This sweater duo is as much fun to crochet as it is to wear, since there’s plenty of stitch variety. Whenever I wear this sweater out and about, I’m almost certain to hear the question, “Is that knit?” To which I can delightedly respond, “Nope. It’s crocheted!”
Experienced
I/9 (5.5mm) crochet hook
H/8 (5mm) crochet hook or one hook size smaller than gauge hook
Sweater: 5 (6, 6, 7) skeins of Worsted (no. 4) weight yarn (project uses Caron Simply Soft [315 yds/288m per 6 oz/170g skein] in color no. 9702 Off White)
Vest: 4 (4, 5, 6) skeins of Worsted (no. 4) weight yarn (project uses Caron Simply Soft [315 yds/288m per 6 oz/170g skein] in color no. 9722 Plum Wine)
Eight (S, M) or nine (L, XL) 1" (2.5cm) buttons
Needle
Matching thread
Instructions for these sizes are listed in order in parentheses S (M, L, XL). Be careful to read the correct numbers for the size you are making.
Bust: 321⁄4 (413⁄4, 461⁄4, 51)"/(81.9 [106, 117.5, 129.5]cm)
Length: 23 (23, 23, 241⁄2)"/(58.4 [58.4, 58.5, 62.2]cm), including ribbing
12 sts = 3" (7.6cm) and 4 rows = 1" (2.5cm) in Diamond stitch
Cable, Low Ridge Front, Diamond, Knurl, Single Crochet Ribbing
Decrease (dec): [insert hook into next st, yo, pull up a lp] twice, yo, pull through all 3 lps on hook (1 st dec).
Aran Diamonds Vest
The Diamond stitch.
With gauge hook, ch 81 (81, 81, 87).
Row 1 (WS): Sc in 2nd ch from hook and in each ch across. Turn (80 [80, 80, 86] sc).
Rows 2 & 3 form the LFR pattern.
Row 2 (RS): Ch 1. Working in flps only, sl st in 2nd sc and in each sc across. Sl st in turning ch. Turn.
Row 3: Ch 1. Working in rem lps of last sc row, sc in each sc across. Turn.
Rows 4 & 5 form the Cable pattern. On Row 4, you will turn the work each time a Cable is made.
Row 4: Ch 1. Sc in 1st st, *ch 3, sk 2 sc, sc in next sc. Turn and work 1 sc in each ch of ch-3 just made. Join to next sc with a sl st (Cable made). Turn and, working behind the Cable, 1 sc in each Row 3 sc that was skipped, sk the sc that was made after ch-3. Rep from * across to last st. Sc in last st. Turn (26 [26, 26, 28] Cables).
Note: In the next row, you will work a sc in the 1st, 2nd and last sts, and make 3 sc evenly spaced behind each Cable (on WS). The 3 sc behind each Cable are worked into the sc that were worked into the 2 skipped sc. Work 1 sc in one of these skipped sc and 2 sc into the other. Do not work into the sc of the Cables. Push the Cables towards the RS as you work.
Row 5: Ch 1. Sc in 1st sc, *2 sc in next sc, sc in next sc; rep from * across to last sc, sc in last sc. Turn (80 [80, 80, 86] sc).
Rows 6 & 7: Rep Rows 2 & 3.
Row 8: Ch 1. Sc in each sc across. Do not turn.
Rows 9 & 10 form the Knurl pattern. Row 9 is worked from left to right.
Row 9: Ch 1. Working in the flps only of the prev sc row, *insert hook in sc to the right of hook. Hook yarn and pull through under and to the left of the lp on hook. Yo and draw yarn through both lps on hook (1 knurl completed.) Rep from * across row. End by working a sl st in last sc of row. Do not turn.
Row 10: Ch 1. Working in the rem blps of Row 8, and from right to left, sc in 1st sc and in each sc across. Turn.
Row 11: Ch 1. Sc in each sc across. Turn.
Rows 12–17: Rep Rows 2–5 once. Rep Rows 2 & 3 once more.
Rows 18–19: Ch 1. Sc in each sc across. Turn.
Note: Row 20 is Row 4 of the Diamond stitch pattern.
