Crochet Cropped Cardigan with minimal shaping.
When I tested this crochet crop cardigan for the second time, I ran out of yarn. So you now have 2 versions now, one with sleeves and one without.
The texture of this cropped cardigan pattern is stunning yet as easy as it can get for a beginner. The cardigan itself has minimal shaping and is a joy to make. If you are not into cropped cardigans you can try my crochet long cardigan pattern.
When I made my first one, the decrease rows left holes on the sides. So, I had to redesign the pattern to make a more solid fabric.
I have always wanted to design a button cardigan and this is my first. I must say I really enjoyed the process and will be designing more of them.
Do you like cardigans with or without buttons? Let me know in the comments. Your feedback counts! So without further ado, let us start making this lovely cardigan.
Crochet Crop Cardigan Pattern
Materials
1. Lion Brand Wool Ease yarn in color Fisherman or Mushroom. It is a wool blend worsted weight yarn.
2. Hook J(6mm) for the main body of the cardigan and an I(5.5mm) hook for the ribbing.
3. Stitch markers. You can also use safety pins or paper clips in its place.
4. Four 1 to 1.25-inch wooden buttons.
5. Tapestry needle to weave in the ends.
Finished Sizes
The measurements for different sizes are written in the order S (M, L) (XL, 2XL, 3XL)
Finished Chest: 36.5 (40.5, 44.5) (48.5, 52.5, 56.5)”
Back Width: 18.25 (20.25, 22.25) (24.25, 26.25, 28.25)”
Finished Length: 20 (20, 21) (21, 22, 22) inches. It stretches by an inch in length when worn.
Armhole Depth: 7 (7, 8) (8, 9, 9)”
Sleeve Length: 16.5(16.5, 17) (17, 18, 18)” including the ribbing
Yardage
Each skein is 197 yards.
S: 7-1/2 skeins
M: 8-1/2 skeins
L: 10 skeins
XL: 11 skeins
2XL: 12 skeins
3XL: 13 skeins
Stitch Abbreviations
The pattern is written in US terms.
ch-chain
sk- skip
sl st– slip st
sc– single crochet
dc– double crochet
beg– beginning
YO– yarn over
fpdc-front post double crochet
bpdc- back post double crochet
fpsc– front post single crochet
RS- Right side of crochet fabric
WS– wrong side of crochet fabric
Stitch Explanations
Front post double crochet (fpdc) and Back post double crochet (bpdc): See a tutorial for front and back post double crochet on my blog here: Front Post and Back Post Double Crochet Tutorial.
Front post single crochet(fpsc): It is worked like a regular sc except for the way you insert your hook. See the same tutorial for front post double crochet above. The hook is inserted in the same way for a fpsc.
dc2tog: YO, insert your hook into the next st and pull up a loop, YO and pull through 2 loops. Keeping the remaining 2 loops on your hook, YO, insert your hook into the next st and pull up a loop, YO and pull through 2 loops, YO and pull through all the remaining 3 loops on hook.—-dc2tog completed
Gauge
Pattern for Gauge Swatch
Chain 38 and follow rows 1 to 3 for the right front panel below. You will have 9 projections. Keep repeating Row 3 until your piece measures 6 inches. Then measure for gauge.
Gauge
Using J(6mm) Hook,
3.5 projections = 4 inches long
4 Bumpy lines(8 Rows)= 4 inches
Each row adds 1/2 inch to the length of your cardigan. Use any size hook to attain gauge.
Crochet Blanket Cardigan Pattern
Lionbrand Mandala Crochet Cardigan Pattern
Crochet Crop Cardigan
Pattern Notes
1. The cardigan is made in 5 parts- 2 front panels, one back panel, and 2 sleeves.
2. Stitch counts for bigger sizes are given in the order S (M, L) (XL, 2XL, 3XL)
3. The smaller I(5.5mm) hook is used only for the bottom, collar, and sleeve ribbing. The rest of the cardigan is worked with the bigger hook.
