Cropped Sleeveless Sweater (Knit) - PurlJam

An easy, modern cropped sleeveless sweater worked flat in pieces and seamed. Shallow scoop neck, gentle waist shaping and clean ribbed edges make this piece great for layering or wearing on its own. Written for 6 sizes: XS (S, M, L, XL, 2X). Choose the size closest to your full bust measurement; the pattern gives finished measurements and recommended ease.

Finished measurements

• XS: 31" (79 cm)
• S: 35" (89 cm)
• M: 39" (99 cm)
• L: 43" (109 cm)
• XL: 47" (119 cm)
• 2X: 51" (130 cm)

Yarn

DK weight yarn (light worsted). Smooth, plied yarn works best for stitch definition.

• Yardage (Imperial): XS 350 yd, S 400 yd, M 450 yd, L 500 yd, XL 550 yd, 2X 600 yd
• Yardage (Metric): XS 320 m, S 366 m, M 411 m, L 457 m, XL 503 m, 2X 549 m
• Suggested yarn example: 100% merino or cotton-blend DK, approx 220–240 yd / 100 g.

Needles & Notions

• Ribbing needles: US 5 / UK (old) 9 / 3.75 mm, 16" (40 cm) circular or needles to match small circumference for flat work
• Main needles: US 6 / UK (old) 8 / 4.0 mm, 24" (60 cm) or 32" (80 cm) circular for large flat pieces (you'll be working flat on straight/ circular used as straight)
• Optional smaller needle for neater neckline if you want tighter rib: US 5 / 3.75 mm
• Notions: stitch markers, tapestry needle, waste yarn or stitch holders, measuring tape, tapestry needle, needle for mattress stitch seaming

Gauge

20 sts and 28 rows = 4" / 10 cm in stockinette on 4.0 mm (US 6) needles. Always block a swatch and wash/measure to match gauge before starting.

Abbreviations

• CO = cast on
• BO = bind off
• k = knit
• p = purl
• st(s) = stitch(es)
• RS = right side
• WS = wrong side
• k2tog = knit 2 together (right-leaning decrease)
• ssk = slip, slip, knit (left-leaning decrease)

Sizing notes

Sizes are given as XS (S, M, L, XL, 2X). Finished bust measurements above include a small positive ease (~0–2"). This is intended as a close-fitting cropped top; adjust cast-on if you want more ease. Cropped length in this pattern is approx 13–15" from shoulder depending on size (see measuring notes in instructions).

Stitch counts (cast-on and halves)

Cast on the TOTAL number of stitches for the whole garment, then work front and back pieces separately (pattern uses two identical halves cast on as half counts). The following totals are calculated from finished bust x gauge (5 sts/in):

• Total cast-on (round-to-even): XS 156 sts (each piece 78 sts)
• S 176 sts (each piece 88 sts)
• M 196 sts (each piece 98 sts)
• L 216 sts (each piece 108 sts)
• XL 236 sts (each piece 118 sts)
• 2X 256 sts (each piece 128 sts)

Notes about construction

This sweater is worked flat: you will knit two identical halves (front and back). Each half is worked from bottom rib up to shoulder, with armhole shaping and shoulder/neck shaping. After finishing both halves, seam shoulders and side seams, then pick up and work a short neckline rib if desired.

Pattern — Back (work 1, then repeat for Front with neck shaping as written below)

All sizes: instructions given as XS (S, M, L, XL, 2X). When numbers vary by size they are presented in that order separated by commas.

1. Cast on HALF the total stitches: 78 (88, 98, 108, 118, 128) sts. Place a marker if you'd like to mark center; work flat.
2. Rib hem: Using smaller needles (US 5 / 3.75 mm), work 2x2 rib (k2, p2) for 12 rows (approx 1.5") or until desired hem depth.
3. Change to main needles (US 6 / 4.0 mm). Begin stockinette: Row 1 (RS): knit across. Row 2 (WS): purl across. Continue in stockinette (knit RS rows, purl WS rows) until piece measures from cast-on edge to underarm approx 8.5 (9, 9.5, 10, 10.5, 11) inches / 21.5 (23, 24, 25.5, 26.5, 28) cm, ending with a WS row. (Use your gauge: rows per inch = 7 rows; multiply to determine exact row counts if you prefer.)
4. Armhole shaping (back): On next RS row work armhole bind-offs and decreases as follows to create a neat sleeveless arm edge:

Armhole shaping sequence (Back):

