Emerald Valley – Crochet Pattern for an Easy Bell Sleeve Sweater (from my book: Modern Crochet Sweaters)

Hi all!

This post includes everything you need to know about Emerald Valley, a beginner-friendly crochet pattern for a size-inclusive pullover with delicate bell sleeves using just the HDC stitch! This is actually the sweater shown on the book cover!

The Emerald Valley Sweater is from my book Modern Crochet Sweaters: 20 Chic Designs for Everyday Wear. This book includes 20 size-inclusive sweater patterns using a variety of techniques and construction methods to ensure there is something of value for every skill level. Each pattern is written in 9 sizes from XS to 5XL and each size has been thoroughly tested! We had over 500+ crochet pattern testers for this book to make sure that each size fits its intended wearer in a way that makes them feel beautiful. You can buy this book with confidence, knowing that each pattern was written for you and your unique body measurements.

Before we begin, here are some quick links for you:

Find the PDF version on Ravelry here, on Etsy here, and on my website here.
Add your finished project and view other completed projects on Ravelry here.
Use the pattern hashtag #EmeraldValleySweater on Instagram to show off your makes! Be sure to check out the book hashtag, #ModernCrochetSweaters, too!
Shop the recommended yarn, Lion Brand LB Collection Superwash Merino, here! (Be sure to scroll down to see other great yarn substitutes because a few different weight will work!)
Shop my book on Amazon (US) here.
Shop my book on Amazon (CA) here.
Shop my book on other platforms outside of North America here.
Read about my experience getting a book deal here!
For any questions about this pattern, please email knitsnknotswpg@gmail.com and I’ll get back to you asap!

Order my book – Modern Crochet Sweaters: 20 Chic Designs for Everyday Wear – here!

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About: Emerald Valley

Emerald Valley features a modest neckline, bell sleeves and a classic fit that will stand the test of time. The feminine sleeves conform to the shape of your arm before gently widening at the wrist. This design was kept simple to showcase the beauty of these soft details and not overpower them.

Whether you’re dressing for date night or business casual, this top can be worn on its own without being see-through and styled to suit almost any occasion. This simple, beginner-friendly design encourages customization—experiment with fiber choice, color or length to put your own spin on this sweater. The seasons may come and go, but the magic in these graceful sleeves is here to stay.

Comprised of half double crochet stitches throughout, Emerald Valley encourages you to get creative with your yarn choices. Simple stitches like this are great opportunities to use any special, unique yarns you may have on hand that you want to show off without getting lost in a distracting stitch pattern. Speckled, variegated, self-striping, and hand-dyed yarns pair best with a blank canvas of simple stitches to really let the yarn shine.

Getting Started: Knowing Your Measurements

This book uses the Craft Yarn Council (CYC) to determine sizing. The CYC is the industry standard when it comes to knit and crochet sizing. While you will be able to produce a beautiful sweater by following the written patterns, I also like to include customization tips throughout each pattern so that you can adjust based on your unique body measurements; for example, shortening or lengthening a sleeve, or adjusting for a larger upper arm than written for your size. This way, you can modify the pattern with confidence, if needed. For example, when making garments for myself, I usually need to shorten tops or sweaters because I have a short torso. My hips also fall under a different size than my bust. Not everyone fits perfectly into these sizing standards; they are simply averages, not set-in-stone numbers.

Understanding how your body deviates from the CYC standard measurements gives you the ability to tailor a sweater to perfectly fit you, rather than feel disappointed that your body doesn’t fit into the sizing standards. I recommend that you measure the largest part of your bust and then refer to the CYC website (click here) to find out which size you would fall under. Then, look at the other measurements that are included for your size, and see which of these measurements deviate from your actual body measurements. Knowledge is power, and once you understand how your body deviates from the CYC standards, you will be able to anticipate this deviation and assume it translates through most patterns. For example, if your upper arm circumference is slightly larger than the CYC sizing chart reads, then you can expect you may have to ignore a few decrease rows when working the sleeves of your next sweater, or even follow the sleeve instructions for the next size up, if possible.

Getting Started: the Emerald Valley Sweater

Yarn: DK—Lion Brand LB Collection Superwash Merino in Hunter

100% superwash Merino
306 yds [280 m] per 3.5-oz [100-g] skein
Find this yarn on lionbrand.com or visit yarnsub.com to find comparable substitutes.

Lion Brand Superwash Merino is a lightweight, category #3 yarn, but if substituting, I would recommend using a sport weight (category #2) or even a heavy fingering weight (category #1) yarn that matches gauge for a close match to this lightweight DK.

Yardage: 4 (5, 5, 6, 6) (7, 8, 8, 9) skeins or 1175 (1275, 1425, 1575, 1750) (1950, 2200, 2350, 2500) yds [1075 (1166, 1304, 1441, 1601) (1784, 2012, 2149, 2286) m]

Yarn Note: This design is comprised of half double crochet stitches throughout, encouraging you to get creative with your yarn choices. Simple stitches like this are great opportunities to use any special, unique yarns you may have on hand that you want to show off without getting lost in a distracting stitch pattern. Speckled, variegated, self-striping, and hand-dyed yarns pair best with a blank canvas of simple stitches to really let the yarn shine.

