As Spring approaches I’m settling into a new year and the days are getting longer. With the newness of a new year and Spring right around the corner I’m usually bursting with new ideas and new inspirations. Spring time is a season of new beginnings. The New Beginnings Cardigan was one of my inspirations for the days getting longer and warmer.
Find more: 44+ crochet cardigan pattern collection.
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The Yarn
I’m super excited about the yarn used is from Joy of Motion Yarn. The yarn base is called Favorite DK and it’s soft and light yet still very cozy.
The color pictured is “Pink Plumeria Maui” and was custom hand dyed.
The yarn is 100 % Merino.
CROCHET A CARDIGAN
Have you wanted to crochet a cardigan but not sure which one to make. The New Beginnings Cardigan is a great crochet project for all levels of experience. Designed to cater to all levels and to be size inclusive, the New Beginnings Cardigan would be a beautiful addition to your wardrobe or make a lovely gift.
Since you like the New Beginnings Cardigan these might interest you too?
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.
NEW BEGINNINGS CARDIGAN – THE FREE CROCHET PATTERN
Pattern Options
GRAB THE PDF VERSION ON RAVELRY
GRAB THE PDF VERSION ON ETSY
About The Pattern
The body is made of the filet stitch and the arms are made of double crochet. The body is made by starting with ribbing and working up with filet stitch. The breaks are then made to split the back and the two front panels. The arms are started with ribbing and worked up. The shoulder is seamed and then the arms are seamed and sewn on to the body. Pattern is written as XS (S, M, L, XL, 2X, 3X, 4X, 5X).
Project Level
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Materials Needed
Crochet Hook
Size: 5 mm / US: H – 8 / UK: 6
Yarn
Yarn used:
Joy of Motion Yarn Favorite DK
Yarn amount used:
XS 18 oz/ 500 g / 1250 m / 1365 y
S 18 oz/ 500 g / 1250 m / 1365 y
M 18 oz/ 500 g / 1250 m / 1365 y
L 22 oz / 600 g / 1500 m / 1638 y
XL 22 oz / 600 g / 1500 m / 1638 y
2X 25 oz / 700 g / 1750 m / 1911 y
3X 25 oz / 700 g / 1750 m / 1911 y
4X 29 oz / 800 g / 2000 m / 2184 y
5X 29 oz / 800 g / 2000 m / 2184 y
Yarn characteristics:
- 3 light yarn, DK yarn.
- 100% Merino
Other Materials Needed
- Needle, find one here (if you don’t already have one)!
- Tape Measure
- Wonder Clips
Gauge
Filet Stitch
4 x 4 inches = 9 stitches of filet pattern x 6.75 rows of filet 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.
- The fit of this cardigan has a 2-inch ease in the body and the arms have no ease.
- At the end of each row, the stitch count is given in parenthesis.
Size & Measurements
SIZE:
Adult Woman’s
Bust, Waist / Hip measurements from CYC
XS, 29/24/33.5 Inches
S, 33/26.5/35.5 Inches
M, 37/30/39 Inches
L, 41/34/43 Inches
XL, 45/36/47 Inches
2X, 49/42/53 Inches
3X, 53/45/54.5 Inches
4X, 57/47/56.5 Inches
5X, 61/50/61.5 Inches
FINISHED DIMENSIONS:
Diagram
Abbreviations
- ch = chain(s)
- sc = single crochet
- dc = double crochet
- sl st = slip stitch
- BLO = back loop only
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
SINGLE CROCHET Back LOOP ONLY (sc BLO):
Crochet single crochet stitches, but in back loops only. Insert hook in back loop, draw up a loop, yarn over, pull through both loops on hook.
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.
In this pattern you will make chain spaces with 1 chain, and crochet 1 double crochet.
New Beginnings Cardigan Pattern Instructions
BODY RIBBING:
Row 1: Ch 11, sc in 2nd chain from hook. Sc in the remaining chains. Turn work. (10 sc)
Row 2: Ch 1, sc BLO in each stitch across. (10 sc)
Row 3: Repeat Row 2 until you have 164 (174, 192, 210, 232, 260, 270, 278, 306) rows. (10 sc)
Body
Turn ribbing to work on top of ribbing. Ch 4 does count as a stitch in rows with dc and ch 1 does not count as a stitch in sc row through entire body, including panels.
Row 1: Ch 1, sc 165 (175, 193, 211, 233, 261, 271, 279, 307) evenly on top of ribbing. Turn work. (165, 175, 193, 211, 233, 261, 271, 279, 307 sc)
Row 2: Ch 4, skip next sc, dc, *ch 1, skip next sc, dc*. Repeat from * to * until end of row. Turn work. (82, 87, 96, 105, 116, 130, 135, 139, 153 Filet stitches)
Row 3: Ch 1, *sc, sc in ch-1 space*. Repeat from * to * until end of row. The last sc will be in the 3rd ch of previous ch-4 space. (165, 175, 193, 211, 233, 261, 271, 279, 307 sc)
Row 4: Repeat row 2.
