Easy Crochet Cardigan for Beginners- from a Rectangle!
This beginner crochet cardigan free pattern is one of the fastest you would ever work. It takes just 7 hours. How cool is that? Blanket cardigans are not your style? Check out how to crochet a long cardigan in this free tutorial.
The easy crochet cardigan for beginners is basically just one big rectangle, folded and shaped to form a cardigan. It doesn’t get easier than that. Does it? If you have always been scared of trying clothing patterns, this crochet blanket cardigan pattern is a great place to start.
The lacy stitch and the worsted weight yarn make this pattern truly a beginner crochet cardigan that people of all skill levels can enjoy. The stitch pattern is easy to memorize and you will be done in no time.
This loose-fitting crochet blanket cardigan pattern is great to wear outside as well as indoors while watching your favorite TV show. It feels like a warm hug wrapped around you.
The pattern uses Vanna’s choice yarn which is available in a wide range of colors. I cannot wait to see your cardigans. Don’t forget to tag me on Instagram, #crochetdreamz.
Beginner Crochet Cardigan Pattern Free
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Materials
1. Worsted weight (size 4) yarn. The sample cardigan was made using Lion Brand Vanna’s Choice in colors Linen and Rust.
2. Hook J (6 mm). Use any size hook to attain gauge.
3. One large wooden button (optional).
4. Yarn needle to weave in the tails.
Finished Size of the Crochet Cardigan for Beginners
Note: The width is measured from sleeve to sleeve as shown in the picture above.
XS/S – Length is 35 inches from shoulder to end of ribbing. 40 inches wide from sleeve to sleeve.
M/L– Length is 38 inches from shoulder to end of ribbing. 42 inches wide from sleeve to sleeve.
XL/2XL- Length is 41 inches from shoulder to end of ribbing. 44 inches wide from sleeve to sleeve.
3XL/ 4XL– Length is 41 inches from shoulder to end of ribbing. 46 inches wide from sleeve to sleeve.
Pattern for Gauge
Chain 30+4 and follow rows 1- 5 of the pattern. Then measure for gauge.
The length of the foundation chain will determine the height of your cardigan. The width can be adjusted by crocheting more or fewer rows, so row gauge does not matter.
Gauge
Using 6mm Hook,
3 Shell repeats = 5 inches.
Yardage
Lion Brand Vanna’s Choice Yarn (170 yards per skein)
|
XS/S |
M/L |
XL/2XL |
3XL/4XL |
|
|
Main Color |
5 balls |
5 balls |
6 balls |
7 balls |
|
Accent Color |
3 balls |
3 balls |
4 balls |
5 balls |
Stitch Abbreviations
The pattern is written in Standard American terms.
ch-chain
sc– single crochet
dc– double crochet
tr- triple crochet
sk– skip
sl st– slip st
fpdc– front post double crochet
bpdc– back post double crochet
Stitch Explanation
1. Shell: 5 dc worked into the same ch-2 space.
2. Front Post and Back Post Double Crochet: See a photo tutorial here-Front Post and Back Post Double Crochet.
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Wet Sand Lacy Cardigan Pattern
Pattern- Easy Crochet Cardigan for Beginners
Pattern Notes
1. The pattern is worked sideways from sleeve to sleeve. You will first make a big rectangle, fold and sew it to make holes for the sleeve. Then you will finish it by adding ribbing to the sleeves and to the collar.
2. The pattern is meant to be loose-fitting.
3. Stitch counts for bigger sizes are given in brackets in the order XS/S( M/L, XL/2XL, 3XL/4XL)
Leave a 1 yard tail for sewing and ch 99(109, 119, 119).
