An easy crochet cardigan- my Crochet Cozy Cardigan – is a free pattern here on the blog! Read through my inspiration, design process, and lots of info on the perfect yarn I chose. Or scroll on down for the free pattern.
Easy is an understatement!
You know how you see a handmade piece of clothing online and your internal monologue immediately sounds like “woah, that’s complicated! I could never! Show me a scarf pattern!” I’m here to tell you that I felt that way for a good long time until I found the right patterns and tutorials for me.
This easy crochet cardigan is just about as simple as it could get – it’s made of T shaped panels that are sewn together, that’s it! There’s no fussy shaping or difficult elements that take this beyond an easy level pattern.
The Inspiration + Design
One of my patterns from earlier this year is constructed in a very similar fashion to this – it’s called the Cabana Top. That pattern is a pullover sweater style that is also made up of basic T shaped panels. It’s been a popular pattern here on the blog so I knew I wanted to make an easy crochet cardigan style sister pattern.
This pattern is only slightly different from the Cabana Top. Instead of two identical T shaped panels that are sewn together, we work one large T shaped panel for the back. Then two separate panels for the front that together make up that T shape. This mirrors the back only with an opening to make it a cardigan.
I maintained the same slightly lacy shoulder and top of sleeve of this easy crochet cardigan. However the yarn I used fills in those gaps quite a bit. If you wanted more stitch definition I would suggest using a yarn that isn’t quite as fluffy as the one I used.
The Yarn
I used Lion Brand’s LB Collection Chainette yarn for this easy crochet cardigan pattern. It’s been a smash hit ever since it came out last year! Once you feel it in your own hand, you’ll know why. This yarn is a luxurious blend of 70% baby alpaca, 18% virgin wool, and 12% polyamide for durability. Chainette is spun in a chain style structure (instead of plied like usual yarn is) and this means the stitches look more woven. It also means the yarn is very fluffy in that it allows air to pass through it and creates a lightweight feeling on the skin.
The color range in this yarn is one of my all-time favorites from any yarn brand. The colors are all heathered and a little rustic without being too muddy. They’re somehow both bright and soft at the same time. My favorites are the pink, cream, mustard and olive but really there isn’t a single color in the line that I don’t like!
I’ve made a couple of other patterns, apart from this easy crochet cardigan, with this yarn. These include my Knit Gwen Hat (that I’ve been wearing all season!) and my Crochet Elle Convertible Shawl.
Shop the Chainette yarn here.
Shop the kit that includes all the yarn you need for your size plus a printed copy of the pattern delivered to your door here.
Easy Crochet Cardigan PATTERN
- Get the ad-free, large print, printable PDF pattern HERE.
- Grab the Ultimate Pattern Bundle that includes 150+ patterns just like this one on sale for $20 today HERE.
- PIN this pattern to your Pinterest boards for later HERE.
DESCRIPTION
The Cozy Cardigan is fluffy, dreamy, and simple. It’s comprised of simple stitches and basic construction that makes for a great first garment pattern.
MATERIALS
-Lion Brand Collection Chainette Yarn
(Weight 3/Light, 1.75 oz/50 g, 131 yds/120 m)
8 (8, 8, 9, 10, 10, 11) skeins in Pink
Or grab the kit with everything you need from Lion Brand here!
-Size I 5.5mm crochet hook
-Tapestry needle
-Measuring tape
-Scissors
SIZES
XS, S, M, L, XL, 2XL, 3XL
GAUGE (after blocking)
14 sts x 16 rows = 4″ in sc
FINISHED MEASUREMENTS
| XS | S | M | L | XL | 2XL | 3XL | |
| Bust | 30 | 34 | 38 | 42 | 46 | 50 | 54 |
| Length | 21 | 21.5 | 22 | 22.5 | 23 | 23.5 | 24 |
| Armhole | 6.5 | 7 | 7.5 | 8 | 8.5 | 9 | 9.5 |
| Sleeve length | 16 | 16.5 | 16.5 | 17 | 17 | 17.5 | 17.5 |
PATTERN NOTES
-For reference, model is 5’5” tall, and wearing the crochet snuggle sweaterin a 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 72 (82, 90, 100, 108, 118, 126) whereas 72 for size XS, 82 for size S, 90 for size M, 100 for size L, 108 for size XL, 118 for size 2X and 126 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.
-This cardigan sweater is worked in 3 pieces and seamed to create a T shape – a dynamic and interesting way to create a sweater!
-All sizing is true to size and based on the CYC sizing regulations.
Easy Crochet Cardigan PATTERN
Back Panel
*We will begin at the bottom of our T-shape, work the body, then use an easy chain method to make the top of the T-shape for the sleeves. Let’s get started!