Row 5: Repeat row 3.
Repeat row 2 and row 3 until row 47 (49, 49, 49, 49, 51, 51, 53, 53).
The body of pattern will now be separated into 3 sections, 2 front panels and back panel. This will be done by working one section at a time with repeating rows.
Continuing from the last row you finished, you will be making left front panel first.
LEFT FRONT PANEL:
Row 1: Ch 4, skip next sc, dc, *ch 1, skip next sc, dc*. Repeat from * to * 19 (20, 22, 24, 26, 30, 31, 32, 35) more times. Turn work. (21, 22, 24, 26, 28, 32, 33, 34, 37 Filet stitches)
Row 2: Ch 1, *sc, sc in ch-1 space*. Repeat from * to * until end of row. The last sc will be in the 3rd ch of previous ch-4 space. (43, 45, 49, 53, 57, 65, 67, 69, 75 sc)
Row 3: Repeat row 1.
Row 4: Repeat row 2.
Repeat row 1 and row 2 until row 18 (20, 20, 24, 24, 26, 26, 28, 28). Leave a tail to sew in and fasten off.
Back PANEL:
With wrong side of work facing you (you would be looking at back side of row of sc). Attach yarn into the same stitch as last double crochet in the first row of left front panel.
Row 1: Ch 4, skip next sc, *dc, ch 1, skip next sc, dc*. Repeat from * to * 38 (41, 46, 51, 58, 64, 67, 69, 77) more times. Turn work. (40, 43, 48, 53, 60, 66, 69, 71, 79 Filet stitches)
Row 2: Ch 1, *sc, sc in ch-1 space*. Repeat from * to * until end of row. The last sc will be in the 3rd ch of previous ch-4 space. (81, 87, 97, 107, 121, 133, 139, 143, 159 sc)
Row 3: Repeat row 1.
Row 4: Repeat row 2.
Repeat row 1 and row 2 until row 18 (20, 20, 24, 24, 26, 26, 28, 14). Leave a tail to sew in and fasten off.
RIGHT FRONT PANEL:
With wrong side of work facing you. Attach yarn into the same stitch as last double crochet in the first row of back panel.
Row 1: Ch 4, skip next sc, dc, *ch 1, skip next sc, dc*. Repeat from * to * 19 (20, 22, 24, 26, 30, 31, 32, 35) more times. Turn work. (21, 22, 24, 26, 28, 32, 33, 34, 37 Filet stitches)
Row 2: Ch 1, *sc, sc in ch-1 space*. Repeat from * to * until end of row. The last sc will be in the 3rd ch of previous ch-4 space. (43, 45, 49, 53, 57, 65, 67, 69, 75 sc)
Row 3: Repeat row 1.
Row 4: Repeat row 2.
Repeat row 1 and row 2 until row 18 (20, 20, 24, 24, 26, 26, 28, 28). Leave a tail to sew in and fasten off.
Sleeves
Make 2 sleeves.
SLEEVE RIBBING:
Row 1: Ch 11, sc in 2nd chain from hook. Sc in the remaining chains. Turn work. (10 sc)
Row 2: Ch 1, sc BLO in each stitch across. (10 sc)
Row 3: Repeat Row 2 until you have 32 (32, 34, 34, 34, 34, 36, 36, 36) rows. (10 sc)
SLEEVE XS (S, M, L):
Turn ribbing to work on top of ribbing. You will turn work after each row. Ch 2 does not count as a stitch.
Row 1: Ch 2, dc 32 (32, 34, 34) evenly on top of ribbing. (32, 32, 34, 34 dc)
Row 2 – 4: Ch 2, dc 32 (32, 34, 34).
Row 5: Ch 2, dc, 2dc, dc 29 (29, 31, 31), 2dc. (34, 34, 36, 36 dc)
Row 6 – 8: Ch 2, dc 34 (34, 36, 36).
Row 9: Ch 2, dc, 2dc, dc 31 (31, 33, 33), 2dc. (36, 36, 38, 38 dc)
Row 10 – 12: Ch 2, dc 36 (36, 38, 38).
Row 13: Ch 2, dc, 2dc, dc 33 (33, 35, 35), 2dc. (38, 38, 40, 40 dc)
Row 14 – 16: Ch 2, dc 38 (38, 40, 40).
Row 17: Ch 2, dc, 2dc, dc 35 (35, 37, 37), 2dc. (40, 40, 42, 42 dc)
Row 18: Ch 2, dc 40 (40, 42, 42).
