Don't Look Up Crochet Sweater
You know what I love? Watching a movie and seeing crochet in action! There, on the big screen (or small screen since we've all been watching movies at home these days) is an article of clothing that has been crocheted, not knitted. I don't think I'm alone here but I tend to feel a bubble of pride whenever I see a crochet piece in a movie or series - it just seems so rare. And of course, being a crocheter, I tend to feel a sudden urge to crochet what I've just seen. This is why I knew I would have to figure out how to make the Don't Look Up crochet sweater and immediately lost interest in all my other WIPs.
Keep scrolling for the free crochet pattern.
If you haven't seen the movie, Jennifer Lawrence plays an astronomer who discovers a comet and near the end of the movie she is seen wearing a very charming and nerdy crochet sweater - a J Crew sweater to be exact. I just loved how it looked and was super intrigued by the wavy, zig-zaggy neckline. I almost couldn't pay attention to the rest of the movie trying to figure out if the sweater was worked from the top down or bottom up.
Inspired by the Don't Look Up Crochet Sweater
I was too eager to get started and decided to use whatever yarn I had in my stash (besides, between you and me, it meant I could free up room and buy more yarn). I went with a tan, light brown shade for the main color and for the neckline design I tried to match the colors as much as I could to the sweater in the movie. Overall, not bad in terms of color!
The shape and structure was pretty straightforward until I got to the neckline (or is it a yoke?). For the wavy pattern I used the oh-so-handy reference book 500 Crochet Stitches, which happened to have the stitch sequence I needed. I am still learning how to crochet clothes and so making this sweater taught me several things:
How to join the front and back pieces together with the sleeves - so cool and fun!
Calculating number of multiples actually matters
Pattern grading also matters and I have much to learn
I can hate gauge swatches all I want but they are necessary
When it came time to make the second draft, I went in armed with experience and dare I say, crochet wisdom.
For the second draft I went for a much more snug fit and I added a ribbed edge to the sleeves and bottom hem.
I love how this version turned out and I hope you enjoy it too! If you do try this Don't Look Up crochet sweater pattern I'd love to hear your feedback and see your creations! Tag me on Instagram @popsdemilk_crochet and use the hashtag #popsdemilk.
And now I am eager and slightly nervous to share what I have called The Astronomer based on the crochet sweater in Don't Look Up.
Don't Look Up
Crochet Sweater Pattern
Skill Level
Intermediate
Size
S/M - Bust: 32”-36” Waist: 26” to 30”
Materials
Lion Brand Pound of Love in Oxford Grey (1 ball 454g)
Accent colors A, B, C for example: Bernat Super Value in Baby Pink, Burgundy, Forest Green
Crochet hook size 5.00mm/H-8
Yarn needle
Gauge
14 hdc x 10 rows = approx. 4” / 4 hdc = approx. 1“
Notes
Starting chain does not count as a stitch unless indicated.
Sweater is worked back and forth in rows from the bottom up in two separate pieces for the front and back, and two separate pieces for the sleeves.
All pieces are joined at the armhole and worked in rounds.
Stitches are worked in the back loops only (BLO) unless indicated.