Row 1: Work all the sts of this row into the back bumps of your foundation chain. 1 dc in 5th ch from hook, *(ch 2, sk 2 chs, 1 dc in next 3 chs), repeat from * until 4 chs are left, ch 2, sk 2 chs, 1 dc in last 2 chs, turn.———58(64, 70, 70) dc
Row 2: Ch 1, 1 sc in same st as ch 1, skip next dc, *(shell in next ch-2 space, sk next dc, 1 sc in next dc, sk next dc), repeat from * and after a shell in the last ch-2 space, sk next dc, 1 sc on top of beginning ch3, turn. ———–19(21, 23, 23) shells
Row 3: Ch 5 (counts as 1 tr and ch 1), sk next st, 1 dc in next 3 sts, *(ch 2, sk next 3 sts, 1 dc in next 3 sts), repeat from * and after 3 dc on top of last shell, ch 1, sk 1 st, 1 tr in last sc, turn.—–59(65, 71, 71)sts
Row 4: Ch 3 (counts as first dc), 2 dc in next ch-1 space, skip next st, 1 sc in next, *(sk next st, shell in next ch-2 space, skip next st, 1 sc in next), repeat from * and after sc on top of last dc group, sk next dc, 2 dc in next ch, 1 dc in next ch, turn. —–18(20, 22, 22) shells with 2 half shells on either end
The length of your strip will be 32(35, 38, 38) inches. The ribbed border will add another 3 inches to the length.
Row 5: Ch 3 ( counts as first dc), 1 dc in next st, *(ch 2, sk 3 sts, 1 dc in next 3 sts), repeat from * and after 3 dc on lasts shell, ch 2, sk 3 sts, 1 dc in next, 1 dc on top of beginning ch 3, turn.——58(64, 70, 70)dc
Repeat rows 2-5 until your work measures 36(38, 40, 42) inches and you end in a dc row( not a shell row). Fasten off with a 1 yard tail for sewing.
Shaping the Beginner Crochet Cardigan (All sizes)
Note: You should sew the seam on the wrong side of the cardigan. The right side is the side on which you worked the shell rows.
Place the rectangle flat and fold the shorter sides until the ends are touching each other
Leave an opening for the armhole and sew
Place the rectangle flat with the wrong side up, and fold the shorter sides inwards until the ends touch each other (See pics above). Leave an 8(8, 8, 8 1/2) inch opening for the armholes and whip stitch the rest of the sides shut using the yarn tail left.
Armhole Ribbing (All sizes)
Note: It is worked on the right side of your work.
Round 1: Sl st the contrast color yarn to the seam at the base of the armhole, work 54(54, 54, 58) sc around the opening, sl st to first sc, do not turn (pic 2).—- 54(54, 54, 58) sc
Round 2: Ch 3 ( counts as first dc), 1 dc in each st around, sl st to top of beginning ch 3, do not turn.——– 54(54, 54, 58) dc
Round 3: Ch 2 ( counts as first bpdc), fpdc around next dc, *(bpdc around next dc, fpdc around next dc), repeat from * to end, sl st to beginning ch 2, do not turn.
Round 4: Ch 2 ( counts as first bpdc), fpdc around next fpdc, *(bpdc around next bpdc, fpdc around next fpdc), repeat from * to end, sl st to beginning ch 2, do not turn.
Repeat Round 4 one more time or until your cuff is close to 2 inches wide. Fasten off.
Collar Ribbing(All sizes)
Note: It is worked on the right side of your work.
Work ribbing around armholes and around the collar
Round 1: Sl st the contrast color yarn at the mid back(see pic above), work 256(270, 284, 298)sc evenly around the opening, sl st to first sc, do not turn.
Follow Rounds 2-4 for the armhole ribbing once and then keep repeating Round 4 until your collar is 3 inches wide. Fasten off.
Button Loop
This pattern comes with optional button closure. The cardigan looks great without the button too. If you would like to conceal the button loop when not in use, I suggest you sew a hidden button inside your cardigan so you can keep the loop hooked on that button when not in use.
The finished loop measures 3 ¾ inches from the edge of the collar.
On the inner side of the collar, find a fpdc ridge about 2 inches above the armhole seam, sl st twice to this ridge ½ inch away from the collar edge, ch 36, sl st in 2nd ch and each ch until you reach back the starting point, fasten off with a long tail for sewing. Fold the long chain to form a loop and sew it on flat up to the edge of the collar (pic 3).
Finishing Your Beginner Crochet Cardigan
1. Weave in all the tails left.
2. Align the sleeve seams on both sides, position the button corresponding to the loop, and sew it down. Your lovely crochet blanket cardigan is ready to wear.
You might also enjoy these clothing patterns:
You can watch a web story on this easy crochet cardigan here.
