Love is not a strong enough word for how I feel about this pattern. It’s incredible! Thank you thank you thank you! I’ve made two - one for me and one for my daughter. It’s the first thing I wrap myself up in when I first wake up. I used Lion Brand Touch of Alpaca. Mine is the charcoal grey and my daughter’s is olive (dark) green. This yarn is awesome. I throw it in the washer and dryer (gasp) and it comes out beautifully. Does not pill. Thanks Jess, for your easy-to-follow and beautiful patterns. I’m making your brunch hexagon sweater next (Touch of Alpaca, Teal) and can hardly WAIT to get started.

Awesome! So glad you enjoyed making it. 🙂

Hey Suni,

Just responded to your email!

Wrong size hook I use a 5mm gauge swatch was 8 sts x8 rows = 4' x 4'

Hey Zoe,

Gauge can be pretty personal, so you def are smart to check it. Don't be afraid to change your hook size if you need to. The most impt gauge to get right is the width. So before doing the super long chain for the actual sweater, I'd make a gauge swatch bigger than the listed gauge, so you can really measure the middle four inches. Like maybe make it 20-ish stitches wide. Then work it in the suzette stitch. Change your hook up if you need to to achieve the correct gauge. Then go ahead and start the rectangle. If, once you finish all the rectangle rows in the pattern, your rectangle is too short, simply add more rows until it's the right height.

Does that make sense? This pattern is pretty forgiving size-wise, but you want to get in the ballpark so it can fit as pictured in the photos.

Jess

Hey!

It can be tricky to count the rows on some projects, can't it? For this one, each sort of thicker visual row you see is actually two rows of crocheting. So when you stand back a bit from the project, you should be able to see those slight rows form and you can count each of them as two rows in the pattern. You'll want 64 total rows of crocheting (so 32 visual rows), but more importantly, you want your rectangle to be about 25.5" tall. If it's a little short, just add more rows until it's 25.5", making sure to work an even number of total rows. Hope that makes sense! :)

Oooh, hmm. That's really interesting. I actually haven't tried that color, but all the shades I've tried have been quite soft and drapey. That said, I have def noticed what you're talking about with different lines of yarn, so I think it's entirely possible. Have you made it really far into the pattern already?

Yes! Actually, someone just shared one on Instagram that's in Mandala. Check out @umcreations feed here. It turned out beautifully!

Hey Tara,

Great question! I find that you generally want to work a gauge swatch a little bigger than 4" square so that you can really get a good measure of how many sts and rows are in 4". So yeah, you make a chain that's about 5-6" long and work in the rectangle pattern until the swatch is about 5-6". Then with a ruler or stiff tape measure, measure to see how many stitches and rows are in 4". If you find that you have fewer or more rows, adjust your hook size to be bigger or smaller and try again until you get very close to the gauge in the pattern. 🙂

Jess

Hey Julia,

It's six skeins (for the smaller sizes) of Lion Brand Heartland yarn in the color called "grand canyon." 🙂

Jess

Oooh, fun idea! Are you thinking a women's sun hat or children's?

Thanks Lily!

Hey Kim,

My best suggestion would be to try a little gauge swatch and see how much bigger your gauge is with the thicker yarn than the gauge listed in the pattern. That'll give you an idea of if the smaller size will result in measurements you're happy with.

The other option might be to do a pattern like my free Dwell Sweater. It's similar in construction and uses cat 5 yarn. 🙂

Jess

Just realized my question is worded so poorly. Just wondering if using the Chunky 5 yarn would make this sweater ginormous or work if I went down a size. Thanks

Hey Niki,

I recently adjusted the measurements of the total rectangle to better reflect what you should get with the stitch count for each size. I'm not sure if you left this comment before or after that, so you might want to check them again now. If you are off by an inch or two, the fit of the sweater should still work pretty well.

If you're achieving the gauge, your width should be pretty similar to that listed. If not, you can always add chains (any odd number of chains in total) to make it wider.

Hope that makes sense!

Jess

I'm only three rows in so far, but my width is about the same as Emily's. I'm crocheting as loose as I possibly can, but I'm still about 12 inches short on the width for the L/XL. I'm not too far along to frog, but I don't know how it can be so different from your measurements. I'm using the same Heartland yarn and the same size hook. Going up to an L hook I don't think will add on a foot of width and that hook just seems way too large for this weight yarn. What do you suggest? Should I start with an extra foot of chain added to get the right width? If so, will the pattern still work the same? Help!

Hey Janet,

Yes! You know, I actually tried pockets on this sweater and once I sewed them on, felt like they kind of messed up the nice drapy-ness of the collar. So my suggestion would be to make the Dwell Sweater which has some great pockets or add pockets to the Campfire Cardigan. Happy crocheting!

