Classic Men’s Crochet Pullover

A straight-bodied crew-neck pullover worked flat in pieces from the bottom up and seamed. The fabric is plain double crochet; hems, cuffs, and neckband are single-crochet ribbing worked in the back loop only. Modified drop-shoulder construction keeps the shaping intermediate while giving a clean set-in sleeve join.

Skill level: Intermediate (working in pieces, even stitch counts, neck and sleeve shaping, seaming).

Sizes

Small (Medium, Large, XL, 2XL)

To fit chest: 34–36 (38–40, 42–44, 46–48, 50–52) in. (86.5–91.5 [96.5–101.5, 106.5–112, 117–122, 127–132] cm)

Instructions are written for size Small with Medium, Large, XL, and 2XL in parentheses. When only one number is given, it applies to all sizes. Circle your size before you begin. XL is the fourth number.

Finished measurements

Chest circumference: 38 (42, 46, 50, 54) in. (96.5 [106.5, 117, 127, 137] cm) — about 4 in. (10 cm) positive ease
Back/front width: 19 (21, 23, 25, 27) in. (48.5 [53.5, 58.5, 63.5, 68.5] cm)
Length from shoulder: 27 (27.5, 28, 28.5, 29) in. (68.5 [70, 71, 72.5, 73.5] cm)
Armhole depth: 9 (9.5, 10, 10.5, 11) in. (23 [24, 25.5, 26.5, 28] cm)
Shoulder width (each): 5 (5, 5.5, 6, 6) in. (12.5 [12.5, 14, 15, 15] cm)
Neck width: 7 (8, 8, 9, 10) in. (18 [20.5, 20.5, 23, 25.5] cm)
Sleeve length (cuff included): 20.5 (21, 21.5, 22, 22) in. (52 [53.5, 54.5, 56, 56] cm)
Upper arm circumference: 18 (19, 20, 21, 22) in. (45.5 [48.5, 51, 53.5, 56] cm)
Cuff circumference: 9 (9.5, 10, 10.5, 11) in. (23 [24, 25.5, 26.5, 28] cm)
Ribbing height (hem and cuff): 2½ in. (6.5 cm)

Materials

Yarn: DK weight (Category 3), smooth wool or wool-blend recommended for stitch definition and warmth.

Yardage: 1575 (1775, 2000, 2225, 2475) yd / 1440 (1625, 1830, 2035, 2265) m

As a guide, that is about 7 (8, 9, 10, 11) skeins of a 100 g / 245 yd (225 m) DK. Buy an extra skein if your gauge runs heavy or you lengthen the body.

Hooks:

• US G-6 (4.0 mm) for all ribbing
• US H-8 (5.0 mm) for body and sleeves, or size needed to obtain gauge

Notions: Yarn needle, 4 stitch markers, scissors, locking marker or spare yarn for holding stitches (optional)

Gauge

16 dc and 8 rows = 4 in. (10 cm) over double crochet with US H-8 (5.0 mm), blocked.

Swatch: Ch 23. Row 1: Dc in 4th ch from hook and in each ch across (21 dc, counting turning ch as a dc). Rows 2–10: Ch 3 (counts as dc), dc in each st across. Fasten off. Block. Measure the center 4 in. (10 cm).

If you have too many stitches in 4 in., use a larger hook. If you have too few, use a smaller hook. Do not start the sweater until gauge matches. A difference of 1 stitch in 4 in. changes chest width by more than 2 in. on the larger sizes.

Abbreviations (US)

blo — back loop only
ch — chain
dc — double crochet
dc2tog — double crochet 2 together (see Special Stitches)
rep — repeat
rnd(s) — round(s)
RS — right side
sc — single crochet
sk — skip
sl st — slip stitch
st(s) — stitch(es)
WS — wrong side
yo — yarn over

Special stitches

dc2tog: Yo, insert hook in next st, yo, pull up a loop, yo, draw through 2 loops (2 loops remain); yo, insert hook in next st, yo, pull up a loop, yo, draw through 2 loops (3 loops remain); yo, draw through all 3 loops. 1 st decreased.

