Be My Valentine Crochet Sweater – Free Pattern

by Doroteja

This is a crochet pattern for my easy beginner-friendly crochet sweater for adults – Be My Valentine. Find out what inspired me to design this pattern, what yarn did I choose, and learn all the tricks on how to create a perfect baby turban.

You can find the free instruction below. If you want to support my work or need more sizes, purchase the ad-free, printable PDF here.

I don’t usually work on larger crochet projects, and by that, I mean projects and patterns for adults. I’ve started with amigurumi toys and gradually continued with baby shoes and clothes. They are super cute and fun to make, and you can wrap up the whole project in just one or two evenings.

This time was a tiny bit different. I have been playing with this idea to create a sweater with a big heart for more than a year now. My plan was to finish it and post it on Valentine’s day. But since I’ve needed a little bit more time than expected I am posting it now. Better late than never.

I am very happy with the sweater and how it came out. The heart on the front is so nice and symmetrical. I love it. I hope you will like too. It is super easy to make. The only challenging thing is switching between the colors. But once you get a hang of it, you will see how easy it is.

I chose Grundl Shetland yarn for this project, I’ve already made a couple of projects with this yarn (Winter Snowflake Booties and baby Cardigan). I really like this yarn except the peeling. Yes, it peels and sheds. Not a lot, but still. If that’s a deal breaker for you, then try Paintbox Simply Chunky Yarn. And for that, you don’t have to change anything in the pattern, not even the hook sizes.

One tip before we start, make the stitches as even as you can and don’t make them too tight. Especially when you are attaching the ribbings to the main part of the sweater.

As always, share a link to the pattern with your friends that love crochet, if you think they might benefit from the pattern, Tag me on Instagram so I can see your Be My Valentine sweaters and give them a big heart. I love seeing your creations. It’s just crazy how talented you all are. Subscribe to my newsletter, so I can send you a small reminder when I post something new. And say hello in the comments below.

Video Tutorial

Watch more simple and fun tutorials and crochet related videos on my YouTube channel here. Subscribe and turn on notifications so you won’t miss any of my future videos. I post new content all the time. Let’s crochet together!

Materials

  • YARN: Chunky weight yarn – Grundl Wolle Shetland. In the pattern, I am switching between two colors. None of the shades has specific color names, numbers only. The beige yarn is numbered with 04, beige and the red one with 13. I finished five skeins of beige and two skeins of red yarn.
  • CROCHET HOOK: 6.0 mm crochet hook, or a hook to the size needed to obtain the gauge. And 5.0 mm crochet hook.
  • OTHER: two stitch markers, tapestry needle, scissors.

Stitches and Abbreviations

  • Sst/sts – stitch/stitches
  • ch – chain
  • ss – slip stitch
  • hdc – half double crochet
  • BLO – work into back loops only

Gauge

GAUGE:  Work 10.5 stitches and 7.5 rows in HDC using a 6.5 mm crochet hook and a Chunky weight yarn to measure 10 x 10 cm (5 x 5 inches).

When you find a new crochet project that you would like to make, you usually want to start ASP. We all do. But please take some time and check the gauge. It might save your project!

Checking the gauge is a crucial step in the process of making a new crochet/knit garment. It will help you achieve the right size of your finish item. Learn how to check your gauge here.

Pattern Notes

  • SIZE: small (available in the PDF), medium (available below), large (available in the PDF).
  • How to read a pattern: You can learn how to read a crochet pattern here.
  • The pattern is written in US crochet terms.
  • Skill level: Easy/Medium
  • Measurements: 
    • Small CHEST 46.5 cm (13 1/3″), HEIGHT 60.5 cm (23 3/4″) and SLEEVES 51 cm (20″),
    • Medium CHEST 52 cm (20 1/2″), HEIGHT 62 cm (24 1/2″) and SLEEVES 51 cm (20″),
    • Large CHEST 57 cm (22 1/2″), HEIGHT 65 cm (25″) and SLEEVES 52.5 cm (20 1/2″).
  • Fit is meant to be comfortable.

PDF Pattern

The PDF crochet pattern is a great solution for those who prefer to work offline, need additional sizes of the pattern, or just want to support my work. This beautifully designed PDF pattern can be found in shops on EtsyRavelry, and Love Crafts.

* This PDF instructions include a bunch of additional sizes. The fee compensates for the ad revenue I would make if you had to visit the site to access the instructions.

Instructions

Crochet Sweater Tutorial – Spring Breeze

The instructions are written in a few simple steps. We are going to create panels for the front and back side of the sweater, sleeves and then the ribbings. When we complete all of that, we are going to sew all the pieces together.

The front side of the sweater is the most complex part to make. That is because of all the yarn changes we will have to make. I am going to use red and beige yarn for this project, but you can choose any color you like.

