Off-the-Shoulder Crochet Sweater Patterns: 7 Free Designs

Off the shoulder crochet sweaters can be made from separate panels, a continuous neckline and body piece, two matching panels, or one side to side body piece. These seven original patterns identify their yarn, construction, and stated size range so you can compare the approach before starting.

Panel construction means real seaming at the end, so a tapestry needle is worth setting aside before you start.

Off the shoulder sweater patterns to explore

1. Off the Shoulder Sweater

Janne Kleivset at Joy of Motion Crochet uses Hobbii Kind Feather light acrylic yarn and half double crochet. It has front, V shaped back, and two sleeve pieces in XS through 5XL. The V shaped back panel is a distinct shaping detail compared to the flatter rectangular panels used in some of the other patterns here.

2. Easy Off Shoulder Cropped Sweater

Viv at VivCrochets uses two sleeve panels and one continuous front, neck, and back panel. The sample uses 290 g of DK yarn and a 4 mm hook. Combining two separate sleeve panels with one continuous body panel is a different piece count than the fully paneled or fully continuous designs elsewhere on this list.

3. Priscilla Off the Shoulder Sweater

Terri Ann Ward at Lulo Stitch Co. is an intermediate XS through 5XL pattern using alternating single crochet and triple crochet cross over rows across two matching panels. The cross over row pattern gives the fabric more visual texture than a plain stitch repeat would.

4. Hug Me Off the Shoulder Sweater

The Knotty Lace works the body side to side as one piece in herringbone stitch, sized XS through 5XL with a snug negative ease fit, and includes a video. Working side to side rather than bottom up or top down is a distinct construction path worth comparing against the panel based sweaters above.

5. Pretty Off Shoulder Crop Top

Jenny and Teddy builds a back loop single crochet body from a 111-chain foundation, adds an openwork double crochet and chain lace section, and threads a chain strap through side loops for the off shoulder fit, in Lion Brand 24/7 Cotton with a 3.5 mm hook. Threading the strap through side loops rather than crocheting it as part of the body is a simpler way to adjust the off shoulder fit after the fact.

6. Four Panel Off the Shoulder Sweater

Faith at Dreamcrochets works this one in four pieces two body panels and two sleeves  joined at the shoulders, sides, and armholes, in medium weight yarn on a 4mm hook, across sizes XS/S through 5XL for a 28 to 62 inch bust, at an advanced beginner level.

7. Thea Off the Shoulder Crop Top

Grace at For The Frills works this one top-down in half double crochet with an asymmetrical yoke meant to sit off the shoulder, then shapes a fitted waist with decreases and simple cap sleeves. It’s graded from XS/S through 3XL and doubles as a boat neck top if worn straight.