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# The "Upside Down" 80s Pullover
**Intermediate Level | Crochet Pattern**

**Description:**
A classic drop-shoulder pullover inspired by the retro 1980s aesthetic of *Stranger Things*. This sweater features a boxy, masculine fit and uses a dark, moody colour palette reminiscent of the "Upside Down" dimension. The body is worked flat in pieces using treble crochet for a quick build, with sturdy double crochet ribbing.

**Design Features:**
*   **The Look:** Dark Charcoal body with a bold "Blood Red" stripe across the chest and upper arms.
*   **The Fit:** Classic relaxed fit with approx. 10cm (4") of positive ease.
*   **Construction:** Worked flat in pieces (Back, Front, Sleeves) from the bottom up and seamed.

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## 1. Materials & Specifications

**Yarn:**
Worsted / Aran Weight Yarn (Medium 4).
*   **Main Colour (MC):** Charcoal Grey or Black (Approx. 900, 1000, 1100, 1250, 1350 metres)
*   **Contrast Colour (CC):** Deep Red (Approx. 150-200 metres)

**Hooks:**
*   **5.0 mm (H/8)** for ribbing
*   **5.5 mm (I/9)** for main body (or size needed to obtain tension)

**Tools:**
*   Tapestry needle
*   Measuring tape
*   Stitch markers

**Sizes (To fit Chest):**
*   **S:** 86-91 cm (34-36")
*   **M:** 96-101 cm (38-40")
*   **L:** 106-112 cm (42-44")
*   **XL:** 117-122 cm (46-48")
*   **2XL:** 127-132 cm (50-52")

**Finished Garment Measurements (Chest Circumference):**
Includes approx. 10cm positive ease.
*   **S:** 97 cm
*   **M:** 106 cm
*   **L:** 117 cm
*   **XL:** 126 cm
*   **2XL:** 137 cm

**Tension (Gauge):**
**CRITICAL:** 14 stitches and 8 rows = 10 cm x 10 cm in Treble Crochet (UK) using larger hook.
*Please check your tension. If you have too many stitches in 10cm, use a larger hook. If too few, use a smaller hook.*

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## 2. Abbreviations (UK Terminology)
*   **ch:** chain
*   **dc:** double crochet (US single crochet)
*   **tr:** treble crochet (US double crochet)
*   **st(s):** stitch(es)
*   **blo:** back loop only
*   **dc2tog:** double crochet 2 together (decrease)
*   **tr2tog:** treble crochet 2 together (decrease)
*   **RS:** right side
*   **WS:** wrong side

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## 3. Pattern Instructions

### Back Panel
**Ribbing:**
Using **5.0 mm** hook and MC (Charcoal).
Ch 10.
**Row 1:** Dc in 2nd ch from hook and each ch across. Turn. [9 sts]
**Row 2:** Ch 1, dc in blo of each st across. Turn. [9 sts]
Repeat Row 2 until ribbing measures approx: 48 (53, 58, 63, 68) cm slightly stretched.
*Do not fasten off. Rotate work to crochet along the long edge of the ribbing.*

**Body:**
Switch to **5.5 mm** hook.
**Row 1 (Setup):** Ch 2 (does not count as st), work **68 (74, 82, 88, 96)** tr evenly across the long edge of the ribbing. Turn.
*Math Check: [S: 68sts / 1.4 gauge = 48.5cm width]*

**Row 2:** Ch 2, tr in each st across. Turn.
Repeat Row 2 until piece measures 40 (41, 41, 42, 42) cm from bottom edge.

**Armhole Shaping:**
**Next Row:** Slip st in first 4 (4, 5, 5, 6) sts, ch 2, tr in each st to last 4 (4, 5, 5, 6) sts. Turn, leaving remaining sts unworked.
*Stitch Count Check: [S: 68 - 8 = 60] [M: 74 - 8 = 66] [L: 82 - 10 = 72] [XL: 88 - 10 = 78] [2XL: 96 - 12 = 84]*

**Upper Body:**
Work even in tr until Armhole measures 15 (16, 17, 18, 19) cm.
*Change to CC (Red) for the stripe.*
Work 4 rows in CC.
*Change back to MC (Charcoal).*
Work even until Armhole measures 23 (24, 25, 26, 27) cm total.

