Martha Jumper Crochet Pattern

Martha Jumper in Rowan Alpaca Soft DK

What is Being Made

The Martha Jumper is a crocheted pullover sweater designed for intermediate-level crafters. This garment features a classic pullover construction with a crew neckline and is available in nine different finished bust sizes, ranging from 71–76 cm up to 152–157 cm, making it suitable for a wide range of body measurements. The jumper combines solid-colored sections with a distinctive striped textured pattern, creating visual interest and dimension in the finished piece.

Techniques Used

This crochet project employs several key techniques to achieve its finished design. The primary construction method uses single crochet stitches as the foundation stitch throughout most of the garment. A central design feature is the use of popcorn stitches (Noppe in German), which are worked in alternating rows to create a textured, raised pattern. The pattern incorporates color changes and striping, with rows 10–29 forming a repeating striped popcorn stitch pattern that continues until the desired length is reached. Shaping is accomplished through strategic decreases using single crochet decreases (2fMzus-str), which taper the shoulders and neckline. The garment is worked in flat pieces from the bottom up, with turning chains used at the beginning of each row to maintain structure.

Stitches Used

• Single Crochet (fM): The primary stitch used throughout the jumper, providing a dense, stable fabric
• Turning Chain (WLfM): A foundation chain at the start of each row that does not count as a stitch
• Single Crochet Decrease (2fMzus): Used to shape the shoulders and neckline by combining two stitches into one
• Popcorn Stitch (Noppe): A decorative raised stitch created by working a yarn over, inserting the hook into a stitch, drawing yarn through, and repeating four times, then drawing through all loops—this stitch is repeated every fourth stitch in the pattern rows to create texture

Materials

The Martha Jumper is worked using Rowan Alpaca Soft DK yarn, a lightweight double-knit weight yarn. The yarn quantities vary by size: smaller sizes require 12 skeins of color A (Simply White 201), while larger sizes need up to 14 skeins. Color B (Autumn Gold 220) and Color C (Brick 218) are used as accent colors for the striped popcorn pattern, with 2–3 skeins of each required depending on the finished size. A size 4 crochet hook is used throughout the project. The recommended gauge is 18 single crochet stitches and 22 rows measured over a 10 × 10 cm swatch when worked with the size 4 hook, ensuring proper fit and drape of the finished garment.

Pattern Structure and Construction

The Martha Jumper is constructed in separate pieces: a back panel, front panel, and sleeves. The back section is worked first, beginning with a foundation chain and working upward in rows. Rows 10–29 establish the striped popcorn stitch pattern, alternating between rows of single crochet in color A and rows featuring the popcorn texture in colors B and C. This 20-row pattern repeat continues until the piece reaches approximately 50–52 cm in length, depending on the size. Once the desired length is achieved, the work transitions to single crochet only in color A, and shaping begins for the shoulders. The front panel follows the same construction method as the back until a specific height is reached (approximately 46–54 cm depending on size), at which point the front neckline shaping begins. The neckline is formed by decreasing stitches strategically to create a crew neck opening. All pieces are worked flat in rows and later assembled, with the yarn ends woven in to finish the garment.