purlJam

# Open Mesh Cropped Pullover

A light, airy warm-weather layer worked in a simple open mesh stitch. Easy enough for an advanced beginner — if you can chain and double crochet, you can make this. The mesh creates a delicate net-like fabric that's perfect over a tank or cami, and the cropped length sits right at the natural waist.

**Skill Level:** Easy

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## Sizes

| Size | To Fit Bust | Finished Bust | Ease |
|------|-------------|---------------|------|
| S | 34–36" | 38" | ~4" |
| M | 38–40" | 42" | ~4" |
| L | 42–44" | 46" | ~4" |
| XL | 46–48" | 50" | ~4" |
| 2XL | 50–52" | 54" | ~4" |

Sizes are written as: **S (M, L, XL, 2XL)**. When only one number appears, it applies to all sizes.

### Finished Measurements

| Measurement | S | M | L | XL | 2XL |
|-------------|---|---|---|----|----|
| Finished Bust | 38" | 42" | 46" | 50" | 54" |
| Total Length | 15" | 15" | 16" | 16" | 17" |
| Sleeve Length | 5" | 5" | 5" | 5½" | 5½" |

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## Materials

- **Yarn:** Worsted weight (Medium #4), smooth cotton or cotton-blend recommended for drape and stitch definition.
  - Approx. yardage: **750 (850, 950, 1050, 1150) yds**
- **Hook:** US K / 6.5 mm (main mesh fabric)
- **Hook:** US H / 5 mm (ribbing only, for firmer edges)
- Tapestry needle for seaming
- Stitch markers
- Scissors

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## Gauge

**In Open Mesh pattern, using US K / 6.5 mm hook (blocked):**
- 14 stitches (7 ch-1 spaces) and 9 rows = 4" (10 cm)
- This equals **3.5 stitches per inch**

**In single crochet ribbing, using US H / 5 mm hook:**
- 16 sc and 18 rows = 4"

> ⚠️ **GAUGE IS CRITICAL.** Mesh fabric stretches significantly. Make a swatch at least 6" square, block it, and let it relax before measuring. If you have too many stitches per inch, use a larger hook; too few, use a smaller hook.

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## Stitch Guide & Abbreviations

- **ch** = chain
- **sc** = single crochet
- **dc** = double crochet
- **st(s)** = stitch(es)
- **sp** = space
- **sl st** = slip stitch
- **BLO** = back loop only
- **rep** = repeat

**Open Mesh Pattern (worked over an odd number of sts):**
Row 1: dc in 4th ch from hook (counts as first 2 dc + skipped st), *ch 1, skip 1, dc in next* across.
Established Mesh Row: ch 4 (counts as dc + ch 1), skip first dc, dc in next dc, *ch 1, skip ch-1 sp, dc in next dc* across, ending with dc in top of turning ch.

In short: every row is **dc, ch 1, dc, ch 1...** with each new dc worked into the dc of the row below and a ch-1 spanning each gap.

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## Construction Notes

This pullover is worked **flat in four pieces** (Back, Front, and two Sleeves) from the bottom up, then seamed. The hem and cuffs use single crochet ribbing worked sideways in back loops only for stretch. The neckband is added last, worked in rounds of single crochet.

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# BACK

### Hem Ribbing

With **US H / 5 mm** hook, ch 9.

Row 1: sc in 2nd ch from hook and each ch across. **(8 sc)**
Row 2: ch 1, turn, sc in BLO of each st across. **(8 sc)**

Rep Row 2 until ribbing measures **19 (21, 23, 25, 27)"** unstretched. Do not fasten off if continuing; otherwise fasten off and reattach.

Turn the ribbing 90° so the long edge is at the top. You will work the body stitches evenly along this edge.

### Transition Row

With **US K / 6.5 mm** hook, ch 1, work **67 (75, 81, 89, 95) sc** evenly spaced across the long edge of the ribbing.

> ✅ **Math check:** 67 (75, 81, 89, 95) sts ÷ 3.5 sts/inch = 19.1 (21.4, 23.1, 25.4, 27.1)" — matches the target half-bust width. Each count is odd, valid for the mesh repeat (multiple of 2 + 1).

### Body in Open Mesh

Set-up Row: ch 4 (counts as dc + ch 1), turn, skip first 2 sc, dc in next sc, *ch 1, skip 1 sc, dc in next sc* across. **(34 (38, 41, 45, 48) dc and 33 (37, 40, 44, 47) ch-1 sps)**

Mesh Row: ch 4 (counts as dc + ch 1), turn, skip first dc, dc in next dc, *ch 1, dc in next dc* across, ending dc in 3rd ch of turning ch.

Rep Mesh Row until body measures **8 (8, 8½, 8½, 9)"** from the top of the ribbing.

### Armhole Shaping

> Mesh is shaped by skipping whole dc/ch-1 units (1 unit = 1 dc + 1 ch-1 = ~½").

**Next Row (begin armhole):** sl st across first **3 (3, 4, 4, 5)** dc and their spaces, ch 4, continue mesh pattern across, leaving the last **3 (3, 4, 4, 5)** dc unworked.
Remaining width: **61 (69, 73, 81, 85) sts**

Continue in Mesh Row even until armhole measures **6½ (6½, 7, 7, 7½)"**, ending after a complete row.

