Striped Bell-Sleeve Boat Neck Pullover

A classic worsted pullover worked flat in pieces from the bottom up. The body is simple double crochet with two-color 4-row stripes, a wide shallow boat neck, and bell sleeves that start full at the cuff and taper toward the underarm. Ribbed edges are single crochet in the back loop only. Designed for confident beginners.

Skill level: Beginner
Terminology: US crochet terms throughout

Sizes

Small (Medium, Large, XL, 2XL)

To fit bust: 34–36 (38–40, 42–44, 46–48, 50–52)" / 86–91 (97–102, 107–112, 117–122, 127–132) cm

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

Finished measurements

Bust: 37¾ (42¼, 46¾, 50¼, 54¾)" / 96 (107.5, 119, 127.5, 139) cm
Length (shoulder to hem): 22½ (23, 24, 25, 26)" / 57 (58.5, 61, 63.5, 66) cm
Armhole depth: 8 (8½, 9, 9½, 10)" / 20.5 (21.5, 23, 24, 25.5) cm
Boat neck width (each piece): 10¼ (11½, 12, 12½, 13¾)" / 26 (29, 30.5, 32, 35) cm
Shoulder width (each): 3¼ (3½, 4, 4¼, 4½)" / 8 (9, 10, 11, 11.5) cm
Upper arm (sleeve top): 16 (17¼, 18¼, 18¾, 20)" / 40.5 (44, 46.5, 47.5, 51) cm
Bell cuff width: 20 (21¾, 24, 25¾, 28)" / 51 (55, 61, 65.5, 71) cm
Sleeve length (underarm to cuff): 17½ (18, 18, 18½, 18½)" / 44.5 (45.5, 45.5, 47, 47) cm

Ease is about 2–4" / 5–10 cm positive ease at the bust. Choose the size whose finished bust matches the ease you want, not only the “to fit” range.

Materials

Yarn: Worsted weight (category 4), two colors.

• Color A (ribbing, neckband, and alternate stripes): 750 (850, 1000, 1150, 1300) yd / 685 (775, 915, 1050, 1190) m
• Color B (alternate stripes): 550 (650, 750, 900, 1050) yd / 505 (595, 685, 825, 960) m

Yardages are approximate. A smooth acrylic, wool, or wool-blend worsted in a light-to-medium color makes stitches easy to see. Classic pairings: navy/cream, black/white, camel/cream, or forest/oatmeal.

Hooks:

• US H-8 / 5 mm (ribbing and neckband)
• US I-9 / 5.5 mm (body and sleeves)

or sizes needed to obtain gauge

Notions: Yarn needle, scissors, 4 stitch markers, tape measure

Gauge

14 dc and 8 rows = 4" / 10 cm with US I-9 / 5.5 mm, in double crochet, blocked.

Swatch: With 5.5 mm hook, ch 22. Dc in 4th ch from hook and in each ch across [20 dc]. Ch 3 (counts as dc), turn. Work 11 more rows of dc (12 rows total). Block, then measure the center 4" / 10 cm.

Check gauge before you start. If you have too many stitches in 4", go up a hook size. If you have too few, go down a hook size. Row gauge matters for length and for matching the sleeves to the armholes.

Ribbing gauge (for reference, not a second swatch requirement): about 16 sc BLO and 16 rows = 4" / 10 cm with 5 mm.

Abbreviations (US)

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

Special stitch

dc2tog: [Yo, insert hook in next st, yo, pull up a loop, yo, draw through 2 loops] twice, yo, draw through all 3 loops on hook. (1 stitch decreased)

Notes

1. Ch 3 at the beginning of a dc row counts as the first dc. Work the last dc of every row into the top of the turning ch-3.
2. Ch 1 at the beginning of an sc row does not count as a stitch.
3. Body and sleeves are worked in turned rows. Ribbing is worked sideways as a strip; the first dc row is worked across the long edge of the strip (1 dc in each row-end).
4. Stripe pattern (after ribbing): 4 rows Color B, 4 rows Color A; repeat these 8 rows. Do not cut yarn at each change. Carry the unused color loosely up the same side edge; the side seams will hide the carries. Always change color in the last yarn-over of the last stitch of the 4th row so the new color is ready for the turning chain.
5. Keep the stripe sequence running through the armholes and shoulder tabs. Do not restart it on the front or sleeves — match the back so stripes line up at the side seams.
6. The first dc row after ribbing is the RS.
7. Bell sleeves are meant to be wide at the cuff. Do not gather the cuff ribbing.
8. Boat neck is wide and sits near the collarbone. The neckband is worked even (no decreases) so it does not pull in.

Back

Hem ribbing (Color A, 5 mm hook)

Ch 11.

Row 1: Sc in 2nd ch from hook and in each ch across, turn. [10 sc]

Row 2: Ch 1, sc BLO in each sc across, turn. [10 sc]

Repeat Row 2 until you have 66 (74, 82, 88, 96) rows of ribbing. Do not fasten off. The strip should measure about 2½" / 6.5 cm tall and, slightly stretched, about 19 (21¼, 23½, 25¼, 27½)" / 48 (54, 59.5, 64, 70) cm long.

