Hexagon Cardigan Pattern (with optional pockets)

The Ella hexagon cardigan is a beginner-friendly crochet pattern constructed with just two hexagons and using simple extensions to achieve the desired width and length.

Crocheted using the classic granny stitch with a solid neutral for the main yarn and variegated for an accent to give a punch of colour, my cardigan gives the illusion of a larger granny square within each hexagon.  The optional granny square pockets tie in seamlessly with the overall short-sleeve design for a cohesive look.

This project is an excellent way to use up your scrap yarn stash, turning leftover bits into a beautiful, lightweight summer garment.

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

My popular Ocean Hues crochet hexagon cardigan pattern gives instructions for made-to-measure but for this pattern, I’ve worked out the best fit for sizes small through to XXXL.  You’ll find clear instructions on extensions and colour changes for the different sizes, as well as options for cropped,  standard and tunic length.

This pattern is easily customized to transform the cardigan to a hexagon sweater.  Take a look at my Moon Shimmer hexagon sweater pattern which will give you some idea of how hexagons look seamed together as a sweater.

Why you’ll Love to Crochet this Hexagon Cardigan

Skill Level

Beginner / Easy

Supplies and Materials

• DK weight yarn; Main colour 799, (910, 1028, 1136, 1273, 1390) yds Contrasting Colour 219, (242, 267, 294, 323, 354) yds
• 5mm / H-8 Crochet Hook (body)
• 4mm / G-6 Crochet Hook (edging and pockets)
• Tape Measure
• Scissors
• Yarn Needle

Yarn Choices

I had a rummage through my stash for this cardigan; Lion Brand Baby Soft was another one of those impulse purchases I made in the past (during a sale) and Cygnet’s Tickly Tots I had left over from my striped cardigan.  Although both DK weight, the Tickly Tots works up between a DK and worsted weight yarn.  The effect on gauge was minimal and the drape is really good.  From my experience with this project, you can substitute any brand DK yarn for your hexagon cardigan – have a look through your scrap yarn and find something suitable. 

I recommend you choose a neutral colour for the main colour and bright colours for the contrast.  The contrasting colour is used for the first 10 – 15 rounds of the hexagon (how many rounds depends on size), the granny squares for the pockets (all sizes 7 rounds) and for the edging at the fronts.  Having said that, if you’re using what you already have, go with the flow!  Crochet your hexagon cardigan in one or several colours!

 Here’s more information about the yarns I used:

Gauge

8 rounds on a 5mm / H-8 hook =  10cm X 10cm / 4in X 4in

If you need to adjust your gauge, use the stitch gauge converter tool to help you.

Glossary

Stitches

You will need to know how to work these stitches:

single crochet (sc)

double crochet (dc)

Abbreviations

The following abbreviations are used in this pattern:

• Main Colour (MC)
• Contrast Colour (CC)
• Slip Stitch (sl st)
• Chain (ch)
• Repeat (rep)
• Space/s (sp/s)
• Right Side (RS)
• Wrong Side (WS)
• Right Front (RF)
• Stitch (st)
• Left Hand Side (LHS)

Measurements including Yarn Amounts

These are the sizes, final measurements and yarn amounts.

Size guidance is used from the Craft Yarn Council.

How the granny hexagon cardigan pattern is worked

This cardigan is worked in granny stitch throughout.

• Two hexagons are made for the right and left sides of the cardigan.  Each hexagon begins with a contrasting colour before changing to a neutral colour.  The number of rounds is dependent on upper arm measurements for each size.  Hexagons are worked in rounds.
• The width of the hexagon is extended next by folding and rejoining yarn at the bottom on the front for working rows from the hem to the neck.  This is repeated for the back. Width extensions are worked in rows.
• For a standard-length cardigan, extensions are worked by rejoining yarn at the hem and rows are worked around the hem.  Extending the length is worked in rows.
• If you prefer a cropped cardigan, you will go straight to assembly without working the extension rows.  Bear in mind that if your cardigan is cropped, you won’t be able to add the pockets!

