Introducing the Cropped Ruffle Raglan Sweater—a chic and versatile addition to your crochet repertoire. This unique design features a flattering raglan construction, crocheted top-down in joined rounds with an invisible join for a seamless finish. The standout element is a charming ruffle detail that cascades from the chest down to the body, adding a touch of femininity to the overall look.

Crafted using the extended half double crochet stitch, this sweater offers 3/4 sleeves and a cropped length, both of which can be easily extended to suit your style. The easy-to-follow tutorial makes this project accessible for beginners as well, so you can confidently create a fashionable piece that’s uniquely yours.

Extended Half Double Crochet

The extended half double crochet stitch is a simple yet effective stitch that adds a smooth and minimalistic texture to the sweater. It’s a variation of the classic half double crochet but with an extra chain, providing a bit more height and flexibility to the fabric. This stitch is perfect for those who want a quick and satisfying crochet experience without compromising on style.

Step-by-Step Guide on How to Make Extended Half Double Crochet

1. Yarn over and insert your hook into the desired stitch.
2. Yarn over again and pull up a loop. You should have three loops on your hook.
3. Yarn over and pull through the first loop on the hook. You now have three loops remaining.
4. Yarn over one last time and pull through all three loops on the hook. Your extended half double crochet is complete!

The free pattern provided here is for size small. If you’re interested in different sizes or would like a more detailed pattern, you can purchase the complete written pattern as a PDF download from one of my online stores.

Materials

• Yarn: Hobbii Rainbow Glitter, 95% cotton, 5% metallic polyester, 8/4 Glitter Silver, sport weight
• Size S: 350 g / 12.5 oz, 1120 m / 1218 yds
• Hook:  4 mm
• Yarn Needle, Scissors, Measuring Tape, Stitch Markers

Gauge

16,5 ehdc sts = 10 cm

10 ehdc rows = 10 cm

Stitch Key (US terminology)

• ch = chain
• yo = yarn over
• st = stitch
• sts = stitches
• sl st = slip stitch
• sl sts = slip stitches 
• hdc = half double crochet 
• hdc2tog = half double crochet two stitches together 
• ehdc = extended half double crochet 
• 2ehdc = two extended half double crochet stitches in one stitch
• dc = double crochet 
• fhdc = foundation half double crochet 
• sp = space
• sk = skip
• V stitch = ehdc, ch 1, ehdc

Specialty Stitch & Technique Key

Foundation half double crochet 

Step 1: Ch 2. Yarn over, and insert the hook in the second ch from the hook (the first ch made), and pull up a loop. This first loop acts as the chain portion of the fhdc.

Step 2: Yarn over and pull a loop through the first loop on the hook (3 loops still on the hook). This loop acts as the first part of a standard hdc.

Step 3: Yarn over and pull through all 3 loops on the hook. The first fhdc is complete!

Making the rest of the fhdc:

Step 1: Yarn over, and insert the hook under the two loops of the V on the underside of the previous fhdc, and pull up a loop. Again, this first loop acts as the chain portion of the fhdc.

Step 2: As Step 2 above, yarn over and pull a loop through the first loop on the hook (3 loops still on the hook). This loop acts as the first part of a standard hdc.

Step 3: Again, yarn over and pull through all 3 loops on the hook. The next fhdc is complete!

Continue making the rest of the Foundation Half Double Crochet stitches just like the second one here.

Extended half double crochet 

Yo, insert your hook, yo and pull up a loop, yo and pull through one loop, yo and pull through the remaining three loops.

Invisible join 

Invisible join: pull the loop on the hook a little longer, remove the loop from the hook, insert the hook in the 2nd st from the back to front, take the loop through that st. Now continue on to the next round.

