Box Top Sweater Goes Square by Barbara Wanthal

Box Top Sweater Goes Square

Knitting
September 2023
Light Fingering ?
24 stitches and 36 rows = 4 inches
in Stockinette Stitch
US 4 - 3.5 mm
4.0 mm (G)
1239 - 1757 yards (1133 - 1607 m)
Sizes 1-6 Bust circumference: 37 (40, 45, 51, 56, 62) inches [94 (102, 114, 130, 142, 157.5) cm]
English
This pattern is available for $7.00 USD buy it now

I designed this pattern to mimic a favorite ready-to-wear boxy top. I first recreated the top in a copper double-gauze fabric, then decided I could create the same shape in yarn. And now…Granny Square sleeves! This is a very easy sweater to knit. It is also very easy to alter the length of the body. As written, this beginner-friendly sweater features a slightly cropped, box-top fit with dropped shoulders, rolled boatneck, and loose three-quarter sleeves that are made of crocheted Granny Squares!

I’ve included both top-down and bottom-up directions. The first time I knit a sweater, I like to knit it from the top down for ease of trying on the sweater. However, once I’m confident in the size I want to knit, I prefer to knit sweaters from the bottom up. This is a personal choice, so I’ve included both options in this pattern.

Enjoy!

Sizes: 1 (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)

Sweater shown in Size 3 on a 38-inch (96.5 cm) bust with approximately 7 inches (18 cm) of positive ease.

Finished Measurements

Bust circumference: 37 (40, 45, 51, 56, 62) inches 94 (102, 114, 130, 142, 157.5) cm
Neck width: 7.5 (8, 8, 8, 8, 8) inches 18 (20, 20, 20, 20, 20) cm
Shoulder length (each side): 5.5 (6, 7.25, 8.75, 10, 11.5) inches 14 (15, 18, 22, 25.5, 29) cm
Armhole depth: 7 (7, 7.5, 8, 8.5, 8.5) inches 18 (18, 19, 20, 21.5, 21.5) cm
Upper arm circumference: 13 (13, 14, 15, 16, 16) inches 33 (33, 36, 38, 40, 40) cm
Three-quarter sleeve length from underarm to hem: 9.75 (9.75, 10.5, 11.25, 12, 12) inches 24.75 (24.75, 27, 28.5, 30, 30) cm, or desired length
Body length: 12 inches (30.5 cm), or desired length

Yarn

Main Color: 2 (2, 2, 3, 3, 3) skeins of Wonderland Yarns Cheshire Cat in color White Rabbit, 512 yards (468 meters)/113 g skein, 100% Superwash Merino, fingering weight yarn, or 839 (901, 1037, 1201, 1349, 1484) yards 767 (824, 948, 1098, 1234, 1357) meters of similar fingering weight yarn.

Sleeves: Three-quarter sleeves (24 granny squares): 100 grams of assorted fingering weight yarn

Needles and Notions

US 4 (3.5 mm), 24-inch (60 cm) circular needles for body in the round; 16-inch (40 cm) circular needles or double points for sleeves.

Size G (4.00 mm) crochet hook for the granny squares.
Other notions: Stitch markers, stitch holders or waste yarn, tapestry needle.

Gauge for Sweater Body

24 stitches and 36 rounds to 4 inches (10 cm) in Stockinette Stitch on US 4 (3.5 mm) needles. Please block swatch to check gauge.

Technical Editing by Bronwyn Hahn