It’s been a little while since I made a top like this short sleeve crochet summer cardigan, but it was totally worth the wait.
This short sleeve crochet summer cardigan was made with the drunken granny stitch for the front and back panels, but I used a treble crochet for the sleeves. It gives it a beautiful contrast and really makes it pop.
It was made with Alize Bella, which you’ve seen me use quite a bit, because it’s awesome and I love buying my yarn from Perfect Yarns. They have been one of the best, if not the best, companies to deal with as far as yarn and customer service goes.
I’m really trying to spend my money with small businesses and support locally made products or artisan type products as much as I can. I’ve seen the yarn industry get gobbled up by a handful or corporations and big businesses, and they aren’t here to support us independent entrepreneurs and artists.
I designed this top with the idea of a little extra coverage in the summer. I want to look cute, feel confident in my clothes and not get hot. So viola, the short sleeve crochet summer cardigan is born.
You can wear it with a tank top and shorts in the summer, or over a bikini (looks really cute). You can also wear it the rest of the year with jeans, under a coat as part of your outfit. It’s cute enough for all seasons!
Let me know what you think in the comments. Hope you enjoy!
If you’d like this pattern in an ad free PDF format, it’s available for purchase on all our shops below. Enjoy the pattern!
If you’re looking for more free crochet patterns, you might like these.
1 Crochet Summer May Tank Top / 2 Crochet Summer Lace Top / 3 Relaxed Fit Crochet Tank Top
If you’d like a video tutorial to follow along, be sure to scroll down to the bottom.
Materials
- #2 Sport weight yarn
- I used Alize Bella in color blush #2 sport weight yarn
- 3 mm crochet hook
- Scissors
- Yarn needle
- Stitch markers
*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 (US Term)
- ch = chain
- st = stitch(es)
- dc = double crochet
- tr = treble crochet (Yarn over hook 2 times)
- sk = skip
- sp = space
- Drunken granny stitch = ( 3 dc, ch 2, 1 dc, All into same st )
- 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 5 separate pieces from the bottom up and then sewn together
- In this picture I have demonstrated with size small
Yarn needed: 930( 980, 1050, 1100, 1170, 1220 ) yards
Gauge blocked: 5 Drunken granny st X 9.5 rows = 4″
Measurements (After blocked)
- XS = 20.8″ Body Width across X 17.26″ Length
- S = 22.4″ Body width across X 17.26″ Length
- M = 24″ Body width across X 18.10″ Length
- L = 25.6″ Body width across X 18.10″ Length
- XL = 27.2″ Body width across X 18.94″ Length
- XXL = 28.8″ Body width across X 18.94″ Length
Crochet Summer Cardigan Pattern
BACK PANEL
Row 1 (RS): ch 134( 144, 154, 164, 174, 184 ), sk 5 ch, 1 Drunken granny st into next ch, *sk 4 ch, 1 Drunken granny st into next ch* REP from *TO* until you have 3 ch left, sk 2 ch, 1 dc into last ch. Total of 26( 28, 30, 32, 34, 36 ) Drunken granny st
Row 2 (WS): Turn, ch 3 (count as 1 dc), 1 Drunken granny st into each ch 2 sp across, end with 1 dc into the fifth ch that we sk at the beginning of row 1. Total of 26( 28, 30, 32, 34, 36 ) Drunken granny st
Row 3: Turn, ch 3 (count as 1 dc), 1 Drunken granny st into each ch 2 sp across, end with 1 dc into the third ch. Total of 26( 28, 30, 32, 34, 36 ) Drunken granny st
Row 4 – Row 41( 41, 43, 43, 45, 45 ): REP Row 3
If you want a shorter cardigan, just repeat row 3 less times. If you want a longer cardigan, just keep repeating row 3 more times
The end of row 41( 41, 43, 43, 45, 45 ) cut the yarn
FRONT PANEL (MAKE 2)
Row 1 (RS): ch 49( 54, 59, 59, 64, 69 ), sk 5 ch, 1 Drunken granny st into next ch, *sk 4 ch, 1 Drunken granny st into next ch* REP from *TO* until you have 3 ch left, sk 2 ch, 1 dc into last ch. Total of 9( 10, 11, 11, 12, 13 ) Drunken granny st
Row 2 (WS): Turn, ch 3 (count as 1 dc), 1 Drunken granny st into each ch 2 sp across, end with 1 dc into the fifth ch that we sk at the beginning of row 1. Total of 9( 10, 11, 11, 12, 13 ) Drunken granny st
Row 3: Turn, ch 3 (count as 1 dc), 1 Drunken granny st into each ch 2 sp across, end with 1 dc into the third ch. Total of 9( 10, 11, 11, 12, 13 ) Drunken granny st
Row 4 – Row 41( 41, 43, 43, 45, 45 ): REP Row 3
If you want a shorter cardigan, just repeat row 3 less times. If you want a longer cardigan, just keep repeating row 3 more times (Make sure that you’ll have the same length as the back panel)
The end of row 41( 41, 43, 43, 45, 45 ) cut the yarn and leave about a 16-20″ long tail
SLEEVE (MAKE 2)
Row 1 (RS): ch 84( 92, 100, 108, 116, 144 ), sk 4 ch (count as 1 tr), 1 tr into next ch and each ch across. Total of 81( 89, 97, 105, 113, 141 ) tr
Row 2 (WS): Turn, ch 4 (count as 1 tr), 1 tr into next st and each st across. Total of 81( 89, 97, 105, 113, 141 ) tr
Row 3 – Row 13: REP Row 2
*All the sizes are the same length. If you want a shorter sleeve, just repeat row 2 less times. If you want a longer sleeve, just keep repeating row 2 more to the desired length.
The end of row 13 cut the yarn and leave about a 30-40″ 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 on 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
With 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 sides facing each other. Cut a new strand of yarn 50-60″ 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)
HERE’S THE VIDEO TUTORIAL FOR THIS SUMMER CARDIGAN
Congratulations! You’re going to look cute as heck in your new crochet summer cardigan. I want to see what you made, so don’t be afraid to tag me on IG or FB. I’m sure this one’s gonna be a hit for a lot of people this summer.