Body (5.5 mm hook)

Turn the ribbing so the long edge is on top. Join Color B.

Row 1 (RS, Color B): Ch 3 (counts as dc here and throughout), work 1 dc in each row-end across the long edge of the ribbing, turn.
[66 (74, 82, 88, 96) dc ✓ — 1 dc per ribbing row]

Rows 2–4: Ch 3, dc in each dc across, turn. [66 (74, 82, 88, 96) dc]

Change to Color A.

Continue in dc, working the 4-row stripe pattern (4 rows A, 4 rows B, repeating — you have already completed the first 4-row B stripe), until the piece measures 14½ (14½, 15, 15½, 16)" / 37 (37, 38, 39.5, 40.5) cm from the bottom of the ribbing, ending after a WS row. This is about 24 (24, 25, 26, 27) dc rows.

Armhole (modified drop)

Keep stripe sequence correct.

Next row (RS): Sl st in first 4 (5, 6, 7, 8) sts, ch 3 (counts as dc), dc in each dc to last 4 (5, 6, 7, 8) sts, turn, leaving remaining sts unworked.
[66 − 4 − 4 = 58; 74 − 5 − 5 = 64; 82 − 6 − 6 = 70; 88 − 7 − 7 = 74; 96 − 8 − 8 = 80 dc ✓]

Next 12 (13, 14, 15, 16) rows: Ch 3, dc in each dc across, turn.
[58 (64, 70, 74, 80) dc]

Piece should now measure about 6½ (7, 7½, 8, 8½)" / 16.5 (18, 19, 20.5, 21.5) cm from the armhole sl-st row. Total armhole so far: 13 (14, 15, 16, 17) rows.

Boat neck and shoulders

Split row (RS): Ch 3, dc in next 10 (11, 13, 14, 15) dc [11 (12, 14, 15, 16) dc on this shoulder, counting the ch-3], ch 1, skip next 36 (40, 42, 44, 48) dc (neck), dc in remaining 11 (12, 14, 15, 16) dc, turn.
[11 + 36 + 11 = 58; 12 + 40 + 12 = 64; 14 + 42 + 14 = 70; 15 + 44 + 15 = 74; 16 + 48 + 16 = 80 ✓]

You will now finish each shoulder separately.

Left back shoulder (as worn): Continue on the 11 (12, 14, 15, 16) sts just worked.

Shoulder rows 2–3: Ch 3, dc in each dc across, turn. [11 (12, 14, 15, 16) dc]

Fasten off after Row 3.

Right back shoulder: With RS facing, join matching stripe color in the first skipped-over shoulder st (the first of the 11 (12, 14, 15, 16) sts at the beginning of the split row).

Shoulder rows 2–3: Ch 3, dc in each dc across, turn. [11 (12, 14, 15, 16) dc]

Fasten off after Row 3.

Armhole measures 8 (8½, 9, 9½, 10)" / 20.5 (21.5, 23, 24, 25.5) cm (16 (17, 18, 19, 20) rows ✓). Total length from hem is 22½ (23, 24, 25, 26)" / 57 (58.5, 61, 63.5, 66) cm.

Front

Work exactly as for Back through the armhole skip row and the following even rows, except work only 11 (12, 13, 14, 15) even rows after the armhole skip row (one fewer than the back) so the front neck sits slightly lower.

[Armhole so far: 12 (13, 14, 15, 16) rows]

Boat neck and shoulders (front is 1 row deeper)

Split row: Work as for Back split row.
[11 (12, 14, 15, 16) dc each shoulder, 36 (40, 42, 44, 48) skipped for neck ✓]

Each front shoulder: Work 3 more rows even in dc (4 shoulder rows total including the split row). Fasten off each side.

[11 (12, 14, 15, 16) dc on each shoulder. Total armhole rows: 12 (13, 14, 15, 16) + 4 = 16 (17, 18, 19, 20) ✓ — matches Back]

Sleeves (make 2)

Cuff ribbing (Color A, 5 mm hook)

Ch 9.

Row 1: Sc in 2nd ch from hook and in each ch across, turn. [8 sc]

Row 2: Ch 1, sc BLO in each sc across, turn. [8 sc]

Repeat Row 2 until you have 70 (76, 84, 90, 98) rows. Do not fasten off. Strip is about 2" / 5 cm tall and, slightly stretched, about 20 (21¾, 24, 25¾, 28)" / 51 (55, 61, 65.5, 71) cm long.

Bell (5.5 mm hook)

Turn the ribbing so the long edge is on top. Join Color B.

Row 1 (RS, Color B): Ch 3, work 1 dc in each row-end across, turn.
[70 (76, 84, 90, 98) dc ✓ — 1 dc per ribbing row]

Work even in dc and the 4-row stripe pattern as follows, then begin decreases. Always work decrease rows as:

Decrease row: Ch 3, dc2tog over next 2 sts, dc in each dc to last 3 sts, dc2tog over next 2 sts, dc in top of turning ch, turn. (2 sts decreased)

Small only — 70 dc to start.

