Free Short Sleeve Crochet Cardigan Pattern: The Sandrine Cardigan

A lightweight short sleeve crochet cardigan pattern featuring an easy mesh stitch, two length options and a relaxed design for spring and summer.

Worked in a simple 2-row double crochet 2 together mesh stitch, my lightweight cardigan creates beautiful texture while keeping the fabric breathable and comfortable to wear. Whether you choose the cropped version or the hip length option, Sandrine works equally well over dresses, camisoles and summer tops.

The open front design and fit make this cardigan a great choice if you’re making your first crochet garment. Available in sizes S to 3X, Sandrine combines straightforward construction with simple seaming to create a lightweight cardigan that’s perfect for layering throughout spring and summer.

The free crochet pattern below includes everything you need to make your own Sandrine short sleeve cardigan, including sizing, materials and how the pattern is worked.

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Jump to:   Sizing  |  Materials  |  Pattern Instructions

Skill Level

Easy

Sandrine Cardigan Sizing

The table below includes chest size, finished size and yarn amounts for 15.5 inch and 21.5 inch lengths.

Sizes use the guidance from the Craft Yarn Council.

Yarn amounts are estimates and may vary depending on tension, yarn choice, and any adjustments made to length.

Choosing the Right Size for You

Measure your chest size by wrapping a flexible tape measure around the fullest part of your bust, passing the tape under your armpits and across your shoulder blades.  Make sure it’s not too tight but is snug.

Using the table measurements above, decide which size would be a good fit.

For example, if you fall into size M with a chest measurement of 36 inches you may choose to go down a size for a fitted cardigan.  If you follow instructions for size M you will have 5 inches of positive ease giving you a loose-fitting garment.

Materials

• DK #3 weight yarn: 

Cropped length – 615, (678, 741, 776, 866, 957) yds

Hip length – 814, (898, 983, 1029, 1151, 1274) yds

• 4mm/G-6 crochet hook
• Dressmaker pins (securing seams before sewing)
• Scissors
• Yarn Needle

Yarn Choices

I used Stylecraft Naturals Bamboo and Cotton DK for my sample. The bamboo and cotton blend gives the cardigan beautiful drape, making it ideal for lightweight garments and summer layering pieces.

The finished fabric feels wonderfully soft against the skin and has a subtle sheen that allows the mesh stitch pattern to shine. The bamboo content also provides a little stretch, helping the cardigan move comfortably as you wear it.

The blend of 60% bamboo and 40% cotton make the yarn easy to care for. Machine wash on a delicate 30°C cycle and reshape while drying. I prefer to dry my cardigan flat to help maintain its shape.

You can substitute any DK weight yarn for this project. The Stylecraft Bamboo and Cotton reminded me very much of Lion Brand Truboo, so if you have some in your yarn stash it would make a lovely alternative.

Whether you substitute the yarn or use Stylecraft, if your gauge doesn’t match mine, you can easily adjust your stitches using my stitch gauge converter tool.

Gauge

With a 4mm hook:

20 stitches and 9 rows = 4” x 4” unblocked

Stitches and Abbreviations

Special Stitch: Double Crochet 2 Together Mesh

Double crochet 2 together mesh pattern uses:

• double crochet (dc)
• double crochet 2 together (dc2tog)
• chain (ch)

Two-row repeat

The first leg of the dc2tog is worked in the stitch just used, and the second leg is worked in the next double crochet, skipping the chain-1 space.

Each new dc2tog begins in the same stitch where the previous stitch was worked.

The dc2tog rows work a chain 1 after each double crochet 2 together.

The following row is worked by making a double crochet in each chain-1 space and chaining 1 between stitches.

Once established, the two-row repeat creates the open mesh pattern used throughout the cardigan.

Edging:

• double crochet (dc)
• chain (ch) 1
• single crochet (sc)

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

I have used the following common abbreviations in this pattern:

• chain (ch)
• continue (cont)
• each (ea)
• instructions (instr)
• Left Hand Side (LHS)
• repeat (rep)
• Right Hand Side (RHS)
• skip (sk)
• space (sp)
• stitch/es (st/s)
• wrong side (WS)

Crochet Cardigan Construction:  How Sandrine is Made

Sandrine is made from 5 rectangles; 1 back, 2 fronts and 2 sleeves.

The sleeves are attached flat before the cardigan is folded and seamed, making the construction especially beginner friendly.

I’ve used the double crochet 2 together mesh stitch throughout.  This is an easy 2-row repeat and despite how simple it is, creates and beautiful stitch pattern that looks harder than it is!

