Crochet Lil Denim Cardi

Summer is here and lightweight crochet projects are what’s on my hook! I am SO excited to show you guys the perfect summer shrug – the Lil Denim Cardi!

I knew when I wanted to design a fun summer garment for JOANN, it had to be this sweet little sweater. It’s a cap sleeve cardigan that’s soft, cool, and so easy to wear. I was inspired by my favorite denim vest to make a crochet piece that could add that bit of polish to my favorite tank and shorts.

You may remember my Everyday Cardigan from last fall, it has been one of my most popular patterns of all time and I knew since I made it that the Everyday needed a warm weather cousin! Enter, Lil Denim.

The length is only *slightly* cropped – we don’t need long sweaters this time of year, but I also like to hide my mom rolls as much as possible, you know what I mean. So I went with a length right down the middle – juuust long enough to give me the coverage I want without tons of bulk.

SUMMER PATTERNS I LOVE (& you should too)

1. Crochet Ava Poncho / 2. Crochet Weekender Tunic / 3. Crochet June Sun Hat

When I was shopping around JOANN to decide on what would be the perfect yarn for this project, it was hard to choose. This pattern would be so stunning in a LOT of the different yarns on the shelf at my favorite store. Oh, the self control I had to practice!

I settled on using Lion Brand’s classic Jeans yarn for this cardi. If you haven’t tried this yarn yet, it’s a bucket list yarn I tell ya! I know it looks unassuming – when I first saw it I thought “huh, cool. Yarn in some denim looking colors” but you guys… it’s the FEEL of this yarn that gets me feelin’ some kinda way.

When you work up a project, especially a garment, with this yarn you’ll see – er feel – what I mean! It’s such blissful squishness I really can’t believe it’s not a mega high end yarn that costs oodles of money. Honest!

You should grab a few balls (or a cartfull) next time you’re at JOANN, you won’t be sorry you did!

Another great resource is the video tutorial! View it below, hope it helps ya!

 

PATTERN

• Get the ad-free, large print, printable PDF pattern HERE (or scroll down for the free pattern).
• Grab the Ultimate Pattern Bundle that includes this pattern and 100+ others for under $30 HERE.
• PIN this pattern to your Pinterest boards for later HERE.
• Add this pattern to your Ravelry queue HERE.

To sum it up: Crochet this easy lightweight shrug with simple rectangular shapes and beginner level stitches – it’s a super fast pattern to whip up with Jeans yarn and it’s the perfect accessory to bring with you everywhere!

–Lion Brand Jeans yarn (Weight: 4/Medium – 3.5oz, 246 yds)

Color: Stonewash – 3 (3, 3, 4, 4, 4, 5) skeins (approx.. 230, 260, 290, 330, 360, 390, 420 g)

-Size K 6.5 mm hook

-Tapestry needle

-Measuring tape or ruler

(Click HERE to shop all my favorite tools!)

Sizes:

XS, S, M, L, Xl, XXL, XXXL

Abbreviations (US terms):

ch – chain

hdc – half double crochet

dc – double crochet

fpdc – front post double crochet

bpdc – back post double crochet

sk – skip

st(s) – stitch(es)

t – turn

Skill Level: Level 2 Easy

Notes:

-This cardigan fits true to size. For reference, model is 5’5” tall with a 38” bust and wearing the Lil Denim Cardi in size Medium.

-Sizing listed in the pattern will be in X-Small with Small, Medium, Large, Xl, 2X, and 3X listed in parenthesis such as 36 “(41, 46, 51, 56, 61, 66)” whereas Ch 36 for size XS, 41 for size S, 46 for size M, 51 for size L, 56 for size XL, 61 for size 2X and 66 for size 3X. When only one number is given, it applies to all sizes. To follow pattern more easily, circle/highlight all numbers pertaining to your size before beginning.

-Pattern is worked by first making the back panel, continuing with adding the front panels without seaming, seaming up the sides, adding hemline and neckline ribbing, and working cap sleeves off of the armholes. Assembly instructions will be the same for all sizes.

-Ch 2 does not count as a stitch.

