FREE CROCHET PATTERNS FREE CROCHET TUTORIALS FREE CROCHET CHEAT SHEETS GRANNY SQUARES 101 CROCHET QUIZ!

Crochet Top Down Cardigan – FREE Crochet Pattern

Janne Kleivset
By
Last Updated
Disclosure. Most pages on this website contain affiliate links. This means I get a small commission if you click-through & purchase (no additional cost to you). Read the affiliate disclosure..
Pinterest Hidden Image

You’re going to love make this crochet top down cardigan, because it’s such a great crochet piece to add to your wardrobe.

This free crochet cardigan pattern is also a great crochet top down cardigan with lace details.

What’s also worth knowing about this cardigan is that it has a shaped waist, however if you prefer it straight, you can skip it altogether.

Next, it is also an amazing cardigan for fall & winter, because it is so warm & nice to wear in cold weather. At the same time, if made in cotton or any summer yarn, it’s such a great pattern for spring & summer.

This crochet top down cardigan comes in 9 sizes, & will fit both petite sized, regular & plus sizes.

Crochet Top Down 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.

The Yarn


For this crochet garment you’ll need some warm yarn. The crochet Polus Cardigan was designed using Alpaca Blend from Patons.

What’s amazing about this yarn is the fact that is super soft & feels great against the skin.

It’s a combination between wool & acrylic, which makes it both warm & comfy.

You can find the Alpaca Blend yarn here.

Fall/Winter Garment Crochet Pattern Bundle

Like this? Get the ad-free version + 19 other crochet patterns with the “Fall/Winter Garment Crochet Pattern Bundle”.

Learn more about the Fall/Winter Garment Pattern Bundle
Crochet Top Down Cardigan - FREE Crochet Pattern

THE PERFECT TOP DOWN CARDIGAN CROCHET PROJECT


Have you ever wanted to try crocheting a cardigan with a round yoke from the top down?

Well, this is the perfect first cardigan for just that.

First of all it works up really fast, because you’re using rather thick yarn. At the same time it’s light to wear & looks beautiful.

Since you like this crochet top down cardigan, these crocheted garments might interest you too?

Crochet Top Down Cardigan - FREE Crochet Pattern

Don’t forget to save on Pinterest!

Crochet Top Down Cardigan - FREE Crochet 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 Top Down Crochet Cardigan Pattern


Get the downloadable PDF crochet pattern for this crochet pattern, or join the Crochet Everyday Bliss Membership and get access to download ALL crochet patterns and more

CROCHET TOP DOWN CARDIGAN – THE FREE CROCHET PATTERN


About The Pattern


This crochet top down cardigan is a great crochet garment for your wardrobe, & let’s fill it with lots of crocheted clothes.

The crochet cardigan is crocheted from the top down, with a round yoke & it has a shaped waist.

The crochet top down cardigan pattern comes in 9 sizes from XS – 5XL & there’s also suggestions on how you can adjust it to fit you perfectly!

Crochet Top Down Cardigan - FREE Crochet Pattern

Project Level 


Intermediate Skill Level

Read about skill levels.

WHAT’S YOUR CROCHET SKILL LEVEL?

Take the Quiz

Get helpful tips for your next crochet project & increase your skills!

Materials Needed


Crochet Hook

Size 7 mm / US: – / UK: 2

Hook I used: Symphonie Rose Crochet Hooks from Knitpro

Yarn

Yarn used:

Patons – Alpaca Blend.

Find it here.

Yarn amount used: 

  • Size XS: 5 skeins / 440 g / 620 m / 670 yards
  • Size S: 5 skeins / 480 g / 680 m / 735 yards
  • Size M: 6 skeins / 510 g / 720 m / 775 yards
  • Size L: 6 skeins / 560 g / 790 m / 855 yards
  • Size XL: 6 skeins / 590 g / 830 m / 910 yards
  • Size 2XL: 7 skeins / 630 g / 890 m / 970 yards
  • Size 3XL: 7 skeins / 690 g / 980 m / 1070 yards
  • Size 4XL: 8 skeins / 730 g / 1040 m / 1130 yards
  • Size 5XL: 8 skeins / 750 g / 1060 m / 1160 yards

Yarn characteristics:

  • 5 bulky yarn, 7 wpi.
  • 60 % Acrylic, 22 % Wool, 10 % Nylon, 8 % Alpaca

Other Materials Needed

Gauge


Measured with alternating half double crochet & chain as used on arms & body crocheted in rows:

13 stitches & 9 rows per 10 cm / 4”.

