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    February 28, 2020

    Dreamer Sweater - free crochet pattern - Teddy Fleece Jumper

    Learn how to crochet a teddy sweater with a front pocket! The Dreamer Sweater is the fuzzy sweater of your dreams!
    This free crochet sweater pattern is accompanied by a photo tutorial.

    light grey sherpa sweater with blue jeans and black backpack outfit free crochet pattern

    This post may contain affiliate links, view our disclosure policy for details.

    Thank you to Lion Brand Yarn for providing the yarn for this project!
    As always all thoughts and opinions are 100% my own 🙂

    The Dreamer Sweater is the softest thing you'll ever wear! Crocheted using Lion Brand’s Baby Soft Boucle Yarn, this comfy crochet jumper has a stylish ‘sherpa fleece’ texture!

    Modern and on-trend, the Dreamer Sweater is crocheted using half double crochets and then the ribbing is crocheted with back loop half double crochets in Lion Brand’s Feels Like Butta. The fun mix of textures – the boucle fleece contrasting with the smooth silky yarn – gives this sweater such a unique look!

    free crochet pattern dreamer sweater light grey sherpa jumper with green dress and white polka dots

    The best thing about Baby Boucle Soft yarn is that the texture hides all of the stitches so you get a seamless look without having to sew perfect stitches!

    You can also add an optional front pocket to keep your hands warm!

    If you're looking for another fuzzy crochet project, check out the Fluffy Crochet Tee!

    free crochet corp top pattern fluffy

    The bulk of teddy fleece Dreamer Sweater is made up of 5 panels – a back panel, front panel, 2 sleeves and an optional kangaroo front pocket. All of these panels are crocheted in Baby Soft Boucle Yarn to achieve the fuzzy sherpa sweater look.

    The body panels are crocheted from the bottom up so you can easily alter the length of your sweater. I’ve gone for a long cropped length but simply add or remove rows to make your sweater longer or shorter (all alteration instructions are provided in the free pattern below!) The back panel is just a rectangle and we’ll use half double crochet 2 together stitches along the top of the front panel to form the neckline.

    The sleeves worked from the cuff up and only require two rows of shaping! The pocket is worked from the top down and we’ll increase along the edges to form the ‘kangaroo’ pocket shape.

    We’ll then use Feels Like Butta to crochet back loop half double crochet ribbing for the sweater hemline and sleeves. All the crochet pieces are sewn together and then you’re done with your Dreamer Sweater!

    close up of front pocket on sherpa fleece sweater free crochet pattern

    Design Inspiration

    I’ve been seeing teddy sweaters (or Sherpa fleece/shearling sweaters – anyone know the difference?) everywhere lately and I really wanted to make my own but I couldn’t quite find the right yarn. By the time I discovered Baby Soft Boucle I knew exactly what I wanted the jumper to look like!

    I definitely imagined slight balloon sleeves, a front pocket and a cropped length (don’t worry there are instructions to help you extend this sweater to any length you want!) to create sporty vibes but with ultimate fuzziness.

    However, I wasn’t 100% sure on what type of ribbing to use. I kept going back and forth between the sleek stitch definition of Feels Like Butta or the fuzziness of Baby Soft Boucle.

    So, I took to Instagram and asked all of you! Hundreds of votes and dozens of DMs and the vote was tied at 50/50 haha. After revote with extra up-close pictures, the vote settled on 51% for the ribbing using Feels Like Butta!

    It was so fun reading everyone’s point of view and I think the jumper would have looked great either way! I really love how the Feels Like Butta Yarn makes the ribbing stands out and look like an added design feature 🙂

    cosy teddy fleece sweater with green dress and backpack white converse shoes

    p.s. In this photo, I'm wearing the sweater backwards just to give you an idea of what the sweater looks like without the pocket 🙂

    light grey feel like butta yarn cloud baby soft boucle yarn measuring tape on wood background flat lay

    YARN

    Lion Brand’s Baby Soft Boucle is key to getting the teddy fleece look for this jumper. Made from 100% polyester, it’s even softer than the Sherpa fleece jumpers you can find in store! It has a soft, smooth fluffy blanket feel whereas the in-store jumpers are made from a fleece fabric, closer to a chunky polar fleece texture.

