Well Worn Cropped Sweater

 This comfy sweater has become my new favorite. I find myself wanting to wear it every day!

The Well Worn Cropped Sweater is a lightweight, wool sweater. The cropped length gives it a stylish and trendy look, but it can easily be made to your desired length. The bottom cuff, sleeve cuffs, and v-neck are knitted in twisted rib for a bolder texture. The oversized width and generous sleeves makes for an extremely cozy sweater, even with the cropped length.

This sweater is nearly seamless; the only seams are the shoulder seams. It is knit in the round from the bottom up. The upper back and front sections are knit separately and then joined at the shoulders. The sleeves are picked up at the armholes and worked in the round. 

For this sweater I used Lion Brand Fishermen's Wool. My son's girlfriend is learning all about dying fiber using natural dyes. For the pink part of this sweater she dyed Fishermen's Wool in natural using red wine. It gives it a warm pink hue. I only got one ball for Christmas, so I paired it with brown heather. I love how the muted colors give it a well worn look, like I've owned it for decades. And the best part is it only took slightly more than two skeins of yarn, around 1000 yards!

This pattern is available in an ad-free, printable pdf in my Etsy shop. Or add it to your queue on Ravelry.

There are a couple new stitches and tricks used to make this sweater. All of the ribbing is in a twisted rib for texture. I have a brief photo tutorial below. I also show you how to complete the v-neck. It's pretty simple, but it does require a cable needle or spare needle to switch two stitches at the V. The photo tutorials are below. Then on with the pattern.

Photo Tutorials

Special Stitch

Twisted rib is used for the cuffs and neckline of this sweater. To knit a twisted rib:

*P1tbl, k1tbl. Repeat from * to end of round.

K1tbl

Insert needle into back loop of next stitch from right to left. Wrap yarn around needle and draw through loop as a knit stitch. Drop stitch from left needle.

P1tbl

Insert needle through back loop of next stitch from left to right (as if to purl from the back side of the work). Wrap yarn around the needle as if to purl and draw through loop as a purl stitch. Drop stitch from left needle.

       

Twisted Rib V-neck

To work the v-neck, pick up stitches starting at one shoulder. Work the first round in k1p1 ribbing, making sure the stitch at the center of the v-neck is a knit stitch. It is helpful to use a stitch marker to mark the center stitch of your v-neck.

1. Knit in twisted rib to 1 stitch before center of v-neck

2. Slip first stitch purlwise

3. Slip center stitch to cable needle

4. Return first slipped stitch to LH needle

5. Return stitch from cable needle to LH needle

6. K3tog through the back loop

Continue around in pattern. The stitches next to the center stitch will sometimes be knit stitches and sometimes be purl stitches. Just knit if it is a knit stitch and purl if it is a purl stitch, remembering to work through the back loop.

Well Worn Sweater

Knitting Pattern

Difficulty

⚫ ⚫ ⚫ ⚪ ⚪

Finished Sizes

This pattern is written for the following sizes (bust measurement): 

XS (28-30), S (32-34), M (36-38), L (40-42), XL (44-46), 2XL (48-50), and 3XL (52-54), 4XL (56-58), and 5XL (60-62). It is designed to be worn loose, with a positive ease of 11”-13”. Sizes are listed as XS (S, M, L, XL, 2XL, 3XL, 4XL, 5XL)

All measurements are approximate. 

Length: 17 (17, 18, 18, 18, 19, 19, 20, 20)”/43 (43, 46, 46, 46, 48, 48, 51, 51) cm

Back width: 21.5 (23.5, 25.5, 27.5, 29.5. 31.5, 33.5, 35.5, 37.5)”/55 (60, 65, 70, 75, 80, 85, 90, 95) cm

Armhole Depth: 10 (10, 11, 11, 11, 12, 12, 13, 13)”/25 (25, 28, 28, 28, 30, 30, 33, 33) cm

Sleeve Length: 18.5 (18.5, 18.5, 18.5, 17.5, 17.5, 17, 17, 16.5)”/47 (47, 47, 47, 44.5, 44.5, 43, 43, 42) cm 

Size Adjustment

This sweater can be made longer or shorter by knitting more or fewer rows before dividing for the armholes. Sleeves can also be made longer by adding extra rounds before beginning the decrease rounds or before beginning the cuffs. Sleeves can be made shorter by skipping rounds in between decrease rounds.

