Striped Crochet Sweater

I love a sweater sleeve that falls over the wrist and a stripe wide enough to see from across the room. This cream and navy striped crochet sweater comes in XS–3XL, with a finished chest of 40–64 in (102–163 cm). The shoulders drop gently, the sleeves stay roomy, and navy cuffs gather the fabric at the wrists.

The body uses plain single crochet, with a cream hem and a cream collar to keep the dark bands feeling light. I shape the front neckline before sewing the shoulders, so the collar has room to sit below the throat. Each size has its own panel rows below; keep your size marked as you work.

At a glance
Sizes	XS, S, M, L, XL, 2XL, 3XL
Finished chest	40–64 in (102–163 cm)
Back length, excluding collar	24–30 in (61–76 cm), including the 2 in (5 cm) hem
Yarn	Worsted #4, cream and navy, about 1750–2925 yd altogether
Hook	5.5 mm for all pieces; adjust to match both swatches
Separate pieces	9
Time	about 25–50 hours
Skills	sc, sc2tog, back-loop ribbing, changing color, seaming

Choosing your striped sweater size: XS–3XL

Choose by your measured chest and the finished sweater measurement. This is a generous fit, with about 10–12 in (25–30 cm) of room over the chest ranges below. Measure a roomy sweater you already enjoy, laid flat under the arms, and compare its width with the panel width in the table.

Size	Body chest, in (cm)	Finished chest, in (cm)	Panel width, in (cm)	Back length including hem, in (cm)
XS	28–30 (71–76)	40 (102)	20 (51)	24 (61)
S	32–34 (81–86)	44 (112)	22 (56)	24 (61)
M	36–38 (91–97)	48 (122)	24 (61)	26 (66)
L	40–42 (102–107)	52 (132)	26 (66)	26 (66)
XL	44–46 (112–117)	56 (142)	28 (71)	28 (71)
2XL	48–50 (122–127)	60 (152)	30 (76)	28 (71)
3XL	52–54 (132–137)	64 (163)	32 (81)	30 (76)

The body chest ranges follow the Craft Yarn Council's women's sizing chart. The finished chest is the sweater measurement, after gentle blocking and with the seams kept flat. If your hips need more room than the listed chest, choose a size that clears your hips comfortably too.

Cream and navy yarn, hooks and the gauge swatch

For this design I choose Lion Brand Wool-Ease in Fisherman and Navy, the regular worsted #4 version: 80% acrylic, 20% wool, about 197 yd (180 m) per 85 g ball. The soft cream keeps the stitches easy to see. Keep both colors in the same yarn line so they respond similarly to washing.

Use a 5.5 mm hook as your starting point for the body, sleeves and ribbing. You'll also need a tapestry needle, scissors, a measuring tape, a washable row counter and about 12 locking stitch markers. The larger size numbers need plenty of yarn; check the color quantities before starting the first panel.

Size	Cream, about yd	Navy, about yd	Total, about yd	197-yd balls: cream + navy
XS	1075	675	1750	6 + 4
S	1175	700	1875	6 + 4
M	1325	800	2125	7 + 5
L	1425	825	2250	8 + 5
XL	1575	925	2500	8 + 5
2XL	1675	975	2650	9 + 5
3XL	1850	1075	2925	10 + 6

These are stitch-count estimates with a little breathing room for joins and sewing, plus cream for the swatches. If you lengthen the body or sleeves, set aside additional yarn in both colors.

Body gauge to match: 3 sc per inch, or 12 sc and 16 rows over 4 in (10 cm), after washing and drying flat. Make a cream swatch with ch 20, then 19 sc across each row for 24 rows. Ch 1 and turn before every row after the first; the turning chain never counts as a stitch.

Ribbing gauge to match: 12 sc BLO and 16 rows over 4 in (10 cm), measured relaxed, with the rows running around the hem or wrist. Make a second cream swatch with ch 7, 6 sc in the first row and 6 sc BLO across each later row for 24 rows. Its short width should be about 2 in (5 cm); measure the central 4 in (10 cm) along its length to check the rows.

