The Sagittarius Sweater
Work with multiple colors, but just one at a time.
#MyZodiacSweater
Disclaimer: Some links on this page are affiliate links. This means that, if you click through the links and make a purchase, I may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you.
Detailed PDF pattern
♐︎ Step-by-step instructions and tutorial photos
♐︎ Tutorial photos to guide you along the way, video tutorial for the arrows
♐︎ Round tracker to keep track of the sleeve repeats
Difficulty level
♐︎ Intermediate
Size-inclusive
♐︎ Pattern written for 10 sizes with instructions on customization
♐︎ Fits busts from 30″ to 70″
What you'll need
♐︎ The Frosted Stitch Snowdrift Sport yarn or any sport weight yarn you can meet gauge with, in the amounts shown below.
♐︎ Your 3.0 mm (main gauge) and 3.5 mm (secondary) or size needed to obtain gauge. I like to use my Clover Amours.
♐︎ Tape measure, scissors, darning needle, 6 numbered stitch markers, 2 additional stitch markers.
Pattern support
♐︎ For pattern related questions, please join my Facebook support group or contact me at thecrochethighway [at] gmail.com.
Join my Facebook support Group
I proud myself with writing ultra-detailed patterns for you, so that your crocheting experience is as smooth and seamless as possible. But whenever you have a pattern related question, my Facebook support group is the place to ask. There you can also share your WIPs and brag about your FOs with the community!
The Zodiac Collection
The Sagittarius Sweater is the seventh crochet garment pattern published in the Zodiac Crochet Collection – a series of crochet garments and accessories that follow a common theme: colorwork made easy. Use hashtag #MyZodiacSweater when posting your makes on social media!
The designs in this collection use multiple colors for a contrasting effect, but the stitch patterns are carefully selected, so that you only have to work with one color at a time. The inspiration behind this collection is my original colorwork design, the Starry Yoke. Check out the other designs in the #MyZodiacSweater collection:
The design
The Sagittarius Sweater is a classic circular yoked sweater, but with my own twist added to it. The theme of the #MyZodiacSweater collection is “colorwork made easy”, and the Sagittarius is no exception. So, I’ve come up with a technique which I think you’ll find both fun and intriguing.
The thin and crisp arrow motifs are not applied directly onto the fabric using a technique such as surface crochet, rather they are embedded into the fabric as you go.
Each round is worked normally one after the other. The secret is a combination of front loops, back loops, and chains of various lengths.
The Sagittarius is worked from the top down mainly in eSC in FLO, and is designed to be worn with -2″ to +2″ (-5 cm to 5 cm) of ease around the bust.
The pattern provides ample customization opportunity at the waist, hip, and arms, making this sweater a perfect fit for your body and a staple in your fall/winter wardrobe.
The sweater features tapered sleeves and princess seam waist shaping for the perfect fit. The collar, hem, and cuffs are finished off with my signature faux-knit detailing.
The short rows added at the back help raise the back neck and provide a better fitting garment. The stitch pattern is worked entirely on the right side, which typically creates a lot of ends to weave in around the short rows. For the Sagittarius however, you’ll learn a new technique that allows you to work the short rows in such a way that there will be no extra ends to weave in.
Like most CrochetHighway patterns, the Sagittarius Sweater comes with step-by-step instructions and tutorial photos including on how to check for gauge and how to move from section to section in the top-down yoke, as well as a Round tracker to help you keep track of the sleeve repeats.
The pattern calls for sport weight yarn (category 2) in at least 1 main color (MC), and 1 contrast color (CC). My testers used a variety of yarns and colors to show off this design, including some fingering weight yarns. Check out the tester photo gallery below to find all the details on yarns and yardages from my testers!
Quick metrics from my testers:
Difficulty rating: 2.6 / 5
Average completion time: 55 hours
Designer sample
I have a 39″ (99 cm) bust and I’m wearing size 3 with 1″ (2.5 cm) of positive ease. My sample uses The Frosted Stitch Snowdrift Sport yarn in Sumac as MC and Garnish as CC.
The WPI of this yarn is 14. Learn how to measure the WPI of your yarn.