Instructions are written using standard US abbreviations. 

CO - cast on

K - knit

P - purl

K2tog - knit 2 together

Kfb - knit front and back

K1tbl - knit next stitch through back loop

P1tbl - purl next stitch through back loop

PM - place marker

BOR - beginning of round

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Materials

• Lion Brand Fishermen’s Wool (8 oz/227 g; 465 yds/425 m) 
• 2 skeins of #125 Brown Heather (Color A)
• 1 skein of #098 Natural (Color B) (yarn pictured has a pink tint because it was hand dyed before use)
• Size 10 (6.00 mm), 40”- 60” circular knitting needles (Larger sizes require longer circular needles to accommodate the circumference, and smaller sizes require shorter needles. Choose a size that is a few inches smaller than the circumference of the size you are knitting.)
• Size 10 (6.00 mm) 24” circular needles for sleeves and neckline
• Cable needle (or spare straight needle) for v-neck
• Tapestry needle (for seams and weaving in ends)

                   

Gauge

In stockinette stitch:

16 stitches = 4”

20 rows = 4”

Notes

The body of the cardigan is knitted in the round from the bottom up. Piece is worked separately from the armholes. The only seams required are the shoulder seams. The sleeves are picked up at the armholes, and knit in the round. Pattern includes an edge stitch at the armholes that will always be a purl for the first or last stitch of every row. 

Special Stitch (see photo tutorial above)

Twisted rib is used for the cuffs and neckline of this sweater. To knit a twisted rib:

*P1tbl, k1tbl. Repeat from * to end of round.

Instructions

With longer, size 10 (6.00 mm) circular needles, CO 172 (188, 204,220, 236, 252, 268, 284, 300) stitches. Join to knit in the round and place marker for BOR.

Ribbing

Round 1: *P2tbl, k1tbl; repeat from * around.

Repeat Round 1 until piece measures 2.5” (6.3 cm).

Body

Round 1: P1, k 109, PM, p1, k remaining 109 stitches; slip marker.

Round 2: P1, k to first marker, sl marker, p1, k to BOR.

Attach Color B. 

Round 3: With Color B, repeat Round 2.

Round 4: With Color A, repeat Round 2.

Yarn can be carried inside the sweater from row to row. 

Repeat Rounds 3-4 until piece measures approximately 7”, ending with a round of Color A. Cut Color B and fasten off. 

Divide for Armholes

Set up Round: P1, k to marker, m1 pw, sl marker, p1 k to BOR, m1 pw, sl marker.

Place last 87 (95, 103, 111, 119, 127, 135, 143, 151) stitches worked onto a spare needle or stitch holders. Continue at BOR, working flat for the upper back portion.

Back

Worked between BOR and other marker.

Row 1: p1, k to last st, p last st. Turn. [87 (95, 103, 111, 119, 127, 135, 143, 151) stitches]

Row 2: P across. Turn.

Repeat Rows 1-2 until armhole measures approximately 9 (9, 10, 10, 10, 11, 11, 12, 12)”/23 (23, 25, 25, 25, 28, 28, 30, 30) cm. 

Back Neckline

Row 1: P1, k35 (39, 42, 45, 48, 52, 56, 60, 64), BO 15 (15, 17, 19, 21, 21, 21, 21, 21) st, k35 (39, 42, 45, 48, 52, 56, 60, 64), p last st. Turn. (You may choose to place the first set of stitches on a spare needle or stitch holders, or just keep them on the needle while you work the left side of the back.)

Left side of back

Continuing only on the stitches for the left side of the back.

