Helping modern crocheters curate a handmade closet!
Search
Close this search box.

Wandering through the Forest Cardigan

SHARE

The Wandering through the Forest Cardigan is cocoon-style garment that is easy to make and easy to wear. It’s designed to be comfy and stylish for any occasion.

The Wandering through the Forest Cardigan was named for the combination of stitches used in the design. I just couldn’t decide on which stitch to use for the center section, so I chose them all! The joys of being indecisive.😆

This cardigan crochet pattern features the X-stitch, the Modified Pine Trees stitch, Crossed Extended Double Crochet, and Linked Double Treble stitches, as well as double and single crochet.

If any of these special stitches seem intimidating, I have tutorials for all except the Linked Double Treble stitch. I do have a tutorial for Linked Triple Treble stitch, so if you can make that stitch, you can definitely make the Linked Double Treble stitch. The linked stitches are used to create sleeves. I think the sleeves make is more cardigan than cocoon, right??

Another fun element of the Wandering through the Forest Cardigan is the faux fur collar! This was a step outside of my comfort zone choosing a neutral with a variegated yarn. I think it worked out superbly!

Yarn

For the cardigan, I chose two bulky weight yarns, King Cole Big Value Tonal Chunky and Cuddle Chunky. Both yarns were provided to me as one of the North American Brand Ambassadors.

I will admit that choosing the Big Value Tonal Chunky was different for me since I tend to work with bright colors or weathered colors. I’m so glad that I chose this yarn and color. It really made the stitches pop, therefore the forest part of the name.

Big Value Tonal Chunky is 100% acrylic, and comes in a generous 167 yd/ 152 m skein. For my US crochet friends, you can purchase this yarn from Annie’s Catalog.

Cuddles Chunky is sooo soft, and I found it easy to work with for a faux fur yarn. One still needs to feel for the stitches, but is much easier to find the stitches since it’s a strand with the fur attached. The stitches seemed to “fluff” out after they were made.

This yarn is 100% polyester and comes in a 137 yd/ 125 m skein. Unfortunately, at the time of this writing, it was out of stock for any US based yarn suppliers, but in stock for those in the UK.

If you would like to learn more about each of these yarns, check out the reviews HERE and HERE (to come).

Winter Fashion Blog Hop

My featured day has passed, as well as the previous ten days of the blog hop and counting. Definitely, hop over to E’Claire Makery’s website to check out each day’s featured pattern. If there are several that you missed and you just gotta have them, consider purchasing the Winter Fashion pattern bundle for 90% off the retail value. You get 31 patterns in this bundle with sweaters, scarves, and more! Shop the bundle HERE.

*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 Queue

MATERIALS

  • Yarn A: King Cole Big Value Tonal Chunky, bulky #5 (100% acrylic, 167 yds/ 152 m, 3.5 oz/ 100 g): Pale Greens x 6 (6, 6, 7, 9, 9, 10, 11, 12) skeins OR 771 (836, 900, 1062, 1230, 1325, 1516, 1606, 1774) yds [705 (764.4, 823, 971.1, 1124.7, 1211.6, 1386.2, 1468.5, 1622.1) m] Check it out on Annie’s Catalog
  • Yarn B: King Cole Cuddles Chunky, bulky #5 (100% polyester, 137 yds / 125 m, 1.75 oz / 50 g): Teddy x 3 (3, 3, 3, 3, 3, 3, 4, 4) skeins
  • US K-10.5 (6.50 mm) hook or hook to meet gauge I used my Pink Odyssey.
  • Stitch Markers
  • Scissors
  • Yarn Needle
  • Measuring Tape

GAUGE

10 dc x 7 rows = 4” x 4” [10 cm x 10 cm]

FINISHED SIZE

Finished WidthLengthCollar Width
X-Small34” [86.4 cm]28.25” [72.4 cm]6.5” [16.5 cm]
Small37.2” [94.5 cm]28.25” [72.4 cm]6.5” [16.5 cm]
Medium40.4” [102.6 cm]28.25” [72.4 cm]6.5” [16.5 cm]
Large43.6” [110.7 cm]31.25” [79.4 cm]6.5” [16.5 cm]
1X-Large50” [127 cm]31.25” [79.4 cm]7.8” [19.8 cm]
2X-Large53.2” [135.1 cm]31.25” [79.4 cm]7.8” [19.8 cm]
3X-Large56.4”[145.8 cm]34.25” [87 cm]7.8” [19.8 cm]
4X-Large59.6” [151.4 cm]34.25” [87 cm]9.1” [23.1 cm]
5X-Large66” [167.6 cm]34.25” [87 cm]9.1” [23.1 cm]

