Alex Sweater: Free Crochet Pattern

The Alex Sweater is a basic, no frills, unisex crochet sweater pattern that is easy to crochet and quick to work up. Great for any person and any body type, this FREE comfy sweater pattern ranges from XS – 5XL. Let’s make one!

Alex Sweater: Free Crochet Pattern

The drape on this sweater is phenomenal. Fitting any body type and with sizes ranging from XS – 5XL, the whole family can have a sweater. Refer to the sizing information below to determine precisely which size will work best for you.

Prefer a more oversized fit? Take your own bust measurement and add 4″ or so. If you’d like yours to be more fitted, go with the closest size to your own bust measurement without going under.

What yarn to use for the Alex Sweater?

We are using a size 3/DK weight yarn that gives such a nice drape to the fabric created. The light blue version pictured here is the Lily Flower colorway of the new Brava Recycle yarn, a new, size 3, 100% recycled acrylic yarn.

I’ll be honest… when I first heard of recycled acrylic yarn I was skeptical. I ordered Lily Flower and Diggle colorways and both are gorgeous colors. I love the muted tones of this yarn. After working up the sweater I had already fallen in love with the yarn, and then after washing the garment I was completely hooked. I just know that you’ll love this lightweight yarn as much as I do.

If you do not have access to Brava Recycle, or you’re looking to use up stash yarn, you could substitute with Mandala from Lion Brand, Premier Anti-Pilling Everyday DK, Lion Brand Coboo, Bernat Softee Baby, Bamboo Fair, Amigo from Hobbii, Mega Ball from Hobbii, or any other size 3 yarn that suits your fancy.

What stitch to use for the Alex sweater?

For this free unisex sweater pattern we are using the Wide Half Double Crochet. This crochet stitch makes this sweater pattern super easy because it’s a simple variation of one of the first stitches a new crocheter typically learns: the Half Double Crochet.

The only difference between the regular half double and the wide half double is where you insert your hook. That’s it! If you’re ready to jump right in, check out the video tutorial below, or if you’d like to practice a bit more first, you can head on over here to get more familiar with this stitch.

 

I love how this one simple change (where you insert your hook) eliminates the horizontal lines we normally see with HDC. I loved it so much I knew it had to become something to wear… hence the Alex sweater was born. 🧶

This pattern is named after my step-daughter-in-law, Alex, but it is intended for anyone to wear. A unisex pattern with no shaping, this pattern is extremely straight-forward and super beginner-friendly.

Materials:
Brava Recycle (DK weight, 100 recycled acrylic)
-approx. (975, 1100, 1225, 1400, 1525, 1675, 1850, 2050, 2250) yards

Crochet hook in size J/6mm

Gauge: 12 sts x 14 rows = 4” square using wide half double crochet

Sizing:

(XS, S, M, L, XL, 2XL, 3XL, 4XL, 5XL)

Actual garment bust measurement:

(30”, 34”, 38”, 42”, 46”, 50”, 54”, 58”, 62”)

Pattern Notes:

Pattern written using US terms.

The ch-1 at the beginning of the round/row does not count unless otherwise stated.

Fp/Bp hdc = Front Post/Back Post Half Double Crochet (tutorial here)

Odd numbered rows are “right side” (RS). Even numbered rows are “wrong side” (WS).

Wide Half Double Stitch = Whdc = Hdc in between stitches instead of into the top of the stitch. The Whdc stitch tutorial can be found here.

Grab the ad-free, printable version of this pattern on Ravelry, Etsy, or right here in the Heart Hook Home Blog Shop. Thank you!

Pattern:

Round 1: Ch-(91, 103, 115, 127, 139, 151, 163, 175, 187), hdc in 2nd ch from hook and in each to end. Join to top of first st. (90, 102, 114, 126, 138, 150, 162, 174, 186)

Rounds 2 through (44, 46, 50, 52, 54, 54, 56, 58, 58): Ch-1, turn, Whdc in between each st around. Join to top of first st. (90, 102, 114, 126, 138, 150, 162, 174, 186)

Do not fasten off.