Row 2: p across. Turn.

Row 3: BO 9 (9, 9, 9, 9, 9, 9, 10, 10) stitches, k26 (30, 33, 36, 39, 43, 47, 50, 54), p last st. Turn.

Row 4: P across. Turn.

Row 5: BO 4 (5, 5, 6, 6, 6, 6, 6, 6) stitches, k22 (25, 28, 30, 33, 37, 41, 44, 48), p last st. Turn.

Row 6: P across. Turn.

Row 7: Bind off all stitches knitwise. Fasten off. Break yarn.

Right side of back

Place stitches on needle (if they were moved to a stitch holder for the left side of back) and attach yarn at right armhole with RS facing. 

Row 2 (RS): P 1st st. K across. Turn. (Row 1 was worked while dividing for neckline)

Row 3: BO 9 (9, 9, 9, 9, 9, 9, 10, 10) stitches pw, p across. Turn. [27 (31, 34, 37, 40, 44, 48, 51, 55) stitches]

Row 4: P 1st st. K across. Turn.

Row 5: BO 4 (5, 5, 5, 5, 6, 6, 6, 6) stitches, p across. Turn. [23 (26, 29, 32, 35, 38, 42, 45, 49) stitches]

Row 6: P 1st st. K across. Turn.

Row 7: Bind off all stitches purlwise. Fasten off. Break yarn.

Front

Place stitches for front of sweater on needles. Attach yarn at left armhole with RS facing.

Set Up Row (for v-neck): P1, k54, kfb. Place marker between the two stitches formed in the kfb. Continue across row. K54, p last stitch. Turn.

Front Right

Working only on the stitches for the right side of the front.

Row 1 (WS): P to marker. Place remaining 56 stitches on a spare needle or stitch holders. Turn.

Row 2: P1, k2, k2tog, k to last st, p last st. Turn.

Row 3: Purl across. Turn.

[Repeat Rows 2-3] 20 (21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 25, 26, 26) times. [23 (26, 29, 32, 35, 38, 42, 45, 49) stitches]

Work without decreases until front armhole measures the same as back armhole. Bind off. Fasten off and break yarn leaving a tail 2-3 times as long as the bind off edge to sew the shoulder seam.

Front Left

Place stitches for left front of sweater onto needles with WS facing. Attach yarn at bottom of v-neck (center front).

Row 1 (WS): Purl across. Turn.

Row 2: P1, k to last 5 stitches; ssk, k2, p last st. Turn.

[Repeat Rows 1-2] 20 (21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 25, 26, 26) times. [23 (26, 29, 32, 35, 38, 42, 45, 49) stitches]

Work without decreases until front armhole measures the same as back armhole. Bind off. Fasten off and break yarn leaving a tail 2-3 times as long as the bind off edge to sew the shoulder seam.

Sew shoulder seams using long tails left on front sections.

V-neck Ribbing

Starting at either shoulder seam, with 24” circular needles, pick up an even number of stitches around neck opening (approximately one stitch per row, adjusting as needed to get an even number). Place marker for BOR. 

Round 1: Count stitches to make sure a knit stitch will be placed at the bottom center of the v-neck. Begin with a p1tbl or k1tbl depending on the stitch count. Work in 1x1 twisted rib around.

Round 2: Work in 1x1 twisted rib to 1 st before front center of v-neck. Sl 1st stitch to RH needle. Sl k stitch (center front of v-neck) to spare needle or cable needle. Slip 1st slipped stitch back to LH needle. Sl stitch on cable needle back to LH needle. K3tog through back loop. (one decrease made) Continue around in pattern.

Repeat Round 2 until neck ribbing measures approximately 2” (5 cm) or desired width. Bind off in pattern. Fasten off. Break yarn.

Sleeves

Attach yarn at bottom of armhole. Pick up 80 (80, 90, 90, 90, 98, 98, 106, 106) stitches around, beginning at the side seam. Place marker for BOR. 

