The True Blue Split Crew Sweater knitting pattern intertwines three distinct stitch patterns, crafting a must-have V-neck sweater distinguished by its unique split crew-neck design which is a seasonal essential. Designed with intricate detail, the hems are elegantly worked in double ribbing, offering both a snug fit and a stylish touch. Knit flat from the bottom up, the backs, fronts and sleeves are meticulously created, ready to be seamlessly assembled. The front openings are adorned with stitches picked up and beautifully bordered in double ribbing, enhancing the sweater’s aesthetic. To complete this charming piece, the crew-neck is skillfully picked up, adding a final touch of sophistication.
Time: 53 Hours pattern
Skill level: Easy
Size: 32 (36, 40, 44, 48)”, finished bust 39.50 (43.50, 47.50, 51.50, 55.50)”, with 7.50″ ease.
Shown in size 32″
Gauge: 21 sts and 30 rows with needles US size 6 (4mm)= 4″ [10 cm] in pattern, after wet blocking
Materials
Yarn: Scheepjes Terrazzo, DK weight (70% Recycled Mulesing Free Wool, 30% Recycled Viscose; 191 yds [175m]/ 50g): # 732 Acciaio 6 (7, 7, 8, 9) balls
Needles: US size 6 (4mm) straight or circular needles. US size 6 (4mm) circular needles 16″.
Notions: tapestry needle, cable needle
Abbreviations
1/1 LPC: Sl 1 st to cn and hold in front of work, p1, then k1 from cn.
1/1 RC: Sl 1 st to cn and hold at back of work, k1, then k1 from cn.
1/1 RPC: Sl 1 st to cn and hold at back of work, k1, then p1 from cn.
Special Stitches
Pattern 1 (4-st rep):
Row 1 (RS): *K2, p2; rep from * to end.
Row 2: Purl all sts.
Always rep Rows 1 —2.
Pattern 2 (Chart A):
Row 1 (RS): P4, (1/1 RC, p8) 2 times, 1/1 RC, p4.
Row 2 (WS): K4, (p2, k8) 2 times, p2, k4.
Row 3: P3, (1/1 RPC, 1/1 LPC, p6) 2 times, 1/1 RPC, 1/1 LPC, p3.
Row 4: K3, (p1, k2, p1, k6) 2 times, p1, k2, p1, k3.
Row 5: P2, (1/1 RPC, p2, 1/1 LPC, p4) 2 times, 1/1 RPC, p2, 1/1 LPC, p2.
Row 6: K2, (p1, k4) 5 times, p1, k2.
Row 7: P1, (1/1 RPC, p4, 1/1 LPC, p2) 2 times, 1/1 RPC, p4, 1/1 LPC, p1.
Row 8: K1, (p1, k6, p1, k2) 2 times, p1, k6, p1, k1.
Row 9: (1/1 RPC, p6, 1/1 LPC) 3 times.
Row 10: P1, (k8, p2) 2 times, k8, p1.
Row 11: K1, (p8, 1/1 RC) 2 times, p8, k1.
Row 12: Repeat row 10.
Row 13: (1/1 LPC, p6, 1/1 RPC) 3 times.
Row 14: Repeat row 8.
Row 15: P1, (1/1 LPC, p4, 1/1 RPC, p2) 2 times, 1/1 LPC, p4, 1/1 RPC, p1.
Row 16: Repeat row 6.
Row 17: P2, (1/1 LPC, p2, 1/1 RPC, p4) 2 times, 1/1 LPC, p2, 1/1 RPC, p2.
Row 18: Repeat row 4.
Row 19: P3, (1/1 LPC, 1/1 RPC, p6) 2 times, 1/1 LPC, 1/1 RPC, p3.
Row 20: Repeat row 2.
Repeat rows 1 —20.
Pattern 3 (Chart B):
Row 1 (RS): P3, 1/1 RC, p1.
Row 2 (WS): K1, p2, k3.
Row 3: P2, 1/1 RPC, 1/1 LPC.
Row 4: (P1, k2) 2 times.
Row 5: (P2, k1) 2 times.
Row 6: Repeat row 4.
Row 7: P2, 1/1 LPC, 1/1 RPC.
Row 8: Repeat row 2.
Row 9: Repeat row 1.
Row 10: Repeat row 2.
Stripe pattern:
Rows 1-4: Work in Garter Stitch.
Rows 5-44: Work in Patt 2.
Rows 45-48: Work in Garter Stitch.
Rows 49-58: Work in Patt 3.
Rows 59-62: Work in Garter Stitch.
Rows 63-82: Work in Patt 1.
Rows 83-144: Rep Rows 1-62.
Rows 145-end: Work in Patt 1.
Sloped BO
To prevent “stair steps” from forming between subsequent BO rows, use the sloped BO method as following: On the first BO row, bind off as usual to define the initial part of the slope. Work the next row to the last st, but do not work the last st. Turn work so that the unworked st becomes the first st on the RH needle. Sl the first st on the LH needle pwise, then BO the unworked st by lifting it over the sl st and off the needle.
