A deep V-neck takes this baggy crochet sweater from simple to genuinely flattering, it lengthens the frame while the roomy fit keeps everything comfortable and easy to wear. Layer it over a collared shirt for a preppy look, or wear it with a cami and jeans for something softer. This free V neck crochet sweater pattern uses simple stitches with just enough shaping at the neckline to look considered, making it a great next step if you’ve made a few basic garments. Comfy meets flattering—your free pattern is one click away.
Thick yarn and a ribbed all-over texture make this baggy V-neck sweater one of the coziest makes you can add to your winter queue. For another oversized option that works up fast, the free oversized crochet sweater pattern gives you a similarly relaxed silhouette with adjustable sizing.
Crochet Baggy Sweater V Neck
The construction works flat in panels joined at the shoulders before the sleeves are added, with consistent ribbing from hem to collar that gives the finished piece its chunky knit-like look. A V-neck opening keeps the neckline from feeling too heavy despite the bulky weight yarn.
Quick Facts
- Skill level: Easy / beginner-friendly
- Sizing: Completely customizable — you measure against your own body
- Main stitch: Half double crochet and slip stitch in the back loops only
- Construction: Four flat rectangular panels (back, front, two sleeves) seamed together
- Estimated time: A relaxed weekend — chunky yarn and simple rows move fast
Customization Ideas (Start Here)
Because everything in this pattern is sized to you, every creative decision is also yours from the beginning:
- Adjust the collar height. The 10-stitch collar section is a guide — add or remove stitches to make the collar taller or lower.
- Change the V-neck depth. Start the V-neck bridging chain earlier in the panel rows for a shallower V, or later for a deeper plunge.
- Make it cropped or long. Your starting chain sets the body length, so chain shorter for a cropped fit or longer for a tunic.
- Play with sleeve length. The sleeve chain extends past your wrist on purpose for a folded cuff; if you’d rather have a regular cuff, chain just to your wrist instead.
- Go oversized or fitted. Work more panel rows for a roomier shoulder, fewer for a closer fit.
Materials and Tools
- A thick, chunky wool yarn
- A crochet hook suited to your chunky yarn (check your yarn’s label for the recommended size)
- Stitch markers
- Tape measure
- Scissors
- Yarn needle
Stitch to Master
The Pattern
The sweater is built from four pieces: a back panel with a built-in collar, a front panel with a V-neck split, and two simple sleeve rectangles. Everything is sized by measuring rather than counting to a fixed number.
The core fabric is half double crochet in the back loops only for the body, and slip stitches in the back loops only for the 10-stitch collar edge along the top of each panel. This combination creates the stretchy ribbed look throughout.
Step 1: The Back Panel
The back panel has a built-in folded collar at the top that transitions into the main body.
- Starting chain: Create a slip knot and chain a length that reaches from your neck down to about your hip, or your desired sweater length. (The video uses a starting chain of 45, approximately 58 cm.)
- Mark the collar: Count 10 stitches from one end of your chain and place a stitch marker. This section will form the collar.
- Row 1: Chain 2 and turn. Work half double crochet into each stitch until you reach your stitch marker. Remove the marker and work slip stitches in the remaining 10 stitches to the end of the row.
- Row 2: Chain 1 and turn. Work slip stitches in the back loops only for the first 10 collar stitches, then switch to half double crochet in the back loops only for the rest of the row.
- Row 3: Chain 2 and turn. Work half double crochet in the back loops only until you reach the collar section, then work slip stitches in the back loops only for the final 10 stitches.
- Repeat: Repeat Rows 2 and 3 until the panel is wide enough to cover your back from shoulder to shoulder. (The video uses 21 to 22 rows in total.)
Never read a crochet pattern before? No problem! The video tutorial below is perfect for beginners, or give the written pattern below a try!
Step 2: The Front Panel (with V-Neck Split)
The front panel is made in one piece but split halfway to create the deep V-neck opening.
