An easy crochet cardigan that uses a combination of stitches to create a unique and eye-catching design that you’ll wear again and again. Pair it with a dress for a polished look, or with jeans and a tee for a more relaxed vibe.
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Crocheting a cardigan can be a fulfilling project that helps you improve your crocheting skills. My free pattern involves practicing different stitches (crossed stitch, Iris stitch), shaping techniques (increases for the sleeves), and garment construction (seaming).
This pattern creates a versatile and stylish open-front cardigan using simple rectangles.
I’ve written instructions for sizes XS to 5X in both UK crochet terms and US crochet terms.
This sample is size medium and for reference model is 5’ 1”
Design Inspiration
I was browsing online and couldn’t find a design of cardigan I liked (happens to you too?). Nothing inspired me! so I decided to take a look through my stitch dictionary.
I wanted my design to have texture and more than one stitch but didn’t want it too complicated. I knew I wanted to use a shell stitch and to break it up with treble (US double) crochet. I enjoy working with crossed stitches and wanted to work this into the pattern.
The shell I chose is the Iris stitch. It’s pretty and easy to work and blends really well with the crossed stitches. It also works great as a cuff on the sleeves!
Fortunately, I had the perfect yarn in my stash both in fiber (50/50 cotton and acrylic) and color 🙂 A neutral-colored cardigan is more versatile but don’t be limited by color! A bright-colored cardigan will add a pop of personality to an outfit.
The design is an open cardigan which works great for spring, summer and early autumn.
How the pattern is worked
This easy crochet cardigan is worked in a total of 7 pieces:
- Back
- Front (make 2)
- Sleeves (make 2)
- Ribbed edging (make 2)
Each piece is worked flat from the bottom up and seamed to join.
The stitch pattern for the front and back is a 7-row repeat; 2 rows Iris stitch (shell), 2 rows treble crochet (UK) / double crochet (US), 1 row crossed stitches, 2 rows treble crochet (UK) / double crochet (US).
The sleeves are crocheted in treble crochet (UK) / double crochet (US) with a cuff of Iris stitch (shell).
Increases are used for shaping the sleeves to ensure a comfortable fit.
The ribbed edging is worked separately and sewn on. This solves the problem of either working too many stitches (where the ribbing ruffles) or not enough (the ribbing stretches the cardigan out of shape).
This gives a structured finish to the front of the cardigan.
Assembly
Once all pieces are crocheted, seams are sewn in this order:
- ribbed edging onto the left and right front panels
- shoulder seams
- sleeves (sewn along the shoulder seam of both front and back then extending down to the wrist)
- side seams
To finish off you will work 1 round of double crochet (UK) / single crochet (US) around left front ribbing, back of neck and right front ribbing.
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Yarn
Sirdar Hayfield Sundance DK is an acrylic cotton blend (50/50) that is lightweight and easy to care for being machine washable at 40 degrees.
The 100g ball has 320 meters / 350 yds making this great value for the cost. If you substitute the yarn, make sure you buy enough meters/yards.
This pattern uses the color 503 Very Vanilla.
| Ball Weight | 100g |
| Yarn Blend | 50% Acrylic 50% Cotton |
| Yarn Length | 320m/350y |
| Yarn Washing | Machine Wash 40 |
| Yarn Weight | Double Knitting |
Pattern Notes
- chain 1 does not count as a stitch
- chain 2 (ribbed edging) does count as a stitch
- chain 3 counts as a stitch
- I work my turning chain at the end of a row to keep edges neat but if you’re used to chaining at the beginning of a row and want to continue, you can with no effect on the pattern
- Row 4 is worked into the chain spaces from the previous row
- Row 5 chain spaces are skipped
- Back, front and ribbed edging = 4mm hook
- Sleeves = 4.5mm hook
- sleeves increase by 2 stitches on a row where indicated by working into the base of ch3 (the turning chain) and 2 stitches in the last stitch of row
- the length instructions for front and back are to work to a measurement (in cm’s). Count the rows for the back to make sure you work the same rows for right front, left front and ribbed edging
- when sewing on the ribbed edging, make sure the ribbing is placed on the right edge – check to make sure it is not on the side seam
- sew in ends as you go
Level
Easy / Advanced Beginner
Materials
- Sirdar Hayfield Sundance DK ; 4, (4, 5, 5, 6, 6, 7 ,7 ,8) balls
- 4mm crochet hook (front and back)
- 4.5mm crochet hook (sleeves)
- Tape measure
- Stitch markers
- Scissors
- Yarn needle
Stitches and Abbreviations
| UK Crochet Terms | US Crochet Terms |
| Double Crochet (dc) | Single Crochet (sc) |
| Treble Crochet (tr) | Double Crochet (dc) |
| Crossed Treble (Xtr) Skip 1 stitch, treble crochet in next stitch, treble crochet in skipped stitch. Crossed stitch made. | Crossed Double (Xdc) Skip 1 stitch, double crochet in next stitch, double crochet in skipped stitch. Crossed stitch made. |
| Front Loop Only (flo): work in the front loop of the stitch only | |
| Back Loop Only (blo): work in the back loop of the stitch only | |
- Ch = chain
- Ea = each
- St/s = stitch/es
- Sk = skip
- Rep = repeat
- Sp = space
- Incr = increase
- Rs = right side
Gauge
16 stitches and 9 rows on a 4mm hook = 10cm X 10cm
Measurements
This sample is size medium.
