Crochet Sweaters & Hoodies

Mustard Hood Popcorn Hoodie: Free Crochet Pattern

ModelSpecsHub: Gauge Guides, Pattern Specs & Sizing Essentials • October 29, 2026

Introduction

This pullover hoodie is made for anyone who loves a classic, boxy men's silhouette with a little handmade charm tucked in at the top. The body and sleeves are smooth terracotta half double crochet, while the hood is worked in a bumpy allover popcorn stitch in mustard, giving it that cozy coastal-grandmother feel. Because every piece is a simple rectangle, the construction stays beginner-friendly even though the texture looks impressive. The finished hoodie is soft, warm, and relaxed, with a straight fit that's easy to wear every day.

Materials Needed

Yarn: Worsted weight (Category 4) cotton, approximately 1000-1100 yards total: 800-900 yards terracotta (A) and 200-250 yards mustard (B). Sample uses Paintbox Yarns Cotton Aran (100% cotton, 85g/93yd per ball): 9-10 balls A, 3 balls B.
Hook: 5.0 mm (US H-8) crochet hook, or size needed to obtain gauge.
Notions: Tapestry needle, stitch markers, measuring tape, scissors.
Finished size: Men's size M: chest circumference 44 inches, length 26 inches, sleeve length 24 inches, hood height 14 inches. Fits chest 38-42 inches.

Abbreviations

ch — chain: make a loop of yarn and pull it through the loop on your hook.
st(s) — stitch(es): one completed stitch in the fabric.
hdc — half double crochet: yarn over, insert hook in stitch, pull up a loop, yarn over, pull through all 3 loops on hook.
sc — single crochet: insert hook in stitch, pull up a loop, yarn over, pull through both loops on hook.
pc — popcorn: work 5 hdc in the same stitch, remove hook, insert it into the first hdc of those 5, and pull the working loop through.
Rnd — round: a row worked in a continuous circle around an edge.

Gauge

14 sts and 8 rows in popcorn stitch = 4 inches (10 cm); 14 sts and 16 rows in half double crochet = 4 inches (10 cm). Work a small swatch in each stitch pattern and measure it before starting so your finished hoodie matches the listed size.

Tips Before You Start

Make both gauge swatches, since the hdc body and the popcorn hood work up at different row heights. The hdc gauge controls the fit; the popcorn gauge controls the hood height.
Keep your popcorn stitches loose enough to pull the loop through comfortably. Tight popcorns make the hood stiff and hard to work into on the following row.
The ch 2 at the beginning of hdc rows does not count as a stitch, but the ch 3 at the beginning of popcorn rows does count as the first hdc. Mark it if you tend to lose track.
Label your pieces as you finish them (Back, Front, Sleeve 1, Sleeve 2, Hood) so assembly goes quickly and nothing gets flipped.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Notes: The hoodie is worked in separate pieces and seamed. Popcorn (pc) = 5 hdc in the same st, remove hook, insert in first hdc, pull loop through. Ch 2 at the beginning of hdc rows does not count as a st. Ch 3 at the beginning of popcorn rows counts as the first hdc.

Back (A)

Row 1: Ch 78, hdc in 3rd ch from hook and each ch across (76 hdc).

Rows 2-40: Ch 2, turn, hdc in each st across (76 hdc). Fasten off.

Front (A)

Work same as Back for 40 rows (76 hdc). Fasten off.

Sleeves (A) — make 2

Row 1: Ch 42, hdc in 3rd ch from hook and each ch across (40 hdc).

Rows 2-48: Ch 2, turn, hdc in each st across (40 hdc). Fasten off.

Hood (B)

Row 1: Ch 78, hdc in 3rd ch from hook and each ch across (76 hdc).

Row 2: Ch 3 (counts as first hdc), turn, [pc in next st, hdc in next st] across to last st, hdc in last st (38 pc, 38 hdc).

Row 3: Ch 2, turn, hdc in each st across (76 hdc).

Rows 4-28: Repeat Rows 2-3 (13 times total for popcorn pattern). Fasten off.

Assembly

Sew shoulder seams: place Back and Front right sides together, sew 4 inches from each outer edge, leaving the center 20 inches open for the neck. Sew side seams: sew from underarm to bottom edge, leaving the top 8 inches open for armholes. Sew sleeve seams: sew the lengthwise edges of each sleeve. Sew sleeves into armholes, matching the center of the sleeve to the shoulder seam. Sew hood to neckline: with right sides together, pin the hood to the neck opening, aligning the center of the hood with the center of the back neck, and sew. Fold the hood in half with right sides together and sew the back seam from top to neckline.

Edging (A)

Rnd 1: Join yarn at bottom edge, sc evenly around bottom edge, sleeve cuffs, and hood opening, working 1 sc in each st or row end.

Rnd 2: Sc in each sc around. Fasten off.

Assembly and Finishing

Weave in all ends with the tapestry needle, working them into the wrong side of the fabric in a few directions so they stay secure. Block the hoodie lightly: mist it with water, smooth the body and sleeves flat, and pat the popcorn hood into shape without flattening the popcorns. Let it dry completely before wearing. Check all seams once more and reinforce any spots that feel loose.

Pro Tips and Variations

For a longer, slouchier hood, add 2-4 more popcorn pattern rows before fastening off the hood.
Swap the mustard hood for a contrasting color like cream or olive to change the whole look without changing the pattern.
Work the edging in mustard instead of terracotta to tie the hood color into the hem and cuffs.

Also Check Out: We think you'd love this beautiful pattern on our sister site: The Whimsical Woodland Scholar Owl: A Free Crochet Pattern for a Textured, Heirloom-Quality Toy