• BO 4 (4, 6, 6, 8, 8) sts at beginning of next 2 rows (one at each side). After these two rows you will have: 70 (80, 86, 96, 102, 112) sts.
• Then decrease 1 st at each armhole edge every RS row 3 (4, 4, 5, 5, 6) times (ssk at right-hand edge of piece and k2tog at left-hand edge on RS rows). This reduces stitches further: -6 (-8, -8, -10, -10, -12), resulting in 64 (72, 78, 86, 92, 100) sts remaining on back.
• Continue knitting straight until armhole depth measures 7 (7.25, 7.5, 7.75, 8, 8.25) inches / 18 (18.5, 19, 19.5, 20, 21) cm measured from the first BO row. End on WS.

5. Shoulder shaping (Back): Bind off for shoulders in two steps to create a sloped shoulder: BO 6 (7, 8, 9, 10, 11) sts at beginning of next 2 rows (these are the shoulder edges). You will have 52 (58, 62, 68, 72, 78) sts remaining for the neck area on the back. Place these neck sts on a holder and do not work them further for the back.

Front

Work same as Back until armhole shaping is complete and armhole depth equals back's armhole depth, except work neck shaping as follows to create a scoop neck.

1. When front armhole depth equals the back armhole depth, begin neck shaping:

Neck shaping (Front):

• Work until center 14 (16, 18, 20, 22, 24) sts remain (this will be the neck opening). Bind off the center 14 (16, 18, 20, 22, 24) sts and continue working each shoulder separately.
• Working one shoulder at a time: On the next RS row at the neck edge decrease 1 st (ssk at left neck edge or k2tog at right neck edge) every RS row 3 (3, 4, 4, 5, 5) times to deepen the curve, then work until you reach same shoulder height as the back. Then BO remaining shoulder sts to match the back shoulder (BO 6 (7, 8, 9, 10, 11) sts in one or two rows to match back shaping). Repeat for the second shoulder.

Finishing

1. Block front and back pieces to finished measurements: gently wash and pin to size, smoothing stockinette. Allow to dry completely.
2. Seaming: Use mattress stitch to seam shoulders and side seams. For side seams, sew from hem up to armhole edge, leaving armholes open. Use neat, even tension so seams lay flat.
3. Neckband (optional): With RS facing and smaller needles (US 5 / 3.75 mm), pick up and knit evenly around neckline approx 80% of edge sts (pick up slightly fewer sts across bound-off neck edge to avoid a puckered neck). Work 1x1 or 2x2 rib for 10–14 rows (approx 1" / 2.5 cm) then bind off loosely in rib pattern. Alternatively, attach a narrow rolled hem by working in seed stitch / garter for a few rounds.
4. Armhole finishing: For a neat armhole, pick up and knit 1–2 sts for every 3–4 rows around each armhole with smaller needles and work 1x1 rib for 6–8 rows. Bind off loosely in rib.

Blocking & final tips

• Block to relaxed measurements; the fabric will relax and even out. If your gauge was slightly tight, the blocked piece will soften into size.
• For a softer drape, steam block lightly rather than saturating with water.
• For wider shoulders or deeper scoops, adjust the number of neck bind-off sts and shoulder bind-offs to match measurements and fit preferences.

Alterations

• Want shorter/longer crop? Change body length before armhole shaping—measure on yourself or a favorite top to get the exact cropped length.
• Want more or less ease? Change cast-on: add/subtract multiples of 4 sts total (2 sts per side) to keep rib and shaping even.
• Want a racerback? Use the same body shaping but create deeper armholes and narrower shoulder widths on the back.

Sizing cheat-sheet (quick)

• XS: Cast on 78 sts per half; armhole BO 4, decrease each side 3 times; shoulder BO 6
• S: Cast on 88; armhole BO 4, dec x4; shoulder BO 7
• M: Cast on 98; armhole BO 6, dec x4; shoulder BO 8
• L: Cast on 108; armhole BO 6, dec x5; shoulder BO 9
• XL: Cast on 118; armhole BO 8, dec x5; shoulder BO 10
• 2X: Cast on 128; armhole BO 8, dec x6; shoulder BO 11

Support & credits

Designed by PurlJam. For help, email team@verde.uk. More patterns and tips at https://purljam.verde.uk. Join the conversation: #purljam

Abbreviations & conversions: needle sizes given as US / UK (old) / Metric (mm). Yardage given in Imperial (yards) and Metric (meters). If you need a customized size or fit advice, consult a local fitter or contact team@verde.uk for guidance.

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