Crochet a Cardigan Free pattern! The Peek-A-Boo Crop Cardigan is worked in one piece with a simple crochet mesh stitch pattern. The how to crochet a cardigan pattern can easily be modified to any length and the pattern works up quickly due to the open stitch work. This soft and cozy crochet top crop is made in Knit Picks/WeCrochet Comfy worsted weight yarn. Step by Step video how to crochet a cardigan in size small on YouTube. Keep scrolling for the crochet cardigan free pattern.
Crochet Top How To
The crochet stitches used to crochet the Peek-A-Boo Crop Cardigan include the single crochet, double crochet and linked doubled crochet stitches. These crochet stitches combined create a beautiful mesh stitch pattern. The crochet mesh stitch is an easy 2-row repeat, with the help of the video tutorial you can easily catch on to crocheting this stitch. The fit is oversized with loose-fitting sleeves that can be adjusted to sit at the elbow, 3/4 length or wrist as pictured. Also, customize the bodice to any length. The entire crochet top crop is worked in one piece making it the perfect crochet top design for beginners.
How to Style
This easy crochet a cardigan pattern looks great with a variety of outfits! I’ve dressed it up in most of my pictures but it could also be paired with leggings, jeans or shorts for a more casual look. The crochet cardigan is crocheted in white so it would look bright and fresh for summer. I was inspired to crochet this design because I needed a crop top pattern that would look cute with my skirts and rompers for Summer. I like to always have a crochet ladies jacket handy if the weather turns cool and this style goes perfectly with all my high-waisted clothing.
The crochet pattern is written in Standard American terms and includes sizes XS – 5X. The schematic, stitch chart and detailed pictures are included in the written PDF.
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You might also love the Reel Deal Summer Bag Free crochet pattern
Crochet Hook
This Crochet a Cardigan pattern calls for a US 6/G (4mm) and a US 7/G+ (4.5mm) or size needed to obtain gauge.
To prevent hand pain I crochet with Furls Crochet Hooks. I can spend hours crocheting with these hooks. For the Peek-A-Boo Crochet Cardigan, I used the Furls Streamline Taurus Hooks. You can purchase them HERE with code MJS15 for 15% off
Crochet Cardigan White Yarn
I crochet the easy one-piece mesh crochet top crop pattern in
Comfy Worsted Weight #4– 75% Pima Cotton, 25% Acrylic (109 yds/50g Shown in White
Crochet Top Crop Substitutes
Peek-A-Boo Crop Cardigan Crochet Pattern – Crochet Top How to
Get the PDF on RAVELRY, ETSY, WeCrochet or the Digital interactive pattern on Ribblr in Spanish and English
Yarn Requirements Crochet a Cardigan:
Comfy Worsted Weight #4– 75% Pima Cotton, 25% Acrylic (109 yds/50g Shown in White
Size Chart
Crochet Hook Requirements:
US 7/G+ (4.5mm) or size needed to obtain gauge
use code MJS15 for 15% off Furls Hooks
Additional Supplies:
Gauge:
16.5 sts and 9.5 rows equal to 4″ in mesh pattern blocked with 4.5mm hook
11 sts and 8 rows equal to 2″ in ribbed pattern blocked with 4mm hook
Crochet Video:
Watch how to crochet top on YouTube
Crochet Top Construction
The Crochet Cardigan is worked in one piece flat starting at the back band and finishing with the front panels. The crochet sleeve cuffs and button-up ribbing is added after the crochet top design is assembled. The pattern is written for the smallest size with larger sizes in parentheses ( ). If there is only 1 number, it applies to all sizes. Step by step video tutorial is provided on our YouTube channel for size small. https://youtu.be/cFKBPjzOorQ
Special Crochet Stitches
Linked Double Crochet (dc): Ch 3 (counts as first dc), pick up a loop in the 2nd ch from hook, leave on the hook, pick up a loop in next st (3 loops on hook), [yo, draw through 2 loops] twice. Pick up a loop in the 2nd bar on side of dc, pick up a loop in the next st (3 loops on the hook), [yo, draw through 2 loops] twice.
