Crochet Cardigan for Beginners: A Boxy Cardi From Five Rectangles
A back, two fronts and two sleeves — all rectangles — plus a button band. The easiest crochet cardigan, in six sizes, worked in hdc with an oversized fit.
Pattern at a glance
US terms- Skill level
- Beginner
- Yarn
- Worsted (#4) wool blend or acrylic, 1,100–1,900 yd
- Hook
- 6 mm (J-10) and 5 mm (H-8)
- Time
- 22–38 hours
- Finished size
- XS–2XL: finished chest 40–60 in (102–152 cm)
You'll need
- Worsted weight (#4) yarn — about 1,100 (1,250, 1,400, 1,550, 1,700, 1,900) yd
- 6 mm (J-10) and 5 mm (H-8) hooks
- Five to seven ¾-in (2 cm) buttons (optional)
- Stitch markers, tapestry needle
In this post
A cardigan is a sweater cut open down the front — so if you can make our beginner sweater, you can make this. The back is one rectangle, each front is half as wide, and the sleeves are the same as the sweater's. A band of single crochet up the fronts and around the neck finishes it, with or without buttons.
The rest of this post is just below — free, as always.
Gauge and sizing
Gauge: 12 hdc and 9 rows = 4 in (10 cm) with a 6 mm hook. About 8 in of positive ease.
| Size | Fits bust | Back sts | Each front sts | Sleeve sts |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| XS | 32 in | 60 | 28 | 48 |
| S | 36 in | 66 | 31 | 51 |
| M | 40 in | 72 | 34 | 54 |
| L | 44 in | 78 | 37 | 57 |
| XL | 48 in | 84 | 40 | 60 |
| 2XL | 52 in | 90 | 43 | 63 |
Each front is slightly narrower than half the back; the 1½-in front band fills the gap.
The pattern
- Back: Ch back sts + 2. Hdc in the 3rd ch from the hook and across. Work hdc rows (ch 2, turn) for 45 rows in total (about 20 in).
- Fronts (make 2): Ch front sts + 2 and work exactly as the back, 45 rows.
- Sleeves (make 2): Ch sleeve sts + 2 and work 34 rows of hdc (about 15 in).
Assembly
- Shoulders: Lay the fronts on the back, outer edges matching. Seam each shoulder from the outer edge in for 5 (6, 6½, 7½, 8, 9) in, leaving the rest open for the neck.
- Sleeves: Centre each sleeve's top edge on a shoulder seam and sew it to the body's side edge.
- Sides: Seam each sleeve from cuff to underarm, then down the side to the hem.
Ribbing and front band (5 mm hook)
- Hem and cuffs: Work 4 rows of (fpdc, bpdc) rib along the hem (in rows) and 4 rounds on each cuff, decreasing the cuffs to about 32–36 sts in the first round.
- Front band: Join at the bottom right front. Sc evenly up the right front, around the neck and down the left front (about 3 sc for every 2 rows on the fronts). Work 5 more rows of sc, turning each time.
- Buttonholes (optional): On band row 3, on the right front for women's style, (ch 2, skip 2) at even intervals for 5–7 buttons. On row 4, work 2 sc into each ch-2 space.
Make it your own
- Pockets: two 5-in hdc squares sewn to the fronts.
- Granny version: try the granny square cardigan next.
- Stripes: change colour every 6 rows on all pieces at the same rows so the stripes line up.
Common questions
How do I get the stripes or rows to match at the seams?
Work the same number of rows on the back and fronts, and pin the pieces row-to-row before seaming.
My front band ripples — why?
Too many stitches along the edge. Pull it out and work about 3 sc per 2 rows of hdc, or go down a hook size.
Can I make it without buttons?
Yes — most boxy cardigans are worn open. Skip the buttonholes, or add a single tie at the neck.
Buttons or open? Tell us your style. 🍂
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