Abbreviations (US terms)
ch - chain
sl st - slip stitch
sc - single crochet
hdc - half double crochet
dc - double crochet
tr - triple/treble crochet
sc2tog/tr2tog - decrease over the next 2 stitches
sc3tog/tr3tog - decrease over the next 3 stitches
rep - repeat
work even - complete round/row without inc/dec
Stitch Explanations
Waves and Chevrons
Bottom Wave: ch 1, *1 sc in next st, 1 hdc in next st, dc in next st, 3tr in next st, 1 dc in next st, 1 hdc in next st, 1 sc in next st, rep from *
Chevron: (Worked over 2 rows) ch 1, *1 sc in next 2 sts, 3sc in next st, 1 sc in next 2 sts, sc3tog, rep from *
Top Wave: ch 1, *1 hdc in next st, 1 dc in next st, tr3tog, 1 dc in next st, 1 hdc in next st, 1 sc in next st, rep from *
Sleeves (Make these before the front and back pieces)
Row 1: ch 30, 1 hdc in 3rd ch from hook and each ch across, turn (28 sts)
Rows 2-9: ch 2, 1 hdc in each st across, turn (28 sts)
Row 10: ch 2, 1 hdc in first st, 2hdc in next st, 1 hdc in each st across to end, turn (29 sts)
Row 11: ch 2, 1 hdc in first st, 2hdc in next st, 1 hdc in each st across to end, turn (30 sts)
Rows 12-14: ch 2, 1 hdc in each st across to end, turn
Repeat Rows 10 to 14 until there are 32 sts
Row 20: ch 2, 1 hdc in first st, 2hdc in next st, 1 hdc in each st across to end, turn (33 sts)
Row 21: ch 2, 1 hdc in first st, 2 hdc in next st, 1 hdc in each st across to end, turn ( 34 sts)
Rows 22-23: ch 2, 1 hdc in each st across to end, turn
Repeat Rows 20 to 23 until there are 46 sts
Row 48: ch 2, 1 hdc in each st across to end, turn.
At this point the sleeve should measure approx. 19”. Fasten off.
Repeat to make the second sleeve.
Body
Front
Row 1: ch 66, 1 hdc in 3rd ch from hook and each ch across (64 sts)
Row 2: ch 2, 1 hdc in each st across, turn
Rows 3-10: Repeat Row 2
Row 11: ch 2, 1 hdc in first st, hdc2tog, 1 hdc in each st across to last 3 sts, hdc2tog, 1 hdc in last st, turn (62 sts)
Row 12: Repeat Row 2
Row 13: Repeat Row 11
Repeat Rows 2 and 11 until there are 56 sts left.
Rows 18-36: Repeat Row 2. To make the body longer work more rows, to make it shorter work less rows. End with WS facing. Fasten off.
Repeat to make the Back but do not fasten off. Turn
Join sleeves to front and back pieces and start the Waves and Chevron Sequence as follows:
Waves and Chevron Sequence:
Row 1: Back piece (Bottom Wave - Grey), ch 1, *1 sc in first st, 1 hdc in next st, dc in next st, 3tr in next st, 1 dc in next st, 1 hdc in next st, 1 sc in next st, rep from * working into each st on back, sleeve 1, front, sleeve 2, ending with sc, sl st to first sc, do not turn. Fasten off.
Row 2: (Chevron - Green), starting in the center stitch of the first tr set from the prev row, use standing sc or pick up a loop, ch 1, sc in same st, *1 sc in next 2 sts, 3sc in center tr, 1sc in next 2 sts, sc3tog, rep from * to sleeve join (last tr set on back piece), **work sc2tog over the center tr and the next center tr (leave skipped sts unworked), cont in established pattern across sleeve (then front, then second sleeve) ending on middle tr, rep from ** to end, sl st to first sc
Row 3: Work in both loops (Chevron - Green), ch 1, 1sc in first st, *1sc in next 2 sts, sc3tog, 1sc in next 2 sts, 3sc in next st, rep from * to sleeve join, 1sc in next 2 sts, sc3tog, 1sc in next 3 sts, 1sc in center st of next 3sc set (leave skipped sts unworked), cont in established pattern across sleeve (then front, then second sleeve) to end, sl st to first sc
Row 4: Work in both loops (Top Wave - Burgundy), ch 1, *1hdc in next st, 1dc in next st, 3tr in next st, 1dc in next st, 1hdc in next st, 1sc in next st, rep from * to sleeve join, 1hdc in next st, 1dc in next st, tr3tog, skip 4 sts, tr3tog, continue in established pattern across sleeve (then front, then second sleeve) to end, sl st to first tr3tog. Fasten off.
