Learn to crochet the bead stitch while you make yourself an awesome cardigan!
Hey there people, I’m back and excited once again with another cardigan, this time using the crochet bead stitch. It’s almost winter again, so although I’ll miss the summer, I’m ready to dive head first into sweaters and cardigans.
If you’ve never used it, don’t worry. If you can do double crochet and single crochet, you can totally make a bead stitch. If you want to practice a little, you can go back and check out the crochet bead stitch tutorial I made previously.
I’m trying to make a stitch tutorial for every project so everyone has a reference point. Being familiar with as many stitches as possible isn’t necessary in the beginning, but the longer you crochet, the more useful it is to have a broad range of experience with different stitches.
You’ll see a new pattern made with a crochet bead stitch someday and think “Oh yeah, I made that really nice bead stitch cardigan before, I remember that one!” Then I’ll be all proud, because you’ll be a pro crocheter knitcroaddict with all the stitch knowledge. 😎
In case you’re wondering, I used Alize Bella in a #2 sport/fine weight. People ask me a lot about what yarn I prefer, and while I shop at the big box places like everyone does, I like to support smaller manufacturers and sellers whenever possible. Alize makes great quality yarn and I have a great supplier on Etsy, with great service and great shipping. No, they are not a sponsor, I wish someone would pay me to use their yarn!
I hope you enjoy the crochet bead stitch cardigan. Onto the pattern!
If you’d like to own the ad free, printable and downloadable PDF for this pattern, it’s available for purchase on all my sales channels below.
If you’re looking for more FREE crochet patterns, check out these patterns below.
Materials
- #2 Sport/Fine Weight Yarn
- I used Alize Bella #2 Sport/Fine weight yarn 100% cotton
- Color pictured : Grey, color code 21
- Crochet hook 5 mm
- Scissors
- Yarn needle
- Stitch marker
*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
- ch = chain
- dc = double crochet
- sk = skip
- REP = repeat
- YO = Yarn over hook
- Bead stitch = 1 dc, *Yo insert hook behind the post of dc from right to left, YO and pull up a loop* REP from *TO* 2 more times into the same dc post ( 7 loops on hook ), YO and pull through first 6 loops on hook, YO and pull through remaining loops on hook
- RS = right side
- WS = wrong side
- ” = inches
Notes :
- This cardigan pattern is made as US women’s sizes XS( S, M, L, XL, XXL )
- This cardigan pattern is made in 5 separate pieces and then sewn together
- This cardigan pattern is a 4 rows repeat ( row 2-5 )
- This cardigan pattern is in multiples of 2+3 ch
- In this picture I have demonstrated with size Small
Yarn needed : 920( 980, 1,040, 1,130, 1,190, 1,250 ) Yards
Gauge blocked : 14 dc X 7.5 rows = 4″
Measurements ( After blocked )
- XS = 16.85″ Width across back X 21.86″ Long
- S = 19.14″ Width across back X 21.86″ Long
- M = 21.42″ Width across back X 21.86″ Long
- L = 23.71″ Width across back X 24″ Long
- XL = 26″ Width across back X 24″ Long
- XXL = 28.28″ Width across back X 24″ Long
Crochet Bead Stitch Cardigan Pattern
BACK PANEL ( MAKE 1 )
Row 1 ( WS ) : ch 61( 69, 77, 85, 93, 101 ), sk 3 ch ( count as 1 dc ), 1 dc into next ch and each ch across. Total of 59( 67, 75, 83, 91, 99 ) dc
Row 2 ( RS ) : Turn, ch 3 ( count as 1 dc ), 1 dc into each st across. Total of 59( 67, 75, 83, 91, 99 ) dc
Row 3 : REP Row 2
Row 4 : Turn, ch 3 ( count as 1 dc ), 1 Bead st into next st, *sk next st, 1 Bead st into next st* REP from *TO* until you have 1 st left, 1 dc into last st. Total of 29( 33, 37, 41, 45, 49 ) Bead st
Row 5 : Turn, ch 3 ( count as 1 dc ), 1 dc into each st until you have 2 st left, sk next st, 1 dc into last st. Total of 59( 67, 75, 83, 91, 99 ) dc
- XS : REP Row 2-5 Nine more times. Total of 41 rows
- S : REP Row 2-5 Nine more times. Total of 41 rows
- M : REP Row 2-5 Nine more times. Total of 41 rows
- L : REP Row 2-5 Ten more times. Total of 45 rows
- XL : REP Row 2-5 Ten more times. Total of 45 rows
- XXL : REP Row 2-5 Ten more times. Total of 45 rows
The end of row 41( 41, 41, 45, 45, 45 ), cut the yarn
FRONT PANEL ( MAKE 2 )
Row 1 ( WS ) : ch 27( 31, 35, 39, 43, 47 ), sk 3 ch ( Count as 1 dc ), 1 dc into next ch and each ch across. Total of 25( 29, 33, 37, 41, 45 ) dc
Row 2 ( RS ) : Turn, ch 1 ( count as 1 dc ), 1 dc into each st across. Total of 25( 29, 33, 37, 41, 45 ) dc
Row 3 : REP Row 2
Row 4 : Turn, ch 3 ( count as 1 dc ), 1 Bead st into next st, *sk next st, 1 Bead st into next st* REP from *TO* until you have 1 st left, 1 dc into last st. Total of 12( 14, 16, 18, 20, 22 ) Bead st
Row 5 : Turn, ch 3 ( count as 1 dc ), 1 dc into each st until you have 2 st left, sk next st, 1 dc into last st. Total of 25( 29, 33, 37, 41, 45 ) dc
- XS : REP Row 2-5 Nine more times. Total of 41 rows
- S : REP Row 2-5 Nine more times. Total of 41 rows
- M : REP Row 2-5 Nine more times. Total of 41 rows
- L : REP Row 2-5 Ten more times. Total of 45 rows
- XL : REP Row 2-5 Ten more times. Total of 45 rows
- XXL : REP Row 2-5 Ten more times. Total of 45 rows
The end of row 41( 41, 41, 45, 45, 45 ), cut the yarn and leave about a 16-20 inch long tail
SLEEVES ( MAKE 2 )
Row 1 ( WS ) : ch 53( 47, 55, 61, 69, 75 ), sk 3 ch ( count as 1 dc ), 1 dc into next ch and each ch across. Total of 51( 45, 53, 59, 67, 73 ) dc
Row 2 ( RS ) : Turn, ch 3 ( count as 1 dc ), 1 dc into each st across. Total of 51( 45, 53, 59, 67, 73 ) dc
Row 3 – Row 34( 34, 34, 34, 34, 34 ) : REP Row 2
*All the sizes are the same length. If you want a shorter sleeve, just rep row 2 less times. If you want a longer sleeve, just keep repeating row 2 more to the desired length.
The end of row 34( 34, 34, 34, 34, 34 ), cut the yarn and leave about a 40 – 60 inches long tail
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 in the wrong side. Using the tail that we left earlier, sew along the top of the shoulder area together using method of choice. ( Check picture below )
SEW THE SLEEVES TO THE MAIN PANEL
Lay 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. ( Check picture below )
SEW THE CARDIGAN TOGETHER
Fold your cardigan in half at the shoulder seam with the correct side facing each other. Cut a new strand of yarn 7 0-80″ 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 )
That’s it! Congratulations on your crochet bead stitch cardigan. I’d love to see everyone’s work! If you’d like to share with me, feel free to tag me on FB or IG @knitcroaddict.