Crochet Schematic – Included in PDF
Crochet Stitch Chart – Included in PDF
The PDF pattern includes body measuring instructions and customization tips as well as the stitch chart.
Abbreviations
Ch – Chain
Dc – Double Crochet
Pm – Place Marker
Rep – Repeat
RS – Right Side
Sc – Single Crochet
Sk – Skip
Sl St – Slip Stitch
Sp(s) – Space(s)
St(s) – Stitch(es)
WS – Wrong Side
( ) – Work step in parentheses in indicated stitch
[ ] – Work step in brackets number of times indicated
Copyright
This pattern is the sole property of MJ’s Off the Hook Designs. This pattern is copyright protected and cannot be copied or reproduced in any way. You are welcome to sell your finished items from this pattern. I require a reference or link for my design. My photos are copyright protected and are not to be used to sell your items.
Crochet a Cardigan Notes
The crochet a cardigan is worked in one piece from the bottom up, starting at the back. The bands and edging are worked with a 4mm hook and the body with a 4.5mm hook. A chain is worked out from each side of the body for the sleeves. The sleeves and body are worked as one piece. The neck opening is marked, next half of the sleeve is worked with each front panel. Fasten off once the sleeve is at the correct width. The front body is marked, then worked, finishing with the band. Seam the crochet cardigan and finish with buttonhole edging and sleeve cuffs. The pattern is written for the smallest size with larger sizes in parentheses ( ). A step-by-step video tutorial is provided on our YouTube channel for crop top size small.
Back
XS (S, M, L, XL, 2X, 3X, 4X, 5X)
Band
Row 1: With the smaller hook, ch 11, work 1 sc in 2nd ch from hook and in each ch across, turn—10 sts.
Row 2: Ch 1 (not included as a st here and throughout), work 1 sc in the blo of each st across, turn—10 sts.
Rows 3-72 (82, 92, 102, 112, 122, 132, 142, 152): Rep Row 2. After the final Row, turn and change to the larger hook.
Body
Row 1(RS): With the larger hook, ch 1 and work sc sts evenly along the length of the band (1 st per row)—72 (82, 92, 102, 112, 122, 132, 142, 152) sts.
Row 2 (WS): Ch 3 (included as a dc here and throughout), sk first st, work 1 linked dc in next st, *ch 3, sk next 3 sts, 1 dc in next
st, 1 linked dc in next st; rep from * across, turn—72 (82, 92, 102, 112, 122, 132, 142, 152) sts.
Row 3: Ch 1 (not included as a st here and throughout), 1 sc in first 2 sts, *3 sc in ch-3 sp, 1 sc in next 2 sts; rep from * across ending with 1 sc in turning ch, turn—72 (82, 92, 102, 112, 122, 132, 142, 152) sts.
Rows 4-16: Rep row 2 & 3 for pattern ending on row 2 until work measures approx. 9″ including band, ending on WS. Continue adding length for a longer cardigan making sure to end on the WS of work.
Crochet Sleeves
Notes: Sleeve is 15″. With cuff sleeve is 17″ in total. To lengthen or shorten the sleeve increase or reduce the sleeve chain in multiples of 5 (5 sts = 1.25″). Measure underarm to the wrist and subtract 2″ to determine the required sleeve length.
Left Sleeve:
With a new ball of yarn join to the opposite side of the working yarn. RS facing join to top left side of work with a sl st, ch 60 and fasten off (this sets up the left sleeve).
Right Sleeve:
Join back onto working yarn top right.
Row 1 (RS): Ch 61, work 1 sc in the 2nd ch from hook, work 1 sc in each ch across right sleeve, work 1sc in each st across the body and 3 sc in ch-3 sps, work 1 sc in each ch across the left sleeve, turn—192 (202, 212, 222, 232, 242, 252, 262, 272) sts.
