If you’ve been eyeing your yarn stash and looking for the next project to dive into, let me introduce you to the Stay in Crochet Cardigan — a colorful crochet cardigan pattern that’s as cozy to wear as it was fun to design.

This long crochet cardigan pattern is completely free, and I built it to actually be an easy crochet cardigan pattern to follow — whether you’ve been crocheting for twenty years or picked up a hook last month.

Here’s what makes it different: it’s a crochet cardigan recipe pattern, meaning instead of locking you into one exact size, it walks you through the “recipe” for building your own. Think of it as a customizable crochet cardigan pattern you shape to fit your body, not just the sample size. Crochet has always been about self-expression for me, and this pattern is my favorite way to hand that over to you.

This crochet sweater is also perfect for testing out color pairing, faded cake yarns, or yarn remnants — you know that basket of partial skeins that’s been waiting for its moment. (Mine is… extensive. LOL)

So gather your favorite yarn hues, grab your hook and stitch markers, and let’s get into it. This easy crochet cardigan pattern uses simple stitches worked in just one loop to build texture, a clean edging, real consideration for length and fit, and a touch of lace on the sleeves and pocket. Since it’s written recipe-style, your version of the Stay in Crochet Cardigan will end up genuinely one-of-a-kind — fitted the way you actually want it fitted, not just the way I fit mine. A table is included with the measurements and stitch/row counts I used for my sample. Want a blank version to fill in as you go? The ad-free PDF, linked below, has one built right in.

Whether you’re picturing a cozy companion for chilly evenings or a colorful statement piece, this free long crochet cardigan pattern is ready to become exactly that.

Let’s dive in!

Yarn for Your Colorful Crochet Cardigan

The yarn for making the crochet cardigan was provided to me by Hobbii as part of the #spiceutupwithhobbii campaign earlier this year. As it has been an adventurous year with and without yarn, this crochet pattern is finally available.

Wheel of Alpaca and Friends Cotton 8/6 was the perfect selection for color to capture Courtney’s personality and sense of style, comfortable chic. Also, Courtney might have a slight obsession with alpacas. They’re soooo cute!

Wheel of Alpaca is a generous size cake without the sugar that is 80% acrylic and 20% alpaca. This means that this yarn will work for so many different types of projects from garments to shawls to blankets. I love the slight halo from the alpaca fibers, as well as the light weight of the fiber, even when wearing this long crochet cardigan. Each yarn cake is 250 g / 8.8 oz with a put-up of 1028 yards / 940 meters at the original cost of $36. At the time of this writing, it’s on sale for $22, plus you earn points with every order at Hobbii. To make this cake even sweeter, there are 15 shades to chose from that include shades of pink, gray, black, yellow, red, purple, blue, teal and turquoise, greens and brown. Although I chose Princess Party, a transition from yellow to light lavender to hot pink, I am considering making a different length Stay in Crochet Cardigan in Purple Rain. (Did your brain automatically start singing??)

Friends Cotton 8/6 is a 100% cotton skein that comes in an array of colors. I had to give it a try as I’ve heard nothing but great things about Friends Cotton, in all of the weights available. Each skein is 50 grams / 1.75 ounces and 115 yards / 105 m, which is a generous amount for a sport weight yarn, especially at $2.40 per skein. With 60 colors to choose from, you’ll always find what you need for a crochet project.

*Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links to products that I use, and think you will enjoy using too. Should you decide to use any such link, I will earn a small commission at no cost to you. Thank you for supporting this small business.

ADD TO RAVELRY FAVORITES

MATERIALS

• MC: Hobbii Wheel of Alpaca, DK weight #3 (80% acrylic, 20% alpaca, 1028 yds/ 940 m, 8.8 oz/ 250 g): 2 (2, 2, 2, 3, 3, 3, 3, 3) in Princess Party
  • Alternative Yarn: King Cole Harvest DK
• Friends Cotton 8/6, Sport weight #2 (100% cotton, 115 yds / 105 m, 1.75 oz / 50 g)
  • C1: Lemon x 2
  • C2: Turquoise x 2 
  • Alternative yarn: Sirdar Happy Cotton
• Sample Size is M/L, and used 1353 yds in MC and 203 yds total in contrasting colors
• US H-5 / 5.00 mm hook or hook to meet gauge These are my favorite hooks for hours of stitching with no pain.
• Stitch markers x 6
• Scissors
• Yarn needle
• Measuring tape

GAUGE

18.5 sts in pattern x 8 rows = 4” x 4” [10 cm x 10 cm]