These are the target measurements for this design. Wash both samples according to the yarn label and let them dry fully. Check stitch gauge and row gauge separately. More stitches per inch call for a larger hook; fewer call for a smaller one. If ribbing needs its own hook to match, use that hook for all the ribbed strips. A matching stitch width with a different row height changes the stripe depth and sleeve fit, so get both measurements right before starting.

Stitches and conventions. US terms: ch = chain; sc = single crochet; sc2tog = single crochet two together; BLO = back loop only; sl st = slip stitch; st/sts = stitch/stitches. R means row for flat pieces and round only in the neckline foundation. Work through both loops except where BLO is stated. Ch 1 and turn before every flat row after its first; ch 1 never counts. The number in parentheses is the finished stitch count.

For sc2tog, insert the hook into the next stitch, pull up a loop, insert it into the following stitch and pull up a loop, then yarn over and pull through all three loops. For sc BLO, put the hook under only the loop farther from you at the top of the stitch.

Changing color: on the last sc before a new stripe, pull up a loop with the old color, then draw the new color through the final two loops. Ch 1 and turn with the new color. Cut the old strand with a 6 in (15 cm) tail; weave the tails into their matching color. For these wide bands, cut and rejoin at each change.

Size M is shown throughout the step photos.

How the dropped-shoulder sweater fits together

The front and back grow upward from the hem edge. Cream and navy bands line up across both panels. The front separates into two shoulders for its final 12 rows, while the back continues straight across. The sleeves begin at the upper-arm edge and grow toward the wrist, where a ribbed strip gathers the fabric.

Mark the first stitch of the first row on every panel with a locking marker. That corner stays your starting-edge reference. Once a panel is finished, place a second marker on the same side at its final row, so you can find that edge without counting across the stripes again.

The front and back have matching five-band sequences: cream, navy, cream, navy, cream. Sleeve bands follow their own sequence from shoulder to wrist: 16 rows cream, 16 navy, 16 cream, then navy to the end. Match body stripes across the side seams and sleeve stripes across each underarm seam.

Part 1 — The striped back panel

Cream and navy, 5.5 mm hook. Make 1 in your chosen size. Start at the lower edge in cream. Each line gives the color for those rows; change color in the last stitch before the next band. The chain edge becomes the hem, and the final row becomes the shoulder edge.

Back: XS

• R1: ch 61, sc in the 2nd ch from the hook and in each ch across. (60) Cream.
• R2–R16: ch 1, turn, sc across. (60) Cream.
• R17–R32: ch 1, turn, sc across. (60) Navy.
• R33–R48: ch 1, turn, sc across. (60) Cream.
• R49–R64: ch 1, turn, sc across. (60) Navy.
• R65–R88: ch 1, turn, sc across. (60) Cream.

Back: S

• R1: ch 67, sc in the 2nd ch from the hook and in each ch across. (66) Cream.
• R2–R16: ch 1, turn, sc across. (66) Cream.
• R17–R32: ch 1, turn, sc across. (66) Navy.
• R33–R48: ch 1, turn, sc across. (66) Cream.
• R49–R64: ch 1, turn, sc across. (66) Navy.
• R65–R88: ch 1, turn, sc across. (66) Cream.

Back: M

• R1: ch 73, sc in the 2nd ch from the hook and in each ch across. (72) Cream.
• R2–R18: ch 1, turn, sc across. (72) Cream.
• R19–R36: ch 1, turn, sc across. (72) Navy.
• R37–R54: ch 1, turn, sc across. (72) Cream.
• R55–R72: ch 1, turn, sc across. (72) Navy.
• R73–R96: ch 1, turn, sc across. (72) Cream.

Back: L

• R1: ch 79, sc in the 2nd ch from the hook and in each ch across. (78) Cream.
• R2–R18: ch 1, turn, sc across. (78) Cream.
• R19–R36: ch 1, turn, sc across. (78) Navy.
• R37–R54: ch 1, turn, sc across. (78) Cream.
• R55–R72: ch 1, turn, sc across. (78) Navy.
• R73–R96: ch 1, turn, sc across. (78) Cream.