**Shoulder Shaping:**
**Row 1:** Sl st in first 6 (7, 8, 9, 10) sts, ch 2, tr across to last 6 (7, 8, 9, 10) sts. Turn.
**Row 2:** Sl st in first 6 (7, 8, 9, 10) sts, ch 2, tr across to last 6 (7, 8, 9, 10) sts. Turn.
Fasten off.

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### Front Panel
Work exactly as Back Panel (including colour change for stripe) until Armhole measures approx. 14 (15, 16, 17, 18) cm.
*Note: This point should be roughly where the Red stripe begins or just before.*

**Neck Shaping (Left Side):**
**Row 1 (RS):** Work across first **20 (22, 24, 26, 28)** sts. Turn. Leave remaining sts unworked for neck and other shoulder.
**Row 2:** Ch 2, tr2tog, tr in each st across. [Decrease 1 st at neck edge]
**Row 3:** Tr in each st to last 2 sts, tr2tog. [Decrease 1 st at neck edge]
Continue decreases at neck edge every row until **12 (14, 16, 18, 20)** sts remain.
Work even until piece matches Back Panel length to shoulder.
**Shoulder:** Sl st over shoulder sts to match Back slope. Fasten off.

**Neck Shaping (Right Side):**
Skip centre **20 (22, 24, 26, 28)** sts of the main row. Join yarn to remaining sts.
Work as for Left Side, reversing shapings (decreasing at neck edge).
*Math Check (Size L): 72 armhole sts - 24 neck sts = 48 sts. 48 / 2 = 24 sts per shoulder. Reduced to 16 sts for shoulder tab. Checks out.*

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### Sleeves (Make 2)
**Ribbing:**
Using **5.0 mm** hook and MC.
Ch 10. Work blo ribbing (as for Back) for 22 (23, 24, 25, 25) cm length.
Rotate to work along edge.

**Main Sleeve:**
Switch to **5.5 mm** hook.
**Row 1 (Setup):** Ch 2, work **34 (36, 38, 40, 42)** tr evenly across. Turn.
**Row 2:** Ch 2, 2 tr in first st, tr in each st to last st, 2 tr in last st. [Increase 2 sts]
**Rows 3-4:** Tr in each st across.
Repeat Rows 2-4 (increasing every 3rd row) **12 (13, 14, 15, 16)** times.

*Math Check (Size L): Start 38 + (14 incs * 2) = 66 sts. 66 sts / 1.4 gauge = ~47cm upper arm circ. Correct for size.*

**End Count:** **58 (62, 66, 70, 74)** sts.
Work even until sleeve measures 46 (47, 48, 49, 50) cm or desired length to underarm.
*Note: For the Stranger Things look, work a 4-row Red stripe matching the placement on the body near the top of the sleeve.*

**Sleeve Cap (Shaping):**
Sl st in first 4 (4, 5, 5, 6) sts, work across to last 4 (4, 5, 5, 6) sts.
Work 2 rows even.
Fasten off.

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### Assembly & Finishing
1.  **Block:** Pin pieces to measurements and steam gently (especially if using acrylic blend) to relax the stitches.
2.  **Shoulders:** Seam front and back shoulders using a whip stitch or mattress stitch.
3.  **Neckband:**
    *   With RS facing and **5.0 mm** hook, join CC (Red) at shoulder seam.
    *   Ch 1, work dc evenly around the neckline. (Aim for approx 80-90 sts).
    *   **Rnd 2-4:** Dc in blo around.
    *   Fasten off invisibly.
4.  **Sleeves:** Mark the centre of the sleeve cap. Pin to shoulder seam. Sew sleeve into armhole.
5.  **Sides:** Sew side seams and sleeve underarms in one continuous seam.
6.  **Ends:** Weave in all loose ends.

**Technical Editor Notes:**
*   Ensure the horizontal stripes on the sleeve align with the chest stripe when sewing the sleeve in.
*   Because tr stitches are tall, the fabric can be "hole-y". If you want a denser fabric for winter, substitute the main body stitch with **extended double crochet (UK)** or **herringbone half-treble**, but you must swatch again to match the 14 st gauge.