The crochet Open Front Cardigan is a great crochet pattern I’m sure you’re going to love! It’s the perfect crochet cardigan for fall & it works up fast.
What’s most amazing is the fact that the yarn used is super soft & combined with the crocheted stitches it’s a really cozy cardigan.
This is an easy crochet cardigan pattern & comes in 9 sizes from XS to 5XL.
It’s for sure one of the most popular free crochet cardigan patterns I’ve ever shared.
Find more: Free Crochet Cardigan Patterns for Women.
Table of Contents
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Pattern Overview
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About the Crochet Open Front Cardigan
The Crochet Open Front Cardigan is definitely a fall favorite. It’s a classic crochet cardigan that you’ll never get tired of.
The pattern comes in 9 sizes from XS to 5XL & is skill level easy.
Because of the stitch combination with chains, you’ll finish up this cardigan quickly! You’ll also love the great texture the ribbed classic style edgings gives it.
Project level: Easy
Materials
Crochet Hook Size
Yarn
- Yarn
- Lion Brand – New Basic 175 in color Whisper
- Weight
- 4 Medium Yarn
- Fiber
- 75% acrylic, 25% wool
Yarn amount needed:
| Size | Skeins | Grams | Meters | Yards |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| XS | 5 | 445 | 705 | 770 |
| S | 5 | 495 | 790 | 860 |
| M | 6 | 535 | 850 | 930 |
| L | 6 | 585 | 930 | 1015 |
| XL | 7 | 625 | 995 | 1085 |
| 2XL | 7 | 680 | 1085 | 1185 |
| 3XL | 8 | 725 | 1155 | 1265 |
| 4XL | 8 | 775 | 1235 | 1350 |
| 5XL | 9 | 815 | 1300 | 1420 |
One skein is 100 grams · 160 meters · 175 yards.
Other Materials Needed
Gauge
Measured over *1 half double stitches, 1 ch* repeating, stitches crocheted in rows:
12 stitches & 10 rows per 10 cm / 4".
Crochet Pattern Notes
- This crochet pattern is written in US terms.
- All measurements given are unblocked.
- Note that measurements are given as exact as possible. But crochet tension & technique might give variations in the result, that changes from person to person.
- Read pattern instructions carefully before beginning to make sure you understand everything. It might save you hours frogging your work & crocheting it again!
- Make a swatch that measures at least 10 x 10 cm / 4 x 4 inches using the stitch the gauge is given for. If your swatch matches the gauge, you’re good to go. If the gauge is wrong, you might need to change your hook. Go up in crochet hook size if your stitches are smaller & go down in crochet hook size if your stitches are bigger. Learn more about testing gauge.
- Check yarn info if you want to find an alternative or test your yarn against the gauge. Learn more about substituting yarn.
- This pattern is written for 9 sizes, where the different sizes are given in parenthesis like this: XS (S) M (L) XL (2XL) 3XL (4XL) 5XL. If just one number is given, it applies to all sizes. I recommend that you highlight or circle the size you’re making before you begin to make the pattern easier to follow. Size adjustments are added under the heading “Sizes & Measurements”.
- At the end of each row, the stitch count is given in parenthesis.
Sizes and Measurements
| Sizes | Bust / Waist / Hip Circumference | Armhole Circumference | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| XS | 80 cm / 31.5 inches | 28.3 cm / 11.2 inches | 76.7 cm / 30.2 inches |
| S | 92 cm / 36.5 inches | 28.3 cm / 11.2 inches | 76.7 cm / 30.2 inches |
| M | 100 cm / 39.5 inches | 31.7 cm / 12.5 inches | 76.7 cm / 30.2 inches |
| L | 112 cm / 44.1 inches | 31.7 cm / 12.5 inches | 76.7 cm / 30.2 inches |
| XL | 120 cm / 47.2 inches | 35 cm / 13.8 inches | 76.7 cm / 30.2 inches |
| 2XL | 132 cm / 52 inches | 38.3 cm / 15.1 inches | 76.7 cm / 30.2 inches |
| 3XL | 140 cm / 55.1 inches | 45 cm / 17.7 inches | 76.7 cm / 30.2 inches |
| 4XL | 152 cm / 59.8 inches | 45 cm / 17.7 inches | 76.7 cm / 30.2 inches |
| 5XL | 160 cm / 62 inches | 48.3 cm / 19 inches | 76.7 cm / 30.2 inches |
Size Notes
- This pattern is written to have a normal to loose fit. Learn more about mastering ease in crochet garments.
- Cardigan might stretch in length and widen when used.
- Take measurements to find the right size for you.
Size Adjustments
Sleeves:
- For all sizes: Best place to adjust length by adding or reducing rows before you start the ribbing.
- For all sizes: Start with fewer/more stitches, added/reduced by 2 stitches at a time to adjust fit. Make sure it’s still centered on the middle.
Body:
- For all sizes: Adjust length by adding or reducing stitch count when starting the cardigan.
- For all sizes: Adjust bust measurements/width by adding or reducing rows after row 20 (23) 25 (28) 30 (33) 35 (38) 40.
Schematics
Abbreviations
- BLhdc = back loop half double crochet
- ch = chain
- ch-space = open space made by chain(s)
- FSC = foundation single crochet
- hdc = half double crochet
- sk = skip / skipped
- sl st = slip stitch
- st = stitch(es)
- yo = yarn over
We try our best to include all crochet abbreviations in the list above for the crochet pattern, but sometimes we may forget one or two.