| Size | Chest (cm) | Length (cm) |
| XS | 99 | 63 |
| S | 109 | 64 |
| M | 119 | 65 |
| L | 129 | 65 |
| XL | 139 | 66 |
| 2X | 149 | 66 |
| 3X | 159 | 66 |
| 4X | 169 | 68 |
| 5X | 179 | 68 |
Selene Crochet Cardigan Instructions UK Crochet Terminology
Back
With a 4mm hook
Ch 77, (85, 93, 101, 109, 117, 125, 133, 141)
Row 1 (RS): dc in 2nd ch from hook, dc across, ch3, turn (76, 84, 92, 100, 108, 116, 124, 132, 140 dc)
Row 2: tr in ea st across, ch3, turn
Row 3: tr in next st, sk1, [2tr, ch1, 2tr] in next st, *sk3, [2tr, ch1, 2tr] in next st, * rep to last 4 sts, sk2, tr in last 2 sts, ch3, turn
Row 4: tr in next st, [2tr, ch1, 2tr] in ea ch1-sp across to last 4 sts, sk2, tr in last 2 sts, ch3, turn
Row 5: tr in ea st, sk ch1-sps across, ch3, turn
Row 6: rep row 2
Row 7: Xtr to last st, tr in last st, ch3, turn
Row 8: rep row 2
Row 9: rep row 2
Rows 3 – 9 complete stitch pattern
Keeping continuity of pattern, work until back measures 63, (64, 65, 66, 66, 66, 68, 68) cm
Fasten off
Front (make 2)
With a 4mm hook
Ch 25, (29, 33, 37, 41, 45, 49, 53, 57)
Row 1: dc in 2nd ch from hook, dc across, ch3, turn (24, 28, 32, 36, 40, 44, 48, 52, 56 dc)
Rep instructions for back
Fasten off
Sleeves (make 2)
With a 4.5mm hook
Ch 30, (32, 36, 40, 48, 58, 64, 72, 76)
Row 1: dc in 2nd ch from hook, dc across, ch3, turn (29, 31, 35, 40, 47, 57, 63, 71, 75 dc)
Row 2: tr in ea st across, ch3, turn
Row 3: tr in next st, sk1, [2tr, ch1, 2tr] in next st, *sk3, [2tr, ch1, 2tr] in next st, * rep to last 2 sts, tr in last 2 sts, ch3, turn
Row 4: tr in next st, [2tr, ch1, 2tr] in ea ch1-sp across to last 2 sts, tr in last 2 sts, ch3, turn
Row 5 (incr): tr in base of ch3, tr in ea st, sk ch-sps across to last st, 2tr in last st, ch3 turn (31, 33, 37, 42, 49, 59, 65, 73, 77 tr)
Row 6: tr in ea st across, ch3, turn
Row 7 (incr): tr in base of ch3, tr in ea st across to last st, 2tr in last st, ch3, turn (33, 35, 39, 44, 51, 61, 67, 75, 79 tr)
Row 8: rep row 6
Row 9 (incr): rep row 7
Row 10: rep row 6
Row 11 (incr): rep row 7
Row 12: rep row 6
Row 13 (incr): rep row 6
Row 14 – 18: rep row 6
Row 19 (incr): rep row 7
Row 20 – 22: rep row 6
Row 23 (incr): rep row 7
Row 24: rep row 6
Row 25: (incr): rep row 7
Row 26: rep row 6
Row 27 (incr): rep row 7
Row 28: rep row 6
Row 29 (incr): rep row 7
Row 30: rep row 6
Row 31 (incr): rep row 7
Row 32: rep row 6
Row 33 (incr): rep row 7
Row 34 – 37, (38, 38, 39, 39, 40, 40, 42, 42): rep row 6
To change sleeve length, measure from underarm to wrist. Check sleeve length from row 34 and amend number of rows to preference.
Fasten off
Ribbed Edging (make 2)
With a 4mm hook
Ch 7
Row 1: dc in 2nd ch from hook, ch2, turn
Row 2: tr in ea st across, ch2, turn
Row 3: flo tr across to last st, tr in last st, ch2, turn
Row 4: blo tr across to last st, tr in last st, ch2, turn
Rep rows 3 and 4 until ribbed edging measures 63, (64, 65, 66, 66, 66, 68, 68) cm
Fasten off leaving a long tail for sewing to right and left front.
