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Plaid Crochet Cardigan – FREE Crochet Pattern

Janne Kleivset
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You’re going to love the Plaid Crochet Cardigan, a fun buffalo plaid cardigan crochet pattern.

The crochet cardigan is such a great garment for any season & perfect to wear with jeans & a t-shirt.

Written for sizes XS to 5XL.

Find more: 44+ crochet cardigan pattern collection.

Plaid Crochet Cardigan - FREE Crochet Pattern

How to get this crochet pattern:

Option 1: Scroll down to see the FREE Crochet Pattern ⬇️

Option 2: Purchase the printable PDF:

Option 3: Get the printable version inside the crochet pattern membership.

Option 4: Most of my crochet patterns can also be found on Ravelry, Love Crafts and Etsy.

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Plaid Crochet Cardigan - FREE Crochet Pattern

The Yarn


To get the Buffalo Plaid effect on the crochet plaid cardigan, this crochet pattern is crocheted with two strands of yarn at all times.

Pick your two favorite yarn colors for this crochet pattern.

I used Lion Brand Yarn 24/7 cotton in the color Ecru & Succulent.

This cotton yarn makes the perfect spring to fall crochet cardigan, with enough hold to get the slightest hint to a rigid bomber jacked feel.

I’ve used this yarn for the Flores Top earlier & I really love working with it.

Plaid Crochet Cardigan - FREE Crochet Pattern

A FUN PLAID CROCHET CARDIGAN


This plaid crochet cardigan is truly a fun colorwork crochet project!
It’s not truly a buffalo plaid with the even squares, but has some fun uneven sized squares to keep the look interesting.

The pattern is fairly simple, as it’s mostly half double crochet stitches, so the challenge here is to get a hang of the color changes. Once you get used to them, it’s a truly easy pattern.

Since you like the Plaid Crochet Cardigan, these might interest you too?

Plaid Crochet Cardigan - FREE Crochet Pattern

1. Airy Denim Cardigan
2. Aprilis Lace Shrug
3. Summer Sea Cropped Cardigan

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plaid crochet cardigan pattern

How Long Does It Take To Crochet That?


How long it takes to crochet something varies depending on your skill & how fast you crochet. But that isn’t a helpful answer is it?

Well, I’ve developed a yarn calculator to help you get the answer to this question.

It will help you calculate exactly how much time you’ll spend crocheting a project.

All you need to know is how much yarn you will use on the project in either meters, yards or skeins. Then crochet your test square & time it.

Calculate how long it takes to crochet that. 

Buy the Plaid Crochet Cardigan Pattern


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PLAID CROCHET CARDIGAN – THE FREE CROCHET PATTERN


About The Pattern


The Plaid Crochet Cardigan is a great crochet cardigan pattern for women. The crochet pattern includes sizing from XS to 5XL.

It features a buffalo plaid stitch, with beautiful ribbing. The crochet cardigan is made with two strands of yarn at all times, to get the Buffalo Plaid look.

This cardigan crochet pattern has difficulty level intermediate, but is easy to follow.

Plaid Crochet Cardigan - FREE Crochet Pattern

Project Level 


Intermediate Skill Level

Read about skill levels.

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Materials Needed


Crochet Hook

Size 8 mm / US: L – 11 / UK: 0

Hook I used: Symphonie Rose Crochet Hooks from Knitpro

Yarn

Yarn used:

Lion Brand Yarn – 24/7 Cotton in color Ecru & Succulent.

Yarn amount used: 

Color A (Succulent):

  • 6 (7) 7 (8) 8 (9) 10 (11) 11 skeins

Color B (Ecru):

  • 3 (4) 4 (4) 5 (5) 5 (6) 6 skeins

Yarn characteristics:

Other Materials Needed

Gauge


Measured with half double crochet stitches crocheted in rows: 10 stitches & 9 rows per 10 cm / 4”.

Plaid Crochet Cardigan - FREE 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 measure 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 is 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 “Size & Measurements”.
  • At the end of each row, the stitch count is given in parenthesis.

Size & Mesurements


Plaid Crochet Cardigan - FREE Crochet Pattern

SIZE Notes

  • This pattern is written to have about 10 cm/4” positive ease, that means the measurements on the garment is larger than your actual body measurements. Learn more about mastering ease in crochet garments.
  • Take measurements to find the size that fits the best.

Size Adjustments

  • Note: Any size adjustments affect yarn usage & you might need more/less yarn than suggested.
  • For this pattern you can work the body (fronts + back) in one size & the arms in a different size.

Sleeves:

  • Best place to adjust length by adding or reducing rows at the end.
  • Adjust width by following the instructions to a larger or smaller size.

