The sweater tunic I crocheted for my (then) 15 month old granddaughter last Christmas was based on this Lion’s brand free crochet pattern for a standard children’s pull-over sweater. I watched this tutorial by the Crochet Crowd to help me. I wanted to alter the pattern in two basic ways:
- I wanted it to be longer – I dislike sweaters that are too short, plus I thought making it a bit longer might mean it would fit her while she grew.
- I wanted to use a more decorative stitch for at least part of it – I settled on a linked double crochet stitch used to make an open work pattern of three hearts on the front. This was something I had done with this infinity scarf pattern: Lace Infinity Scarves Pattern Pack
Changing to a double crochet did not create any adjustments in how I crocheted the width of the sweater, since they are the same width as a single crochet. However, I did have to measure to decided where to place the open work hearts, which I decided to place on the lower front. I can see in retrospect that most details of the crochet stitches tend to be overshadowed by a multicolored yarn. Overall, I am still pleased with the cheerful sweater.
I did switch to the single crochet in the pattern once I got to the armholes and for all of the sleeves. The sweater is worked from the bottom up, so it was simple to make that part as long as I wanted before making the switch. I made the neckline and sleeve length to pattern specs for a size 2. Note of caution: I could not make the directions for the second part of the neckline make sense, and the tutorial didn’t show anything specific about it. Whether it was a pattern mistake or my own ignorance, I solved the problem by working that side of the neckline in the mirror image of the other side and all was well. The back neckline was much simpler.
While I did finish the neck and sleeve edges according to the pattern, I decided to use a simple ruffle for the bottom edge.
The sweater is cute, but it is not light weight. Granddaughter seems quite comfortable in it, which is what counts. She does occasionally wear it “off-shoulder,” and gives us a coy look. Sometimes she even condescends to wear the mostly lime green hat that I made from the leftovers based on the toddler’s beanie in this book of crochet beanie patterns: Crochet Celebrity Slouchy Beanies for the Family (Leisure Arts #75358)
Having accomplished this child’s sweater, my first crocheted sweater ever, I am now ready to try to crochet a sweater for myself. I will be surprised if it gets finished this winter, but I am getting faster at crocheting (without feeling like I am trying to crochet fast) after crocheting quite a number of infinity scarves and hats for Christmas and winter birthdays!