Assembly
With RS facing inwards:
- sew ribbed edging to front panels for right and left (see pattern notes for placement)
- sew shoulder seams
- line up sleeve – centre of sleeve to shoulder seam and pin in place, sew seam, fold sleeve in half and continue to sew seam closed to wrist
- sew side seams
Final round
With a 4mm hook
With RS facing outwards, rejoin yarn to front right, ch1, dc evenly up the front, along the back of the neck and down the left front
Fasten off and weave in ends.
Selene Crochet Cardigan Instructions US Crochet Terminology
Back
With a 4mm hook
Ch 77, (85, 93, 101, 109, 117, 125, 133, 141)
Row 1 (RS): sc in 2nd ch from hook, sc across, ch3, turn (76, 84, 92, 100, 108, 116, 124, 132, 140 sc)
Row 2: dc in ea st across, ch3, turn
Row 3: dc in next st, sk1, [2dc, ch1, 2dc] in next st, *sk3, [2dc, ch1, 2dc] in next st, * rep to last 4 sts, sk2, dc in last 2 sts, ch3, turn
Row 4: dc in next st, [2dc, ch1, 2dc] in ea ch1-sp across to last 4 sts, sk2, dc in last 2 sts, ch3, turn
Row 5: dc in ea st, sk ch1-sps across, ch3, turn
Row 6: rep row 2
Row 7: Xdc to last st, dc in last st, ch3, turn
Row 8: rep row 2
Row 9: rep row 2
Rows 3 – 9 complete pattern
Keeping continuity of pattern, work until back measures 63, (64, 65, 66, 66, 66, 68, 68) cm
Fasten off
Front (make 2)
With a 4mm hook
Ch 25, (29, 33, 37, 41, 45, 49, 53, 57)
Row 1: sc in 2nd ch from hook, sc across, ch3, turn (24, 28, 32, 36, 40, 44, 48, 52, 56 sc)
Rep instructions for back
Fasten off
Sleeves (make 2)
With a 4.5mm hook
Ch 30, (32, 36, 40, 48, 58, 64, 72, 76)
Row 1: sc in 2nd ch from hook, sc across, ch3, turn (29, 31, 35, 40, 47, 57, 63, 71, 75 sc)
Row 2: dc in ea st across, ch3, turn
Row 3: dc in next st, sk1, [2dc, ch1, 2dc] in next st, *sk3, [2dc, ch1, 2dc] in next st, * rep to last 2 sts, dc in last 2 sts, ch3, turn
Row 4: dc in next st, [2dc, ch1, 2dc] in ea ch1-sp across to last 2 sts, dc in last 2 sts, ch3, turn
Row 5 (incr): dc in base of ch3, dc in ea st, sk ch-sps across to last st, 2dc in last st, ch3 turn (31, 33, 37, 42, 49, 59, 65, 73, 77 dc)
Row 6: dc in ea st across, ch3, turn
Row 7 (incr): dc in base of ch3, dc in ea st across to last st, 2dc in last st, ch3, turn (33, 35, 39, 44, 51, 61, 67, 75, 79 dc)
Row 8: rep row 6
Row 9 (incr): rep row 7
Row 10: rep row 6
Row 11 (incr): rep row 7
Row 12: rep row 6
Row 13 (incr): rep row 6
Row 14 – 18: rep row 6
Row 19 (incr): rep row 7
Row 20 – 22: rep row 6
Row 23 (incr): rep row 7
Row 24: rep row 6
Row 25: (incr): rep row 7
Row 26: rep row 6
Row 27 (incr): rep row 7
Row 28: rep row 6
Row 29 (incr): rep row 7
Row 30: rep row 6
Row 31 (incr): rep row 7
Row 32: rep row 6
Row 33 (incr): rep row 7
Row 34 – 37, (38, 38, 39, 39, 40, 40, 42, 42): rep row 6
To change sleeve length, measure from underarm to wrist. Check sleeve length from row 34 and amend number of rows to preference.
Fasten off
Ribbed Edging (make 2)
With a 4mm hook
Ch 7
Row 1: sc in 2nd ch from hook, sc across, ch2, turn
Row 2: dc in ea st across, ch2, turn
Row 3: flo dc across to last st, dc in last st, ch2, turn
Row 4: blo dc across to last st, dc in last st, ch2, turn
Rep rows 3 and 4 until ribbed edging measures 63, (64, 65, 66, 66, 66, 68, 68) cm
Fasten off leaving a long tail for sewing to right and left front.
Assembly
With RS facing inwards:
- sew ribbed edging to front panels for right and left (see pattern notes for placement)
- sew shoulder seams
- line up sleeve – centre of sleeve to shoulder seam and pin in place, sew seam, fold sleeve in half and continue to sew seam closed to wrist
- sew side seams
Final round
With a 4mm hook
With RS facing outwards, rejoin yarn to front right front, ch1, sc evenly up front, along the back of the neck and down the left front
Fasten off and weave in ends.
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.
Happy crocheting!
