The BettyAnn Sweater blanket pattern just keeps on giving! I was able to figure out a very simple sweater dress using the griddle stitch and alternating colors each row. You are going to love how easy it is! Look at my neighbor’s daughter Gigi: 

Let’s have chat about sizes though. With the starting neck size given in this pattern, I think you’ll be able to make from about a 12-18 month old size to a 4 Toddler. You would be able to work from the starting neck size I have made and either increase the amount of rows before you join for the armholes, or decrease the amount of rows to make it smaller.

As you make the sweater, you’ll be able to judge how big it can get. It will be handy for you to have a tape measure on hand and also the shoulder to shoulder measurements of the child you are making it for. (Also not a bad idea to have the head circumference too, just to make sure it fits over the head.)

If you are ready to design your own size, here’s what I would suggest: Make the collar 2.5 inches smaller than the head circumference. Make the collar in an even number of rows. Divide the collar into four sections. Make the front and back the same number of stitches and over the shoulders the same. Increase until you have 3 inches more than the shoulder to shoulder measurement then join for the armholes. You may need to chain more than 4 when you join for the armholes, I’m not sure, but keep it an even number so you maintain the griddle stitch pattern.

And try it on as you go. My daughter Annie really wants me to make her the sweater version, and she is an adult woman size 8, so we will see if I can make that happen, but the above suggestion is what I’d do to develop a pattern. 

I’d also say that if you do want to design your own, work the baby version first just so you’d know what you are trying to invent. 

But as is, the pattern below is for a size 3T and you are free to make adjustments. 

There is a video tutorial at the end of the post.

Materials

Caron Simply Soft (100% acrylic, 170 g/6 oz, 288 m/315 yds)

1 skein Black, 1 skein White

Size H/5.00mm hook, scissors, tapestry needle

Size

For size 3T 

Gauge 2 in = 8 st and 8 rows of pattern

Stitches

Single Crochet (SC): Insert your hook, yarn over (YO) and pull up a loop, YO and pull through two loops.

Double Crochet (DC): YO, insert your hook, YO and pull up a loop, YO and pull through two loops, YO and pull through remaining two loops.

Pattern 

Starting with the neck, chain (CH) 6.

Row 1: In the second chain from the hook, work 1 SC. Work 1 SC into each of the remaining chains. Chain 1 and turn. (5 SC)

Row 2: *Work 1 SC into the first st. Work 1 SC into the back loop of each of the next 3 sts. Work 1 SC into the last stitch of each stitch, CH 1 and turn after each row. Repeat from * for 56 rows.

With a tapestry needle, use the starting tail to sew the two ends together to form a circle. Chain 1 and SC around the circle working one SC into each space at the end of a row. Join with a slip stitch to the first SC of the round. (56 sc) 

Place stitch markers. Count from the first SC of the round (the stitch you slip stitched into is stitch #1) and mark stitch #10, #19, #38, #47. You will have 18 stitches in between two markers for the front and back, and 8 stitches in between 2 markers for over the shoulders. 

Round 1 of griddle stitch: Ch 1 and turn. In the next st. work 1 SC, in the next st work 1 DC. Repeat from * to the first marker. In the marked st, work “DC,SC,DC.”  Repeat from * to the next marker. Work “SC,DC,SC” in marked st. Work DC in next st, SC in next and continue alternating to the next marked st. “DC,SC,DC” in marked st. Alternate SC and DC to the next marked st, work “SC,DC,SC” in marked stitch. Alternate DC and SC to the end of the round. Slip stitch to the first stitch pulling through with Color B. CH 1 and turn.

(Tip: The second stitch of the 3 stitches in each marked corner are now the middle stitch or marked st. Mark this if you need to for the next round. You will be working 3 stitches into this marked stitch to increase for the round.)

Round 2: *DC into the top of the SC from row below, SC into top of DC from row below. (This is the griddle stitch) Repeat from * to the middle stitch of the corner. Work the next 3 stitches required to keep the alternating DC, SC sequence into that middle stitch. Continue working the griddle stitch to the next corner space, work the three stitches into the middle stitch and continue in this manner around. Slip stitch to the starting stitch, pulling through with COLOR A.

Rounds 3 – 14: Repeat rounds 1 and 2. 

Joining for the armholes: 

Round 15: Work the griddle stitch to the first corner stitch. *SC into the corner stitch (even if it is a SC and you are breaking the griddle stitch pattern. This will be the only time you will do that. It helps to not have a hole in the underarm area.) CH 4, skip over all the stitches to the next corner stitch and SC. Continue the griddle stitch pattern to around the front of the sweater to the next corner and repeat the instructions from the *. 

Round 16 to the length you desire: Continue working the griddle stitch into each stitch, including the chain 4’s that make up the underarm area. Continue alternating colors and joining the rounds until you have the length you desire. I liked the dress to hit about an inch above the knee.

Did it turn out cute? I hope so! You are a hero in my book if you were able to make it through those instructions. That was a lot! But I hope you are a fan of the griddle stitch now like I am and all the possibilities. You should feel proud you made a handmade sweater too! That’s a rare thing these days. 

After I made the sweater dress, I wanted to try making a shorter sweater with red and white…click here for the Houndstooth Sweater if you’d like to make a shorter version!

Come and share your sweater dress with us so we can all take a peek! Join the Daisy Farm Crafters group, or share a picture to the Facebook page. If you are on Instagram, tag your post with #daisyfarmcrafts and every Sunday we share what others are making into our Insta Stories. It’s so fun. 

Also, since we are just a mom and daughter team, sharing what we are making, please let us know if you spot a typo or if something needs to be clarified further about the pattern. You all are the pattern testers! 

xo, Tiffany

Video tutorial if you need more help: 

Click here or on image below for printable pattern