Work 5 more rows even after Row 1. [6 even rows, 70 dc]

Work [decrease row, then 2 rows even] 7 times.
[7 decrease rows → 70 − 14 = 56 dc ✓; 6 + (3 × 7) = 27 rows so far]

Work 4 more rows even. [31 dc rows total; 56 dc]

Medium only — 76 dc to start.

Work 5 more rows even after Row 1. [6 even rows, 76 dc]

Work [decrease row, then 2 rows even] 8 times.
[8 decrease rows → 76 − 16 = 60 dc ✓; 6 + (3 × 8) = 30 rows so far]

Work 2 more rows even. [32 dc rows total; 60 dc]

Large only — 84 dc to start.

Work 5 more rows even after Row 1. [6 even rows, 84 dc]

Work [decrease row, then 1 row even] 10 times.
[10 decrease rows → 84 − 20 = 64 dc ✓; 6 + (2 × 10) = 26 rows so far]

Work 6 more rows even. [32 dc rows total; 64 dc]

XL only — 90 dc to start.

Work 5 more rows even after Row 1. [6 even rows, 90 dc]

Work [decrease row, then 1 row even] 12 times.
[12 decrease rows → 90 − 24 = 66 dc ✓; 6 + (2 × 12) = 30 rows so far]

Work 3 more rows even. [33 dc rows total; 66 dc]

2XL only — 98 dc to start.

Work 3 more rows even after Row 1. [4 even rows, 98 dc]

Work [decrease row, then 1 row even] 14 times.
[14 decrease rows → 98 − 28 = 70 dc ✓; 4 + (2 × 14) = 32 rows so far]

Work 1 more row even. [33 dc rows total; 70 dc]

All sizes: Fasten off. Sleeve measures 17½ (18, 18, 18½, 18½)" / 44.5 (45.5, 45.5, 47, 47) cm from the bottom of the cuff, and the top edge is 56 (60, 64, 66, 70) dc = 16 (17¼, 18¼, 18¾, 20)" / 40.5 (44, 46.5, 47.5, 51) cm, matching the armhole opening (front armhole + back armhole).

Make a second sleeve to match, starting the stripe sequence the same way so both sleeves are identical.

Finishing

Block all four pieces to the finished measurements. Blocking evens the dc fabric and the stripe lines; do this before seaming.

Shoulders: With RS together, sew each front shoulder to the matching back shoulder with mattress stitch or whip stitch through the dc stitches. Seams are only 3¼ (3½, 4, 4¼, 4½)" / 8 (9, 10, 11, 11.5) cm wide. The remaining center opening is the boat neck.

Set in sleeves: Fold each sleeve in half and mark the center of the top edge. Pin that center to the shoulder seam. Pin the sleeve top along the front and back armhole edges, matching the last sleeve row to the armhole skip-row corners. The sleeve top width equals the armhole opening:

16 (17¼, 18¼, 18¾, 20)" sleeve top = 8 + 8 (8½ + 8½, 9 + 9, 9½ + 9½, 10 + 10)" armholes ✓

Sew in place.

Side and underarm seams: Sew each side seam from the hem ribbing to the underarm, then continue along the sleeve underarm to the cuff, matching stripes as you go. Use mattress stitch on the dc sections and a neat whip stitch on the ribbing if you prefer a flatter cuff join.

Boat-neck band (Color A, 5 mm hook)

With RS facing, join Color A at one shoulder seam.

Rnd 1: Ch 1, sc evenly around the neck opening, working 1 sc in each dc across the front and back neck and 1 sc in each row-end of the shoulder tabs. Join with sl st to first sc.

Expected count is about 86 (94, 98, 102, 110) sc (front neck 36 (40, 42, 44, 48) + back neck 36 (40, 42, 44, 48) + 4 front shoulder row-ends on each side + 3 back shoulder row-ends on each side → 36 + 36 + 8 + 6 = 86 for Small, and the same extras on the larger necks ✓). A few stitches either way is fine; do not decrease.

Rnds 2–4: Ch 1, sc BLO in each sc around, join with sl st to first sc.

Fasten off. The band is about ¾–1" / 2–2.5 cm and stays open so the boat neck lies at the collarbone.

Final

Weave in all ends. If stripe carries show at the side seams, tuck them into the seam with the yarn needle. Steam or wet-block the seamed sweater, laying the boat neck flat (do not stretch it into a smaller opening) and letting the bell cuffs flare.

Fit and length notes

• Too long or short in the body: Add or subtract dc rows before the armhole in full 4-row stripes so the color sequence stays even. Every 4 rows changes length by 2" / 5 cm.
• Too long or short in the sleeve: Add or subtract even rows after the decreases are finished, not before, so the bell shape does not change.
• Boat neck feels wide: That is the design. If you want it slightly closer, work the neckband with a 4.5 mm hook, still with no decreases.
• Stripes not matching at the sides: Count dc rows on front and back before seaming; they must be equal below the armhole.

Wear over a tank or tee — the boat neck and bell sleeves are the whole point.