MEASUREMENTS FOR REFERENCE

Adult Woman Sizes	To Fit Chest
X-Small	30” [76.2 cm]
Small	34” [86.2 cm]
Medium	38” [96.5 cm]
Large	42” [106.7 cm]
X-Large	46” [116.8 cm]
2X-Large	50” [127 cm]
3X-Large	54” [137.2 cm]
4X-Large	58” [147.3 cm]
5X-Large	62” [157.5 cm]

PATTERN KEY

Ch: chain

Cnr: corner

CSDC: chainless starting double crochet

Dc: double crochet

Dcbl: double crochet back loop

Dcfl: double crochet front loop 

Fdc: foundation double crochet

FO: fasten off

Hdc: half double crochet

M: stitch marker(s)

PM: place marker

Prev: previous

Rem: remain(s) 

Rep: repeat

RS: right side

Sl st: slip stitch

Sc: single crochet

Sk: skip

St(s): stitch(es)

WS: wrong side

YO: yarn over

SPECIAL STITCHES & TECHNIQUES

CSDC: pull up a loop that is row height, holding loop in place and wrap yarn around hook (yarn over), insert hook in first st, YO, pull up a loop, [YO, pull through 2 loops] twice

EXPERIENCE LEVEL

Easy

This is an easy crochet cardigan pattern if you’re comfortable with basic stitches, though there’s plenty here to keep more experienced crocheters interested too.

NOTES

• Pattern is written in US terms.
• Read entire pattern before beginning.
• As a crochet cardigan recipe pattern, specific stitch counts are only provided for Lace for Pocket and Pocket — everything else is built from your own measurements, which is what makes this a genuinely customizable crochet cardigan pattern.
• A table has been provided within the ad-free PDF to write in measurements and stitch counts as you create your Stay In Crochet Cardigan. The measurements used for the sample are provided as a reference. The sample is a Size L based on  Craft Yarn Council Sizing Charts.
• The Stay in Crochet Cardigan is made in 9 parts: First Half of Body, First Sleeve, Second Half of Body, Second Sleeve, Seaming, Edging without a Split /Edging for Split, Lace for Pocket, Pocket, Attach Pocket. 
• Yarn amounts are suggested for making this long crochet cardigan pattern. Any adjustments in size and length will require more or less yarn.
• A chart is provided at end of the pattern with suggested row and stitch counts to make a fitted (zero ease) Stay in Crochet Cardigan. Add additional rows or stitches for a looser fit (positive ease).

Purchase the ad-free PDF from your favorite pattern shop

Don’t forget to join the Confidently Crochet with Creations By Courtney for CALs, crochet tips, and yarnie fun.

Measurements and Stitch Counts for Sample Crochet Cardigan

	Measurement	Stitch / Row Count
Desired Length when folded	30 in.	244 sts
Cross Back / Shoulder to Shoulder	18 in.
Half of Desired Width	11 in.	21 rows
Bicep / Arm Circumference	12 in.	45 sts
Sleeve Length	15.5 in.	29 rows
Length of Front	29 in.	108 sts

INSTRUCTIONS

First Half of Body

Row 1: Make an even number of fdc until desired length is reached for Front and Back, turn.

Row 2: CSDC in first st, *dcbl in next st, dcfl in next st, rep from * until 2 sts rem, dcbl in next st, dc in last st, turn.

Next Rows: Rep Row 2 until half of desired width is reached, FO.

First Sleeve

Fold Body in half (adjust fold if an uneven hem is desired), and PM in first and last st of last row to hold the piece in place. Measure Bicep for Sleeve circumference and half that number. Write this number in the table, as it will be used to PM on each side of the fold for Sleeve. Try it on the shoulder to ensure preferred Sleeve size. If any adjustments are made, update the # of sts in the table.

Row 1 (RS): Attach yarn in first st with M, CSDC in first st, continue in pattern until 1 st rem, dc in last st (2nd M), turn. 

Row 2: CSDC in first st, continue in pattern until 1 st rem, dc in last st, turn.

Next Rows: Rep Row 2 until desired length, do not FO.

Total Rows Completed for Sleeve: _________

Second Half of Body

PM at the fold. This marks where the Neck Opening will start. Count the sts along the Front. This number will be used for Row 1 below, and add the st count to the table in “Length of Front” box. 

Row 1: Attach yarn to first st at back of First Half of Body, CSDC in first st, continue in pattern until M, make # of fdc for “Length of Front”, turn.

