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How to crochet a cardigan: The Crochet Breeze Cardi

If you’ve been around this blog for very long, you probably already have a good idea of how to crochet a cardigan. If not, you’re in luck because I’m gonna share a simple how to crochet a cardigan pattern with you, for free.

When the weather is too confusing and you need just a touch of extra layering without over heating, this Crochet Breeze Cardigan is the perfect option. It’s good for spring, summer or fall. I love it around the house when it’s a little chilly out but not quite enough to justify turning on the heat. I love it for just lounging around too.

If you’re new and you’ve never made a garment yet, then this how to crochet a cardigan video tutorial and free crochet a cardigan pattern are here for you. If you’ve never made a garment before, I make these patterns for you!

This free pattern includes all the sizes. If you’d like the printable PDF format with detailed photo instructions, ad free, it’s available for purchase on my Etsy and Ravelry stores. Thanks, hope you enjoy. Happy crocheting!

If you enjoy the breeze cardi style but would like to check out a different crochet a cardigan pattern of mine, you may also like this Crochet Lace Shell Shrug or Crochet Kimono

Materials

*Some of these materials contain affiliate links for which I make a small commission. It’s no extra cost to you, it makes shopping easier and it supports these free tutorials and patterns.

Stitches used & code

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

Notes:

  • This pattern made as us women’s XS( S, M, L, XL, XXL )
  • This pattern is a 2 row repeat *row 2 and 3
  • This pattern is in multiples of 4 + 1

Gauge blocked:

  • 6 sets of pattern st rep = 4″ ( 1 set of pattern st rep is 3 dc + 1 ch )
  • 5 sets of pattern row rep = 4″ ( 1 set of pattern row rep is 2 rows *row 2 and 3 )

Sizes and measurements ( After blocked )

  • XS = 16″ Width x 28″ Length (1,140 of yarn)
  • S = 17.33″ Width x 28″ Length (1,180 of yarn)
  • M = 20″ Width x 28″ Length (1,240 of yarn)
  • L = 21.33″ Width x 28″ Length (1,280 of yarn)
  • XL = 24″ Width x 28″ Length (1,340 of yarn)
  • XXL = 25.33″ Width x 28″ Length (1,380 of yarn)

Back panel ( Make 1 )

Row 1 ( rs ) : ch 97( 105, 121, 129, 145, 153 ), sk 3 ch ( count as 1 dc ), 1 dc into each of next 2 ch, * ch 1, sk 1 ch, 1 dc into each of the next 3 ch*, rep from *to* until the end. Total of 24( 26, 30, 32, 36, 38 ) dc groups and 23( 25, 29, 31, 35, 37 ) 1 ch sp

Row 2 ( ws ) : Turn, ch 1 ( do not count as a st ), 1 sc into first st, *ch 3, 1 sc into 1 ch sp* rep from *to* until the end ( For the last sc make into the third ch ). Total of 24( 26, 30, 32, 36, 38 ) 3 ch sp

Row 3 : Turn, ch 3 ( count as 1 dc ), 2 dc into first 3 ch sp, *ch 1, 3 dc into next 3 ch sp* rep from *to* until the end ( For the last dc make into the sc st ). Total of 24( 26, 30, 32, 36, 38 ) dc groups and 23( 25, 29, 31, 35, 37 ) 1 ch sp

rep row 2 and 3 33 more times. Total of 69 rows

*All the sizes are the same length. If you want a shorter cardi, just rep row 2 and 3 less times. If you want a longer cardi, just keep repeating row 2 and 3 more.

The end of row 69 cut the yarn and weave the and.

Let’s begin the how to crochet a cardigan pattern!

Front panels ( Make 2 )

Row 1 ( rs ) : ch 49( 53, 61, 65, 73, 77 ), sk 3 ch ( count as 1 dc ), 1 dc into each of next 2 ch, *ch 1, sk 1 ch, 1 dc into each of the next 3 ch* rep from *to* until the end. Total of 12( 13, 15, 16, 18, 19 ) dc groups and 11( 12, 14, 15, 17, 18) 1 ch sp

Row 2 ( ws ) : Turn, ch 1 ( do not count as a st ), 1 sc into first st, *ch 3, 1 sc into 1 ch sp* rep from *to* until the end ( For the last sc make into the third ch ). Total of 12( 13, 15, 16, 18, 19 ) 3 ch sp

Row 3 : Turn, ch 3 ( count as 1 dc ), 2 dc into first 3 ch sp, *ch 1, 3 dc into next 3 ch sp* rep from *to* until the end (For the last dc make into the sc st ). Total of 12 ( 13, 15, 16, 18, 19 ) dc groups and 11( 12, 14, 15, 17, 18 ) 1 ch sp

rep row 2 and 3 33 more times. Total of 69 rows

*All the sizes are the same length. If you want a shorter cardi, just rep row 2 and 3 less times. If you want longer cardi, just keep repeating row 2 and 3 more. ( Make sure that you’ll have the same length as the back panel )

The end of row 69 cut the yarn leave 16 – 26 inches long, enough to sew the front and back panel together.

