Type
Crochet
Difficulty
intermediate
Category
pullover
AI Thinking Process
Planning
1. **Analysis**: The user wants a top-down, circular yoke sweater using single crochet (sc) with a 3.5mm hook and sport weight yarn. The target size is "Size 8" (Medium), but the template requires grading for 5 sizes (S-2XL). Note: There is a direct conflict between the User Request (Top-Down, Circular) and the Template Instructions (Worked flat, pieces). As the Persona is an Expert Designer, I will override the construction method to match the User Request (Top-Down) while maintaining the Template's mandatory sections and formatting structure.
2. **Reference Classes**:
* *Reference 1*: Elizabeth Zimmermann's Percentage System (EPS) for Yokes (adapted for Crochet).
* *Reference 2*: Basic Top-Down SC Pullover (e.g., similar to "The Crochet Crowd" tutorials).
* *Reference 3*: CYC Standard Body Measurements for Size M (Size 8 equivalent).
3. **Edge Cases**:
* *Stiffness*: SC is a dense stitch. With sport yarn and 3.5mm hook, the fabric could become stiff. *Mitigation*: Emphasize gauge and suggest a "relaxed" stitch or slightly larger hook if gauge is tight.
* *Yoke Tightness*: Circular yokes often pull at the shoulders if increases aren't distributed well. *Mitigation*: Use 4 distinct increase rounds spaced evenly.
* *Underarm Holes*: Common in top-down crochet. *Mitigation*: Specific instruction to pick up extra loops at underarm corners.
4. **Plan**:
* **Gauge**: 20 sts / 24 rows = 4" (5 sts/inch).
* **Yoke Construction**: Start at neck ribbing, work downward in rounds with increases.
* **Math (Size M/8 Target)**:
* Target Bust: 40" (38" body + 2" ease) = 200 sts.
* Neck Start: ~20" = 96 sts (Ribbing).
* Yoke Max: ~300 sts before split.
* Split: 90 (Back) + 90 (Front) + 60 (Sleeve) + 60 (Sleeve) = 300.
* Actually, better to use underarm chains to bridge gap. Split at ~260 sts, add chains.
Verification
[PRE-FLIGHT CHECKS]
1. **Completeness**: All template sections (Materials, Gauge, Sizes, Notes, Pattern) are included.
2. **Consistency**:
* Gauge: 5 sts/inch.
* Size M Bust (Target 40"): 200 sts total.
* Pattern Plan: Split at 170 sts + 30 underarm chains = 200? No, that's too much underarm chain.
* Correction: Split at ~280 sts total (M). Back 85, Front 85, Sleeves 55 each. Underarm chain 15. Body = 85 + 85 + 15 + 15 = 200 sts. 200 / 5 = 40". Math checks out.
3. **Constraints**: User asked for SC, Sport Weight, 3.5mm. Included.
4. **Safety**: Increase rounds calculated to prevent ruffling.
Pattern
# Classic Crochet Pullover (Top-Down Modification)
## Description
This is a classic circular yoke pullover. **Note:** Per user request, this pattern modifies the standard "flat piece" template to a **Top-Down, In-the-Round** construction. This method eliminates seaming and allows you to try on the sweater as you go to ensure a perfect fit. The body uses a dense, warm single crochet fabric with ribbed edging.
## Sizes
**S (M, L, XL, 2XL)**
*To fit bust measurement:* 34-36 (38-40, 42-44, 46-48, 50-52)"
*Finished Bust Circumference (approx. 2" positive ease):* 38 (42, 46, 50, 54)"
## Materials
* **Yarn:** Sport Weight Yarn (Category 2).
* Approx. 1400 (1600, 1800, 2000, 2200) yards.
* **Hook:** US E-4 / 3.5 mm (or size needed to obtain gauge).
* **Notions:** Tapestry needle, stitch markers (4 distinct markers for raglan/split points), measuring tape, scissors.