Crochet Top Down 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 “Size & Measurements”.
  • At the end of each row, the stitch count is given in parenthesis. If -, it means you won’t work that row with those instructions & the instructions for your size is given another place.

Size & Measurements


 BUSTWAISTLENGTHARMHOLE CIRCUMFERENCE
XS78,5 cm /

30.9 inches

64,5 cm /

25.4 inches

54,5 cm /

21.4 inches

33 cm /

13 inches

S92,5 cm /

36.3 inches

78,5 cm /

30.9 inches

54,5 cm /

21.4 inches

34 cm /

13.3 inches

M100 cm /

39.4 inches

86 cm /

33.9 inches

54,5 cm /

21.4 inches

34,5 cm /

13.6 inches

L111 cm /

43.6 inches

97 cm /

38.2 inches

59,5 cm /

23.4 inches

38,5 cm /

15.1 inches

XL118,5 cm /

46.6 inches

104,5 cm /

41.2 inches

59,5 cm

23.4 inches

43, 5 cm /

16.7 inches

2XL128 cm /

50.3 inches

114 cm /

44.8 inches

59,5 cm /

23.4 inches

47 cm /

18.5 inches

3XL143 cm /

56.3 inches

129 cm /

50.9 inches

64,5 cm /

25.3 inches

51 cm /

20 inches

4XL151 cm /

59.4 inches

137 cm /

53.9 inches

64,5 cm /

25.3 inches

54,5 cm /

21.5 inches

5XL155 cm /

61.2 inches

141,5 cm /

55.7 inches

64,5 cm /

25.3 inches

57 cm /

22.4 inches

Size Notes

Size Adjustments

Note: Any size adjustments affects yarn usage & you might need more/less yarn than suggested.

Body:

  • For all sizes: Best places to adjust length by adding or reducing rounds are: After round 13 before decreasing for waist, after round 19 before increasing after waist, alternatively at the end.
  • For all sizes: Skip increase or decrease rows to adjust fit.

Arms:

  • For all sizes: Best places to adjust length by adding or reducing rows are at the end. Alternatively evenly throughout between decreases.
  • For all sizes: Skip decreases to make the arm wider.
  • For all sizes: Decrease more frequently in the same manner to make the arm narrower.

Diagram


Crochet Top Down Cardigan - FREE Crochet Pattern
Crochet Top Down 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, half double crochet, treble crochet & the foundation single crochet.

Foundation Single Crochet (FSC)

Written description:

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 1 st & every time step 3 is repeated you make 1 st.

Video tutorial.

Techniques You Will Need 


Half Double Crochet Decrease in Chain-space (Hdc dec in ch-space):

Yarn over, pull up a loop from the next(first) ch-space, pull up a loop from the next(second) ch-space, yarn over, pull through all loops on hook.

Half Double Crochet Increase in Chain-space (Hdc inc in ch-space):

Hdc 1 in next ch-space, ch 1, hdc 1 in same ch space, ch 1.

Crochet Top Down Cardigan - FREE Crochet Pattern

Crochet Top Down Cardigan Pattern Instructions


To access this Exclusive Subscriber content, simply click the box below. Grow will appear and you can subscribe to my blog and Joy of Motion Crochet. Then enter email and create a password. Once you’ve done that, you can log in to your account whenever you see Exclusive Content on my Blog and enjoy all the benefits.

Yoke

Crocheted from the top down.

Make 72 st using the FSC technique.

Row 1: Ch 3 st (counts as 1st st), *tr 1 in the next 2 st, ch 1, do not sk st*, repeat from *to* until you have 3 st left, tr 1 in the last 3 st, turn (=106 st).

Row 2: Ch 3 st (counts as 1st st), *sk 1 st, tr 1 in the next st, tr 1 in sk st, ch 1, sk st for 1st tr & next st*, repeat from *to* until you have 3 st left, sk 1 st, tr 1 in the next st, tr 1 in sk st, sk st for 1st tr, tr 1 in the last st, turn (=106 st).

