Rainbow Granny Square Sweater – Free Beginner Crochet Pattern

The Rainbow Granny Square Sweater is an easy to make and even easier to wear beginner crochet garment that you will love! 

Simply make 4 granny squares and seam them together with a few details to create a stunning crochet box sweater that you will wear every season. With endless colour possibilities you can make yours unique and it’s perfect for yarn stash busting too! 

It’s also a quick and easy crochet project perfect for Pride!

You can carry on reading to find the free pattern here in this blogpost or purchase an ad-free, printable PDF version of the Rainbow Granny Square Sweater pattern in my pattern store to download and print.

This post may contain affiliate links. Please see my full disclosure and privacy policy for details.

Purchase and Print >>> Find the Rainbow Granny Square Sweater crochet pattern here in my store.

About the Rainbow Granny Square Sweater

If you’re anything like I was then crochet garments might scare you just a little bit?

I mean, it’s so much easier to make a blanket or scarf because it doesn’t really matter if they don’t come out the right size surely?!

Whilst I still love designing predominantly crochet blanket patterns and accessory patterns, I have found a new passion for garments over the last few years and so am really excited to bring this super duper, easy Rainbow Granny Square Sweater to you!

I guarantee that if you can make a granny square then you can crochet this sweater – it literally is 4 granny squares joined together (which also makes it a really fast crochet project too!).

If you’ve not made a granny square before then let me show you how in my tutorial about how to crochet a granny square and keep it completely straight. Once you’ve cracked the technique then pop back here and we can make the sweater together!

If you’d also like to read up and learn more then you might like my post about the history of the granny square which I find fascinating!

Pattern Options

This crochet granny square sweater pattern is a free crochet pattern in both UK and US terms on the blog for everyone to enjoy, just scroll down to find it.

There are a few ways you can access and enjoy this crochet pattern:

Access for free >>> Scroll down to find the pattern in this blogpost.

Join and save>>> Join HanJan Crochet and receive regular discount codes (and more free patterns too!)

Pin for later >>> Pin the crochet pattern to your crochet Pinterest board.

Other Patterns and Tutorials You Might Enjoy

If you enjoy making granny squares here are a couple more patterns and tutorials you would enjoy crocheting!

Yarn

To make this rainbow granny square sweater I used West Yorkshire Spinners ColourLab DK Yarn which is 100% wool 225m/100g.

You will need 1 ball of each for all sizes: Crimson Red, Zesty Orange, Citrus Yellow, Pear Green, Thistle Purple, Harbour Blue

Natural Cream amount vary for each size and you will need XS/S = 2 balls, M/L = 2 balls, XL = 3 balls, 2X/3X = 3 balls.

I only used around 45g of each of the colour balls so if you are raiding your yarn stash for it (which it is perfect for!) then you’ll need around 400-500g of double knit yarn depending on the size you are making and the brand of yarn you choose.

I often get asked about ideas for alternative yarns for projects and here are some that I think would work really well for this sweater in various price ranges:

£££: Capra DK yarn by WeCrochet is 85% fine merino, 15% cashmere, 123yds/50g and perfect for a luxurious garment to treat yourself to.

££: Cotton Bamboo Yarn by Lion Brand is 52% cotton, 48% Rayon from bamboo, 224m/100g and would make a beautiful, soft cotton sweater for Summer.

£: Studio DK Yarn by Deramores is 100% acrylic, 250m/100g for an affordable but lovely yarn that comes in so many lovely colours.

Tension and Sizing

Size Label	To fit bust (inches/cm)	Garment bust (inches/cm)	Sleeve length (inches/cm)	Back Length (inches/cm)	Cream Yarn required (no. of balls)
XS/S	32-34/81-86	41/104	13.75/35	22.75/58	2
M/L	36-38/91-97	44.75/114	14.25/36.5	24.75/63	2
XL	40-42/102-107	48.5/123.5	15.25/39	26.25/67	3
2X/3X	44-46/112-117	52.5/133.5	15.75/40	28.25/72	3

4 rounds measures 10X10cm over granny square pattern using a 4.5 mm hook or size needed to obtain correct tension.

Materials

Along with your yarn, you will need the following:

• 4.5mm (US G+) Crochet Hook
• Scissors
• Tapestry Needle
• Stitch Markers

Glossary and Abbreviations

ch(s) – chain(s)

ss – slip stitch

RS – right side

WS – wrong side

tog – together

sk – skip

rep – repeat

fl – front loop

bl – back loop

Crochet Stitches

UK Crochet Terminology	US Crochet Terminology
dc – double crochet	sc – single crochet
tr – treble crochet	dc – double crochet

Pattern Notes

If you are new to making wearables (or even if you’re not!) then I’d love you to read about how to make your perfect crochet wardrobe as planning and preparation is key and there are loads of tips and tricks that will save you time (and frogging!) here.

The jumper is made up of 4 squares. 1 each for the Front, Back and Sleeves.

Use the Granny Square pattern provided below when working the Front, Back and Sleeves.

Turn after each round to alternate RS and WS facing rows, this prevents the squares from twisting and will help keep stitches aligned for joining.

The Hem is added afterwards and is worked separately on Front and Back Panels, with a longer Back Hem.

Basic Granny Square Pattern

The jumper uses the following granny square pattern as the basis for the Front, Back and Sleeves.

See following instructions for details on colour sequencing, extensions and seaming.

UK Crochet Terminology

Make a magic loop.

