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Trend Alert: Crochet and Knit Bodyless Sweaters
So, have you seen this new trend that’s been popping up? It’s the trend best known as the bodyless sweater or bodiless jumper. Did we just spell that two different ways? Yes we did! Because we want to make sure that even when you can’t for the life of you remember how to spell bodyless, you’re still able to find us! lol However, you might also see it called the super cropped top. And there are variations, such as the body-less hoodie. Whatever you call it, it’s a top that includes a neck (sometimes but not always a turtleneck) and long-sleeve arms, but doesn’t generally have much of a body at all. This trend is mostly found in athleisure and streetwear, but we’re seeing it cropping up as crochet and knit bodiless sweaters as well. And in fact, some have pointed out that it likely started as a crochet/knit trend before hitting the runways and stores. What do you think of it?
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What Is a Bodiless Sweater?
As described above, it’s basically just a neck and arms. Sometimes there’s a turtleneck. Sometimes there’s a hood. However, there’s no body, per se. There’s just a tiny little bit of fabric across the neckline but above the cleavage area.
So, basically, if you took a sweatshirt, and you cut the body off above from armpit to armpit, getting rid of everything below the tops of the breasts, you’d have a super crop top or bodyless sweater.
The back may be cropped as short as the front or it may be a bit longer in a high-low style.
How Do You Wear Super Cropped Tops?
Obviously, you have to wear super crop tops, including crochet and knit bodiless sweaters, over something else. Otherwise you’d be baring your whole chest to the world. They aren’t meant to be worn alone.
Oftentimes, they’re worn over a sports bra or yoga tank. Sometimes they’re worn over swimsuit tops. Then you need bottoms, which might be swimwear, yoga pants, track pants, jeans, or a skirt.
That said, you can also wear them over any shirt or dress that you’d like. That said, they’re usually fitted in the arms, so it’s easier to wear them over fitted tops and dresses or sleeveless ones than to try to tuck long flowy sleeves underneath them. We’ve also seen them worn over overalls and jumpers. Anytime you want to show off your whole outfit and yet still have cozy warm sweater sleeves, these work.
Finding Crochet and Knit Bodyless Sweater Patterns
If you’re looking for patterns for crochet and knit bodyless sweater, then make sure that you look under a range of different names. Super crop and bodiless are the most common terms. However, you might also see what designers offer under the terms bolero, shrug, and even arm warmers. Although these terms typically refer to other top styles, some designers use these names to describe their super crop knit and crochet sweaters.
Browsing on Etsy, we’ve seen more crochet bodyless sweater patterns than knit ones.
Color Blocked Crochet Bodyless Sweater Pattern
SamLittleBuds on Etsy offers this really cute color-blocked crochet bodiless sweater patterns. This one has a classic sweater neckline. The sleeve cuffs are made in the same color as the neck. The two arms, which are uniquely well-shaped, are each a different color. This is a great spring or summer crochet item for layering over your other clothes when it gets chilly out.
Super Crochet Crop Top Pattern
MagentaArtyWorkshop on Etsy sells this super crochet crop top pattern. This one has looser sleeves, which offer a great casual look.. The back is slightly longer than the front, for a bit of a high-low super cropped top design.
Front Twist Half Sweater Crochet Pattern
Crochet and knit bodiless sweater patterns may also be called half sweaters. This one has a cozy turtleneck. What really makes it interesting, though, is the front twist. Remember when mobius cowls where trending? This is the same concept applied to the sweater front. This one is by Autumn Olive Crochet on Etsy.
Bohemian Crochet and Knit Bodyless Sweater Patterns
This crochet pattern by CamexiaDesigns on Etsy is inspired by bohemian fashion. It has loose bell sleeves that harken back to the 1970s. The yarn choice adds to the effect. And yet, because it’s a super crop, it’s right on trend today. The same designer offers a knit version of this pattern as well:
So, what do you think of this trend?