Gauge:

12 sts x 11 rows in hdc = 4”

Dimensions:

Finished sweater width (including cap sleeves): 18 (20, 22, 24, 26, 28, 30)

Finished sweater length (including ribbing): 19 (19.5, 19.5, 20.5, 20.5, 21, 21)

LIL DENIM CARDI

Back piece:

Ch 51 (54, 57, 60, 63, 66, 70) Hdc in 3rd Ch and in each Ch to end, Ch 2, t (49, 52, 55, 58, 61, 64, 67)

Row 2: Hdc in each st, Ch 2, t (49, 52, 55, 58, 61, 64, 67)

Repeat Row 2 until you reach the correct length for your size as follows:

X-Small: Work to Row 48

Small: Work to Row 50

Medium: Work to Row 50

Large: Work to Row 52

XL: Work to Row 52

2XL: Work to Row 54

3XL: Work to Row 54

Proceed to front panels without breaking yarn

Stitch Table for Back Panel	# of stitches in each Row	# of Rows	Width (in inches)	Length (in inches)
XS	49	48	16	17.5
S	52	50	17	18
M	55	50	18	18
L	58	52	19	19
XL	61	52	20	19
XXL	64	54	21	19.5
XXXL	67	54	22	19.5

 

First Front Panels

Row 1: Hdc in each of the next 23 (25, 26, 28, 29, 31, 32) hdc, Ch 2, t (you should only have worked just shy of halfway across your back piece) (23, 25, 26, 28, 29, 31, 32)

Row 2: Hdc in each st, Ch 2, turn (23, 25, 26, 28, 29, 31, 32)

Repeat Row 2 until you reach the correct length for your size as follows:

X-Small: Work to Row 48

Small: Work to Row 50

Medium: Work to Row 50

Large: Work to Row 52

XL: Work to Row 52

2XL: Work to Row 54

3XL: Work to Row 54

Finish off yarn.

Stitch Table for Front Panels	# of stitches in each Row	# of Rows	Width (in inches)	Length (in inches)	# of Skipped Sts between Panels
XS	23	48	7.5	17.5	3
S	25	50	8	18	2
M	26	50	8.5	18	3
L	28	52	9	19	2
XL	29	52	9.5	19	3
XXL	31	54	10	19.5	2
XXXL	32	54	10.5	19.5	3

 

Second Front Panel

Join yarn to last Row of back panel after last hdc of First Front Panel Row 1.

Skip 3 (2, 3, 2, 3, 2, 3) hdc.

Row 1: Join yarn, Ch 2, Hdc in each hdc across to the end, Ch 2, t (23, 25, 26, 28, 29, 31, 32)

Row 2: Hdc in each st, Ch 2, turn

Repeat Row 2 until you reach the correct length for your size as follows:

X-Small: Work to Row 48

Small: Work to Row 50

Medium: Work to Row 50

Large: Work to Row 52

XL: Work to Row 52

2XL: Work to Row 54

3XL: Work to Row 54

Finish off yarn, weave all ends from front and back panels.

Side Seams:

With a spare piece of yarn (cut to about 3x the length of the area where your side seam will be), use a mattress stitch to seam up the sides of your cardigan.

Leave armholes for your size as follows:

X-Small: 6″/15.5 cm

Small: 6.5″/16.5 cm

Medium: 7″/17.5 cm

Large: 7.5″/19 cm

XL: 8″/20.5 cm

2XL: 8.5″/21.5 cm

3XL: 9″/23 cm

Repeat side seam on the other side. Weave all ends.

Ribbed Cap Sleeves:

Join yarn to top of side seam, at the bottom of the armhole.

Round 1: Ch 2, Dc evenly around (1 Dc in the end of each Row of Hdc), sl st to first Dc of the round to join

*Note: Depending on where your side seam lies and how exactly you Dc evenly around, you may have different numbers of sts in your cap sleeves. Be sure you make an even number of stitches that don’t pull or ruffle.

Round 2: Ch 2, Fpdc, Bpdc, rpt around, sl st to join

Rounds 3-4: Repeat Round 2

Round 5: Ch 1, Sl st in each Dc to end, sl st to join

Finish off and weave ends.

Repeat on other armhole.

Hemline Ribbing:

Join yarn to the last row of your first front panel. If you are looking at the cardigan, not wearing it, this will be the inside corner on the left panel (or right panel if you’re left handed).

Ch 2, Dc in each st evenly around the entire neckline – up the rough edge of the first front panel, in each of your skipped stitches between front panels, and down the rough edge of the second front panel.

Work 2 Dc into the corner and continue on to the hemline.

Dc along the entire hemline of the cardigan (working over the hemline of the second front panel, over the side seam, across the back panel [you’re working into the original foundation chain here], over the second side seam, and across the first front panel), sl st to first Dc of the round to join

*Note: Depending on your size and how exactly you Dc evenly around, you may have different numbers of sts in your hemline ribbing. Be sure you make an even number of stitches that don’t pull or ruffle.

Round 2: Ch 2, Fpdc, Bpdc, rpt around, sl st to join

Rounds 3-4: Repeat Round 2

Round 5: Ch 1, Sc in each Dc to end, sl st to join

Finish off and weave ends.

Ribbing Measurement	Width (in inches)
Ribbed Cap Sleeves	1.5
Hemline Ribbing	1.5

 

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