Round 1 (RS): Ch5 (counts as tr and ch2 throughout), (3tr, ch2) 3 times into loop, 2tr, ss to third ch of beg ch-5 to join, ss into ch-2 sp. [4 3-tr groups]

Round 2: Ch5, (3tr, ch1) into same sp, (3tr, ch2, 3tr, ch1) into next 3 ch-2 sps, 2tr into same sp as beg ch-5, ss to third ch of beg ch-5, ss into ch-2 sp. [8 3-tr groups]

Round 3: Ch5, (3tr, ch1) into same sp, *(3tr, ch1) into ch-1 sp, (3tr, ch2, 3tr, ch1) into ch-2 corner sp; rep from * twice more, (3tr, ch1) into next ch-1 sp, 2tr into same sp as beg ch-5, ss to third ch of beg ch-5, ss into ch-2 sp. [12 3-tr groups]

Round 4: Ch5, (3tr, ch1) into same sp, *(3tr, ch1) into each ch-1 sp to next corner, (3tr, ch2, 3tr, ch1) in ch-2 corner sp; rep from * around, 2tr into same sp as beg ch-5, ss to third ch of beg ch-5, ss into ch-2 sp. [16 3-tr groups]

Repeat Round 4 as many times as indicated in pattern.

Fasten off.

US Crochet Terminology

Make a magic loop.

Round 1 (RS): Ch5 (counts as dc and ch2 throughout), (3dc, ch2) 3 times into loop, 2dc, ss to third ch of beg ch-5 to join, ss into ch-2 sp. [4 3-dc groups]

Round 2: Ch5, (3dc, ch1) into same sp, (3dc, ch2, 3dc, ch1) into next 3 ch-2 sps, 2dc into same sp as beg ch-5, ss to third ch of beg ch-5, ss into ch-2 sp. [8 3-dc groups]

Round 3: Ch5, (3dc, ch1) into same sp, *(3dc, ch1) into ch-1 sp, (3dc, ch2, 3dc, ch1) into ch-2 corner sp; rep from * twice more, (3dc, ch1) into next ch-1 sp, 2dc into same sp as beg ch-5, ss to third ch of beg ch-5, ss into ch-2 sp. [12 3-dc groups]

Round 4: Ch5, (3dc, ch1) into same sp, *(3dc, ch1) into each ch-1 sp to next corner, (3dc, ch2, 3dc, ch1) in ch-2 corner sp; rep from * around, 2dc into same sp as beg ch-5, ss to third ch of beg ch-5, ss into ch-2 sp. [16 3-dc groups]

Repeat Round 4 as many times as indicated in pattern.

Fasten off.

Rainbow Granny Square Sweater Crochet Pattern

UK Terminology/US terminology in italics

FRONT

Work 21 (23, 25, 27) rounds using the Granny Square pattern and the following colour sequence:

*Natural Cream, Crimson Red, Zesty Orange, Natural Cream Citrus Yellow, Pear Green, Natural Cream, Thistle Purple, Harbour Blue; rep from * until all rounds have been worked.

Fasten off.

BACK PANEL

Work 21 (23, 25, 27) rounds using the Granny Square pattern and the following colour sequence:

*Natural Cream, Harbour Blue, Thistle Purple, Natural Cream, Pear Green, Citrus Yellow, Natural Cream, Zesty Orange, Crimson Red; rep from * until all rounds have been worked.

Fasten off.

With RS facing, join Natural Cream into any stitch.

Next round Ch1, dc/sc in each st and ch around, ss in beg st to join

Fasten off

Repeat Natural Cream border on front Panel

SLEEVES (MAKE 2)

Sizes XS/S and M/L only.

Work 13 rounds using the Granny Square pattern and the following colour sequence:

Crimson Red, Zesty Orange, Citrus Yellow, Pear Green, Thistle Purple, Harbour Blue, Natural Cream, Crimson Red, Zesty Orange, Citrus Yellow, Pear Green, Thistle Purple, Harbour Blue,

Sizes XL and 2X/3X only.

Work 14 rounds using the Granny Square pattern and the following colour sequence:

Natural Cream, Crimson Red, Zesty Orange, Citrus Yellow, Pear Green, Thistle Purple, Harbour Blue, Natural Cream, Crimson Red, Zesty Orange, Citrus Yellow, Pear Green, Thistle Purple, Harbour Blue.

All sizes

Join Natural Cream into any st.

Next round Ch1 (does not count as a st throughout), *dc/sc in each st and ch-1 to ch-2 corner, dc/sc in next ch, ch1, dc/sc in next ch: rep from * around, ss to beg ch. [212 (212, 228, 228) sts}

Work a further 0 (1, 1, 2) rounds of dc/sc in bl only working (dc/sc, ch1, dc/sc) in each ch-1 corner sp. [212 (220, 236, 254) sts]

TO MAKE UP

You can can seam your motifs however you would like but I have 3 favourite ways of joining crochet squares together that you might enjoy learning.

Place Front and Back Panel together with WS facing out. Ss the shoulders together working through the fl on the upper Panel and the bl on the lower Panel, leaving 37 sts across the centre unworked for the neckline.

Fold sleeve in half and pin fold-line to the shoulder seam. Join the Sleeves to the Front and Back Panels as you did for the shoulder seems.

Seam the underarm seam of the Sleeves and side seams of the Panels in the same way, beginning at the Sleeve and making sure all the sts line up.

HEM

The 3-tr/dc group of the Hem are worked into the ch-1 sps on the final round of the granny square and NOT the edging.

With RS facing, join Natural Cream to bottom corner of Front Panel.

Row 1 (RS) Ch2, tr/dc on st at base of ch-2, (3tr/dc, ch1) in each ch-1 sp across, tr/dc in final st, turn.

Repeat Row 2 another 1 (1, 0, 0) times.

Fasten off.

CUFFS

With RS facing, join Natural Cream to bl of stitch at Sleeve seam.

Round 1 (RS) Ch1, dc/sc in bl of each st around, ss to beg st to join.

Round 2 (RS) As Round 1.

Fasten off and weave in all ends.

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