Crochet a Cardigan for Springtime..

..with this easy slouchy cardigan pattern

Hello everyone, I hope you all had a great week and got to enjoy a little crochet ‘me’ time. I know I’m enjoying my time trying to crochet a cardigan in time for spring.

Spring is starting to peak it’s head out of the veil of winter. Finally!

This slouchy spring cardigan is my tribute to the spring in the hopes that the weather sticks around a while longer. Fingers crossed.

This isn’t a small project but I will say it is far easier than it looks, and it’s fun to make too 🙂 Trust me, you can crochet a cardigan just like this one without much fuss.

This pattern is available for free in sizes XS-XXL. If you prefer the premium printable PDF pattern, it’s available for purchase on all my online shops below. Hope you all enjoy, happy crocheting!

Etsy

Ravelry

Lovecraft

If you’re looking for more FREE crochet patterns, check out these patterns below. There are also a ton of other tutorials on how to crochet a cardigan there.

1. Lacy crochet Sweater Top / 2. Crochet Halter Top / 3. Crochet Pullover Sweater

Materials

• #4 Medium weight yarn
• Color A : I used Lion brand Jean Vintage color
• Color B : I used Lion brand Jean Capri color
• Crochet hook size 5 mm
• Scissors
• Yarn needle
• Stitch markers
• 2 Buttons ( 1″ )

*some of these materials contain affiliate links, for which I make a small commission. Ya know, super small but everything helps:) It’s no extra cost to you, makes shopping easier and helps to keep the lights on.

Stitches used & code

• ch = chain
• st = stitch(es)
• hdc = half double crochet
• sc = single crochet
• sk = skip
• sp = space
• rep = repeat
• rs = right side
• ws = wrong side
• ” = inches

Notes :

• This pattern made as US women’s sizes XS( S, M, L, XL, XXL )
• This sweater is made in 7 separate pieces and then sewn together. The collar is added after.
• This sweater is made from the bottom up
• In this picture I have demonstrated with size small

Yarn needed :

• Color A : 1,370( 1,410, 1,470, 1,510, 1,570, 1,610 ) yards
• Color B : 60( 60, 70, 70, 80, 80 ) yards

Gauge blocked : 14 hdc X 11 rows = 4″

Measurements ( After blocked )

• XS : 14.85″ Width across back X 24″ Length
• S : 17.14″ Width across back X 24″ Length
• M : 19.42″ Width across back X 24.72″ Length
• L : 21.71″ Width across back X 24.72″ Length
• XL : 24″ Width across back X 25.45″ Length
• XXL : 26.28″ Width across back X 25.45″ Length

How to crochet a cardigan: the pattern

Back Panel ( Make 1 )

Note : For the back panel, we’re going to use the color A

Row 1 ( rs ) : ch 53( 61, 69, 77, 85, 93 ), 1 hdc into second ch from hook and each ch across. Total of 52( 60, 68, 76, 84, 92 ) hdc

Row 2 ( ws ) : Turn, ch 1 ( do not count as a st ), 1 hdc into each st across. Total of 52( 60, 68, 76, 84, 92 ) hdc

Row 3 – 66( 66, 68, 68, 70, 70 ) rep row 2

*If you want a shorter cardigan, just rep row 2 less times. If you want a longer cardigan, just keep repeating row 2 more to the desired length.

The end of row 66( 66, 68, 68, 70, 70 ) Cut the yarn and leave about 16 – 20 inches long tail.

Front Panel ( Make 2 )

Note : For the front panels, we’re going to use the color A

Row 1 ( rs ) : ch 27( 31, 35, 39, 43, 47 ), 1 hdc into second ch from hook and each ch across. Total of 26( 30, 34, 38, 42, 46 ) hdc

Row 2 ( ws ) : Turn, ch 1 ( do not count as a st ), 1 hdc into each st across. Total of 26( 30, 34, 38, 42, 46 ) hdc

Row 3 – 20( 20, 22, 22, 24, 24 ) rep row 2

Row 21( 21, 23, 23, 25, 25 ) : Turn, ch 1 ( do not count as a st ), 1 hdc into each of next 3( 5, 7, 9, 11, 13 ) st, ch 20( 20, 20, 20, 20, 20 ), sk 20( 20, 20, 20, 20, 20 ) st, 1 hdc into next st and each st across. Total of 26( 30, 34, 38, 42, 46 ) st including the ch ( Check picture below )

Row 22( 22, 24, 24, 26, 26 ) : Turn, ch 1 ( do not count as a st ), 1 hdc into each st across ( Treat the ch as a normal st ). Total of 26( 30, 34, 38, 42, 46 ) hdc ( Check picture below )

Row 23( 23, 25, 25, 27, 27 ) – Row 66( 66, 68, 68, 70, 70 ) rep row 2

*If you want a shorter cardigan, just rep row 2 less times. If you want a longer cardigan, just keep repeating row 2 more to the desired length ( Make sure that you’ll have the same length as the back panel )