Row 20: Ch 1. Sc in 1st st, fptr in the 4th sc on Row 17. Sk next Row 19 st, sc in the next 4 sts. [Fptr in Row 17 sc next to last fptr made, sk next 4 sc on Row 17, fptr in next st. On current row sk 2 Row 19 sts, sc in next 4 sts] across to last 2 sts, fptr in sc next to last fptr made. Sk next Row 19 st, sc in last st. Turn.
Rows 21–23: Ch 1. Sc in each sc across. Turn.
Row 24: Ch 1. Sc in next 3 sts, [fptr in sc above next fptr 3 rows below, fptr in sc above next fptr 3 rows below. Sk 2 Row 23 sts, sc in 4 sts] twice. Fptr in sc above next to last fptr. Fptr in last sc 3 rows below, sk 2 Row 23 sts, sc in last st. Turn.
Continue working established pattern by rep Diamond pattern Rows 1–8 for an additional 16 (24, 28, 32) rows.
Rep Row 11, then rep Rows 2–17.
Do not finish off. Cont on to Side Shaping for RS of Back.
Change to smaller hook.
Row 1 (RS): Ch 1, hdc in next 12 (14, 16, 18) sts, sc in next 14 (16, 18, 20) sts, hdc in next 20 (22, 24, 26) sts, sc in next 20 sts. Turn leaving rem sts unworked (66 [72, 78, 84] sts).
Row 2 (WS): Ch 1. Sc in each sc and hdc in each hdc across. Turn.
Row 3: Ch 1. Hdc in next 16 (16, 16, 16) sts, sc in next 16 (16, 18, 20) sts, hdc in next 16 (16, 14, 15) hdc. Turn, leaving rem sts unworked (48 [48, 48, 51] sts).
Row 4: Ch 1. Dec over 2 sts, hdc in rem sts across row. Turn (47 [47, 47, 50]).
Row 5: Ch 1. Hdc in next 16 (16, 16, 16) sts, sc in next 16 (16, 18, 20) sts, hdc across to last 2 sts. Dec over last 2 sts. Turn (46 [46, 46, 49] sts).
Row 6: Ch 1. Dec over 2 sts, hdc in each hdc and sc in each sc across. Turn (45 [45, 45, 48] sts).
Size S only: Finish off.
Row 7: Ch 1. Hdc across to last 2 sts. Dec over last 2 sts. Turn – (44, 44, 47 sts).
Size M only: Finish off.
Row 8: Rep Row 6 (– [–, 43, 46] sts).
Size L only: Finish off.
Row 9: Rep Row 7 ( – [–, –, 45] sts).
Size XL only: Finish off.
With WS of panel facing, attach with a sl st to the bottom at 1st ch of the foundation row. Work 1st hdc in next st for Row 1. (Do not work in same st as sl st.) Work Rows 1–6 (7, 8, 9) of Side Shaping for RS. Note that WS rows are now RS rows and vice versa.
With gauge hook, ch 81 (81, 81, 87).
Rows 1–17: Work same as instructions for Back (80 [80, 80, 86] sts).
Work Side Shaping as for RS of Back. Finish off.
Row 1 (RS): With RS facing, attach with a sl st to top of piece. Working along foundation ch, ch 1, dec over 1st 2 sts, sc in rem sts across. Turn (79 [79, 79, 85] sc).
Row 2 (WS): Ch 1. Sc across row to last 2 sts. Dec over last 2 sts. Turn (78 [78, 78, 84] sc).
Row 3: Ch 1. Sc in the next 4 sts. Fptr around the 4th sc of foundation row (3 rows below). Fptr around sc 3 rows below next to last fptr made. On current row sk 2 sts, sc in next 4 sts. [Fptr around sc 3 rows below next to last fptr made, sk next 4 sc on same row, fptr around next sc. On current row sk 2 sts, sc in next 4 sts] across to last 2 sts, fptr around sc 3 rows below next to last fptr made. Sk next st on current row, sc in last st. Turn.
Row 4: Ch 1. Sc across row to last 2 sts. Dec over last 2 sts. Turn (77 [77, 77, 83] sc).
Row 5: Ch 1. Sc in each st across. Turn.
Row 6: Rep Row 4 (76 [76, 76, 82] sc).
Row 7: Ch 1. Sk 1st st, sc in the next 4 sts. Cont in established Diamond pattern across row. Turn (75 [75, 75, 81] sts).