Right Front Panel
With J (6mm)hook, ch 30 (34, 38) (42, 46, 50). The initial chain is a multiple of 4+2.
Row 1: 1sc in 2nd ch from hook and each ch across to end.———29 (33, 37) (41, 45, 49)sc sts
Row 2: Ch 3 (counts as first dc here and throughout), 2 dc in the same st as ch 3, *[sk 3 sts, (1sc, ch 3, 3dc) all into the next st], repeat from * until 4 sts left, sk 3 sts, 1 sc in last st, place a marker on this side of the fabric to indicate the Right Side(RS) of your work and then turn. ————7 (8, 9) (10, 11, 12) projections or repeats
Note: Once you work the fpsc, your ch-3 loop will get pushed behind. So look behind the fpsc to find the ch-3 loop adjacent to it. See pic 1 above.
Row 3: Ch 3, 2 dc in the same st as ch 3, *[sk 2 dc, fpsc in next dc, ch 3, 3 dc in the adjacent ch-3 space], repeat from * and after 3 dc in last ch-3 space, sk next 2 dc, fpsc around beginning ch 3, turn.——– 7 (8, 9) (10, 11, 12) projections or repeats
Your work should measure approximately 8(9, 10) (11, 12, 13) inches wide.
Keep repeating Row 3 until you have completed 20 (20, 22) (22, 24, 24) rows in total, not including the base sc row. Proceed to shaping the neck below.
Shaping the Neck for Right Panel(All sizes)
Note: The pictures shown are of size small. The shaping will look similar for bigger sizes except that they will have more repeats.
Decrease Row 1: Ch 3, 2 dc in the same st as ch 3, *[sk 2 dc, fpsc in next dc, ch 3, 3 dc in the adjacent ch-3 space], repeat from * until you work a fpsc in the second to the last repeat, ch 3, 2dc in the last ch-3 space, sk next 2 dc, fpsc around beginning ch 3, turn.——– 7 (8, 9) (10, 11, 12) projections or repeats
Decrease Row 2: Ch 3, 1 dc in same st, sk next dc, fpsc in next dc, without making a ch-3, directly work 3 dc in adjacent ch-3 space, *[sk 2 dc, fpsc in next dc, ch 3, 3 dc in the adjacent ch-3 space], repeat from * and after 3 dc in last ch-3 space, sk next 2 dc, fpsc around beginning ch 3, turn.
Decrease Row 3: Ch 3, 2 dc in the same st as ch 3, *[sk 2 dc, fpsc in next dc, ch 3, 3 dc in the adjacent ch-3 space], repeat from * and after 3 dc in last ch-3 space, sk next 2 dc, insert your hook around the post of the next dc and pull up a loop like you are starting a fpsc, sk next 2 dc, insert your hook around the post of the beginning ch-3 and pull up another loop, YO and pull through the 3 loops on your hook, turn.——–6 (7, 8) (9, 10, 11) projections or repeats
Decrease Row 4: Ch 3, 1 dc in same st as ch 3, sk next 2 dc, fpsc in next dc, without chaining 3, directly work 3 dc in adjacent ch-3 space, *[sk 2 dc, fpsc in next dc, ch 3, 3 dc in the adjacent ch-3 space], repeat from * and after 3 dc in last ch-3 space, sk next 2 dc, fpsc around beginning ch 3, turn.
Decrease Row 5: Repeat Decrease Row 3.————-5 (6, 7) (8, 9, 10) projections or repeats
Decrease Row 6: Repeat Decrease Row 4.
Decrease Row 7: Repeat Decrease Row 3. ——4 (5, 6) (7, 8, 9) projections or repeats
For sizes 2XL and 3 XL Only
Repeat Decrease Rows 4 and 3 one more time to end in 7 projections for size 2XL and 8 projections for size 3XL.