Body (fronts + back):

  • Adjust length by adding or reducing rows at the end of the back. Remember to adjust the same amount of rows when working the fronts.
  • The pattern is written to have the same length on all sizes, but you may want to adjust it to the length you prefer.
  • Adjust width by following the instructions to a larger or smaller size.
  • Width adjustments could also be done by adding/reducing the number of stitches on the back by 2 stitches at at time, & then also reducing/adding the number of stitches on both fronts with 1 stitch at at time.

Plaid Crochet Cardigan - FREE Crochet Pattern

Diagram


Plaid Crochet Cardigan - FREE Crochet Pattern

Abbreviations

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 


You will need to use the chain, double crochet stitch, half double crochet stitch, the front post double crochet stitch & the back post double crochet stitch.

Front Post Double Crochet Stitch (FPdc):

Written description:

Yo, insert your hook from front to back between the prev st & the st you’re working, & bring it to the front again between the st you’re working & the next st, yo & pull up a loop, you have 3 loops on the hook, yo & pull through 2 of the 3 loops, yo and pull through the 2 last loops.

Back Post Double Crochet Stitch (BPdc):

Written description:

Yo, insert your hook from back to front between the prev st & the st you’re working, & bring it to the back again between the st you’re working & the next st, yo & pull up a loop, you have 3 loops on the hook, yo & pull through 2 of the 3 loops, yo and pull through the 2 last loops.

Video tutorial for FPdc & BPdc

Plaid Crochet Cardigan - FREE Crochet Pattern

Techniques You Will Need 


READING COLOR CHARTS:

  • On odd rows move yarn strands due to color changes on the wrong side, behind the work (furthest from yourself), on even rows keep yarn strands due to color changes on the wrong side, in front of the work (closest to yourself).
  • Please note, that odd rows are read from the right to the left, while even rows are read from the left to the right.
  • Black vertical lines are made to show sizes. Start counting the black vertical lines from the middle, where the first two lines on each side, closest to the middle is for size XS, the next two lines for size S and so on.

Change Colors

When changing from one color to another, you’ll never finish the stitch with the color you where working with. Do all the steps of the stitch, then leave the last step unworked. Yarn over with the color for the next st & pull through. Repeat this every time you change colors to make the color changes look beautiful.

COLORS – WORK WITH 2 STRANDS OF YARN HELD TOGETHER:


When following this crochet cardigan pattern you will always use 2 strands of yarn together, except when seaming.

Color A (CA): Refers to 2 strands of the first color (Succulent pictured).

Color B (CB): Refers to 1 strand of the first color and 1 strand of the second color (Ecru & Succulent pictured).

Color C (CC):  Refers to 2 strands of the second color (Ecru pictured).

COLOR CHART:


Open color chart in new window to see a bigger version.

Plaid Crochet Cardigan - FREE Crochet Pattern

Crochet Plaid Cardigan Pattern Instructions


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Back:

With two strands of CA held together, ch 45 (51) 55 (61) 65 (71) 75 (81) 85 st.

Row 1 with CA (RS): Dc in 4th ch from hook, dc 1 in each st across, turn (=43 (49) 53 (59) 63 (69) 73 (79) 83 st).

Row 2 with CA (WS): Ch 2 (counts as 1st st), *FPdc 1 in next st, BPdc 1 in next st*, repeat from *to* until end of row, turn (=43 (49) 53 (59) 63 (69) 73 (79) 83 st).

Row 3 with CA: Ch 2 (counts as 1st st), *BPdc 1 in next st, FPdc 1 in next st*, repeat from *to* until end of row, turn (=43 (49) 53 (59) 63 (69) 73 (79) 83 st).

Starting on row 4, follow color changes in color chart, using CA, CB & CC as given:

Row 4: Ch 2 (counts as 1st st), hdc 1 in each st across, turn (=43 (49) 53 (59) 63 (69) 73 (79) 83 st).

Row 5-45: Repeat row 4.

Do not fasten off, continue directly on left front.

LEFT Front 

Follow color changes in color chart, using CA, CB & CC as given:

Row 1 (WS): Ch 2 (counts as 1st st), hdc 1 in the next 14 (17) 19 (22) 24 (27) 29 (32) 34 st, turn (=15 (18) 20 (23) 25 (28) 30 (33) 35 st).

Row 2-43: Repeat row 1.

Row 44 with CA: Ch 2 (counts as 1st st), dc 1 in each st across, turn (=15 (18) 20 (23) 25 (28) 30 (33) 35 st).

Row 45 with CA: Ch 2 (counts as 1st st), *FPdc 1 in next st, BPdc 1 in next st*, repeat from *to* until end of row, turn (=15 (18) 20 (23) 25 (28) 30 (33) 35 st).

Row 46 with CA: Ch 2 (counts as 1st st), BPdc into each BPdc, FPdc into each FPdc until end of row until end of row, turn (=15 (18) 20 (23) 25 (28) 30 (33) 35 st).

Fasten off & cut yarn.