- First half: Start with the exact same chain length as your back panel (for example, 45 stitches). Follow the exact same ribbing pattern — half double crochet in the back loops only for the body, slip stitches in the back loops only for the 10-stitch collar — for half the number of rows as your back panel (for example, 11 rows).
- The V-neck chain: Once you reach the halfway mark, stop where you want the V-neck to begin. Chain a length equal to the number of body stitches you have left at that point (for example, chain 22).
- Resume the second half: Chain 1 and turn. Work slip stitches all the way back across the new chain until you reach your collar stitch marker. Switch back to your normal stitch rhythm — 10 slip stitches in the back loops only for the collar, half double crochet in the back loops only for the body.
- Finish the panel: Continue the established pattern for the remaining rows (for example, another 10 to 11 rows) until the front panel matches the width of the back panel.
Step 3: The Sleeves (Make 2)
The sleeves are simple rectangular panels with no collar stitches.
- Starting chain: Chain a length that measures from your shoulder all the way past your wrist to your fingertips. The extra length is intentional — it creates a generous folded cuff. (The video uses a chain of approximately 70 cm.)
- The ribbing pattern: Chain 2 and turn. Work half double crochet across the first row. For all subsequent rows, work half double crochet in the back loops only to create a stretchy ribbed fabric.
- Width: Continue until the sleeve panel can wrap comfortably around the widest part of your arm. (The video uses 15 rows.)
- Seam the sleeve: Fold the sleeve rectangle lengthwise, matching the long edges together. Work slip stitches through the matching stitches on both sides to close the sleeve into a tube. Repeat to make a second sleeve.
Step 4: Assembly and Seaming
- Align the panels: Lay your front and back panels together, making sure the collar pieces match up at the top.
- Side and underarm seams: Line up the bottom corners. Join your yarn and use slip stitches to seam the front and back panels together along the side, starting from the bottom hem and moving upward. Leave an open gap at the top large enough for your sleeve. Secure the bottom with a single crochet, chain 1, and cut the yarn.
- Shoulder and collar seams: Bring the two top collar pieces together. Slip stitch the front and back collar sections together from the neck opening up to the shoulder point.
- Attach the sleeves: Keeping the sleeve open on the inside, align the sleeve tube into the armhole opening. Slip stitch the front of the sleeve to the front panel, working down to the armpit. Turn your work over and continue the slip stitch seam to connect the back of the sleeve to the back panel.
- Finishing touches: Replicate the seaming process on the other side. Weave in all loose yarn ends and fold up the bottom of the sleeves to create a clean, chunky cuff.
Tips and Troubleshooting
- Measure everything against your actual body. This is a freeform pattern — the numbers in the video are references, not rules. Lay each growing panel against yourself before continuing past a key point.
- Match your panel row counts exactly. The front and back panels need to finish at the same width (same number of rows) so the shoulder and side seams sit flat. Keep track as you go.
- Chain the V-neck bridge carefully. The bridging chain length should equal the remaining body stitches at the halfway point — too short and it pulls, too long and it sags. Count the stitches before you chain.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How does a plain chain in the middle of the front panel create a V-neck? At the halfway row, you stop partway across and chain across the gap instead of crocheting. On the next row, you work back over that chain just like regular stitches. This bridging chain creates an opening in the fabric — which becomes the V-neck — without any shaping or cutting.
2. My collar looks twisted or uneven. What happened? The collar is the 10-stitch slip stitch section that runs the length of the panel. Make sure you always work slip stitches in that same section and half double crochet in the body section, and that you keep the collar on the same side on every row. Swapping sides mid-panel is the most common cause of twisting.
3. How wide should I leave the armhole gap? Measure your sleeve tube at its widest and leave a gap on the side seam that comfortably fits it. It’s easier to unpick a slightly generous gap than to redo a too-tight one, so err on the larger side.
4. Can I make this with a different yarn weight? Yes, though the sizing will shift. A lighter yarn will give a drapier, more refined sweater; heavier yarn keeps the baggy, cozy look. Whatever you use, size every chain against your own body measurements rather than copying the video’s numbers.