Back:

Where still attached…

Row (45, 47, 51, 53, 55, 55, 57, 59, 59): Ch-1, turn, Whdc in (44, 49, 54, 58, 60, 64, 68, 72, 78) sts only.

Rows (46, 48, 52, 54, 56, 56, 58, 60, 60) through (61, 63, 67, 71, 73, 75, 77, 81, 83): Ch-1, turn, Whdc across. (44, 49, 54, 58, 60, 64, 68, 72, 78)

Do not fasten off.

“Back Left:”

Row (62, 64, 68, 72, 74, 76, 78, 82, 84): Ch-1, turn, Whdc in (10, 12, 14, 16, 15, 17, 19, 19, 22) sts only.

Row (63, 65, 69, 73, 75, 77, 79, 83, 85): Ch-1, turn, Whdc2tog, Whdc in remaining sts across. (9, 11, 13, 15, 14, 16, 18, 18, 21)

Row (64, 66, 70, 74, 76, 78, 80, 84, 86): Ch-1, turn, Whdc in all but last 2 sts, Whdc2tog. (8, 10, 12, 14, 13, 15, 17, 17, 20)

Row (65, 67, 71, 75, 77, 79, 81, 85, 87): Ch-1, turn, Whdc2tog, Whdc in remaining sts across. (7, 9, 11, 13, 12, 14, 16, 16, 19)

Fasten off leaving a ~12″ long tail for seaming shoulder.

“Back Right”:

Looking at WS of “back”, count (10, 12, 14, 16, 15, 17, 19, 19, 22) sts in from the left edge and attach in that space.

Row (62, 64, 68, 72, 74, 76, 78, 82, 84): Ch-1, Whdc in same as join and in each st to end. (10, 12, 14, 16, 15, 17, 19, 19, 22)

Row (63, 65, 69, 73, 75, 77, 79, 83, 85): Ch-1, turn, Whdc in all but last 2 sts, Whdc2tog. (9, 11, 13, 15, 14, 16, 18, 18, 21)

Row (64, 66, 70, 74, 76, 78, 80, 84, 86): Ch-1, turn, Whdc2tog, Whdc in remaining sts across. (8, 10, 12, 14, 13, 15, 17, 17, 20)

Row (65, 67, 71, 75, 77, 79, 81, 85, 87): Ch-1, turn, Whdc in all but last 2 sts, Whdc2tog. (7, 9, 11, 13, 12, 14, 16, 16, 19)

Fasten off leaving a ~12″ long tail for seaming shoulder.

Front:

Leave (1, 2, 3, 5, 9, 11, 13, 15, 15) sts unworked and attach in next st…

Row (45, 47, 51, 53, 55, 55, 57, 59, 59): Ch-1, Whdc in (44, 49, 54, 58, 60, 64, 68, 72, 78) sts only.

***this should leave (1, 2, 3, 5, 9, 11, 13, 15, 15) sts unworked on each underarm.

Rows (46, 48, 52, 54, 56, 56, 58, 60, 60) through (57, 59, 63, 67, 69, 71, 73, 77, 79): Ch-1, turn, Whdc across. (44, 49, 54, 58, 60, 64, 68, 72, 78)

Do not fasten off.

“Front Right:”

Where still attached…

Row (58, 60, 64, 68, 70, 72, 74, 78, 80): Ch-1, turn, Whdc in (14, 16, 18, 20, 19, 21, 23, 23, 26) sts only.

