This crochet cardigan free pattern is SO much more versatile than just a lightweight cardigan for summer.
It’s a lightweight lace cardigan, but it’s fantastic for fall, spring, even winter if you live far enough south lol.
The pattern is a super simple two panel construction, but it’s assembled in left and right halves vs front and back. My first long sleeve design with this construction!
While it is technically a crochet pattern for a sweater, albeit a light one, it’s so light and lacy you could just as easily wear it to the beach over your bikini. In fact, I LOVE that idea.
Hence the title “lightweight cardigan for summer”. It can go pretty far in the other direction, but I think it’ll shine the most in the spring, summer and fall.
Of course if you’re looking for a crochet pattern for a sweater proper, I’ve got you covered there as well, but let’s enjoy some sunshine and light, cute sweaters while we can, shall we?
This lightweight crochet cardigan free pattern includes US women’s sizes XS-XXL. It’s meant to wear a little oversized and relaxed but you can adjust for your preferred fit.
I used Holst Garn Titicaca thin alpaca yarn in a #0 lace weight, but I doubled it to equal a #1 fingering weight. First time making a pattern that way as well!
I do love this yarn but feel free to use a fingering weight to start, just check your gauge before you start, regardless of the yarn you choose.
If you’d like to download this pattern without the ads in a printable PDF format, you can find it and many more on all my sales channels below.
If you’re looking for more FREE lightweight patterns for crochet sweaters, summer garments, winter sweaters or just about ANY crochet garments, take a look around the blog. Below are some of my favorite summer tops.
1 Crochet Lace Shell Tank Top / 2 Crochet Summer Cardigan / 3 Crochet Lacy Summer Top
Materials
- I used Holst Garn Titicaca thin alpaca in color crown #0 lace weight yarn but I held 2 stands together, so that’ll equal #1 fingering weight
- 4mm crochet hook
- 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 Use & Code (US Term)
- ch = chain
- st = stitch(es)
- sc = single crochet
- dc = double crochet
- sp = space
- sk = skip
- REP = repeat
- RS = right side
- WS = wrong side
- ” = inches
Skill: Easy
Notes:
- This pattern uses English (US) Terminology
- This pattern made as women’s sizes XS( S, M, L, XL, XXL )
- This cardigan is worked flat in 2 separate pieces and then sewn together (2 panels are made the same)
- This pattern is in multiples of 2 ch
- In this picture I have demonstrated with size small
Yarn needed: 2440( 2600, 2800, 2960, 3160, 3320) yards
Gauge blocked: 23 st X 10 rows = 4″ In main stitch pattern, row 12 and 13 is a main stitch pattern repeat. To make a gauge swatch, ch 30 or an even number and then crochet row 1-27
Measurements (After blocked)
- XS = 24″ Body width across X 25.73″ Length
- S = 25.60″ Body width across X 25.73″ Length
- M = 27.20″ Body width across X 27.04″ Length
- L = 28.80″ Body width across X 27.04″ Length
- XL = 30.40″ Body width across X 28.34″ Length
- XXL = 32″ Body width across X 28.34″ Length
Onto the crochet cardigan free pattern, a lightweight cardigan for summer awaits!
Before we begin, let me give you a quick rundown as to how this piece is constructed.
The pattern is made in two pieces, a left half and right half (including the sleeve), made exactly the same. That means we’ll be crocheting the front and back at the same time basically.
Body Panel
*Note: The number of chains you start in the beginning, divided by 2, will be the length of your cardigan. Take note of that if you want to customize the length of your lace cardigan.
