Dusty Rose Garden Bobble Sweater Free Crochet Pattern

This is the sweater for the dusty rose skein you have been saving for exactly the right project. We build it seamlessly from the top down, starting with a soft ribbed collar, growing a smooth round yoke, and then splitting for the body and the prettiest lantern sleeves covered in sculpted bobbles. The whole garden across the shoulders, roses, little five-petal flowers, and leaves, is crocheted separately and sewn on at the end, so you can arrange it exactly how you love it.

The body itself is wonderfully simple single crochet in the round, which makes this a relaxing make between the fun parts. The sleeves do the showing off: plain rounds, then bobble rounds that gather down into a snug ribbed cuff. It is an intermediate project and it does take time, around 26 to 36 hours, but every section is fully counted and I will walk you through each one.

It is written for adult size M/L with a 40 inch bust and a comfortable 4 to 6 inches of positive ease. Grab your markers, make your gauge swatch first, and let us grow a garden.

Materials

• 1,120 yards worsted/aran weight yarn in dusty rose (main colour)
• 85 yards worsted/aran weight yarn in lavender
• 80 yards worsted/aran weight yarn in berry
• 70 yards worsted/aran weight yarn in white
• 90 yards worsted/aran weight yarn in sage green
• 12 yards worsted/aran weight yarn in golden yellow
• US H-8 (5 mm) crochet hook for the main fabric
• US G-6 (4 mm) crochet hook for ribbing and appliques
• Stitch markers
• Tapestry needle
• Scissors
• Blocking mats and rustproof pins
• Removable markers for motif placement (optional)

Abbreviations

• ch: chain
• sl st: slip stitch
• sc: single crochet
• hdc: half double crochet
• dc: double crochet
• tr: treble crochet
• sc2tog: single crochet two together
• BLO: back loop only
• st/sts: stitch / stitches
• rnd: round
• RS: right side
• WS: wrong side

Special Stitches

• Slip stitch BLO rib: chain the ribbing height, then slip stitch in the back loop only of each stitch across. Ch 1 and turn. Keep your loops relaxed so the band stretches properly.
• 5-dc bobble: yarn over, insert hook in the indicated stitch, pull up a loop, yarn over and pull through 2 loops. Repeat 4 more times in the same stitch until 6 loops are on your hook. Yarn over and pull through all 6 loops. Ch 1 to close. The closing chain does not count as a stitch.

Gauge & Size

• Main fabric gauge: 14 sc and 16 rounds = 4 inches (10 cm) after blocking, with the 5 mm hook
• Ribbing gauge: 18 slip stitches worked in BLO and 18 rows = 4 inches (10 cm)
• Finished size: adult M/L
• Bust: 40 inches (101.5 cm)
• Body length: 18 inches (45.5 cm) from shoulder
• Upper arm: 15 inches (38 cm)
• Sleeve length: 18.5 inches (47 cm) from underarm
• Intended ease: 4 to 6 inches (10 to 15 cm) of positive ease
• Construction: separate ribbed collar, stitches picked up around the collar edge, seamless round yoke, split for body and sleeves, appliques sewn on last
• Skill level: Intermediate

Ribbed Collar

With the 4 mm hook and the main colour, ch 9.

Row 1: Sl st in 2nd ch from hook and in each ch across. (8 sl sts)

Rows 2 to 72: Ch 1, turn, sl st in BLO of each st across. (8 sl sts)

Join the short ends with slip stitches to form a ring. Rotate the ring to work along the long edge.

Round 1: Ch 1, pick up and sc 72 stitches evenly around the collar edge. Join. (72 sc)

Round Yoke

Change to the 5 mm hook. The ch 1 at the start of each round does not count as a stitch. Join each round with a sl st to the first sc.

Round 2: Ch 1, 2 sc in next st, sc in next 5 sts, repeat around. Join. (84 sc)

Round 3: Ch 1, sc in each st around. Join. (84 sc)

Round 4: Ch 1, 2 sc in next st, sc in next 6 sts, repeat around. Join. (96 sc)

Round 5: Ch 1, sc in each st around. Join. (96 sc)

Round 6: Ch 1, 2 sc in next st, sc in next 7 sts, repeat around. Join. (108 sc)

Round 7: Ch 1, sc in each st around. Join. (108 sc)

Round 8: Ch 1, 2 sc in next st, sc in next 8 sts, repeat around. Join. (120 sc)

Round 9: Ch 1, sc in each st around. Join. (120 sc)

Round 10: Ch 1, 2 sc in next st, sc in next 9 sts, repeat around. Join. (132 sc)

Round 11: Ch 1, sc in each st around. Join. (132 sc)

Round 12: Ch 1, 2 sc in next st, sc in next 10 sts, repeat around. Join. (144 sc)

Round 13: Ch 1, sc in each st around. Join. (144 sc)

Round 14: Ch 1, 2 sc in next st, sc in next 11 sts, repeat around. Join. (156 sc)

Round 15: Ch 1, sc in each st around. Join. (156 sc)

