I have been dreaming about designing a hoodie that feels like wearing a garden for months now. I wanted something with that relaxed, throw-it-on-and-go vibe but with enough visual interest to make people stop and ask where you got it. The open mesh needed to drape beautifully without being too revealing, the flowers had to pop but not overwhelm, and the whole thing had to come together in pieces that actually make sense to assemble. I am SO pleased with how this turned out! The dimensional flowers scattered across the front, sleeves, and back give it that handmade charm that store-bought pieces just cannot replicate.
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About This Cozy Crochet Hoodie Pattern
This pullover hoodie combines a relaxed filet-style mesh body with soft ribbed edges and those gorgeous dimensional garden flowers that make it truly special. You will work the garment in separate flat pieces: a front panel, back panel, two rectangular sleeves, and a fold-over hood. The main fabric creates a beautiful open texture while the ribbed bands at the hem, cuffs, hood edge, and neckline add structure and polish.
The flowers get stitched on after blocking, which means you have complete control over placement. You can scatter them exactly where you want them for a balanced, organic look. Trust me, this flexibility makes a huge difference in the final result.
Skill level: Intermediate. The mesh stitch itself is simple and repetitive, but garment assembly, neckline pickup, hood shaping, and appliqué placement require confident finishing skills. If you have made a basic sweater before, you are ready for this.
Time estimate: Plan for 24 to 32 hours of work, including all the flowers and finishing details.
Finished Measurements
This pattern creates one relaxed adult S/M size with generous positive ease:
The relaxed fit is intentional. This hoodie drapes and flows rather than clinging, which suits the open mesh fabric perfectly.
Materials You Will Need
Main yarn: 980 to 1120 yards (896 to 1024 m) of worsted-weight cotton or cotton-blend yarn in warm cream
Flower yarn: 180 to 240 yards (165 to 220 m) total of worsted-weight scraps in dusty rose, blush, coral, sage, and soft yellow
Hooks: US I/9 (5.5 mm) for the mesh sections and US H/8 (5 mm) for ribbing and motifs
Notions: Stitch markers, tapestry needle, scissors, blocking mats, and rustproof pins
Yarn Suggestions
Any of these would work beautifully:
You can substitute any worsted-weight yarn that meets gauge after blocking. Choose a fiber with enough body to support the raised flowers without stretching the mesh out of shape. Cotton and cotton blends work particularly well for this project.
Gauge
Getting your gauge right is essential before you begin.
Main mesh: 14 stitch positions and 9 rows equals 4 inches (10 cm) with the 5.5 mm hook, blocked
Single crochet ribbing: 16 stitches and 10 rows equals 4 inches (10 cm) with the 5 mm hook, blocked
Take time to swatch and block before diving into the panels. Your finished hoodie will thank you.
Stitch Guide and Abbreviations
This pattern uses US crochet terms throughout. If you work from UK terms, remember that US single crochet (sc) equals UK double crochet, and US double crochet (dc) equals UK treble.
ch = chain
sl st = slip stitch
sc = single crochet (insert hook, yarn over, pull up a loop, yarn over, pull through both loops)
hdc = half double crochet
dc = double crochet (yarn over, insert hook, yarn over, pull up a loop, yarn over, pull through two loops twice)
BLO = back loop only
sk = skip
sp = space
st/sts = stitch/stitches
RS = right side
WS = wrong side
rep = repeat
inc = increase
Special Stitches
Mesh pattern: Chain 4, turn. This counts as the first double crochet and chain-1 space. Skip the next stitch, double crochet in the next stitch, then repeat chain 1, skip next stitch, double crochet in next stitch across the row. Counts are given as stitch positions, which include both the double crochets and the chain-1 spaces.
Ribbed-look single crochet: Work single crochet through the back loop only on every row to form horizontal ridges that mimic knit ribbing.
Seam join: Hold pieces with right sides together and whipstitch through the outer loops only for a soft, flexible seam.
Flower petal: In the indicated stitch, work slip stitch, chain 2, 3 double crochet, chain 2, slip stitch. That makes one petal.
Pattern Notes Before You Begin
A few things to keep in mind as you work:
If you are left-handed, work the same written instructions. Your pieces will grow in the opposite direction, and motif placement can be mirrored naturally. Keep all stitch counts and measurements identical.
Back Panel Instructions
With your 5 mm hook, chain 70.
Row 1: Single crochet in the 2nd chain from hook and in each chain across. (69 sc)
Rows 2 through 6: Chain 1, turn, single crochet in the back loop only across. (69 sc)
Switch to your 5.5 mm hook.
Row 7: Chain 4, turn, skip the next stitch, double crochet in the next stitch. *Chain 1, skip the next stitch, double crochet in the next stitch.* Repeat from * across. (69 stitch positions: 35 dc, 34 chain-spaces)
Rows 8 through 51: Repeat Row 7. (69 stitch positions)
Checkpoint: Your piece should measure approximately 19.75 inches (50 cm) wide and 22.5 inches (57 cm) tall after blocking. Fasten off.
Front Panel Instructions
Work exactly as you did for the Back Panel through Row 51. (69 stitch positions) Fasten off.
Neck and Shoulders
On the final row of both front and back, mark the center 29 stitch positions with removable markers. With right sides together, seam 20 stitch positions at each shoulder, leaving the marked center neckline open.
Your shoulder counts should be: 20 stitches left shoulder, 29 stitches neck opening, 20 stitches right shoulder.
Sleeves (Make 2)
With your 5 mm hook, chain 56.
Row 1: Single crochet in the 2nd chain from hook and in each chain across. (55 sc)
Rows 2 through 6: Chain 1, turn, single crochet in the back loop only across. (55 sc)
Switch to your 5.5 mm hook.
