Not so long ago I made the Samhradh Cardigan and so many of you fell in love with it, so I thought, why not make a sweater version? This crochet Samhradh sweater is light, airy, and designed to be oversized in the best possible way. It works for every season, it pairs beautifully with jeans, shorts, or skirts, and it is one of those pieces you will reach for again and again. If you have been wanting to crochet your own sweater, this is a great one to start with.
Materials and Tools
Yarn:
- Paintbox Simply DK – weight 3, light DK, 100% acrylic
- Approximately 5 (6, 6) balls
- Each ball contains 276m / 302 yards
I used a beautiful shade of purple for mine because it felt so summery, but I keep thinking about making another one in mustard or rust for fall. The Paintbox Simply DK comes in such a wide range of colours that you really are spoiled for choice. And because each ball has over 300 yards, you get great value without needing a huge amount of yarn.
If you want a lighter version for spring and summer, a cotton DK would work beautifully here too.
Tools:
- 6mm crochet hook
- Stitch marker
- Yarn needle
- Scissors
Gauge and Finished Size
Gauge: 12 hdc = 4 inches
Sizes: S/M (L/XL, 2XL/3XL)
Finished bust: 48 (56, 64) inches
To fit actual bust: 32-38 (40-46, 48-54) inches
Back width: 24 (28, 32) inches
Length: 22 (23, 24) inches
This sweater is designed to be oversized, so the finished measurements are quite a bit larger than the actual bust size. That ease is intentional and gives it that relaxed, effortless fit.
Pattern Notes
The Samhradh Sweater is worked flat in four separate pieces: a back panel, a front panel, and two identical sleeves. Once all four pieces are finished, they are seamed together. The ribbed neckline is crocheted last, directly onto the assembled sweater.
The front panel has a slightly different stitch count toward the top to create the neckline shaping. Read through those rows carefully before you start so you know what to expect.
The pattern is written in US crochet terms.
Stitch counts for each size are written as: small/medium (large/xlarge, 2xlarge/3xlarge).
Abbreviations
- ch – chain
- hdc – half double crochet
- dc – double crochet
- FPDC – front post double crochet
- BPDC – back post double crochet
- hdc2tog – half double crochet two together
- BST – bead stitch
- st – stitch
- slst – slip stitch
- rep – repeat
Special Stitches
Bead Stitch (BST): Dc in designated stitch. (Yarn over, working around the dc post just made, pull up a loop) 3 times. You should have 7 loops on the hook. Yarn over and pull through 6 loops. 2 loops remain on the hook. Yarn over and pull through the last 2 loops.
This stitch creates a little raised bobble-like texture and is what gives the sweater that beautiful, interesting fabric. It looks impressive but once you get the rhythm of it, it works up quickly.
Pattern Instructions
Back Panel
Ch 74 (86, 98).
Row 1: Dc in 4th ch from hook, dc in each ch to end. Turn.
Row 2: Ch 3 (counts as first dc). FPDC in next st, BPDC in next st. Rep from across, ending with a dc on top of the turning ch 3. Turn.
Rows 3 to 5: Rep row 2.
Row 6: Ch 1, hdc in each st across. Turn.
Row 7: Ch 3, BST in next st, skip next st. Rep from across, placing a dc in the last st. Turn.
Rows 8 to 10: Ch 1, hdc in each st across. Turn.
Rep rows 7 to 10 a further 9 more times.
Next row: Ch 3, BST in next st, skip next st. Rep from across, placing a dc in the last st. Turn.
Next row: Ch 1, hdc in each st across. Turn.
Fasten off.
Front Panel
Ch 74 (86, 98).
Row 1: Dc in 4th ch from hook, dc in each ch to end. Turn.
Row 2: Ch 3 (counts as first dc). FPDC in next st, BPDC in next st. Rep from across, ending with a dc on top of the turning ch 3. Turn.
Rows 3 to 5: Rep row 2.
Row 6: Ch 1, hdc in each st across. Turn.
Row 7: Ch 3, BST in next st, skip next st. Rep from across, placing a dc in the last st. Turn.
Rows 8 to 10: Ch 1, hdc in each st across. Turn.
Rep rows 7 to 10 a further 8 more times.
Now place a stitch marker into the 26th (30th, 34th) stitch.
Next row: Ch 3, BST in next st, skip next st. Rep from across, placing a dc in the stitch with the marker. Turn.
Next row: Ch 1, hdc2tog, hdc in each st across. Turn.
Next row: Ch 1, hdc in each st across. Turn.
Next row: Ch 1, hdc2tog, hdc in each st across. Turn.
Next row: Ch 3, BST in next st, skip next st. Rep from across, placing a dc in the last st. Turn.
Next row: Ch 1, hdc in each st across.
Fasten off leaving a long tail.
Now place a stitch marker into the 26th (30th, 34th) stitch from the other side.
Next row: Ch 3, BST in next st, skip next st. Rep from across, placing a dc in the last st. Turn.