Jess

Hey Nancy,

Yup, you can watch it right here!

Jess

Haha, teenage approval for the win! 😉

I'm so happy to hear that you're happy! Now you better ask for it back!

Jess

Yes! Just work fewer rows overall of the rectangle. This will shorten the sweater. 🙂

Jess

Thanks,

Betty! You're AMAZING! Three of them!? Holy moly. This pattern has only been out for three weeks! I'm seriously impressed. So happy to hear you're enjoying it (and that you finally get a sweater of your own!)

Jess

Hey there,

If you'd like to extend your chain by 10 chains, that will work just fine. You'll just want to make sure you start with an odd number of stitches and everything else will work just as stated in the stitch pattern. 🙂

Jess

It seems like I have to increase my foundation chain over 10 additional stitches to reach that 47" mark.

I'm so happy to hear that, Jennifer! I live for comments like these. It is the best feeling to be proud to wear something you made. Congratulations and thanks for sharing your success with us!

Jess

Hey Emily,

I actually just responded to your email, but I'm going to paste it here too in case it helps others. 🙂

---

Man, that is so weird! I hate to hear that because I know how hard you worked on it. So your gauge swatch measures the same as the pattern, but your rectangle is a good 10-ish" too small? I'm trying to figure out what might have gone wrong. I've even remeasured the gauge in the sample and it does seem correct.

My thought is that your best bet to avoid frogging would be to do one of two things:
1. Add more rows until you have the correct height. This will result in a similar bat-sleeve look. Then make your arm rectangles longer to create slightly longer sleeves and make up for the width lost in the rectangle.
2. For a less bat-sleeve look, you could just work more rows of the tush extension. Your sweater can then become long enough, but the overall cocoon-ness of it will be less. Then I'd do the same thing with the sleeves as I described above.

I hope that makes sense and helps. If there's any other details you want to provide about what you think didn't work, I'm totally open to your feedback!

PS I also sent an email if that's easier to respond to 🙂

It’s less than $3 I spend more on coffee.

Hey Tara,

I think I responded to your comment on FB, but in case I didn't. I think you'll be okay! I actually just added a few notes below the "gauge" section of the pattern to answer some questions like this. Blocking or making the sleeves a hair longer are both good options. Plus, the sweater will stretch slightly with wear. 🙂

Jess

Hey Edith,

The entire patterns are available entirely free on the blog. They always have been and always will be. You can make any of my patterns without paying me a penny.

I started offering the $2.75 PDFs by reader request because some people like to print their patterns. If you print the pattern and never visit the blog again, I don't earn any income through ads and would be unable to create any more free patterns because I would need to get a different job that supported my family. (It's a similar structure to how tv commercials allow your tv shows to be free.) 

Thanks for understanding. I do know there are some designers who offer a "print friendly" option, so I totally understand if those are the designers you'd like to support.

Jess

Thank you Jess! I’m going to try to make it soon and I’ll let you know how it turns out!

Yay! I'm so happy to hear that! I'll have a video tutorial for you later this week. 🙂

Jess

Hey Elaine,

I wouldn't say it's heavy. I def think you could make it lighter though by using a category 3 yarn and just working a larger size (or just making sure to make a rectangle in the dimensions listed, regardless of how many chains or rows it takes with your thinner yarn.)

Sounds really pretty! I bet the drape will be beautiful!

Jess

Hey Lisa,

I'm sorry to hear you're having trouble! Did you measure your gauge at the beginning? It might be that you crochet a bit on the tight side and need a slightly bigger hook/more chains. I'd pin the shrug as instructed and try it on. You may find that you don't miss the extra width. You can also add a few inches to each sleeve to accommodate for the lost width. Does that make sense?

Jess

Hey Vanessa,

Yup, for the two smallest sizes, you need six skeins of Heartland (approx 251 yards per skein).

Happy crocheting!

Jess

So we need 6 skeins that she 251 yards each? Or approx 1506 yards total? Thanks! Can't wait to get started.

Hi Jess. I have the same issue. The width is 8" too short. I am working the L/XL pattern. Chained 109, using heartland yarn and K/6.5 hook. Can you offer any guidance?

Hey Sunshine,

I'm sorry you're having trouble. You can buy it here.

I'm glad you got it figured out! That sounds stunning! 🙂

I figured it out. I guess I just crochet my stitches tight. I cast on 109 and it got me to 41 inches. I must say I love this stitch. I'm making this in off white and the stitch gives it a lacy Victorian vintage look.