• To assemble, the shoulders and sleeve seams are sewn first.  Measurement is taken for the neck hole and the seam is sewn from the cuff to the neck with stitch markers placed for the length of the seam.  This is repeated on left and right sides.
• One final step is needed to seam the cardigan together – the seam at the back.  Placing the two hexagons side by side, you can choose to either sew the two sides together or use the join as you go method for an invisible seam.
• Edging the cardigan is simple using three rows of single crochet.  I chose to coordinate the edging using the contrasting colour.  The edging is worked from the hem, up the front, along the back of the neck and down the second front to the hem.
• Optional pockets: Crocheted in the contrasting colour the pockets are 7 rounds of classic granny square.  I placed my pockets so they line up with the hem and the edging which is a comfortable position for the length of my arms.  I recommend you experiment with placement before sewing on.  Three sides of the square are sewn to the front of the cardigan leaving the top open.

Want to customize for a hexagon sweater?  Once you’ve completed the above steps, seam the two fronts together to the collar (this includes the edging).  It’s that easy!

Colours reversed: On Facebook, Kathleen asked me “was wondering if you’ve reversed the color scheme – starting with the neutral and putting the variegated on the outside? I’m curious as to how that would look.”

I thought others might have the same question so I made a mock-up reversing the colours. See image below (not to scale). Hope this helps!

Pair the Ella cardigan with a granny square bag to complete your look.

Related Crochet Cardigan Patterns

• Suitable for wearing all year, you’ll have this two-row repeat cardigan worked up in no time
• Worked in 7 rectangles, the Selene long cardigan looks great worn with a dress or t-shirt and jeans.  You’ll also find different designs in this collection of free long cardigan patterns.
• Perfect garments for summer included this long-sleeved cardigan worked in V-Stitch or these free summer crochet cardigans for inspiration.
• Style this lacy cardigan from day to night.

Cardigan Pattern Notes

• Pattern is written in US crochet terms.
• Body uses 5mm / H-8 hook.
• Instructions for sizes are written thus in the pattern: S, (M, L, XL, 2X, 3X).
• Hexagon starts with chain 4 and slip stitch into the first chain to form a ring – if you prefer working with a magic ring, create your magic ring and follow instructions from round 1.
• Chain 3 counts as a double crochet.
• A sequence of stitches is noted thus [  ]  for example *[3dc, ch2, 3dc] in ch2-sp, ch1, *rep round.  You will work 3 double crochets, chain 2, 3 double crochets in the chain 2 space then chain 1.
• The two colours are noted in the pattern as the Main Colour (MC) and Contrasting Colour (CC).
• Change to 4mm / G-6 hook to work the edging
• Pick up stitches evenly when working the edging.  To check your tension, work a couple of inches and hold up your cardigan (if wavy you have picked up too many stitches).
• Weave in ends as you go.

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Ella Crochet Hexagon Cardigan Instructions (US terms)

Hexagon Instructions (make 2)

With 5mm / H-8 hook and CC

Ch4, sl st in 1^st ch to form ring

Working into the ring

Round 1: ch3, 2dc, *[3dc, ch2], *rep 5 times, join with sl st to ch3, sl st to corner sp

Round 2: ch3, [2dc, ch2, 2dc] in ch2-sp, ch1, *[3dc, ch2, 3dc] in ch2-sp, ch1, *rep round, join with sl st to top of ch3, sl st to corner sp

Round 3: ch3, [2dc, ch2, 2dc] in ch2-sp, ch1, 3tr in next ch1-sp, ch1, *[3dc, ch2, 3dc] in next ch2-sp, ch1, 3dc in next ch1-sp, ch1, * rep round, join with sl st to top of ch3, sl st to corner sp

Round 4: rep round 3 working [3dc, ch2, 3dc] in ea ch2 corner sps, ch1, 3tr in ea ch1-sp, ch1 around joining with sl st to top of ch3 and sl st to corner sp