Starting dc2tog (used at the beginning of a row): Ch 2, dc in next st. Counts as 1 dc2tog.

sc blo: Sc in the back loop only of the next stitch.

Pattern notes

• Pullover is worked flat in four pieces (back, front, two sleeves), then seamed.
• Ch 3 at the start of a dc row counts as the first dc. Work the last dc of the row into the top of the turning ch-3.
• Ch 1 at the start of a sc row does not count as a stitch.
• Turn at the end of every row unless told otherwise.
• Ribbing is worked sideways in sc blo so the ridges run vertically and the hem/cuffs stretch around the body.
• On increase rows, work 2 dc in the same stitch as the turning ch-3 and 2 dc in the last stitch.
• Keep a running stitch count after every shaping row. Counts are given as S (M, L, XL, 2XL).
• Wet-block all four pieces to the schematic measurements before seaming.

Back

Hem ribbing

With US G-6 (4.0 mm), ch 13.

Row 1: Sc in 2nd ch from hook and in each ch across, turn. 12 sc.

Row 2: Ch 1, sc blo in each st across, turn. 12 sc.

Rep Row 2 until the long edge measures 19 (21, 23, 25, 27) in. (48.5 [53.5, 58.5, 63.5, 68.5] cm) when slightly stretched. Do not fasten off.

Body

Rotate the ribbing to work across the long edge (into the row-ends). Change to US H-8 (5.0 mm).

Row 1 (RS): Ch 3 (counts as dc here and throughout), work 75 (83, 91, 99, 107) more dc evenly across the long edge, turn.
76 (84, 92, 100, 108) dc.
(16 dc = 4 in. → 76 dc = 19 in., 84 dc = 21 in., 92 dc = 23 in., 100 dc = 25 in., 108 dc = 27 in. ✓)

Rows 2–31: Ch 3, dc in each st across, turn.
Piece measures 15½ in. (39.5 cm) from the top of the ribbing, 18 in. (45.5 cm) from the cast-on edge of the ribbing.
(31 rows × ½ in. = 15½ in. ✓)

Shape armholes

Row 32: Sl st in first 4 (6, 8, 8, 10) sts, ch 3, dc in each st across to last 4 (6, 8, 8, 10) sts, turn, leaving remaining sts unworked.
68 (72, 76, 84, 88) dc.
(76 − 4 − 4 = 68; 84 − 6 − 6 = 72; 92 − 8 − 8 = 76; 100 − 8 − 8 = 84; 108 − 10 − 10 = 88 ✓)

Next 15 (16, 17, 18, 19) rows: Ch 3, dc in each st across, turn. 68 (72, 76, 84, 88) dc.

Armhole now measures 8 (8.5, 9, 9.5, 10) in. (20.5 [21.5, 23, 24, 25.5] cm) from the skipped sts — 2 rows / 1 in. (2.5 cm) remain for back-neck shaping.

Shape back neck

The next 2 rows form a 1 in. (2.5 cm) back-neck drop and leave 20 (20, 22, 24, 24) sts for each shoulder.

Next row (RS): Ch 3, dc in next 20 (20, 22, 24, 24) sts, dc2tog, turn — leaving remaining sts unworked. 22 (22, 24, 26, 26) sts on this side.
(21 dc + dc2tog = 22 sts, counting starting ch-3 ✓)

Next row (WS): Starting dc2tog, dc in each st to end. Fasten off. 20 (20, 22, 24, 24) sts.
(22 − 1 = 20; 22 − 1 = 20; 24 − 1 = 22; 26 − 1 = 24; 26 − 1 = 24 ✓)

Opposite shoulder: With RS facing, skip center 24 (28, 28, 32, 36) sts, join yarn in the next st, starting dc2tog, dc in remaining 20 (20, 22, 24, 24) sts, turn. 22 (22, 24, 26, 26) sts.

Next row: Ch 3, dc across to last 2 sts, dc2tog. Fasten off. 20 (20, 22, 24, 24) sts.

