Free Lightweight Crochet Cardigan Pattern: Marlowe Collection

A free lightweight crochet cardigan pattern with filet squares, one-piece construction, short sleeves, and no shaping for easy summer layering.

I designed the Marlowe Cardigan to be light, easy, and effortless for warmer weather layering. The modern filet squares add just enough structure, while the open treble mesh keeps the fabric breathable and soft.

Worked in one piece with no shaping, it’s easy to crochet and just as easy to wear over your favourite summer outfits.

Below you’ll find everything you need to crochet the Marlowe Cardigan, including sizing, yarn details, gauge, and the full free pattern. If you’d prefer a printable ad-free version, the PDF is also available in my Etsy, Ravelry, and LoveCrafts shops. Thank you so much for supporting my work.

Jump to: Sizing  |  Materials  |  Free Cardigan Pattern

Skill Level

Easy.  You only need to know how to chain, double crochet, and treble crochet. There’s no shaping, but counting stitches carefully is important to keep the blocks aligned.

Sizing

The sizing chart below includes the recommended chest measurements, finished cardigan width, and approximate yarn quantities for each size.

Sizes follow the Craft Yarn Council guidelines.

How to Choose the Right Size for You

The Marlowe Cardigan is designed as a relaxed fit, making it perfect for lightweight summer layering.

If you prefer a more fitted look, simply follow the instructions for the smaller size.

For example, if your chest measurement is 48 inches, working the L/XL size will give you approximately 2 inches of movement (positive ease).

Materials

• DK #3 weight yarn:  707, (793, 964, 1,049) yds
• 4mm crochet hook
• Stitch markers
• Scissors
• Yarn needle

I use Clover Amour crochet hooks.

Yarn Choices

I’m still working through my stash, and this tropical teal shade from Yarnsmiths Create DK immediately caught my eye. The colour doesn’t quite show up in photos (it’s a lot more teal and less blue in real life).

This is a budget-friendly acrylic yarn that’s lovely and soft. I’ve used it in several projects and it always works up beautifully. One of the biggest bonuses is the colour range — 120 shades to choose from, which makes it perfect if you’d like to personalise your cardigan.

It’s also easy to care for, being machine washable at 30°C and suitable for tumble drying on low.

You can substitute any DK weight yarn for this project.

If your gauge is different from mine, whether you’re using the same yarn or substituting, you can easily adjust your stitch counts using my stitch gauge converter.

Gauge

Using a 4 mm crochet hook:

• 17 stitches
• 10 rows
• = 4″ x 4″

Swatch Pattern

• 10 double crochet stitches, chain 1, 6 double crochet stitches
• 5 rows double crochet
• 1 row treble crochet
• 4 rows double crochet

Stitches and Abbreviations

Stacked Double Crochet (stacked dc): make a single crochet into the first stitch. Insert hook into the left vertical leg of the single crochet just made, yarn over, pull up a loop, yarn over, and pull through two loops.

Stacked Treble Crochet (stacked tr): make a single crochet into the first stitch, *insert hook into the left vertical leg of the single crochet just made, yarn over, pull up a loop, yarn over, pull through two loops, * repeat once more.

• single crochet (sc)
• double crochet (dc)
• treble crochet (tr)

If you need a refresher of these stitches, you can find instructions in part one of my stitch library.

For my UK crocheters, the table below is a conversion of basic crochet stitches from US to UK.

These common abbreviations are used in this pattern:

• chain (ch)
• each (ea)
• remaining (rem)
• repeat (rep)
• right hand side (rhs)
• Right Side (RS)
• Skip (sk)
• space/s (sp/s)
• stitch/es (st/s)
• Wrong Side (WS)

Design and Construction: How the Marlowe cardigan is worked

My Marlowe Cardigan is designed to be an easy, relaxing crochet project. There’s no increasing or decreasing, just counting the filet blocks carefully to keep the stitch pattern aligned.

The cardigan is worked in alternating filet squares and open treble mesh, creating a lightweight fabric that feels airy and comfortable for warmer days. Each filet square section is made up of ten double crochet stitches, a chain-1 space, and five rows, which gives the design its modern geometric look.

Worked in one piece from the back, stitches are skipped and the yarn is rejoined without turning the fabric to continue each front. This keeps the stitch pattern facing the right way on both sides and gives the cardigan a beautifully clean finish.

Once both fronts are complete, they’re folded over the back and the armhole depth is measured before sewing the side seams from the armhole to the hem.

The front edging is worked in 6 rows:

• 4 rows double crochet
• 1 row mesh edging (ch 1, skip 1, dc)
• 1 final row single crochet

To finish the armholes, one round of single crochet is worked evenly around each sleeve opening.