Next row: Ch 1, hdc in each st across until 2 sts remain, hdc2tog. Turn.
Next row: Ch 1, hdc in each st across. Turn.
Next row: Ch 1, hdc in each st across until 2 sts remain, hdc2tog. Turn.
Next row: Ch 3, BST in next st, skip next st. Rep from across, placing a dc in the last st. Turn.
Next row: Ch 1, hdc in each st across.
Fasten off leaving a long tail.
Sleeves (Make 2)
Ch 34 (36, 38).
Row 1: Dc in 4th ch from hook, dc in each ch to end. Turn.
Row 2: Ch 3 (counts as first dc). FPDC in next st, BPDC in next st. Rep from across, placing a dc on top of the turning ch 3. Turn.
Rows 3 to 5: Rep row 2.
Row 6: Ch 1, hdc in each st across. Turn.
Row 7: Ch 3, BST in next st, skip next st. Rep from across, placing a dc in the last st. Turn.
Row 8: Ch 1, 2hdc in first st, hdc in each st across, placing 2hdc in the last st. Turn.
Row 9: Ch 1, hdc in each st across. Turn.
Row 10: Ch 1, 2hdc in first st, hdc in each st across, placing 2hdc in the last st. Turn.
Rep rows 7 to 10 until you have 44 (50, 56) stitches.
Next row: Ch 3, BST in next st, skip next st. Rep from across, placing a dc in the last st. Turn.
Next 3 rows: Ch 1, hdc in each st across. Turn.
Rep the last 4 rows until the entire sleeve measures 17 inches long. If you prefer a shorter or longer sleeve, simply adjust the rows, but always end on an hdc row.
Fasten off leaving a long tail.
Assembly
Lay the front panel on top of the back panel with right sides together. Use your yarn needle and the long tails to seam across both shoulders.
Next, lay the sweater out flat with the wrong side facing up. Take one sleeve and place a stitch marker into the centre stitch. Line this centre stitch up with the shoulder seam and sew the sleeve to the sweater body. Repeat on the other side.
Now fold the sweater over and seam along the underside of each sleeve and down the side edges of the sweater body. Repeat on both sides.
Turn the sweater right side out.
Neckline
Attach yarn to the edge of the neckline near one of the shoulder seams.
Round 1: Ch 3, dc all the way around the neck opening. Slst into the beginning ch 3 to close the round.
Rounds 2 to 4: Ch 3, FPDC in next st, BPDC in next st. Rep all the way around the neckline. Slst to the beginning ch 3 to close the round.
Fasten off and weave in all ends.
Your crochet Samhradh sweater is done!
Tips
Blocking your finished sweater makes a real difference. A light wet block helps even out the stitches and opens up the bead stitch texture beautifully.
When seaming the shoulders, try to keep the seam allowance consistent on both sides so the neckline sits evenly.
The sleeve increase section works up quickly once you get into the rhythm of rows 7 to 10. Keep a count of your increases so you know when to stop, and use your stitch marker to help track the beginning of each row.
If you are making the sweater for the first time and are unsure about sizing, the finished measurements are quite generous. The S/M fits an actual bust of 32 to 38 inches but finishes at 48 inches. That oversized ease is intentional and gives it that relaxed, draped look.
For a cozier winter version, try a wool or wool-blend DK yarn. For a breezy summer version, 100% cotton DK works really well and drapes beautifully.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Samhradh Sweater crochet pattern written in US or UK terms? The pattern is written in US crochet terms. So dc means double crochet, hdc means half double crochet, and so on. If you are used to UK terms, a dc in this pattern is what you would call a treble, and hdc is what you would call a half treble.
What size should I make for this crochet sweater pattern? This sweater is designed to be oversized. If your actual bust measurement falls in the 32 to 38 inch range, make the S/M. For 40 to 46 inches, make the L/XL. For 48 to 54 inches, make the 2XL/3XL. The finished sweater will be significantly larger than your actual measurements, which is exactly how it is supposed to fit.
Can I substitute a different yarn for this pattern? Yes, any DK weight yarn will work here. The original uses Paintbox Simply DK in 100% acrylic. If you want a lighter, breathable fabric for warmer weather, a cotton DK is a great swap. For a warmer winter sweater, try a wool or wool-acrylic blend DK. Just make sure to swatch and check your gauge before starting.
How difficult is the bead stitch in this sweater pattern? The bead stitch sounds more complicated than it is. Once you do it a few times it becomes quite easy and rhythmic. It involves working around the post of a dc you just made to create a raised bobble effect. The key is to keep an even tension as you pull up those loops. After a couple of rows you will find yourself flying through it.
How much yarn do I need for the Samhradh Sweater? For the S/M size you need approximately 5 balls of DK weight yarn. For the L/XL and 2XL/3XL sizes, you need approximately 6 balls. Each ball of the recommended Paintbox Simply DK contains 302 yards, so you are looking at roughly 1510 yards for the smaller size and 1812 yards for the larger sizes.
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