(Sts used each side on the split row = 22 (22, 24, 26, 26); 22 + 22 + 24 = 68, 22 + 22 + 28 = 72, 24 + 24 + 28 = 76, 26 + 26 + 32 = 84, 26 + 26 + 36 = 88 ✓. Center skipped + 2 decreases each side = neck 28 (32, 32, 36, 40) sts = 7 (8, 8, 9, 10) in. ✓)

Armhole measures 9 (9.5, 10, 10.5, 11) in. (23 [24, 25.5, 26.5, 28] cm). Total length from hem 27 (27.5, 28, 28.5, 29) in. (68.5 [70, 71, 72.5, 73.5] cm).
(2½ in. ribbing + 15½ in. body + armhole depth ✓)

Front

Work hem ribbing and body Rows 1–31 exactly as for Back. 76 (84, 92, 100, 108) dc.

Shape armholes

Work the armhole skip row exactly as for Back. 68 (72, 76, 84, 88) dc.

Next 11 (12, 13, 14, 15) rows: Ch 3, dc in each st across, turn.

Armhole now measures 6 (6.5, 7, 7.5, 8) in. (15 [16.5, 18, 19, 20.5] cm). Front neck is shaped over the remaining 6 rows / 3 in. (7.5 cm).

Shape front neck

Place a marker on each side of the center 16 (20, 20, 24, 28) sts. Each shoulder currently has 26 (26, 28, 30, 30) sts.
(68 − 16 = 52, 52 ÷ 2 = 26; 72 − 20 = 52, 52 ÷ 2 = 26; 76 − 20 = 56, 56 ÷ 2 = 28; 84 − 24 = 60, 60 ÷ 2 = 30; 88 − 28 = 60, 60 ÷ 2 = 30 ✓)

Left front (as worn; first side worked):

Neck row 1: Ch 3, dc in each st to 2 sts before the first marker, dc2tog, turn. 25 (25, 27, 29, 29) sts.

Neck rows 2–6: Work dc2tog at the neck edge every row 5 more times, as follows:

• On WS rows: Starting dc2tog, dc to end.
• On RS rows: Ch 3, dc to last 2 sts, dc2tog.

20 (20, 22, 24, 24) sts remain. Fasten off.
(26 − 6 = 20; 26 − 6 = 20; 28 − 6 = 22; 30 − 6 = 24; 30 − 6 = 24 ✓)

Right front:

With RS facing, skip the marked center 16 (20, 20, 24, 28) sts, join yarn in the next st.

Neck row 1: Starting dc2tog, dc to end, turn. 25 (25, 27, 29, 29) sts.

Neck rows 2–6: Work dc2tog at the neck edge every row 5 more times (mirror of left front).

20 (20, 22, 24, 24) sts remain. Fasten off.

Armhole measures 9 (9.5, 10, 10.5, 11) in., matching the back. Shoulder stitch counts match the back for seaming.

Sleeves (make 2)

Cuff ribbing

With US G-6 (4.0 mm), ch 13.

Row 1: Sc in 2nd ch from hook and in each ch across, turn. 12 sc.

Row 2: Ch 1, sc blo in each st across, turn.

Rep Row 2 until the long edge measures 9 (9.5, 10, 10.5, 11) in. (23 [24, 25.5, 26.5, 28] cm) when slightly stretched. Do not fasten off.

Sleeve body

Rotate to work across the long edge. Change to US H-8 (5.0 mm).

Row 1 (RS): Ch 3, work 35 (37, 39, 41, 43) more dc evenly across the long edge, turn.
36 (38, 40, 42, 44) dc.
(9 in. × 4 dc = 36; 9.5 × 4 = 38; 10 × 4 = 40; 10.5 × 4 = 42; 11 × 4 = 44 ✓)

Begin taper. Each increase row adds 1 st at each end (+2 sts).

Increase row: Ch 3, dc in the same st as the ch-3, dc in each st to last st, 2 dc in last st, turn.

Work increase rows as follows:

• Every other row 18 (18, 18, 18, 17) times,
• then every row 0 (1, 2, 3, 5) times.