Body
Ch 53 (61, 65, 75, 81, 89, 95), sk 1 st
Row 1: Sc across, t <52, 60, 64, 74, 80, 88, 94>
Row 2: Ch 1, sc across, t
Rpt Row 2 until you’ve finished Row 58.
Continue to Lace without breaking yarn.
Lace
Continuing from Row 58
Ch 57 (59, 59, 61, 61, 63, 63), sk 1 st
Row 1: Sc across to end, ch 57 (59, 59, 61, 61, 63, 63), sk 1 st <108, 118, 122, 134, 140, 150, 156 sc>
Row 2: Sc across, t <164, 176, 180, 194, 200, 212, 218>
Rep Row 2 until you’ve finished Row 6 (8, 8, 10, 12, 12, 14)
Lace Row: Ch 2, sk 1 sc, sc, *ch 1, sk 1, sc; rep from * across <82, 88, 90, 97, 100, 106, 109 sc>
Rep Lace Row until you’ve finished Row 17 (19, 19, 21, 23, 23, 25).
Finish off, weave all ends.
Right Front Panel
Body
Ch 25 (29, 31, 37, 39, 43, 47), sk 1 st
Row 1: Sc across, t <24, 28, 30, 36, 38, 42, 46>
Row 2: Ch 1, sc across, t
Rpt Row 2 until you’ve finished Row 58.
Continue to Lace without breaking yarn.
Lace
Continuing from Row 58
Ch 57 (59, 59, 61, 61, 63, 63), sk 1 st
Row 1: Sc across, t <80, 86, 88, 96, 98, 102, 108 sc>
Rep Row 1 until you’ve finished Row 6 (8, 8, 10, 12, 12, 14)
Lace Row: Ch 2, sk 1 sc, sc, *ch 1, sk 1, sc; rep from * across <40, 43, 44, 48, 49, 51, 54 sc>
Rep Lace Row until you’ve finished Row 17 (19, 19, 21, 23, 23, 25).
Finish off, weave all ends.
Left Front Panel
Rep body of right front panel
Lace
Continuing from Row 58
Row 1: Sc across, ch 57 (59, 59, 61, 61, 63, 63), sk 1 st <92, 100, 106, 114, 122, 130, 136 sc>
Row 2: Sc across, t <80, 86, 88, 96, 98, 102, 108 sc>
Rep Row 2 until you’ve finished Row 6 (8, 8, 10, 12, 12, 14)
Lace Row: Ch 2, sk 1 sc, sc, *ch 1, sk 1, sc; rep from * across <40, 43, 44, 48, 49, 51, 54 sc>
Rep Lace Row until you’ve finished Row 17 (19, 19, 21, 23, 23, 25).
Finish off, weave all ends.
Seaming
Lie panels on top of one another with right sides together.
Side seams: With a piece of yarn thrice as long as your seam needs to be, sew your two panels along the selvedge edges of the body (all your body sc sts) with a mattress stitch. Rep on the other side.
Shoulder seams: With a piece of yarn thrice as long as your seam needs to be, sew your two panels along the last rows of the Lace from edge to stitch marker with a mattress stitch. Rep on the other side.
Collar
Join yarn to the front corner along the hemline of the left panel, Ch 1
Row 1: Sc evenly along the selvedge edge of the front panel, into each of 3 skipped sts on the back panel, and along the selvedge edge of the other front panel, t
*Note: it is not as important what your stitch count here is but rather that you are working evenly so as to get a flat collar. If your cardigan fabric is ruffling, you’re working too many stitches around the collar. If your cardigan fabric is pulling, you’re working too few stitches around the collar.
Row 2: Ch 1, sc across
Rep row 2 until you’ve finished 8 rows or 2”
Finish off, weave all ends
Abbreviations (US Terms):
ch – chain
hdc –half double crochet
Rep – repeat
sk – skip
st(s) – stitch(es)
t – turn
OTHER FAN-FAVORITE FREE SWEATER PATTERNS
HAPPY THANKSGIVING to you and your family Ashleigh! Thank you for all your amazing patterns this cardigan I believe is going to be one of my very first garmets to crochet! I have crocheted doll clothes, shawls, slippers and lot’s of afghans and amigurumi’s but not yet have I crocheted anything with sleeves or neck opening or partial neck. Thank you so much. Amanda
Hi Ashleigh.
Thank you so much for sharing your wonderful pattern. I appreciate much more than you’ll know. As soon as I finish your Cabana top that I just recently started, I will show it on my channel and put a link to your blog and to LB kit site for it. I never have an issue following your patterns, they’re written for those of us that aren’t the best at pattern reading… and I appreciate that so much. Please continue to do your thang! I’ll be patiently anticipating!
Tammie!!