Draw the Line Crochet Sweater Pattern

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

The Draw the Line Sweater is a crochet sweater pattern for women featuring a modern slip stitch surface crochet cable.  The crochet pullover pattern includes step-by-step video, photo, and written tutorials for this colorful crochet technique.  Find out more about the pattern on Crochet with Mary Beth.
Pictured yarn sponsored by Lion Brand Yarns.

Expand your crochet skills

Have you tried slip stitch surface crochet yet? I had been admiring it from afar for a long time. I love how it adds a pop of color and that cool slip stitch texture to any plain crochet project.

Before designing this crochet sweater pattern, I tried surface crochet once before. But it was a disaster. I couldn’t figure out where to put my hook and where my stitches were supposed go. It did NOT end up looking like the photo of the FO in the pattern.

So, when I was introduced to this NEW method of creating slip stitch surface crochet by Robyn Chachula I knew I had to design a sweater with the technique. It’s soooooo easy and fun.

Up close detail of a cable crochet sweater for women.  The sweater is blue and brown with a pink slip stitch surface crochet cable.

How the Slip Stitch Surface Crochet Works

In this pattern, you will lay down the “tracks” for the slip stitches first. Then you will work your surface crochet into the spaces you’ve already created.

Let me elaborate, the main stitch for the sweater is single crochet. As you stitch the garment the instructions will lead you through where to work a chain 1, skip 1 among your single crochet. Each skipped single crochet leaves a little space. As you work through the rows these spaces will line up like a track.

When you are finished crocheting the panel you simple slip stitch along the track in each chain-1 space. There is no guess work as to were your stitches will go. Just lay them down in the spaces easy peasy, mac and cheesy, as my 7 year old would say.

It’s kind of hard to explain, so that’s why the pattern includes both a step-by-step video tutorial, photo tutorial, and written tutorial. Whichever way you like to learn, I have you covered.

Close-up of slip stitch surface crochet on a crochet sweater pattern for women.
Photo credit PrettyYarnCute

A Quick Make

This crochet sweater pattern yields a nice thick long sweater. It’s very cold here in Rhode Island in the winter and this sweater keeps me warm.

I know that crochet sweater patterns for adults can be a big time commitment, but this sweater is made with worsted weight yarn. It will work up faster than you expect and won’t end up in your WIP pile alongside that fingering weight sweater from 2 years ago. Or is that just me?! Ha! I’m a DK weight or thicker kinda gal.

The back of a crochet sweater pattern for adults featuring pink slip-stitch surface crochet.

Express Your Creative Side

If you are at all familiar with my crochet sweater patterns then you know I love to mix and match color. Consequently, whenever I design a sweater it’s more than one color.

And as you can see, this sweater is no exception. I hope you have fun picking out colors for this sweater! I’ve done it in 3 colors here but it would also be beautiful in 2 colors or more than 3 colors. This sweater was created by one of testers. I love it in four colors!

A multicolor modern crochet sweater pattern designed by Mary Beth Cryan called the Draw the line crochet sweater.
Photo credit midnightblue_cr

Your unique twist on a cable sweater is both beautiful and intriguing. I loved the little line of color on the sleeve ribbing as well. The details really shine in this design.

– Olivia

Crochet Sweater Pattern PDF Details

You can make this pattern! The slip stitch technique is explained in beginner terms and the crochet is rated intermediate. The required skills include: single crochet, chain, increase, decrease, slip stitch, front post crochet (instructions in pattern), and color change.

Your pattern purchase includes an easy to read 24 page pdf. Five of which are instructional photos. I’ve placed the photos at the end of the pattern so you don’t have to print them if you don’t want to.

You won’t get stuck anywhere in this pattern. It is clear and easy to follow because, like all of my patterns, it has been tested and professionally tech edited.

Included in the pattern is a size schematic, photos, illustrations, details to create sizes XS – 5X, slip stitch tutorial, and stitch charts (it is not necessary to know how to read charts to complete the pattern, the instructions are also written out).

The pattern is written in US terms.

This crochet sweater pattern for women is very clear and if you have a question I am here for you. I have a dedicated pattern support email listed at the end of the pattern. You can email me directly anytime!

Photo credit heathershemmings
Photo credit heathershemmings

What you will need to make this crochet sweater pattern

  • Crochet hook size 7 mm, This hook size does not have a corresponding letter.
  • Tapestry needle
  • Scissors
  • At least 6 Stitch Markers
A woman wearing a crochet sweater pattern featuring a gold slip stitch cable on a blue and green crochet sweater.
Photo credit Daphne!

Don’t have any Basic Stitch at your local store? You can substitute any 5-worsted weight yarn.

Here are three yarns my testers recommend:

  • Lion Brand Yarns Heartland Yarn
  • Caron Simply Soft Yarn
  • Red Heart Super Saver Yarn
A woman wearing the Draw the Line Crochet Sweater Pattern by Mary Beth Cryan.

If you liked this, check out these crochet garments next!

  1. In Stitches Cardigan
  2. Be Spotted Tee
  3. Roses on Repeat Sweater
  4. Stripe Blocked Cardigan
. .