    Combined with the silky smoothness of Feels Like Butta, these two yarns work together to create the ultimate cosy jumper. Seriously, everyone will want to hug when you’re wearing this sweater! And the best part is – it’s just as soft on the inside as it is on the outside!

    I used the shade ‘Cloud’ in Baby Soft Boucle and the shade ‘Pale Grey’ in Feels Like Butta. They aren’t an *exact* colour match (a point of much discussion in the Instagram poll haha) but since they are different textures you can barely tell unless you are staring right up close at the stitches.

    Both Baby Soft Boucle and Feels Like Butta have a wide range of pastels with a few neutrals and bright shades that match together or you can use contrasting colours for a playful pop of colour! I think this teddy jumper in the baby pink would just be dreamy!

    easy crochet sweater light soft sherpa fleece with front pocket holding black backpack

    When using Baby Soft Boucle yarn, the texture can make it a bit tricky to see your stitches. I highly recommend ‘feeling’ for your stitches to count them.

    When working into the foundation chain, take your time to make sure you have the right stitch count and after a couple of rows you’ll get the hang of ‘feeling’ for your next stitch.

    In fact, after a while I got so used to ‘feeling’ the stitches I didn’t even need to look as I crocheted and watched Harry Potter at the same time 🙂 My favourite kind of project!

    Check out more free crochet patterns here!

    free crochet patterns green oversized cardigan chunky sweater blue pocket coat

    1. Briar Cardigan / 2. Brooklyn Sweater / 3. Stonewash Coatigan

    PIN ME FOR LATER!

    easy sherpa fleece sweater light grey fuzzy jumper front pocket with blue jeans free crochet pattern
    back view of fuzzy light grey teddy sweater with blue jeans free crochet pattern



    Add the Dreamer Sweater to your Ravelry queue!

    Grab the ad-free, pdf printable version of the Dreamer Sweater!

    *Sample is a size small shown on a 5’3” model with a 32” bust.

    *The sizing guide follows size XS(S, M, L, XL, 2XL, 3XL). E.g. “Ch 71(79, 87, 95, 103, 111, 119) means Ch 71 for XS, Ch 79 for Small, Ch 87 for Medium, Ch 95 for Large, Ch 103 for XL, Ch 111 for 2XL and Ch 119 for 3XL.” If there is only one number, it applies to all sizes.

    *"HDC 10" means HDC into the next 10 stitches.

    *"2HDC" means place 2HDC into the same stitch.

    *The turning chain ch 1 does NOT count as a stitch.

    *Total stitches are indicated between < >.

    *This pattern uses US crochet terms.

    *This pattern is crocheted in 5 panels – Front, back, 2 sleeves and an optional pocket. The body and sleeve ribbing are crocheted separately and sewn on.

    *Length alteration instructions are included in the pattern. Take in account that yardage will decrease/increase if you shorten/lengthen your sweater.

    *When using Baby Soft Boucle yarn, the texture can make it a bit tricky to see your stitches. I highly recommend ‘feeling’ for your stitches to count them.

    *When working into the foundation chain, take your time to make sure you have the right stitch count and after a couple of rows you’ll get the hang of ‘feeling’ for your next stitch.

    LEVEL: Easy

    Materials

    Yarn A: Lion Brand Baby Soft Boucle – Chunky/Bulky (5), 109m/100g 120yd/3.5oz, 100% Polyester, Cloud
    5(6, 6, 7, 8, 8, 9) skeins                        
    approx. 470(515, 565, 655, 710, 800, 865)g

    Yarn B: Lion Brand Feels Like Butta – Aran/Worsted/Medium (4), 119m/100g, 100% Polyester, Ice
    All sizes - 1 skein                                        
    approx. 40(40, 45, 50, 55, 55, 60)g

    6.5mm (US K) Crochet Hook

    5mm (US H) Crochet Hook

    Darning Needle

    Scissors

    1 Stitch Marker

    Measurements cm:
    Bust: 76(86, 96, 106, 117, 127, 137)
    Width: 39(44, 49, 54, 59, 64, 69)
    Length: 45(45, 48, 50, 53, 55, 57)
    Armhole: 15(16, 16, 18, 18, 20, 20)
    Sleeve length: 42(42, 42, 43, 43, 44, 44)