## Gauge
**Critical for Fit:** 20 sts x 24 rows = 4" x 4" (10 cm x 10 cm) in Single Crochet (sc).
*Please take time to check your gauge. If you have more stitches per 4 inches, use a larger hook. If you have fewer stitches, use a smaller hook.*
## Terminology (US Terms)
* **ch:** chain
* **sc:** single crochet
* **sl st:** slip stitch
* **st(s):** stitch(es)
* **sc2tog:** single crochet 2 together (decrease)
* **BLO:** back loop only (for ribbing)
* **inc:** increase (work 2 sc in the same st)
## Construction Notes
1. **Top-Down:** This sweater is worked in one piece from the neckline down.
2. **Yoke:** The circular yoke allows for a comfortable fit around the shoulders without seams.
3. **Rounds:** Rounds are joined with a slip stitch. To avoid a wandering seam, you may turn your work each round, OR pull your joining slip stitch very tight and work the first sc of the new round into the same stitch as join (recommended for this pattern).
4. **Try it on:** Since this is top-down, try the yoke on before separating for sleeves to ensure the armhole depth is comfortable.
---
## Pattern Instructions
### Neck Ribbing
*Note: Ribbing is worked vertically in rows, joined to form a ring, then the yoke is worked into the edge of the ribbing.*
**Row 1:** Ch 9 (all sizes). Sc in 2nd ch from hook and in each ch across. Turn. (8 sc)
**Row 2:** Ch 1, sc in BLO of each st across. Turn. (8 sc)
**Repeat Row 2** until the ribbing strip measures approx 18 (19, 20, 21, 22)" slightly stretched.
*Ideally, work:* 88 (96, 104, 112, 120) rows.
**Join:** Fold strip, sl st ends together to form a circle. Do not cut yarn. Turn sideways to work along the long edge.
### Yoke
**Set Up Round:** Ch 1, work 1 sc into the side of each ribbing row around. Join.
*Stitch Count:* 88 (96, 104, 112, 120) sts.
**Rounds 1-4:** Ch 1, sc in each st around. Join.
**Increase Round 1:** Ch 1. *Sc in next 3 sts, 2 sc in next st (inc)*. Repeat from * around. Join.
*Math Validation:*
* S: 88 + (88/4) = 110 sts.
* M: 96 + (96/4) = 120 sts.
* L: 104 + (104/4) = 130 sts.
* XL: 112 + (112/4) = 140 sts.
* 2XL: 120 + (120/4) = 150 sts.
**Work even:** Sc in each st around for 1 (1.5, 1.5, 2, 2) inches.
**Increase Round 2:** Ch 1. *Sc in next 4 sts, 2 sc in next st (inc)*. Repeat from * around. Join.
*Math Validation:*
* S: 110 + (110/5) = 132 sts.
* M: 120 + (120/5) = 144 sts.
* L: 130 + (130/5) = 156 sts.
* XL: 140 + (140/5) = 168 sts.
* 2XL: 150 + (150/5) = 180 sts.
**Work even:** Sc in each st around for 1 (1.5, 1.5, 2, 2) inches.
**Increase Round 3:** Ch 1. *Sc in next 3 sts, 2 sc in next st (inc)*. Repeat from * around. Join.
*Math Validation:*
* S: 132 + (132/4) = 165 sts.
* M: 144 + (144/4) = 180 sts.
* L: 156 + (156/4) = 195 sts.
* XL: 168 + (168/4) = 210 sts.
* 2XL: 180 + (180/4) = 225 sts.
**Work even:** Sc in each st around for 1 (1.5, 1.5, 2, 2) inches.
**Increase Round 4:** Ch 1. *Sc in next 2 sts, 2 sc in next st (inc)*. Repeat from * around. Join.
*Math Validation:*
* S: 165 + (165/3) = 220 sts.
* M: 180 + (180/3) = 240 sts.
* L: 195 + (195/3) = 260 sts.
* XL: 210 + (210/3) = 280 sts.
* 2XL: 225 + (225/3) = 300 sts.
**Continue working even** in sc until Yoke depth measures approx 7 (7.5, 8, 8.5, 9) inches from neck edge.
*Note for Size L, XL, 2XL Only: Work one final increase round: *Sc 19, inc* around.*
*Final Yoke Count:* 220 (240, 273, 294, 315) sts.
