The Simple Crochet Cardigan Pattern is a great crochet pattern I’m sure you’re going to love! It’s the perfect easy crochet cardigan for fall & winter it works up fast.
What’s most amazing is the fact that the variegated yarn used is super soft & combined with the crocheted stitches it’s a really cozy cardigan.
It’s skill level easy & comes in 9 sizes from XS to 5XL.
Find more: Free Crochet Cardigan Patterns for Women.
Table of Contents
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Pattern Overview
How to Crochet the Simple Crochet Cardigan Pattern
The sweater crochet pattern is worked in two pieces sideways from center back and outwards. You’ll make 2 identical pieces.
First you’ll work 7 rows to create back panel rectangle, that will end up behind your neck. Then on the same piece you’ll increase stitches. From here you will continue to work outwards, working both front and back panel at the same time in one piece.
Sleeves are then worked directly onto the main part. Repeat to make the second identical piece.
When you have finished crocheting the two parts, you will seam them together at back using the whip stitch. Finally you will crochet the ribbing around the front of the crochet cardigan.
For this cardigan you will not need to know a lot of complex stitches. However this cardigan may be a little difficult for crochet beginners.
The main lightweight part of this crochet cardigan uses chains and half double crochet stitches.
The sleeves are made up of half double crochet stitches.
Finally you will create crochet ribbing using back loop half double crochet stitches.
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Crochet Pattern
Airy Denim Cardigan Crochet Pattern
$6.50 USD
- Sizes: XS to 5XL
- Skill Level: Easy
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About the Simple Crochet Cardigan Pattern
The Simple Crochet Cardigan Pattern is definitely a easy crochet clothing favorite. It’s a great 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!
Project level: Easy
Materials
Crochet Hook Size
Yarn
- Yarn
- Joy of Motion Yarn – Airy DK in color Dongeri (Discontinued)
- Weight
- 3 Light Yarn
- Fiber
- 100% superwash merino
Yarn amount needed:
| Size | Skeins | Grams | Meters | Yards |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| XS | 4 | 315 | 790 | 865 |
| S | 4 | 345 | 855 | 935 |
| M | 4 | 370 | 925 | 1015 |
| L | 4 | 395 | 990 | 1080 |
| XL | 5 | 425 | 1060 | 1160 |
| 2XL | 5 | 460 | 1155 | 1260 |
| 3XL | 5 | 505 | 1255 | 1375 |
| 4XL | 6 | 530 | 1320 | 1445 |
| 5XL | 6 | 555 | 1390 | 1520 |
Other Materials Needed
Gauge
Measured over *1 half double stitches, 3 ch* repeating, stitches crocheted in rows:
14 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 | Garment Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| XS | 80 cm / 31.5 inches | 28.5 cm / 11.2 inches | 65.5 cm / 26 inches |
| S | 92 cm / 36.2 inches | 28.3 cm / 11.2 inches | 65.5 cm / 26 inches |
| M | 100 cm / 39.4 inches | 31.7 cm / 12.5 inches | 65.5 cm / 26 inches |
| L | 112 cm / 44.1 inches | 31.7 cm / 12.5 inches | 65.5 cm / 26 inches |
| XL | 120 cm / 47.2 inches | 35 cm / 13.8 inches | 65.5 cm / 26 inches |
| 2XL | 132 cm / 52 inches | 38.3 cm / 15.1 inches | 65.5 cm / 26 inches |
| 3XL | 140 cm / 55.1 inches | 45 cm / 17.7 inches | 65.5 cm / 26 inches |
| 4XL | 152 cm / 59.8 inches | 45 cm / 17.7 inches | 65.5 cm / 26 inches |
| 5XL | 160 cm / 63 inches | 48.3 cm / 19 inches | 65.5 cm / 26 inches |
Size Notes
- Cardigan might stretch in length and widen when used.
- This pattern is written to have a normal to loose fit, that means normal positive ease. Learn more about mastering ease in crochet garments.
- Take measurements to find the size that fits the best.
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 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
Crocheting in the Front and Back Loop
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.
These stitches are abbreviated with FL and BL in front of their regular abbreviation.
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 3 chains on one row, and crochet 1 half double crochet stitches into the chain space on the next row.
Instructions for the Simple Crochet Cardigan Pattern
Main Parts
Repeat 2 times.
FSC 89 st.
Row 1: Hdc 1 in 1st st (no ch), *ch 3, sk 3 st, hdc 1 in next st*, repeat from *to* until you have 12 st left, BLhdc 1 in the next 12 st, turn (=89 st).
Row 2: BLhdc 1 in 1st st (no ch), BLhdc 1 in the next 11 st, ch 2, sk 2 st, hdc 1 in ch-3-space, *ch 3, sk 3 st, hdc 1 in ch-3-space*, repeat from *to* until you have 2 st left, ch 1, sk 1 st, hdc 1 in last st, turn (=89 st).
Row 3: Hdc 1 in 1st st (no ch), *ch 3, sk 3 st, hdc 1 in ch-space*, repeat from *to* until you have 12 st left, BLhdc 1 in the next 12 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 11 st, ch 2, sk 2 st, hdc 1 in ch-3-space, *ch 3, sk 3 st, hdc 1 in ch-3-space*, repeat from *to* until you have 2 st left, ch 1, sk 1 st, 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 11 st, *ch 3, sk 3 st, hdc 1 in next st*, repeat from *to* 21 times, **ch 3, sk 3 st, hdc 1 in ch space**, repeat from **to** until you have 10 st left, BLhdc 1 in the next 12 st, turn (= 184 st).
Row 10: BLhdc 1 in 1st st (no ch), BLhdc 1 in the next 11 st, ch 2, sk 2 st, hdc 1 in ch-3-space, *ch 3, sk 3 st, hdc 1 in ch space*, repeat from *to* until you have 14 st left, ch 1, sk 1, BLhdc 1 in the next 12 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 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 the next 33 (33) 37 (37) 41 (45) 53 (53) 57 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
Repeat on both sleeves.
Continuing directly from the sleeves, ch 12 st.
Row 1: BLhdc 1 in 1st st (no ch), BLhdc 1 in the next 11 st, along row 32 from sleeves: sl st 1 in next st, sk 2 st, sl st 1 in next st, turn (=14 st).
Row 2: Sk 2 sl st, BLhdc 1 in 1st st (no ch), BLhdc 1 in the next 11 st, turn (=12 st).
Repeat row 2 until you have crocheted 18 (18) 20 (20) 22 (24) 28 (28) 30 rows, doing the last 2 sl st on the last repeat in the last two stitches from row 32 on sleeve without skipping 2 st on sizes XS, S, XL & 5XL.
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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