    Measurements inches:
    Bust: 30(34, 38, 42, 46, 50, 54)
    Width: 15(17.5, 19, 21, 23, 25, 27)
    Length: 17.5(17.5, 19, 19.5, 21, 21.5, 22.5)
    Armhole: 6(6.5, 6.5, 7, 7, 8, 8)
    Sleeve length: 16.5(16.5, 16.5, 17, 17, 17.5, 17.5)

    *Measurements taken from the garment lying flat. If using Baby Soft Boucle, the sweater will stretch out slightly in length (approx. 2-5cm/1-2")

    Stitches & Abbreviations

    Ch = Chain

    Sl st = Slip Stitch

    HDC = Half Double Crochet

    HDC2tog = Half Double Crochet 2 Stitches Together

    BLO = Back Loop

    St(s) = Stitch(es)

    Rep = Repeat

    Sk = Skip

    GAUGE: 10cm/4” square = 10 stitches wide x 8.5 rows tall in half double crochet
    *Using Baby Soft Boucle + 6.5mm (K) Hook

    Dreamer Sweater Crochet Pattern

    Back Panel

    Using Yarn A and the 6.5mm (US K) hook,

    FOUNDATION CHAIN: Ch 40(45, 50, 55, 60, 65, 70).

    ROW 1: HDC into 2nd ch from hook, HDC across, turn.
    <39(44, 49, 54, 59, 64, 69)>

    ROW 2: Ch 1, HDC across, turn.
    <39(44, 49, 54, 59, 64, 69)>

    Repeat ROW 2 until ROW 34(34, 36, 38, 40, 42, 44).

    ALTERATION NOTE: You can make your cardigan longer/shorter by adding/removing rows. Please keep in mind that the ribbing adds 5cm/2” to the body length.

    Fasten off.

    Front Panel

    Repeat ‘BACK PANEL’ instructions until ROW 29(29, 31, 33, 35, 37, 39).

    ALTERATION NOTE:  If you altered the length of the back panel, crochet until you are 5 rows short of the total rows in your back panel. E.g. if you crocheted 40 rows for the back panel, crochet 35 rows for the front panel.

    ROW 30(30, 32, 34, 36, 38, 40): Ch 1, HDC 15(17, 19, 21, 23, 26, 28), place st marker in last st, HDC across, turn.
    <39(44, 49, 54, 59, 64, 69)>

    fuzzy boucle crochet sweater attach stitch marker for neckline shaping

    Do not fasten off! Proceed directly to ‘Shoulder Shaping’ instructions.

    Shoulder Shaping

    fuzzy crochet sweater close up on half double crochet 2 stitches together decrease

    ROW 1: Ch 1, HDC 13(15, 17, 19, 21, 24, 26), HDC2tog, turn.
    <14(16, 18, 20, 22, 25, 27)>

    ROW 2: Ch 1, HDC2tog, HDC across, turn.
    <13(15, 17, 19, 21, 24, 26)>

    ROW 3: Ch 1, HDC 11(13, 15, 17, 19, 22, 24), HDC2tog, turn.
    <12(14, 16, 18, 20, 23, 25)>

    ROW 4: Ch 1, HDC across, turn.
    <12(14, 16, 18, 20, 23, 25)>

    Fasten off.

    close up of sherpa crochet sweater inserting hook in stitch with a stitch marker

    Insert hook into the st with a st marker. Secure yarn and pull up a loop.

    ROW 1: Ch 1, HDC2tog, HDC across, turn.
    <14(16, 18, 20, 22, 25, 27)>

    ROW 2: Ch 1, HDC 12(14, 16, 19, 20, 23, 25), HDC2tog, turn.
    <13(15, 17, 19, 21, 24, 26)>

    ROW 3: Ch 1, HDC2tog, HDC across, turn.
    <12(14, 16, 18, 20, 23, 25)>

    ROW 4: Ch 1, HDC across, turn.
    <12(14, 16, 18, 20, 23, 25)>

    Fasten off.

    close up of neckline of fuzzy crochet sweater

    Body Ribbing

    *Make 2

    Using Yarn B and 5mm (US H) hook,

    FOUNDATION CHAIN: Ch 8.