This 100% superwash merino is the absolute perfect yarn for the Sagittarius. Keep reading to learn why! The information I provide below is also helpful when substituting yarn.
The Sagittarius Technique
To keep the “colorwork made easy” theme going, I came up with a fun technique to work these colorful arrows in such a way that you’ll only ever use one color at a time, while the arrow shapes provide a clean and crisp contrast against the background color of the sweater.
To achieve this result, I employed a clever combination of chain spaces, and working in the back and front loop only.
The main stitch pattern of the sweater is worked in the front loop only.
The arrow motifs are continuous rounds of chain spaces and slip stitches. The chain spaces are visible from the right side of your work, and they form the legs of the arrows. In between each arrow motif there are slip stitches visible only from the wrong side of the sweater, hidden away behind the main color.
The perfect yarn
In order for the arrows to stand out crisp and beautiful on the right side of the sweater, and the slip stitches to stay hidden on the wrong side, I needed a high-loft yarn base. A high-loft yarn is a yarn with a high air-to-fiber ratio. In simple terms, there is quite a bit of air (or empty space) in between the fibers in the yarn. This means that if you push on it or tug on it, the yarn becomes considerably thinner, and when you let it go, it snaps back to its original thickness.
This property is perfect for the Sagittarius: as you work with it, the yarn compresses under your hook, getting ever so slightly thinner and allowing you to use a small hook size in order to match the small gauge. Once your stitch is complete, the yarn relaxes, snapping back to its squishy and fluffy self – making the stitches plump and full, thus creating the desired contrast between the MC and CC.
The squishy Snowdrift Sport base from The Frosted Stitch is a perfect candidate to achieve this result. On top of that, it’s a worsted spun yarn with amazing stitch definition, and the colors themselves are nothing short of works of art. The 100% SW merino fiber will keep you warm and toasty this fall!
Work by Lisa (Lisakhoo on Ravelry)
Using The Frosted Stitch Snowdrift Sport in Olive-You & Garlic
Work by Nicole (Nikki875 on Ravelry)
Using The Frosted Stitch Snowdrift Sport in Grapefruit & Witching Hour
Work by Naomi (drnome on Ravelry)
Using The Frosted Stitch Snowdrift Sport in Saffron & Turmeric
Work by Sarah (SunriseStories on Ravelry)
Using The Frosted Stitch Snowdrift Sport in Turmeric & Marinate
Tester highlights
Scroll down for the complete tester lookbook, where you can find photos, yarn & yardage info from all my testers, as well as certain modifications they made to their sweaters for the perfect, customized fit.
Materials and yardage
Hooks: 3.0 mm (main gauge) and 3.5 mm (secondary) or size needed to obtain gauge. I’m a tight crocheter, so you may have to go down in hook sizes. I used my Clover Amour hooks.
Notions: Tape measure, scissors, darning needle, 6 numbered stitch markers, 2 additional stitch markers.
Yarn: You’ll need at least two colors. A main color (MC), and a contrasting color (CC) of The Frosted Stitch Snowdrift Sport or any sport weight yarn you can meet gauge with. The approximate yardages required for all 10 sizes are:
Main color:
(6, 7, 8, 9, 10) (11, 12, 14, 15, 16) hanks of The Frosted Stitch Snowdrift Sport in Sumac, or
(1975, 2175, 2375, 2575, 2775) (2975, 3175, 3375, 3575, 3775) yds / (1805, 1990, 2170, 2355, 2535) (2720, 2905, 3085, 3270, 3450) m
Contrast color:
1 hank of The Frosted Stitch Snowdrift Sport in Garnish, or
(60, 70, 75, 95, 100) (110, 135, 145, 165, 170) yds / (55, 65, 70, 85, 90) (100, 125, 135, 150, 155) m
These yardages are estimated and reflect a full-length sweater with no modifications. See the exact yardages from my testers in the lookbook below.
Sizing
All my garment patterns are #sizeinclusive up to at least a 60” bust circumference.