Row 2: CSDC in first st, *dcbl in next st, dcfl in next st, rep from * until 2 sts rem, dcbl in next st, dc in last st, turn.

Next Rows: Rep Row 2 for the same number of rows in the First Half of Body.  

Second Sleeve

Fold Body in half, lengthwise so the last rows line up. PM in Second Half of Body in sts that line up with the First Sleeve. Count # of sts btw M. It should be the same as First Sleeve. 

Follow the same instructions for First Sleeve.

Seaming

Use M to line up the edges of the Sleeve and Body with RS facing out; take yarn from Sleeve and pull active loop through first st, ch 1, evenly sc along Sleeve, sc in each st down the sides of the Body, FO.

Note: Stop before the hem to create a split of preferred length. Hem will not line up if adjustments were made with the First Sleeve to create an uneven hem. 

Rep for second side.

Edging without a Split

Rnd 1: Attach C2 at center of neck opening, ch 1, *hdc in each st to cnr, (hdc, ch 2, hdc) in cnr, evenly hdc in side of each st to next cnr, (hdc, ch 2, hdc) in next cnr, hdc in each st, sl st to join. 

Rnd 2: Ch 1, *hdc in each st to cnr, 3 hdc around ch-2 sp of cnr, rep from *, hdc in each st, sl st to join, FO.

Edging for Split

Rnd 1: Attach C2 at center of neck opening, ch 1, *hdc in each st to cnr, (hdc, ch 2, hdc) in cnr, evenly hdc in side of each st to next cnr, (hdc, ch 2, hdc) in next cnr,  hdc in each st until 1 st before seam, sc2tog**, rep from * 2 times stopping at **, hdc in each st, sl st to join.

Rnd 2: Ch 1, *hdc in each st to cnr, 3 hdc around ch-2 sp of cnr, rep from * 1 time, **hdc in each st until 3 sts before sc2tog of prev row, sc in next 3 sts, sc2tog and sk st in middle, sc in next 3 sts**, rep from * 2 times, rep from ** to **, rep from * 2 times, hdc in each st, sl st to join, FO.

Lace for Pocket

Make 1

With C2, ch 18, turn.

Row 1: Sc in 2nd Ch from hook, *ch 3, sk next 2 sts, dc in next 3 sts, ch 3, sk 2 sts, sc in next st, rep from *, turn.

Row 2: CSDC in first st, ch 2, sk ch-3, dc in next st, *ch 3, sk 2 sts, sc in next st, ch 3, sk 2 sts**, dc in next 3 sts, rep from *, ending last rep at **, dc in next 2 sts, turn.

Row 3: CSDC in first st, dc in next st, *ch 3, sk next 2 sts, sc in next st, ch 3, sk next 2 sts**, dc in next 3 sts, rep from *, ending last rep at **, dc in last 2 sts, turn.

Row 4: Ch 1, sc in first 2 sts, ch 5, sc in next 3 sts, ch 5, sc in last 2 sts, turn.

Row 5: Ch 1, sc in first st, *ch 3, sk next 2 sts, dc in next 3 sts, ch 3, sk 2 sts, sc in next st, rep from *, turn.

Rows 6-10: Rep Rows 2-5, then rep Row 2, FO with long tail for attaching Pocket.

Pocket

Row 1: With C1, ch 21, starting in 2nd ch, sc in each ch, turn. 20 sc

Rows 2-21: Ch 1, sc in each st, turn, FO after last row.

Attach Pocket

1. Lay Lace piece on top of Pocket, use M or clips to stretch the Lace to cover the entire pocket.
2. Using the long tail, attach Lace to Pocket across the top.
3. Place Pocket in the desired location in the front.
4. Continue to use tail, and attach Pocket starting at an upper cnr and down the side to the bottom and up the second side, FO.

Finishing

Weave in all ends. 

Steam block, if needed.

Uncertain about how your Stay in Crochet Cardigan will fit?

Below is a table of suggested rows and stitches based upon the Craft Yarn Council standard measurements of women. This is an example of the numbers you can choose to create the perfect fitted Stay in Crochet Cardigan. Please consider the amount of ease (tightness or looseness) that is preferred, and make note for the stitches needed to start and the rows to create the Body and Sleeves. You can use this information as an example to make a crochet cardigan in any size for children, teen or any adult.

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This pattern is not to be duplicated or resold, and not to be reproduced commercially. You may sell finished products on Etsy, at farmers markets, and craft fairs, but please credit Creations By Courtney as the pattern’s author.