Greetings from chilly (?) Florida!
By chilly I mean its about 65 degrees here. Hey, I’ll take what I can get.
Some of you may not know this about me but I yearn for the mountains, the cold, and snuggly crochet makes.
However, here in sunny Florida a lot of those hats, scarves, and other warm yarny things simply don’t get used. I know, it makes me sad too.
BUT!
I’m planning a trip this year to a colder place (surprise to come) and I’ll need a sweater.
The coldest months of the year are upon us, wherever you are, and that means you’ll need a sweater too.
If you follow my blog at all, you know that garments aren’t necessarily my thing. In fact, I’ve never designed a sweater or cardigan like this before!
It took 3 failed attempts (the first of which my fiance nicknamed the Frankenstein, thanks babe), a HUGE pile of Lion Brand Wool Ease Thick and Quick, and this biggest dose of patience ever.
Oh, and a month. It took a month. Whew. I’m usually the whip it out, get it done, type because I’m always hit with a wave of inspiration for the next thing about halfway through whatever project it is I’m working on. So I move fast.
This cardigan is oversized, thick, and WARM. Like your first love, this cardigan is easy to get swept up in and offers all the wonder and joy that life has to offer! And it has LOADS of texture… like the ups and downs of a first love. I’m getting super symbolic here, you guys.
The fabric is pretty heavy because of such a chunky yarn, and it’s longer than the average cardigan, covering your bum so that you could get away with throwing this over leggings and running out the door.
I used Lion Brand Wool Ease Thick and Quick Bonus Bundle and this yarn is so amazing guys, it’s the softest chunky yarn and is so great to work with! I love this grey marble colorway because of the flecs of black and toffee in it, it adds so much dimension to the cardigan without any extra know how on the part of the crocheter. Yay!
This cardigan is one size fits most, and can be modified easily to size up or down. I have more details on that in the pattern. For reference I am usually a ladies size Large (dang you, baby weight!) and made this one to fit me.
Enjoy!
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.
- Add this pattern to your Ravelry queue HERE.
Materials:
-4 skeins Lion Brand Wool Ease Thick & Quick Bonus Bundle in grey marble
-Size N/P 10mm crochet hook
-Large eye tapestry needle
Begin by working the body of the cardigan. If you need to size up or down, increase or decrease the initial chain length. I recommend adding or taking away 3 sts in the Ch. You can modify further, but keep in mind that each stitch added or taken away makes a significant difference in the size later on.
Cardigan Back:
Make 30 foundation Sc, Ch 2, turn (30)
Rows 2-50: Dc in first st, Sc in next, repeat across, Ch 2, turn (30)
You’ve now make the back of the sweater, to make the front panels, we will work one at a time.
Front Panel 1:
Continuing, Dc in first st, Sc in next, repeat in the next 12 sts, sl st in 15th, Ch 2, turn (14)
Row 2-49: Dc in first, Sc in next, repeat across, Ch 2, turn (14)
Row 50: Dc in first, Sc in next, repeat across, finish off, weave ends (14)
You should be looking something like this!
Front Panel 2:
Join yarn to the other side of Row 50 of the Cardigan Back (the stitch furthest from Panel 1) and Ch 1
Row 1: Sc in first st, Dc in next, repeat in the next 12 sts, sl st in 15th, Ch 1, turn (14)
Rows 2-49: Sc in first, Dc in next, repeat across, Ch 1, turn (14)
Row 50: Sc in first, Dc in next, repeat across, finish off, weave ends (14)
Sleeves:
Sleeves are made up of panels which are then sewn together as pictured below.
*make 2
Make 22 foundation Sc, Ch 1, turn (22)
Rows 2-8: Sc in each across, Ch 1, turn (22)
Row 9: sl st in the first st, Sc across, sl st in last, Ch 1, turn (22)
Rows 10-25: Sc in each across, Ch 1, turn (22)
Fold panel as shown.
Sc across the seam.
Finish off leaving a tail about 4 feet long.
With a tapestry needle, sew the sleeve to the opening of the body of the cardigan. I use bobbi pins or stitch markers to hold things in place while I work. Continue sewing down the side to sew up the side seam of the cardigan. Stop about 2 in. from the bottom to make a slit. Weave ends. {Follow pictures below}
Repeat on the other side.
