Holly Sweater Crochet Pattern

The Holly Sweater Crochet Pattern is a beautiful and classic design perfect for the holiday season — and beyond! This stunning crochet sweater features a flattering V-neck, elegant balloon 3/4 sleeves, and a simple cable down the front center for a timeless look. Made with soft DK weight yarn, this lightweight sweater is great for layering and can easily be dressed up or down, making it a versatile handmade wardrobe staple.

Whether you’re stitching a cozy Christmas sweater or creating a neutral everyday top, the Holly Sweater will become one of your favorite pieces to wear all year long. Pair it with jeans for a casual winter outfit or style it with a skirt and boots for a festive holiday look.

Features

• V-neckline for a flattering, classic look
• Balloon 3/4 sleeves for a soft and feminine silhouette
• Simple front cable detail adds subtle texture and interest
• Designed with DK weight yarn for drape and comfort
• Easy to style — perfect for the holidays or everyday wear
• Great for confident beginners/intermediate crocheters

Why You’ll Love This Pattern

• A festive look in holiday colors
• Works beautifully in neutrals for year-round wear
• Cable detail is elegant but easy to learn
• Relaxing stitches — enjoyable project without constant counting
• Trendy but timeless design

Yarn & Construction

• Yarn: DK weight yarn
• Recommended Fiber: acrylic or wool blend
• Fit: Slightly relaxed, flattering V-neck
• Skill Level: Advanced beginner to intermediate
• Construction: Front an back are worked separately (bottom up) then seamed. Sleeves are joined and made in turned rounds.
• Cable: Simple, beginner-friendly stitch pattern

Styling Ideas

• 🎄 Holiday Look: Deep red, pine green, cream, or gold
• 🌿 Everyday Wear: Neutrals like oatmeal, black, taupe, or dusty rose
• 👗 Dress it up with a skirt and boots
• 👖 Wear casual with jeans and ankle boots
• 🧣 Add a cozy scarf for winter layering

A handmade sweater that looks beautiful at Christmas — and still perfect in April.

Making the Holly Sweater Crochet Pattern

Get the full free pattern below or purchase the ad-free, printable PDF

 

Materials
Paintbox Simply DK in red wine (4 skeins for S/M, 5 skeins for L/XL, 6 skeins 2X/3X) – any DK weight yarn will work
4.5 mm hook
4.0 mm hook
yarn needle
scissors

Level
intermediate

Pattern notes & stitches to know
sl st – slip stich
ch – chain
dc – double crochet
sc – single crochet
fptr – front post treble crochet
sc3tog – single crochet 3 together
dc3tog – double crochet 3 together
sc2tog – single crochet 2 together

· Written in US terms

· ch 1 does not count as sc

· ch 2 does not count as dc

· Always work the fptr stitches in row below previous row.

· This sweater is made with two panels (made from the bottom up), seamed, then the sleeves are made in joined rounds.

· To adjust the length, add rows before starting the neckline.

Gauge: 16 dc x 12 rows (alternating rows of dc & sc) = 4” x 4”

Sizes:

(S, M, L) (XL, 2X, 3X) – The pattern is written in these sizes consecutively. Example, when the pattern gives the end of row count ((65, 73, 81) (89, 97, 105) sc) the 65 is for S, 73 is M, 81 is L, 89 is XL, 97 is 2X, 105 is 3X.

This sweater is a classic fit with 1-2” positive ease.

Approx Finished Size
Bust: S (35”) M (39”) L (43”) XL (47”) 2X (51”) 3X (55”)
Length: S (18”) M (19.25”) L (20.5”) XL (21.75”) 2X (23”) 3X (24.25”)
Armhole Width: S (8.5”) M (9”) L (9.5”) XL (10”) 2X (10.5”) 3X (11”)
Sleeve Length (from seam): S (14”) M (14.75”) L (15.5”) XL (16.25”) 2X (17”) 3X (17.75)
Size Small pictured. I am 5’0” with 34” bust

CROCHET PATTERN WRITTEN INSTRUCTIONS

FRONT

Using the 4.5 mm hook, ch ((66, 74, 82) (90, 98, 106)) (leave a long end for sewing)

Row 1: sc in 2nd ch from the hook and in each ch across ((65, 73, 81) (89, 97, 105) sc)

Row 2 – 4: ch 1, turn, sc in each stitch across ((65, 73, 81) (89, 97, 105) sc)

Row 5: ch 2, turn, dc in each stitch across ((65, 73, 81) (89, 97, 105) dc)

Row 6: ch 1, turn, sc in each stitch across ((65, 73, 81) (89, 97, 105) sc)

Row 7: ch 2, turn, dc in first (30, 34, 38) (42, 44, 48) stitches, fptr around the dc from the dc row below,

