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Men’s Simple Striped Sweater a Free Crochet Pattern

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This Simple Striped Crochet Sweater is a men’s crochet sweater that’s perfect for beginning crocheters. It’s crocheted flat, in rows and seamed together. It’s about as simple as it gets.

This crochet sweater pattern is in men’s sizes S-5X. The sleeves are worked flat from the wrist up so you’re increasing as you go. Which is so much easier than decreasing, right?

The sleeves are about it as far as shaping goes. I left the neck opening simple and easy. If this is your first time making a sweater this is a great pattern.

Mens simple striped crochet sweater in burgundy with grey stripes folded on table.

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You can purchase the ad-free, well formatted PDF Pattern in one of my shops. Scroll down for the free pattern!

The Yarn

I chose this gorgeous Corduroy color for my husband’s sweater. Burgundy is his favorite. I love making garments from Lion Brand Yarn. Their Jeans Yarn is so soft.

I also crocheted a child size sweater in Jeans yarn. You might check out my Short Sleeve V-Neck pattern. My son adores his crochet shirt and his sister loves her hand me down mess up (is it really a mistake if we turned into a cute crochet sweater dress?)!

This crocheted sweater is a great addition to your winter wardrobe. You can make it for the hubs or maybe an oversized version for yourself.

I kept trying it on… and almost claimed it for myself. It was intended as a gift and it’s in his favorite color so I relented.

Man wearing striped crochet sweater burgundy grey stripes.

About Fit and Sizing

I’m normally a women’s medium so I’d probably make this one in a men’s small for myself. The fit chart includes chest measurements by each size.

So you can find the perfect fit for your husband or yourself, or any body type you choose to make this for. If this is your first sweater make sure you measure the chest and choose your size by that measurement. Not by your usual small, medium, large, etc.

The Simple Striped Sweater it’s so easy to adjust. All the measurements and stitches counts for each of the pieces is included.

picture of sleeve shape as increasing

Sleeve in progress. My Streamlines from Furls* are pretty amazing tools that are great for hand health. If you’re avid crocheter I definitely recommend checking them out!

Crochet vests are also a great choice for men. You might like Alfonso Vest crochet pattern in men’s sizes too.

Collage of crochet patterns in pattern bundle fall into autumn sale.
Get 33 gorgeous patterns in this crochet pattern bundle!

More Crochet Patterns You Might Enjoy

The Matteo Crochet Beanie pattern is full of texture and sized perfectly for the whole family. This top down, hat is a wardrobe staple.

The beauty of crochet stripes and texture come together in the Verso Scarf, a free crochet scarf pattern with men in mind.

You also might be interested in a simple fingerless gloves crochet pattern in men’s sizes.

The Hygge Cardigan is a women’s cardigan pattern that’s easy to crochet and ready for every day wear.

Materials

  • 4 medium worsted weight yarn, pictured in Lion Brand Jeans Yarn (100% Acrylic, 3.5 oz/100g, 246 yd/225) in two different colors: corduroy; S/M-6 (L/XL-7, 2X/3X-8, 4/5X-9); 1 ball color: vintage.
  • (S/M) 1472 yds/1345m in MC & 15 yds/14 m in CC
  • (L/XL) 1715 yds/1569m in MC & 20 yds/18 m in CC
  • (2X/3X)1960 yds/1792m in MC & 25 yds/23 m in CC
  • (4/5X) 2205 yds/2016m in MC & 30 yds/27 m in CC
  • 5mm (H) crochet hook* or hook size needed to meet gauge
  • Yarn needle
  • Measuring tape
  • Scissors

Notes

  1. Ch 3 counts as a stitch, I highly recommend using a ch 3 alternative, here’s my favorite.
  2. Sweater is worked in flat panels, from the bottom up, then seamed together.
  3. Sleeves are worked flat, wrist up, increasing to the necessary width, then seamed and sewn to the arm hole. 
  4. Pattern is written as S (M, L, XL, 2X, 3X, 4X, 5X). It is helpful to highlight your size.

