Beginner-Friendly Crochet Granny Stitch Cardigan Pattern

The Alice granny stitch cardigan is a beginner-friendly crochet pattern that features a striking contrast between vertical granny stitches on the front and back, and horizontal stitches on the sleeves.

This unique combination not only makes my colourful cardigan visually appealing but also ensures a comfortable fit that you’ll love wearing.

Free to view here on the blog today, you can also upgrade to a PDF in my Etsy and Ravelry stores.

When I planned the Alice crochet cardigan, I aimed to create a garment that would stand out for its beauty and wearability. I’m thrilled it came together so well!

Worked in one seamless piece lengthways with minimal shaping, this is an ideal project if you are a beginner who knows basic crochet stitches.  If you’re an experienced crocheter looking for a relaxing and straightforward cardigan to crochet, you’ll love how quick and easy my pattern works up.

Why you’ll Love to Crochet this Granny Stitch Cardigan

Skill Level

Beginner-Friendly / Easy

Supplies and Materials

• Cicibebe Sweetie Colors DK (color 102); 985, (1064, 1202, 1279, 1392, 1461, 1590, 1660) yds
• 4mm / G-6 crochet hook
• Tape Measure
• Stitch Markers
• Yarn Needle

Yarn Choices

Cicibebe Sweetie Colors 102 has been in my stash for a while.  When I was buying the yarn in a different colourway for my hooded granny stitch cardigan I was drawn to these candy colours and made an impulse purchase.  I tried several different stitch patterns with this colourway and best fit for the colour changes was hands down the granny stitch.

In my opinion, the thickness of the fibre is closer to worsted/aran weight.  If you substitute the yarn and your personal gauge doesn’t match my pattern gauge, it’s easy to adjust using the stitch gauge converter tool.

Yarn Substitutions

These yarns are best match for texture, quality, fibre and gauge:

• Cygnet Tickly Tots
• Ice Yarns Sweet Baby
• Cygnet Pato DK
• Mary Maxim Mellowspun DK
• Stylecraft Colour Twist

Gauge

16 stitches and 9 rows = 10cm/10cm

Glossary

Stitches

You will need to know how to work these stitches:

• Single crochet (sc)
• Half double crochet (hdc)
• Double crochet (dc)
• Slip stitch (sl st)
• Back loop only (blo)
• Front loop only (flo)

Abbreviations

These abbreviations are used (in order):

• Chain (ch)
• Skip (sk)
• Repeat (rep)
• Chain Space (ch-sp)
• Right Side (RS)
• Space (sp)
• Previous (prev)
• Wrong Side (WS)

Cardigan Measurements

These are the final measurements for width and length for each individual size of this granny stitch cardigan.

I’ve also included how much yarn you will need in yards.

If you need a smaller armhole/upper arm measurement for your chest size (the width in the table above), then follow the instructions for first armhole and second armhole for a smaller size. Disregard the row number.

If you need a larger armhole/upper arm measurement for your chest size, then follow the instructions for first and second armhole for a larger size. Disregard the row number.

Use the table below to help you determine the size. This table shows the standard body measurements taken from the Craft Yarn Council.

How the granny stitch cardigan is worked

My Alice cardigan pattern is worked in one piece however, instead of the stitches being the width and the rows the length for the fronts and back, it is reversed.  The stitches are the length and rows the width.  Instead of the granny stitches being in a horizontal row, they become vertical. This is similar construction to my Faith vest.

I thought it might be easier to show you!  In the diagram below, the first image is how the cardigan will look as you crochet with the second image showing you the granny cardigan once it is finished and turned 90 degrees.