Skip one stitch, fptr in the next 2 dc, working in front of the last 2 stitches, fptr in skipped dc

fptr in next, dc in remaining stitches ((65, 73, 81) (89, 97, 105))

Row 8: ch 1, turn, sc in each stitch across ((65, 73, 81) (89, 97, 105) sc)

Row 9: ch 2, turn, dc in first (30, 34, 38) (42, 44, 48) stitches, fptr in next

Skip one stitch, fptr in the next 2 fptr, working in front of the last 2 stitches, fptr in skipped fptr

fptr in next, dc in remaining stitches ((65, 73, 81) (89, 97, 105))

Repeat rows 8 & 9 to Row (39, 41, 43) (45, 47, 49)

Begin the neckline in the next row. Only work partway across. The row ends with 1 sc3tog. Use a stitch marker to mark row 1 of neckline.

NECKLINE

Row 1: ch 1, turn, sc in (27, 31, 35) (39, 43, 47) stitches, sc3tog ((28, 32, 36), (40, 44, 48) sc)

Row 2: ch 2, turn, dc3tog, dc in remaining stitches across ((26, 30, 34)(38, 42, 46) dc)

Row 3: ch 1, turn, sc in each stitch to the last 3, sc3tog ((24, 28, 32), (36, 40, 44) sc)

Repeat last 2 rows to Row 8

Row 9: ch 1, turn, sc in each stitch across ((14, 18, 22) (26, 30, 34)

Row 10: ch 2, turn, dc in each stitch across ((14, 18, 22) (26, 30, 34)

Repeat previous 2 rows to row (14, 16, 18) (20, 22, 24)

Fasten off, leave a long end for sewing.

Lay panel with the finished neckline on the right. Join yarn in row 1 of the neckline in the dc to the left of the cable

Row 1: ch 1, sc3tog

sc in each remaining stitches across ((28, 32, 36), (40, 44, 48) sc)

Row 2: ch 2, turn, dc in each stitch to the last 3, dc3tog ((26, 30, 34)(38, 42, 46) dc)

Row 3: ch 1, turn, sc3tog, sc in each remaining stitch across ((24, 28, 32), (36, 40, 44) sc)

Repeat last 2 rows to Row 8

Row 9: ch 1, turn, sc in each stitch across ((14, 18, 22) (26, 30, 34)

Row 10: ch 2, turn, dc in each stitch across ((14, 18, 22) (26, 30, 34)

Repeat previous 2 rows to row (14, 16, 18) (20, 22, 24)

Do not fasten off

Ch 1, turn sc evenly around the scoop neck to the opposite corner

Fasten off leave a long end for sewing

BACK

Using the 4.5 mm hook, ch ((66, 74, 82) (90, 98, 106)) (leave a long end for sewing)

Row 1: sc in 2nd ch from the hook and in each ch across ((65, 73, 81) (89, 97, 105) sc)

Row 2 – 4: ch 1, turn, sc in each stitch across ((65, 73, 81) (89, 97, 105) sc)

Row 5: ch 2, turn, dc in each stitch across ((65, 73, 81) (89, 97, 105) dc)

Row 6: ch 1, turn, sc in each stitch across ((65, 73, 81) (89, 97, 105) sc)

Repeat rows 5 & 6 to Row (53, 57, 61) (65, 69, 73)

Fasten off, leave a long end for sewing

Fasten off, weave in the ends

Turn right side out

SLEEVES

Join yarn to the bottom of an arm hole

Round 1: ch 1, sc evenly around the armhole, join to first sc with sl st

Round 2: ch 2, dc in each stitch around, join to first dc with sl st

Round 3: ch 1, sc in each stitch around, join to first sc with sl st

Repeat rounds 2 & 3 to Round (37, 39, 41) (43, 45, 47)

Or until desired sleeve length.

CUFF

Round 1: ch 1, sc2tog around, join to first sc with sl st

Round 2: ch 1, *sc in 2 stitches, sc2tog* repeat from * to &* around, join to first sc with sl st

Round 3-5 ch 1, sc in each stitch around, join to first sc with sl st

Fasten off, weave in the ends.

Repeat for other sleeve.

BOTTOM EDGING

This is to make the bottom a little tighter around the waist to give that bell-like shape.

Using a 4.0 mm hook join yarn to bottom corner to crochet around the bottom of the sweater.

Round 1: ch 1, sc in each stitch around, join to first sc with sl st

Round 2: ch 1, *sc in 3 stitches, sc2tog* repeat from * to * around, join to first sc with sl st

Round 3: ch 1, sc in each stitch around, join to first sc with sl st

Fasten off, weave in the ends.

And you’re done!! I hope you love this sweater!

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