Stitches/Abbreviations

CC – contrasting color

ch – chain

dc – double crochet

MC – main color

RS – right side

sl st – slip stitch

Special Stitches

*There are alternatives written into the pattern if any of these seem a bit too tricky. I kept absolute beginners in mind with this one. But these techniques are definitely worth learning.

Fdc-foundation double crochet

Ch 3 alternative

Inv Join-invisible join

Gauge

4” x 4” = 14 dc x 9 rows

Measurements / gauge are taken before blocking / wear.

Skill Level

Easy

Fit / Sizing

This cozy sweater is comfortable and roomy fit with 4” of ease. Where finished measurements are larger than the actual body measurements. Make a larger size for a looser fit, or a smaller size for a snugger fit.

The length reaches just past the bottom. To adjust length add or subtract the number of rows before the striped section. 

This sweater is easy to customize to your body and fit liking just by adding or taking away stitches / rows. Since we’re just using basic stitches there is not stitch pattern to consider when adjusting. Just double crochet stitches throughout, so you can adjust as needed.

Size (L) large is pictured on 5′ 10″ man with 42″ chest.

To Fit Chest Size

S – 36″ / 91.5 cm

M – 40″ / 101.5 cm

L – 44″ / 112 cm

XL – 48″ / 122 cm

2X – 52″ / 132 cm

3X – 56″ / 142 cm

4X – 60″ / 152.5 cm

5X – 64″ / 162.5 cm

Finished Chest Size

S-40″ / 101.5 cm

M-44″ / 112 cm

L-48″ / 122 cm

XL-52″ / 132 cm

2X-56″ / 142 cm

3X-60″/ 152.5 cm

4X-64″ / 162.5 cm

5X-68″ / 172.5 cm

Length in inches

S-25″/ 63.5 cm

M-26″ /66 cm

L-28″/ 71 cm

XL-29″/ 73.5 cm

2X-30″/ 76 cm

3X-31″/ 78.5 cm

4X-31″/ 78.5 cm

5X-33″/ 84 cm

In this video tutorial I outline how to seam paneled garments like this sweater.

Pin it

picture of pin image simple striped sweater an easy crochet pattern text

You can purchase the ad-free, well formatted PDF Pattern in one of my shops. Scroll down for the free pattern!

Scroll down for the free double crochet sweater pattern in men’s sizes!

Mens simple striped crochet sweater in burgundy with grey stripes folded on table.

Men's Simple Striped Sweater Crochet Pattern

Yield: 1
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Active Time: 12 hours
Additional Time: 5 minutes
Total Time: 12 hours 10 minutes
Difficulty: Easy
Estimated Cost: $25-$50

Free crochet sweater pattern for men. This simple striped sweater is an easy crochet pattern perfect for beginners.

Materials

  • #4 medium worsted weight yarn, pictured in Lion Brand Jeans Colors Yarn (100% Acrylic, 3.5 oz/100g, 246 yd/225 color: corduroy; S/M-6 (L/XL-7, 2X/3X-8, 4/5X-9); 1 ball color: vintage.
  • (S/M) 1472 yds/1345m in MC & 15 yds/14 m in CC
  • (L/XL) 1715 yds/1569m in MC & 20 yds/18 m in CC
  • (2X/3X)1960 yds/1792m in MC & 25 yds/23 m in CC
  • (4/5X) 2205 yds/2016m in MC & 30 yds/27 m in CC

Tools

  • 5 mm hook (H-8) or hook needed to meet gauge
  • Yarn needle
  • Measuring tape
  • Scissors

Instructions

Panels-Make 2

  1. Fdc 70 (77, 84, 91, 98, 105, 112, 119) turn.

    If you are unfamiliar with fdc and would prefer you can Chain 72 (79, 86, 93, 100, 107, 114, 121) dc in the 4th ch from your hook & dc in each ch to the end of the row, turn.
  2. (RS) Ch 3, dc in each st across, turn. (70, 77, 84, 91, 98, 105, 112, 119 sts)
  3. Rep Row 2 until work measures 15"/38cm (17"/43cm, 18"/46cm, 19"/48cm, 20"/51cm, 21"/53cm, 21"/53cm, 22"/56cm) long. Grey stripes on maroon sweater panel.
  4. Change to:

    CC Rep Row 2 for one row.

