Bell sleeve shrugs and tops are defined by their sleeve shape and the amount of ease through the body. These eight original patterns are all written, so you can follow along on paper without needing a video alongside you.
A tapestry needle for seaming the sleeves is the one shared tool across all seven written patterns here.
Bell sleeve patterns to explore
1. Bell Sleeve Fairy Shrug
Angel describes this as a fairycore, cozy shrug with dramatic bell sleeves, openwork texture and an adjustable fit, and says it is for beginners and experienced makers. It uses a 5 mm hook and cotton (Peaches & Cream), and the page has styling tips and yarn suggestions along with the full pattern. Stitch markers help with the panel shaping.
2. Bell Single Sleeve Shrug
Red Heart’s shrug is a color-blocked accessory with one dramatic bell sleeve. It is rated Intermediate, comes in S/M and L/XL, and is a free download with no sign-up.
3. Gorgeous Bell Sleeve Crochet Cardigan
This is Grace, a long lacy cardigan with an asymmetrical hem and bell sleeves. Shehnaaz designed it in Lion Brand Heartland, a lightweight worsted, on a big hook for the right drape, and says it pairs with a skirt or jeans. Each size took its own writing and testing, and she says she is keeping it for herself.
4. Louis Belle Pullover
The Louis Belle is a beginner friendly pullover with an easy construction and long bell sleeves with a simple lace edge. Abigail made it with Lion Brand yarn, and she is thinking of using her extra skeins to lengthen it into a dress. There are links to her other pullovers, the Ellie, Puffin and Wanderlust.
5. Easy Crochet Bell Sleeve Top
The Belinda is a lightweight top with 3/4 length bell sleeves, in an almost lace-like stitch made from basic stitches, with a photo tutorial. It is written in nine women’s sizes from XS to 5X, and you can customize by adding or removing four stitches at a time. The ease is 1 to 4 inches, and it uses DK yarn, and Crystal says to always swatch. There is a sleeveless sister pattern too.
6. Willow Crop
Willow Crop is a cropped summer top with bell sleeves, by Kelsie of Crafting for Weeks, and you can make it full length, short sleeve or sleeveless. It uses a size H (5.5 mm) hook and Lion Brand yarn, and the XS takes 860 yards (4 skeins), with a 15 inch length and 21 inch sleeve. The page lists the measurements and yardage for each size.
7. Crochet Bell Sleeve Sweater
Susanna’s Colleen sweater is beginner friendly and uses basic stitches. Any #4 yarn works, but she says to look for one with a good drape, so that the bell sleeves hang well, and her sample used two strands of a #2. It is written from XS to 5XL for a 30 to 62 inch bust, with the length from 22 to 30 inches and the yardage from about 900 up.
8. Easy Crochet Bell Sleeve Sweater Top
Jane says this pullover can fit any size from XXS to XXXL. It has no shaping: you make two matching rectangles, seam them, and crochet the long bell sleeves on. It is a one-row repeat, and the pattern is made to measure from your bust size. She uses 100 percent cotton DK, or any DK fiber like bamboo or hemp.