1. FRONT PANEL

Create a foundation chain made of 57 chains. Add one additional to lift the first row.

This panel is made in rows, therefore turn your work after each row after the current row is completed. Start your new row with ch 1.

Row 1 is made into back bumps of the foundation chain.

Take your primary color of choice, in my case that is going to be beige and 6.0 mm crochet hook.

Row 1 – 6: Work 1 hdc into each of the next 57 sts. = 57 sts.

*only 5 rows for size small and 8 rows for size large.

Row 7: (Beige) Hdc 28. (Red) Hdc 2. (Beige) Hdc 27. = 57. sts.

Row 8: (Beige) Hdc 26. (Red) Hdc 5. (Beige) Hdc 26. = 57. sts.

Row 9: (Beige) Hdc 25. (Red) Hdc 7. (Beige) Hdc 25. = 57. sts.

Row 10: (Beige) Hdc 23. (Red) Hdc 11. (Beige) Hdc 23. = 57. sts.

Row 11: (Beige) Hdc 21. (Red) Hdc 15. (Beige) Hdc 21. = 57. sts.

Row 12: (Beige) Hdc 19. (Red) Hdc 18. (Beige) Hdc 20. = 57. sts.

Row 13: (Beige) Hdc 18. (Red) Hdc 21. (Beige) Hdc 18. = 57. sts.

Row 14: (Beige) Hdc 17. (Red) Hdc 23. (Beige) Hdc 17. = 57. sts.

Row 15: (Beige) Hdc 16. (Red) Hdc 25. (Beige) Hdc 16. = 57. sts.

Row 16: (Beige) Hdc 15. (Red) Hdc 27. (Beige) Hdc 15. = 57. sts.

Row 17: (Beige) Hdc 14. (Red) Hdc 29. (Beige) Hdc 14. = 57. sts.

Row 18: (Beige) Hdc 13. (Red) Hdc 31. (Beige) Hdc 13. = 57. sts.

Row 19: (Beige) Hdc 12. (Red) Hdc 33. (Beige) Hdc 12. = 57. sts.

Row 20 – 21: (Beige) Hdc 11. (Red) Hdc 35. (Beige) Hdc 11. = 57. sts.

Row 22: (Beige) Hdc 10. (Red) Hdc 37. (Beige) Hdc 10. = 57. sts.

Row 23 – 29: (Beige) Hdc 9. (Red) Hdc 39. (Beige) Hdc 9. = 57. sts.

Row 30: (Beige) Hdc 10. (Red) Hdc 18. (Beige) Hdc 1. (Red) Hdc 18. (Beige) Hdc 10. = 57. sts.

Row 31: (Beige) Hdc 11. (Red) Hdc 16. (Beige) Hdc 3. (Red) Hdc 16. (Beige) Hdc 11. = 57. sts.

Row 32: (Beige) Hdc 12. (Red) Hdc 14. (Beige) Hdc 5. (Red) Hdc 14. (Beige) Hdc 12. = 57. sts.

Row 33: (Beige) Hdc 13. (Red) Hdc 11. (Beige) Hdc 9. (Red) Hdc 11. (Beige) Hdc 13. = 57. sts.

Row 34: (Beige) Hdc 15. (Red) Hdc 6. (Beige) Hdc 15. (Red) Hdc 6. (Beige) Hdc 15. = 57. sts.

Row 35 – 38: (Beige) Hdc 57. = 57 sts.

RIGHT STRAP

Row 1: (Beige) Hdc 18. Hdc2tog two times. = 20 sts.

Row 2: (Beige) Hdc2tog two times. Hdc 16. = 18 sts.

Row 3: (Beige) Hdc 16. Hdc2tog. = 17 sts.

Row 4 – 5: (Beige) Hdc 17. = 17 sts.

LEFT STRAP

Skip 13 sts on the collar, between left and right strap. Strap in the next.

Row 1: (Beige) Hdc2tog two times.Hdc 18.  = 20 sts.

Row 2: (Beige) Hdc 16. Hdc2tog two times. = 18 sts.

Row 3: (Beige) Hdc2tog. Hdc 16. = 17 sts.

Row 4 – 5: (Beige) Hdc 17. = 17 sts.

Cut the yarn and fasten off.

2.BACK PANEL

Create a foundation chain made of 57 chains. Add one additional to lift the first row.

This panel is made in rows, therefore turn your work after each row after the current row is completed. Start your new row with ch 1.

Row 1 is made into back bumps of the foundation chain.

Take your primary color of choice, in my case that is going to be beige and 6.0 mm crochet hook.

Row 1 – 42: Hdc 57. = 57 sts.

STRAP 1

Row 43:  Hdc 17. = 17 sts.

Cut the yarn and fasten off.

Skip 23 sts between both straps. Start in the next.

STRAP 2

Row 43:  Hdc 17. = 17 sts.

