The Lakeside Crochet Cardigan free crochet pattern is an easy crochet crop cardigan pattern worked in one piece with a simple stitch pattern. The crochet cardigan can easily be modified to any length, and the pattern works up quickly with limited seaming.
Below you will find everything you need to crochet the Lakeside Crochet Cardigan, including the yarn, hook, materials, free written pattern for blog subscribers, pictures and a video tutorial. If you like this Free Crochet Cardigan Pattern, please share!
When you purchase the PDF, additional options include the long version with optional buttons, a belt and pockets!
Table of Contents
Both versions are included in the PDF!
We have a child version too! The Child pattern includes sizes 1 (2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12). If you are purchasing the Creative Cardigan Collection, we have a special offer to get all three child-size patterns, so make sure to go check that out! HERE
Key Takeaways
- The Lakeside crochet cardigan is a free, easy crochet pattern suitable for beginners, allowing for customization in length.
- The pattern includes sizes XS-5X and features both adult and child versions, with options for buttons, belts, and pockets.
- You can access the free written pattern and video tutorial online, or purchase an ad-free PDF version.
- Designed for one-piece construction, the pattern emphasizes limited seaming and includes detailed instructions with helpful resources.
- The Lakeside crochet cardigan pairs well with various yarn options, and essential materials are listed for successful completion.
How to Crochet the Lakeside Crochet Cardigan
The crochet stitches used to crochet the Lakeside Crochet Cardigan include the Single Crochet (sc) and the Extended Single Crochet (esc) stitches. These crochet stitches are beginner-friendly and work up quickly.
The Lakeside Crochet Cardigan pattern includes women’s sizing from XS-5X. Sizing is based on women’s standard sizing index with a 3-3.5″ positive ease.
The cardigan is crocheted all in one piece flat, starting at the back band and finishing with the front panels. The sleeve cuffs and button-up ribbing is added at the end. The only seaming required is to seam the sides and sleeves together.
Disclaimer
This post contains affiliate links at no cost to you for the items I used to crochet this pattern, as well as clothing articles I have modelled. I make a small commission if you purchase through these links. This blog post also displays ads. The revenue I receive from Ads and affiliate links allows me to post this crochet pattern for free on my blog. I do so in good faith that you will not copy and paste this pattern or distribute it in any way.
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The Lakeside Crochet Cardigan pattern is written in Standard American terms and includes sizes XS – 5X. The schematic, customization options and detailed pictures are included in the beautifully designed written PDF.
Support me by purchasing the Lakeside Crochet Cardigan pattern down below!
Crochet Cardigan Inspiration
My beautiful daughters modelled the Cardigan for me in Lake Louise, Alberta. it was only fitting for me to name it the Lakeside Crochet Cardigan after the beautiful Lakes in the Rocky Mountains.
I love that this cardigan can be made in different lengths. Besides the options, I’ve shown you can also make it hip length if you prefer.
Teen girls love the cropped length modelled on my daughter Emma. She fell in love with this crochet sweater and has decided that she’s keeping it. The long version with a belt and pockets was perfect for my daughter Bethany; although she’s my second born, she’s at least 3″ taller than Emma and it fit her perfectly.
I’m not letting the girls take the long cardigan as I’ll be wearing it all Fall and Winter with cozy slippers!
You might also love the Rocky Mountain Colourblock Pullover Free crochet pattern or find more crochet patterns in my Etsy Shop
Crochet Video:
Watch how to crochet a Women’s crochet crop Cardigan on YouTube
Crochet Hook
The Lakeside Crochet Cardigan pattern calls for a
US 8/H (5mm)
US 9/I (5.5mm) 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 Lakeside Crochet Cardigan, I used the Furls Streamline Cafe Hooks (the resin hooks are breakable, so make sure not to drop them) the metal streamlines are fabulous and more durable; they should be back in stock soon.
Lakeside Crochet Cardigan Yarn
Brava Tweed Worsted Weight #4- 97% Premium Acrylic, 3% Viscose (218yds/100g) shown in Heron & Mink
Yarn Details
Brava Tweed is enhanced with flecks of viscose Tweed to add depth to sweaters, blankets, and more while maintaining the durability and affordability you can expect from the Brava family.
The range of coordinating colours all feature cream, coffee, and charcoal tweed flecks, and for even more colour options, Brava Tweed can mix and match with Brava Worsted or Brava Speckle to create beautiful projects!