Row 3: Ch 3 st (counts as 1st st), *tr 1 in the next 2 st, ch 2 & sk 1 st*, repeat from *to* until you have 3 st left, tr 1 in the last 3 st, turn (=140 st).

Row 4: Ch 3 st (counts as 1st st), *sk 1 st, tr 1 in the next st, tr 1 in prev st, ch 2, sk st for 1st tr & next 2 st*, repeat from *to* until you have 3 st left, sk 1 st, tr 1 in the next st, tr 1 in sk st, sk st for 1st tr, tr 1 in the last st, turn (=140 st).

ONLY SIZE L, XL, 2XL, 3XL, 4XL & 5xL:

Row 5: Ch 3 st (counts as 1st st), *tr 1 in the next 2 st, ch 1, do not sk st, tr 2 in ch-space, ch 1, do not sk st*, repeat from *to* until you have 3 st left, tr 1 in last 3 st, turn (=208).

Row 6: Repeat row 2 (=208).

ONLY 3XL, 4XL & 5xL:

Row 5: Repeat row 1 (=310).

Row 6: Repeat row 2 (=310).

Do not fasten thread, continue with same thread on body.

Body

Grab 4 stitch markers to mark off where the arms & body go.

Starting where you left off on the yoke.

Count 20 (22) 23 (32) 32 (32) 46 (46) 46 stitches and place a stitch marker in that stitch.

Count another 32 (28) 26 (42) 42 (42) 65 (65) 65 stitches and place a stitch maker in that stitch.

Count another 38 (42) 44 (62) 62 (62) 90 (90) 90 stitches and place a stitch marker in that stitch.

Count another 32 (28) 26 (42) 42 (42) 65 (65) 65 stitches and place a stitch marker in that stitch.

*Marked stitches will become either a part of the front panels or the back.

Row 1: Hdc directly in 1st st, hdc 1 in the next 19 (21) 22 (31) 31 (31) 45 (45) 45 st, make 12 (17) 20 (9) 14 (20) 2 (7) 10 st using the FSC technique, place stitch marker in wrong side of FSC number 6 (9) 5 (5) 7 (5) 1 (4) 5, sk the next 31 (27) 25 (41) 41 (41) 64 (64) 64 st, hdc 1 in the next 38 (42) 44 (62) 62 (62) 90 (90) 90 st, make 12 (17) 20 (9) 14 (20) 2 (7) 10 st using the FSC technique, place stitch marker in wrong side of FSC number 6 (9) 5 (5) 7 (5) 1 (4) 5, sk the next 31 (27) 25 (41) 41 (41) 64 (64) 64 st, hdc 1 in the next 20 (22) 23 (32) 32 (32) 46 (46) 46 st, turn (= 102 (120) 130 (144) 154 (166) 186 (196) 202 st).

*Stitch markers placed  on this row is needed when you make the arms.

Row 2: Hdc directly in 1st st (no ch), *hdc 1 in the next st, ch 1 & sk 1 st*, repeat from *to* until you have 1 st left, hdc 1 in last st, turn (= 102 (120) 130 (144) 154 (166) 186 (196) 202 st).

Row 3: Hdc directly in 1st st (no ch), *hdc 1 in the next ch-space, ch 1 & sk 1 st*, repeat from *to* until you have 1 st left, hdc 1 in last st, turn (= 102 (120) 130 (144) 154 (166) 186 (196) 202 st).

Row 4-13: Repeat row 3.

Row 14: Hdc directly in 1st st, *hdc 1 in the next ch-space, ch 1 & sk 1 st*, repeat from *to* 4 times, hdc dec in ch-space, ch 1 & sk 1 st, [*hdc 1 in the next ch-space, ch 1 & sk 1 st*, repeat from *to* st 3 (4) 5 (6) 6 (7) (8) 8 (9) times, hdc dec in ch-space, ch 1 & sk 1 st], repeat from [ to ] 8 times, *hdc 1 in the next ch-space, ch 1 & sk 1 st*  repeat from *to* until you have 1 st left, hdc 1 in last st, turn (= 84 (102) 112 (126) 136 (148) 168 (178) 184 st).

Row 15-18: Repeat row 3, (= 84 (102) 112 (126) 136 (148) 168 (178) 184 st).

