Garments / Jumpers & Tops Bandia Crochet Sweater Updated April 1, 2026 This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase through links on our site, I may earn a small commission. Click to see full details of my Privacy Policy. Pin it now, make later!153Shares If you’re looking for the perfect cosy sweater to carry you through Autumn and Winter…let me introduce the beautiful Bandia crochet sweater. Designed by the lovely Ami from Hook of Love, this crochet jumper is a deceptively simple make. Not only that, it’s seamless so there’s no tricky sewing afterwards! Inspired by a national park in Senegal, there’s a playful splash of animal print on the bottom of this sporty-shaped sweater. I can’t wait to make a pastel-coloured version! TABLE OF CONTENTS1. Materials & Tools 2. Gauge3. Gauge swatch 4. Sizing5. Pin For Later6. Pattern Notes7. Construction of Bandia Crochet Sweater8. Crochet Terms9. BANDIA CROCHET SWEATER PATTERN10. Yoke Section11. Start working in the round12. Separate for sleeves and work body of sweater13. Setting up for the print design14. Print design15. Example of how to read the chart.16. Finishing Hem17. Neckline finishing18. Short sleeve version 19. Sleeves20. Print Design21. Print design on sleeve22. Print design on sleeve23. Looking to stay warm this Autumn? I have the perfect collection of Fall-friendly patterns to keep you cosy and chic. Why not try one of these? VIEW MORE▼ Ami herself says, “The sweater is named after Bandia reserve in my home country of Senegal. Here’s what I love about it: Making it seamless was important to me (I dislike sewing crochet pieces!) The raglan construction with v-neck opening and the fpdc between sleeves and body of sweater give the sweater a sporty vibe. The animal print on hem and cuff” As this is a guest post, Bella Coco Crochet is unable to answer any queries. If you have a question, please contact the designer directly and they will be happy to help you. Materials & Tools Yarn: Any worsted weight yarn. If you’re struggling to find worsted, you can use Aran and a smaller hook size – be sure to swatch! I love Caron Simply Soft. Colour 1: 1100 to 1250 yards Colour 2: 20 yards Hook: 5.5mm Scissors Darning Needle Gauge 8 Rows of 14 dc = 4” x 4” Gauge swatch Ch 16 Row 1: 1 dc in 4th ch from hook, 1 dc in each ch, ch 2 turn (ch 2 turn does not count as a stitch) (14 dc) Row 2: 1 dc in each st, ch 2 turn Row 3 – 8: As row 2. Fasten off Sizing Size: S (M, L , XL) Finished bust measurement: 36.5 (38, 42, 46) inches Pin For Later Pattern Notes The pattern is written in US terminology Construction of Bandia Crochet Sweater Work the sweater top down, back and forth, making increases where indicated until the v-neck is formed. Switch to working in the round with increases where indicated Separate for sleeves and continue working the body of the sweater to the print design section Use tapestry technique to work the print design Finish the hem with ribbing Work 1 sc round around the neckline Work the sleeves in the round making decreases where indicated End sleeves with the print design Crochet Terms Chain (ch): Yarn over, pull through one loop on hook. Single Crochet (s): sc(s): Insert into stitch, yarn over, pull up a loop, you will have two loops on the hook. Yarn over, pull through two loops. Double Crochet (s): dc(s): Yarn over, insert into stitch, yarn over, pull up a loop, you will have three loops on the hook. Yarn over, pull through two loops, yarn over, pull through remaining two loops. Front Post Double Crochet (fpdc): Yarn over, insert hook behind the post of the indicated stitch (from front to back, then back to front, so the post is in front of the hook), yarn over, pull up a loop around the post of the stitch, *yarn over, pull through two loops* twice. Back Post Double Crochet (bpdc): Yarn over, working from the back of the fabric, insert hook in front of the post of the stitch from the row below (from back to front, then front to back, so the post is at the back of the hook), yarn over, pull up a loop around the post of the stitch, *yarn over, pull through two loops* twice. Sp: Space Sk: Skip RS: Right side WS: Wrong side st(s) Stitch(s) How to Crochet – A Handy Reference Guide eBook Unsure of the differences between UK and US terms? Need a refresher on how to do your stitches? In my ‘How to crochet: A handy reference guide’ EBook I help you with all of these terms and you can always have them to hand! You will also get exclusive access to free video instructions. Learn more about the eBook here. To unlock this FREE crochet