• The front is crocheted first without increases or decreases. 
• The armhole is made next by working a certain number of stitches before turning and leaving the remaining stitches unworked.  Sizes work these reduced stitches for different numbers of rows before chaining and continuing working on the back (the chains are worked into). 
• Next, the back is crocheted with the armhole made exactly the same as the first one. 
• The granny cardigan then continues with the second front, working the same number of rows as the first front.
• Once the body has been worked, the cardigan is laid flat with the wrong side facing outwards.  The two fronts are folded over, matched with the back and the shoulders are seamed.
• The sleeves are worked next, directly into the armhole and continue to use the granny stitch.  This construction gives you flexibility with the length of the sleeves to make a perfect fit for you.  Try your cardigan on and make adjustments as you crochet. I’ve edged the sleeve cuff with a round of single crochet.
• The garment is finished with an edging around the fronts and back of the neck.  Yarn is rejoined on the wrong side at the hem and four rows of half double crochet in the back loop and front loop are worked.

And that’s it, easy and beginner-friendly.  What do you think?  Do you think you’ll enjoy crocheting this one piece crochet sweater pattern?

Granny Stitch Cardigan Pattern Notes

• Crochet your swatch first and then read through the instructions before you begin working the cardigan pattern.
• Instructions are written for sizes S to 5X in US Crochet Terms.
• Sizes are written thus: S, (M, L, XL, 2X, 3X, 4X, 5X).
• For ease of instructions for different sizes, the cardigan pattern also separates instructions for each size when working the armholes.  These are clearly noted.
• Granny stitch is worked in multiples of 4 (add 6 to foundation chain).
• Chain 2 counts as half double crochet.
• Chain 3 counts as double crochet.
• Chain 4 counts as a double crochet, chain one.
• Chain 1 counts as a single crochet.
• Stitch repeats are noted with * for example: *ch1, sk 3 sts, 3dc in next ch-sp, * rep to last ch-sp.  You will work chain 1, skip 3 stitches, 3 double crochets in the next chain space and repeat this along the row until the last chain space, continuing to follow instructions to complete the row.
• When rejoining yarn to work the sleeves, join underarm.  Make sure you work the same number of stitches for both sleeves.
• Decrease rounds for the sleeves – work between the 2 double crochet stitches NOT in the loops but between the posts of the stitches.
• Try on your sleeve before adding the finishing round of single crochet edging and adjust if necessary.
• Weave in ends as you go.

Pin it for Later

Don’t have time now?  Pin this crochet cardigan pattern for later

Granny Stitch Crochet Cardigan Instructions

US Crochet Terms

Fronts and Back worked in one piece

With a 4mm / G-6 hook

Ch 94, (98, 102, 102, 102, 102, 106, 106)

First Front

Row 1: 3dc in 7th ch from hook, *ch1, sk 3 chs, 3dc in next ch, *rep to last 3 chs, ch1, sk 2 chs, dc in last ch, ch3, turn

Row 2: 2dc in first ch-sp, *ch1, sk 3 sts, 3dc in next ch-sp, * rep to last ch-sp, 2dc in last ch-sp, dc in last st, ch4, turn

Row 3: *sk 3 sts, 3dc in next ch-sp, ch1, *rep to last 3 sts, sk 2 sts, dc in last st, ch3, turn

Rows 2 and 3 form granny stitch pattern

Rep rows 2 and 3 for a total of 19, (21, 23, 25, 29, 31, 33, 35) rows

First Armhole

Size S Only

Row 20: rep granny st pattern for 59 sts, turn, ch 35

Size M Only

Row 22: rep granny st pattern for 63 sts, turn, ch 35

Size L Only

Row 24: rep granny st pattern for 63 sts, turn, ch 39

Size XL Only

Row 26: rep granny st pattern for 59 sts, turn, ch 43

Size 2X Only

Row 30: rep granny st pattern for 55 sts, turn leaving rem sts unworked

Row 31: rep granny st pattern

Row 32: rep granny st pattern, turn ch 47

Size 3X Only

Row 32: rep granny st pattern for 55 sts, turn leaving rem sts unworked

Row 33: rep granny st pattern

Row 34: rep granny st pattern, turn, ch 47

Size 4X Only

Row 34: rep granny st pattern for 59 sts, turn leaving rem sts unworked

Row 35: rep granny st pattern

Row 36: rep granny st pattern, turn, ch 47

Size 5X Only

Row 36: rep granny st pattern for 59 sts, turn leaving rem sts unworked

Row 37: rep granny st pattern

Row 38: rep granny st pattern, turn, ch 47

Back

ALL SIZES

Note:  work into chains made in prev row

Row 21, (23, 25, 27, 33, 35, 37, 39) to row 55, (61, 67, 73, 81, 93, 97, 105) rep rows 2 and 3

