Crochet Traveler’s Sunrise Sweater Pattern

Several years ago I was given a sweater that used to be my grandfathers. It isn’t a fancy sweater, it is one of the sweat shirts that you get at a big box store. The one that the style has been around for multiple decades. Again, nothing fancy and pretty lacking in all style and fashion. Even as basic as it is, it quickly became one of my favorites to wear since it is warm and so very comfy. It is large enough that I can layer it over something and still not feel restricted.

We had some trips coming up, and on vacation I want to be comfortable but also presentable since I know that any moment could be preserved in photos. I wondered if I could take the basic shape of my beloved sweater, add some details and style to it, and make it something that would be comfortable to travel in. But, it needed to be stylish enough to be worn out and about and not feel like I was wearing something I slept in.

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So, I chose a self striping yarn to help create an easy design in the garment. The Wool Ease Dk Lion Brand yarn that I chose has wool in it, but an acrylic version is listed as an option. You can see more about both yarns in the YouTube video I have posted here.

Another easy aspect of this sweater is that the body is primarily a square, with just a few decreases then increases for the neck line. The stitch pattern consists of a single crochet followed by a chain. Then, on the next row you single crochet in the chain space of the row below, and you chain over the single crochet. In a nut shell, you have two stitches, and if you did it in the stitch below you do the other one. This is also shown in the video link above. The shaping and stitch pattern is easy enough to do while binging on your favorite show.

This sweater came out just how I was hoping. Something that is easy to wear, but doesn’t look like you stepped out in something you sleep in. A sweater that is perfect for traveling, perfect for new adventures, and perfect to see what all possibilities a new day can bring.

Check out our other popular crochet sweater patterns:

Crochet Traveler’s Sunrise Sweater
by City Farmhouse Studio

YouTube tutorial video can be found HERE
Get the printable PDF version of the pattern (without ads) HERE
Add it to your Ravelry queue HERE

Lion Brand Wool Ease Dk Cake – 80% acrylic/20% wool – category 3 – 3.5 oz – 393 yd – 3, 3, 4, 4, 4, 4, 5 skeins (get it here)
-or-
Lion Brand Mandala – 100% acrylic – category 3 – 3.5 oz – 590 yd – 2, 2, 3, 3, 3, 3, 3 skeins (get it here)

Crochet Hook – J (6mm) and I (5.5mm)
Stitch Markers & Needle

Sizes: XS, S, M, L, XL, 2X, 3X 
Bust/Finished Garment Bust Measurement: 31/42, 34/45, 37/48, 40/51, 44/55.5, 48/60, 52/64.5 inches  (note: above image model has 34” bust and garment measures 45” at bust)

Gauge: 4” x 4” = 22 sts of garment pattern (ch1, skip 1 st, sc) x 20 rows

Notes:
Yarn skein’s color placement is not consistent between skeins.  Plan which skeins to work in which order at the beginning of project.
Garment panels are reversible, stitch pattern is the same on both sides of fabric created.  This can help with color placement when seaming.
Stitch count begins at first sc of row.

Sweater Front:
(made sideways, working across the body in order to achieve stripe pattern)  

With hook J, ch 116, 118, 120, 124, 128, 132, 136.  

Row 1:  Sc in second ch from hook.  (Ch1, skip 1 ch, sc in next ch) repeat to end of row ending with a sc in last ch.  (115, 117, 119, 123, 127, 131, 135 sts.) 

Row 2:  Ch 2.  Sc in 2nd ch from hook.  Skip last sc of previous row and sc in ch space.  (Ch1, skip 1 st, sc in ch space of previous row) repeat to end of row.

Repeat Row 2 for 32, 34, 36, 40, 44, 48, 52 more times.  (total rows: 34, 36, 38, 42, 46, 50, 54)

Decrease Row for Neck:  Ch 2 and sc in 2nd ch from hook.  Skip last sc of previous row and sc in ch space.  (Ch1, skip 1 st, sc in ch space of previous row) repeat until 2 ch spaces remain unworked.

Repeat Row 2.

*On Next Row: Ch 2 and sc in 2nd ch from hook.  Skip last sc of previous row and sc in ch space.  (Ch1, skip 1 st, sc in ch space of previous row) repeat until 1 ch space remains unworked.

Repeat Row 2.*

Repeat from * to *  for a total of 3, 3, 3, 3, 4, 4, 4 times. (105, 107, 109, 113, 115, 119, 123 sts.)

Repeat Row 2 for 24, 28, 30, 30, 30, 34, 38 times.

Increasing Row for the Neck: *Ch 4 and sc in 2nd ch from hook.  Ch 1, skip 1 ch, sc in next ch.  (Ch1, skip 1 st, sc in ch space of previous row) repeat to end. 

Repeat Row 2*

Repeat from * to *  for a total of 3, 3, 3, 3, 4, 4, 4 times.  (111, 113, 115, 119, 123, 127, 131 sts.) 