    ROW 1: HDC in 2nd ch from hook, HDC across, turn.
    <7>

    ROW 2: Ch 1, BLO HDC until last st, HDC in last st, turn.

    Repeat ROW 2 until ribbing measures width of body panel approx. 39(44, 49, 54, 59, 64, 69)cm / 15(17.5, 19, 21, 23, 25, 27)”

    Whip stitch the body ribbing to the bottom of the front/back panel.

    sew ribbing to sherpa fleece crochet sweater

    Pocket

    *optional

    Using Yarn A and the 6.5mm (US K) hook,

    FOUNDATION CHAIN: Ch 17(19, 19, 21, 21, 23, 23).

    ROW 1: HDC in 2nd ch from hook, HDC across, turn.
    <16(18, 18, 20, 20, 22, 22)>

    ROWS 2 - 3: Ch 1, HDC across, turn.
    <16(18, 18, 20, 20, 22, 22)>

    ROW 4: Ch 1, 2HDC, HDC until last st, 2HDC in last st, turn.
    <18(20, 20, 22, 22, 24, 24)>

    ROW 5: Ch 1, HDC across, turn.
    <18(20, 20, 22, 22, 24, 24)>

    ROW 6: Ch 1, 2HDC, HDC until last st, 2HDC in last st, turn.
    <20(22, 22, 24, 24, 26, 26)>

    ROW 7: Ch 1, HDC across, turn.
    <20(22, 22, 24, 24, 26, 26)>

    ROW 8: Ch 1, 2HDC, HDC until last st, 2HDC in last st, turn.
    <22(24, 24, 26, 26, 28, 28)>

    ROW 9: Ch 1, HDC across, turn.
    <22(24, 24, 26, 26, 28, 28)>

    ROW 10: Ch 1, 2HDC, HDC until last st, 2HDC in last st, turn.
    <24(26, 26, 28, 28, 30, 30)>

    ROW 11: Ch 1, HDC across, turn.
    <24(26, 26, 28, 28, 30, 30)>

    ROW 12: Ch 1, 2HDC, HDC until last st, 2HDC in last st, turn.
    <26(28, 28, 30, 30, 32, 32)>

    Sizes XS(S, M) Fasten off.

    Sizes (L, XL, 2XL, 3XL) only:

    ROW 13: Ch 1, HDC across, turn.
    <(30, 30, 32, 32)>

    ROW 14: Ch 1, 2HDC, HDC until last st, 2HDC in last st, turn.
    <(32, 32, 34, 34)>

    Fasten off.

    Whip stitch top and bottom of pocket to the front panel.

    Sew fuzzy crochet pocket to the front of fluffy crochet sweater and then sew ribbing to hem of sweater

    Sleeves

    *Make 2

    Using Yarn A and the 6.5mm (US K) hook,

    SIZE XS

    FOUNDATION CHAIN: Ch 17.

    ROW 1: HDC into 2nd ch from hook, *HDC 2, 2HDC; rep from * across, turn.
    <22>

    ROW 2: Ch 1, HDC2, *HDC 2, 2HDC; rep from * across, turn.
    <30>

    ROW 3: Ch 1, HDC across, turn.

    Rep ROW 3 until sleeve measures 42cm/16.5”.

    Fasten off.

    Sizes S/M

    FOUNDATION CHAIN: Ch 19.

    ROW 1: HDC into 2nd ch from hook, HDC, 2HDC, *HDC 2, 2HDC; rep from * across, turn.
    <24>

    ROW 2: Ch 1, *HDC 2, 2HDC; rep from * across, turn.
    <32>

    ROW 3: Ch 1, HDC across, turn.

    Rep ROW 3 until sleeve measures 42cm/16.5”.

    Fasten off.

    Sizes L/XL

    FOUNDATION CHAIN: Ch 21.

    ROW 1: HDC into 2nd ch from hook, 2HDC, *HDC 2, 2HDC; rep from * across, turn.
    <27>

    ROW 2: Ch 1, *HDC 2, 2HDC; rep from * across, turn.
    <35>

    ROW 3: Ch 1, HDC across, turn.

    Rep ROW 3 until sleeve measures 43cm/17”.

    Fasten off.

    Sizes 2XL/3XL

    FOUNDATION CHAIN: Ch 22.