    MC Rep Row 2 for one row

    CC Rep Row 2 for one row.

    MC Rep Row 2 for three rows.

    CC Rep Row 2 for one row.

    MC Rep Row 2 for one row.

    CC Rep Row 2 for one row.

    Change to MC Rep Row 2 until work measures 25”/63.5cm (26"/66cm, 28"/71.1cm, 29"/73.7cm, 30"/76.2cm, 31"/78.7cm, 31"/78.7cm, 33"/83.8cm)” long.

    Cut yarn and leave a long tail for seaming.

Panel Seaming

    1. Lay the two panels together with right sides (RS) touching. I prefer a mattress stitch for seaming.
    2. Using yarn needle and long tail you left, sew front panel to back panel at the shoulder for 6.5”/16.5cm (7.5"/19cm, 8"/20.5cm, 9"/23cm, 10"/25.5cm, 10.75"/27cm, 11.75"/30cm, 12.75"/32cm)
    3. Leave 7”/17.5cm (7"/17.5cm, 8"/20.5cm, 8"/20.5cm, 8"/20.5cm, 8.5"/21.5cm, 8.5"/21.5cm, 8.5"/21.5cm) unseamed for the neck hole. Repeat on the other shoulder.
    4. Panel seams and sleeve seams shown in white lines below:Body panels seamed with lines and sleeve pieces separate.
    5. Next you will seam the sides of the panels together.
    6. Start at the bottom of your panels and sew up to last 8.5”/21.5cm (9"/23cm, 9.5"/24cm, 10"/25.5cm, 11"/28cm, 11.5"/29cm, 12"/30.5cm, 12.5"/31.8cm) of the panel, leave this unseamed for the armholes.
    7. You will attach the sleeves here. Repeat on the other side.

    Sleeves

    1. Make 2

      1. Fdc 31 (33, 33, 35, 35, 35, 35, 35) turn.

      If you are unfamiliar with fdc and would prefer you can Chain 32 (35, 35, 37, 37, 37, 37, 37) dc in the 4th ch from your hook & dc in each ch across, turn.
    2. (RS) Ch 3, dc in each st across, turn. (31, 33, 33, 35, 35, 35, 35, 35 sts)
    3. Rep Row 2.
    4. Rep Row 2.
    5. Ch 3, 2 dc in next st, dc in each st across until last 2 st, 2 dc in the next, dc in the last, turn. (33, 35, 35, 37, 37, 37, 37, 37 sts)
    6. Rep Row 2.
    7. Rep Row 5.
    8. Continue repeating Rows 2 and 5 until sleeve measures 17"/43cm (18"/46cm, 19"/48cm, 20"/50.8cm, 22"/56cm, 23"/58.4cm, 24"/61cm, 25"/63.5cm)” wide.Sleeve shape as increasing.
    9. Once the necessary width is reached continue to repeat Row 2 until sleeve measures 20"/50.8cm (21"/53.3cm, 22"/56cm, 23"/58.4cm, 24"/61cm, 25"/63.5cm, 26"/66cm, 27"/68.6cm)” long.

      Sleeve Seaming
    10. Fold sleeves in half with RS together, lengthwise (like a hotdog), sew together, matching row for row. Turn RS out. See pic above under Panel Seaming.Where to seam sleeves crochet.
    11. With body of sweater inside out, place RS out sleeve inside sweater (so RS of sleeve is touching RS of sweater), line up armhole end of sleeve to armhole opening in sweater body.
    12. Seam around armhole. Cut yarn & weave in ends.
    13. Repeat for other sleeve and turn RS out.Maroon crochet sweater with sleeve inside for seaming.
    14. Finishing

      Attach MC yarn with a sl st to neckhole, ch 1 and sc evenly around. Finish with an invisible join or a sl st and weave in all ends.

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14 Comments

  1. This is wonderful. Thank you for sharing. Found you through the link party at Moogly. How did you learn to create the sizing for multiple sizes?

