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This toddler fisherman’s sweater was inspired by the timeless textures of classic Aran knits—ropes, twists, and gentle waves—reimagined for little ones who never stop moving. I wanted to capture the nostalgia of traditional fisherman sweaters while keeping the details soft, simple, and playful.
Time: Approximately 12 hours crochet time
Skill Level: Intermediate
SIZES: 2T, 3T, 4T, 5T
Sizes written as 2T (3T, 4T, 5T) Finished chest Size 23 (24, 25, 26)”
Shown in size 4T”
Gauge: 17 sts and 12 rows = 4” [10 cm]
Materials:
Yarn: Cascade Yarn Eco Merino DK (100% wool, 254 yards [233 meters] / 3.5 ounces [100 grams]): Color Number 04, Color Name Doeskin (3) balls
Hook: US size G/6, 4.0 mm
Notions: 5 brown wooden buttons 7/8” to 1”, tapestry needle, brown thread & needle
Abbreviations
fp front post
bp back post
Special Stitches:
Hdc popcorn: Work 5 hdc in same st, pull up lp in last hdc, remove hook from loop, insert hook into first hdc, pull lp through.
Bpdc2tog: yo, insert hook around first fpdc of previous row, yo, pull through, yo, pull through 2 lps, yo, insert hook around second fpdc, yo, pull through, yo, pull through 2 lps, yo, pull through 3 lps.
Dec (decrease): hdc2tog
Pattern Notes
This pattern is worked flat from bottom to top. Pattern is worked in pieces (left front, right front, back, 2 sleeves) then assembled.
After Row 2, all front and back post stitches are to be worked on the corresponding post stitch in the previous row. Always skip the stitch behind the post st.
Starting chain does not count as a stitch.
Pattern:
RIGHT FRONT:
Ch 23 (24, 25, 26),
Row 1: Hdc in 2nd ch from hook and each ch across. (22 (23, 24, 25) hdc)
Row 2: Ch 1, turn, hdc in next 1 (2, 2, 3) sts, fpdc, hdc, fpdc, hdc in next 5 sts, sk next st, fpdc in previous row, (hdc in and fpdc around) next st, hdc next 5 sts, fpdc, hdc, fpdc, hdc in next 2 (2, 3, 3) sts.
Row 3: Ch 1, turn, hdc in next 2 (2, 3, 3) sts, bpdc, hdc, bpdc, hdc in next 4 sts, bpdc, hdc in next 3 sts, bpdc, hdc in next 4 sts, bpdc, hdc, bpdc, hdc in next 1 (2, 2, 3) sts.
Row 4: Ch 1, turn, hdc in next 1 (2, 2, 3) sts, fpdc, hdc, fpdc, hdc in next 3 sts, fpdc, hdc in next 2 sts, hdc popcorn in next st, hdc in next 2 sts, fpdc, hdc in next 3 sts, fpdc, hdc, fpdc, hdc in next 2 (2 ,3, 3) sts.
Row 5: Ch 1, turn, hdc in next 2 (2, 3, 3) sts, bpdc, hdc, bpdc, hdc in next 4 sts, bpdc, hdc in next 3 sts, bpdc, hdc in next 4 sts, bpdc, hdc, bpdc, hdc in next 1 (2, 2, 3) sts.
Row 6: Ch 1, turn, hdc in next 1 (2, 2, 3) sts, fpdc, hdc, fpdc, hdc in next 5 sts, fpdc, hdc, fpdc, hdc in next 5 sts, fpdc, hdc, fpdc, hdc in next 2 (2, 3, 3) sts.
Row 7: Ch 1, turn, hdc in next 2 (2, 3, 3) sts, bpdc, hdc, bpdc, hdc in next 6 sts, bpdc2tog over next 2 post sts (see notes), hdc in next 6 sts, bpdc, hdc, bpdc, hdc in next 1 (2, 2, 3) sts.
Row 8: Ch 1, turn, hdc in next 1 (2, 2, 3) sts, fpdc, hdc, fpdc, hdc in next 5 sts, (dc, hdc, dc) in center of bpdc2tog in prev row, hdc in next 5 sts, fpdc, hdc, fpdc, hdc in next 2 (2, 3, 3) sts.
Repeat Rows 3-8 until piece measures 9.5” (10”, 10.5”, 11”) ending with wrong side row.
ARMHOLE SHAPING:
Row 1: Ch 1, work in established pattern for 19 (20, 21, 22) sts. Do not work last 3 sts.