Back: XL

• R1: ch 85, sc in the 2nd ch from the hook and in each ch across. (84) Cream.
• R2–R20: ch 1, turn, sc across. (84) Cream.
• R21–R40: ch 1, turn, sc across. (84) Navy.
• R41–R60: ch 1, turn, sc across. (84) Cream.
• R61–R80: ch 1, turn, sc across. (84) Navy.
• R81–R104: ch 1, turn, sc across. (84) Cream.

Back: 2XL

• R1: ch 91, sc in the 2nd ch from the hook and in each ch across. (90) Cream.
• R2–R20: ch 1, turn, sc across. (90) Cream.
• R21–R40: ch 1, turn, sc across. (90) Navy.
• R41–R60: ch 1, turn, sc across. (90) Cream.
• R61–R80: ch 1, turn, sc across. (90) Navy.
• R81–R104: ch 1, turn, sc across. (90) Cream.

Back: 3XL

• R1: ch 97, sc in the 2nd ch from the hook and in each ch across. (96) Cream.
• R2–R22: ch 1, turn, sc across. (96) Cream.
• R23–R44: ch 1, turn, sc across. (96) Navy.
• R45–R66: ch 1, turn, sc across. (96) Cream.
• R67–R88: ch 1, turn, sc across. (96) Navy.
• R89–R112: ch 1, turn, sc across. (96) Cream.

Fasten off after the last row, leaving a 6 in (15 cm) tail to weave in. Lay the back flat and check its width against the size table. Its height before the hem is 22 (22, 24, 24, 26, 26, 28) in, or 56 (56, 61, 61, 66, 66, 71) cm, in size order XS (S, M, L, XL, 2XL, 3XL).

Part 2 — The front panel and round neckline

Cream and navy, 5.5 mm hook. Make 1 in your chosen size. Begin at the hem edge, just as for the back. Work the full-width rows below, then use the shoulder instructions for that same size. The last full-width row is the bottom of the front neckline.

Front body: XS

• R1: ch 61, sc in the 2nd ch from the hook and in each ch across. (60) Cream.
• R2–R16: ch 1, turn, sc across. (60) Cream.
• R17–R32: ch 1, turn, sc across. (60) Navy.
• R33–R48: ch 1, turn, sc across. (60) Cream.
• R49–R64: ch 1, turn, sc across. (60) Navy.
• R65–R76: ch 1, turn, sc across. (60) Cream.

Front body: S

• R1: ch 67, sc in the 2nd ch from the hook and in each ch across. (66) Cream.
• R2–R16: ch 1, turn, sc across. (66) Cream.
• R17–R32: ch 1, turn, sc across. (66) Navy.
• R33–R48: ch 1, turn, sc across. (66) Cream.
• R49–R64: ch 1, turn, sc across. (66) Navy.
• R65–R76: ch 1, turn, sc across. (66) Cream.

Front body: M

• R1: ch 73, sc in the 2nd ch from the hook and in each ch across. (72) Cream.
• R2–R18: ch 1, turn, sc across. (72) Cream.
• R19–R36: ch 1, turn, sc across. (72) Navy.
• R37–R54: ch 1, turn, sc across. (72) Cream.
• R55–R72: ch 1, turn, sc across. (72) Navy.
• R73–R84: ch 1, turn, sc across. (72) Cream.

Front body: L

• R1: ch 79, sc in the 2nd ch from the hook and in each ch across. (78) Cream.
• R2–R18: ch 1, turn, sc across. (78) Cream.
• R19–R36: ch 1, turn, sc across. (78) Navy.
• R37–R54: ch 1, turn, sc across. (78) Cream.
• R55–R72: ch 1, turn, sc across. (78) Navy.
• R73–R84: ch 1, turn, sc across. (78) Cream.

Front body: XL

• R1: ch 85, sc in the 2nd ch from the hook and in each ch across. (84) Cream.
• R2–R20: ch 1, turn, sc across. (84) Cream.
• R21–R40: ch 1, turn, sc across. (84) Navy.
• R41–R60: ch 1, turn, sc across. (84) Cream.
• R61–R80: ch 1, turn, sc across. (84) Navy.
• R81–R92: ch 1, turn, sc across. (84) Cream.