Row 19: Hdc directly in 1st st, *hdc 1 in the next ch-space, ch 1 & sk 1 st*, repeat from *to* 4 times, hdc inc in ch-space, [*hdc 1 in the next ch-space, ch 1 & sk 1 st*, repeat from *to* st 3 (4) 5 (6) 6 (7) (8) 8 (9) times, hdc inc in ch-space], repeat from [ to ] 8 times, *hdc 1 in the next ch-space, ch 1 & sk 1 st*  repeat from *to* until you have 1 st left, hdc 1 in last st, turn (= 102 (120) 130 (144) 154 (166) 186 (196) 202 st).

Row 20-23: Repeat row 3, (= 102 (120) 130 (144) 154 (166) 186 (196) 202 st).

Row 24: Hdc directly in 1st st, *hdc 1 in the next ch-space, ch 1 & sk 1 st*, repeat from *to* 4 times, hdc inc in ch-space, [*hdc 1 in the next ch-space, ch 1 & sk 1 st*, repeat from *to* st 4 (5) 6 (7) 7 (8) (9) 9 (10) times, hdc inc in ch-space], repeat from [ to ] 8 times, *hdc 1 in the next ch-space, ch 1 & sk 1 st*  repeat from *to* until you have 1 st left, hdc 1 in last st, turn (= 120 (138) 148 (162) 172 (184) 204 (214) 220 st).

Row 25-39: Repeat row 3, (= 120 (138) 148 (162) 172 (184) 204 (214) 220 st).

Cut yarn & fasten thread.

ARMS:

Attach thread in the middle under the arm, where you made FSC st on the body, in marked stitch.

Row 1: Hdc 1 directly in the st you attached the thread, hdc 1 in the next 5 (8) 9 (4) 6 (9) 0 (3) 4 st (FSC st), hdc 1 in the next 31 (27) 25 (41) 41 (41) 64 (64) 64 along the yoke, hdc 1 in the last 5 (8) 9 (4) 6 (9) 1 (2) 5 st (FSC st), if you have 1 st left, see notes for your size, turn (= 42 (44) 46 (50) 56 (62) 66 (72) 74 st).

XS: Leave last st unworked.

M, XL, 2XL & 4XL: Crochet 2 hdc in last st.

Row 2: Hdc directly in 1st st (no ch), *hdc 1 in the next st, ch 1 & sk 1 st*, repeat from *to* until you have 1 st left, hdc 1 in last st, turn (= 42 (44) 46 (50) 56 (62) 66 (72) 74 st).

Row 3: Hdc directly in 1st st (no ch), *hdc 1 in ch space, ch 1 & sk 1 st*, repeat from *to* until you have 1 st left, hdc 1 in last st, turn (= 42 (44) 46 (50) 56 (62) 66 (72) 74 st).

Row 4: Repeat row 3.

Row 5: Hdc 1 directly in 1st st (no ch), hdc dec in ch-space, ch 1 & sk 1 st, *hdc 1 in ch space, ch 1 & sk 1 st*, repeat from *to* until you have 6 st left, hdc dec in ch-space, ch 1 & sk 1 st, hdc 1 in last st, turn (= 38 (40) 42 (46) 52 (58) 62 (68) 70 st).

Row 6-8: Repeat row 3, (= 38 (40) 42 (46) 52 (58) 62 (68) 70 st).

Row 9: Hdc 1 directly in 1st st (no ch), hdc dec in ch-space, ch 1 & sk 1 st, *hdc 1 in ch space, ch 1 & sk 1 st*, repeat from *to* until you have 6 st left, hdc dec in ch-space, ch 1 & sk 1 st, hdc 1 in last st, turn (= 34 (36) 38 (42) 48 (54) 58 (64) 66 st).

Row 10-12: Repeat row 3, (= 34 (36) 38 (42) 48 (54) 58 (64) 66 st).

Row 13: Hdc 1 directly in 1st st (no ch), hdc dec in ch-space, ch 1 & sk 1 st, *hdc 1 in ch space, ch 1 & sk 1 st*, repeat from *to* until you have 6 st left, hdc dec in ch-space, ch 1 & sk 1 st, hdc 1 in last st, turn (= 30 (32) 34 (38) 44 (50) 54 (60) 62 st).