Row 2: Ch 1, turn, hdc dec over first 2 sts, complete row in established pattern. (18 (19, 20, 21) sts)
Row 3: Ch 1, turn, work in established pattern to last 2 sts, dec over last 2 sts. (17 (18, 19, 20) sts)
Row 4: Ch 1, turn, dec over first 2 sts, complete row in established pattern. (16 (17, 18, 19) sts)
Row 5: Ch 1, turn, work in established pattern to last 2 sts, dec over last 2 sts. (15 (16, 17, 18) sts)
Begin neckline shaping:
Row 6: Ch 1, turn, work in pattern to last 2 sts, dec. (14 (15, 16, 17) sts)
Row 7: Ch 1, turn, dec, work in pattern. (13 (14, 15, 16) sts)
Row 8: Ch 1, turn, work in pattern to last 2 sts, dec. (12 (13, 14, 15) sts)
Row 9: Ch 1, turn, dec, work in pattern. (11 (12, 13, 14) sts)
Row 10: Ch 1, turn, work in pattern to last 2 sts, dec. (10 (11, 12, 13) sts)
Row 11: Ch 1, turn, dec, work in pattern. (9 (10, 11, 12) sts)
Sizes – (3, 4, 5) only
Row 12: Ch 1, turn, work in pattern to last 2 sts, dec. (x (9, 10, 11) sts)
Sizes – (-, 4, 5) only
Row 13: Ch 1, turn, dec, work in pattern. (x (x, 9, 10) sts)
Size 5 only
Row 14: Ch 1, turn, work in pattern to last 2 sts, dec. (x (x, x, 9 sts)
Shoulder shaping if ended at armhole edge:
Ch 1, turn, sl st in first 3 sts, work in pattern across row. (6 sts)
Next row: Ch 1, turn, 3 hdc, sl st in 4th st, leave remaining sts unworked. (3 hdc)
Shoulder shaping if ended at neck edge:
Ch 1, turn, work in pattern across 6 sts. Leave remaining sts unworked.
Next row: Ch 1, turn, sl st in first 3 sts, hdc in next 3 sts. (3 hdc)
LEFT FRONT:
Row 1: Ch 23 (24, 25, 26), hdc in 2nd ch from hook and each ch across. (22 (23, 24, 25) hdc)
Row 2: Ch 1, turn, hdc in next 2 (2, 3, 3) sts, fpdc, hdc, fpdc, hdc in next 5 sts, sk next st, fpdc in previous row, (hdc in and fpdc around) next st in previous row, hdc in next 5 sts, fpdc, hdc, fpdc, hdc in next 1 (2, 2, 3) sts.
Row 3: Ch 1, turn, hdc in next 1 (2, 2, 3) sts, bpdc, hdc, bpdc, hdc in next 4 sts, bpdc, hdc in next 3 sts, bpdc, hdc in next 4 sts, bpdc, hdc, bpdc, hdc in next 2 (2, 3, 3) sts.
Row 4: Ch 1, turn, hdc in next 2 (2, 3, 3) sts, fpdc, hdc, fpdc, hdc in next 3 sts, fpdc, hdc in next 2 sts, hdc popcorn, hdc in next 2 sts, fpdc, hdc in next 3 sts, fpdc, hdc, fpdc, hdc in next 1 (2, 2, 3) sts.
Row 5: Ch 1, turn, hdc in next 1 (2, 2, 3) sts, bpdc, hdc, bpdc, hdc in next 4 sts, bpdc, hdc in next 3 sts, bpdc, hdc in next 4 sts, bpdc, hdc, bpdc, hdc in next 2 (2, 3, 3) sts.
Row 6: Ch 1, turn, hdc in next 2 (2, 3, 3) sts, fpdc, hdc, fpdc, hdc in next 5 sts, fpdc, hdc, fpdc, hdc in next 5 sts, fpdc, hdc, fpdc, hdc in next 1 (2, 2, 3) sts.
Row 7: Ch 1, turn, hdc in next 1 (2, 2, 3) sts, bpdc, hdc, bpdc, hdc in next 6 sts, bpdc2tog over next 2 post sts, hdc in next 6 sts, bpdc, hdc, bpdc, hdc in next 2 (2, 3, 3) sts.
Row 8: Ch 1, turn, hdc in next 2 (2, 3, 3) sts, fpdc, hdc, fpdc, hdc in next 5 sts, (dc, hdc, dc) in bpdc2tog, hdc in next 5 sts, fpdc, hdc, fpdc, hdc in next 1 (2, 2, 3) sts.
Repeat Rows 3-8 until piece measures 9.5” (10”, 10.5”, 11”) ending with wrong side row.
ARMHOLE SHAPING:
Row 1: Ch 1, sl st first 3 sts, work in established pattern for 19 (20, 21, 22) sts.