Front body: 2XL

• R1: ch 91, sc in the 2nd ch from the hook and in each ch across. (90) Cream.
• R2–R20: ch 1, turn, sc across. (90) Cream.
• R21–R40: ch 1, turn, sc across. (90) Navy.
• R41–R60: ch 1, turn, sc across. (90) Cream.
• R61–R80: ch 1, turn, sc across. (90) Navy.
• R81–R92: ch 1, turn, sc across. (90) Cream.

Front body: 3XL

• R1: ch 97, sc in the 2nd ch from the hook and in each ch across. (96) Cream.
• R2–R22: ch 1, turn, sc across. (96) Cream.
• R23–R44: ch 1, turn, sc across. (96) Navy.
• R45–R66: ch 1, turn, sc across. (96) Cream.
• R67–R88: ch 1, turn, sc across. (96) Navy.
• R89–R100: ch 1, turn, sc across. (96) Cream.

Marking the front neckline

Keep the final full-width row facing you and count from the edge where its next row would begin. Name that side edge A and the opposite side edge B. Put markers around the middle stitches listed below. Leave those center stitches unworked while the shoulders grow above them.

Size	Shoulder A starting sts	Center sts left unworked	Shoulder B starting sts	Final sts per shoulder
XS	16	28	16	14
S	19	28	19	17
M	21	30	21	19
L	24	30	24	22
XL	26	32	26	24
2XL	29	32	29	27
3XL	31	34	31	29

The shoulder rows below restart at R1. They are the final 12 rows of the panel, placing the shoulder edge level with the back. Work both shoulders in cream. Turn between rows, even when the instructions change direction at the neck.

Shoulder A: edge A toward the neckline

Ch 1 and turn after the last full-width row. Begin at edge A, work toward the center marker, and stop after the stated stitches. After the first shoulder row, leave the middle and opposite shoulder stitches resting on the full-width row.

Shoulder A: XS

• R1: sc 16. (16)
• R2: ch 1, turn, sc2tog, sc 14. (15)
• R3: ch 1, turn, sc 13, sc2tog. (14)
• R4–R12: ch 1, turn, sc across. (14)

Shoulder A: S

• R1: sc 19. (19)
• R2: ch 1, turn, sc2tog, sc 17. (18)
• R3: ch 1, turn, sc 16, sc2tog. (17)
• R4–R12: ch 1, turn, sc across. (17)

Shoulder A: M

• R1: sc 21. (21)
• R2: ch 1, turn, sc2tog, sc 19. (20)
• R3: ch 1, turn, sc 18, sc2tog. (19)
• R4–R12: ch 1, turn, sc across. (19)

Shoulder A: L

• R1: sc 24. (24)
• R2: ch 1, turn, sc2tog, sc 22. (23)
• R3: ch 1, turn, sc 21, sc2tog. (22)
• R4–R12: ch 1, turn, sc across. (22)

Shoulder A: XL

• R1: sc 26. (26)
• R2: ch 1, turn, sc2tog, sc 24. (25)
• R3: ch 1, turn, sc 23, sc2tog. (24)
• R4–R12: ch 1, turn, sc across. (24)

Shoulder A: 2XL

• R1: sc 29. (29)
• R2: ch 1, turn, sc2tog, sc 27. (28)
• R3: ch 1, turn, sc 26, sc2tog. (27)
• R4–R12: ch 1, turn, sc across. (27)

Shoulder A: 3XL

• R1: sc 31. (31)
• R2: ch 1, turn, sc2tog, sc 29. (30)
• R3: ch 1, turn, sc 28, sc2tog. (29)
• R4–R12: ch 1, turn, sc across. (29)

Fasten off with a 6 in (15 cm) tail. Mark the top outer corner and leave the shoulder edge open for sewing.

Shoulder B: neckline toward edge B

Return to the last full-width row. Hold it with the same face toward you as for Shoulder A's R1. Count from edge A, past its shoulder stitches and the marked center gap. Join cream in the next unworked stitch, ch 1, and work toward edge B. That join sits at the neck edge of shoulder B.