Row (59, 61, 65, 69, 71, 73, 75, 79, 81): Ch-1, turn, Whdc2tog, Whdc in remaining sts across. (13, 15, 17, 19, 18, 20, 22, 22, 25)

Row (60, 62, 66, 70, 72, 74, 76, 80, 82): Ch-1, turn, Whdc in all but last 2 sts, Whdc2tog. (12, 14, 16, 18, 17, 19, 21, 21, 24)

Row (61, 63, 67, 71, 73, 75, 77, 81, 83): Ch-1, turn, Whdc2tog, Whdc in remaining sts across. (11, 13, 15, 17, 16, 18, 20, 20, 23)

Row (62, 64, 68, 72, 74, 76, 78, 82, 84): Ch-1, turn, Whdc in all but last 2 sts, Whdc2tog. (10, 12, 14, 16, 15, 17, 19, 19, 22)

Row (63, 65, 69, 73, 75, 77, 79, 83, 85): Ch-1, turn, Whdc2tog, Whdc in remaining sts across. (9, 11, 13, 15, 14, 16, 18, 18, 21)

Row (64, 66, 70, 74, 76, 78, 80, 84, 86): Ch-1, turn, Whdc in all but last 2 sts, Whdc2tog. (8, 10, 12, 14, 13, 15, 17, 17, 20)

Row (65, 67, 71, 75, 77, 79, 81, 85, 87): Ch-1, turn, Whdc2tog, Whdc in remaining sts across. (7, 9, 11, 13, 12, 14, 16, 16, 19)

Fasten off.

“Front Left”:

Looking at WS of “front”, count (14, 16, 18, 20, 19, 21, 23, 23, 26) sts in from the left edge and attach in that space.

Row (58, 60, 64, 68, 70, 72, 74, 78, 80): Ch-1, Whdc in same as join and in each st to end. (14, 16, 18, 20, 19, 21, 23, 23, 26)

Row (59, 61, 65, 69, 71, 73, 75, 79, 81): Ch-1, turn, Whdc in all but last 2 sts, Whdc2tog. (13, 15, 17, 19, 18, 20, 22, 22, 25)

Row (60, 62, 66, 70, 72, 74, 76, 80, 82): Ch-1, turn, Whdc2tog, Whdc in remaining sts across. (12, 14, 16, 18, 17, 19, 21, 21, 24)

Row (61, 63, 67, 71, 73, 75, 77, 81, 83): Ch-1, turn, Whdc in all but last 2 sts, Whdc2tog. (11, 13, 15, 17, 16, 18, 20, 20, 23)

Row (62, 64, 68, 72, 74, 76, 78, 82, 84): Ch-1, turn, Whdc2tog, Whdc in remaining sts across. (10, 12, 14, 16, 15, 17, 19, 19, 22)

Row (63, 65, 69, 73, 75, 77, 79, 83, 85): Ch-1, turn, Whdc in all but last 2 sts, Whdc2tog. (9, 11, 13, 15, 14, 16, 18, 18, 21)

Row (64, 66, 70, 74, 76, 78, 80, 84, 86): Ch-1, turn, Whdc2tog, Whdc in remaining sts across. (8, 10, 12, 14, 13, 15, 17, 17, 20)

Row (65, 67, 71, 75, 77, 79, 81, 85, 87): Ch-1, turn, Whdc in all but last 2 sts, Whdc2tog. (7, 9, 11, 13, 12, 14, 16, 16, 19)

Fasten off.

Construction:

Seam shoulders stitch for stitch using the Mattress Stitch and the yarn tails left at the end of the “back”.

SLEEVES: 

The sleeves are written out individually by size below. All start the same, with one Whdc row around the armhole opening, then tapering to the wrist.

Size XS Sleeves ONLY:

With RS facing, attach at bottom center of armhole opening…

Round 1: Ch-1, hdc evenly 41 times around opening. Join to top of first st. (41)

Rounds 2 – 4: Ch-1, turn, Whdc in each st around. Join to top of first st. (41)

Round 5: Ch-1, turn, Whdc in all but last 2 sts, Whdc2tog. Join to top of first st. (40)

Rounds 6 – 8: repeat round 2 (40)

Round 9: Ch-1, turn, Whdc2tog, Whdc around. Join to top of first st. (39)

Rounds 10 – 12: repeat round 2 (39)

Rounds 13 – 44: repeat rounds 5 – 12 (ending with 31 sts)

Round 45: repeat round 5 (30)

Round 46: repeat round 2 (30)

Round 47: repeat round 9 (29)

Round 48: repeat round 2 (29)

Rounds 49 – 60: repeat rounds 45 – 48 (ending with 23 sts)

Rounds 61 & 62: repeat round 2 (23)

Jump to “cuff” section below.

