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

• I used Scheepjes sunkissed Weight Fingering/super fine No. 1 ( 185 yards / 170 meter for each skein )
• Color picture 02 sand dunes
• Crochet hook size 3.5 mm
• Scissors
• Yarn needle
• Stitch markers

*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 )

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