Round 16: Ch 1, 2 sc in next st, sc in next 12 sts, repeat around. Join. (168 sc)

Round 17: Ch 1, sc in each st around. Join. (168 sc)

Round 18: Ch 1, sc in each st around. Join. (168 sc)

Round 19: Ch 1, sc in each st around. Join. (168 sc)

Round 20: Ch 1, 2 sc in next st, sc in next 13 sts, repeat around. Join. (180 sc)

Round 21: Ch 1, sc in each st around. Join. (180 sc)

Round 22: Ch 1, sc in each st around. Join. (180 sc)

Round 23: Ch 1, sc in each st around. Join. (180 sc)

Round 24: Ch 1, sc in each st around. Join. (180 sc)

Checkpoint: your yoke should measure about 8.5 inches (21.5 cm) from the top collar edge and about 51.5 inches (131 cm) around the lower edge before the split.

Body

Split round: Ch 1, sc 54 for the back, skip 36 sleeve stitches, ch 16 for the underarm, sc 54 for the front, skip 36 sleeve stitches, ch 16 for the underarm. Join. (140 sts)

Body Round 1: Ch 1, sc in each sc and each underarm chain around. Join. (140 sc)

Body Round 2: Ch 1, sc in each sc and each underarm chain around. Join. (140 sc)

Body Round 3: Ch 1, sc in each sc and each underarm chain around. Join. (140 sc)

Body Round 4: Ch 1, sc in each sc and each underarm chain around. Join. (140 sc)

Body Round 5: Ch 1, sc in each sc and each underarm chain around. Join. (140 sc)

Body Round 6: Ch 1, sc in each sc and each underarm chain around. Join. (140 sc)

Body Round 7: Ch 1, sc in each sc and each underarm chain around. Join. (140 sc)

Body Round 8: Ch 1, sc in each sc and each underarm chain around. Join. (140 sc)

Body Round 9: Ch 1, sc in each sc and each underarm chain around. Join. (140 sc)

Body Round 10: Ch 1, sc in each sc and each underarm chain around. Join. (140 sc)

Body Round 11: Ch 1, sc in each sc and each underarm chain around. Join. (140 sc)

Body Round 12: Ch 1, sc in each sc and each underarm chain around. Join. (140 sc)

Body Round 13: Ch 1, sc in each sc and each underarm chain around. Join. (140 sc)

Body Round 14: Ch 1, sc in each sc and each underarm chain around. Join. (140 sc)

Body Round 15: Ch 1, sc in each sc and each underarm chain around. Join. (140 sc)

Body Round 16: Ch 1, sc in each sc and each underarm chain around. Join. (140 sc)

Body Round 17: Ch 1, sc in each sc and each underarm chain around. Join. (140 sc)

Body Round 18: Ch 1, sc in each sc and each underarm chain around. Join. (140 sc)

Body Round 19: Ch 1, sc in each sc and each underarm chain around. Join. (140 sc)

Body Round 20: Ch 1, sc in each sc and each underarm chain around. Join. (140 sc)

Body Round 21: Ch 1, sc in each sc and each underarm chain around. Join. (140 sc)

Body Round 22: Ch 1, sc in each sc and each underarm chain around. Join. (140 sc)

Body Round 23: Ch 1, sc in each sc and each underarm chain around. Join. (140 sc)

Body Round 24: Ch 1, sc in each sc and each underarm chain around. Join. (140 sc)

Body Round 25: Ch 1, sc in each sc and each underarm chain around. Join. (140 sc)

Body Round 26: Ch 1, sc in each sc and each underarm chain around. Join. (140 sc)

Body Round 27: Ch 1, sc in each sc and each underarm chain around. Join. (140 sc)

Body Round 28: Ch 1, sc in each sc and each underarm chain around. Join. (140 sc)

Body Round 29: Ch 1, sc in each sc and each underarm chain around. Join. (140 sc)

Body Round 30: Ch 1, sc in each sc and each underarm chain around. Join. (140 sc)

Body Round 31: Ch 1, sc in each sc and each underarm chain around. Join. (140 sc)

Body Round 32: Ch 1, sc in each sc and each underarm chain around. Join. (140 sc)

Body Round 33: Ch 1, sc in each sc and each underarm chain around. Join. (140 sc)

Body Round 34: Ch 1, sc in each sc and each underarm chain around. Join. (140 sc)

Body Round 35: Ch 1, sc in each sc and each underarm chain around. Join. (140 sc)

Body Round 36: Ch 1, sc in each sc and each underarm chain around. Join. (140 sc)

Hem rib: Ch 8 from the body edge. Work attached slip stitch BLO rib, 7 slip stitches per row, joining one body stitch every 2 rows, all the way around the hem.

Checkpoint: the body circumference is about 40 inches (101.5 cm), and the body from underarm to the top of the hem is about 9 inches (23 cm) before ribbing.

Sleeves

Make 2 sleeves. Join yarn at the center underarm and work with the 5 mm hook in joined rounds. The ch 1 does not count as a stitch.