Row 8: Rep Row 4 (74 [74, 74, 80] sc).
Row 9: Rep Row 5.
Row 10: Rep Row 4 (73 [73, 73, 79] sc).
Row 11: Ch 1. Sk 1st st, sc in the next 4 sts. Cont in established Diamond pattern across row. Turn (72 [72, 72, 78] sts).
Rows 12–14: Ch 1. Sc in each st across. Turn.
Row 15: Ch 1. Sc in 1st 2 sts. Cont in established Diamond pattern across row. Turn.
Rows 16–18: Ch 1. Sc in each st across. Turn.
Row 19: Ch 1. Sc in first 4 sts. Cont in established Diamond pattern across row. Turn.
Sizes S and M only: Finish off.
Sizes L and XL only: Rep Rows 12–15. Finish off.
With gauge hook, ch 81 (81, 81, 87).
Rows 1–17: Work same as instructions for Back (80 [80, 80, 86] sts).
Row 1 (RS): Ch 1. Sc across row to last 2 sts. Dec over last 2 sts. Turn (79 [79, 79, 85] sc).
Row 2: Ch 1. Dec over 1st 2 sts, sc in rem sts across. Turn (78 [78, 78, 84] sc).
Row 3: Ch 1. Sc in 1st st, fptr around the 4th sc 3 rows below (Row 17 of back). Sk next st on current row, sc in the next 4 sts. [Fptr around sc 3 rows below next to last fptr made, sk next 4 sc on same row, fptr around next sc. On current row sk 2 sts, sc in next 4 sts] across. Turn.
Row 4: Ch 1. Dec over 1st 2 sts, sc in rem sts across. Turn (77 [77, 77, 83] sc).
Row 5: Ch 1. Sc in each st across. Turn.
Row 6: Rep Row 4 (76 [76, 76, 82] sc).
Row 7: Work established Diamond pattern across until 1 st remains. Turn, leaving rem st unworked (75 [75, 75, 81] sts).
Row 8: Rep Row 4 (74 [74, 74, 80] sc).
Row 9: Rep Row 5.
Row 10: Rep Row 4 (73 [73, 73, 79] sc).
Row 11: Work established Diamond pattern across until 1 st remains. Turn, leaving rem st unworked (72 [72, 72, 78] sts).
Rows 12–14: Ch 1. Sc in each st across. Turn.
Row 15: Ch 1. Continue in established Diamond pattern across, ending with sc in last 2 sts. Turn.
Rows 16–18: Ch 1. Sc in each st across. Turn.
Row 19: Ch 1. Continue in established Diamond pattern across row, ending with sc in last 4 sts. Turn.
Size S and M only: Finish off.
Size L and XL only: Rep Rows 12–15. Finish off.
Work Side Shaping as for Left Side of Back. Finish off.
With gauge hook, ch 69 (69, 75, 81).
Row 1 (WS): Sc in 2nd ch from hook and in each ch across. Turn (68 [68, 74, 80] sc).
Rows 2–7: Work Rows 2–7 of Back.
Row 8 begins with Diamond pattern Row 2.
Rows 8 & 9: Ch 1. Sc in each sc across. Turn.
Row 10: Ch 1. Sc in 1st st, fptr around the 4th sc 3 rows below (on Row 7). Sk next current row (Row 9) st, sc in the next 4 sts. [Fptr around sc 3 rows below next to last fptr made, sk next 4 sc on same row, fptr around next st. On current row sk 2 sts, sc in next 4 sts] across to last 2 sts, fptr around sc 3 rows below next to last fptr made. Sk next current row st, sc in last st. Turn.
Rows 11–13: Ch 1. Sc in each sc across. Turn.
Row 14: Ch 1. Sc in next 3 sts, [fptr around sc above next fptr 3 rows below, fptr around sc above next fptr 3 rows below. Sk 2 current row (Row 13) sts, sc in 4 sts] across to last 3 sts. Fptr around sc 3 rows below above next to last fptr. Fptr around last sc 3 rows below, sk 2 current row sts, sc in last 3 sts. Turn.
Rows 15–17: Ch 1. Sc in each sc across. Turn.
Row 18–22: Rep Rows 10–14.
