Summer Cardigan Crochet Pattern

How the summer cardigan pattern is worked

My seamless summer cardigan is worked in an open crochet stitch pattern:

• from the length to the underarm the stitch pattern is lacy and worked in a 4-row repeat.  This part of the pattern is flexible allowing you to change the length – more pattern repeats will make the cardigan longer; less repeats will make it shorter.

• from the armholes to the neck, I’ve used two rows of UK treble/US double crochet and one row of chain 1, treble/double.

• the three-quarter sleeves are worked in one row of treble/double and one row of chain 1, treble/double.  I’ve designed the stitch pattern for the sleeves to give you options.  If you prefer bracelet length sleeves you can easily repeat the two rows or continue until the sleeve reaches your preferred length.  Equally, leaving off the sleeves will change the design to short-sleeve. The final row of the sleeves uses two rows from the lacy pattern to give a decorative edging and ties the design as a whole together. 

There is no ribbed hem, cuffs or edging in my pattern.  The hem of the cardigan is the first row of the lower panel, I’ve already mentioned the sleeves above and the stitches for the fronts are so neat that no edging is needed. However, if you prefer, you can crochet a row of double/single crochet around the fronts and neck.

1. From the hem to underarm, the cardigan is crocheted in one piece, worked flat and turned to work in rows.
2. The piece is then divided from the armholes to work the
3. right front, back and left front of the cardigan separately.  The design continues to work flat and is turned to work in rows.
4. Next, the shoulders are seamed.  The left front and right front are sewn to the back piece to create the shoulder seams.
5. The sleeves are worked directly into the armhole, worked in rounds, joined with a slip stitch and turned.

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Yarn Choices

I had my eye on Yarnsmiths Pebble Haze DK, drawn to the cotton/acrylic blend and imagining that it would be lovely and soft to work with and to wear (and it is!), so when my sons clubbed together and bought me a Wool Warehouse voucher for Mother’s Day, Pebble Haze went straight into my basket.

There are 20 gorgeous shades available (inspired by beaches, pebbles and stones) and I chose Wulfenite for this summer cardigan. 

Be aware that Pebble Haze is a blown yarn, where instead of spinning, the fibres are air blown into a tube.  The shades vary in each ball and between balls of the same colour.  I bought more than I needed for this project and had 4 balls that didn’t match (however those 4 balls match each other and I’ll be able to use on other projects).

Cardigan Pattern Notes

• Pattern instructions, stitches and abbreviations are written in both UK and US crochet terms
• The lower piece stitch pattern is worked in multiples of 6 plus 3.  Add on 3 chains for your starting chain
• Size instructions are written starting with the smallest size like this S, (M, L, XL, 2X, 3X, 4X, 5X)
• Chain three counts as a stitch
• Chain four counts as a stitch
• Row 41 chain spaces count as a stitch
• Pattern repeats are noted with an asterisk *
• A sequence of stitches are noted within brackets [  ]
• When you’ve finished working Row 2 (the first time and for the repeats), check before moving on to the next row.  It’s easy to work the wrong stitch in the sequence and it will save you frustration!
• Row 3 ends at the last 2 UK treble/ US cluster of the row, do not work the chain 1
• Remember to turn at the end of a round for the sleeves
• To alter the length, work less rows in the lower panel for a shorter cardigan and more rows for longer.  You’ll need to work in the four-row repeat of the lacy pattern, ending with row 4
• To alter the sleeve to bracelet length, continue repeating the two rows ending on round 2.  Keep in mind that the lacy edging for the cuff measures 1” / 2.54 cm
• To alter the cardigan to short sleeve/sleeveless, simply omit the sleeves (see image below)
• Weave in ends as you go
• If you make any alterations to my written pattern, you will need more or less yarn than stated

Skill Level

Easy

Supplies and Materials

• 4mm /  G/6 Crochet Hook
• Yarnsmiths Pebble Haze DK; 945, (1052, 1162, 1275, 1392, 1412, 1635, 1762) yds
• Stitch Markers
• Scissors
• Yarn Needle

Stitches and Abbreviations

I’ve used the stitches and abbreviations below in this summer cardigan pattern.

• Chain = ch
• Chain Space – ch-sp
• Each = ea
• Skip = sk
• Repeat = rep
• Right Side = RS
• Slip Stitch – sl st
• Stitch/es = st/s
• Stitch Marker = st marker
• Wrong Side = WS

Gauge

17 stitches and 9 rows on a 4mm hook = 10cm X 10cm

Measurements

Sizes are based on the guidance from the Craft Yarn Council.

Yarn amounts are approximate.

Note:  If you amend this pattern you will need more or less yarn that stated.