    ROW 1: HDC into 2nd ch from hook, HDC, 2HDC, *HDC 2, 2HDC; rep from * across, turn.
    <28>

    ROW 2: Ch 1, HDC 2, *HDC 2, 2HDC; rep from * across, turn.
    <38>

    ROW 3: Ch 1, HDC across, turn.Rep ROW 3 until sleeve measures 45cm/17.5”.

    Fasten off.

    Sleeve Ribbing

    *All Sizes

    Using Yarn B and 5mm (US H) hook,

    FOUNDATION CHAIN: Ch 8.

    ROW 1: HDC in 2nd ch from hook, HDC across, turn.<7>

    ROW 2: Ch 1, BLO HDC until last st, HDC in last st, turn.

    Repeat ROW 2 until ribbing measures sleeve cuff width approx. 16(18, 18, 20, 20, 21, 21)cm / 6.5(7, 7, 8, 8, 8.5, 8.5)”

    Whip stitch the sleeve ribbing to the sleeve cuff.

    Sew back loop half double crochet sleeve ribbing to sleeve cuff of fuzzy crochet sweater

    Fold sleeve in half lengthways and whip stitch sides together.

    fuzzy sweater sleeve folded in half and sewn along the raw edge

    Assembly

    Lay the front panel on top of the back panel.

    Whip stitch the shoulder seams together.

    Whip stitch up the sides of the body, leaving a 15(16, 16, 18, 18, 20, 20)cm/6(6.5, 6.5, 7, 7, 8, 8)” armhole gap.

    Sew the shoulders and sides of fuzzy crochet sweater together

    Whip stitch top of sleeves to arm holes.

    sew fuzzy crochet sleeves to sweater

    Weave in all of your ends.

    Voilà! You’ve finished your Dreamer Sweater 🙂

    Sharing is caring!

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Mary says

      December 02, 2020 at 7:35 pm

      Hello! Thank you for the pattern. When do you recommend blocking this project? Also, would you recommend killing the acrylic with this pattern? I’m using red heart soft essentials stripes (linen), if that matters.

      Thank you again!!

      Reply
      • Grace says

        December 14, 2020 at 3:09 am

        Hi Mary,
        I didn't block my project because Lion Bran's Baby Soft Bouclé is so fuzzy, blocking doesn't really make a difference! In general, if you're happy with how your sweater looks and feels I don't block. If I want my sweater to be more relaxed and drapey I'll block it.
        I hope this helps,
        Grace

        Reply
    2. Silvia Pereira says

      January 12, 2021 at 5:21 pm

      Hi! Loved this pattern, but I have a little doubt with the sleeve's. I'm knitting the xs size and I have a little question about de first 2 rows, probably I'm reading bad. But when it's HDC 2 i understand that I have to make two HDC and 2HDC Its both on the same stich. It's that ok? because no matter what I do, I never get the same amount of stitches as the pattern.

      Thank you so much!! I love all you patterns

      Reply
      • Grace says

        January 13, 2021 at 1:26 am

        Hi Silvia,
        Yes that's how to read the pattern - it might just be because the yarn is so fuzzy you can't 'see' your stitches properly and you're accidentally adding more or fewer stitches. I'd recommend always 'feeling' for the gaps and you can use your finger to gently pull apart the gaps to make sure you're working in the right stitch.
        I hope this helps,
        Grace 🙂

        Reply
    3. Victoria says

      April 28, 2021 at 7:36 pm

      Hi!
      This is a really great sweater? Just had a question: could it be possible to add a hood and make it almost like a hoodie?

      Victoria

      Reply
    4. EvyHook says

      May 22, 2021 at 6:08 pm

      Hi!
      I am so excited to make this sweater, but when I read the gauge, I wanted to know how I could make 8.5 rows -- How do I make that half a row? Since I'm making the swatch in hdc, should I make the last half a row in sc?
      Thank you!!! ❤

      Reply
      • EvyHook says

        May 22, 2021 at 6:15 pm

        Please disregard my comment, sorry, I misunderstood and I understand now. Thank you.

        Reply

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    Hi, I'm Grace!
    An avid crocheter creating modern and wearable crochet patterns. I share my love for crochet designing here on this blog and on YouTube. Learn more →

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