I have so many new designs in the que, but I also have a ton of my favorites to redo. A lot of my original patterns didn’t include all the sizes for free, so I’m going back through them to revamp some of them. This classic crochet cardigan is at the top of the revamp list.

To crochet a cardigan probably sounds overwhelming and out of your league, but I promise; This free cardigan pattern is super simple and achievable for beginners and pros alike.

The original crochet cardigan pattern was posted almost 4 years ago! It’s crazy that it’s been so long. I know there are a lot of people new to crochet and may have just discovered KnitcroAddict. If that’s you, welcome!

This crochet cardigan pattern makes for one of the comfiest, coziest and most stunning sweaters you’ve ever worn.

The Red heart Hygge yarn I used for the original is still my first choice for the redo. It’s not crazy expensive or difficult to source. It works up pretty quick and it’s really good quality. I’ve worn my crochet cardigan a LOT over the last few years, and it’s only gotten better with time.

The hygge yarn feels so luxurious, it feels like something expensive, but to crochet a cardigan for the first time when you didn’t think you could is priceless.

If you like this crochet cardigan, you might also like these pattern below

1 Crochet Sweater / 2 Crochet Slouchy Cardigan / 3 The Long Cardigan

If you’d like to purchase any of these patterns in an ad free, printable and downloadable PDF format, you can find them all on our sales channels below!

Crochet cardigan materials

I used Red heart hygge #5 bulky weight yarn
6mm crochet hook
Yarn needle
Scissors
Stitch markers

*These materials contain affiliate links, for which I make a small commission. It’s no extra cost to you, makes shopping easier and helps to keep the lights on.

Stitches Used & Code (US Term)

ch = chain
st = stitch(es)
hdc = half double crochet
sp = space
REP = repeat
RS = right side
WS = wrong side
” = inches

Skill: Easy

Notes:

This pattern is written in English US terminology
This pattern made in US women’s sizes XS(S, M, L, XL, XXL)
In this picture I have demonstrated with size small
This cardigan is made in 5 separate pieces and then sewn together. The collar added after

Yarn needed: 960(1020, 1100, 1160, 1240, 1300) Yards

Gauge blocked: 9 hdc X 7 rows = 4″

Measurements (After blocked)

XS = 18.66″ Body width across X 25.71″ Length
S = 19.55″ Body width across X 25.71″ Length
M = 21.33″ Body width across X 27.42″ Length
L = 23.11″ Body width across X 27.42″ Length
XL = 24.88″ Body width across X 29.14″ Length
XXL = 26.66″ Body width across X 29.14″ Length

The finished crochet cardigan measurements are described in the picture

Crochet cardigan pattern

Back panel (Make 1)

Row 1 (RS): ch 43(45, 49, 53, 57, 61), 1 hdc into second ch from hook and each ch across. Total of 42(44, 48, 52, 56, 60) st

Row 2 (WS): Turn, ch 1 (do not count as a st), 1 hdc into each st across. Total of 42(44, 48, 52, 56, 60) st

Row 3 – Row 45(45, 48, 48, 51, 51): REP Row 2

The end of row 45(45, 48, 48, 51, 51) cut the yarn

Front Panels (Make 2)

Row 1 (RS): ch 18(19, 21, 23, 25, 27), 1 hdc into second ch from hook and each ch across. Total of 17(18, 20, 22, 24, 26) st

Row 2 (WS):Turn, ch 1 (do not count as a st), 1 hdc into each st across. Total of 17(18, 20, 22, 24, 26) st

Row 3 – Row 45(45, 48, 48, 51, 51): REP Row 2

The end of row 45(45, 48, 48, 51, 51) cut the yarn and leave 16-20″ long tail

Sleeves (Make 2)

Row 1 (RS): ch 21(23, 25, 27, 29, 31), 1 hdc into second ch from hook and each ch across. Total of 20(22, 24, 26, 28, 30) st

Row 2 (WS):Turn, ch 1 (do not count as a st), 1 hdc into each st across. Total of 20(22, 24, 26, 28, 30) st

Row 3 – Row 7: REP Row 2

Row 8: Turn, ch 1 (do not count as a st), 2 hdc into first st, 1 hdc into next st and each st until you have 1 st left, 2 hdc into last st. Total of 22(24, 26, 28, 30, 32) st

Row 9-12: REP row 2. Total of 22(24, 26, 28, 30, 32) st

Row 13: REP row 8. Total of 24(26, 28, 30, 32, 34) st

Row 14-17: REP row 2. Total of 24(26, 28, 30, 32, 34) st

Row 18: REP row 8. Total of 26(28, 30, 32, 34, 36) st

Row 19-20: REP row 2. Total of 26(28, 30, 32, 34, 36) st

Row 21: REP row 8. Total of 28(30, 32, 34, 36, 38) st

Row 22-23: REP row 2. Total of 28(30, 32, 34, 36, 38) st

Row 24: REP row 8. Total of 30(32, 34, 36, 38, 40) st

Row 25-26: REP row 2. Total of 30(32, 34, 36, 38, 40) st

Row 27: REP row 8. Total of 32(34, 36, 38, 40, 42) st

Row 28-29: REP row 2. Total of 32(34, 36, 38, 40, 42) st

Row 30: REP row 8. Total of 34(36, 38, 40, 42, 44) st

Row 31-32: REP row 2. Total of 34(36, 38, 40, 42, 44) st

Row 33: REP row 8. Total of 36(38, 40, 42, 44, 46) st

Row 34-35: REP row 2. Total of 36(38, 40, 42, 44, 46) st

The end of row 35 cut the yarn and leave 30-40″ long tail

*All the sizes are the same length. If you want a shorter sleeve, just repeat row 2 less times. If you want a longer sleeve, just keep repeating row 2 to the desired length

JOINING THE PIECES TOGETHER

Sew the back and 2 front panels

Take the back and 2 front panels, place them with the correct side facing down, we’ll sew on the wrong side. Using the tail that we left earlier, sew along the top of the shoulder area together using method of choice.

Sew the sleeves to the main panel

With your main panel correct side facing down. Place your sleeves correct side facing down and start sewing on the wrong side with your tail again. The shoulder seam of the main panel should be in the middle of the sleeves panel and even on both sides

Sew the cardigan together

Fold your cardigan in half at the shoulder seam with the correct sides facing each other. Cut a new strand of yarn 60-70″ long, enough to sew the side and the sleeve. Start sewing from the bottom up to the side seam until you reach the armpit and continue sewing the sleeve side seam until you reach the end of the sleeve and then weave all the ends. (Check picture below)

The crochet cardigan pattern is made in 5 panels as shown in the photo

Crochet cardigan collar

Notes:

We’ll start the collar at the bottom right corner (When you’re wearing it). Work all the way up and around the neck, back down to the left corner. We will turn back the other direction and keep repeating
Row 1 only: We’ll crochet into the end of each row of the front panels (sp for reference)

Row 1: With your cardigan right side facing out. Add new yarn into the bottom right corner, then ch 1(do not count as a st), 2 hdc into the same sp, 1 hdc into each of next 2 sp, *2 hdc into next sp, 1 hdc into each of next 2 sp* REP from *TO* util you reach the shoulder seam, 1 hdc into the shoulder seam, 1 hdc into each st across the neckline util you reach the other shoulder seam, 1 hdc into the shoulder seam, *1 hdc into each of next 2 sp, 2 hdc into next sp* REP from *TO* until the end (The left bottom corner). Total of 130(130, 138, 138, 146, 146) st. If you have a few more or less st it’s ok. Check picture below