The Backstage Sweater Crochet Pattern

Pattern Description
I gave myself a challenge to make a piece to wear to Glastonbury Festival.  I had to use yarn that I already had in my stash and could not purchase anything new and this is how the Backstage Granny Sweater was born. I can’t believe it myself, but this was also my very first time using the granny stitch!

The Backstage sweater is made in one piece.  First you will stitch the back panel from the top down.  Next the two shoulder/v-neck sections are added directly onto the back panel.  When the front and back panels are finished, the sleeves are also stitched right onto the sweater.  There are countless ways you can customise this piece. I have designed it to be cropped with extra long sleeves but this is easily adjusted for your perfect fit!  What an incredible way to use up some of that yarn in your stash you have been saving for the perfect project.

All About The Yarn
The more colours you have the more random the colour combinations will be.  If you have fewer colours, you will have to plan out the colour changes more carefully.
I changed colour every three rows.  The pattern reflects this.  There are no instructions within the pattern about colour changes, it is assumed you will change colour every three rows.  You can change colour less or more if you would like.  This may affect the number of rows you will end the body and sleeves with.
Watch the video below for a simple hack to help you with colour changes.
Most of my yarn was DK/Lightweight Number 3.  You can always add some other yarn weights to the mix if you want but it could affect the gauge slightly.

List of Paintbox Yarns Cotton DK
*Note* A few of the colours were from different brands in my stash but I have chosen the Paintbox version that matches my sweater the best. BUY THE YARN HERE.
Vintage Heather 
Peach Orange
Rosy Pink
Deep Sea Blue
Pistachio Green
Vanilla Cream
Blush Pink
Banana Cream
Seafoam Blue
Duck Egg Blue
Washed Teal
Champagne White

U.S. Terms

Materials: 
*5.00mm (U.S. H-8) crochet hook or size needed to obtain gauge
*DK yarn. I used various cotton dk yarns from my stash. See pattern notes for further explanation.
*stitch markers

Gauge: 
13sts/9 rows=10cmX10cm (4X4 inch) in granny stitch, explanation in pattern notes

Stitches and abbreviations used:
ch- chain
dc- double crochet
hdc- half double crochet
sc- single crochet
sk- skip
sl st- slip stitch
st or sts- stitch or stitches
RS- right side 
WS- wrong side