Even Row- All Sizes
Even Row: Ch 3, 2 dc in the same st as ch 3, *[sk 2 dc, fpsc in next dc, ch 3, 3 dc in the adjacent ch-3 space], repeat from * and after 3 dc in last ch-3 space, sk next 2 dc, fpsc around beginning ch 3, turn.——– 4 (5, 6) (7, 7, 8) projections or repeats
Keep repeating the above Even Row until your work measures 17 (17, 18) (18, 19, 19) inches from the foundation chain side.
Leveling Row
Ch 2, *(1 hdc in next 3 dc, sk the next ch-3 loop, 1 dc in next sc), repeat from * until you work a dc in the last sc, 1 hdc in next 2 dc, 1 hdc on top of beg ch-3. Fasten off.
Left Front Panel
Ch 30 (34, 38) (42, 46, 50).
Row 1: 1sc in 2nd ch from hook and each ch across to end.———29 (33, 37) (41, 45, 49)sc sts
Row 2: Ch 3 (counts as first dc here and throughout), 2 dc in the same st as ch 3, *[sk 3 sts, (1sc, ch 3, 3dc) all into the next st], repeat from * until 4 sts left, sk 3 sts, 1 sc in last st, place a marker on this side of the fabric to indicate the Right Side(RS) of your work and then turn. ————7 (8, 9) (10, 11, 12) projections or repeats
Row 3: Ch 3, 2 dc in the same st as ch 3, *[sk 2 dc, fpsc in next dc, ch 3, 3 dc in the adjacent ch-3 space], repeat from * and after 3 dc in last ch-3 space, sk next 2 dc, fpsc around beginning ch 3, turn.——– 7 (8, 9) (10, 11, 12) projections or repeats
Your work should measure approximately 8(9, 10) (11, 12, 13) inches wide.
Keep repeating Row 3 until you have completed 20 (20, 22) (22, 24, 24) rows in total, not including the base sc row. Proceed to shaping the neck below.
Shaping the Neck for Left Panel(All sizes)
Note: The pictures shown are of size small. The shaping will look similar for bigger sizes except that they will have more repeats.
Decrease Row 1: Ch 3, 1 dc in the same st as ch 3, *[sk 2 dc, fpsc in next dc, ch 3, 3 dc in the adjacent ch-3 space], repeat from * and after 3 dc in last ch-3 space, sk next 2 dc, fpsc around beginning ch 3, turn.——– 7 (8, 9) (10, 11, 12) projections or repeats
Decrease Row 2: Ch 3, 2 dc in the same st as ch 3, *[sk 2 dc, fpsc in next dc, ch 3, 3 dc in the adjacent ch-3 space], repeat from * and after fpsc in the second to last projection, without chaining 3, directly work 3 dc in the last ch-3 space, sk next 2 dc, fpsc around beginning ch 3, turn.
Decrease Row 3: Ch 3, 1 dc in same st as ch 3, sk next 2 dc, insert your hook around the post of the next dc st and pull up loop like you are starting a fpsc, sk next 2 dc, insert your hook around the post of the next dc st and pull another loop, YO and pull through the 3 loops on your hook, ch 3, 3 dc in adjacent ch-3 space, *[sk 2 dc, fpsc in next dc, ch 3, 3 dc in the adjacent ch-3 space], repeat from * and after 3 dc in last ch-3 space, sk next 2 dc, fpsc around beginning ch 3, turn.——– 6 (7, 8) (9, 10, 11) projections or repeats
Decrease Row 4: Repeat Row 2
Decrease Row 5: Repeat Row 3——–5 (6, 7) (8, 9, 10) projections or repeats
Decrease Row 6: Repeat Row 2
Decrease Row 7: Repeat Row 3——–4 (5, 6) (7, 8, 9) projections or repeats
For sizes 2XL and 3 XL Only
For sizes 2XL and 3 XL repeat Decrease Rows 2 and 3 one more time. You will have 7 projections for size 2XL and 8 projections for size 3XL.