If you’d like to wear your cardigan closed, you can easily add a crochet chain tie threaded through the front edging, or sew on a button and use the open stitches on the opposite side as a natural button loop.

My Pattern Notes

• Pattern is written in English using US crochet terms.
• Size instructions are written as S/M, (L/XL, 2XL/3XL, 4XL/5XL).
• Repeated instructions are between the symbol *
• Chain 1 (edging) does not count as a stitch.
• Instead of a turning chain, this pattern uses stacked double and stacked treble to begin a row.  This makes it easier to follow with a chain 1 to begin the filet square.  As an alternative, you can use chain 3 and chain 4 but you must then remember to also chain 1 at the beginning of a row.
• Weave in ends as you go.
• If the yarn is substituted, the project may need more or less than stated.

Marlowe Crochet Cardigan Instructions (US terms)

With a 4mm hook

Ch 93, (104, 126, 137)

Row 1 (RS): dc in 4^th ch from hook, dc in ea ch across, turn (91, 102, 124, 135 dc)

Row 2: stacked dc, *ch1, sk 1 st, dc in next 10 sts, * rep to last 2 sts, ch1, sk 1 st, dc in last st, turn (S/M 82 dc 9 ch-1, L/XL 92 dc 10 ch-1, 2/3X 112 dc 12 ch-1, 4/5X 122 dc 13 ch-1)

Row 3 – 5: rep row 2

Row 6: Stacked tr, ch 1, sk 1 st, *tr in next st, ch 1, sk 1 st; rep from * to last 1 (2) sts, tr in last st, turn (S/M: 46 tr, 45 ch-1, L/XL: 52 tr, 50 ch-1, 2/3X: 63 tr, 61 ch-1, 4/5X: 68 tr, 67 ch-1)

Row 7 – 11: rep row 2

Row 12 – 47: rep row 6 – 11

FASTEN OFF

DO NOT TURN

First Front

Count 4, (4, 5, 5) ch1-sps from the start of row 47 and place a st marker in the next dc

Rejoin yarn at start of row 47

Row 1: rep row 2 to st marker, turn leaving rem sts unworked

Row 2 – 5: rep row 2

Row 6: rep row 6

Row 7 – 11: rep row 2

Row 12 – 47: rep row 6 – 11

Fasten off

Second Front

Count 4, (4, 5, 5) ch1-sps from the end of row 47 of back and place a st marker in the next dc

Rejoin yarn at st marker

Row 1: rep row 1 of first front to end of row

Rep instr for first front

Fasten off

Armhole/Side Seam

Lay cardigan out flat with fronts folded over back with WS facing outwards

Line up rows on fronts and back to match

From shoulder towards hem, measure 7.5, (8.5, 9.5, 10.5) inches and place a st marker through both pieces of fabric (front and back)

Sew side seam from st marker to hem

Fasten off

Rep on other side

Edging (fronts)

Rejoin yarn on RS at hem of rhs as worn

Row 1: stacked dc, dc evenly up front, around neck and back down front to hem in multiples of 2, turn

Row 2 – 4: stacked dc, dc in ea st to end, turn

Row 5: stacked dc, *ch1, sk 1 st, dc in next st, * rep to last st, dc in last st, ch1, turn

Row 6: sc in ea st and ch to end

Fasten off

Edging (sleeves)

Working on RS, rejoin yarn underarm, ch1

Round 1: sc evenly around sleeve edge, join with a sl st to first sc.

Fasten off

Rep on other side

Congratulations!  Your cardigan is ready to be blocked and worn

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.

Easy Summer Layering

Marlowe is such an easy lightweight layer to wear through spring and summer, whether you layer it over a vest top, dress, or your favourite lightweight tee. I love how the filet squares add just enough structure while the open treble mesh keeps it breathable and relaxed.

If you enjoy crocheting the Marlowe crochet cardigan pattern, you’ll also love exploring more summer crochet patterns, including roundups for summer tops and cardigans. They pair beautifully with the same easy-to-wear seasonal wardrobe style.

Crochet cardigans are one of my favourite projects to design because they’re practical, wearable, and easy to style throughout the year. You might also like my Selene Cardigan, the cosy Granny Stitch Hooded Cardigan, or my Lightweight Short Sleeve Cardigan for warmer weather layering.

Whichever style you choose next, I hope these patterns bring you plenty of relaxing crochet time and a handmade wardrobe you’ll love wearing.

Join the Crochet Community

I’d love to see your version of the Marlowe Cardigan! You’re very welcome to join my Jera’s Jamboree Crochet Community on Facebook.

It’s a friendly space where you can share your makes, ask questions, and get inspired by other crocheters.

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