Row 2 (WS): Ch 3, sk first st, work 1 linked dc in next st, *ch 3, sk next 3 sts, 1 dc in next st, 1 linked dc in next st; rep from * across, turn—192 (202, 212, 222, 232, 242, 252, 262, 272) sts.
Row 3: Ch 1, 1 sc in first 2 sts, *3 sc in ch-3 sp, 1 sc in next 2 sts; rep from * across ending with 1 sc in turning ch, turn—192 (202, 212, 222, 232, 242, 252, 262, 272) sts.
Rows 4- 16 (18, 20, 22, 24, 26, 28, 30, 32): Rep row 2 & 3 for pattern ending on row 2. Don’t fasten off.
Mark Neck Opening
Left and Right side count over 16 (17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24) ch-3 sps sts, sk dc, pm in next st. The neck opening should measure approximately 7″ and is the same for all sizes.
Right Sleeve/ Front Panel:
Row 1 (RS): With working yarn, ch 1, 1 sc in first 2 sts, *3 sc in ch-3 sp, 1 sc in next 2 sts; rep from * across ending in marked st (leave neck opening unworked), turn—82 (87, 92, 97, 102, 107, 112, 117, 122) sts.
Row 2 (WS): Ch 3, sk first st, work 1 linked dc in next st, *ch 3, sk next 3 sts, 1 dc in next st, 1 linked dc in next st; rep from * across, turn—82 (87, 92, 97, 102, 107, 112, 117, 122) sts.
Row 3: Ch 1, 1 sc in first 2 sts, *3 sc in ch-3 sp, 1 sc in next 2 sts; rep from * across ending with 1 sc in turning ch, turn—82 (87, 92, 97, 102, 107, 112, 117, 122) sts.
Rows 4-6 (8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, 22): Rep rows 2 & 3 ending on row 2—82 (87, 92, 97, 102, 107, 112, 117, 122) sts.
Increase Rows
Row 1: Ch 1, *1 sc in first 2 sts, 3 sc in ch-3 sp; rep from * across ending with 2 sc in last st and 2 sc in the turning ch, turn—84 (89, 94, 99, 104, 109, 114, 119, 124) sts.
Row 2: Ch 3, work 1 linked dc in first st, ch 3, sk next st, 1 dc in next st, 1 linked dc in next st, *ch 3, sk next 3 sts, 1 dc in next st, 1 linked dc in next st; rep from * across, turn—87 (92, 97, 102, 107, 112, 117, 122, 127) sts.
Row 3: Ch 1, 1 sc in first 2 sts, *3 sc in ch-3 sp, 1 sc in next 2 sts; rep from * across ending with 1 sc in turning ch, turn—87 (92, 97, 102, 107, 112, 117, 122, 127) sts.
Row 4: Ch 3, sk first st, work 1 linked dc in next st, *ch 3, sk next 3 sts, 1 dc in next st, 1 linked dc in next st; rep from * across, turn—87 (92, 97, 102, 107, 112, 117, 122, 127) sts.
Rows 5-8: Rep rows 3 & 4 [2 times]—87 (92, 97, 102, 107, 112, 117, 122, 127) sts.
Rows 9 & 10: Rep increase rows 1 & 2 ending with—92 (97, 102, 107, 112, 117, 122, 127, 132) sts. Fasten off.
Mark Body
From sleeve edge count over 12 ch-3 sps, pm in next st.
Front Right Panel
Notes: Work even in rows so that the front equals the back in length.
Skip over the sleeve. Join yarn in marked st.
Row 1(RS): Ch 1, 1 sc in first 2 sts, *3 sc in ch-3 sp, 1 sc in next 2 sts; rep from * across ending with 1 sc in turning ch, turn—32 (37, 42, 47, 52, 57, 62, 67, 72) sts.
Row 2 (WS): Ch 3, sk first st, work 1 linked dc in next st, *ch 3, sk next 3 sts, 1 dc in next st, 1 linked dc in next st; rep from * across, turn—32 (37, 42, 47, 52, 57, 62, 67, 72) sts.