Row 23: Ch 1. Sc in each sc across. Turn.
Rows 24–29: Rep Rows 2–7.
Row 30 begins the dec that taper the cuff end of the sleeve.
Row 30: Ch 1. Sc across row to last 4 sts. Work 2 dec. Turn (66 [66, 72, 78] sc).
Row 31: Ch 1. Work 2 dec over 1st 4 sts, sc across row. Turn (64 [64, 70, 76] sc).
Rows 32–35: Rep Rows 30 & 31 twice. Turn (56 [56, 62, 68] sc).
Row 36 begins the dec on the sleeve cap end while cont the tapering on the cuff end.
Row 36: Ch 1. Sl st in 1st 6 sc, sc across row to last 2 sts. Work 1 dec. Turn (49 [49, 55, 61] sc).
Row 37: Ch 1. Work 1 dec over 1st 2 sts. Sc across row to last 2 sc, work 1 dec. Turn (47 [47, 53, 59] sc).
Row 38: Ch 1. Sl st in 1st 9 (7, 7, 9) sc, sc across row to last 2 sts. Work 1 dec. Turn (37 [39, 45, 49] sc).
Rows 39 & 40: Rep Row 37 (33 [35, 41, 45] sc).
Size S only: Sk to Row 46. Do not work Rows 41–45.
Rows 41–43: Rep Row 37 (– [29, 35, 39] sc).
Size M only: Sk to Row 46. Do not work Rows 44 & 45.
Rows 44 & 45: Rep Row 37. – (–, 31, 35) sc.
Row 46: Ch 1. Sc in each st across. Turn.
Sizes S, M and L: Finish off.
Size XL only:
Rows 47 & 48: Rep Row 46 twice. Finish off.
With WS of arm facing, join yarn to foundation ch. Ch 1, work Rows 30–48 to match other side of arm.
With RS facing, sew shoulder seams. Next, center sleeves (if making cardigan), pin and sew into place. Finally, sew arm and side seams.
Work ribbing around bottom, neck and sleeves of sweater as follows:
Row 1: With RS of vest facing, join with a sl st at underarm seam. Sc evenly around opening of arm. Join to 1st sc with a sl st.
Row 2: Sl st in each sc around. Finish off.
With gauge hook, join yarn to bottom of sweater (or edge of neckline) with a sl st. Sc evenly around edge. Turn. Ch 13.
Row 1: Sc in 2nd ch from hook and in each ch. Connect to edge by working a sl st in the next 2 sc. Turn (12 sc).
Row 2: Ch 1, working in the blps only, 1 sc in each sc. Turn.
Row 3: Ch 1, working in the blps only, 1 sc in each sc. Turn.
Rep Rows 2 & 3 around edge. Finish off.
With gauge hook, join yarn to bottom of sleeve with a sl st. Sc evenly around edge. Join with a sl st. Ch 13.
Work ribbing as in Ribbing for Bottom and Collar.
End by connecting 1st row of cuff to last row with a row of sl sts, working towards original foundation row. Finish off.
(Buttons will later be sewn on this side.)
Row 1: Join with a sl st to bottom left ribbing. Ch 1. Working through both lps, sc along front and along edge of panel across, through last st of left side of collar. Turn.
Rows 2–5: Ch 1. Sc in each sc across row. Turn. At the end of Row 5, finish off.
(Buttonhole side.)
Row 1: Join with a sl st to bottom right ribbing. Ch 1. Working through both lps, sc along front and along edge of panel across, through last st of right side of collar. Turn.
Row 2: Ch 1. Sc in each sc across row. Turn.
Using st markers or pieces of contrasting yarn, place holders (2 sts wide) in the desired locations for the buttons. Be careful to space 8 (8, 9, 9) buttons evenly along the band.
Row 3: Ch 1. Sc in each sc across row, being careful to [ch 2, sk 2 sts] at the locations of the place holders for buttonholes. Turn.
Row 4: Ch 1. Work sc in each sc, and 2 sc in each ch-2 sp across row. Turn.
Row 5: Rep Row 2. Finish off.
Sew buttons in place to correspond to the buttonholes.
Weave in ends.
White Diamonds Cardigan and Vest Assembly Diagram
(diagram does not include ribbing)