Learn more about crochet abbreviations & find a complete list on our Crochet Abbreviations & Terms post.
Stitches You Will Need
Foundation Single Crochet Stitch (FSC)
Step 1: Ch 2 st.
Step 2: Insert hook into 2nd ch from hook, pull up a loop. Yo and pull through first loop (making “chain”). Yo and pull through both loops on hook.
Step 3: Insert hook into prev“chain” you made (It should look like you go through a resemblance of a “normal” st, with 2 strands of yarn), pull up a loop, yo and pull through first loop (making “chain”). Yo and pull through both loops on hook.
Repeat step 3 until you’ve made enough stitches.
*2nd ch in step 1 makes 1 st, step 2 makes 1st & every time step 3 is repeated you make 1 st.
Techniques You Will Need
Chain Spaces
You will need to know how to crochet in chain spaces. Chain spaces are formed when you chain one or more stitches, then skip one or more stitches, & finally you crochet in the next stitch.
Crocheting in the Front & Back Loop
In this crochet pattern you need to know how to crochet in the back loop only.
This means that you will not crochet through the whole stitch as usual. A typical stitch contains two loops. One in the front, nearest you, and another stitch in the back, furthest away from you. One is called the front loop (the one nearest you), the other one the back loop, the one furthest away from you. For this pattern you will crochet half double crochet stitches through the back loop.
Instructions for the Crochet Open Front Cardigan
Main parts
Repeat 2 times.
FSC 89 st.
Row 1: Hdc 1 in 1st st (no ch), *ch 1, sk 1 st, hdc 1 in next st*, repeat from *to* until you have 10 st left, BLhdc 1 in the next 10 st, turn (=89 st).
Row 2: BLhdc 1 in 1st st (no ch), BLhdc 1 in the next 9 st, *ch 1, sk 1 st, hdc 1 in ch-space*, repeat from *to* until you have 1 st left, hdc 1 in last st, turn (=89 st).
Row 3: Hdc 1 in 1st st (no ch), *ch 1, sk 1 st, hdc 1 in ch-space*, repeat from *to* until you have 10 st left, BLhdc 1 in the next 10 st, turn (=89 st).
Row 4-7: Repeat row 2-3 every other row.
Row 8: BLhdc 1 in 1st st (no ch), BLhdc 1 in the next 9 st, *ch 1, sk 1 st, hdc 1 in ch-space*, repeat from *to* until you have 1 st left, hdc 1 in last st, FSC 95 st, turn (=89 st + 95 FSC = 184 st).
Row 9: BLhdc 1 in 1st st (no ch), BLhdc 1 in the next 9 st, *ch 1, sk 1 st, hdc 1 in next st*, repeat from *to* 42 times, **ch 1, sk 1 st, hdc 1 in ch space**, repeat from **to** until you have 10 st left, BLhdc 1 in the next 10 st, turn (= 184 st).
Row 10: BLhdc 1 in 1st st (no ch), BLhdc 1 in the next 9 st, *ch 1, sk 1 st, hdc 1 in ch space*, repeat from *to* until you have 10 st left, BLhdc 1 in the next 10 st, turn (= 184 st).
Repeat row 10 until you have crocheted 20 (23) 25 (28) 30 (33) 35 (38) 40 rows.
Fasten off & cut yarn.
Sleeves
Repeat sleeve instructions on both main parts.
Attach yarn in stitch number 76 (76) 74 (74) 72 (70) 66 (66) 64 counting from the last stitch crocheted, where you fastened off.
Row 1: Hdc 1 directly in 1st st (no ch), *hdc 1 in ch-space, ch 1, sk 1 st*, repeat from *to* 15 (15) 17 (17) 19 (21) 25 (25) 27 times, hdc 1 in next st, turn (=34 (34) 38 (38) 42 (46) 54 (54) 58 st).
Row 2- 32: Repeat row 1.
Do not fasten off, continue directly on “Ribbing Sleeves”.
Ribbing sleeves / sleeve cuffs
Repeat on both sleeves.
Continuing directly from the sleeves, ch 10 st.
Row 1: BLhdc 1 in 1st st (no ch), BLhdc 1 in the next 9 st, sl st 1 in the next 2 ch-spaces from row 32 on the sleeves, turn (=12 st).
Row 2: Sk 2 sl st, BLhdc 1 in 1st st (no ch), BLhdc 1 in the next 9 st, turn (=10 st).
Repeat row 2 until you have crocheted 18 (18) 20 (20) 22 (24) 28 (28) 30 rows, doing the sl st on the last repeat in the last two stitches instead of the ch-spaces.
Fasten off & cut yarn.
Finishing
When you’re finished crocheting you have 2 parts:
Now you have to seam the 2 pieces together.
Use a needle & seam them together by going through each of the 89 FSC stitches made when you started each main part.
Then use a needle & seam together the sides & under the sleeves on both sides.
Front Ribbing Edge
Attach yarn in lower corner on one of the fronts.
Row 1: Hdc 1 in 1st st (no ch), hdc 1 on the other side of the 94 FSC st made on the first main part, hdc 1 for each row of the first 7 rows on the first main part, hdc 1 for each row of the first 7 rows on the second main part, hdc 1 on the other side of the 95 FSC st made on the second main part, turn (=206 st).
Row 2: BLhdc 1 in 1st st (no ch), BLhdc 1 in the next 205 st, turn (=206 st).
Row 3- 8: Repeat row 2.
Fasten off & cut yarn.
Fasten threads & weave in ends.
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