Second Armhole

Size S Only

Row 56: rep granny st pattern for 59 sts, turn, ch 35

Size M Only

Row 62: rep granny st pattern for 63 sts, turn, ch 35

Size L Only

Row 68: rep granny st pattern for 63 sts, turn, ch 39

Size XL Only

Row 74: rep granny st pattern for 59 sts, turn, ch 43

Size 2X Only

Row 82: rep granny st pattern for 55 sts, turn leaving rem sts unworked

Row 83: rep granny st pattern

Row 84: rep granny st pattern, turn ch 47

Size 3X Only

Row 94: rep granny st pattern for 55 sts, turn leaving rem sts unworked

Row 95: rep granny st pattern

Row 96: rep granny st pattern, turn, ch 47

Size 4X Only

Row 98: rep granny st pattern for 59 sts, turn leaving rem sts unworked

Row 99: rep granny st pattern

Row 100: rep granny st pattern, turn, ch 47

Size 5X Only

Row 106: rep granny st pattern for 59 sts, turn leaving rem sts unworked

Row 107: rep granny st pattern

Row 108: rep granny st pattern, turn, ch 47

Second Front

ALL SIZES

Note: work into chains made from prev row

Rep rows 2 and 3 for a total of 19, (21, 23, 25, 29, 31, 33, 35) rows for the second front

Fasten off

Assembly

Lay cardigan flat with RS facing inwards.  Sew shoulder seams from arm edge to the last 2 x 3tr stitches at neck edge.

Sleeves

Working on the RS, rejoin yarn underarm

Round 1: ch3, *2 dc in same sp, ch1, * rep to end, join with sl st to top of ch3, sl st to next ch-sp, ch3

Round 2: 2 dc in same sp, *[3tr, ch1], *rep around to last ch-sp, 2dc in last ch-sp, ch1, join with sl st to top of ch3, sl st to next ch-sp, ch3

Round 3 (decrease): 2dc in same sp, ch1, *[3dc, ch1], *rep to 2dc group in prev round, miss the sp before, work 3dc between the posts of the 2dc group, miss the sp after 2 dc group, join with sl st to top of ch3, sl st to next ch-sp, ch3

Round 4: 2 dc in same sp, ch1, [3dc, ch1] around, join with sl st to top of ch3, sl st to next ch-sp, ch3

Rep rounds 2, 3 and 4 three times (total 9 rounds)

Rep round 4 seven times (7 rounds)

Rep rounds 2, 3 and 4 once (total 3 rounds)

Rep round 4 a total of 8, (8, 9, 9, 10, 10, 11, 11) times

Try on the cardigan to make sure you’re happy with the length of the sleeve

Do not fasten off. Continue to work the edging round of the cuff.

Cuff Edging

Ch1, sc in ea st around, join with a sl st to top of ch1.

Fasten off

Rep on the other side

Front Edging

With WS facing, rejoin yarn at hem on left hand side

Row 1: ch2, hdc evenly up front, along back of neck, down the front, ch2, turn

Row 2: hdc in 1^st st, hdc blo in ea st to end, ch2, turn

Row 3: hdc in 1^st st, hdc flo in ea st to end, ch2, turn

Row 4: hdc in 1^st st, hdc blo in ea st to end

Fasten off and weave in ends

Congratulations, your granny stitch cardigan is finished and ready to be blocked and worn.

I’d love to know how you get on. You can leave a comment here on the blog, share you photos on my Facebook page, add the project in your Ravelry library or email me.

Copyright Notice

The pattern and photographs of this design are the property of Sharon Goodwin at Jera’s Jamboree.  This pattern and design are subject to copyright and are for personal, non-commercial use only.  You may not share, resell, alter or redistribute this pattern in part or in whole. You may, however, sell any finished items you make.  If you would like to include this pattern in a roundup, you may take one photo and link back to this pattern.