Hi
Help please.
I have clicked the "red" here to buy the pattern but nothing happens.
thanks

Thanks for that tip. I am going to leave it for now as I am done with the first part and gift it to my daughter. The next one I will incorporate your suggestions. It's an awesome pattern. I can't wait to make one for myself. 🙂

Hey Tammie,

Yup! You can purchase an ad-free PDF that's formatted for printing for $2.75 here.

Have a great trip!

Jess

I'd suggest measuring around your elbow/upper forearm to see if it's about an 8" circumference. If so, a 4" armhole would be good. If you think that'll be too tight though, I'd increase it to 4.5 or 5. 🙂

Will yo give me some details on how your sizing works out for you? I'm sure other petite crocheters would love to know. Thank you!

Jess

It's called Grand Canyon! 🙂

I am making a xs/sm. And touj of añpaca lion brnd weight 4/. I have a 32x24 rwctsngle. Shod i decrease the armhole to 4
Lisa

Thank you!

Thanks for your reply Jess!

Thanks!

Hey Sharon,

I didn't find that I needed to block mine at all, but the yarn I used was 100% acrylic. If you use something with natural fiber, you may decide to block it. I'd just judge how each section is looking and then block if you feel like it needs some "chilling out." 🙂

Jess

Hey Lauren,

Yes, I think that would be really nice. Just check your gauge to see if you need to adjust your hook size. Also, the cotton might stretch a little more because it's heavier, so keep that in mind when you're choosing how long to make your tush extension. 🙂

PS. The Heartland yarn I used is 100% acrylic, so that could be an option too.

Jess

Hey Bree,

I'd choose whichever option looks nicer to you and then just make the slightly larger or smaller sweater size depending on which gauge you go with. Also, if you wind up with a rectangle that's a bit short, you can always just add additional rows to make it taller. (It's harder to adapt the width though, but you could just add longer sleeves if you feel like they're necessary.)

Jess

Hey Lynette,

That is so strange! You mean that it was the correct width, but the height was 10" too short? If that is the case, you can def just work an extra 10" of rows to make an adequate rectangle.

Let me know if that helps or not. I hate to hear that you have to rip anything out.

Jess

Hey Claudia,

I just responded to your email. 🙂

Jess

I am having the same problem! My gauge was pretty awesome, but my rectangle was nearly 10 inches shorter than it should've been. ? But I'm on to try again with a bigger hook to see what happens!

My first one, I used the 6.5mm hook, but I got 12 stitches in 4 inches. For my second swatch, I used a 7mm hook and got 8 stitches in 4 inches. So, now I have no idea what to do. Can you help me?

Btw, I love all of your patterns! I have at least 8 of them on my list!

Thanks,

-Bree

Yay! I love yarn shopping AND starting new projects! I hope you enjoy this one. Congrats on surviving the Christmas season too. Man, it can really be a doozy, can't it?

Jess

Hmm. That's so weird!

Wanna try this link instead? It's working for me:
https://www.lovecrochet.com/us/catalog/product/view/id/202266/?a_aid=f5fc9b99

Send me an email if that doesn't work and I'll make sure we get it figured out. 🙂

Jess

Thank you so much, Jeane! I hope you love your sweater as much as I'm loving mine. 🙂

Jess

I'm so happy to hear that! Sometimes it just takes the right pattern to get your crojo (crochet mojo 😉 ) flowing. I hope you enjoy your new projects!

Jess

Yay! This can be your sweater! It's really pretty easy--it'll feel more like making a small afghan that you can wear. 😉

Jess

Yay! I love hearing that, Rebecca. How generous of you to make one for your mother-in-law too. 🙂

The aran and worsted weights should be about the same. You need the approx yardage listed in the pattern (so 6,7 or 8 balls multiplied by the 251 yards). That should get you close to the correct amount of yarn for whatever size you make. 🙂

Jess

Haha, my pleasure, Karen! 🙂

Oooh, thanks for the catch on the typo. And also, the gauge is using the larger hook. I'll add that note to the pattern. Thanks for your eagle eyes!

Jess

Hey Heather,

Thanks for your purchase!

The gauge is the grit stitch. So it's essentially just working a small swatch of the main rectangle pattern. Let me know if that's not working out for you. 🙂

Jess

Hey Leona,

I list the it in the supplies section above--it's somewhere between 6-8 balls of Heartland yarn depending on the size you make. 🙂
Jess

Hey Tracy,

The most important thing, in my opinion, is that you get the measurement correct. So whatever you have to do to make a rectangle that's about 46.5" wide, do that. 🙂 That is what will give the sweater the same fit as the sample. If you need to increase or decrease the total stitches you chain, that is okay, so long as you do it according to the stitch multiple listed in the pattern.

Happy crocheting!

Jess