Hypoallergenic, hard-wearing, and machine washable, as always, Brava Tweed is sure to please. – WeCrochet
Crochet Cardigan Yarn Substitutes
Additional Supplies:
Helpful Resources
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Gauge:
12 sts and 12 rows equal to 4″ in esc with 5.5mm hook
7.5 sts and 8 rows equal to 2″ in ribbed pattern with 5mm hook
Special Crochet Stitches
Extended Single Crochet (esc): Insert hook through indicated st and pull up a loop, yarn over (YO), pull through 1 loop, YO pull through the last 2 loops on the hook.
Extended Single Crochet Decrease (esc2tog): Insert hook through indicated st and pull up a loop, insert hook in next st, pull up a loop, yarn over (YO), pull through 2 loops, YO pull through the last 2 loops on the hook.
Abbreviations
Blo – Back Loop Only
Ch – Chain
Esc – Extended Single Crochet
Flo – Front Loop Only
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
FAQ & Terms
This pattern requires an intermediate skill level.
This pattern is professionally written in technical writing and tech edited for accuracy. You need to be familiar with technical repeats.
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Lakeside Crochet Cardigan Notes
The cardigan is worked in one piece from the bottom up, starting at the back. The bands and edging are worked with a 5mm hook and the body with a 5.5mm 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. 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 size medium.
Back
XS (S, M, L, XL, 2X, 3X, 4X, 5X)
Band
Row 1: With the smaller hook, ch 15, work 1 sc in 2nd ch from hook and in each ch across, turn—14 sts.
Row 2: Ch 1 (not included as a st here and throughout), work 1 sc in the blo of each st across, turn—14 sts.
Rows 3-50 (56, 62, 68, 74, 80, 86, 92, 98): 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)—50 (56, 62, 68, 74, 80, 86, 92, 98) sts. PM marker on the RS of work for reference.
Row 2 (WS): Ch 1 (not included as a st here and throughout), 1 esc in each st across, turn—50 (56, 62, 68, 74, 80, 86, 92, 98) sts.
Crop
*Duster cardigan included in the PDF
Rows 3-18: Rep row 2 ending on WS.
Sleeves
Notes: The sleeve is 15″. With a cuff sleeve is 19″ in total. Customization tips included in the PDF
Left Sleeve:
With a new ball of yarn, join to the opposite side of the working yarn. RS facing join to the top left side of work with a sl st, ch 45 and fasten off (this sets up the left sleeve).
Right Sleeve:
Join back onto working yarn top right.
Row 1 (RS): Ch 46, work 1 esc in the 2nd ch from hook, work 1 esc in each ch across the right sleeve, work 1 esc in each st across the body, work 1 esc in each ch across the left sleeve, turn—140 (146, 152, 158, 164, 170, 176, 182, 188) sts.
Row 2 (WS): Ch 1, work 1 esc in each st across, turn—140 (146, 152, 158, 164, 170, 176, 182, 188) sts.
Rows 3- 16 (18, 20, 22, 24, 26, 28, 30, 32): Rep row 2 ending on WS. Don’t fasten off.
Mark Neck Opening
Left and Right side count over 60 (63, 66, 69, 72, 75, 78, 81, 84) sts, pm in next st. The neck opening is 20 sts and should measure approximately 6.75″ for all sizes.
Right Sleeve/ Front Panel:
Row 1 (RS): With working yarn, ch 1, 1 esc in each st across to marker (leave neck opening unworked), turn—60 (63, 66, 69, 72, 75, 78, 81, 84) sts.
Row 2 (WS): Ch 1, 1 esc in each st across, turn—60 (63, 66, 69, 72, 75, 78, 81, 84) sts.
Stop XS
S (M, L, XL, 2X, 3X, 4X, 5X)
Rows 3-4 (6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18): Rep Row 2, ending with—63 (66, 69, 72, 75, 78, 81, 84) sts.
Shaping Increase Rows – All sizes
Row 1: Ch 1, 1 esc in each st across to the last st, 2 esc in the last st, turn—61 (64, 67, 70, 73, 76, 79, 82, 85) sts.
Row 2: Ch 1, 1 esc in each st across, turn—61 (64, 67, 70, 73, 76, 79, 82, 85) sts.
Rows 3-14: Rep Row 1 & 2 [6 times], ending with—67 (70, 73, 76, 79, 82, 85, 88, 91) sts. Fasten off and weave in ends.
Mark Body
From sleeve edge count over 45 sts, pm in the next st (marks off the sleeve length).
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, work 1 esc in each st across, turn—22 (25, 28, 31, 34, 37, 40, 43, 46) sts.
Crop
Rows 2-17: Rep Row 1—22 (25, 28, 31, 34, 37, 40, 43, 46) sts.
Row 18: Ch 1, work 1 sc in each st across, turn—22 (25, 28, 31, 34, 37, 40, 43, 46) sts.
Band
The band is joined as you go to the panel edge.
Row 1:
With smaller hook, ch 15, 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—14 sts.
