10 Crochet Doll Sweater and Cardigan Free Patterns
When the weather turns cool, dolls need sweaters too. A crochet doll sweater is one of the most useful pieces in a doll’s closet, because it goes over dresses, tops and pajamas. They are also a great way to practice sleeves and button bands on a small scale.
Here are 10 free crochet doll sweater and cardigan patterns we opened and checked. Half are for 18-inch dolls, and the rest are for 11.5-inch fashion dolls and small 10-inch crochet dolls. You will find cardigans with buttons, a striped pullover, a turtleneck, a hoodie and a quick shrug.
Crochet Doll Sweater Free Patterns
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What You’ll Need
- Worsted weight yarn (#4)
- DK or fine weight yarn for small dolls
- Crochet hook set (2.5 mm to 6.5 mm)
- Tiny buttons (1/2 inch and smaller)
- Sew-on snaps
- Locking stitch markers
- Tapestry needle
1. Doll Cardigan
Photo: Jessica Cooper / Crochet It Creations
This is a doll-size version of the designer’s Cameo Cardigan, so it is a cute match if you also make the grown-up version. It uses worsted yarn and a big K hook, which makes it work up fast. The full row-by-row pattern is on the page, with photos of the finished cardigan on an 18-inch doll.
- Designer: Jessica Cooper / Crochet It Creations
- Skill level: see pattern
- Yarn: Worsted (#4)
- Hook: 6.5 mm (K)
- Price: Free
- Get the pattern: Get the free pattern →
2. Textured Buttercup Sweater
Photo: Patricia Klonoski
A quick, beginner-friendly sweater for 18-inch dolls with a nice raised texture. You will need to know front post double crochet, which is what makes the texture pop. It uses everyday worsted yarn and a G hook. Download it free from Ravelry.
- Designer: Patricia Klonoski
- Skill level: Beginner (with front post double crochet)
- Yarn: Worsted (#4)
- Hook: 4 mm (G)
- Price: Free Ravelry download
- Get the pattern: Get the free pattern →
3. Striped Boatneck Sweater
Photo: Crown Country Crochet
A classic blue and white striped sweater with a wide boatneck. It closes with snaps at the back, so it is easy to put on the doll. Made in wool, it looks like a little sailor top and goes with skirts, shorts and jeans.
- Designer: Crown Country Crochet
- Skill level: see pattern
- Yarn: Worsted (#4)
- Hook: 3.5 mm (E)
- Price: Free written pattern + paid PDF
- Get the pattern: Get the free pattern →
4. Cozy Cardigan
Photo: Crown Country Crochet
A neat, fitted cardigan worked flat in half double crochet, with a button band, a shaped neckline and set-in sleeves. It closes with five small buttons. Because it uses DK yarn and a 3 mm hook, it looks very close to a store-bought doll sweater. It needs some basic sewing too.
- Designer: Crown Country Crochet
- Skill level: Intermediate
- Yarn: DK (#3)
- Hook: 3 mm
- Price: Free written pattern + paid PDF
- Get the pattern: Get the free pattern →
5. Aran Look Set for a Girl and Her Doll
A warm Aran-style set with a girl’s cardigan (sizes 2 to 6), a cap and a matching cardigan for an 18-inch doll. It is a lovely holiday gift: the child and her doll get matching sweaters. The doll cardigan takes four buttons.
- Designer: Bernat / Yarnspirations
- Skill level: Intermediate
- Yarn: Bernat Super Value (see pattern)
- Hook: see pattern
- Price: Free
- Get the pattern: Get the free pattern →
6. Doll Jacket
Photo: Ashley Parker / The Loopy Lamb
A buttoned jacket for small 10-inch crochet dolls. It is worked bottom-up in rows of single crochet, with chain loops for buttonholes and long sleeves worked in rounds. There is a step-by-step video tutorial, which makes it a great first sweater if you learn best by watching.
