Embrace the holiday spirit with our enchanting Festive Fair Isle Crochet Sweater Pattern! This cozy pullover features a beautiful top-down, seamless construction, adorned with classic Christmas motifs like snowflakes and charming trees. Perfect for holiday gatherings or a warm winter’s day, this sweater will be a cherished handmade addition to your wardrobe.
Craft Your Holiday Cheer: A Handmade Statement
There’s nothing quite like the warmth and personal touch of a handmade garment, especially during the festive season. This Fair Isle inspired sweater allows you to infuse your holiday celebrations with creativity and unique style. Imagine the joy of wearing or gifting a piece that beautifully captures the essence of Christmas, crafted with your own hands.
Crochet Pattern: Crochet a Cozy Christmas: The Festive Fair Isle Sweater Pattern
Materials
- Worsted weight yarn in Deep Forest Green (MC)
- Worsted weight yarn in Cranberry Red (CC1)
- Worsted weight yarn in White (CC2)
- 5.0mm (H) crochet hook
- Stitch markers
- Yarn needle
- Scissors
Abbreviations
- ch – chain
- sl st – slip stitch
- sc – single crochet
- hdc – half double crochet
- dc – double crochet
- inc – increase (work 2 stitches in the same stitch)
- st(s) – stitch(es)
- rnd – round
- rep – repeat
- MC – Main Color (Deep Forest Green)
- CC1 – Contrasting Color 1 (Cranberry Red)
- CC2 – Contrasting Color 2 (White)
- BLO – back loop only
- FO – fasten off
Instructions
Gauge: 14 hdc x 10 rows = 4 inches (10 cm) in hdc using 5.0mm hook, or hook size to obtain gauge.
Notes: This sweater is worked seamlessly from the top-down. Colorwork is achieved by carrying unused yarn loosely across the back of your work. Change colors by working the last yarn over of the previous stitch with the new color.
COLLAR
- With CC1, ch 6.
- Row 1: Sc in 2nd ch from hook and in each ch across. (5 sc)
- Row 2: Ch 1, turn, sc in BLO of each st across. (5 sc)
- Rep Row 2 until piece measures approximately 18-20 inches (for an adult small/medium) or desired neck circumference.
- Join ends with sl st to form a ring. Do not twist.
YOKE
- Setup Rnd (with MC): Ch 1, work 80 sc evenly around the top edge of the collar, join with sl st to first sc. (80 sc)
- Rnd 1 (MC): Ch 1, hdc in each st around, join. (80 hdc)
- Rnd 2 (MC): Ch 1, (hdc in next 9 sts, inc) rep 8 times, join. (88 hdc)
- Rnd 3 (MC): Ch 1, hdc in each st around, join. (88 hdc)
- Rnd 4 (MC): Ch 1, (hdc in next 10 sts, inc) rep 8 times, join. (96 hdc)
- Colorwork Band 1 (Small Geometric Pattern – MC & CC1, refer to image):
- Work 3-4 rounds in hdc, alternating MC and CC1 to create a small geometric diamond/cross pattern as seen around the neckline in the image. Ensure increases are evenly spaced throughout these rounds to continue expanding the yoke. (e.g., increase by 8-10 stitches per colorwork round).
- Colorwork Band 2 (Snowflake Pattern – MC & CC2, refer to image):
- Work 5-6 rounds in hdc, using MC as the background and CC2 to create the prominent snowflake motifs. Continue evenly spaced increases in these rounds.
- Colorwork Band 3 (Small Geometric Pattern – MC & CC1, refer to image):
- Work another 3-4 rounds of the small geometric pattern with MC and CC1, continuing increases. The total yoke circumference should now be large enough to fit across your shoulders and bust area. Adjust increases as needed to reach approximately 180-200 stitches for an adult small/medium.
BODY & SLEEVES SEPARATION
- Divide Rnd (MC): Ch 1, hdc in next [e.g., 28] sts (front), skip next [e.g., 40] sts (sleeve), ch 4 (underarm), hdc in next [e.g., 52] sts (back), skip next [e.g., 40] sts (sleeve), ch 4 (underarm), hdc in next [e.g., 28] sts (front), join. (approx. 112 hdc + 8 ch = 120 sts for body)
BODY
- Continue working in rounds for the body, joining each round with a sl st and ch 1.
- Body Rnds (MC): Hdc in each st around. Work for 5-6 rounds in MC.
- Colorwork Band 4 (Snowflake Pattern – MC & CC2, refer to image):
- Work 5-6 rounds in hdc, using MC as background and CC2 for large snowflake motifs.
- Colorwork Band 5 (Small Geometric Pattern – MC & CC1, refer to image):
- Work 3-4 rounds of the small geometric pattern with MC and CC1.
- Colorwork Band 6 (Christmas Tree Pattern – MC, CC1, CC2, refer to image):
- Work 5-6 rounds in hdc, using MC as background and CC1/CC2 for the Christmas tree motifs and smaller geometric patterns at the bottom hem.
- Bottom Ribbing (MC):
- Switch to MC. Ch 1, work sc in BLO of each st around for 5 rows to create a ribbed hem.
- FO and weave in ends.
SLEEVES (Make 2)
- Join MC yarn to the center of the 4-ch underarm space.
- Rnd 1 (MC): Ch 1, work 4 hdc into the ch-space, then hdc in each of the 40 skipped stitches around the armhole, join with sl st to first hdc. (44 hdc)
- Sleeve Rnds (MC): Work 2-3 rounds in hdc, decreasing 1 st every other round if desired for a slight taper, or keep straight.
- Colorwork Band 7 (Snowflake Pattern – MC & CC2, refer to image):
- Work 5-6 rounds in hdc with snowflake motifs.
- Colorwork Band 8 (Small Geometric Pattern – MC & CC1, refer to image):
- Work 3-4 rounds of the small geometric pattern.
- Bell Flare (MC, CC1, CC2):
- Over the next 8-10 rounds, gradually increase stitches every 1-2 rounds to achieve the bell-shaped flare seen in the image. You may need to increase by 4-6 stitches per round.
- Continue incorporating the small geometric pattern (MC & CC1) and potentially smaller snowflake or dot patterns (MC & CC2) as the flare expands, mimicking the image.
- Sleeve Cuff Ribbing (CC1):
- Switch to CC1. Ch 1, work sc in BLO of each st around for 5 rows to create a ribbed cuff.
- FO and weave in ends.
FINISHING
- Weave in all remaining loose ends securely.
- Block your sweater gently to set the stitches and shape.