Size S Sleeves ONLY:

With RS facing, attach at bottom center of armhole opening…

Round 1: Ch-1, hdc evenly 42 times around opening. Join to top of first st. (42)

Rounds 2 – 4: Ch-1, turn, Whdc in each st around. Join to top of first st. (42)

Round 5: Ch-1, turn, Whdc in all but last 2 sts, Whdc2tog. Join to top of first st. (41)

Rounds 6 – 8: repeat round 2 (41)

Round 9: Ch-1, turn, Whdc2tog, Whdc around. Join to top of first st. (40)

Rounds 10 – 12: repeat round 2 (40)

Rounds 13 – 44: repeat rounds 5 – 12 (ending with 32 sts)

Rounds 45 – 48: repeat rounds 5 – 8 (ending with 31 sts)

Round 49: repeat round 5 (30)

Round 50: repeat round 2 (30)

Round 51: repeat round 9 (29)

Round 52: repeat round 2 (29)

Rounds 53 – 60: repeat rounds 49 – 52 (ending with 25 sts)

Rounds 61 & 62: repeat round 2 (25)

Jump to “cuff” section below.

Size M Sleeves ONLY:

With RS facing, attach at bottom center of armhole opening…

Round 1: Ch-1, hdc evenly 45 times around opening. Join to top of first st. (45)

Rounds 2 – 4: Ch-1, turn, Whdc in each st around. Join to top of first st. (45)

Round 5: Ch-1, turn, Whdc in all but last 2 sts, Whdc2tog. Join to top of first st. (44)

Rounds 6 – 8: repeat round 2 (44)

Round 9: Ch-1, turn, Whdc2tog, Whdc around. Join to top of first st. (43)

Rounds 10 – 12: repeat round 2 (43)

Rounds 13 – 36: repeat rounds 5 – 12 (ending with 37 sts)

Rounds 37 – 40: repeat rounds 5 – 8 (ending with 36 sts)

Round 41: repeat round 5 (35)

Round 42: repeat round 2 (35)

Round 43: repeat round 9 (34)

Round 44: repeat round 2 (34)

Rounds 45 – 60: repeat rounds 41 – 44 (ending with 26 sts)

Rounds 61 & 62: repeat rounds 5 and 2 (25)

Jump to “cuff” section below.

Size L Sleeves ONLY:

With RS facing, attach at bottom center of armhole opening…

Round 1: Ch-1, hdc evenly 49 times around opening. Join to top of first st. (49)

Rounds 2 – 4: Ch-1, turn, Whdc in each st around. Join to top of first st. (49)

Round 5: Ch-1, turn, Whdc in all but last 2 sts, Whdc2tog. Join to top of first st. (48)

Rounds 6 – 8: repeat round 2 (48)

Round 9: Ch-1, turn, Whdc2tog, Whdc around. Join to top of first st. (47)

Rounds 10 – 12: repeat round 2 (47)

Rounds 13 – 36: repeat rounds 5 – 12 (ending with 41 sts)

Round 37: repeat round 5 (40)

Round 38: repeat round 2 (40)

Round 39: repeat round 9 (39)

Round 40: repeat round 2 (39)

Rounds 41 – 60: repeat rounds 37 – 40 (ending with 29 sts)

Rounds 61 & 62: repeat round 2 (29)

Jump to “cuff” section below.