Even Row- All Sizes
Even Row: Ch 3, 2 dc in the same st as ch 3, *[sk 2 dc, fpsc in next dc, ch 3, 3 dc in the adjacent ch-3 space], repeat from * and after 3 dc in last ch-3 space, sk next 2 dc, fpsc around beginning ch 3, turn.——– 4 (5, 6) (7, 7, 8) projections or repeats
Keep repeating the above Even Row until your work measures 17 (17, 18) (18, 19, 19) inches
Leveling Row
Ch 2, *(1 hdc in next 3 dc, sk the next ch-3 loop, 1 dc in next sc), repeat from * until you work a dc in the last sc, 1 hdc in next 2 dc, 1 hdc on top of beg ch-3. Fasten off.
Back Panel
Note: The back panel is a rectangular piece with no shaping.
Ch 66 (74, 82) (90, 98, 106)
Row 1: 1sc in 2nd ch from hook and each ch across to end.———65 (73, 81) (89, 97, 105)sc sts
Row 2: Ch 3 (counts as first dc here and throughout), 2 dc in the same st as ch 3, *[sk 3 sts, (1sc, ch 3, 3dc) all into the next st], repeat from * until 4 sts left, sk 3 sts, 1 sc in last st, place a marker on this side of the fabric to indicate the Right Side(RS) of your work and then turn. ————16 (18, 20) (22, 24, 26) projections or repeats
Row 3: Ch 3, 2 dc in the same st as ch 3, *[sk 2 dc, fpsc in next dc, ch 3, 3 dc in the adjacent ch-3 space], repeat from * and after 3 dc in last ch-3 space, sk next 2 dc, fpsc around beginning ch 3, turn.——– 16 (18, 20) (22, 24, 26) projections or repeats
Your work should measure approximately 18.25(20.25, 22.25) (24.25, 26.25, 28.25) inches wide.
Keep repeating Row 3 until your work measures 17 (17, 18) (18, 19, 19) inches from the foundation chain side.
Leveling Row
Ch 2, *(1 hdc in next 3 dc, sk the next ch-3 loop, 1 dc in next sc), repeat from * until you work a dc in the last sc, 1 hdc in next 2 dc, 1 hdc on top of beg ch-3. Fasten off.
Assembling the Front and Back Panels
You placed a marker on the RS for all your 3 pieces. If you forgot to do that, you can identify the RS by looking where your beginning tail is. If the beginning tail is on the bottom right corner, you have the RS facing up.
Place the front panels on the back panel with the right sides touching each other as shown in pic 16 above. The foundation chain side will form the bottom of the cardigan. Seam the shoulders with a whip stitch first, and then seam the sides leaving a 7 (7, 8) (8, 9, 9)” gap for the armhole.
Bottom Ribbing
Notes
1. Use the smaller I(5.5mm) hook for the ribbing.
2. The first row of fpdc and bpdc is worked around the post of our very first row of sc sts.
Row 1: Turn the cardigan right side out, sl st to the bottom left corner, ch 2 (counts as a dc), *(1 fpdc around the post of the next sc, bpdc around the post of the next sc), repeat from * to the side seam, 1 dc in the side seam, continue the sequence of fpdc and bpdc until you hit the next side seam, 1 dc in the side seam, continue the sequence of fpdc and bpdc until you reach the next corner, 1 dc in the corner, turn.
Row 2: Ch 2, fpdc in each fpdc and bpdc in each bpdc across to beginning ch 2, 1 dc on top of beg ch, turn.
Keep repeating Row 2 until your ribbing is 2-1/2 inches. Fasten off.
Collar Ribbing
Notes
1. Use the smaller I(5.5mm) hook for the ribbing.
Row 1: Working on the RS of the cardigan, sl st to the bottom left corner of the front opening, ch 2 (counts as a hdc), distribute hdc sts all across the front opening as evenly as possible, turn. When working into beginning chains, make sure you don’t go through the very edge to avoid leaving holes in your work. Catching one extra loop under the beginning chain will help.