Rows 3-16: Rep rows 1 & 2—32 (37, 42, 47, 52, 57, 62, 67, 72) sts.
Row 17 (base row): Ch 1, 1 sc in first 2 sts, *3 sc in ch-3 sp, 1 sc in next 2 sts; rep from * across ending with 1 sc in turning ch, turn—32 (37, 42, 47, 52, 57, 62, 67, 72) sts.
Last Row change to smaller hook.
Band
The band is joined as you go to the panel edge.
Row 1:
With smaller hook, ch 11, 1 sc in 2nd ch from hook and in each ch across, sk first st at the panel edge, sl st in next 2 sts (base row), turn—10 sts.
Row 2:
Sk sl sts, 1 sc in the blo of each st across, turn—10 sts.
Row 3:
Ch 1, work 1 sc in the blo of each st across, sl st in next 2 sts (base row), turn—10 sts.
Rows 4- 32 (36, 42, 46, 52, 56, 62, 66, 72): Rep Row 2 & 3, ending on row 2. The last Row fasten off with a long tail for seaming.
Left Sleeve/ Front Panel:
Row 1 (WS): RS facing sk over the neck opening. Join yarn in marked st, ch 1, 1 sc in first 2 sts, *3 sc in ch-3 sp, 1 sc in next 2 sts; rep from * across, turn—82 (87, 92, 97, 102, 107, 112, 117, 122) sts.
Row 2 (WS): Ch 3, sk first st, work 1 linked dc in next st, *ch 3, sk next 3 sts, 1 dc in next st, 1 linked dc in next st; rep from * across, turn—82 (87, 92, 97, 102, 107, 112, 117, 122) sts.
Row 3: Ch 1, 1 sc in first 2 sts, *3 sc in ch-3 sp, 1 sc in next 2 sts; rep from * across ending with 1 sc in turning ch, turn—82 (87, 92, 97, 102, 107, 112, 117, 122) sts.
Rows 4-6 (8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, 22): Rep rows 2 & 3 ending on row 2—82 (87, 92, 97, 102, 107, 112, 117, 122) sts.
Increase Rows
Row 1: Ch 1, 2 sc in first 2 sts, 3 sc in ch-3 sp, *1 sc in next 2 sts, 3 sc in ch-3 sp; rep from * across ending with 1 sc in turning ch, turn—84 (89, 94, 99, 104, 109, 114, 119, 124) sts.
Row 2: Ch 3, sk first st, work 1 linked dc in next st, *ch 3, sk next 3 sts, 1 dc in next st, 1 linked dc in next st; rep from * across to last 2 sts, ch 3, sk st, work 1 dc and 1 linked dc in last st, turn—87 (92, 97, 102, 107, 112, 117, 122, 127) sts.
Row 3: Ch 1, 1 sc in first 2 sts, *3 sc in ch-3 sp, 1 sc in next 2 sts; rep from * across ending with 1 sc in turning ch, turn—87 (92, 97, 102, 107, 112, 117, 122, 127) sts.
Row 4: Ch 3, sk first st, work 1 linked dc in next st, *ch 3, sk next 3 sts, 1 dc in next st, 1 linked dc in next st; rep from * across, turn—87 (92, 97, 102, 107, 112, 117, 122, 127) sts.
Rows 5-8: Rep rows 3 & 4 [2 times]—87 (92, 97, 102, 107, 112, 117, 122, 127) sts.
Rows 9 & 10: Rep increase rows 1 & 2 ending with—92 (97, 102, 107, 112, 117, 122, 127, 132) sts. Don’t fasten off, continue to Front Left panel.
Mark Body
From sleeve edge count over 12 ch-3 sps, pm in next st.
Front Left Panel
Notes: Work even in rows so that the front equals the back in length.