Sagittarius Sweater bust sizing:
Size 1 | finished bust 32″ (fits actual busts of 30-34″) | finished bust 81 cm (fits actual busts of 76-86 cm) |
Size 2 | finished bust 36″ (fits actual busts of 34-38″) | finished bust 91 cm (fits actual busts of 86-97 cm) |
Size 3 | finished bust 40″ (fits actual busts of 38-42″) | finished bust 102 cm (fits actual busts of 97-107 cm) |
Size 4 | finished bust 44″ (fits actual busts of 42-46″) | finished bust 112 cm (fits actual busts of 107-117 cm) |
Size 5 | finished bust 48″ (fits actual busts of 46-50″) | finished bust 122 cm (fits actual busts of 117-127 cm) |
Size 6 | finished bust 52″ (fits actual busts of 50-54″) | finished bust 132 cm (fits actual busts of 127-137 cm) |
Size 7 | finished bust 56″ (fits actual busts of 54-58″) | finished bust 142 cm (fits actual busts of 137-147 cm) |
Size 8 | finished bust 60″ (fits actual busts of 58-62″) | finished bust 152 cm (fits actual busts of 147-157 cm) |
Size 9 | finished bust 64″ (fits actual busts of 62-66″) | finished bust 163 cm (fits actual busts of 157-168 cm) |
Size 10 | finished bust 68″ (fits actual busts of 66-70″) | finished bust 173 cm (fits actual busts of 168-178 cm) |
This sweater is designed to be worn with -2″ to 2″ (-5 to 5 cm) of ease around the bust.
Tried & tested substitution yarns
My testers used a variety of yarns for their Sagittarius Sweaters and Beanies, in a truly amazing variety of color combinations. Here’s a list of yarns recommended by them. The list is sorted alphabetically. If you’re looking for inspiration or a quick yarn substitution idea, this is the place to start!
- Alize Diva
- Alize Superwash Artisan
- Bendigo Woollen Mills Tranquility 4 ply
- Cascade Heritage Solids
- Chelsea Yarns 100% SW Merino
- Crocheted by Carisse 12 ply cotton
- De Rerum Natura Candide
- Diya Cotton
- Garnstudio DROPS Baby Merino
- GARNSTUDIO Drops Baby Merino
- Heartbeats Baby Angel
- ICE Yarns Camilla Cotton
- ICE Yarns Camilla Cotton Magic
- Katia Merino Fine
- Knit Picks Upcycle Alpaca Blend Sport
- Millamia Naturally Soft Merino
- Vicky Brown Designs Sock Yarn
- VK Yarns Highlighter Collection
- Walnut Tree Yarn
- We Crochet Brava Sport
- Wool & Co. Juniper Moon Patagonia Organic Merino
- Woolberry Fiber Co. Berry Sport
- Yarnkart Diya Cotton
Tester lookbook
My patterns would not be so smooth without the input of my team of talented testers. Swipe left & right for more photos of your favorite versions!
Want to test my future patterns? Check out how you can become a pattern tester for CrochetHighway!
Size 4, using 2691 yds of Cascade Heritage Solids (MC) and 90 yds of Walnut Tree Yarn (CC). Fingering weight.
Hook size(s) used: 3 mm
Mods: None.
Courtney (craftedbycs on Ravelry)
Size 1, using 1918 yds of Primrose Yarn Co. Roan Sport (MC) and 14 yds of La Bien Aimee Merino Sport (CC). Sport weight.
Hook size(s) used: 2.25mm
Mods: None.
Size 3, using 2046 yds (MC) and 71 yds (CC) of Ashley’s Crochet Combed Cotton. Sport weight.
Hook size(s) used: 2.5 mm;3 mm
Mods: I made the body 2″ shorter, with short sleeves. I also omitted the waist shaping.
Khushbu (crochetrainbowz on Ravelry)
Size 3, using 1495 yds of Bendigo Woollen Mills Tranquility 4 ply (MC) and 50 yds of VK Yarns Highlighter Collection (CC). Fingering weight.
Hook size(s) used: 2.25 mm
Mods: I made very short sleeves so it’s a tee.
Size 2, using 2247 yds (MC) and 50 yds (CC) of The Frosted Stitch Snowdrift Sport
Hook size(s) used: 3 mm
Mods: I made the invisible join using ss in the front loop only instead of going through both loops. I felt the join was more invisible using this method as it made the join less dense. I firmly believe this is a much better method of joining for this pattern.