Row 1 (RS): ch 200(200, 210, 210, 220, 220), 1 sc into second ch from hook and each ch across. Total of 199(199, 209, 209, 219, 219) sc
Row 2 (WS): Turn, *(ch 3, sk next st, 1 sc into next st, count as 1 mesh st)* REP from *TO* across. Total of 99(99, 104, 104, 109, 109) mesh st
Row 3: Turn, (ch 3, 1 sc into the first ch 3 sp, count as 1 mesh st), *ch 3, 1 sc into next ch 3 sp* REP from *TO* across. Total of 99(99, 104, 104, 109, 109) mesh st
Row 4 – Row 10: REP Row 3
Row 11: Turn, ch 3 (count as 1 dc), 1 dc into the first ch 3 sp, *ch 1, 2 dc into next ch 3 sp* REP from *TO* across. Total of 296(296, 311, 311, 326, 326) st including the ch sp
Row 12: Turn, ch 4 (count as 1 dc and 1 ch sp), 1 dc into the ch 1 sp, *ch 2, 1 dc into next ch 1 sp* REP from *TO* until you have 2 st left, ch 1, sk next st, 1 dc into the last st. Total of 296(296, 311, 311, 326, 326) st including the ch sp
Row 13: Turn, ch 3 (count as 1 dc), 1 dc into the ch 1 sp, ch 1, *2 dc into next ch 2 sp, ch 1* REP from *TO* until you have 1 ch sp left, 1 dc into ch 1 sp, 1 dc into last st. Total of 296(296, 311, 311, 326, 326) st including the ch sp
REP Row 12 and Row 13: 11(12, 13, 14, 15, 16) more times. You’ll have a total of 35(37, 39, 41, 43, 45) rows
The end of row 35(37, 39, 41, 43, 45) cut the yarn and turn your work (wrong side facing up), we’ll be continue working on the sleeve
Sleeve Panel
Row 1: With your body panel wrong side facing up, sk 32(31, 32, 31, 32, 31) ch 1 sp at row 35(37, 39, 41, 43, 45) of the body panel, add a new yarn into next ch 1 sp then ch 4 (count as 1 dc and 1 ch sp), 1 dc into next ch 1 sp, *ch 2, 1 dc into next ch 1 sp* REP from *TO* 30(32, 35, 37, 40, 42) more times, then ch 1, 1 dc into next ch 1 sp. Total of 33(35, 38, 40, 43, 45) ch sp. Check picture below
Row 2: Turn, ch 3 (count as 1 dc), 1 dc into the ch 1 sp, ch 1, *2 dc into next ch 2 sp, ch 1* REP from *TO* until you have 1 ch sp left, 1 dc into ch 1 sp, 1 dc into last st. Total of 98(104, 113, 119, 128, 134) st including the ch sp
Row 3: Turn, ch 4 (count as 1 dc and 1 ch sp), 1 dc into the ch 1 sp, *ch 2, 1 dc into next ch 1 sp* REP from *TO* until you have 2 st left, ch 1, sk next st, 1 dc into the last st. Total of 98(104, 113, 119, 128, 134) st including the ch sp
REP Row 2 and Row 3: 8(8, 8, 8, 8, 8) more times. You’ll have a total of 19(19, 19, 19, 19, 19) rows
*For the sleeve all the sizes are the same length. If you want a shorter sleeve, just rep row 2 and row 3 less times. If you want a longer sleeve, just keep repeating row 2 and row 3 more to the desired length.
Row 20(20, 20, 20, 20, 20): REP row 2, then cut the yarn and leave about 70-80″ long tail. Check picture below
Joining Your Lace Cardigan Together
Sew The Center Back Seam
We will sew the center back seam first. Laying your panels with the right side facing down, we’ll sew on the wrong side. Lay the first row of each panel facing each other, cut about 40-50″ of a new strand of yarn with double strands. Using method of choice, sk 30(30, 30, 30, 30, 30) st, start sewing next 55(55, 60, 60, 65, 65) st of the center back of each panel together, weave the ends. Check picture below
Sew The Sleeve and The Lace Cardigan Side Seams
Fold your cardigan in half at the shoulder with the right side facing each other, we’ll sew on the wrong side, using the tails that we left earlier for sewing. Using method of choice, start sewing at the sleeve side seam until you reach the armpit corner. Then continue sewing the cardigan side seam down to the bottom then weave the ends. Sew the same on the other side. Check picture below
There you have it, you finished this crochet cardigan free pattern, hopefully in time to block it and wear your lightweight cardigan for summer!
HERE’S THE VIDEO TUTORIAL FOR THIS LIGHTWEIGHT CARDIGAN
I know you didn’t expect another crochet pattern for a sweater🤣, jk but I hope you found what you where looking for.
If you’re ever looking for NEW patterns for crochet sweaters, you know where to find me. I’ll be here designing my heart out, probably wearing this lace cardigan…..annnd making another crochet pattern for a sweater lol.
Don’t be shy to share your finished lightweight cardigan for summer photos with me over on IG, we’re having a blast there!
Thanks for all your support. Till next time.
Happy crocheting!
✌💖🧶
Wan