- Designer: Ashley Parker / The Loopy Lamb
- Skill level: Easy
- Yarn: Worsted (#4)
- Hook: 3.5 mm (E)
- Price: Free
- Get the pattern: Get the free pattern →
7. Fashion Doll Sweater and Hat
Photo: Raine / HandmadebyRaine
A cozy winter set for an 11.5-inch fashion doll: a pink and white sweater with contrast trim at the neck and sleeves, and a hat with an optional pompom. The sweater is about 4.5 inches long. The designer says this outfit is easy to make, and there is a video for each piece.
- Designer: Raine / HandmadebyRaine
- Skill level: Easy
- Yarn: Fine weight (#2) cotton
- Hook: 2.75 mm (sweater), 3 mm (hat)
- Price: Free written pattern + paid PDF
- Get the pattern: Get the free pattern →
8. Chunky Turtleneck Sweater
Photo: Sheila / Haven Cottage Crafts
A comfy sweater for fashion dolls with an optional turtleneck and a snap at the back. Use baby or sport yarn for a chunky look, or finer yarn for a slimmer fit. The photos show peach and pink versions and a round-neck option. The designer calls it easy and quick to work up.
- Designer: Sheila / Haven Cottage Crafts
- Skill level: see pattern
- Yarn: Baby or sport weight
- Hook: Steel size 0
- Price: Free
- Get the pattern: Get the free pattern →
9. Fashion Doll Hoodie
Photo: Mamma That Makes
A hooded jacket for an 11.5-inch fashion doll, with sleeves in a contrasting color, a sewn-on hood and three buttons down the front. The designer says it is a little more complex than her other doll patterns, so it is a nice next step after a simple top.
- Designer: Mamma That Makes
- Skill level: see pattern
- Yarn: Thin 4-ply (fingering)
- Hook: 2.5 mm
- Price: Free
- Get the pattern: Get the free pattern →
10. Criss Cross Shrug
Photo: Rhelena / CrochetN’Crafts
A pretty little shrug for an 11.5-inch fashion doll, made with a cross stitch technique (there is a linked tutorial). It is the perfect layer over a strapless or tube dress. The designer suggests a fine yarn for the right fit on a slim doll.
- Designer: Rhelena / CrochetN’Crafts
- Skill level: Easy/Intermediate
- Yarn: Fine yarn (Loops and Threads Woolike used)
- Hook: 4 mm (G)
- Price: Free
- Get the pattern: Get the free pattern →
Which One Should You Make?
- First doll sweater ever? Try the Doll Jacket (#6) with its video, or the Textured Buttercup Sweater (#2).
- Want a quick 18-inch cardigan? The Doll Cardigan (#1) uses a big hook and works up fast.
- Want a neat, store-bought look? Make the Cozy Cardigan (#4) in DK yarn.
- Making a matching gift for a child and her doll? Pick the Aran Look Set (#5).
- Dressing an 11.5-inch fashion doll? Start with the sweater and hat (#7), then try the hoodie (#9).
FAQ
How do I make a crochet doll sweater fit over the doll’s head?
Most doll sweaters open at the back with snaps or buttons, or at the front like a cardigan. This makes them much easier to put on than a pullover. If a pattern is a pullover, check the neck opening on your doll after the first rows, and go up a hook size if it is tight.
What yarn should I use for a doll sweater?
For 18-inch dolls, worsted or DK yarn works well. For 11.5-inch fashion dolls, use fine yarn, sport yarn or thick thread so the sweater is not too bulky. Soft acrylic is easy to wash, while cotton and wool give crisp stitch detail.
Can I make a doll sweater without sewing?
Some patterns are worked mostly in one piece, but most doll sweaters need a little sewing for buttons, snaps or sleeves. Set-in sleeves like in the Cozy Cardigan (#4) need sewing. If you want less sewing, look for patterns where the sleeves are worked in rounds, like the Doll Jacket (#6).
Pick a sweater, grab some soft yarn, and keep your doll warm all season long.