Row 2: Ch 2, *(fpdc in next st, bpdc in next st), repeat from * to beginning ch, 1 dc on top of beginning ch, turn.
Note: Now place markers for 4 buttonholes on the left side of the opening. Your marker for the bottom-most buttonhole should be at the 4th st from the bottom. Your top buttonhole should be at the level of the 19th(19th, 21st) (21st, 23rd, 23rd) repeat row from the bottom.
Row 3: Ch 2, fpdc in each fpdc and bpdc in each bpdc across until you reach the first marked st, ch 1, sk the marked st, *(fpdc in each fpdc and bpdc in each bpdc across until you reach the next marked st, ch 1, sk the marked st), repeat from * 2 more times, continue fpdc in each fpdc and bpdc in each bpdc across to beginning ch, 1 dc on top of beginning ch, turn.
Row 4: Ch 2, work fpdc in each fpdc and bpdc in each bpdc, and every time you hit a ch-1 for the buttonhole, work a dc into the ch-1 space and continue the sequence of fpdc into fpdc and bpdc into bpdc all the way to beginning ch, 1 hdc on top of beginning ch, turn.
Row 5: Ch 2, fpdc in each fpdc and bpdc in each bpdc across to beginning ch, 1 hdc on top of beginning ch, fasten off.
Sleeve Ribbing (Only for Vest)
Note: The sleeve ribbing is worked with the smaller I(5.5mm) hook.
Round 1: Sl st to the underarm seam, ch 2 (counts as a hdc), distribute hdc sts all around the armhole, sl st to beginning ch-2, do not turn.
Round 2: Ch 2, *(fpdc in next hdc, bpdc in next hdc), repeat from * to end, sl st to beg ch-2, do not turn.
Round 3: Ch 2, fpdc in each fpdc and bpdc in each bpdc across to end, sl st t beginning ch-2. Fasten off.
Weave in the ends and sew on the buttons to finish your vest.
Sleeves for Cardigan
Note: We will make the sleeves slightly smaller than the armhole and stretch to join it. This will make sure our sleeves don’t look too bulky.
With bigger hook J(6mm), ch 46 (46, 54) (54, 62, 62)
Row 1: 1sc in 2nd ch from hook and each ch across to end.———45 (45, 53) (53, 61, 61)sc sts
Row 2: Ch 3 (counts as first dc here and throughout), 2 dc in the same st as ch 3, *[sk 3 sts, (1sc, ch 3, 3dc) all into the next st], repeat from * until 4 sts left, sk 3 sts, 1 sc in last st, place a marker on this side of the fabric to indicate the Right Side(RS) of your work and then turn. ————11 (11, 13) (13, 15, 15) projections or repeats
Row 3: Ch 3, 2 dc in the same st as ch 3, *[sk 2 dc, fpsc in next dc, ch 3, 3 dc in the adjacent ch-3 space], repeat from * and after 3 dc in last ch-3 space, sk next 2 dc, fpsc around beginning ch 3, turn.——– 11 (11, 13) (13, 15, 15) projections or repeats
Your work should measure approximately 12(12, 14) (14, 16, 16) inches wide.
Keep repeating Row 3 until your work measures 14(14, 14.5) (14.5, 15, 15) inches.
