Unwind Oversized Ribbed Crochet Sweater: Video Tutorial in Sizes XS to 5XL

Some sweaters are made for standing out, and some are made for living in. The Unwind Sweater from By Katerina belongs firmly in the second group. It is a relaxed, oversized pullover with an all-over ribbed texture and a modified drop shoulder, the kind of piece you reach for on cold mornings and keep wearing until spring. The designer walks through the entire make in a full video tutorial, from the first shoulder rows to the last round of edging.

The fabric is the real draw here. Worked in a light, airy worsted or Aran-weight yarn on a 6 mm hook, the ribs stay soft and drapey instead of stiff, so the oversized fit hangs well rather than looking boxy. The pattern covers nine sizes, which makes it a good candidate for a winter gift as well as something for your own wardrobe.

The Unwind Sweater at a Glance

• Designer: By Katerina
• Style: Oversized pullover with a ribbed texture and modified drop-shoulder construction
• Sizes: XS, S, M, L, XL, 2XL, 3XL, 4XL and 5XL
• Yarn: DROPS Air or a similar lightweight, airy worsted/Aran-weight yarn
• Yarn amount (size S sample): about 460 g / 1,380 m / 1,510 yd
• Hooks: 6 mm for the body and sleeves, 5.5 mm for the edging
• Gauge after blocking: 13 stitches x 9 rows = 10 cm (about 4 in) in the stitch pattern
• Video length: about 50 minutes

What You'll Need

• Lightweight, airy worsted or Aran-weight yarn (the sample uses DROPS Air)
• 6 mm crochet hook
• 5.5 mm crochet hook for the ribbed edging
• Stitch markers
• Yarn needle
• Scissors

Yarn amounts change with size, so if you are making anything other than a small, plan for more than the 460 g used for the sample.

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How the Unwind Sweater Is Made

The sweater is worked from the top down in separate front and back panels, and the sleeves are added straight into the armholes. That order means you can try the pieces against your body as you go and adjust before anything is sewn together.

1. Shape the back shoulders. The back panel starts at the shoulders, which are sloped so the sweater sits naturally instead of tenting at the neck.
2. Finish the back panel. Once the shoulder slope is done, you continue evenly in the established ribbed pattern down to the length you want.
3. Pick up and shape the front shoulders. The two front shoulders are picked up and shaped next.
4. Join the front neckline. The two shoulders are joined across the front to close the neckline, and the front panel continues down from there.
5. Work the sleeves into the armholes. The sleeves are crocheted flat directly into the armhole openings, so there is no separate sleeve cap to set in.
6. Assemble. The body side seams and the sleeve seams are sewn closed.
7. Add the ribbed edging. The final step is the ribbed edging, worked with the smaller 5.5 mm hook for a neater, firmer finish.

Tips for a Sweater That Fits

• Swatch and block first. The gauge is given after blocking, so wash or steam your swatch the same way you plan to treat the finished sweater before you measure it.
• Use the built-in adjustments. The designer notes that you can change the neckline width, body length, sleeve length and ribbing width to suit your preferred fit.
• Mark your shaping rows. Stitch markers make the sloped shoulders and the front neckline much easier to track, especially if you put the project down between sessions.
• Choose a light yarn. An airy yarn keeps a big, oversized sweater from feeling heavy and helps the ribs drape. A dense worsted will give you a much stiffer result.
• Try it on before seaming. Because the panels and sleeves are worked before the seams are sewn, you get a chance to check lengths before the final assembly.

The written pattern for the Unwind Sweater, with the full instructions for all nine sizes, is part of the designer's Slow Season collection on the By Katerina website. The video tutorial below is free to watch and covers every stage of the construction.

Images and patterns courtesy of By Katerina

Enjoy the Video Tutorial

Source: ByKaterina Designs on YouTube

Frequently Asked Questions

What sizes does the Unwind Sweater come in?

The pattern includes nine sizes: XS, S, M, L, XL, 2XL, 3XL, 4XL and 5XL. The sample in the video is a size S.

How much yarn do I need?

The size S sample took about 460 g, or 1,380 m / 1,510 yd, of DROPS Air. Larger sizes will need more, so check the written pattern for your size before buying yarn.

Can I change the length or the fit?

Yes. According to the designer, the neckline width, body length, sleeve length and ribbing width can all be adjusted to suit the fit you prefer.

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