purlJam

<pattern>

# 🌸 SPRING BREEZE CROP SWEATER 🌸
### A Beginner Crochet Pattern

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## DESCRIPTION
A relaxed, cropped pullover perfect for spring layering! This beginner-friendly sweater features a simple half double crochet body, textured ribbed trim, and a flattering boat neckline. Worked flat in pieces and seamed together, this is an ideal first garment project for crocheters ready to move beyond accessories.

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## SKILL LEVEL
Beginner

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## SIZES
Small (Medium, Large, XL, 2XL)

### Finished Measurements:
| Size | Bust | Length | Sleeve Length |
|------|------|--------|---------------|
| S | 36" (91 cm) | 16" (41 cm) | 17" (43 cm) |
| M | 40" (102 cm) | 16.5" (42 cm) | 17.5" (44 cm) |
| L | 44" (112 cm) | 17" (43 cm) | 18" (46 cm) |
| XL | 48" (122 cm) | 17.5" (44 cm) | 18" (46 cm) |
| 2XL | 52" (132 cm) | 18" (46 cm) | 18.5" (47 cm) |

*Sweater is designed with 2-4" positive ease. Choose size based on your actual bust measurement plus desired ease.*

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## MATERIALS

### Yarn:
Worsted weight yarn (Medium #4)
- Small: 650 yards (595 m)
- Medium: 750 yards (686 m)
- Large: 850 yards (777 m)
- XL: 950 yards (869 m)
- 2XL: 1050 yards (960 m)

*Suggested: Cotton, cotton blend, or bamboo blend for spring wear*

### Hook:
- US I-9 / 5.5 mm crochet hook (or size needed to obtain gauge)
- US H-8 / 5 mm crochet hook (for ribbing)

### Notions:
- Yarn needle for seaming
- Stitch markers
- Scissors
- Measuring tape

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## GAUGE
**IMPORTANT: Check your gauge before beginning!**

With larger hook (5.5 mm) in half double crochet:
**14 sts × 10 rows = 4" × 4" (10 cm × 10 cm)**

*3.5 sts per inch | 2.5 rows per inch*

With smaller hook (5 mm) in single crochet ribbing (worked through back loop):
**16 sts × 18 rows = 4" × 4" (10 cm × 10 cm)**

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## ABBREVIATIONS
- **ch** – chain
- **sc** – single crochet
- **hdc** – half double crochet
- **sl st** – slip stitch
- **st(s)** – stitch(es)
- **BLO** – back loop only
- **RS** – right side
- **WS** – wrong side
- **rep** – repeat
- **sk** – skip
- **pm** – place marker

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## SPECIAL TECHNIQUES

### Half Double Crochet (hdc):
Yarn over, insert hook in stitch, yarn over and pull up a loop (3 loops on hook), yarn over and pull through all 3 loops.

### Single Crochet Ribbing (worked in BLO):
Working in the back loop only creates vertical ridges that mimic knit ribbing and provide stretch.

### Turning Chain Note:
Ch 2 at the beginning of hdc rows does NOT count as a stitch in this pattern. Work first hdc in the first stitch (same stitch as turning chain).

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## PATTERN NOTES

1. Sweater is worked flat in 4 pieces (Back, Front, 2 Sleeves), then seamed together.
2. Ribbing is worked sideways and attached to body pieces.
3. Drop-shoulder construction means no armhole shaping—perfect for beginners!
4. Read through entire pattern before beginning.
5. First number is size S, numbers in parentheses are (M, L, XL, 2XL).

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## PATTERN INSTRUCTIONS

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### BACK PANEL

**Foundation:**
With larger hook (5.5 mm), ch **64 (71, 78, 85, 92)**.

*[Math check: Each ch count = (width in inches × 3.5 sts/inch) + 1 for foundation. S: 18" × 3.5 = 63 + 1 = 64 ✓]*

**Row 1 (RS):** Hdc in 2nd ch from hook and in each ch across. Turn. 
— **63 (70, 77, 84, 91) sts**

**Row 2:** Ch 2 (does not count as st here and throughout), hdc in each st across. Turn.
— **63 (70, 77, 84, 91) sts**

**Rows 3-32 (33, 34, 35, 36):** Rep Row 2.

*[Math check: 32 rows ÷ 2.5 rows/inch = 12.8". With 2" ribbing = ~15" body length for size S ✓]*

**Piece should measure approximately 12.5" (13", 13.5", 14", 14.5")** from foundation edge.

**Shoulder Shaping:**
Continue even (no shaping) as this is drop-shoulder construction.

**Rows 33-35 (34-36, 35-37, 36-38, 37-39):** Rep Row 2.
— **3 rows even**

**Final Row:** Ch 2, hdc in each st across. Fasten off.
— **63 (70, 77, 84, 91) sts**

**Total back piece measures approximately 14" (14.5", 15", 15.5", 16")** from foundation (before ribbing is added).

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### FRONT PANEL

Work same as Back Panel through Row **30 (31, 32, 33, 34)**.
— **63 (70, 77, 84, 91) sts**