Shoulder B: XS

• R1: sc 16. (16)
• R2: ch 1, turn, sc 14, sc2tog. (15)
• R3: ch 1, turn, sc2tog, sc 13. (14)
• R4–R12: ch 1, turn, sc across. (14)

Shoulder B: S

• R1: sc 19. (19)
• R2: ch 1, turn, sc 17, sc2tog. (18)
• R3: ch 1, turn, sc2tog, sc 16. (17)
• R4–R12: ch 1, turn, sc across. (17)

Shoulder B: M

• R1: sc 21. (21)
• R2: ch 1, turn, sc 19, sc2tog. (20)
• R3: ch 1, turn, sc2tog, sc 18. (19)
• R4–R12: ch 1, turn, sc across. (19)

Shoulder B: L

• R1: sc 24. (24)
• R2: ch 1, turn, sc 22, sc2tog. (23)
• R3: ch 1, turn, sc2tog, sc 21. (22)
• R4–R12: ch 1, turn, sc across. (22)

Shoulder B: XL

• R1: sc 26. (26)
• R2: ch 1, turn, sc 24, sc2tog. (25)
• R3: ch 1, turn, sc2tog, sc 23. (24)
• R4–R12: ch 1, turn, sc across. (24)

Shoulder B: 2XL

• R1: sc 29. (29)
• R2: ch 1, turn, sc 27, sc2tog. (28)
• R3: ch 1, turn, sc2tog, sc 26. (27)
• R4–R12: ch 1, turn, sc across. (27)

Shoulder B: 3XL

• R1: sc 31. (31)
• R2: ch 1, turn, sc 29, sc2tog. (30)
• R3: ch 1, turn, sc2tog, sc 28. (29)
• R4–R12: ch 1, turn, sc across. (29)

Fasten off with a 6 in (15 cm) tail. Lay the front over the back: hem edges, color changes and top shoulder edges should meet. The small decreases soften the front neck corners. Keep the markers around the center gap until the collar is attached.

Tip. If a shoulder leans toward the armhole, check which edge received its decreases. Both decreases belong beside the neck opening.

Part 3 — Wide striped sleeves

Cream and navy, 5.5 mm hook. Make 2 in your chosen size. Start in cream at the upper-arm edge. These are wide, straight sleeves; the navy ribbed cuffs will gather the wrist openings. Keep the first-row corner marker in place so the sleeve's top edge stays easy to find.

Sleeve: XS

• R1: ch 43, sc in the 2nd ch from the hook and in each ch across. (42) Cream.
• R2–R16: ch 1, turn, sc across. (42) Cream.
• R17–R32: ch 1, turn, sc across. (42) Navy.
• R33–R48: ch 1, turn, sc across. (42) Cream.
• R49–R64: ch 1, turn, sc across. (42) Navy.

Sleeve: S

• R1: ch 46, sc in the 2nd ch from the hook and in each ch across. (45) Cream.
• R2–R16: ch 1, turn, sc across. (45) Cream.
• R17–R32: ch 1, turn, sc across. (45) Navy.
• R33–R48: ch 1, turn, sc across. (45) Cream.
• R49–R62: ch 1, turn, sc across. (45) Navy.

Sleeve: M

• R1: ch 49, sc in the 2nd ch from the hook and in each ch across. (48) Cream.
• R2–R16: ch 1, turn, sc across. (48) Cream.
• R17–R32: ch 1, turn, sc across. (48) Navy.
• R33–R48: ch 1, turn, sc across. (48) Cream.
• R49–R60: ch 1, turn, sc across. (48) Navy.

Sleeve: L

• R1: ch 52, sc in the 2nd ch from the hook and in each ch across. (51) Cream.
• R2–R16: ch 1, turn, sc across. (51) Cream.
• R17–R32: ch 1, turn, sc across. (51) Navy.
• R33–R48: ch 1, turn, sc across. (51) Cream.
• R49–R58: ch 1, turn, sc across. (51) Navy.

Sleeve: XL

• R1: ch 55, sc in the 2nd ch from the hook and in each ch across. (54) Cream.
• R2–R16: ch 1, turn, sc across. (54) Cream.
• R17–R32: ch 1, turn, sc across. (54) Navy.
• R33–R48: ch 1, turn, sc across. (54) Cream.
• R49–R56: ch 1, turn, sc across. (54) Navy.

