The CPH Two-Color Crochet Sweater is a bold, modern pullover with striking vertical stripes created from alternating red and soft blush yarn. The close ribbed texture gives the sweater a wonderfully graphic look while still feeling soft, cozy, and wearable.

This original crochet version is inspired by the visible two-color brioche-style effect in the reference sweater. Instead of knitting, the crochet design uses alternating front-post and back-post stitches to create deep vertical ribs that mimic the dimensional appearance while remaining genuinely crocheted. The top-down raglan construction also makes the body and sleeve length easy to customize as you work.

DESCRIPTION

The finished sweater has a relaxed, slightly oversized silhouette with a round crew neckline, circular-to-raglan upper construction, dropped-looking shoulders, roomy long sleeves, and a straight body. Alternating red and blush-pink crochet ribs run vertically from the neckline through the yoke, body, and sleeves, creating a high-contrast striped texture. The cuffs, neckline, and lower edge remain integrated into the ribbed fabric for a clean, minimal finish. The overall look is modern, cozy, playful, and ideal for fall and winter layering.

MATERIALS

• DK or light worsted weight yarn in two contrasting colors
• Color A: approximately 600–1,000 yd / 550–915 m
• Color B: approximately 600–1,000 yd / 550–915 m
• 5 mm crochet hook, or size needed for gauge
• 4.5 mm crochet hook for neckline and cuffs
• Stitch markers
• Measuring tape
• Yarn needle
• Scissors
• Blocking mats and pins

Suggested colors:

• Color A: bright red
• Color B: soft blush pink

Other combinations that work beautifully:

• Burgundy and cream
• Navy and pale blue
• Forest green and sage
• Black and camel
• Rust and oatmeal

ABBREVIATIONS

• ch – chain
• sc – single crochet
• dc – double crochet
• fpdc – front post double crochet
• bpdc – back post double crochet
• sl st – slip stitch
• st(s) – stitch(es)
• dc2tog – double crochet 2 together
• rep – repeat

PATTERN NOTES

US crochet terminology is used throughout.

The sweater is worked from the top down.

Construction includes:

• Ribbed crew neckline
• Textured two-color yoke
• Raglan-style increases
• Separation for body and sleeves
• Straight ribbed body
• Long ribbed sleeves
• Matching cuffs

Difficulty: Intermediate.

Choose a finished chest measurement approximately 4–8 in / 10–20 cm larger than your actual bust for a relaxed fit.

The two colors alternate by vertical rib rather than by horizontal stripe.

To keep the pattern clear, carry the unused yarn loosely along the inside where possible.

GAUGE

Approximately:

14 textured stitches x 12 rows = 4 x 4 in / 10 x 10 cm in the established rib pattern after blocking.

The exact gauge may vary depending on how deeply you work the post stitches.

Make a large swatch before beginning.

STEP-BY-STEP INSTRUCTIONS

NECKLINE

Using the smaller hook and Color A, ch a multiple of 4 that fits comfortably around your head and neckline.

Suggested starting counts:

• XS/S: 64
• M: 68
• L: 72
• XL: 76
• 2XL: 80
• 3XL: 84

Join with sl st, being careful not to twist.

Neck Round 1

Ch 2.

Dc in every ch around.

Join.

Neck Round 2

Join Color B.

Ch 2.

Repeat:

Fpdc around next dc with Color A.

Bpdc around next dc with Color B.

Continue alternating the colors and post stitches around.

Join.

Neck Rounds 3–5

Continue working each raised column in the same color.

Work:

• Color A over Color A
• Color B over Color B

Keep the unused strand relaxed.

This creates the strong vertical two-color ribbing.

SETTING UP THE RAGLAN

Place 4 markers to divide the neckline approximately into:

• 30% front
• 20% first sleeve
• 30% back
• 20% second sleeve

The marker positions become the raglan increase lines.

RAGLAN ROUND 1

Continue in the established two-color rib pattern.

At each marker:

Work the stitch before the marker in pattern.

Work 2 dc into the marked stitch.

Move marker into the space between the increases.

Work 2 dc into the next stitch.

Continue in rib pattern.

Repeat at all 4 raglan points.

Join.

RAGLAN ROUND 2

Work each stitch in the established post-stitch texture.

At each raglan marker, work the new stitches so the vertical Color A / Color B sequence remains consistent.

Join.

CONTINUE THE YOKE

Repeat:

• 1 raglan increase round
• 1 plain textured round

Continue until the yoke reaches approximately:

• XS/S: 7–7.5 in / 18–19 cm
• M/L: 7.5–8.5 in / 19–21.5 cm
• XL/2XL: 8.5–9 in / 21.5–23 cm
• 3XL+: 9–10 in / 23–25.5 cm

Try the sweater on regularly.