Row 1(RS): Ch 1, 1 sc in first 2 sts, *3 sc in ch-3 sp, 1 sc in next 2 sts; rep from * across to marked st (leave sleeve unworked), turn—32 (37, 42, 47, 52, 57, 62, 67, 72) sts.
Row 2 (WS): Ch 3, sk first st, work 1 linked dc in next st, *ch 3, sk next 3 sts, 1 dc in next st, 1 linked dc in next st; rep from * across, turn—32 (37, 42, 47, 52, 57, 62, 67, 72) sts.
Rows 3-16: Rep rows 1 & 2—32 (37, 42, 47, 52, 57, 62, 67, 72) sts.
Row 17 (base row): Ch 1, 1 sc in first 2 sts, *3 sc in ch-3 sp, 1 sc in next 2 sts; rep from * across ending with 1 sc in turning ch, turn—32 (37, 42, 47, 52, 57, 62, 67, 72) sts.
Last Row change to smaller hook.
Band
Work the same as Front Right.
How to block a Crochet Top:
Wet the entire garment in lukewarm water with a small amount of dish soap or woolwash. Allow soaking for around 30 min. Squeeze out as much water as possible. Wrap the garment in a towel to press out the excess water. Lay the garment out on blocking mats and pin it to the schematic measurements. Allow the garment to dry thoroughly.
Seaming a Crochet Cardigan:
Repeat for the Left and Right Sides.
Fold garment RS facing lining up sides and sleeves (make sure the mesh pattern is lined up). With yarn needle and yarn, whip stitch sleeve and side together. Weave in ends.
Sleeve Cuff:
Repeat for left and right sleeves.
Sleeve Edge: With RS facing and the smaller hook join yarn to the edge of sleeve, ch 1, work sc sts around the sleeve edge, 34 (38, 42, 46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66) sts.
Band
The band is joined as you go to the sleeve edge.
Row 1:
Ch 11, 1 sc in 2nd ch from hook and in each ch across, sk first st at the sleeve edge, sl st in next 2 sts (sleeve edge), turn—10 sts.
Row 2:
Sk sl sts, 1 sc in the blo of each st across, turn—10 sts.
Row 3:
Ch 1, work 1 sc in the blo of each st across, sl st in next 2 sts (sleeve edge), turn—10 sts.
Rows 4- 34 (38, 42, 46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66): Rep Row 2 & 3 ending on Row 2. After the last row, ch 1, with RS facing sl st band together by going through the starting ch and blo. Fasten off and weave in tails.
Edging / Buttonholes:
Row 1: With the smaller hook join yarn to front right panel edge with a sl st, ch 1, work 1 sc evenly across the band and front right panel, (approx 2 sts for dc row and 1 st for sc row), sc across the neck opening (3 sc in ch-3 sp, 1 sc in each dc st), sc evenly across the front left panel and band. Don’t fasten off and proceed to Collar.
Mark Buttonholes: Watch the tutorial for directions
With RS facing at the front right side, count 4 sts from the bottom edge, pm in the 5th st, *count 10 sts, pm in 11th st; rep from * [one more time] for crop length. Add additional buttons if needed for a longer cardigan. For large 35mm buttons, the buttonhole will be 4 sts.
Buttonhole Row: Ch 1, work 1 sc in the blo 3 sts, ch 4, sk 4 sts, 1 sc in last 3 sts.
Next Row: Ch 1, work 1 sc in the blo 3 sts, 4 sc in ch-4 sp, 1 sc in last 3 sts.
Collar
The collar is joined as you go to the edging.
Row 1:
Ch 11, 1 sc in 2nd ch from hook and in each ch across, sk first st at the edge, sl st in next 2 sts, turn—10 sts.
Row 2:
Sk sl sts, 1 sc in the blo of each st across, turn—10 sts.
Row 3:
Ch 1, work 1 sc in the blo of each st across, sl st in next 2 sts, turn—10 sts.
Rep Row 2 & 3 for the entire edge of cardigan working buttonhole row at each marked st. Fasten off and weave in tails.
Sew buttons opposite the buttonholes.
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