Row 14-16: Repeat row 3, 30 (32) 34 (38) 44 (50) 54 (60) 62 st).

Only size XS-M:

Row 17-39: Repeat row 3, (= 30 (32) 34 (-) – (-) – (-) – st).

Only size L-5XL:

Row 17: Hdc 1 directly in 1st st (no ch), hdc dec in ch-space, ch 1 & sk 1 st, *hdc 1 in ch space, ch 1 & sk 1 st*, repeat from *to* until you have 6 st left, hdc dec in ch-space, ch 1 & sk 1 st, hdc 1 in last st, turn (= – (-) – (34) 40 (46) 50 (56) 58 st).

Row 18-20: Repeat row 3 (= – (-) – (34) 40 (46) 50 (56) 58 st).

Only size L:

Row 21-39: Repeat row 22.

Only size XL-5XL:

Row 21: Hdc 1 directly in 1st st (no ch), hdc dec in ch-space, ch 1 & sk 1 st, *hdc 1 in ch space, ch 1 & sk 1 st*, repeat from *to* until you have 6 st left, hdc dec in ch-space, ch 1 & sk 1 st, hdc 1 in last st, turn (= – (-) – (-) 36 (42) 46 (52) 54 st).

Row 22-24: Repeat row 3, (= – (-) – (-) 36 (42) 46 (52) 54 st).

Only size XL:

Row 25-39: Repeat row 3, (= – (-) – (-) 36 (-) – (-) – st).

Only size 2XL-5XL:

Row 25: Hdc 1 directly in 1st st (no ch), hdc dec in ch-space, ch 1 & sk 1 st, *hdc 1 in ch space, ch 1 & sk 1 st*, repeat from *to* until you have 6 st left, hdc dec in ch-space, ch 1 & sk 1 st, hdc 1 in last st, turn (= – (-) – (-) – (38) 42 (48) 50 st).

Row 26-28: Repeat row 3, (= – (-) – (-) – (38) 42 (48) 50 st).

Only size 2XL:

Row 29-39: Repeat row 3, (= – (-) – (-) – (38) – (-) – st).

Only size 2XL-5XL:

Row 29: Hdc 1 directly in 1st st (no ch), hdc dec in ch-space, ch 1 & sk 1 st, *hdc 1 in ch space, ch 1 & sk 1 st*, repeat from *to* until you have 6 st left, hdc dec in ch-space, ch 1 & sk 1 st, hdc 1 in last st, turn (= – (-) – (-) – (-) 38 (44) 46 st).

Row 34-36: Repeat row 3, (= – (-) – (-) – (-) 38 (44) 46 st).

Only size 3XL:

Row 37-39: Repeat row 3, (= – (-) – (-) – (-) 38 (-) – st).

Only size 4XL-5XL:

Row 37: Hdc 1 directly in 1st st (no ch), hdc dec in ch-space, ch 1 & sk 1 st, *hdc 1 in ch space, ch 1 & sk 1 st*, repeat from *to* until you have 6 st left, hdc dec in ch-space, ch 1 & sk 1 st, hdc 1 in last st, turn (= – (-) – (-) – (-) – (40) 42 st).

Row 38-39: Repeat row 3, (= – (-) – (-) – (-) – (40) 42 st).

Cut yarn & fasten thread.

Finishing


Seam the arms (A in diagram) with the yarn used, with either slip stitches & hook or stitching with a needle.

Fasten threads & weave in ends.

Crochet Top Down Cardigan - FREE Crochet Pattern

Share & Worth Noting


Thank you for sharing my FREE patterns & tutorials. When you do, you support me & the blog, which makes it possible to continue sharing free content with you.
Not all content on this blog website is free, but the more you share, the more free content I will be able to share. Note that all premium content are ad free.

My crochet patterns can be used to sell handmade pieces. You are required to credit Joy of Motion/Janne Kleivset as the designer by linking back to My website: https://joyofmotioncrochet.com. You can not use my pictures when selling your handmade items. Finally, you can not resell, reprint or share any parts of my patterns as your own.

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.



GRAB CROCHET CHEAT SHEETS

Sheets included: Hook sizes, Yarn weights, Crochet Hook for Yarn Weight, US vs UK Terms, Crochet Chart Symbols

Grab your copy now 👇