### Separating Body and Sleeves
*Check your fit: Try on the yoke. It should reach roughly 1" below your armpit.*
**Separation Round:**
1. **Back:** Ch 1, sc in next 65 (70, 81, 87, 92) sts.
2. **Armhole 1:** Chain 10 (15, 15, 20, 25) for underarm. Skip next 45 (50, 56, 60, 66) sts (these are for the sleeve).
3. **Front:** Sc in next 65 (70, 80, 87, 91) sts.
4. **Armhole 2:** Chain 10 (15, 15, 20, 25) for underarm. Skip remaining 45 (50, 56, 60, 66) sts.
5. Join to first sc of Back.
*Math Validation for Body Stitch Count (Back + Underarm + Front + Underarm):*
* S: 65 + 10 + 65 + 10 = 150 sts. (30" + stretch = fit 34").
* M: 70 + 15 + 70 + 15 = 170 sts. (Wait, needs to be 200 for 40". Recalculating distribution).
*Correction for M (Size 8) distribution:*
Total avail: 240. Sleeve needs approx 60. 240 - 120 = 120 for body.
120 body + 30 chains = 150 sts = 30". Too small.
*Adjusted Plan:* We need more increases for the body before separation or longer underarm chains.
*Re-calculated Separation Step for Proper Chest Fit:*
**Separation Round (Revised):**
1. **Back:** Sc 70 (75, 85, 92, 98).
2. **Armhole 1:** Chain 20 (25, 30, 34, 38). Skip 40 (45, 51, 55, 60) sleeve sts.
3. **Front:** Sc 70 (75, 86, 92, 97).
4. **Armhole 2:** Chain 20 (25, 30, 34, 38). Skip remaining sleeve sts.
5. Join.
*Final Body Counts:*
* S: 70+20+70+20 = 180 sts (36").
* M: 75+25+75+25 = 200 sts (40").
* L: 85+30+86+30 = 231 sts (46.2").
* XL: 92+34+92+34 = 252 sts (50.4").
* 2XL: 98+38+97+38 = 271 sts (54.2").
### Body
**Round 1:** Ch 1, sc in each st across Back, sc in each ch of underarm, sc across Front, sc in each ch of underarm. Join.
*Stitch Counts:* 180 (200, 231, 252, 271) sts.
**Rounds 2 - End:** Ch 1, sc in each st around. Join.
Continue working even until body measures 12 (12.5, 13, 13.5, 14)" from underarm, or 2" less than desired length.
**Bottom Ribbing:**
Work as for Neck Ribbing, but attach to body edge:
1. Ch 11. Sc in 2nd ch from hook and across (10 sc).
2. Sl st into next 2 sts of Body edge. Turn.
3. Skip sl sts, sc in BLO of ribbing sts. Turn.
4. Ch 1, sc in BLO of ribbing sts. Sl st into next 2 sts of Body edge. Turn.
Repeat around. Seam start and end of ribbing together.
### Sleeves
**Set Up:** Join yarn at the center of the underarm foundation chain.
**Round 1:** Ch 1, pick up and sc 10 (12, 15, 17, 19) sts along half of underarm, work sc in each skipped sleeve st, pick up and sc 10 (13, 15, 17, 19) sts along other half of underarm. Join.
*Total Sleeve Sts:* approx 60 (70, 81, 89, 98).
**Work Even:** Work 2" in sc.
**Decrease Round:** Ch 1, sc2tog, sc to last 2 sts, sc2tog. Join.
Repeat Decrease Round every 8 (6, 5, 4, 4) rows until sleeve reaches wrist or desired width.
**Cuff Ribbing:** Work same as Bottom Ribbing, using Ch 9.
### Finishing
1. Weave in all ends using a tapestry needle.
2. Block the sweater. Wet blocking is recommended to help the single crochet stitches relax and drape properly.
Disclaimer: This pattern was generated by AI and should be reviewed for accuracy before use. While we strive for quality, AI-generated content may contain errors. Please verify measurements, stitch counts, and instructions before beginning your project. Generated by purlJam.uk
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