How to crochet a sweater? Tips about yarns, hooks, sizes and more

When we think about a handmade jumper we immediately think of one that has been knitted on two needles. What if we were to show you how to crochet sweaters, vests and cardigans? For a lot of people who crochet, summer is definitely the best season for making crochet tops. However, when the cold weather arrives knitted garments become the key garments of the season.

At Katia, we want you to be able to enjoy both of these techniques all year round. So this time we are proposing a selection of women’s crochet sweaters, waistcoats and jackets for you from the Katia 100% Crochet magazine.

How to crochet a sweater?

Take note! Because we are also sharing a series of tips about yarns, crochet hooks, sizes, tension squares and finishes. Learn everything you need to know so you can make easy, quick, customized crochet jumpers, vests and cardigans.

Yarns and crochet hooks

In the first place, you need to choose the correct Katia yarns and crochet hook for your project. The choice of materials is dependent on the desired look. For example: sometimes crochet stitches can be very tightly packed together. To avoid this happening, and even though there is a recommended crochet hook size on the yarn label, a lot of patterns recommend using a larger size crochet hook. Both the yarn and the size of the crochet hook effect the final appearance and drape of the garment.

📌 That’s why, to make this open-back women’s vest, we recommend using a 4.5 mm crochet hook, instead of a 3.5 or 4 mm one, as indicated on the Katia Soft Gratté label.

 📌 Another example: to make this reverse moss stitch vest in crochet, we used a size 10 crochet hook with Katia Big Merino, in addition to a size 6.5 hook, which is the one recommended on the label.

Colours and dyes

When you choose the colour or colours for your crochet sweaters, pay attention to how many balls of yarn you are going to need. We recommend that you buy enough yarn at the beginning, because even if the colour reference is the same, the yarn dye lot may differ.

📌 Just choose your favorite color from the wide range of Katia Basic Merino wool to customize this V-neck crochet sweater.

Number of yarn balls by size

On our website, just click on the M, L, XL, XXL buttons to see the recommended number of balls required for each size.

Note: This size selection option only gives the yarn requirements. The instructions for all the sizes of each model are available in the PDF patterns (for sale on our website) as in the patterns in the Katia 100% Crochet magazine.

📌 To make thisstraight crochet jacket in size M, we recommend 13 balls of Katia Merino Tweed, while for size XXXL you will need 19 balls.

Choosing the right size

Do you have any queries about the pattern size you want to make? Before you do anything, take your measurements: bust, waist, body and arm length. You will find graphs with measurements for the back, front and sleeves for all available sizes in all of the Katia patterns. Take these measurements into account when choosing the correct size.

📌Add an original and artistic touch to your daily look with this beautiful crochet cardigan with linear backstitch embroidery!

Gauge swatch of 4×4”

Now it is the turn of the gauge swatch of 4×4”. It is essential to make this small crochet square – in the stitch indicated in the pattern – before starting the project. The crochet tension and the way the hook is inserted into the work varies from person to person. Therefore, knowing the number of stitches and rows of your 4×4” swatch will help you to choose the correct hook, adapt the pattern if necessary, and above all, avoid future disappointments.

📌 This single crochet sweater in Katia Merino Aran yarn features a bateau neckline and puffed sleeves. The colorful embroidery contrasts with the dark gray background.

Remember: the tension square information is included in all the instructions found in the Katia magazines, do not skip it!

Finishing

Finally, these finishing touches ensure a professional result in your crochet garments:

• Seams: Join the pieces with clean seams, such as the invisible seam, for a neat finish.
• Weaving in ends: Tuck in and secure all loose threads well to prevent them from coming undone.
• Blocking: Block the garment to improve its shape, especially in openwork fabrics.

📌 Consisting of 24 granny squares in the same color, this sweater made using Katia Basic Merino yarn features a bateau neckline, puffed sleeves, and is finished with a wide ribbed hem.

📌 Add style to your wardrobe with this oversized granny square cardigan, crocheted with Katia Merino Aran.

Granny Square Blocker

Get perfect results when blocking your granny squares with this crochet granny square blocker. Make your granny squares the size you need for each of your upcoming projects!

Katia 100% Crochet Magazine

Now that you have sufficient information to start making crochet cardigans, waistcoats and jumpers, we invite you to discover the women’s crochet garments available in the Katia 100% Crochet magazine also available in PDF format on our website.

We hope that you will find your next project among our patterns! And of course, we would love to read all about your experiences making crochet sweaters. Or hear from you with more crochet tips, will you tell us yours?