Row 7: Work the mesh pattern across. (55 stitch positions: 28 dc, 27 chain-spaces)
Rows 8 through 44: Repeat Row 7. (55 stitch positions)
Checkpoint: Each sleeve rectangle should measure approximately 15.75 inches (40 cm) wide and 19.5 inches (49.5 cm) long after blocking. Fasten off.
Hood Instructions
With the garment right side facing and your 5 mm hook, join yarn at the back neck. Pick up 59 single crochet evenly around the neckline: 29 across the back neck, 1 at the shoulder join, and 29 across the front neck. (59 sc)
Row 2: Chain 1, turn, single crochet in the back loop only across. (59 sc)
Switch to your 5.5 mm hook.
Row 3: Work the mesh pattern across. (59 stitch positions: 30 dc, 29 chain-spaces)
Rows 4 through 30: Repeat Row 3. (59 stitch positions)
Fold the hood in half with right sides together. Seam the top and back edge from the crown to the neckline.
Assembly
Sleeve and Side Seams
Lay your garment flat. Center each sleeve at the shoulder seam with 27 to 28 stitch positions on each side of the shoulder.
Sew the sleeve top edge to the body over 55 stitch positions. Repeat for the second sleeve.
Fold the garment with right sides together. Sew from the cuff to the underarm, then down the side seam to the lower hem. Repeat on the opposite side.
Cuff Finishing
Work one round of single crochet around each cuff, reducing to 36 single crochet evenly by working sc2tog (single crochet two together) about every 3rd to 4th stitch. Join with a slip stitch. Work 4 more rounds of single crochet in the back loop only. Fasten off.
Front Hood Edging
Join cream yarn at the lower front hood edge. Work 74 single crochet evenly around the hood opening, using about 3 stitches for every 4 row ends. (74 sc)
Rounds 2 through 4: Single crochet in the back loop only around. (74 sc) Fasten off.
Optional drawstring: Chain 120, slip stitch in each chain back across. Thread through the hood edge with a yarn needle.
Floral Appliqué Guide
Make 21 flowers total: 7 large, 8 medium, and 6 small. Use varied centers and petal colors for a natural garden look that feels organic rather than uniform.
Large 10-Petal Flower
Center: With yellow yarn, make a magic ring. Round 1: Chain 1, work 10 single crochet in the ring, join with a slip stitch. (10 sc)
Petals: Change to your petal color. Round 2: Work one petal in each single crochet around. (10 petals) Fasten off, leaving a long sewing tail.
Medium 8-Petal Flower
Center: Make a magic ring, chain 1, work 8 single crochet in the ring, join. (8 sc)
Petals: Work one petal in each single crochet around. (8 petals) Fasten off with a long sewing tail.
Small 6-Petal Flower
Center: Make a magic ring, chain 1, work 6 single crochet in the ring, join. (6 sc)
Petals: In each single crochet, work slip stitch, chain 2, 2 double crochet, chain 2, slip stitch. (6 petals) Fasten off with a long sewing tail.
Leaves (Make 10 to 14)
Chain 9. Single crochet in the 2nd chain, half double crochet in the next chain, double crochet in the next 4 chains, half double crochet in the next chain, 3 single crochet in the last chain. Working along the opposite side of the foundation chain: half double crochet, double crochet in the next 4 stitches, half double crochet, single crochet, slip stitch to the first single crochet. Fasten off.
Placement Guide
Front: 11 flowers scattered from the upper chest to the hem, with heavier concentration near the lower right and left sleeve edge
Back: 5 flowers, spaced loosely below the hood and toward the lower sides
Sleeves: 5 flowers total, placed on the outer sleeves so they remain visible from the side view
Pin your flowers in place while the hoodie is flat. Try it on before sewing to confirm you love the placement. Sew around each flower center and tack several petal tips so the appliqué stays dimensional but secure. Add leaves last, slipping them partly under flower edges for a natural look.
Finishing and Care Tips
Weave in all structural garment ends before attaching the flowers. Steam or wet-block garment pieces to measurements, being careful not to stretch the mesh beyond gauge.
Care instructions: Hand wash or machine wash cold on gentle inside a mesh laundry bag. Lay flat to dry. Reshape the flowers while the fabric is still damp. Avoid hanging the hoodie while wet, as the weight of the water can stretch the mesh.
Troubleshooting Common Issues
Mesh is too open: Go down one hook size or choose a firmer worsted yarn.
Panel is too narrow: Your stitch gauge is tight. Increase your hook size and swatch again.
Panel is too long: Your row gauge is loose. Shorten by removing mesh rows in pairs.
Hood edge ripples: Pick up fewer edging stitches, about 2 stitches for every 3 row ends.
Cuffs feel tight: Reduce fewer stitches on the first cuff round or stop at 40 single crochet instead of 36.
Size Customization
To widen the body, add stitch positions in multiples of 2 to the foundation while keeping an odd final stitch-position count. Add the same number to both front and back. Each 2 added stitch positions adds approximately 0.57 inches (1.45 cm) per panel.
To lengthen, add mesh rows in pairs. Each 2 rows adds approximately 0.9 inches (2.3 cm).
Maker Checkpoints
Before moving forward, verify these measurements:
Thank you so much for choosing this floral appliqué crochet hoodie pattern! I truly hope you love making it as much as I loved designing it. The moment you slip it on and see all those dimensional flowers cascading down the front, you will understand why this project is worth every stitch.
If you want to find this pattern easily later, save it to your Pinterest boards so it is waiting for you when you are ready to cast on. And please, leave a comment below when you finish yours! I would absolutely love to see your color combinations and flower placements. Happy crocheting!
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