I don’t know about you, but I crochet A LOT of sweaters, like maybe 15-20 (or more!) every year. Sometimes I splurge on more expensive yarns, but mostly, I love to make tops inexpensively, that way I can make more! Using a small amount of fancy yarn, just 1 ball (2 if you need larger than a 48” Bust) of Lion’s Sunset Nights (273 yds) in Atacma Dessert, mixed with something more economical like Lion’s Pound of love (1020 yards) in Charcoal. Even with no sale or coupon for the yarn (and We ALWAYS have a coupon, don’t we!) the yarn for this sweater would only cost about $20 for up to a size 44” bust!
A Note on Gauge: Perfectly Matching Gauge is not as important as making sure you like the fabric, rounds can be added or subtracted from the yoke before the split for sleeves/body, to adjust the circumference. Like almost everything I crochet, I like the drape and feel of a bigger than recommended hook, like an 8mm hook with a ww yarn, the resulting fabric is lighter and also less suffocating than more traditional densely crocheted sweaters, while remaining dense enough to not need a camisole.