Sleeve panels ( Make 2 )

Row 1 ( rs ) : ch 57( 57, 65, 69, 77, 81 ), sk 3 ( count as 1 dc ), 1 dc into each of next 2 ch, *ch 1, sk 1 ch, 1 dc into each of the next 3 ch*, rep from *to* until the end. Total of 14( 14, 16, 17, 19, 20 ) dc groups and 13( 13, 15, 16, 18, 19 ) 1 ch sp

Row 2 ( ws ) : Turn, ch 1 ( do not count as a st ), 1 sc into first st, *ch 3, 1 sc into 1 ch sp*, rep from *to* until the end ( For the last sc make into the third ch ). Total of 14( 14, 16, 17, 19, 20 ) 3 ch sp

Row 3 : Turn, ch 3 ( count as 1 dc ), 2 dc into first 3 ch sp, *ch 1, 3 dc into next 3 ch sp* rep from *to* until the end ( For the last dc make into sc st ). Total of 14( 14, 16, 17, 19, 20 ) dc groups and 13( 13, 15, 16, 18, 19 ) 1 ch sp

rep row 2 and 3 20 more times. Total of 43 rows

*All the sizes are the same length. If you want a shorter sleeve, just rep row 2 and 3 less times. If you want longer sleeve, just keep repeating row 2 and 3 more.

The end of row 43 cut the yarn leave 20 – 30 inches long, enough to sew the sleeve panel into the cardi.

Joining the pieces together

Sew the back panel and 2 front panels together

Take the back panel and 2 front panels, place them with 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 top

Lay your top 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 cardi together

Fold your cardi in half at the shoulder seam. cut a new strand of yarn 60-70 inches long, enough to sew the bottom 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. Weave all ends ( Check picture below )

how to crochet a cardigan and sew the panels together

the finished crochet a cardigan pattern

Congratulations! If you made it this far, you hopefully finished the crochet a cardigan pattern and your first garment.

That is awesome, and hopefully you see now, you totally CAN crochet garments with ease

Mindy

Friday 26th of May 2023

What size is pictured on you and do you mind sharing your measurements (height and weight) for comparison? Thank you! All I have made so far are blankets, so I’m excited to make this one for my first piece of clothing! It’s beautiful!

Knitcroaddict

Sunday 28th of May 2023

Hi Mindy, I'm wearing a small I believe, 5'1" 110. If you usually wear US sizes, then whatever size you normally wear should work fine, but you can always take some measurements and compare. This is a great first garment, but I have to warn you, you may get addicted after your first one!

Jean

Saturday 11th of March 2023

Is this considered as oversized cardigan?

Knitcroaddict

Thursday 6th of April 2023

No, I didn't intend on it being an oversized design.

Laura

Saturday 13th of August 2022

I've done about 15 scarves, and I'm ready for my first sweater! This is it. My only question...what are your thoughts about somehow adding a tie right about breast level? I'm trying to recreate a sweater I lost years ago, and I really want that tie 😂! I was thinking I could do some sort of finishing edge all around that incorporates a tie. Any thought? (And yes, I agree with everyone else, your instructions are great!)

Knitcroaddict

Tuesday 16th of August 2022

I could see that, just sc around the edges till you reach the part where you want the tie to be, then just make a long chain for one tie then slip stitch into each chain across. Then continue crocheting the edges around to the other side and repeat on the other tie, just make sure they're both the same height. Then continue crocheting around the edges until you reach where you started and weave all the ends.

The other option would be to just crochet the ties and attach them separately. Might be a little tricky for your first sweater but I love the idea. Give it a try and let me know how it goes.

Maria Trumbley

Thursday 19th of May 2022

Hi ... I want to make this but the yarn I want to use is a 4 weight yarn. Can you suggest what size of hook to use or can I go down a size or 2 from the instructions for the sizes you have? I love everything you make and I have always been scared to try clothing and I really would like to try this for my first clothing/cardigan project. Thanks so much for your time and all the wonderful beautiful free projects you supply to the crochet world. God bless.

Knitcroaddict

Thursday 19th of May 2022

Hi Maria,

If this is your first garment, I don't recommend trying to adjust for the yarn, it will be soo much easier to get the right yarn. Making adjustments can get a little frustrating. Just my opinion. You could try going down a size or two, but I wouldn't want to complicate my first garment, especially trying to go as far as fingering weight to 4 weight. You're welcome, I hope that's helpful. Thanks for all the kind words, let me know how your first garment goes! God bless

Christine

Sunday 15th of August 2021

Hello! I'm just starting this project, but I was wondering when you block it. In the measurements at the top. you say "after blocked" but blocking isn't in the instructions. Also, if my gauge swatch is bigger than 4", what do I do about that -- use a smaller hook or adjust the number of stitches? Thanks! I love the look of this sweater!

Knitcroaddict

Wednesday 18th of August 2021

Hi Christine, I block/wash it after it's completed ,before it's worn. If you need instructions for blocking, it's really simple. I soak it in room temp water for about 15 mins, then gently squeeze the water out (don't twist it). Afterwards you can just lay it out flat and smooth and let it dry overnight. There's a lot of good tutorials for blocking on YouTube as well if you want to try another method. If your swatch is larger than 4 inches, then I would try going down a hook size. I hope that answers your questions, thank you so much for the comment!