Row 5: Work in both loops (Bottom Wave - Pink), starting in first sc of prev row, use standing tr or pick up a loop, ch 3, 3tr in sc, *1dc in next st, 1hdc in next st, 1sc in next st, 1hdc in next st, 1dc in next st, 3tr in next st, rep from * to sleeve join, 3tr in last sc of back piece, 3tr in next sc on sleeve (leave skipped sts unworked), continue in established pattern across sleeve (then front, then second sleeve) to end, sl st to first st
Row 6: Work in both loops (Chevron - Grey), starting in the center stitch of the first tr set from the prev row, use standing sc or pick up a loop, ch 1, sc in same st, *1 sc in next 2 sts, sc3tog, 1sc in next 2 sts, 3sc in next st, rep from * to sleeve join, 1sc in next 2 sts, sc3tog, 1sc in next 3 sts, 1sc in center tr of next 3tr set (leave skipped stitches unworked), continue in established pattern across sleeve (then front, then second sleeve), to end, sl st to first st
Row 7: Work in both loops (Chevron - Grey) ch 1, 1sc in next st, sc3tog, *1sc in next 2 sts, 3sc in next st, 1sc in next 2 sts, sc3tog, rep from * to sleeve join, 1sc in next st, sc2tog twice, 1sc in next st, sc3tog, continue in established pattern across sleeve (then front, then second sleeve), 1sc in last 2 sts, sl st to first st
Row 8: Work in both loops (Top Wave - Green) ch 4 (counts as tr), tr2tog, *1dc in next st, 1hdc in next st, 1sc in next st, 1hdc in next st, 1dc in next st, tr3tog, rep from * to sleeve join, skip next st, tr3tog, continue in established pattern across sleeve (then front, then second sleeve), to end, sl st to first tr3tog
Row 9: Work in both loops (Bottom Wave - Grey) ch 1, 1sc in first st, *1hdc in next st, 1dc in next st, 3tr in next st, 1dc in next st, 1hdc in next st, 1sc in next st, rep from * to sleeve join, sc2tog, continue in established pattern across sleeve (then front, then second sleeve), to end, sl st to first st
Row 10: (Top Wave - Grey) ch 4, 1tr in first st, *1dc in next st, 1hdc in next st, 1sc in next st, 1hdc in next st, 1dc in next st, tr3tog, rep from * ending with tr, sl st to first st
Row 11: ch 1, *1sc in each st to sleeve join, sc2tog, rep from * to end, sl st to first st
Rows 12-15: ch 1, 1 sc in each st, sl st to first st. Fasten off and weave ends.
Optional Ribbed Edging
Body and Sleeves
Pull up a loop in any st at the base of the sleeve or body, ch 11
Working in BLO, sc in 2nd ch from hook and each ch across, sl st into base, sl st into next st on base, turn (10 sts)
do not ch, 1sc in each st across, turn
ch 1, 1sc in each st across, sl st into base, sl st into next st on base, turn
Repeat steps 3 and 4 until ribbing goes around the entire hem
To close the ribbing seam you can slip stitch through both layers of the first and last row or you can sew the seams with a yarn needle.
Finishing
Use a yarn needle to sew the side seams and sleeve seams together.
Use matching yarn color to sew the gaps in the sleeve join portions of the Waves and Chevron sequence.
Weave ends. Your Don't Look Up crochet sweater is ready to wear!
If you make this crochet sweater I'd love to see your creation, just tag me on Instagram @popsdemilk_crochet and use the hashtag #popsdemilk
Looking for more crochet patterns? Then you might like these:
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This pattern is for personal use only. The pattern and its photos may not be reproduced, distributed or resold, translated, published, altered, shared or posted in any way over the internet or offline.
You may sell finished items made from this pattern as long as it is handmade by you, not mass produced, giving the credit to Pops de Milk / Patricia Castillo as the designer. If you have any questions, you can email me at patricia@popsdemilk.com
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