Round 5 – 10, (11, 12, 13, 14, 15): rep round 4

Fasten off.  Change to MC

Rejoin yarn in ch-sp you just worked the sl st

Round 11, (12, 13, 14, 15, 16) to round 14, (16, 18, 20, 22, 24): rep round 4

Fasten off

Extending Width

Now working granny stitch in rows with MC

Lay out cardigan with RS facing outwards (see image) and rejoin MC at hem on front to work from the hem to the neck, ch3

Size S only – go to extending length

Size M, L, XL, 2X, 3X

Granny Stitch pattern

Row 1: 2dc in first ch-sp, *[3dc, ch1], * rep to last ch-sp, 3dc in last ch-sp, ch4, turn

Row 2: sk 1^st ch-sp, *[3dc, ch1] in next ch-sp, *rep to last ch-sp, dc in last ch-sp, ch3, turn

Rep rows 1 and 2 for a total of 5, (6, 7, 8, 9) rows

Fasten off

Repeat for extending the width on the back

Extending Length (for standard length)

Note:  if you prefer cropped, do not extend length, go to Assembly.

Working in granny stitch in rows with MC

With RS facing outwards, rejoin MC on RF at hem.

Rep granny stitch instructions for extending the width

Work at total of 7, (9, 10, 10, 11, 11) rows

Fasten off

Assembly

Seaming sleeves/shoulder working on the WS

Measure 13cm from neck towards the cuff and place a st marker

Sew seam (or join as you go) from st marker to end of cuff

Fasten off

Rep on the other hexagon

Seaming back

Place right and left hexagons next to each other laid flat with WS facing outwards.

Sew seam (or join as you go) from hem to neck to join both sides together

Edging

With CC and working on the RS, rejoin yarn at hem on right front, ch1

Row 1: sc evenly up right front to last st, 3sc in last st, continue working sc evenly across back of neck, work 3sc in 1^st st of LHS, continue working sc evenly down left front, ch1, turn

Row 2: sc in ea st working 3sc in last st of first front, 3sc in 1^st st of second front

Row 3: rep row 2

Fasten off

Optional Pocket

Make 2

With 4mm / G-6 hook and CC work 7 rounds of a classic granny square

Classic granny square

Ch4, join with a sl st to 1st ch to form a ring

Round 1: ch3, 2dc, ch2, * 3dc, ch2, * rep 2 more times, sl st to top of ch3, sl st to corner sp, ch3

Round 2: [2dc, ch2, 3dc] in corner sp, *ch1, [3dc, ch2, 3dc] in corner sp, * rep around, ch1, sl st to top of ch3, sl st to corner sp, ch3

Round 3: [2dc, ch2, 3dc] in corner sp, *ch1, 3dc in ch1-sp, ch1, [3dc, ch2, 3dc] in corner sp, * rep to last corner sp, ch1, 3dc in ch1-sp, ch1, sl st to top of ch3, sl st to corner sp, ch3

Round 4: [2dc, ch2, 3dc] in corner sp, *ch1, 3dc in ch1-sp, ch1, 3dc in ch1-sp, ch1, [3dc, ch3, 3dc] in corner sp, * rep to last corner sp, ch1, 3dc in ch1-sp, sl st to top of ch3, sl st to corner sp, ch3

Round 5: rep round 4 working [3dc, ch2, 3dc] in corner sps, ch1 before and after corner sps, 3dc in ea ch1-sp, ch1 before and after each 3dc

Round 6 and 7:  rep round 4

Fasten off leaving a long tail to sew 3 edges of the pocket

Pocket Placement

Experiment with the placement of your pocket.  Once you’re happy, pin in place to the front and sew round 3 sides leaving the top open.

Fasten off

Congratulations!  Your Ella crochet hexagon cardigan is finished and ready to be worn.

Have you made this cardigan? How did you get on? You can leave a comment below or share your photos on the Facebook page.

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.