Row 2: Ch 1, turn, work row in established pattern to last 2 sts, dec over last 2 sts. (18 (19, 20, 21) sts)
Row 3: Ch 1, turn, dec over first 2 sts, work in established pattern. (17 (18, 19, 20) sts)
Row 4: Ch 1, turn, work row in established pattern to last 2 sts, dec over last 2 sts. (16 (17, 18, 19) sts)
Row 5: Ch 1, turn, dec over first 2 sts, work in established pattern. (15 (16, 17, 18) sts)
Begin neckline shaping:
Row 6: Ch 1, turn, dec, work in pattern to last 2 sts. (14 (15, 16, 17) sts)
Row 7: Ch 1, turn, work in pattern to last 2 sts, dec. (13 (14, 15, 16) sts)
Row 8: Ch 1, turn, dec, work in pattern to last 2 sts. (12 (13, 14, 15) sts)
Row 9: Ch 1, turn, work in pattern to last 2 sts, dec. (11 (12, 13, 14) sts)
Row 10: Ch 1, turn, dec, work in pattern. (10 (11, 12, 13) sts)
Row 11: Ch 1, turn, work in pattern to last 2 sts, dec. (9 (10, 11, 12) sts)
Sizes 3, 4, 5 only
Row 12: Ch 1, turn, dec, work in pattern. (x (9, 10, 11) sts)
Sizes 4 & 5 only
Row 13: Ch 1, turn, work in pattern to last 2 sts, dec. (x (x, 9, 10 sts)
Size 5 only
Row 14: Ch 1, turn, dec, work in pattern. (x (x, x, 9 sts)
Shoulder shaping if ended at armhole edge:
Ch 1, turn, sl st in first 3 sts, work in pattern across row. (6 sts)
Next row: Ch 1, turn, 3 hdc, sl st in 4th st, leave remaining sts unworked. (3 hdc)
Shoulder shaping if ended at neck edge:
Ch 1, turn, work in pattern across 6 sts. Leave remaining sts unworked.
Next row: Ch 1, turn, sl st in first 3 sts, hdc in next 3 sts. (3 hdc)
BACK:
Row 1: Ch 48 (50, 52, 54), hdc in 2nd ch from hook and each ch across. (47 (49, 51, 53) hdc)
Row 2: Ch 1, turn, hdc in next 2 (3, 4, 5) sts, fpdc, hdc, fpdc, *hdc in next 5 sts, sk next st, fpdc in previous row, (hdc in and fpdc around) next st in previous row, hdc in next 5 sts*, [fpdc, hdc] 5 times, fpdc, repeat * to * once, fpdc, hdc, fpdc, hdc in next 2 (3, 4, 5) sts.
Row 3: Ch 1, turn, hdc in next 2 (3, 4, 5) sts, bpdc, hdc, bpdc, *hdc in next 4 sts, bpdc, hdc in next 3 sts, bpdc, hdc in next 4 sts *, [bpdc, hdc] 5 times, bpdc, bpdc, hdc, bpdc, hdc in next 2 (3, 4, 5) sts.
Row 4: Ch 1, turn, hdc in next 2 (3, 4, 5) sts, fpdc, hdc, fpdc, *hdc in next 3 sts, fpdc, hdc in next 2 sts, hdc popcorn, hdc in next 2 sts, fpdc, hdc in next 3 sts *, [fpdc, hdc] 5 times, fpdc, rep from * to *, fpdc, hdc, fpdc, hdc in next 2 (3, 4, 5) sts.
Row 5: Ch 1, turn, hdc in next 2 (3, 4, 5) sts, bpdc, hdc, bpdc, *hdc in next 4 sts, bpdc, hdc in next 3 sts, bpdc, hdc in next 4 sts *, [bpdc, hdc] 5 times, bp dc, rep from * to *, bpdc, hdc, bpdc, hdc in next 2 (3, 4, 5) sts.
Row 6: Ch 1, turn, hdc in next 2 (3, 4, 5) sts, fpdc, hdc, fpdc, *hdc in next 5 sts, fpdc, hdc, fpdc, hdc in next 5 sts *, [fpdc, hdc] 5 times, fpdc, rep from * to *, fpdc, hdc, fpdc, hdc in next 2 (3, 4, 5) sts.
Row 7: Ch 1, turn, hdc in next 2 (3, 4, 5) sts, bpdc, hdc, bpdc, hdc in next 6 sts, bpdc2tog, hdc in next 6 sts, [bpdc, hdc] 5 times, bpdc, hdc in next 6 sts, bpdc2tog, hdc in next 6 sts, bpdc, hdc, bpdc, hdc in next 2 (3, 4, 5) sts.
Row 8: Ch 1, turn, hdc in next 2 (3, 4, 5) sts, fpdc, hdc, fpdc, *hdc in next 5 sts, (dc, hdc, dc) in center of bpdc2tog, hdc in next 5 sts*, [fpdc, hdc] 5 times, fpdc, repeat from * to *, fpdc, hdc, fpdc, hdc in next 2 (3, 4, 5) sts.