Sleeve: 2XL

• R1: ch 58, sc in the 2nd ch from the hook and in each ch across. (57) Cream.
• R2–R16: ch 1, turn, sc across. (57) Cream.
• R17–R32: ch 1, turn, sc across. (57) Navy.
• R33–R48: ch 1, turn, sc across. (57) Cream.
• R49–R54: ch 1, turn, sc across. (57) Navy.

Sleeve: 3XL

• R1: ch 61, sc in the 2nd ch from the hook and in each ch across. (60) Cream.
• R2–R16: ch 1, turn, sc across. (60) Cream.
• R17–R32: ch 1, turn, sc across. (60) Navy.
• R33–R48: ch 1, turn, sc across. (60) Cream.
• R49–R52: ch 1, turn, sc across. (60) Navy.

Fasten off with a 6 in (15 cm) tail and weave it into the last navy band. Each sleeve is 14 (15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20) in wide at the top, or 36 (38, 41, 43, 46, 48, 51) cm. Before its cuff, it measures 16 (15½, 15, 14½, 14, 13½, 13) in long, or 41 (39, 38, 37, 36, 34, 33) cm.

The wider sizes drop farther down the shoulder, so their sleeves are a little shorter. Before closing the underarm, pin the sweater on and check where the wrist edge falls; include the 2 in (5 cm) cuff in that check.

Joining the shoulders, sleeves and side seams

Block the flat panels gently to their stated measurements and let them dry. Choose a face for the outside, keep it consistent across the pieces, and place a scrap-yarn marker on that face. Use fresh lengths of matching cream or navy for sewing, changing sewing yarn where the stripes change.

Sewing the shoulders

Lay the front and back together, chosen outside faces touching and lower edges lined up. At each upper outer corner, whipstitch 14 (17, 19, 22, 24, 27, 29) pairs of stitches toward the neck, one stitch through each front/back pair. The front shoulder edge must finish exactly where its shaped neckline begins.

The back has 32 (32, 34, 34, 36, 36, 38) stitches left open between those shoulder seams. Keep them open for the collar. Turn the joined panels outside up and spread them on the table, with the shoulder seams running across the middle.

Attaching the upper sleeve edges

Count 28 (30, 32, 34, 36, 38, 40) row ends down from each shoulder corner on both the front and back side edges. Mark the gap just below the last counted row end. This gives an armhole depth of 7 (7½, 8, 8½, 9, 9½, 10) in, or 18 (19, 20, 22, 23, 24, 25) cm, on each panel.

The attached sleeve will open out from the body, with its navy wrist edge pointing away. For sewing, lay the sleeve outside-face down over the outside-up body, with their chosen outside faces touching. Match the cream foundation edge to the marked armhole; the wrist edge points inward over the body while you sew. Pin the middle of the sleeve's foundation edge to the shoulder seam. For an odd sleeve count, the middle stitch straddles the seam; for an even count, place the gap between the middle stitches on the seam.

Pin the sleeve's upper corners at the two armhole markers. Sew along the whole opening from the front marker to the back marker: join 3 sleeve stitches to each group of 4 body row ends. Spread the four row ends across the three stitches without pulling. This uses all the upper sleeve stitches and all the marked row ends. Unfold the sleeve away from the body: its outside faces up and the seam sits underneath. Attach the second sleeve in the same way.

Closing the underarms and body sides

Fold the sweater with its outside faces touching and the sleeve edges together. Match every color-change row on the sleeve. Sew one pair of sleeve row ends at a time, from the navy wrist edge to the underarm, then continue down the body sides to the cream foundation edge.

On each body side, sew the remaining 60 (58, 64, 62, 68, 66, 72) row-end pairs below the armhole markers. Match the body stripe changes as you go. Keep the wrist and lower body openings open for their ribbing. Turn the sweater outside out and check that each seam lies softly against the fabric.

Tip. A tight sewing strand makes the stripe edges ripple. Lay each sewn section flat before pulling the next section snug.

Adding the ribbed cuffs, hem and neckline

The little ridges run up and down when these sideways strips are sewn on. Let the ribbing rest flat while you measure it. Use the hook that matched the ribbing swatch, starting with 5.5 mm.