Size XL Sleeves ONLY:

With RS facing, attach at bottom center of armhole opening…

Round 1: Ch-1, hdc evenly 53 times around opening. Join to top of first st. (53)

Rounds 2 – 4: Ch-1, turn, Whdc in each st around. Join to top of first st. (53)

Round 5: Ch-1, turn, Whdc in all but last 2 sts, Whdc2tog. Join to top of first st. (52)

Rounds 6 – 8: repeat round 2 (52)

Round 9: Ch-1, turn, Whdc2tog, Whdc around. Join to top of first st. (51)

Rounds 10 – 12: repeat round 2 (51)

Rounds 13 – 20: repeat rounds 5 – 12 (ending with 49 sts)

Rounds 21 – 24: repeat rounds 5 – 8 (ending with 48 sts)

Round 25: repeat round 5 (47)

Round 26: repeat round 2 (47)

Round 27: repeat round 9 (46)

Round 28: repeat round 2 (46)

Rounds 29 – 60: repeat rounds 25 – 28 (ending with 30 sts)

Rounds 61 & 62: repeat rounds 5 and 2 (29)

Jump to “cuff” section below.

Size 2XL Sleeves ONLY:

With RS facing, attach at bottom center of armhole opening…

Round 1: Ch-1, hdc evenly 59 times around opening. Join to top of first st. (59)

Round 2: Ch-1, turn, Whdc in each st around. Join to top of first st. (59)

Round 3: Ch-1, turn, Whdc in all but last 2 sts, Whdc2tog. Join to top of first st. (58)

Round 4: repeat round 2 (58)

Round 5: Ch-1, turn, Whdc2tog, Whdc around. Join to top of first st. (57)

Round 6: repeat round 2 (57)

Rounds 7 – 62: repeat rounds 3 – 6 (ending with 29 sts)

Jump to “cuff” section below.

Size 3XL Sleeves ONLY:

With RS facing, attach at bottom center of armhole opening…

Round 1: Ch-1, hdc evenly 63 times around opening. Join to top of first st. (63)

Rounds 2 – 4: Ch-1, turn, Whdc in each st around. Join to top of first st. (63)

Round 5: Ch-1, turn, Whdc in all but last 2 sts, Whdc2tog. Join to top of first st. (62)

Rounds 6 – 8: repeat round 2 (62)

Round 9: Ch-1, turn, Whdc2tog, Whdc around. Join to top of first st. (61)

Rounds 10 – 12: repeat round 2 (61)

Rounds 13 – 28: repeat rounds 5 – 12 (ending with 57 sts)

Round 29: repeat round 5 (56)

Round 30: repeat round 2 (56)

Round 31: repeat round 9 (55)

Round 32: repeat round 2 (55)

Rounds 33 – 40: repeat rounds 29 – 32 (ending with 51 sts)

Rounds 41 – 62: repeat round 5 (ending with 29 sts)

Jump to “cuff” section below.

Size 4XL Sleeves ONLY:

With RS facing, attach at bottom center of armhole opening…

Round 1: Ch-1, hdc evenly 67 times around opening. Join to top of first st. (67)

Rounds 2 – 4: Ch-1, turn, Whdc in each st around. Join to top of first st. (67)

Round 5: Ch-1, turn, Whdc in all but last 2 sts, Whdc2tog. Join to top of first st. (66)

Rounds 6 – 8: repeat round 2 (66)

Round 9: Ch-1, turn, Whdc2tog, Whdc around. Join to top of first st. (65)

Rounds 10 – 12: repeat round 2 (65)

Round 13: repeat round 5 (64)

Round 14: repeat round 2 (64)

Round 15: repeat round 9 (63)

Round 16: repeat round 2 (63)

Rounds 17 – 40: repeat rounds 13 – 16 (ending with 51 sts)

Rounds 41 – 62: repeat round 5 (ending with 29 sts)

Jump to “cuff” section below.