Hook: Size U.S. F/5 (3.75 mm) or size needed to obtain gauge

Notions: Tapestry needle, several locking stitch markers to help with seaming

Gauge: 4 x 4″ [10 x 10 cm] = 22 sts and 18 rows in half double crochet

Customization Ideas + Tips When Crocheting This Sweater

Tips

Sizing: This sweater is written in nine sizes as follows: XS (S, M, L, XL) (2X, 3X, 4X, 5X). Make sure to follow the numbers for your size only.
Stitch Counts: Stitch counts are listed after each row/rnd. If no stitch count is given, there has been no change since the previous row/rnd. If only one number is provided, it applies to all sizes.
Reversible: There is no right side or wrong side; both sides are identical. You choose which side to wear as the “right side.”
Seaming: When seaming your garment, make sure to keep all seams loose and do not pull tight in order to maintain some stretch, otherwise this seam will pucker during wear.
Turning Chain: The turning chain does not count as a stitch.
Customization Ideas: See Page 9.
Right-handed vs Left-handed Crocheters: The pattern is written with right-handed crocheters in mind (those who hold their hook in their right hand and crochet each row toward the left). If you are a left-handed crocheter, any instructions referring to the “right-hand side” or “left-hand side” should be reversed.
Yarn Weight: Most testers used fingering weight or sport weight for their Emerald Valley Sweater. The lighter the yarn weight, the better the drape will be.
Construction: This sweater is worked in four pieces that are seamed together: two body panels and two identical sleeves. The front and back panels are worked bottom-up and seamed together, leaving openings for the sleeves. The sleeves are worked separately from the top down in joined, turned rounds, while decreasing gradually down the arm then increasing at the wrist to create the bell sleeves before being seamed onto the body.

Customization Ideas:

To change the length of your sweater: For a shorter (or longer) sweater than the length provided in the measurement chart, simply repeat Row 2 of the body on the Panel until reaching your desired length. Make note of how many rows you added or eliminated so that you can make the same alteration to your front panel. Note that additional length will require additional yardage than listed for your size in the Materials section on page 3 of the pattern PDF.
Follow Any Sleeve Size: If you think the sleeve measurements of a different size would better suit your arm measurements, you can follow the instructions for any sleeve size; you don’t necessarily have to stick with the same size you have been working up to this point if you think another size will give you a better fit.

This sweater is a basic design, leaving a lot of opportunities to personalize it and make it more “you.” To further customize this sweater, try working additional design elements such as: side-slits, belt loops and a long waist tie, pockets or anything else you’d like to add! Instructions for optional side-slits, pockets, belt loops, and waist tie included below.

ADD SIDE SLITS: To create side-slits, rather than seaming the sides of your sweater from the very bottom, begin seaming the sides of your sweater at your desired height, leaving the bottom of your sweater partially un-seamed.
POCKET: To add pockets, follow these instructions or use them as a guideline:
- Top Border
  Ch 7.
  Row 1: Hdc in 2nd ch from hook and in each ch across, turn. [6 hdc]
  Row 2: Ch 1, hdc in each st across, turn.
  Rep Row 2 until desired pocket width, finishing on an even-numbered row. Turn your work to begin working across the ends of the rows you just completed.
- Main Pocket
  Row 1: Ch 1, *work 3 hdc for every 2 row-ends; rep from * across the entire length of your border, turn.Row 2: Ch 1, hdc in each st across, turn.
  
  Rep Row 2 until you have reached your desired pocket depth. Fasten off, block if desired, and seam to your sweater with a tapestry needle in your desired placement.
WAIST TIE & BELT LOOPS: To add belt loops and a waist tie, follow these instructions or use them as a guideline:
- Waist Tie: Work a short chain that equals 1 chain longer than your desired waist-tie width, turn.
  Row 1: Hdc in 2nd ch from hook and in each ch across, turn.
  Row 2: Ch 1, hdc in each st across, turn.
  Rep Row 2 until you reach your desired waist-tie length.
- Belt Loops
  With new yarn, work a ch slightly longer than your tie is thick. (For example, if your tie is 3″ [8 cm] wide, then your chain needs to be slightly longer than 3″ [8 cm].)Row 1: Hdc in 2nd ch from hook and in each ch across, turn.
  
  Row 2: Ch 1, hdc in each st across, turn.
  
  Fasten off, leaving tail for seaming belt loop onto sweater. Use a tapestry needle and the two tail ends of the belt loop to seam in place on the sides of the sweater or in your desired placement.
  
  Rep for 1 belt loop on each side, or as many times as desired.

Yarn Substitutions

The yarn used in my sample is a 100% Superwash Merino yarn, however you are free to use any fiber content that you like for your own sweater! The main factor to consider is the drape of your crocheted fabric. Testers used everything from DK to sport to fingering weight for their sweaters, so feel free to play around with your swatch. Those who used lighter weights seemed to produce sweaters with much better drape. Always swatch before beginning so you can be sure your chosen yarn creates a fabric you love! Listed below you will see a variety of yarns that will work just fine in place of LB Superwash Merino, so long as you match gauge!

Lion Brand Superwash Merino is labelled as a lightweight, category #3 yarn, but feels more like a fingering weight yarn. If substituting, I would recommend using a light sport weight (category #2) or fingering weight (category #1) yarn that matches gauge for a close match to this lightweight DK.

Since LB Collection Superwash Merino may not easily accessible in every country, visit www.yarnsub.com and type “Lion Brand LB Collection Superwash Merino” into the search box to find a suitable alternative. You will find hundreds of yarns with similar properties and you are bound to find a brand that is accessible to you. The YarnSub website is an incredible resource that I use regularly to find appropriate yarn substitutes.

The following yarns can be used in this pattern and will produce a lovely finished sweater:

Lion Brand Yarns:

Knit Picks/WeCrochet Yarns:

From LoveCrafts:

Hobby Lobby Yarns:

Other Brands Used:

Pattern Tester Photos

There were 500+ pattern testers for this book because I wanted to ensure all sizes are satisfied with the pattern and fit! Below you can see photos from the testing process to see how the sweater looks on different bodies with different modifications made using a variety of yarns.