The end of row 66( 66, 68, 68, 70, 70 ) Cut the yarn and leave about 16 – 20 inches long tail ( Just one of the front panel )

Pocket Flap

Notes :

• For the pocket flap, we’re going to use the color B
• All the sizes are made the same

Row 1 : Turn your front panel right side out, we’re going to crochet on the right side. Add new yarn at the top right corner of the pocket, ch 1 ( do not count as a st ), 2 hdc into the same st, 1 hdc into each st until you have 1 st left, 2 hdc into last st. Total of 22 hdc ( Check picture below )

Row 2 : Turn, ch 1 ( do not count as a st ), 1 hdc into each st across. Total of 22 hdc

Row 3 – 6 rep row 2

The end of row 6 cut the yarn *Make the same on the other side. ( Check picture below )

Sleeve ( Make 2 )

Note : For the sleeve, we’re going to use the color A

Row 1 ( rs ) : ch 50( 52, 56, 58, 62, 64 ), 1 hdc into second ch from hook and each ch across. Total of 49( 51, 55, 57, 61, 63 ) hdc

Row 2 ( ws ) : Turn, ch 1 ( do not count as a st ), 1 hdc into each st across. Total of 49( 51, 55, 57, 61, 63 ) hdc

Row 3 – 50( 50, 50, 50, 50, 50 ) 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 50( 50, 50, 50, 50, 50 ) Cut the yarn and leave 40 – 60 inches long tail.

Pocket /Backing ( Make 2 )

Note : For the pocket/backing, we’re going to use the color A

Row 1 ( rs ) : ch 23( 23, 23, 23, 23, 23 ), 1 hdc into second ch from hook and each ch across. Total of 22( 22, 22, 22, 22, 22 ) hdc

Row 2 ( ws ) : Turn, ch 1 ( do not count as a st ), 1 hdc into each st across. Total of 22( 22, 22, 22, 22, 22 ) hdc

Row 3 – 16( 16, 16, 16, 16, 16 ) rep row 2

The end of row 16( 16, 16, 16, 16, 16 ) Cut the yarn and leave 20 – 30 inches long tail

Joining the Pieces Together

Sew the pockets

Turn your cardigan wrong side out, place your pocket backing square over the pocket with the top about half an inch above the pocket opening.

Sew all the way around the pocket backing using any method you prefer: Make sure you DON’T sew through the outside, just pick up your stitches from the wrong side. ( Check picture below ).

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. Sew the front and back panel 15( 19, 23, 25, 29, 33 ) st together in each shoulder. 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

Sew the sweater together

Fold your sweater in half at the shoulder seam. Cut a new strand of yarn 70-80″ 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 )

Collar

Notes :

• For the collar, we’re going to use the color A
• Turn your cardigan right side out. We’ll crochet the collar on the right side.

Row 1 : Add new yarn into the left corner of the collar ( Left corner when you wear it ), ch 1 ( do not count as a st ), 1 hdc into each st until you reach the shoulder seam, 2 hdc into the shoulder seam, 1 hdc into each st until you reach the other shoulder seam, 2 hdc into the shoulder seam, 1 hdc into each st until you reach the right corner . Total of 48( 48, 48, 56, 56, 56 ) hdc *If you have a couple less or more st, it’s ok ( Check picture below )

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

Row 3 – 7( 7, 7, 7, 7, 7 ) rep row 2

The end of row 7( 7, 7, 7, 7, 7 ) Cut the yarn

Crochet Around the Front and the Collar Edges

Notes :

• For the front and collar edges, we’re going to use the color B
• For the front panel edges, we’ll crochet into the end of each row ( sp for reference )

Row 1 : With the cardigan right side out, Add new yarn into the bottom right front corner ( Right corner when you wear it ), ch 1 ( do not count as a st ), 2 sc into first sp, *1 sc into next sp, 2 sc into next sp* rep from *TO* until you reach the right collar corner, 2 sc into the right collar corner, 1 sc into each st until you reach the left collar corner, 2 sc into the left collar corner, *2 sc next sp, 1 sc into next sp* rep from *TO* down to the left bottom corner. ( Check picture below )

Row 2 : Turn, ch 1 ( do not count as a st ), 1 sc into each st until you reach the left collar corner, 2 sc into the left collar corner, 1 sc into each st until you reach the right collar corner, 2 sc into the right collar corner, 1 sc into each st down to the right bottom corner. Cut the yarn and weave all the ends.

Adding the Buttons

We’re just going to line the button up one or two rows down from the pocket top and as close the middle as you can. If you don’t like where it’s at, no problem, it’s easy to move. Just play around with it till you’re satisfied. Then sew with a sewing needle, both sides shown the same. Remember that we didn’t make a button hole, as we don’t need to. So that means your button can go anywhere you like, as long as they’re the same on both sides ( Check picture below )

Congratulations on learning to crochet a cardigan!

I hope enjoyed and I hope you love your finished work. Feel free to tag me on IG when you finish your cardigan and you want to share with the knitcro peeps.