Ch 6 and sc in 2nd ch from hook.  (Ch 1, skip 1 ch, sc in next ch) twice.  Then (ch1, skip 1 st, sc in ch space of previous row) and repeat to end.   (115, 117, 119, 123, 127, 131, 135 sts.) 

Repeat Row 2 until there are 34, 36, 38, 42, 46, 50, 54 rows made for the shoulder.

Bind off.

Sweater Back:
(made sideways, working across the body in order to achieve stripe pattern)  

With hook J, ch 116, 118, 120, 124, 128, 132, 136.  

Row 1:  Sc in second ch from hook.  (Ch1, skip 1 ch, sc in next ch) repeat to end of row ending with a sc in last ch.  (115, 117, 119, 123, 127, 131, 135 sts.)

Row 2:  Ch 2.  Sc in 2nd ch from hook.  Skip last sc of previous row and sc in ch space.  (Ch1, skip 1 st, sc in ch space of previous row) repeat to end of row.

Repeat Row 2 for 32, 34, 36, 40, 44, 48, 52 more times.  (total rows: 34, 36, 38, 42, 46, 50, 54)

Decrease Row for Neck:  Ch 2 and sc in 2nd ch from hook.  Skip last sc of previous row and sc in ch space.  (Ch1, skip 1 st, sc in ch space of previous row) repeat until 1 ch space remains unworked.

Repeat Row 2.

Repeat Decrease Row.  (111, 113, 115, 119, 123, 127, 131 sts.) 

Repeat Row 2 for 32, 34, 38, 38, 42, 46, 46 times.

Increase Row for Neck:  Ch 4 and sc in 2nd ch from hook.  Ch 1, skip 1 ch, sc in next ch.  (Ch1, skip 1 st, sc in ch space of previous row) repeat to end.  

Repeat Row 2.

Repeat Increase Row.   (115, 117, 119, 123, 127, 131, 135 sts.)

Repeat Row 2 until there are 34, 36, 38, 42, 46, 50, 54 rows made for the shoulder.

Bind off.

Sleeve: (make 2)
(made starting at shoulder and decreasing down towards the cuff)  

With hook J, ch 68, 72, 76, 84, 92, 100, 108.  

Row 1:  Sc in second ch from hook.  (Ch1, skip 1 ch, sc in next ch) repeat to end of row ending with a sc in last ch.  (67, 71, 75, 83, 91, 99, 107 sts.)

Row 2:  Ch 2.  Sc in 2nd ch from hook.  Skip last sc of previous row and sc in ch space.  (Ch1, skip 1 st, sc in ch space of previous row) repeat to end of row.  

Repeat Row 2 for 2 more times (for a total of 3 rows).

*On next row to begin decrease, ch 2 and sc in 2nd ch from hook.  Skip last sc of previous row and sc in ch space.  (Ch1, skip 1 st, sc in ch space of previous row) repeat until 1 ch space remains unworked.

Repeat Row 2 for a total of 6, 4, 4, 4, 2, 2, 2 times.*

Repeat from * to * for a total of 13, 14, 15, 18, 21, 24, 226 times.   (42, 44, 46, 48, 50, 52, 56 sts.) 

Repeat Row 2 and additional 0, 20, 16, 0, 20, 8, 0 times.

Bind off.

Construction:
Sew front and back shoulders together.   Sew front and back sides together leaving 9, 9, 9.5, 10, 10.5, 10.75, 11” unseamed down each side to create armholes.  Sew sleeves into armholes.  

Sweater Hem:
Round 1: With hook I and a slip knot on hook, sc 2 times in each “tab” across bottom of sweater.  When you get to the first sc, slst in first sc.  

Round 2:  Ch 2 and turn.  Sc in 2nd st of previous row.  *(Ch1, skip 1 st, sc in next st of previous row) 2 times.  Ch1, skip 2 sts, sc.*   Repeat from * to * to end of row, slst in beginning 2nd ch.  Note, repeat may not end evenly at the end of the round.  

Round 3:  Ch 2 and turn.  Sc in last ch of previous row.  *(Ch1, skip 1 st, sc in ch space of previous row) four times.  Ch 1, skip 1 ch section, sc in next ch space*   Repeat from * to * to end of row, slst in beginning 2nd ch.  Note, repeat may not end evenly at the end of the round.  

Round 4 – 9:  Ch 2 and turn.  Skip last sc of previous row and sc in ch space.  (Ch1, skip 1 st, sc in ch space of previous row) repeat to end of row.  

Bind off.

Sweater Neckband:
Round 1: With hook I and slip knot on hook, sc 2 times in each “tab” around neckline, and evenly on shoulder area.  When you get to the first sc, slst in first sc.  

Round 2:  Ch 2 and turn.  Sc in 2nd st of previous row.  (Ch1, skip 1 st, sc in next st of previous row).  Repeat from * to * to end of row, slst in beginning 2nd ch.  Note, repeat may not end evenly at the end of the round.  

Roun 3 – 6:  Ch 2 and turn.  Skip last sc of previous row and sc in ch space.  (Ch1, skip 1 st, sc in ch space of previous row) repeat to end of row.  

Bind off.

Weave in all ends of sweater.