The lower yoke should reach comfortably to the underarm.

TWO-COLOR RIB PATTERN

The main texture is worked as follows:

Color A:

Fpdc around the Color A post from the previous round.

Color B:

Bpdc around the Color B post from the previous round.

Continue alternating around.

This keeps the two colors in narrow vertical stripes.

For a more deeply textured fabric, use fpdc for both colors while alternating yarn.

For a flatter fabric, alternate regular dc and fpdc instead.

SEPARATING BODY AND SLEEVES

Work across the front in pattern until you reach the first sleeve section.

Ch:

• XS/S: 6
• M/L: 8
• XL/2XL: 10
• 3XL+: 12

Skip the sleeve stitches.

Continue across the back.

Ch the same number for the second underarm.

Skip the second sleeve.

Join to the beginning.

Make sure the vertical color sequence remains correct across the new underarm chains.

BODY

Body Round 1

Work one dc into each underarm chain while continuing the red-and-pink color sequence.

Work all existing body stitches in established post-stitch ribbing.

Join.

Following Body Rounds

Continue the established vertical rib pattern without increasing.

Work until the sweater reaches approximately 2 in / 5 cm shorter than your desired finished length.

For a slightly cropped look, stop near the top of the hips.

LOWER EDGE

Continue the existing rib pattern for another 4–6 rounds.

For a firmer edge, switch to the smaller hook for the final 3 rounds.

Fasten off both colors.

FIRST SLEEVE

Join both colors at the center of the underarm.

Work around the held sleeve stitches and underarm chains.

Keep the vertical stripe sequence consistent.

Sleeve Round

Work in established two-color post-stitch ribbing.

Join.

Repeat for 4–6 rounds.

SLEEVE DECREASE

To taper the sleeve:

Work until you reach the first underarm stitch.

Dc2tog over the next 2 stitches.

Continue around.

Dc2tog over the final 2 stitches before the round marker.

Join.

Work 5–7 plain rounds.

Repeat the decrease round.

Continue until the sleeve reaches the desired circumference.

Then work straight until approximately 2 in / 5 cm shorter than your preferred sleeve length.

CUFF

Switch to the smaller hook.

Continue the existing two-color rib pattern for 5–7 rounds.

For a slightly tighter cuff, work one decrease round before beginning the cuff.

Fasten off.

SECOND SLEEVE

Make the second sleeve the same way.

Count your plain rounds and decrease rounds carefully so both sleeves match.

FINISHING

Weave in both colors securely.

Because two-color crochet creates more yarn tails, weave each end through several stitches of the same color.

Close any small underarm gaps.

Wet block the sweater gently.

Smooth the yoke, body, and sleeves into shape.

Do not aggressively stretch the vertical ribs.

Allow the sweater to dry completely.

TIPS & VARIATIONS

Keep the Yarn Tension Relaxed

Two-color post-stitch crochet can become tight quickly.

Keep both working strands loose enough that the ribs remain flexible.

Use High-Contrast Colors

The vertical design is easiest to see when the two shades contrast clearly.

Red and blush create a bold playful look, while cream and camel make the same pattern much more subtle.

Make the Sleeves Roomier

Work fewer sleeve decrease rounds for a loose, slightly ballooned shape.

Make the Sweater More Oversized

Choose a larger finished chest measurement or work additional raglan increase rounds before separating the sleeves.

Make It Cropped

Begin the lower finishing rounds when the body reaches your natural waist.

Make the Neckline Wider

Start with one additional 4-stitch repeat.

Make sure the finished opening still supports the sweater comfortably.

FAQ

Is this sweater actually crochet?

Yes. This version uses crochet post stitches to create the vertical two-color ribbed texture. It is inspired by the visual effect of the reference sweater but is constructed entirely with crochet.

Do I need to cut the yarn every round?

No. You can carry both colors around the sweater and pick up the required strand for each rib. Keep the unused yarn loose so the fabric does not pucker.

Can I use only one color?

Yes. A single-color version will emphasize the dimensional ribbing rather than the striped effect.

CONCLUSION

The CPH Two-Color Crochet Sweater turns a simple red-and-pink palette into a bold textured garment using vertical post-stitch ribbing and seamless top-down construction. The relaxed body, roomy sleeves, round neckline, and continuous two-color stripes make it an eye-catching crochet sweater without requiring complicated assembly. Try the original red and blush combination or choose two contrasting shades from your yarn stash for a completely different look.