  2. Hello I’m trying to make this but I don’t quite understand what I’m doing. I’m right at the begging with the panels and it says change to CC. Then it says “rep row 2 for row 1” and I to understand that I’m to Ch 3 and DC across?

    Than you so much I want to understand because I want to but your pattern

  3. Hi Rosanna,
    Thank you for your question. I can see how that might be confusing.

    Where is says to change to CC and rep row 2 it is just telling you where to change colors to place the stripes. If you start in one color (the MC) when you get to the right length for your size then you change to the contrasting color (CC). All the rows are double crochet, so yes ch 3 and dc across in the new color yarn.

    I hope that helps. Please let me know if you have any other questions.
    Crystal

  4. Since Lion Brand Jeans yarn weight #4 is discontinued, would any weight #4 work? I used yarnsub.com and one yarn stood out as a good match: Yarn Art Adore. But its a #3 weight yarn. There weren’t any good matches that were in solid colors. If I make it in this weight #3 yarn, it might not be as warm for cooler or cold temps. Any suggestions?

  5. Hi Dawn,
    Thanks for reaching out with your question. It looks like just the “colors” version of the Jeans yarn has been discontinued. So if you want to choose from the colors they do have that might be easiest. Corduroy is the burgundy color I used, and that’s no longer available, which is too bad!
    Otherwise, I’d recommend another #4 yarn. While Jeans is a thinner #4, I think there are better subs than a #3. Lion Brand Heartland or Caron Simply Soft will likely work. These are both soft, #4 yarns.
    It is best to work up a gauge swatch and compare it to the gauge listed in the pattern though. So if you have any yarn on hand to check before you buy a sweater’s worth that’s a good idea. If you need more details on gauge, check my blog post here: https://christacodesign.com/2021/09/01/crochet-gauge-what-is-gauge-how-do-you-measure-it/
    Once you have a guage swatch, I can help you adjust or choose the best size, but I need to know how many stitches per inch for your yarn and hook and tension.
    I hope this helps! Please let me know if you have any more questions.
    Crystal

  6. @Christa, could I use the bernat baby yarn? It is so soft and warm for a good winter sweater that is what I am thinking; this is my first attempt at a sweater though, so i dont want to deviate and get messed up. Thanks! Lisa

  7. Hi Lisa,
    This is a good question to ask! Do you mean Bernat Softee Baby Yarn? If yes, that is a #3 lightweight yarn. Since this sweater is made with a #4 medium weight yarn your stitches may work up a bit smaller.

    The best way to find out is to work a gauge swatch. So in your yarn and hook, make a double crochet square that’s about 16 stitches wide and measures just over 4″ tall. To match the sweater gauge you need 4” x 4” = 14 dc x 9 rows. This means if you measure 14 dc in 4″ of your yarn/hook then you can use it! If your rows are not quite equal to 9 rows that is easier to adjust as needed on the sweater (you just make the length longer or short).

    It’s normal for gauge to not match exactly, even in the same weight yarn. If it’s only off by 1 – 3 stitches, you go up or down a hook size to try to meet gauge on a second swatch.
    You can read more on gauge here https://christacodesign.com/2021/09/01/crochet-gauge-what-is-gauge-how-do-you-measure-it/

    The yarn sounds lovely! Let me know if you have any more questions.

    Best,
    Crystal

  8. Hello…..What is the gauge for this pattern? Maybe I missed it? Thank you. Making a sweater for my son.

  9. Hi Kelly,
    What a nice gift! Yes, the gauge is higher up in the post. Here it is:
    Gauge
    4” x 4” = 14 dc x 9 rows
    Measurements / gauge are taken before blocking / wear.

  10. Hi- I have a strange question- sorry- my son hates stripes all the way around and I have always thought it was strangely picky of him but ugh- would it be easy to just do the front with the stripes? Also adding a simple CC cuffs and neck as I saw someone on Rav said they did that and it looked pretty nice.
    I thank you for designing such nice mens garments- they are not easy to find.

  11. Hi Linda,
    Yes it would be very easy to only do stripes on the front, and of course you can leave them off altogether if you prefer. This sweater is worked in panels so you just continue with the same color instead of changing colors for the indicated rows. I hope this helps!