Follow directions below for the size you are making ONLY.

Size XS (S) ONLY

Round 1: P 1st st, k around. Sl marker. [80 (80) stitches]

Round 2: P 1st st, k to last 3 st; ssk, k1. Sl marker.

Round 3: P 1st st, k1, k2tog, k to BOR. [78 (78) stitches]

Round 4: Repeat Round 1

Round 5: Repeat Round 1

Round 6: Repeat Round 1

Round 7: Repeat Round 2

Round 8: Repeat Round 3 [76 (76) stitches]

Round 9: Repeat Round 1

Round 10: Repeat Round 1

[Repeat Rounds 2-10] 7 more times. [48 (48) stitches]

Repeat Rounds 2-8 once. [44 (44) stitches/80 rows]

Continue with Sleeve Cuffs.

Size M (L) ONLY

Round 1: P 1st st, k around. Sl marker. [90 (90) stitches]

Round 2: P 1st st, k around. Sl marker.

Round 3: P 1st st, k to last 3 st; ssk, k1. Sl marker.

Round 4: P 1st st, k1, k2tog, k to BOR. [88 (88) stitches]

Round 5: Repeat Round 2

[Repeat Rounds 2-5] 19 more times. [50 (50) stitches/81 rows]

Continue with Sleeve Cuffs.

Size XL (2XL) ONLY

Round 1: P 1st st, k around. Sl marker. [90 (98) stitches]

Round 2: P 1st st, k to last 3 st; ssk, k1. Sl marker.

Round 3: P 1st st, k1, k2tog, k to BOR. [88 (96) stitches]

Round 4: Repeat Round 1

Round 5: Repeat Round 2

Round 6: Repeat Round 3 [86 (94) stitches]

Round 7: Repeat Round 1

Round 8: Repeat Round 1

[Repeat Rounds 2-8] 8 (9, 9) more times. [54 (58) stitches]

[Repeat Rounds 2-6] 0 (1, 1) time. [50 (54) stitches/69 (76) rows]

[Repeat Round 1] 6 (0, 0) times. [50 (54) stitches/75 (76) rows]

Continue with Sleeve Cuffs.

Size 3XL ONLY

Round 1: P 1st st, k around. Sl marker. [98 stitches]

Round 2: Repeat Round 1

Round 3: P 1st st, k to last 3 st; ssk, k1. Sl marker.

Round 4: P 1st st, k1, k2tog, k to BOR. [96 stitches]

Round 5: Repeat Round 1

[Repeat Rounds 3-5] 21 more times. [54 stitches]

[Repeat Round 1] 5 times. [50 stitches/73 rows]

Continue with Sleeve Cuffs.

Size 4XL (5XL) ONLY

Round 1: P 1st st, k around. Sl marker. [106 (106) stitches]

Round 2: Repeat Round 1

Round 3: P 1st st, k to last 3 st; ssk, k1. Sl marker.

Round 4: P 1st st, k1, k2tog, k to BOR. [104 (104) stitches]

Round 5: Repeat Round 1

Round 6: Repeat Round 3

Round 7: Repeat Round 4 [102 (102) stitches]

[Repeat Rounds 3-7] 12 (12) more times. [54 (54) stitches]

[Repeat Round 1] 6 (3) times. [54 (54) stitches/73 (70) rows]

Continue with Sleeve Cuffs.

Sleeve Cuffs (ALL sizes)

Round 1: *P1tbl, k1tbl. Repeat from * to BOR. Sl Marker.

Repeat Round 1 until cuffs measure approximately 2.5” (6 cm) or desired length.

Bind off in pattern. Fasten off. Weave in ends.

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Copyright © 2022 Sharon Hansen/Yarnmare

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The pattern and photographs of this design are the property of Sharon Hansen/Yarnmare. This pattern and design are subject to copyright, and are for personal, non-commercial use only. You may not distribute or sell this pattern or any items created using the directions in this pattern without consent. Please email yarnmare@gmail.com with any questions.