Row 2:
Sk sl sts, 1 sc in the blo of each st across, turn—14 sts.
Row 3:
Ch 1, work 1 sc in the blo of each st across, sl st in next 2 sts (base row), turn—14 sts.
Rows 4- 22 (24, 28, 30, 34, 36, 40, 42, 46): Rep Row 2 & 3, ending on row 2. The last Row fasten off and weave in ends.
Left Sleeve/ Front Panel:
Row 1 (RS): With the larger hook and RS facing sk over the neck opening. Join yarn in st next to marked st, ch 1, 1 esc in each st across, turn—60 (63, 66, 69, 72, 75, 78, 81, 84) sts.
Row 2 (WS): Ch 1, 1 esc in each st across, turn—60 (63, 66, 69, 72, 75, 78, 81, 84) sts.
Stop XS
S (M, L, XL, 2X, 3X, 4X, 5X)
Rows 3-4 (6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18): Rep Row 2, ending with—63 (66, 69, 72, 75, 78, 81, 84) sts.
Shaping Increase Rows – All sizes
Row 1: Ch 1, 2 esc in the first st, 1 esc in each st across, turn—61 (64, 67, 70, 73, 76, 79, 82, 85) sts.
Row 2: Ch 1, 1 esc in each st across, turn—61 (64, 67, 70, 73, 76, 79, 82, 85) sts.
Rows 3-14: Rep Row 1 & 2 [6 times], ending with—67 (70, 73, 76, 79, 82, 85, 88, 91) sts. Don’t Fasten off.
Mark Body
From sleeve edge count over 45 sts, pm in the next st (marks off the sleeve length).
Front Left Panel
Notes: Work even in rows so that the front equals the back in length.
Row 1 (RS): Ch 1, 1 esc in each st across to marked st (leave sleeve unworked), turn—22 (25, 28, 31, 34, 37, 40, 43, 46) sts.
Crop
Rows 2-17: Rep Row 1—22 (25, 28, 31, 34, 37, 40, 43, 46) sts.
Row 18: Ch 1, work 1 sc in each st across, turn—22 (25, 28, 31, 34, 37, 40, 43, 46) sts.
Band
Work the same as Front Right.
Sleeve Cuff:
Repeat for left and right sleeves.
Sleeve Edge:
With RS facing and the smaller hook join yarn to the edge of the sleeve, ch 1, work 22 (24, 26, 30, 32, 34, 38, 40, 42) sc sts evenly across the edge (sk approx. every 3rd row), turn—22 (24, 26, 30, 32, 34, 38, 40, 42) sts.
Band
The band is joined as you go to the sleeve edge.
Row 1:
With smaller hook, ch 15, 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—14 sts.
Row 2:
Sk sl sts, 1 sc in the blo of each st across, turn—14 sts.
Row 3:
Ch 1, work 1 sc in the blo of each st across, sl st in next 2 sts (sleeve edge), turn—14 sts.
Rows 4- 22 (24, 26, 30, 32, 34, 38, 40, 42): Rep Rows 2 & 3 ending on Row 2. After the last row fasten off with a long tail for seaming.
Edging:
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 evenly across the front right panel, (approx 3 sts per 2 rows), sc across the neck opening, 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 8 sts, pm in 9th st; rep from * [two more times] for crop length.
For large 35mm buttons, the buttonhole will be 2 sts.
Collar
The collar is joined as you go to the edging.
A cardigan with buttonholes will have the ribbing 8 sts wide.
Buttonhole Row: Ch 1, work 1 sc in the blo 3 sts, ch 2, sk 2 sts, 1 sc in the blo last 3 sts.
Next Row: Ch 1, work 1 sc in the blo 3 sts, 2 sc in ch-2 sp, 1 sc in the blo last 3 sts.
As you are working the collar rows and come to a place marker, use these two rows in place to create the buttonhole.
Row 1:
With smaller hook, ch 9, 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—8 sts.
Row 2:
Sk sl sts, 1 sc in the blo of each st across, turn—8 sts.
Row 3:
Ch 1, work 1 sc in the blo of each st across, sl st in next 2 sts, turn—8 sts.
Rep Row 2 & 3 for the entire edge of the crochet cardigan working buttonhole row at each marked st. Fasten off and weave in tails
Blocking:
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:
Repeat for the Left and Right Sides.
Fold garment RS facing, lining up sides and sleeves. With yarn needle and yarn, whip stitch sleeve and side together. Weave in ends.
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This pattern is designed by Michelle Moore of MJ’s Off The Hook Designs Inc based in Lakefield Ontario Canada. Your go to source for modern easy crochet patterns. Published on October 22nd, 2022.
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