Size 5XL Sleeves ONLY:

With RS facing, attach at bottom center of armhole opening…

Round 1: Ch-1, hdc evenly 71 times around opening. Join to top of first st. (71)

Round 2: Ch-1, turn, Whdc in each st around. Join to top of first st. (71)

Round 3: Ch-1, turn, Whdc in all but last 2 sts, Whdc2tog. Join to top of first st. (70)

Round 4: repeat round 2 (70)

Round 5: Ch-1, turn, Whdc2tog, Whdc around. Join to top of first st. (69)

Round 6: repeat round 2 (69)

Rounds 7 – 38: repeat rounds 3 – 6 (ending with 53 sts)

Rounds 39 – 62: repeat round 3 (ending with 29 sts)

Jump to “cuff” section below.

Cuff (All Sizes):

Where still attached…

Round 1: Ch-1, turn * fphdc around first st, bphdc around next * repeat between * * around. Fphdc around last st, join to top of first fphdc with sl st. (23, 25, 25, 29, 29, 29, 29, 29, 29)

Round 2: Ch-1, turn. * bphdc around first st, fphdc around next * repeat between * * around. Bphdc around last, join to top of first bphdc with sl st. (23, 25, 25, 29, 29, 29, 29, 29, 29)

Round 3: Ch-1, turn * fphdc around first st, bphdc around next * repeat between * * around. Fphdc around last, join to top of first fphdc with sl st. (23, 25, 25, 29, 29, 29, 29, 29, 29)

Rounds 4 & 5: alternate previous two rounds (23, 25, 25, 29, 29, 29, 29, 29, 29)

Round 6: Ch-1, do not turn, sc in each st around. Fasten off using Invisible Join. (23, 25, 25, 29, 29, 29, 29, 29, 29)

Bottom Edging:

Looking at RS, attach at bottom side seam…

Round 1: Ch-1, do not turn * fphdc around first st, bphdc around next * repeat between * * until 2 sts remain. Fphdc2tog around final 2 sts, join to top of first fphdc with sl st. (89, 101, 113, 125, 137, 149, 161, 173, 185)

Round 2: Ch-1, turn. * bphdc around first st, fphdc around next * repeat between * * around. Bphdc around last, join to top of first bphdc with sl st. (89, 101, 113, 125, 137, 149, 161, 173, 185)

Round 3: Ch-1, turn * fphdc around first st, bphdc around next * repeat between * * around. Fphdc around last, join to top of first fphdc with sl st. (89, 101, 113, 125, 137, 149, 161, 173, 185)

Rounds 4 & 5: alternate previous two rounds (89, 101, 113, 125, 137, 149, 161, 173, 185)

Round 6: Ch-1, do not turn, sc in each st around. Fasten off using Invisible Join. (89, 101, 113, 125, 137, 149, 161, 173, 185)

Neck Finishing (All Sizes):

Attach at either shoulder seam…

Preparation row: Ch-1, sc in each st/row end around entire neck opening. Join to top of first st. (71, 73, 75, 75, 83, 83, 83, 91, 91)

Round 1: Ch-1, do not turn, * fphdc around first st, bphdc around next * repeat between * * around. Fphdc around last st, join to top of first fphdc with sl st. (71, 73, 75, 75, 83, 83, 83, 91, 91)

Round 2: Ch-1, turn, * bphdc around first st, fphdc around next * repeat between * * around. Bphdc around last, join to top of first bphdc with sl st. (71, 73, 75, 75, 83, 83, 83, 91, 91)

Round 3: Ch-1, turn, * fphdc around first st, bphdc around next * repeat between * * around. Fphdc around last, join to top of first fphdc with sl st. (71, 73, 75, 75, 83, 83, 83, 91, 91)

Round 4: Ch-1, do not turn, sc in each st around. Fasten off using Invisible Join.

Remember that you can grab the ad-free, printable version of this pattern on Ravelry, Etsy, or right here in the Heart Hook Home Blog Shop. Thank you!

I hope you love this sweater! I love how it works for virtually any body type and in such a wide range of sizes. Please do share a photo of your finished sweater with me by sharing in the Heart Hook Home Crochet Community on Facebook or by tagging @HeartHookHome across all social media.

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