Notes

• You will start working around the neck in joined rounds (it’s a raglan style sweater, one piece, no sewing), leaving the holes for the sleeves/armholes, working on the body and finishing with the sleeves. 
• The pattern is designed for a cropped length, but you can easily extend it by following the guidelines in the ‘Body’ section.
• If you prefer longer sleeves, refer to the instructions in the ‘Sleeves’ section of the pattern. 
• I recommend you watch my YouTube tutorial if there are any uncertainties. 

Instructions

Fhdc 79

Invisible join: with this join you will make 80th fhdc:

1. Yo, insert hook and insert the hook under the two loops of the V on the underside of the last fhdc, insert the hook in the very 1st foundation chain, yo and pull through both chains, yo and pull through 1st loop (you just made a sl st). 

2. Now you just need to finish the last fhdc: yo and pull through the remaining 3 loops. 

3. Now you need to join the upper part of the chain with invisible join: pull the loop on the hook a little longer, remove the loop from the hook, insert the hook in the 2nd st from the back to front, take the loop through that st. Now continue onto round 2.

Round 2: ch2, ehdc in the very 1st st (where you made ch 2) and in next 11 sts, *ehdc, ch1, ehdc* in the next st (back), ehdc in next 14 sts, *ehdc, ch1, ehdc* in the next st (sleeve), ehdc in the next 24 sts, *ehdc, ch 1, ehdc* in the next st (front), ehdc in next 14 sts, *ehdc, ch1, ehdc* in the next st, ehdc in the remaining 12 sts (the loop from invisible join counts as the last st). Invisible join.

Round 3 – 8: ch 2, ehdc until you reach ch 1 sp, [ehdc in the ch 1 *ehdc, ch 1, ehdc* in the ch 1 sp, sk 1]. Repeat 3 more times. After the last V stitch work ehdc until you reach the end of the round. Invisible join.

Round 9: ch 2, 2ehdc in each st until you reach ch 1 sp, [2ehdc in the ch 1, *ehdc, ch 1, ehdc* in the ch 1 sp, sk 1]. Ehdc in each st until you reach the ch 1 sp, [ehdc in the ch 1, *ehdc, ch 1, ehdc* in the ch 1 sp, sk 1]. 2ehdc in each st until you reach ch 1 sp, [2ehdc in the ch 1, *ehdc, ch 1, ehdc* in the ch 1 sp, sk 1]. Ehdc in each st until you reach the ch 1 sp, [ehdc in the ch 1, *ehdc, ch 1, ehdc* in the ch 1 sp, sk 1]. 2ehdc until the end of the round. Invisible join.

Round 10 – 15: ch 2, ehdc until you reach ch 1 sp, [ehdc in the ch 1, *ehdc, ch 1, ehdc* in the ch 1 sp, sk 1]. Repeat 3 more times. After the last V stitch work ehdc until you reach the end of the round. Invisible join.

Separating body and sleeves 

Round 16: ch 2, ehdc until you reach the 1st ch 1 sp. The last ehdc is in the 1st st of the V stitch. Ch 10, ehdc in the 2nd st of the V st on the other side of the sleeve. Ehdc until you reach the next ch 1 sp. The last ehdc is in the 1st st of the V stitch. Ch 10, ehdc in the 2nd st of the V st on the other side of the sleeve. Ehdc until the end of the round. Invisible join.

Body

Round 17: ch 2, ehdc around (when you reach ch 10 in round 16, work ehdc in each ch). Invisible join.

Sleeves

Ehdc until the end of the round. Invisible join.

Round 2 – 26: ch 2, ehdc around. Invisible join.

Repeat the instructions for the other sleeve. 

I hope you enjoyed this tutorial and are excited to try out the Cropped Ruffle Raglan Sweater for yourself. Remember, the free pattern for size small is available right here, and you can always refer to the video tutorial on my YouTube channel for additional guidance.

Your feedback is invaluable to me, so please don’t hesitate to share your thoughts or questions in the comments below. If you do make this sweater, I’d love to see your creations! Tag me on social media so I can marvel at your crochet skills.

Happy crocheting, and until next time!