Round 1: Ch 1, sc in the 16 underarm chains and the 36 held sleeve stitches. Join. (52 sc)

Round 2: Ch 1, sc in each st around. Join. (52 sc)

Round 3: Ch 1, sc in each st around. Join. (52 sc)

Round 4: Ch 1, sc in each st around. Join. (52 sc)

Round 5: Ch 1, sc in each st around. Join. (52 sc)

Round 6: Ch 1, sc in each st around. Join. (52 sc)

Round 7: Ch 1, sc in each st around. Join. (52 sc)

Round 8: Ch 1, sc in each st around. Join. (52 sc)

Round 9: Ch 1, sc in each st around. Join. (52 sc)

Round 10: Ch 1, sc in each st around. Join. (52 sc)

Round 11: Ch 1, sc in each st around. Join. (52 sc)

Round 12: Ch 1, sc in each st around. Join. (52 sc)

Round 13: Ch 1, (sc2tog, sc in next 11 sts) repeat around. Join. (48 sc)

Round 14: Ch 1, sc in each st around. Join. (48 sc)

Round 15: Ch 1, sc in each st around. Join. (48 sc)

Round 16: Ch 1, sc in each st around. Join. (48 sc)

Round 17: Ch 1, sc in each st around. Join. (48 sc)

Round 18: Ch 1, sc in each st around. Join. (48 sc)

Round 19: Ch 1, sc in each st around. Join. (48 sc)

Round 20: Ch 1, sc in each st around. Join. (48 sc)

Round 21: Ch 1, (bobble in next st, sc in next 5 sts) repeat around. Join. (48 sts, 8 bobbles)

Round 22: Ch 1, sc in each st around, pushing the bobbles to the right side. Join. (48 sc)

Round 23: Ch 1, (sc in next 3 sts, bobble, sc in next 2 sts) repeat around. Join. (48 sts, 8 bobbles)

Round 24: Ch 1, sc in each st around. Join. (48 sc)

Round 25: Repeat Round 21. (48 sts, 8 bobbles)

Round 26: Ch 1, (sc2tog, sc in next 4 sts) repeat around. Join. (40 sc)

Round 27: Ch 1, (sc2tog, sc in next 3 sts) repeat around. Join. (32 sc)

Cuff rib: With the 4 mm hook, ch 10. Work attached slip stitch BLO rib around the cuff for the 32 cuff stitches, 9 slip stitches per rib row.

Floral Appliques

Large rose (make 4): Ch 31.

Row 1: Sc in 2nd ch from hook and in each ch across. (30 sc)

Row 2: (Sc, hdc, 3 dc, hdc, sc) worked across the next 5 stitches, repeat across. (6 petal groups)

Roll the strip into a rose shape and sew through the base to secure it.

Five-petal flower (make 10 total: 6 in berry and lavender, 4 in white): Make a magic ring. (Ch 2, 3 dc, ch 2, sl st into the ring) 5 times. Tighten the ring and fasten off.

Leaf (make 24, in sage green): Ch 8. Sc in 2nd ch from hook, hdc, dc, dc, hdc, sc, sl st. Work down the opposite side of the chain: sc, hdc, dc, dc, hdc, sc, sl st. Fasten off.

Small yellow centers (make 10, in golden yellow): Work one 5-dc bobble into a magic ring, fasten off, and leave a tail for sewing. Use one at the center of the sewn flower clusters.

Body bobble clusters: Make 18 loose bobbles the same way, one 5-dc bobble into a magic ring with a long tail. Sew them in groups of 3 to form 6 tiny flower clusters across the front and sleeves, keeping the clusters above the bust line and away from the underarm seams.

Finishing & Assembly

Block all the motifs before attaching them. Pin the large roses first: one on each shoulder front and one on each shoulder back. Add the berry and lavender flowers across the front yoke, then the white flowers between the roses, and fill the gaps with leaves, keeping the lowest motif row about 1.5 inches (4 cm) below the collar rib. In total the garden uses 4 large roses, 10 five-petal flowers, 24 leaves, and 10 small yellow centers. Sew with matching yarn through the back loops of the motifs only, so the petals stay dimensional.

Weave in all ends on the wrong side. Close any tiny underarm gaps with mattress stitch before weaving in. Steam lightly from the wrong side or wet block flat, and do not flatten the bobbles or flower petals; shape them with your fingers while damp. If the neckline feels loose after blocking, add one round of slip stitches around the inside collar edge with the 4 mm hook.

Tips

If your yoke ripples, your increases are too loose or your gauge is wide. Switch to a smaller hook for two plain rounds and it will settle down.

If the sleeves feel tight, add 2 to 4 extra underarm chains on each side at the split round. Just remember that those chains also add body stitches.

Push every bobble to the right side before you work the next stitch, or some of them will sink into the fabric and hide.

Sew the flowers only through their centers and leaf bases, then tack the outer petals lightly. The garden stays soft and dimensional instead of looking glued down.