**Begin Neck Shaping:**

*Note: Front neck is slightly shaped for a flattering boat neck.*

**Row 31 (32, 33, 34, 35) - Left Shoulder:** 
Ch 2, hdc in first **22 (25, 28, 31, 34)** sts. Turn, leaving remaining sts unworked.
— **22 (25, 28, 31, 34) sts**

*[Math check: Center neck = 19 (20, 21, 22, 23) sts skipped. Each shoulder = remaining sts ÷ 2. S: (63-19) ÷ 2 = 22 ✓]*

**Rows 32-35 (33-36, 34-37, 35-38, 36-39):** Ch 2, hdc in each st across. Turn.
— **4 rows even**

Fasten off.

**Row 31 (32, 33, 34, 35) - Right Shoulder:**
With RS facing, skip center **19 (20, 21, 22, 23)** sts, join yarn in next st.
Ch 2, hdc in same st and in each remaining st across. Turn.
— **22 (25, 28, 31, 34) sts**

**Rows 32-35 (33-36, 34-37, 35-38, 36-39):** Ch 2, hdc in each st across. Turn.
— **4 rows even**

Fasten off.

**Total front piece measures approximately 14" (14.5", 15", 15.5", 16")** from foundation (before ribbing is added).

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### SLEEVES (Make 2)

**Foundation:**
With larger hook (5.5 mm), ch **33 (33, 35, 37, 39)**.

*[Math check: Cuff circumference approximately 9-10". S: 9" × 3.5 = 31.5, rounded to 32 + 1 = 33 ✓]*

**Row 1 (RS):** Hdc in 2nd ch from hook and in each ch across. Turn.
— **32 (32, 34, 36, 38) sts**

**Row 2:** Ch 2, hdc in each st across. Turn.

**Row 3 (Increase Row):** Ch 2, 2 hdc in first st, hdc in each st to last st, 2 hdc in last st. Turn.
— **34 (34, 36, 38, 40) sts** [+2 sts increased]

**Rows 4-6:** Ch 2, hdc in each st across. Turn.
— **3 rows even**

**Continue in pattern:**
Rep Rows 3-6 (increase row, then 3 rows even) a total of **7 (8, 8, 8, 8)** more times.
— **48 (50, 52, 54, 56) sts** after all increases

*[Math check: Starting sts + (increases × 2) = final. S: 32 + (8 × 2) = 48 ✓]*

**Continue even** until sleeve measures **15" (15.5", 16", 16", 16.5")** from foundation, or 2" less than desired sleeve length (ribbing will add ~2").

Fasten off.

**Sleeve should measure approximately 13.5" (14", 14.5", 15", 15.5")** wide at top.

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### BOTTOM RIBBING (for Back and Front)

*Ribbing is worked sideways and sewn to bottom of body pieces.*

**Make 2 (one for Back, one for Front)**

With smaller hook (5 mm), ch **9**.

**Row 1:** Sc in 2nd ch from hook and in each ch across. Turn.
— **8 sts** (approximately 2" wide)

**Row 2:** Ch 1, sc in BLO of each st across. Turn.
— **8 sts**

Rep Row 2 until ribbing measures **18" (20", 22", 24", 26")** — same width as body panel.

*[Math check: Ribbing length should equal body width. S: 63 sts ÷ 3.5 sts/inch = 18" ✓]*

Fasten off, leaving a long tail for seaming.

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### CUFF RIBBING (for Sleeves)

**Make 2**

With smaller hook (5 mm), ch **9**.

**Row 1:** Sc in 2nd ch from hook and in each ch across. Turn.
— **8 sts**

**Row 2:** Ch 1, sc in BLO of each st across. Turn.
— **8 sts**

Rep Row 2 until ribbing measures **9" (9", 9.5", 10", 10.5")** — same width as sleeve cuff.

*[Math check: Cuff ribbing = starting sleeve width. S: 32 sts ÷ 3.5 sts/inch ≈ 9" ✓]*

Fasten off, leaving a long tail for seaming.

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### NECKBAND

*Worked after shoulder seams are complete.*

**Join Shoulders First** (see Assembly section below), then return here.

With smaller hook (5 mm) and RS facing, join yarn at left shoulder seam.

**Round 1:** Ch 1, work **72 (76, 80, 84, 88)** sc evenly around entire neck opening, working through both layers at shoulder seams. Join with sl st to first sc.

*[Tip: Work approximately 3 sc for every 2 row-ends along sides, and 1 sc per stitch across front/back neck]*

**Round 2:** Ch 1, sc in BLO of each st around. Join with sl st to first sc.

**Rounds 3-4:** Rep Round 2.

Fasten off and weave in ends.

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## ASSEMBLY

### Step 1: Attach Bottom Ribbing
1. With yarn needle and long tail, whip stitch ribbing to bottom edge of Back panel, easing to fit. Ribbing rows should run vertically.
2. Repeat for Front panel.

### Step 2: Attach Cuff