Collar Ribbing:
Join yarn to the bottom inside of the collar area (the raw edge along the front)
Row 1: Sc along the raw edge until you reach the other side, Ch 1, turn
Row 2: Sc in the next 50, 2 Sc in each of next 3, Sc in next 50, Ch 2, turn
Row 3: Dc in each around, Ch 2, turn
Row 4: Back post Dc in first, Dc in next, repeat around, Ch 2, turn
Row 5: Dc in first, Front post Dc (over previous back post Dc), repeat around, Ch 2, turn
Row 6: Repeat Row 4
Row 7: Repeat Row 5, finish off leaving a long tail about 4 feet long
With a tapestry needle, sew the collar down folded out as shown.
Don’t forget to PIN this project to your Pinterest boards!
Carol says
Very nice sweater!! Will surely keep you warm!! Thanks for the pattern!!!
Gina Hart says
Thank you SO MUCH for the over head camera shots/step by step assembly instructions. Even if I never make this cardigan, I was still able to follow along -not having to guess or try to picture in my head exactly what you were trying to convey.
Beautiful sweater & lovely model <3
Ashleigh says
Oh Gina, thanks so much for your kind words! Yes, my new-ish rig for overhead shots has been really helpful lately! I think it will stick around 😉
Gina Hart says
I’m thinking about possibly converting this to a sweater vest for my father in law. I have an awful pattern that is not at all inspiring to work with and I can’t bring myself to take it out of my project bag. I hate the thought of starting over (although, it means I get to go YARN SHOPPING!!); HOWEVER, your instructions and photos are so much BETTER than what I have, I’m willing to take the chance and see what my creation becomes. I’m going to run it by my husband-let him know what changes I intend to make and see what he says (which probably won’t be much-LOL).
Your overhead rig is a KEEPER!! You’re welcome!!
Lynda Luna says
So if I want to make this cardigan a size 2XL I would increase the chain by 6 stitches, right? And by 9 stitches for a size 3XL? I am asking because I wear plus size clothing and my sister too. If there are any other adjustments I would need to make could you please advise me? I really like this cardigan and want to make it for myself definitely and possibly my sister also.
Thank you,
Lynda Luna
Ashleigh says
Hi Lynda. Yes, that should work perfectly for you, and you may need to add a couple of rows in length to the front panels and back. Keep in mind though that I haven’t made samples in these sizes, so I believe this will work but you’ll probably be the first to try it! 🙂
Lynda Luna says
Thanks for your advice. I will let you know how it turns out when I finish it.
Thanks
Adrienne Zinder says
Lovely!!!
Cheryl Crimin says
Beautiful Pattern and illustrations. Its cold where I am too ( 60’s ) Arizona, and,like you I can make something like this to be my winter coat, therefore I’m always looking for a great pattern like this one! Thank you so much for sharing !!
Adelle Smith says
I’m on row 9 and I notice that the 1st couple rows after the fsc are puckering. Would it help if I worked my 30 fsc with a P hook instead? Or can I chain 30, ch 1, turn, sc 30 with the N/P 10.00mm? Please help. Also, is there a video tutorial that you suggest for the fsc?
Thank you kindly
Adelle
Ashleigh says
Yes, you can certainly chain 30 and work a Sc in each st along. Fsc just makes for a stretchier start to the fabric, but if that’s not working for you, feel free to adjust. I have a video tutorial on Fsc here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Pd4sfNjosM
Allison says
This may be the perfect pattern for my wool ease thick & quick yarn I just bought. Thank you so much for the pattern. I’ll let you know how it turns out.
Arica says
Beautiful! Do you have dimensions on the pieces?
cynthia kiy says
This is lovely. Thanks for the pattern and grest pictures. I will give it a try sometime.
Elverta Yingling says
I’m so excited to try this pattern. Thank you for creating such a Beautiful sweater! After I attempted to make a shrug, only to find it didn’t fit me like I hopes, I came across this pattern. I think it will be exactly what I’m looking for. It’s the right size yarn and it’s so absolutely cozy looking.
Cheryl Ann says
Ashleigh,
For it being your first pattern for a sweater………Its fantabulous!!!! I can not wait to make this one… ThANKS SO MUCH.!!!!
Ashleigh says
Thanks Cheryl Ann! 🙂
Mary says
How many yards are in the bundle pack?