RIGHT Front 

Go back to the last row of the back. Count 13 stitches from the last worked stitch (row 1 on the left front). Attach yarn in the next st.  Repeat instructions for the left front, but follow the color chart for the right front.

Sleeves

Make 2.

Made with CA.

With two strands of CA held together, ch 25 (25) 27 (27) 29 (29) 31 (31) 33 st.

Row 1: Dc in 4th ch from hook, dc 1 in each st across, turn (=23 (23) 25 (25) 27 (27) 29 (29) 31 st).

Row 2: Ch 2 (counts as 1st st), *FPdc 1 in next st, BPdc 1 in next st*, repeat from *to* until end of row, turn (=23 (23) 25 (25) 27 (27) 29 (29) 31 st).

Row 3: Ch 2 (counts as 1st st), *BPdc 1 in next st, FPdc 1 in next st*, repeat from *to* until end of row, turn (=23 (23) 25 (25) 27 (27) 29 (29) 31 st).

Size XS only:

Row 4: Ch 2 (counts as 1st st), *hdc 1 in the next 6 st, hdc 2 in next st* repeat from *to* 2 times, hdc 1 in next st, turn (=26 st).

Size S only:

Row 4: Ch 2 (counts as 1st st), *hdc 1 in the next 3 st, hdc 2 in next st*, repeat from *to* 4 times, hdc 1 in the next 2 st, turn (=28 st).

Size M only:

Row 4: Ch 2 (counts as 1st st), *hdc 1 in the next 3 st, hdc 2 in next st*, repeat from *to* 4 times, hdc 1 in the next 4 st, turn (=30 st).

Size L only:

Row 4: Ch 2 (counts as 1st st), *hdc 1 in the next 3 st, hdc 2 in next st*, repeat from *to* 5 times, turn  (=31 st).

Size XL only:

Row 4: Ch 2 (counts as 1st st), hdc 1 in next st, hdc 2 in next st, * hdc 1 in the next 3 st, hdc 2 in next st, hdc 1 in the next 2 st, hdc 2 in next st* repeat from *to* 2 times, hdc 1 in the next 3 st, turn (=34 st).

Size 2XL only:

Row 4: Ch 2 (counts as 1st st), *hdc 1 in next st, hdc 2 in next st*, repeat from *to* 11 times, hdc 1 in the next 2 st, turn (=39 st).

Size 3XL only:

Row 4: Ch 2 (counts as 1st st), *hdc 1 in next st, hdc 2 in next st*, repeat from *to* 13 times, turn (=43 st).

Size 4XL only:

Row 4: Ch 2 (counts as 1st st), hdc 1 in the next 3, *hdc 2 in next 3 st, hdc 1 in next st*, repeat from *to* 4 times, hdc 2 in the next 2 st, hdc 1 in the next 3 st, turn (=46 st).

Size 5XL only:

Row 4: Ch 2 (counts as 1st st), hdc 1 in the next 3, *hdc 2 in next 3 st, hdc 1 in next st*, repeat from *to* 5 times, hdc 1 in the next 3 st, turn (=49 st).

All sizes:

Row 5: Ch 2 (counts as 1st st), hdc 1 in each st across, turn (= 26 (28) 30 (31) 34 (39) 43 (46) 49 st).

Row 6-34: Repeat row 5.

Fasten off & cut yarn.

RIBBING Front

Attach yarn CA with in the lower corner on the right front with the right side facing.

Row 1: Ch 2 (counts as 1st st), dc 1 st for each row on the right front, dc 1 in the 13 unworked stitches on the back, dc 1 st for each row of the left front, turn (=105 st).

Row 2: Ch 2 (counts as 1st st), *FPdc 1 in next st, BPdc 1 in next st*, repeat from *to* until end of row, turn (=105 st).

Row 3: Ch 2 (counts as 1st st), *BPdc 1 in next st, FPdc 1 in next st*, repeat from *to* until end of row, turn (=105 st).

Fasten off & cut yarn.

Finishing


When you’re finished crocheting this cardigan you have 3 parts:

  1. Sew the top of the sleeves to the main part (back & front) with one strand of CA, using the whip stitch technique.
  2. Seam the sleeves together with one strand of CA.
  3. Seam the front & back together with one strand of CC.
  4. Fasten threads & weave in ends.
Buffalo Check Cardigan - Free Crochet Pattern - crochet cardigan

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Janne Kleivset

Janne Kleivset

Founder, Crochet Pattern Designer & Owner of Joy of Motion Crochet.

Janne has helped millions of crocheters find their next crochet project with more than 250 free crochet patterns and 110 crochet tutorials on her blog.

With more than two decades of crochet experience, and crochet designing since 2011, she's been featured on multiple prominent sites such as Lion Brand Yarn, in crochet magazines and the OML "Make" book.

Learn more about Janne.



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