Repeat Rows 3-8 until piece measures 9.5” (10”, 10.5”, 11”) ending with wrong side row.
ARMHOLE SHAPING:
Row 1: Ch 1, turn, sl st in first 3 sts, work in pattern to last 3 sts. Leave last 3 sts unworked. (41 (43, 45, 47) sts)
Row 2: Ch 1, turn, dec over first 2 sts, work in pattern across row, dec over last 2 sts. (39 (41, 43, 45) sts)
Rows 3-5: Repeat Row 2. (33 (35, 37, 39) sts)
Rows 6-11 (12, 13, 14): Work even in pattern.
SHOULDER SHAPING:
Next row: St st in first 3 sts, work in pattern across row, leave last 3 sts unworked.
Repeat last row. Fasten off.
SLEEVES (Make 2)
NOTE: St counts will change as sleeves increases, then decreases. Diamond pattern is always worked on center 7 sts.
Row 1: With MC yarn, ch 22 (24, 26, 28). Sc in 2nd ch from hook and each ch across. (21 (23, 25, 27) hdc)
Row 2: Ch 1, turn, hdc in next 9 (10, 11, 12) sts, sk next st, fpdc in previous row, (hdc in and fpdc around) next st in previous row, hdc in next 9 (10, 11, 12) sts.
Row 3: Ch 1, turn, hdc in next 8 (9, 10, 11) sts, bpdc, hdc in next 3 sts, bpdc, hdc in next 8 (9, 10, 11) sts.
Row 4: Ch 1, turn, hdc in next 7 (8, 9, 10) sts, fpdc, hdc in next 2 sts, hdc popcorn, hdc in next 2 sts, fpdc, hdc in next 7 (8, 9, 10) sts.
Row 5: Ch 1, turn, hdc in next 8 (9, 10, 11) sts, bpdc, hdc in next 3 sts, bpdc, hdc in next 8 (9, 10, 11) sts.
Row 6: Ch 1, turn, hdc in next 9 (10, 11, 12) sts, fpdc, hdc in next 5 sts, fpdc, hdc in next 9 (10, 11, 12) sts.
Row 7: Ch 1, turn, hdc in next 9 (10, 11, 12) sts, bpdc2tog, hdc in next 10 (11, 12, 13) sts.
Row 8: Ch 1, turn, 2 hdc in first st, hdc in next 8 (9, 10, 11) sts, (dc, hdc, dc) in center of bpdc2tog in previous row, hdc in next 8 (9, 10, 11) sts, 2 hdc in last st. (23 (25, 27, 29) sts)
Continuing in established diamond pattern, repeat Rows 3-8 with inc at each repeat of Row 8 until sleeve measures 10” (11”, 12”, 13”).
Next row: Sl st in first 3 sts, ch 1, continue in established diamond pattern, do not work last 3 sts.
Next row: Continuing in established diamond pattern, dec over first 2 sts, hdc across, dec over last 2 sts.
Next row: Continue in established diamond pattern.
Repeat last 2 rows until sleeve measures 13” (14”, 15”, 16”). Fasten off.
Place front and back right sides tog and sew shoulder seams. Pin sleeves in place with center top of sleeve matching shoulder seam. With right sides tog, sew sleeves in place.
Fold sweater right sides tog matching seams, sew underarm seams.
SLEEVE EDGING:
Attach yarn to sleeve edge at Row 1 of sleeve with right side facing. Ch 1, sc in each st around. Join with sl st. Fasten off yarn. Repeat on other sleeve.
SWEATER EDGING:
Row 1: Attach yarn at Row 1 of left front. Using unused lps of Row 1, ch 1, sc in each lp across bottom of sweater with 2 sc in last lp. Turn to work up right front with sc evenly spaced (approximately 3 sc for each 2 vertical hdc). Mark first sc. Lay on flat surface to ensure edging remains flat. Adjust sts as needed.
Continue in sc around collar, along neckline shaping, in each sc of last row of back. Count to make sure left and right sides have same number of sts. Sl st in first st of edging on bottom right.
Row 2: Ch 1, turn, sk sl st, sc in BLO of each st around to marker at bottom of right front. Remove marker.
Mark left side for buttonholes – 1 at bottom, 1 at top, and 3 more evenly spaced along left front.
Row 3: Ch 1, turn, sc in BLO of each st. At each marker, ch 2, sk 2 sc to create buttonhole.
Row 4: Ch 1, turn, sc in BLO of each sc with sc in back lps of each ch (not in ch-2 sp).
Row 5: Ch 1, turn, sc in BLO of each st.
Weave in all ends.
Sew buttons on right front corresponding to buttonholes on left front.