Assembly is straight forward:

1. First the shoulders are seamed.

2. Then the sleeves are attached, centering each sleeve over the shoulder seam.

3. The fronts are folded over the back.

4. Finally, a seam is made from the underarm and down the side.

If you’re a visual learner, the numbered images below will help you.

My Pattern notes

• Pattern is written in English using US crochet terms.
• Size instructions are written like this: S, (M, L, XL, 2X, 3X).
• Chain 3 turning chain counts as a double crochet.
• Chain 4 turning chain counts as a double crochet, chain 1.
• Chain 1 mesh stitch counts as a stitch.
• Stitch counts are omitted after row 1 as the stitch pattern establishes itself after Row 3. Check your stitch count after the foundation row and ensure the stitch pattern remains consistent throughout.
• For Row 3 and repeats, the row begins the double crochet 2 together in the first stitch of the row.
• All seams are sewn on the wrong side of the fabric.
• Row 1 edging works into edge stitches and chains from mesh stitch pattern.
• Weave in ends as you go.

Sandrine Crochet Cardigan Pattern Instructions (US crochet terms)

With a 4mm hook

Back

Ch 95, (103, 113, 123, 133, 143)

Row 1: dc in third ch from hook, dc in ea ch across, ch4, turn (93, 101, 111, 121, 131, 141 dc)

Row 2: sk 1 st, dc, * ch1, sk 1 st, dc, * rep across to last st, dc in last st, ch3, turn

Row 3: *dc2tog, ch1, * rep across, working last leg of the dc2tog in the second ch of the turning ch, dc in same ch, ch4, turn

Row 4: dc in the first ch1-sp, *ch1, dc in next ch1-sp, * rep across to last st, dc in last st, ch3, turn

Rows 3 and 4 complete mesh pattern

Cropped Length

Row 4 – 37, (37, 39, 41, 41, 41): rep rows 3 and 4 ending on a row 3 rep

Fasten off

Hip Length

Row 4 – 51, (51, 53, 55, 55, 55): rep rows 3 and 4 ending on a row 3 rep

Fasten off

Front

Make 2

With a 4mm hook

Ch 39, (43, 49, 55, 61, 65)

Stitch counts Row 1 for all lengths:

37, (41, 47, 53, 59, 63) dc

Cropped Length

Rows 1 – 4: rep instr from back

Row 4 – 37, (37, 39, 41, 41, 41): rep rows 3 and 4 ending on a row 3 rep

Fasten off

Hip Length

Rows 1 – 4: rep instr from back

Row 4 – 51, (51, 53, 55, 55, 55): rep rows 3 and 4 ending on a row 3 rep

Fasten off

Sleeves

Make 2

Ch 71, (77, 83, 89, 95, 101)

Stitch counts Row 1:

69, (75, 81, 87, 93, 99) dc

Rep rows 1 – 4 of back once

Rep rows 3 and 4 three times

Rep row 3 once

Total = 11 rows

Fasten off

Assembly

Shoulder Seams

Lay back flat

Line up ea front on top to match

Pin fronts to back at shoulders

Sew shoulder seams

Fasten off

Attaching Sleeve to Shoulder

Lay back and fronts out flat

Identify middle st on long edge of sleeve and place a st marker

Line up st marker to outer edge of shoulder seam

Pin in place

Sew seam

Fasten off

Rep on other side

Under Sleeve and Side Seam

Fold fronts over back

Pin sleeve underarm

Pin side seam

Sew seam from sleeve underarm and cont down side seam to hem

Fasten off

Rep on other side

Front Edging

Working on WS

Rejoin yarn at front hem on LHS as worn

Row 1: ch2, dc in next 2 sts, * ch1, sk ch-sp, dc in next 3 sts, * rep up LHS to neck, cont with sk ch-sps, 3 dc around neck, * rep down RHS, ch1, turn

Row 2: sc in ea st and ch-sp to end

Fasten off

Congratulations!  Your Sandrine cardigan is finished.

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.

I hope you enjoy making your own Sandrine cardigan. Whether you choose the cropped version for summer outfits or the longer hip length for extra coverage, this lightweight cardigan is designed to become a wardrobe staple.

If you’ve made the Sandrine cardigan, I’d love to see your finished project. Share your photos in the Jera’s Jamboree Crochet Community on Facebook so I can celebrate your makes with you.

Looking for another lightweight crochet garment? You may also enjoy my Marlowe cardigan, Lily summer top, Coralie poncho or browse all my summer patterns.

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