72 (76, 80, 84, 88) dc.

Check:
S: 18 increase rows × 2 sts = 36; 36 + 36 = 72; 18 × 2 rows = 36 rows ✓
M: 19 increase rows × 2 = 38; 38 + 38 = 76; 18 × 2 + 1 = 37 rows ✓
L: 20 × 2 = 40; 40 + 40 = 80; 18 × 2 + 2 = 38 rows ✓
XL: 21 × 2 = 42; 42 + 42 = 84; 18 × 2 + 3 = 39 rows ✓
2XL: 22 × 2 = 44; 44 + 44 = 88; 17 × 2 + 5 = 39 rows ✓

Sleeve measures 18 (18.5, 19, 19.5, 19.5) in. (45.5 [47, 48.5, 49.5, 49.5] cm) from the top of the cuff, 20.5 (21, 21.5, 22, 22) in. (52 [53.5, 54.5, 56, 56] cm) including cuff.

(36 (37, 38, 39, 39) rows × ½ in. = 18 (18.5, 19, 19.5, 19.5) in. ✓)

Upper arm 18 (19, 20, 21, 22) in. equals twice the armhole depth 9 (9.5, 10, 10.5, 11) in., so the straight sleeve top will set into the armhole without a shaped cap. Fasten off.

Finishing

Weave in ends that will be caught in seams. Wet-block all four pieces to the finished measurements and let dry completely.

Shoulders

With RS together (or WS together if you prefer a mattress-stitch join from the RS), sew each front shoulder to the matching back shoulder: 20 (20, 22, 24, 24) sts each side. Use mattress stitch or whip stitch, working under both loops of corresponding stitches so the seam lies flat.

Set in sleeves

Fold one sleeve in half lengthwise and pin the fold to the shoulder seam. Pin the corners of the sleeve top to the inner corners of the body armhole (the first remaining stitch after the skipped underarm sts). Sew the sleeve top to the armhole edge, easing evenly. The sleeve top is 18 (19, 20, 21, 22) in. and the front + back armhole edges total the same measurement.

Repeat for the second sleeve.

The skipped underarm stitches on front and back are sewn to the last 1 in. (2.5 cm) of each sleeve’s side edges when you work the next step.

Side and sleeve seams

Starting at the hem, sew the side seam up to the underarm, then continue down the sleeve seam to the cuff (or sew each segment separately). Match ribbing ridges as you go. Repeat on the other side.

Neckband

With US G-6 (4.0 mm) and RS facing, join yarn at the left shoulder seam.

Rnd 1: Ch 1, sc evenly around the neck opening, working about 4 sc per inch and 2 sc in each dc row-end along the vertical neck edges. Join with sl st to first sc. Do not twist.

Target count: 96 (100, 104, 108, 112) sc.
Adjust by 1–2 sts if needed so the band sits flat and the unstretched opening is at least 22 in. (56 cm) — it must pass over the head. The blo fabric will draw the neck in slightly.

Rnds 2–6: Ch 1, sc blo in each st around, join with sl st to first sc.

Band measures about 1¼ in. (3 cm). For a slightly taller crew, work 2 more rounds. Fasten off.

Final finishing

Weave in remaining ends. Lightly steam the seams (do not flatten the ribbing). If the hem or cuffs flare, run a length of matching yarn through the first dc row above the ribbing and ease to fit; fasten off.

Schematic measurements (blocked)

Fit notes

This is a classic men’s pullover, not oversized and not close-fitted: 4 in. (10 cm) of positive ease at the chest. The drop-shoulder sit means the shoulder seam falls slightly off the natural shoulder; that is expected and gives easy movement through the upper arm.

To lengthen or shorten the body, add or subtract dc rows before the armhole skip, in multiples of 2 rows (1 in. / 2.5 cm). To lengthen or shorten the sleeve, add or subtract even (non-increase) rows after the last increase — on Small there are no spare even rows, so work extra rows even after Row 36 if you need a longer sleeve.