Cream hem strips

Cream, ribbing hook. Make 2 in your chosen size. Each strip belongs to one body panel and is about 2 in (5 cm) deep. Work 6 stitches across each row; use the row total for your size below.

Hem strip: XS

• R1: ch 7, sc in the 2nd ch from the hook and in each ch across. (6)
• R2–R80: ch 1, turn, sc in BLO across. (6)

Hem strip: S

• R1: ch 7, sc in the 2nd ch from the hook and in each ch across. (6)
• R2–R88: ch 1, turn, sc in BLO across. (6)

Hem strip: M

• R1: ch 7, sc in the 2nd ch from the hook and in each ch across. (6)
• R2–R96: ch 1, turn, sc in BLO across. (6)

Hem strip: L

• R1: ch 7, sc in the 2nd ch from the hook and in each ch across. (6)
• R2–R104: ch 1, turn, sc in BLO across. (6)

Hem strip: XL

• R1: ch 7, sc in the 2nd ch from the hook and in each ch across. (6)
• R2–R112: ch 1, turn, sc in BLO across. (6)

Hem strip: 2XL

• R1: ch 7, sc in the 2nd ch from the hook and in each ch across. (6)
• R2–R120: ch 1, turn, sc in BLO across. (6)

Hem strip: 3XL

• R1: ch 7, sc in the 2nd ch from the hook and in each ch across. (6)
• R2–R128: ch 1, turn, sc in BLO across. (6)

Fasten off with a 6 in (15 cm) tail. Pin one long edge of each strip to its body panel's foundation edge, with the ridges running vertically. Sew 4 ribbing row ends to each group of 3 body stitches, using every row end. Join the short strip ends at both side seams, one pair of stitches at a time across the 6-stitch depth. Weave in the tails.

Navy cuff strips

Navy, ribbing hook. Make 2 in your chosen size. Each strip is about 2 in (5 cm) deep. It measures 8 (8½, 9, 9½, 10, 10½, 11) in around when its short ends meet, or 20 (22, 23, 24, 25, 27, 28) cm, before stretching.

Cuff strip: XS

• R1: ch 7, sc in the 2nd ch from the hook and in each ch across. (6)
• R2–R32: ch 1, turn, sc in BLO across. (6)

Cuff strip: S

• R1: ch 7, sc in the 2nd ch from the hook and in each ch across. (6)
• R2–R34: ch 1, turn, sc in BLO across. (6)

Cuff strip: M

• R1: ch 7, sc in the 2nd ch from the hook and in each ch across. (6)
• R2–R36: ch 1, turn, sc in BLO across. (6)

Cuff strip: L

• R1: ch 7, sc in the 2nd ch from the hook and in each ch across. (6)
• R2–R38: ch 1, turn, sc in BLO across. (6)

Cuff strip: XL

• R1: ch 7, sc in the 2nd ch from the hook and in each ch across. (6)
• R2–R40: ch 1, turn, sc in BLO across. (6)

Cuff strip: 2XL

• R1: ch 7, sc in the 2nd ch from the hook and in each ch across. (6)
• R2–R42: ch 1, turn, sc in BLO across. (6)

Cuff strip: 3XL

• R1: ch 7, sc in the 2nd ch from the hook and in each ch across. (6)
• R2–R44: ch 1, turn, sc in BLO across. (6)

Fasten off with a 6 in (15 cm) tail. Whipstitch each strip's two short ends together, pairing its 6 foundation stitches with its 6 final-row stitches. Turn the cuff so its seam sits inside. Pin that seam to the sleeve's underarm seam, with one long cuff edge against the navy wrist opening.

Gather the sleeve evenly onto the cuff using the table below. At each cuff row end, catch either one or two sleeve stitches as listed. Spread the two-stitch attachments around the opening. Keep the sewing strand loose enough to stretch with the cuff, and check that your hand passes through before securing the ends.

Size	Sleeve wrist sts	Cuff row ends	Row ends catching 2 sleeve sts	Row ends catching 1 sleeve st
XS	42	32	10	22
S	45	34	11	23
M	48	36	12	24
L	51	38	13	25
XL	54	40	14	26
2XL	57	42	15	27
3XL	60	44	16	28

Cream neckline foundation

With the sweater outside out, join cream near the middle of the back neck opening. Use the 5.5 mm body hook. Ch 1; it does not count. Work one sc into each open back stitch, one sc into each unworked center-front stitch, and 9 sc along each shaped front neck edge.