pattern all you need to do is enter your email to join our mailing list and the grow app will appear, please enter your email and create a password. Now you’ve created a grow account you’ll be able to access all of the free patterns on the blog and bookmark your favourites so you can have them all in one place for easy access. If you forget your password, click the “forgot password” link and follow the prompts. Please note that the team are unable to assist with resetting Grow passwords or accessing your Grow account, so please make sure you save your login information in a safe place. Your grow account is separate from your Bella Coco account which you use to access your purchased patterns. BANDIA CROCHET SWEATER PATTERN Yoke Section Ch 56 Row 1 (RS): 1 dc in 3rd ch from hook, 1 dc in each ch, ch 2 turn (54 dc) (the turning ch 2 does not count as a stitch, here and throughout this pattern) The sts will be distributed this way: 3 sts for 1st front panel 2 sts for 1st corner 9 sts for 1st sleeve 2 sts for 2nd corner 22 sts for the back 2 sts for the 3rd corner 9 st for the 2nd sleeve 2 sts for the 4th corner 3 sts for the 2nd front panel Increases are made this way: When working flat (back and forth), Increase 1 dc at the beg of the row, 1 dc at the end of the row, and 1 dc increase before and after the two corner stitches. When working in the round, 1 dc increase before and after the two corner stitches. The two corner stitches are worked in Fpdc or bpdc Row 2 (WS) (increase 10 sts): 2 dc in 1st st, 1 dc, 2 dc in next st, 2 bpdc, 2 dc in next st, 7 dc, 2 dc in next st, 2 bpdc, 2 dc in next st, 20 dc, 2 dc in next st, 2 bpdc, 2 dc in next st, 7 dc, 2 dc in next st, 2 bpdc, 2 dc in next st, 1 dc, 2 dc in last st ch 2 turn (64 sts) Row 3 (RS) (increase 10 sts): 2 dc in 1st st, *1 dc in each st to last st before the next bpdc of previous row, 2 dc in that st, 2 fpdc, 2 dc in next st, repeat from * 3 times, 1 dc in each st to last st, 2 dc in last st, ch 2 turn (74 sts) Row 4 (WS) (increase 10 sts): 2 dc in 1st st, *1 dc in each st to last st before the next fpdc of previous row, 2 dc in that st, 2 bpdc, 2 dc in next st, repeat from* 3 times, 1 dc in each st to last st, 2 dc in last st, ch 2 turn (84 sts) Row 5, 7, 9: as row 3 Row 6, 8: as row 4 End of row 9 (134 sts) Start working in the round Round 10 (increase 8 sts): *1 dc in each st to last st before the next bpdc of previous row, 2 dc in that st, 2 fpdc, 2 dc in next st, repeat from * 3 times, 1 dc in each st to end, sl.st to beg dc (142 sts). Fasten off. To hide the round joining, fasten off and reattach the yarn to the 1st fpdc at the left of the front panel Round 1 (increase 8 sts): ch 3, 1 fpdc, 2 dc in next st, *1 dc in each st to last st before next fpdc, 2 dc in that st, 2 fpdc, 2 dc in next st, repeat from * twice, 1 dc in each st to last st, 2 dc in that st, sl.st. to 3rd ch (150 sts) Tip: before the ch 3 at the beg of a round, sl.st. around the ch3 of the previous round then ch 3. This will make it look like a fpdc instead of a ch 3 Size Small: work Round 2-19 as round 1 (214 sts at end of round 10) Size Medium: work Round 2-20 as round 1 (222 sts at end of round 11) Size Large: work round 2-21 as round 1 (230 sts at end of round 12) Size XL: work round 2-22 as round 1 (238 sts at end of round 13) Separate for sleeves and work body of sweater Round 1: ch 3, 1 fpdc, ch 0 (0, 6, 10), sk 45 (47, 49, 51) dc, 2 fpdc, 2 dc in next st, 56 (58,60,62) dc, 2 dc, 2 fpdc, ch 0 (0,6,10), sk 45 (47,49,51) dc, 2 fpdc, 2 dc in next st, 56 (58, 60,62) dc, 2 dc in last st, sl st to 3rd ch – [128 (132,136,140) sts]; 0 (0, 6, 10 ) ch Round 2: ch 3, 1 dc in each st and in each ch, 128 (132, 148, 160) sts Round 3-16: as round 1 Sweater Hem (shaded squares = color B) Tip: use 2 stitch markers one at the beg and one at the end of the 16 sts repeat The print design calls for a multiple of 16 sts Setting up for the print design Size Small and XL: ch 1, 1 sc in each st all around, sl.st to the 1st sc (128, 160 )sts Size Medium and Large (decrease 4 sts to get to a multiple of 16 sts): ch 1, 1 sc in each st, decrease 1 st by the middle front, 1 st on each side of the sweater, 1st by the middle of the sweater (decrease by making sc2tog) (128,144) sts Print design This section is worked using the tapestry technique. The color not in use is carried in the back of the work. And when changing color finish the last stitch with the new color to be used Round 1 to round 8: follow the chart Example of how to read the chart. Round 1 (attach color B) *With Color B: 3 sc