Size 5, using 2190 yds of Millamia Sweden Naturally Soft Merino (MC) and 100 yds of Vicky Brown Designs Sock Yarn (CC). Sport weight.
Hook size(s) used: 2.5 mm
Mods: I added more short rows (6) to make the upper arm wider (size 6 upper arm). I also added a few extra rows to length of sleeves
Nagy Andrea (andreakinga on Ravelry)
Size 2, using 1915 yds of Garnstudio DROPS Baby Merino (MC) and 55 yds of Alize Superwash Artisan (CC). Sport weight.
Hook size(s) used: 2.5 mm
Mods: I omitted the last 9 rounds on both body and sleeves.
Size 2, using 1896 yds (MC) and 66 yds (CC) of The Frosted Stitch Snowdrift Sport
Hook size(s) used: 3 mm;4 mm
Mods: None.
Size 5, using 2592 yds of Lion Brand Oh Baby Organic (MC) and 72 yds of K&C Pearl (CC). Sport weight.
Hook size(s) used: 3 mm;3.25mm
Mods: I didn’t do all of the waist decreases.
Nicole (Handmdebyyarnmama on Ravelry)
Size 3, using 2346 yds (MC) and 30 yds (CC) of The Frosted Stitch Snowdrift Sport
Hook size(s) used: 2.25mm and 2.75mm
Mods: I added 2 short rows (14 total). Also added a couple initial stitches to sleeves. First round started at 88 and decreased over first 11 rows evenly to match row 12 count.
Nicole (christocrochet on Ravelry)
Size 4, using 1911 yds of Knit Picks Upcycle Alpaca Blend Sport (MC) and 50 yds of Yarn Bee Catarina (CC). Sport weight.
Hook size(s) used: 2.5 mm
Mods: I shortened the sleeves. Made about 30 fewer rounds.
Size 1, using 1531 yds of Crocheted by Carisse Minimalist Ombre 12 ply cotton (MC) and 35 yds of Crocheted by Carisse Lakeview 12 ply cotton (CC). Sport weight.
Hook size(s) used: 3 mm
Mods: Didn’t make as many rows, as the cotton pulled the length down.
Pamela (craftedbyela on Ravelry)
Size 3, using 2245 yds (MC) and 68 yds (CC) of We Crochet Brava Sport
Hook size(s) used: 3.5 mm;2.75 mm
Mods: I shortened the body by 3 increase sections as it would’ve been way too long for me (I am short waisted). I did fewer decreases for the arms.
Rashmi (SilpinByRashmi on Ravelry)
Size 2, using 1350 yds (MC) and 55 yds (CC) of Heartbeats Baby Angel. Sport weight.
Hook size(s) used: 3 mm;3.5 mm
Mods: I made short sleeves.
Sarah (SunriseStories on Ravelry)
Size 1, using 1950 yds (MC) and 100 yds (CC) of The Frosted Stitch Snowdrift Sport
Hook size(s) used: 3 mm;3.5 mm
Mods: None
Sarah (SarahAmalia on Ravelry)
Size 2, using 1900 yds (MC) and 70 yds (CC) of Garnstudio DROPS Baby Merino. Sport weight.
Hook size(s) used: 3 mm;3.5 mm
Mods: None.
Size 1, using 1905 yds (MC) and 58 yds (CC) of Yarnkart Diya Cotton. Fingering weight.
Hook size(s) used: 2.5 mm
Mods: None.
Zohnette (Queen4christ on Ravelry)
Size 1, using 1126 yds (MC) and 75 yds (CC) of hand-dyed yarn from Threadsbymegan. Sport weight.
Hook size(s) used: 2.5 mm
Mods: I made short sleeves and added an edge of the CC around the sleeves and hem.
I’d LOVE to see your work, so be sure to shout out to me @CrochetHighway on Instagram and use the #CrochetHighway hashtag for a chance to be featured on my stories!
Thirsty for more? Why not check out some of my recently published crochet patterns and stitch tutorials: