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05/15/25 •

Spectrum Stitch Crochet Swoncho | Part 5 | Prism Make-Along 2025 Free Pattern

Look at you go! This week we’re jumping into Chart 6 of the Spectrum Stitch Swoncho—and that means you’re officially halfway through the project! 🎉

Colorful graphic with a ball of yarn and knitting needle, text reads "Marly Bird's PRISM MAKE-ALONG" in bold, vibrant letters—perfect for knitters and crocheters ready to dive into a fun mystery colorwork challenge, surrounded by abstract shapes and patterns. -Marly Bird

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Chart 6: Depth and Dimension with 7 Colors

Chart 6 brings a grounded yet dynamic feel to your Spectrum Stitch Swoncho, using 7 colors in a 10-stitch repeat across 13 rounds. This section adds visual weight to the design with deeper shades, softened by splashes of green and blue for balance.

🧵 What to Know About Chart 6:

  • Colors Used: 7
  • Stitch Repeat: 10 stitches
  • Total Rounds: 13
  • Color Strategy: As with previous charts, cut any yarn after its last use unless it’s picked up again in the following round.
  • Float Management: Do not carry yarn across multiple rounds—snip and weave for a neater, lighter garment.
  • Bury Ends Thoughtfully: Take time to secure color changes and close any join at the start of the round. This ensures a clean look and durable fabric.

💡 Pro Tip: This chart has lots of contrast between dark and light yarns. Make sure your float tension is consistent—too tight and it’ll buckle, too loose and you may snag.

Enjoy watching this colorwork section take shape—it’s bold, textured, and oh-so-satisfying!

A smiling person with glasses and curly hair sits in a chair, wearing a vibrant Spectrum Stitch Crochet sweater. The colorful knit features blue, green, white, purple, and red patterns. Indoor plants and home decor brighten the background. -Marly Bird

Now’s the perfect time to stop and assess your progress with a quick try-on.

👚 Time to Check the Fit

Slip your swoncho over your head and take a peek in the mirror. Your colorwork is blossoming, and it’s important to make sure everything feels as good as it looks.

Here’s what to watch for:

✔️ The yoke should lay flat across your upper chest and shoulders
✔️ Your split single crochet fabric should be drapey but structured
✔️ There shouldn’t be any puckering, coning, or stiff shaping

💡 If you notice the neckline lifting or the fabric rippling too much, try a light steam block or pin-down between charts. And always test with your yarn first—especially if you’re using acrylic!

🧶 New Here? How the Free Version Works

If you’re just hopping in—yay! You can absolutely join now. Here’s how the free version of the Prism Make-Along works:

✨ Every Monday and Thursday in May, a new part of the pattern is released
✨ Free versions are added directly to the blog—no downloads required
✨ You can find all pattern sections linked at the bottom of the Prism Make-Along blog post
✨ Want a direct link in your inbox? Sign up using the form on the blog post!

📬 Sign up here to stay in the loop and never miss a pattern release!

🌟 Looking for Part 4? Click Here.

Scroll down to get started with Part 4 of the Spectrum Stitch Swoncho! I can’t wait to see your stitches come to life—be sure to share your progress using #prismmakealong and tag me @themarlybird. 💛

Spectrum Stitch Crochet Swoncho

Designed by Marly Bird

SKILL LEVEL

Intermediate

MEASUREMENTS

To Fit Sizes

Extra-Small/Small/Medium 28-38” [71-96.5 cm] bust

Large/Extra-Large 40-46” [101.5-117 cm] bust

2/3 Extra-Large 48-54” [122-137 cm] bust

4/5 Extra-Large 56-62” [142-157.5 cm] bust

Sample made in size 2 / 3 Extra-Large

Gauge 

16 split sc by 16 rounds = 4” [10 cm] by 4” [10 cm] in split single crochet; use any size hook to obtain the gauge. 

MATERIALS

Crochet Yarn 

WeCrochet Swish DK  (100% Superwash Merino Wool, 123 yds / 113 m, 1.76 oz/ 50 g, CYCA# 3 DK) — crochet

  • 7 (8, 10, 12) balls: #24957 Gulfstream (A)
  • 2 (2, 2, 2) balls: #24636 Marble Heather (B)
  • 2 (2, 2, 2) balls: #c25578 Marina (C)
  • 1 (2, 2, 2) balls: #28643 Throne (D)
  • 1 (1, 1, 2) balls: #28632 Haze Heather (E)
  • 2 (2, 2, 2) balls: #24313 Cobblestone Heather (F)
  • 1 (2, 2, 2) balls: #c26062 Wonderland Heather (G)
  • 1 (1, 1, 1) ball: #24064 White (H)
  • 1 (1, 1, 1) ball: #c25585 Rainforest Heather (I)
  • 1 (1, 1, 1) ball: #24951 Peapod (J)

Hook

Size U.S. H/8 [5 mm]  or size required for gauge. 

Notions 

Tapestry needle, Stitch Markers

ABBREVIATIONS

Ch – Chain(s) 

PM – Place Marker

RS – Right Side 

Sc – Single Crochet

Sl st – Slip Stitch

Sp(s) – Space(s) 

St(s) – Stitch(es)

Tch – Turning Chain

WS – Wrong Side

SPECIAL STITCHES 

⭐Back Loop Only: This is the furthest loop to you of the top 2 loops of the stitch indicated, regardless if you are on the RS or WS.

⭐️Chain (Ch): With slip knot or free loop on hook, yarn over hook and pull through loop on hook.

⭐️Single Crochet (Sc): Insert hook into indicated stitch, yarn over and pull up a loop, yarn over and draw through 2 loops on hook.

⭐️Slip Stitch (Sl st): Insert hook into indicated stitch, yarn over and pull up a loop and draw through loop on hook. 

⭐️Split Single Crochet (split sc): Insert hook into indicated stitch between the two legs of the stitch, yarn over and pull up a loop, yarn over and draw through both loops on hook. 

NOTES

  • Project is worked in joined rounds of split single crochet.  Join is made by removing hook from free loop, insert hook under top 2 loops of first st from back to front, replace free loop and pull through. 
  • Place marker in first stitch throughout project.
  • Change color when there are 2 loops left on the hook of the previous color.
  • Sweater is stranded color work not tapestry colorwork.  Be sure to keep your floats loose and not too tight.  If they are tight you will reduce the elastic nature of the fabric and your project might not fit you.  
  • Do not crochet over the floats or the fabric will become too thick! 
  • It is easy to tighten up your split single crochet stitches, be sure to pull up a longer loop to keep your stitches from getting too small.  If your stitches are too tight, you will not see the colorwork as clearly and it will be difficult to insert your hook. You can always go up a hook size or two to keep your stitches from getting too small.  

VIDEO TUTORIAL

SPECTRUM STITCH CROCHET SWONCHO PATTERN – PART 5

CHART 6

Split sc 13 rounds in Chart 6, reading rounds from right to left. The 10-st repeat will be worked 18 (20, 26, 30) times around.

A knitting color chart with a 13x8 grid, using blue, gray, green, white, and black squares. A color legend on the right lists yarn names and codes for each color from A to J—perfect for your next Free Pattern or Crochet Swoncho project. -Marly Bird

With color A Next Round:  Split sc in next 5 sts, *2 split sc in next stitch, split sc in next 9 sts; repeat from * around to last 5 sts, 2 split sc in next st, split sc in last 4 sc — 198 (220, 286, 330) sts.

✂️ Weave in Those Ends—Now’s the Time!

Don’t let all those color changes pile up into a yarn tail nightmare. Use this section as a reminder to:

  • Weave in your ends after each chart
  • Use your tails to close the join at the beginning of your round
  • Keep your wrong side neat and manageable—future you will thank you!

🌈 Keep Hooking!

You’ve made it halfway through the colorwork adventure, and it’s looking AMAZING. Let the next chart continue your story in bold, brilliant stitches.

🗓️ Continue to Part 6:

And remember, you’re not alone. Join the conversation and share your progress using #PrismMakeAlong and #MarlyBird.

Marly Bird

The One and Only, Marly

Marly is a knitwear and crochet designer (and yarn addict) that is here to help you learn how to knit and crochet in a way that's fun and approachable.

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