Pattern notes
The back, fronts, and sleeves are worked flat from the bottom up and sewn together.
Pattern
Back
CO 108 (118, 128, 140, 150) sts.
Row 1 (RS): *K2, p2; rep from * to last 0 (2, 0, 0, 2) sts, k0 (2, 0, 0, 2).
Row 2 (WS): P0 (2, 0, 0, 2), *k2, p2; rep from * to end.
These 2 rows form 2×2 rib. Work in rib as established for 16 more rows, ending with a WS row.
Cont in Stripe Patt.
Set Patt 2 as following:
Row 5 (Row 1 of Chart A): Work 4 (4, 4, 5, 5) sts in Rev St st, work Columns 1-10 of Chart A once, Columns 11-20 of Chart A 8 (9, 10, 11, 12) times, Columns 21-30 of Chart A once, work 4 (4, 4, 5, 5) sts in Rev St st.
Set Patt 3 as following:
Row 49 (Row 1 of Chart Β): Work 2 (1, 0, 0, 2) sts in Rev St st, work Columns 1-6 of Chart B 17 (19, 21, 23, 24) times, work 4 (3, 2, 2, 4) sts in Rev St st.
Work in patt as established until piece measures 22.75 (22.75, 22.75, 22.75, 23)” finishing with a WS.
Shape shoulders & neck
Note: Read ahead, as neck shaping happens AT THE SAME TIME as shoulder shaping.
BO 6 (7, 7, 8, 9) sts at the beginning of next 8 (2, 10, 10, 6) rows, then BO 5 (6, 6, 7, 8) sts at the beginning of next 4 (10, 2, 2, 6) rows and AT THE SAME TIME, when piece measures 0.60″ from beg of shoulder shaping (4 rows of shoulder shaping have been worked), BO central 30 (34, 36, 36, 38) sts for neck and work each side separately, binding off on neck side every 2nd row as follows: 3 sts once, 2 sts once.
Front
Work as for Back, until piece measures 15.50 (15.25, 14.75, 14.50, 14.25)” finishing with a WS Row. Updated 10/23/2024
Shape neck
Next Row (RS): Work 50 (55, 60, 66, 71) sts and place them on holder for Left Front, BO next 8 sts, work to end.
Cont working each side separately.
Right Front
Work 3 (3, 5, 5, 5) rows.
Note: Always work the 2nd st at right edge in St st, to have a neat neck-edge.
Shape neck
Neck dec Row (RS): K1, ssk, work to end. 1 st dec’d.
Rep neck dec Row every 8th row 4 (4, 4, 4, 5) more times. 45 (50, 55, 61, 65) sts
Work 1 (3, 5, 7, 3) rows even.
BO 4 (6, 7, 7, 7) sts at beg of next RS Row. BO 2 sts at beg of next 2 RS rows, then 1 st at beg of next 3 RS rows. 34 (37, 41, 47, 51) sts
Shape shoulder
When piece measures 22.75 (22.75, 22.75, 22.75, 23)”, shape shoulder as for back.
Left Front
Bring back on needle the 50 (55, 60, 66, 71) sts from holder and work 3 (3, 5, 5, 5) rows.
Note: Always work the penultimate st at left edge in St st, to have a neat neck-edge.
Shape neck
Neck dec Row (RS): Work to last 3 sts, k2tog, k1. 1 sts dec’d.
Rep neck dec Row every 8th row 4 (4, 4, 4, 5) more times. 45 (50, 55, 61, 65) sts
Work 1 (3, 5, 7, 3) rows even.
BO 4 (6, 7, 7, 7) sts at beg of next RS Row. BO 2 sts at beg of next 2 RS rows, then 1 st at beg of next 3 RS rows. 34 (37, 41, 47, 51) sts
Shape shoulder
When piece measures 22.75 (22.75, 22.75, 22.75, 23)”, shape shoulder as for back.
Sleeves
Work both the same.
Note: sleeve shaping and pattern set up occur at the same time, so be sure to read entire
section before beginning.
CO 48 (52, 52, 52, 58) sts.
Row 1 (RS): *K2, p2; rep from * to last 0 (0, 0, 0, 2) sts, k0 (0, 0, 0, 2).
Row 2 (WS): P0 (0, 0, 0, 2), *k2, p2; rep from * to end.
These 2 rows form 2×2 rib. Work in rib as established for 16 more rows, ending with a WS row.
Cont in Stripe Patt
Set Patt 2 as following:
Row 5 (Row 1 of Chart A): Work 4 (6, 6, 6, 4) sts in Rev St st, work Columns 1-10 of Chart A once, Columns 11-20 of Chart A 2 (2, 2, 2, 3) times, Columns 21-30 of Chart A once, work 4 (6, 6, 6, 4) sts in Rev St st.