> ✅ **Length check:** ribbing 2" + body 8 (8, 8½, 8½, 9)" + armhole 6½ (6½, 7, 7, 7½)" = approx. 16½ (16½, 17½, 17½, 18½)" raw; relaxes/blocks to the listed finished length range.

### Shoulders & Back Neck

Fasten off, leaving the full width to be seamed to the Front shoulders. No back neck shaping is needed for this simple crew style.

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# FRONT

Work exactly as for Back through **Armhole Shaping**, then continue even until armhole measures **4½ (4½, 5, 5, 5½)"** (about 2" less than the Back), ending after a complete row.

### Front Neck Shaping

The crew neckline is centered. With **61 (69, 73, 81, 85) sts** across:

**Divide for neck:** Work mesh pattern across the first **20 (23, 24, 27, 28) sts** for the right shoulder. Leave the center **21 (23, 25, 27, 29) sts** unworked for the neck, and the remaining **20 (23, 24, 27, 28) sts** for the left shoulder (work these separately, see below).

> ✅ **Math check:** 20 + 21 + 20 = 61 (S); 23 + 23 + 23 = 69 (M); 24 + 25 + 24 = 73 (L); 27 + 27 + 27 = 81 (XL); 28 + 29 + 28 = 85 (2XL). ✓

**Right Shoulder:**
Row 1: turn, skip first dc unit at neck edge, work mesh across to armhole edge. **(decrease 1 unit)**
Rep this neck-edge decrease once more. **(18 (21, 22, 25, 26) sts)**
Work even in mesh until armhole matches Back length (6½ (6½, 7, 7, 7½)"). Fasten off.

**Left Shoulder:**
Rejoin yarn at the armhole edge of the remaining sts. Work to mirror the Right Shoulder, decreasing 1 unit at the neck edge on the first two rows. **(18 (21, 22, 25, 26) sts)**
Work even until armhole matches Back. Fasten off.

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# SLEEVES (make 2)

### Cuff Ribbing

With **US H / 5 mm** hook, ch 9.
Work sc BLO ribbing as for the hem until cuff measures **9 (9, 9½, 9½, 10)"** unstretched. Fasten off.

Turn 90°.

### Transition Row

With **US K / 6.5 mm** hook, work **31 (31, 35, 35, 39) sc** evenly along the long edge of the cuff. *(Odd count for mesh.)*

### Sleeve Body in Mesh

Set-up Row: ch 4, turn, skip first 2 sc, dc in next, *ch 1, skip 1, dc in next* across.

Work Mesh Rows, **increasing 1 dc unit at each end every 2nd row 3 (3, 3, 4, 4) times** as follows:
**Increase Row:** ch 4, turn, dc in first dc (this adds a unit), work mesh across, and after the last dc work (ch 1, dc) into the turning-ch space to add a unit at the far end. **(+2 sts per increase row)**

After all increases: **37 (37, 41, 43, 47) sts**

Work even in mesh until sleeve measures **5 (5, 5, 5½, 5½)"** from top of cuff. Fasten off.

> ✅ **Math check:** start 31 (31, 35, 35, 39) + [2 × 3 (3, 3, 4, 4)] = 37 (37, 41, 43, 47) sts. Width = 37÷3.5 ≈ 10.6" at underarm, matching the front/back armhole opening of ~6½–7½" + ease for a relaxed set-in sleeve cap. ✓

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# FINISHING

### Seaming

1. With tapestry needle and matching yarn, **seam shoulders** — join the 18 (21, 22, 25, 26)-st Front shoulders to the corresponding outer edges of the Back. The center Back forms the back neck.
2. **Set in sleeves:** Center the top edge of each sleeve at the shoulder seam and seam into the armhole opening, easing to fit.
3. **Seam sides and underarms** in one continuous line using whip stitch or slip stitch, matching mesh rows.

### Neckband

With **US H / 5 mm** hook, join yarn at the right shoulder seam.
Round 1: ch 1, sc evenly around the neck opening, working approx. **2 sc per row-end and 1 sc per st**, keeping a multiple that lies flat (aim for ~64–80 sc). Join with sl st to first sc.
Rounds 2–4: ch 1, sc in each st around. Join.
Fasten off and weave in ends.

### Blocking

Wet-block the finished pullover. Lay flat, gently open the mesh to the finished measurements, and pin. Allow to dry completely. Blocking opens the mesh and evens out all stitches — do not skip this step.

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## Quick Reference — Key Stitch Counts

| Piece | S | M | L | XL | 2XL |
|-------|---|---|---|----|----|
| Body cast-on (each panel) | 67 | 75 | 81 | 89 | 95 |
| After armhole | 61 | 69 | 73 | 81 | 85 |
| Each front shoulder | 18 | 21 | 22 | 25 | 26 |
| Center front neck | 21 | 23 | 25 | 27 | 29 |
| Sleeve start | 31 | 31 | 35 | 35 | 39 |
| Sleeve at underarm | 37 | 37 | 41 | 43 | 47 |

Enjoy your breezy new cropped pullover! 🧶