With Color A: 2 sc With Color B: 3 sc With Color A: 1 sc With Color B: 2 sc With Color A: 2 sc With Color B: 2sc With Color A: 1 sc Repeat from * 8 (8, 9, 10) times, slst. to beg sc, then continue to Row 2 with color A Work all 8 rows of the chart Finishing Hem With color A Round 1: Ch 3 (count as a stitch), 1 dc in each st all around, sl.st. to 3rd ch 128(128, 144, 160) dc Round 2-3: as round 1 Round 4-6: ch 3, 1 bpdc, *1 fpdc, 1 bpdc, repeat from * all around, sl.st. to 3rd ch Fasten off Neckline finishing Attach yarn A to middle back of neckline. Work a sc round this way: 22 sc in back of sweater, 1 sc in each fpdc, 9 sc in each sleeve section. In each side of the v neck, work 1 sc in each of the starting 3 dc, 1 8 sc in the 9 vneck rows (2 sc per row) Work a second sc round. Fasten off Short sleeve version Sleeves 1st sleeve Attach yarn by middle of armpit Size Small & Medium Work the previously skipped sts in round 1 of the Separate for Sleeves Section Round 1: ch 3, 1 dc in each previously skipped stiches, sl.st. to 3rd ch (45,47)sts Round 2- 30: ch 3, 1 dc in each st, all around , sl.st. to 3rd chain In the next round we will adjust the st count to bring it to a multiple of 16 for the print design Size Small only: increase 3 sts while working a sc round (increase 3 sts by putting 2 sc in one stitch, and repeat that 3 times) (48 sts) Size Medium only: increase 1 st while working a sc round (increase by putting 2 sc in one stitch) Print Design Size Small & Medium Work row 1-4 of the chart. Fasten off Make 2nd sleeve as first. Weave in all ends Size Large only Attach yarn A by middle of armpit Round 1: Evenly work 57 dc around sleeve. Tip: Work 1 sc in each of the previously skipped 49 sts in round 1 of the Separate for Sleeves Section, 1 sc in each of the added 6 ch, and 2dctog in each corner between the added chain and the post of the sweater body Round 2: ch 3, 1 dc in each st, all around , sl.st. to 3rd chain (57 sts) Round 3: (decrease 2 sts): dc round, decrease 2 sts by making a dc2tog twice (55 sts) Round 4 – 6: as round 2 (55 sts) Round 7: as round 3 (53 sts) Round 8-10: as round 2 (53 sts) Round 11: as round 3 (51 sts) Round 12-14: as round 2 (51 sts) Round 15: as round 3 (49 sts) Round 16-31: as round 2 (49 sts) Round 32: make a sc round with 1 st decrease (1sc2tog) to bring the total stitch count to 48 Print design on sleeve Work row 1-4 of the chart. Work 2nd sleeve as first Fasten off Size XL only Attach yarn A by middle of armpit Round 1: Evenly work 63 dc around sleeve. Tip: Work 1 sc in each of the previously skipped 51 sts in round 1 of the Separate for Sleeves Section, 1 sc in each of the added 10 ch, and 2dctog in each corner between the added chain and the post of the sweater body Round 2: ch 3, 1 dc in each st, all around , sl.st. to 3rd chain (63 sts) Round 3: dc round, decrease 2 sts by making a dc2tog twice (61 sts) Round 4 – 6: as round 2 (61 sts) Round 7: as round 3 (59 sts) Round 8-10: as round 2 (59 sts) Round 11: as round 3 (57 sts) Round 12-14: as round 2 (57 sts) Round 15: as round 3 (55 sts) Round 16-18: as round 2 (55 sts) Round 19: as round 3 (53 sts) Round 20-22: as round 2 (53 sts) Round 23: as round 3 (51 sts) Round 24 – 26: as round 2 (51 sts) Round 27: as round 3 (49 sts) Round 28- 31: as round 2 (49 sts) Round 32: make a sc round with 1 st decrease (1sc2tog) to bring the total stitch count to 48 Print design on sleeve Work row 1-4 of the chart. Work 2nd sleeve as first. Fasten off. Want to keep up with what’s new on Bella Coco Crochet? The best way is to sign up to my newsletter, you get a weekly inbox that’s packed full of patterns, crochet chat and more! KEEP ON making Don’t miss a thing! Sign up to our newsletter, grab a cuppa and find out about the latest posts and projects. First name Email address Thanks! Please check your inbox (and junk) to confirm your subscription! Looking to stay warm this Autumn? I have the perfect collection of Fall-friendly patterns to keep you cosy and chic. Why not try one of these? The Houndstooth Cowl Valencia Cape Brook Cowl Pin it now, make later!153Shares Further Reading... Crochet Wrist Warmers October 6, 2020 How To Crochet a Floral Cardigan in 8 Sizes! January 7, 2026 How to Crochet a Relxaed Open Cardigan April 26, 2023 1 Comment Donna Bloch January 7, 2024 at 10:34 pm I would like to get the Bandia v neck sweater pattern as a pdf so I can print it and would be willing to purchase it. Is this a possibility ? TIA, Donna Bloch Reply Leave a Reply Cancel Reply Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.