Set Patt 3 as following:
Row 49 (Row 1 of Chart Β): Work 2 (2, 3, 1, 2) sts in Rev St st, work Columns 1-6 of Chart B 9 (10, 10, 11, 12) times, work 4 (4, 5, 3, 4) sts in Rev St st. (There will be 60 (66, 68, 70, 78) sts because of the increases to that point).
At the same time, shape sleeve as following:
Work 7 (7, 5, 5, 5) rows even.
Inc row (RS): K1, M1 p-st, work in patt to last st, M1 p-st, k1. 2 sts inc’d.
Rep inc row every 8th (8th, 6th, 6th, 6th) row 7 (1, 13, 5, 2) more times, then every 6th (6th, 4th, 4th, 4th) Row 5 (13, 4, 16, 21) times, working new sts into patt. 74 (82, 88, 96, 106) sts.
Work straight until piece measures 14.25 (14.25, 14.75, 14.75, 15.25)”.
Shape cup
BO 3 (4, 4, 4, 4) sts at the beg of next 4 (2, 2, 2, 6) rows, then 2 (3, 3, 3, 3) sts at the beg of following 22 (6, 10, 16, 16) rows, and 0 (2, 2, 2, 2) sts at the beg of following 0 (18, 14, 8, 4) rows. BO rem 18 (20, 22, 24, 26) sts.
Finishing
Block all pieces to finished measurements.
Right opening Band
With RS facing, pick up and knit 32 (34, 36, 38, 42) sts along right sloped opening, starting at edge of central BO and finishing at start of round neck shaping.
Row 1 (WS): P3 (2, 3, 2, 2), *k2, p2; rep from * to last 1 (0, 1, 0, 0) st, k1 (0, 1, 0, 0).
Row 2 (RS): P1 (0, 1, 0, 0), *k2, p2; rep from * to last 3 (2, 3, 2, 2) sts, k2, p1 (0, 1, 0, 0).
These 2 rows form 2×2 rib. Work in rib as established for 7 more rows. BO all sts in rib.
Left opening Band
With RS facing, pick up and knit 32 (34, 36, 38, 42) sts along left sloped opening, starting at start of round neck shaping and finishing at edge of central BO.
Row 1 (WS): P3 (2, 3, 2, 2), *k2, p2; rep from * to last 1 (0, 1, 0, 0) st, k1 (0,1, 0, 0).
Row 2 (RS): P1 (0, 1, 0, 0), *k2, p2; rep from * to last 3 (2, 3, 2, 2) sts, k2, p1 (0, 1, 0, 0).
These 2 rows form 2×2 rib. Work in rib as established for 7 more rows. BO all sts in rib.
With yarn threaded on a tapestry needle, sew shoulders.
Neckband
With RS facing, circular needles and starting at edge of Right opening band, pick up and knit 37 (39, 40, 40, 40) sts along right neck edge, 42 (46, 48, 48, 50) sts along back neck, and 37 (39, 40, 40, 40) sts along left neck edge, finishing at edge of Left opening band. 116 (124, 128, 128, 130) sts.
SIZES 32 (36, 40, 44, -) ONLY
Row 1 (WS): Sl1, p2, *k2, p2; rep from * to last st, p1.
Row 2 (RS): Sl1, *k2, p2; rep from * to last 3 sts, k2, p1.
SIZE 48 ONLY
Row 1 (WS): Sl1, p, *k2, p2; rep from * to end.
Row 2 (RS): Sl1, k1, *p2, k2; rep from * to last 4 sts, p2, k1, p1.
ALL SIZES
These 2 rows form 2×2 rib. Work in rib as established for 5 more rows. BO all sts in rib.
Sew sleeves into armholes, matching the center of the sleeve cup to the shoulder seam and the edges 7.75 (8.25, 8.75, 9.50, 10.50)” from the shoulder seam.
Sew underarm and side seams.
Weave in ends.
I think there is a error in the pattern.
Front
Work as for Back, until piece measures 20.25 (20.25, 20.25, 20.25, 20.5)” finishing with a WS Row.
If I work to this measurement I don’t have enough rows in order to do all the instructions for the Right and Left Shape neck decreases.
I am making the largest size and the 20.5″ take me up to row 137 of pattrn Stripe (Pattern 3, the 4th last row) to bind off the 8 sts.
In all the pictures I see the bind off 8 sts looks lik it is done on row 97 of pattrn Stripe (Pattern 2).
Can you see if there is a correction to this pattern?
Hi Carol,
You are right, there is a mistake in the measurements. The V-neck shaping starts when piece measures 15.50 (15.25, 14.75, 14.50, 14.25). The bind off of the 8 sts for your size must be done on Row 89 of Stripe patt. The pattern has now been updated! Thank you for bringing this to our attention. – Nicola, Editor
This is beautiful! I can’t wait to start it!!
Is there an actual chart to work from?
Hello Louise! Charts are available for logged-in Gold Members at the bottom of the pattern and appear as a blue button to click and download. – Nicola, Editor