Crochet a Collared Cardigan With Beginner-Friendly Tutorial

Our crochet cardigan is more than just a piece of clothing; it is a cozy and versatile piece that can be styled in many ways. Whether you prefer an oversized fit for a relaxed look or a more fitted crochet design for colder days. This simple cardigan blends timeless appeal, making it suitable for everyday wear. This crochet cardigan's true appeal becomes clearer when you explore how easily it can be styled in different ways, encouraging you to discover more creative outfit ideas.

Crochet Collared Cardigan Pattern

 

Crocheting this handmade collared cardigan is a structured yet enjoyable process. It begins with working on the sleeves and cuffs, followed by shaping the main body panels. The crocheted pieces are then carefully joined to form the complete cardigan structure. Gradual increases are added to ensure a comfortable and well-balanced fit. A crocheted collar is added to enhance the design and give it a more finished look.

Credit Jessica Ho

Materials & Tools Needed:

• Yarn: Medium weight (category 4).
• The tutorial uses Lion Brand Pound of Love.
• Hook: A 6mm crochet hook.
• Stitch Markers: Optional (can use hair clips or bobby pins as alternatives).
• Scissors: For trimming yarn.
• Darning Needle (optional): For weaving in ends or sewing seams.

Finished Size & Customization Ideas:

• Default Fit: This cardigan is customizable for different sizes.
• The finished size depends on your chain lengths, the number of rows, and the sleeve width you decide on.
• Oversized Option: Add more rows and stitches for a looser fit.
• Cropped/Shortened Option: Reduce the total chain or adjust the length during the body panel creations.
• Baggy Sleeves: Make fewer rows before increases for wider sleeve openings.

Pattern Abbreviations & Terminology:

• Chain (ch): Yarn over, pull through loop. This creates the foundation stitches.
• Slip Stitch (sl st): Insert hook, yarn over, pull through both loops. Used for joining rounds or creating clean edges.
• Half Double Crochet (hdc): Yarn over, insert hook, pull through, yarn over, pull through all 3 loops.
• Double Crochet (dc): Yarn over, insert hook, pull through, yarn over, pull through first 2 loops, yarn over again, pull through remaining loops.
• Increase (inc): Add extra stitches in one spot.
• Decrease (dec): Combine two stitches into one.

Step-by-Step Detailed Crochet Instructions

1. Sleeve Cuff

1. Create a slip knot on your hook.
2. Chain the length of the cuff to wrap comfortably around your wrist.
3. (Jessica uses 24 chains). Test the fit.
4. Join the chain into a round using a slip stitch in the first chain.
5. Foundation Round: Chain 1 (does not count as a stitch).
6. Work half double crochets (hdc) around the cuff (24 stitches for this size).
7. Close the round with a slip stitch to join.
8. Rows 2-7: Chain 1, turn your work, work hdc around the cuff, maintaining stitch count (24 hdc per row).

2. Sleeve Expansion

1. Increase Round: Chain 2 (counts as your first dc). Work double crochet (dc) stitches into each stitch, increasing in every other stitch (2 dc in one, 1 dc in the next).
   • Stitch Count increases to 1.5x the original cuff stitches. For 24 stitches, it increases to 36 stitches.
2. Rows 2-8: Chain 2, turn your work. Work regular dc all around with no increases (maintain stitch count at 36 stitches).
3. Gradual Sleeve Expansion: After completing 8 rows, resume increasing by 1 stitch every other row.
4. Follow this pattern until achieving your desired sleeve length.
   • Jessica's example sleeve was 34 rows total, with every other row increasing gradually to finish with 49 stitches.

3. Body Panels

Foundation for Cardigan Body

1. Once the sleeve length is complete, chain the length for your desired cardigan length (Jessica uses 30 chains).
2. Add stitch markers to mark ribbing zones (Jessica uses markers to divide 9 stitches for the ribbing zone).

Bottom Ribbing Setup

1. Work half double crochets (hdc) along the ribbing zone (marked stitches).
2. Switch to double crochet (dc) for the remaining stitches in the row.
3. Repeat: Chain 1, turn your work, work hdc in the ribbing zone and dc for the rest of the body.

Body Panel Rows

1. Repeat the pattern for each row until the body panel reaches half the width of the cardigan (Jessica creates 15 rows).

Center Increases for Shoulder

1. Add a stitch marker at the panel's center to mark the middle stitch.
2. Begin increasing by two stitches at the center in every row:
   • For odd-number stitch centers, place three stitches in the middle stitch.
   • For even-number stitch centers, increase one stitch on either side of the center markers.
3. Repeat for 6 rows, or until achieving the desired shoulder width.

4. Back Panel

1. Continue working straight rows without additional increases for half the body width.
2. Jessica completes 7 rows here to match the width of the front panel.
3. Fasten off the working yarn when complete.

5. Front Panel

1. Mark six stitches for the collar decrease zone as guide points (Jessica begins decreases on the 7th stitch).
2. Work each row with 1 decrease per row for 6 rows.
3. Work a final row (7th row) without any decreases to match the back panel width.
4. Fasten off and repeat for the opposite front panel.

6. Assembly

Join the Panels

1. Place the right sides of the front and back panels together (ensure symmetry).
2. Seam the panels together along the back shoulder using either:
   • [Option A] Slip stitches, creating neat and sturdy joins.
   • [Option B] Whip stitches with a darning needle.

Attach Sleeves

1. Align the sleeves with the armhole section.
2. Attach using slip stitches or whip stitches.

7. Collar

1. Create a new slip knot and attach the working yarn to the edge of the collar area.
2. Begin working in half double crochet stitches across the collar edges.
3. Ensure 2 half double crochets per double crochet row.
4. Repeat back and forth until the collar achieves your desired height (Jessica references 9 rows for her collar).
5. Fasten off.

8. Finish

1. Weave in all loose ends using a darning needle.
2. Optional: Add edging or ribbing along the front opening or bottom hem using hdc stitches.
3. Block your cardigan if desired for a polished finish.

Notes for Customization & Tips:

• Use an existing sweater as a guide for sizing and measurements (especially for sleeve and panel width).
• Try the cardigan on periodically to adjust fit or length as desired.
• For color changes, switch yarn at the beginning of a row for consistent edges.

Video Tutorial