Row 19: Ch 2, dc, 2dc, dc 37 (37, 39, 39), 2dc. (42, 42, 44, 44 dc)
Row 20: Ch 2, dc 42 (42, 44, 44).
Row 21: Ch 2, dc, 2dc, dc 39 (39, 41, 41), 2dc. (44, 44, 46, 46 dc)
Row 22: Ch 2, dc 44 (44, 46, 46,).
Row 23: Ch 2, dc, 2dc, dc 41 (41, 43, 43), 2dc. (46, 46, 48, 48 dc)
Row 24: Ch 2, dc 46 (46, 48, 48).
For XS, Row 25 – 35: Repeat row 24. Leave a tail to sew in and fasten off. (46 dc)
Row 25: Ch 2, dc, 2dc, dc (43, 45, 45), 2dc. (48, 50, 50 dc)
Row 26 – 28: Ch 2, dc (48, 50, 50).
For S, Row 29 – 36: Repeat row 28. Leave a tail to sew in and fasten off. (48 dc)
Row 29: Ch 2, dc, 2dc, dc (47, 47), 2dc. (52, 52 dc)
For M, Row 30 – 36 Ch 2, dc (52). Leave a tail to sew in and fasten off. (52 dc)
For L, Row 30: Ch2, dc (52).
Row 31: Ch 2, dc, 2dc, dc 49, 2dc. (54 dc)
Row 32: Ch 2, dc 54.
Row 33: Ch 2, dc, 2dc, dc 51, 2dc. (56 dc)
Row 34 – 37: Ch 2, dc 56. Leave a tail to sew in and fasten off.
SLEEVE XL (2X, 3X, 4X, 5X):
Turn ribbing to work on top of ribbing. You will turn work after each row.
Row 1: Ch 2, dc 34 (34, 36, 36, 36) evenly on top of ribbing. (34, 34, 36, 36, 36 dc)
Row 2: Ch 2, dc 34 (34, 36, 36, ,36).
Row 3: Ch 2, dc, 2dc, dc 31 (31, 33, 33, 33), 2dc. (36, 36, 38, 38, 38 dc)
Repeat Row 2 – 3 twelve times, repeat row 2 once more. (60, 60, 62, 62, 62 dc)
For XL, Row 29 – 37: Repeat Row 28. Leave a long tail to sew in and fasten off. (60 dc)
Row 29: Ch 2, dc, 2dc, dc (57, 59, 59, 59), 2dc. (62, 64, 64, 64 dc)
Row 30: Ch 2, dc (62, 64, 64, 64).
Row 31: Ch 2, dc, 2dc, dc (59, 61, 61, 61), 2dc. (64, 66, 66, 66 dc)
Row 32: Ch 2, dc (64, 66, 66, 66).
For 2X, Row 33 – 38: Repeat Row 32. Leave a long tail to sew in and fasten off. (64 dc)
For 3X, Row 33 – 38: Repeat Row 32. Leave a long tail to sew in and fasten off. (66 dc)
Row 33: Ch 2, dc, 2dc, dc (63, 63), 2dc. (68, 68 dc)
Row 34: Ch 2, dc (68, 68).
Row 35: Ch 2, dc, 2dc, dc (65, 65), 2dc. (70, 70 dc)
Row 36: Ch 2, dc (70, 70).
For 4X, Row 37 – 39: Repeat Row 36. Leave a long tail to sew in and fasten off. (70 dc)
Row 37: Ch 2, dc, 2dc, dc (67), 2dc. (72 dc)
Row 38: Ch 2, dc (72).
Row 39: Ch 2, dc, 2dc, dc (69), 2dc. (74 dc)
Row 40: Ch 2, dc (74). Leave a tail to sew in and fasten off.
Finishing
To assemble the cardigan, turn right sides front panels and back panel together. Line up filet stitches evenly and seam top of shoulder with a ladder or invisible stitch. Turn sleeves with right side together and seam bottom of sleeves with a ladder or invisible stitch. To sew on the sleeves, turn body of cardigan with the wrong side facing out and turn sleeve with right side out.
Place sleeve inside the cardigan, with sleeve and armhole matched up and seam of sleeve facing down. Using wonder clips or push pins, secure and using a ladder or invisible stitch sew sleeve to cardigan. Repeat on other side.
FRONT BORDER:
With cardigan right side facing out attach yarn on bottom corner of right front panel.
Row 1: Ch 1, sc evenly around. In the filet repeats, sc in sc row and 2sc in dc or ch-space. Turn work.
Row 2: Ch 1, sc BLO in each stitch. Turn work.
Row 3 – 5: Repeat Row 2. Leave a tail to sew in and fasten off.
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