Cut the yarn and fasten off.

3.SLEEVES

You will need two sleeves. The pattern for the left and right sleeve is the same.

Create a foundation chain made of 51 chains. Add one additional to lift the first row.

This panel is made in rows, therefore turn your work after each row after the current row is completed. Start your new row with ch 1.

Row 1 is made into back bumps of the foundation chain.

Take your primary color of choice, in my case that is going to be beige and 6.0 mm crochet hook.

Row 1 – 2: Hdc 51. = 51 sts.

Row 3:  Hdc2tog. Hdc 47. Hdc2tog. = 49 sts.

Row 4 – 6:  Hdc 49. = 49 sts.

Row 7:  Hdc2tog. Hdc 45. Hdc2tog. = 47 sts.

Row 8 – 10:  Hdc 47. = 47 sts.

Row 11:  Hdc2tog. Hdc 43. Hdc2tog. = 45 sts.

Row 12 – 14: Hdc 45 sts. = 45 sts.

Row 15:  Hdc2tog. Hdc 41. Hdc2tog. = 43 sts.

Row 16 – 18: Hdc 43. = 43 sts.

Row 19: Hdc2tog. Hdc 39. Hdc2tog. = 41 sts.

Row 20 – 21: Hdc 41. = 41 sts.

Row 22: Hdc2tog. Hdc 37. Hdc2tog. = 39 sts.

Row 23 – 24:  Hdc 39 sts. = 39 sts.

Row 25:  Hdc2tog. Hdc 35. Hdc2tog. = 37 sts.

Row 26: Hdc 37 sts. = 37 sts.

Row 27:  Hdc2tog. Hdc 33. Hdc2tog. = 35 sts.

Row 28: Hdc 35 sts. = 35 sts.

Row 29:  Hdc2tog. Hdc 31. Hdc2tog. = 33 sts.

Row 30: Hdc 33 sts. = 33 sts.

Row 31:  Hdc2tog. Hdc 29. Hdc2tog. = 31 sts.

Row 32: Hdc 31 sts. = 31 sts.

Cut the yarn and fasten off.

Repeat all the steps for the second sleeve.

4.RIBBINGS

You will need five ribbings:

  • 1 for the collar
  • 2 for the sleeves
  • 2 for the main part (one at the bottom of the front and one at the bottom of the back panel).

All five ribbings are made with red yarn and 5.0 mm crochet hook. All rows will be done into back loops only.

After each row create a turning chain, ch 1 and turn your work.

At the end of each ribbing cut the yarn, fasten off and leave a long tail for sewing.

Collar
Create a foundation chain made of 7 chains. Start in the 2nd ch from the hook.
Row 1 – 57 (Beige): Hdc 6. = 6 sts.

Sleeves
Create a foundation chain made of 11 chains. Start in the 2nd ch from the hook.
Row 1 – 20 (Beige): Hdc 10. = 10 sts.
Repeat all the steps for the 2nd ribbing.

Main Part – waist
Create a foundation chain made of 11 chains. Start in the 2nd ch from the hook.
Row 1 -57 (Beige): Hdc 10. = 10 sts.
Repeat all the steps for the 2nd ribbing.

Take a small amount of red yarn and attach the ribbings to the sleeves and the front and back panel. Skip the collar for now. We will come back to it later.

5.ASSEMBLING

1. Front and Back Panel

We are going to start off by attaching the ribbing to the front and back panel of the sweater.

Take some red yarn and a tapestry needle, stretch the ribbing along the bottom of the panel and start sewing both parts together (photo 1 and 2). 

Always make sure you are sewing on the inner side of the sweater!

Line up the straps on the front and back side of the sweater (photo 3), take a small amount of beige yarn and attach those two panels together (photo 4).

2. Sleeves

Now we are going to attach the ribbing to the sleeves and attach the sleeves to the main part.

Take some red yarn and a tapestry needle, stretch the ribbing along the shorter side of the sleeve start sewing both parts together (photo 1).

Fold the sleeve in half. Find the middle of the sleeve on its wider side and mark the middle of the sleeve with a slip stitch. Line up the stitch marker and the seam on the shoulder, right where you’ve joined the front and the back panel together.

Take a small amount of beige yarn and attach the sleeve to the sweater (photo 2). 

Repeat all the steps for the second sleeve. 

Make sure you are always sewing on the inner side of the sweater!

3. Collar and the joining

Take the ribbing for the collar, fold it on half wide wise and join both ends of the ribbing together.

Stretch the ribbing around the neck area and attach it to the main part. Make sure the seams are on the inner side of the sweater.

After that take a small amount of red and beige yarn, fold the sweater in half. Turn it the wrong side out and join the front and back side of the sweater together. Use the red yarn for the ribbings and beige yarn for the rest of the sweater.

Hide the yarn tails and you are done!

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The pattern was updated: -.

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