purlJam

# Zigzag Striped Pullover

A bold, color-rich crochet pullover featuring a classic chevron stitch worked in alternating stripes. Worked flat in four pieces from the bottom up and seamed for clean shaping. Intermediate crocheters comfortable with double crochet, increases, and decreases will enjoy this satisfying rhythmic project.

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## Sizes

Finished bust circumference (with ~4" positive ease recommended):
- **Small (S):** 40" / 101.5 cm
- **Medium (M):** 44" / 112 cm
- **Large (L):** 48" / 122 cm
- **XL:** 52" / 132 cm
- **2XL:** 56" / 142 cm

Pattern is written for **S**, with (M, L, XL, 2XL) in parentheses.

### Finished Measurements
| Measurement | S | M | L | XL | 2XL |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bust | 40" | 44" | 48" | 52" | 56" |
| Length (hem to shoulder) | 22" | 22.5" | 23" | 23.5" | 24" |
| Sleeve length (cuff to underarm) | 17" | 17" | 17.5" | 17.5" | 18" |
| Upper arm | 14" | 15" | 16" | 17" | 18" |

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## Materials

- **Yarn:** Worsted weight (CYC #4), smooth plied yarn recommended
  - **Color A (main):** 600 (650, 700, 800, 900) yd / 550 (595, 640, 730, 825) m
  - **Color B (contrast):** 600 (650, 700, 800, 900) yd / 550 (595, 640, 730, 825) m
  - *Tip:* For multi-color zigzag, divide into 2–4 colors totaling the same yardage.
- **Hook:** US H/8 (5.0 mm), or size needed to obtain gauge
- **Notions:** Tapestry needle, stitch markers, scissors, measuring tape

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## Gauge

**12 dc × 7 rows = 4" / 10 cm** in chevron stitch pattern, blocked.

Make a swatch at least 5" square. Block before measuring. **Check gauge — fit depends on it.**

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## Abbreviations (US terms)

- **ch** — chain
- **sc** — single crochet
- **dc** — double crochet
- **st(s)** — stitch(es)
- **sk** — skip
- **BLO** — back loop only
- **dc3tog** — double crochet 3 together (decrease, 2 sts decreased)
- **rep** — repeat
- **RS / WS** — right side / wrong side

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## Special Stitches

**Dc3tog:** [Yarn over, insert hook in next st, yarn over and pull up loop, yarn over and pull through 2 loops] 3 times, yarn over and pull through all 4 loops on hook.

**Chevron Stitch Pattern (multiple of 12 sts + 2 turning ch):**
- **Set-up Row (RS):** Ch 3 (counts as dc), 2 dc in 1st st, *dc in next 4 sts, dc3tog over next 3 sts, dc in next 4 sts, 3 dc in next st*; rep from * across, ending with 2 dc in last st. Turn.
- Stitch count is maintained: every 12-st repeat begins/ends with a peak (3 dc in 1 st = +2) and contains one valley (dc3tog = −2).

**Math check per repeat:** 4 dc + 3 sts→1 (dc3tog) + 4 dc + 1 st→3 (3dc inc) = 12 sts in, 12 sts out. ✓

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## Color Sequence (Zigzag Stripes)

Work 2 rows in Color A, then 2 rows in Color B, alternating throughout body and sleeves. Change color on the last yarn-over of the final stitch of the previous row to keep edges clean. Carry unused color loosely up the side.

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## BACK

### Ribbing
With Color A, ch 11.

**Row 1:** Sc in 2nd ch from hook and in each ch across. (10 sc)
**Rows 2–N:** Ch 1, sc in BLO of each st across. Turn.

Repeat Row 2 until ribbing measures **20 (22, 24, 26, 28)"** / 51 (56, 61, 66, 71) cm. Do not fasten off.

### Transition to Body
Rotate ribbing 90°. Working evenly along long edge, ch 2 (does not count as st), and work **60 (66, 72, 78, 84) sc** evenly across long edge. Turn.

*Stitch-count check:* Must be a multiple of 12 → 60, 72, 84 work directly. For **M (66)** and **XL (78)**, the half-repeat is balanced by starting/ending with a half-peak (see Row 1 below).

### Body — Chevron Pattern

**Row 1 (RS, Color A):** Ch 3 (counts as dc here and throughout), 2 dc in 1st st, *dc in next 4 sts, dc3tog, dc in next 4 sts, 3 dc in next st*; rep from * to last st (last 7 sts for half-rep sizes M, XL), 2 dc in last st (or for M/XL: dc in next 4 sts, dc3tog, dc in next st). Turn.

For all sizes, stitch count remains **60 (66, 72, 78, 84) sts**.