Leveling Row
Pattern Notes
1. In the leveling row we will also add decreases to prep our sleeves for the ribbing part.
2. While working the leveling row, we will skip the ch 3 loops in between and work only into the dc and sc sts.
Sizes S and M only
Leveling Row: Ch 2(counts as a st), *(dc2tog across next 2 sts, 1 dc in next 4 sts), repeat from * one more time, *(dc2tog across next 2 sts, dc in next 3 sts), repeat from * 3 more times, *(dc2tog across next 2 sts, dc in next 4 sts), repeat from * one more time, turn.——–37 sts
Sizes L and XL only
Row 1: Ch 2(counts as a st), *(dc2tog across next 2 sts, dc in next 3 sts), repeat from * one more time, *(dc2tog across next 2 sts, dc in next 2 sts), repeat from * 7 more times, *(dc2tog across next 2 sts, dc in next 3 sts), repeat from * one more time, turn.——–41 sts
Sizes 2XL and 3XL only
Row 1: Ch 2(counts as a st), *(dc2tog across next 2 sts, dc in next 3 sts), repeat from * one more time, *(dc2tog across next 2 sts, dc in next st, dc2tog across next 2 sts, dc in next 2 sts), repeat from * 5 more times, *(dc2tog across next 2 sts, dc in next 2 sts), repeat from * one more time, turn.——45 sts
Sleeve Ribbing-All Sizes
Note: Switch to the smaller I(5.5mm) hook.
Note: For the next round, dc2tog counts as a single st, so when your work a fpdc into it, make sure you insert your hook under the combined post.
Row 2: Ch 2 (counts as a st), *(1 fpdc in next st, 1 bpdc in next st), repeat from * to beginning ch, 1 dc on top of beginning ch, turn.——-37(37, 41) (41, 45, 45) sts
Row 3: Ch 2( counts as a st), bpdc in each bpdc and fpdc in each fpdc across to beginning ch, 1 dc on top of beginning ch, turn.——–37(37, 41) (41, 45, 45) sts
Keep repeating Row 2 until your ribbing measures 2 inches for sizes up to L and 2-1/2 inches for bigger sizes.
Fold the sleeve in half with the Wrong side facing outside and seam the bottom with a whip stitch.
Joining Sleeves to the Cardigan
Place the cardigan with the wrong side out and the sleeve with the right side out. Insert sleeve through the armhole, align the edges and join them together with a whip stitch seam.
Make sure you grab about 1/4 inch of fabric when you whip stitch and do not go through the very edge. This will make sure our heavy sleeve holds well onto the body of the cardigan. See pic 20 below.
Finishing
Add the buttons corresponding to the buttonholes. Weave in any tails left.
Lynda
Friday 16th of December 2022
Do you have yarn amounts for the vest? Thanks!
Shehnaaz
Saturday 17th of December 2022
It takes 2 skeins less than the sleeve version.
Shelly Transki
Sunday 2nd of January 2022
Decrease Row 3 "and after 3 dc in last ch-3 space, sk next 2 dc, insert your hook around the post of the next dc and pull up a loop like you are starting a fpsc, sk next 2 dc, insert your hook around the post of the beginning ch-3 "
This isn't possible because when you do the 3 dc in last ch-3 sp, there is only the 2 dc and ch 3 to contend with because row 2 starts (ch 3, 2 dc in same space). So there's no additional dc to skip UNLESS you don't put 3 dc in last ch-3 sp
Shehnaaz
Tuesday 4th of January 2022
The ch-3 counts as a dc too. So skip the 2 dc and work around the ch-3.
Jan
Saturday 20th of November 2021
What do you mean by: "Keep repeating the above Even Row until your work measures 17 (17, 18) inches from the foundation chain side. "
After the decrease rows are complete, the entire panel is already 25" long from the bottom foundation chain to the top. If you keep repeating it going to be much longer than the measurements provided.
My counts are correct, so I'm not sure how much further to go here. Any chance a video tutorial soon?
Shehnaaz
Saturday 20th of November 2021
I am assuming you counted 2 rows as one. Each bumpy line is made up of 2 rows and not one. Before you start your neck shaping you should only have 20 (20, 22) (22, 24, 24) rows in total.
Cindy
Friday 12th of November 2021
This Cardigan is STUNNING!!! Beyond gorgeous!!!! Thank you for sharing this pattern with us!!!
Darina
Friday 12th of November 2021
Thank you so much!! I think this is by far is thee most beautiful cardigan I have seen in a long while!! Love the name! I am from North Central Saskatchewan Canada 🇨🇦
Shehnaaz
Friday 12th of November 2021
Thank you so much, Darina. I am glad you like the crochet crop cardigan pattern.