For each shaped edge, count its 12 shoulder row ends from the center-front gap toward the shoulder seam. Work one sc into row ends 1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 7, 9, 10 and 11; skip row ends 4, 8 and 12. Continue around the opening, adding each stitch only once. The corner turning points use these same slots.

• R1: sc around the neckline in the slots described above, sl st in the first sc to join. (78 (78, 82, 82, 86, 86, 90))

Fasten off with a 6 in (15 cm) tail. Keep a marker in the first sc at the back. The foundation round should rest comfortably around the head opening without gathering the fabric.

Cream ribbed collar strip

Cream, ribbing hook. Make 1 in your chosen size. The collar is about 1 in (2.5 cm) deep and stands softly around a generous rounded opening. Its relaxed circumference is about 26 (26, 27½, 27½, 29, 29, 30) in, or 66 (66, 70, 70, 74, 74, 76) cm. Its narrow rows run from its attachment edge to its free upper edge.

Collar strip: XS

• R1: ch 4, sc in the 2nd ch from the hook and in each ch across. (3)
• R2–R104: ch 1, turn, sc in BLO across. (3)

Collar strip: S

• R1: ch 4, sc in the 2nd ch from the hook and in each ch across. (3)
• R2–R104: ch 1, turn, sc in BLO across. (3)

Collar strip: M

• R1: ch 4, sc in the 2nd ch from the hook and in each ch across. (3)
• R2–R110: ch 1, turn, sc in BLO across. (3)

Collar strip: L

• R1: ch 4, sc in the 2nd ch from the hook and in each ch across. (3)
• R2–R110: ch 1, turn, sc in BLO across. (3)

Collar strip: XL

• R1: ch 4, sc in the 2nd ch from the hook and in each ch across. (3)
• R2–R116: ch 1, turn, sc in BLO across. (3)

Collar strip: 2XL

• R1: ch 4, sc in the 2nd ch from the hook and in each ch across. (3)
• R2–R116: ch 1, turn, sc in BLO across. (3)

Collar strip: 3XL

• R1: ch 4, sc in the 2nd ch from the hook and in each ch across. (3)
• R2–R120: ch 1, turn, sc in BLO across. (3)

Fasten off with a 6 in (15 cm) tail. Join the short ends by whipstitching the 3 foundation stitches to the 3 final-row stitches. Pin the collar seam to the marked back-neck stitch, with its long attachment edge against the foundation round.

Sew the collar to the neckline using the distribution below. At each foundation stitch, catch one or two collar row ends. Space the two-row-end attachments evenly, keep the band upright, and leave the sewing strand relaxed. Try the neckline over your head before fastening the sewing ends securely.

Size	Neckline sc	Collar row ends	Neck stitches catching 2 row ends	Neck stitches catching 1 row end
XS	78	104	26	52
S	78	104	26	52
M	82	110	28	54
L	82	110	28	54
XL	86	116	30	56
2XL	86	116	30	56
3XL	90	120	30	60

Blocking and caring for your striped sweater

Weave every tail through several stitches in its matching color, change direction, and trim after the fabric has settled. Lay the sweater flat, straighten the side seams and let the sleeves fall naturally from the shoulders. The cuff gathers should be spread around each wrist, with the cuff seams underneath.

Wash according to the yarn label, using the same method as for the swatches. Support the whole sweater when it is wet. Press out water in towels, lay it flat to the size-table measurements, and let it dry completely. Keep heat away from the fabric while shaping; a towel and gentle smoothing are enough.

Store it folded so the weight of the sleeves rests on the sweater instead of pulling at the shoulders. I like this one with plain jeans and the cuffs pushed back just enough to show the navy gathering. The broad cream bands do the rest.

UK terms: US sc = UK dc; US sc2tog = UK dc2tog. Chain and slip stitch keep the same names.

Made your striped sweater? Share it with #wavodecrochet so I can see your colors.