**Row 2 (WS):** Ch 3, 2 dc in 1st st, work chevron pattern across as established, ending with 2 dc in last st (or appropriate half-rep ending). Change to Color B in last st. Turn.

**Rows 3–4:** Color B, work in chevron pattern. Change to Color A on last st of Row 4.

**Continue alternating 2 rows Color A / 2 rows Color B** in chevron pattern until back measures **14 (14, 14.5, 14.5, 15)"** / 35.5 (35.5, 37, 37, 38) cm from beginning, ending on a WS row.

### Armhole Shaping

**Next Row (RS):** Sl st across first 6 sts, ch 3, work chevron pattern across to last 6 sts, leaving last 6 sts unworked. Turn. — **48 (54, 60, 66, 72) sts** remain.

Continue in chevron and stripe pattern (treating new edge sts as "half" peaks, working 2 dc into edge st instead of 3) until armhole measures **8 (8.5, 8.5, 9, 9)"** / 20.5 (21.5, 21.5, 23, 23) cm.

Fasten off, leaving long tails for seaming.

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## FRONT

Work as for Back until armhole measures **5.5 (6, 6, 6.5, 6.5)"** / 14 (15, 15, 16.5, 16.5) cm, ending on a WS row.

### Neck Shaping — Right Front (as worn)

**Next Row (RS):** Ch 3, work chevron pattern over first **18 (21, 23, 26, 28) sts**. Turn, leaving remaining sts unworked.

Working only on these sts, decrease 1 st at neck edge every row 4 (4, 5, 5, 6) times, maintaining chevron rhythm where possible (work plain dc near neck edge if a peak/valley falls at edge). — **14 (17, 18, 21, 22) sts**

Work even until armhole measures **8 (8.5, 8.5, 9, 9)"**. Fasten off.

### Left Front
With RS facing, sk center **12 (12, 14, 14, 16) sts** for front neck. Join yarn in next st. Ch 3, work chevron across remaining **18 (21, 23, 26, 28) sts**. Turn.

Shape neck as for right front, mirrored. Fasten off.

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## SLEEVES (make 2)

### Cuff Ribbing
With Color A, ch 11.

**Row 1:** Sc in 2nd ch from hook and across. (10 sc)
**Rows 2–N:** Ch 1, sc in BLO across. Turn.

Repeat until ribbing measures **8 (8.5, 9, 9.5, 10)"** / 20.5 (21.5, 23, 24, 25.5) cm.

### Transition
Rotate 90°. Ch 2, work **36 sts** evenly along long edge. Turn.

### Sleeve Body
**Row 1 (RS, Color A):** Ch 3, 2 dc in 1st st, *dc in next 4 sts, dc3tog, dc in next 4 sts, 3 dc in next st*; rep from * across, ending with 2 dc in last st. Turn. (36 sts — 3 chevron reps)

**Increase Rows:** Work in chevron and 2-row stripe pattern. **Increase 1 st at each end every 6th row** by working 2 dc in the first and last sts (in addition to existing peak), **6 (8, 10, 12, 14) times**. — **48 (52, 56, 60, 64) sts**

*Note:* Maintain peaks/valleys as established; new edge sts simply extend the half-peak edges. Increases will not perfectly align with chevron — that's expected and creates a soft sleeve edge.

Work even until sleeve measures **17 (17, 17.5, 17.5, 18)"** / 43 (43, 44.5, 44.5, 45.5) cm from beginning.

### Sleeve Cap
**Next Row:** Sl st across first 4 sts, ch 3, work in pattern to last 4 sts, leave unworked. Turn.

Decrease 1 st at each end every row **4 (5, 6, 7, 8)** times. Fasten off, leaving long tail for seaming.

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## FINISHING

1. **Block** all pieces to finished measurements.
2. **Seam shoulders** with whip stitch using long tails.
3. **Set in sleeves:** Pin sleeve cap into armhole, easing to fit. Whip stitch in place.
4. **Side and underarm seams:** With WS together, slip stitch or whip stitch from cuff to hem.

### Neckband

With RS facing and Color A, join yarn at right shoulder seam.

**Rnd 1:** Ch 1, sc evenly around neckline, working approximately 3 sc per 2 rows along vertical edges and 1 sc per st along horizontal edges. Aim for a multiple-of-2 stitch count that lies flat (typically 72–88 sts depending on size). Sl st to first sc to join.

**Rnds 2–4:** Ch 1, sc in BLO of each st around. Sl st to join.

Fasten off and weave in all ends.

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## Care

Hand wash in cool water with mild detergent. Lay flat to dry, reshaping to measurements. Do not wring.

Enjoy your bold, graphic Zigzag Striped Pullover! 🌈