2, 2) (2, 3, 3, 3) skeins 135 (145, 160, 180, 190) (210, 235, 255, 260) yds 123 (133, 146, 165, 174) (192, 215, 233, 238) m **Yarn Substitution:** Substitute these two yarns with any similar category 5, bulky weight yarns that match gauge. [Feels Like Bliss][14] (used for the colored stripes) is a chainette yarn with little hairs surrounding the strand to produce a fuzzy texture that creates a fabric where the individual stitches become indistinct and blend together. Other bulky weight “novelty yarns” are likely to work well in place of [Feels Like Bliss][15]. Boucle yarns will produce a similar effect, creating a contrasting texture to your main color yarn. Always swatch before beginning to ensure you are happy with the resulting fabric. **Notions:** Tapestry needle, scissors, 2 removable/locking stitch markers, 1 distinct fixed stitch marker to mark BOR, scrap yarn or stitch wire/holders for placing stitches on hold **Needles** * **Main Gauge Needle:** Size U.S. 10 (6 mm) or size needed to obtain gauge * **Ribbing Needle:** Size U.S. 9 (5.5 mm) or size that is approximately 0.5 mm smaller than Main Gauge Needle GAUGE ============= 4 x 4” (10 x 10 cm) = approximately 15 sts and 21 rows in stockinette stitch using main gauge (larger) needle, measured over stripe pattern, blocked (see more info in pattern on how to swatch). PATTERN NOTES ============= **Skill Level:** Intermediate **Sizing:** This sweater is written in nine sizes as follows: XS (S, M, L, XL) (2X, 3X, 4X, 5X). Make sure to follow the numbers for your size only. View full sizing chart on page 5. **Stitch Counts:** Stitch counts are listed after each row/round in italics. If no stitch count is given, there has been no change since the previous row/round. If only one number is provided, it applies to all sizes. **Construction:** The sweater is worked from the top down, beginning with the back panel knit flat while increasing at the edges to shape the shoulders. The front shoulders are then picked up directly from the back panel, shaped at the neckline, and joined after casting on stitches for the front neck opening. The body is then joined in the round while casting on stitches for the underarms, and the sleeves are knit directly onto the armhole openings on the body. Ribbing is worked at the bottom hem, neckline, and sleeve cuffs, and finished with a tubular bind-off for a clean edge. TERMS + ABBREVIATIONS ===================== **BOR:** beginning of round **CC:** contrasting color **Circ:** circumference **K:** knit **K2tog:** knit 2 stitches together (right-slanting decrease) - Insert your right needle into the next 2 stitches knitwise, treating them as 1, and knit them together. **M1L:** make 1 left - Lift the strand between stitches from front to back and knit through the back loop. **M1Lp:** make 1 left on the purl side - Lift the strand between stitches from front to back and purl through the back loop. **M1R:** make 1 right - Lift the strand between stitches from back to front and knit through the front loop. **M1Rp:** make 1 right on the purl side - Lift the strand between stitches from back to front and purl through the front loop. **MC:** main color **P:** purl **rep:** repeat **rnd(s):** round(s) **RS:** right side **SSK:** slip slip knit **st(s):** stitch(es) **WS:** wrong side HELPFUL LINKS (all included in pattern PDF) ===================== [M1L/M1R][16] [Long Tail Cast-On][17] [Creating a Double Stitch][18] (Used for the ribbing) [Swatching in the Round][19] [Backwards Loop Cast-On][20] Tubular Bind-Off: [Photo Tutorial][21] | [Video Tutorial][22] ---------- [Shop my first book, **Modern Crochet Sweaters**, here or wherever you buy your books!][23] [Shop my second book, **Summer Crochet**, here or wherever you buy your books!][24] ---------- [1]: https://view.flodesk.com/pages/6138c9e57accb4c0210200f0 [2]: https://lionbrand.sjv.io/EEWPMX [3]: https://amzn.to/4dITbMj [4]: https://amzn.to/3zRL7Lg [5]: https://knitsnknots.ca/first-crush-sweater [6]: https://lionbrand.sjv.io/k44MVV [7]: https://lionbrand.sjv.io/rEQb55 [8]: https://lionbrand.sjv.io/rEQb55 [9]: https://yarnsub.com/yarns/lion_brand/hue_and_me [10]: https://lionbrand.sjv.io/k44MVV [11]: https://lionbrand.sjv.io/3keO4X [12]: https://lionbrand.sjv.io/3keO4X [13]: https://yarnsub.com/yarns/lion_brand/feels_like_bliss [14]: https://lionbrand.sjv.io/3keO4X [15]: https://lionbrand.sjv.io/3keO4X [16]: https://www.purlsoho.com/create/make-one-right-m1r-make-one-left-m1l/?srsltid=AfmBOoqEELRh85QLRh168zpQ0POji17czuLaS8ZcBbpXgW5Xt3oMW0kO [17]: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CA6ARull7Sg [18]: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=52qy8OOb-s0 [19]: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wsn5DqmXA-w [20]: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ojOU7Bco4dM&t=2s [21]: https://shibuiknits.com/pages/tubular-bind-off [22]: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SBrGhv1_RBU [23]: https://amzn.to/4dITbMj [24]: https://amzn.to/3zRL7Lg