PATTERN KEY

Beg-ldtr: beginning linked double treble crochet

Ch: chain

Cedc: crossed extended double crochet

CSDC: chainless starting double crochet

CSTR: chainless starting treble crochet

Dc: double crochet

Fdc: foundation double crochet

FO: fasten off

Ldtr: linked double treble crochet

M: stitch marker(s)

Prev: previous

Rem: remain(s) 

Rep: repeat

Sl st: slip stitch

Sc: single crochet

Sk: skip

St(s): stitch(es)

Tr: treble crochet

WS: wrong side

X-st: x-stitch

YO: yarn over

SPECIAL STITCHES & TECHNIQUES

Cedc: *YO, sk 1 st,  insert hook in next st, YO, pull up a loop (3 loops on hook), YO, pull through 1 loop (3 loops on hook), [YO, pull through 2 loops] 2 times; working in sk st, YO, insert hook in st, YO, pull up a loop (3 loops on hook), YO, pull through 1 loop (3 loops on hook), [YO, pull through 2 loops] 2 times

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

CSTR: pull up a loop to height of row, holding loop in place and wrap yarn around hook twice (yarn over), insert hook in first st, YO, pull up a loop, [YO, pull through 2 loops] three times

Beg-ldtr: ch 4, insert hook in 2nd ch from hook, YO, pull up a loop, [insert hook in next ch, YO, pull up a loop] 2 times (4 loops on hook), insert hook in first st, YO, pull up a loop (5 loops on hook), [YO, pull through 2 loops] 4 times

Ldtr: insert hook under second vertical bar, YO, pull up a loop, [insert hook under next vertical bar, YO, pull up a loop] 2 times (4 loops on hook), insert hook in next st, YO, pull up a loop (5 loops on hook), [YO, pull through 2 loops] 4 times

X Stitch: YO 2 times, insert hook in next st, pull up a loop (4 loops on hook), YO, pull through 2 loops (3 loops on hook), sk 2 sts, YO, insert hook in next st, pull up a loop (5 loops on hook), [YO, pull through 2 loops] 4 times, ch 2, YO, insert hook from right to left in center of X, pull up a loop, [YO, pull through 2 loops] 2 times

Modified Pine Trees Stitch tutorial can be found HERE

EXPERIENCE LEVEL

INTERMEDIATE

NOTES

  • Pattern is written in US terms.
  • Read entire pattern before beginning.
  • Each size is color-coded to ease of reading in the ad-free PDF.
  • If one number is listed, it applies to all sizes.
  • The number of sts at the beginning and end of the X-st row will vary per size. Read instructions carefully.
  • A diagram is included for how to seam this cocoon cardigan.
  • The Sleeves are created after seaming the cardigan on each side.
  • Below are the instructions for Size L. The additional sizes are within the ad-free PDF.

Buy the ad-free PDF from your favorite pattern shop.

INSTRUCTIONS

Body

Row 1: With Yarn A, 109 fdc, turn

Row 2: CSDC in first st, dc in next 108 sts, turn – 109 dc

Rows 3-19: Rep Row 2, turn – 109 dc

Row 20: CSDC in first st, dc in next 2 sts, cedc across until 2 sts rem, dc in last 2 sts, turn – 5 dc; 52 cedc

Row 21: CSDC in first st, dc in next 2 sts, ch 2, sk 3 sts, 3 dc in next st, ch 2, *dc in next st, ch 2, sk 3 sts, 3 dc in next st, ch 2; rep from *  across until 3 sts rem, dc in last 3 sts, turn – 109 sts

Row 22: CSDC in first st, dc in next 2 sts, ch 1, sk 2 sts, 2 dc in next st, dc in next st, 2 dc in next st, ch 1, sk 2 ch, [dc in next st, ch 1, sk 2 sts, 2 dc in next st, dc in next st, 2 dc in next st, ch 2] ; rep from * , across until 3 sts rem, dc in last 3 sts, turn – 109 sts

Row 23: CSDC in first st, dc in next 2 sts, sk next st, *2 dc in next st, dc in next 3 sts, 2 dc in next st, sk next st; rep from * across until 3 sts rem, dc in last 3 sts, turn – 109 sts

Row 24: CSDC in first st, dc in next st, cedc across until 3 sts rem, dc in last 3 sts, turn – 5 dc; 52 cedc

Row 25: CSTR in first st, tr in next st, *X-st, tr in next st; rep from * until 2 sts rem, tr in last 2 sts, turn – 21 repeats;  5 tr not within the repeat

Row 26: Rep Row 20, turn – 5 dc; 52 cedc

Rows 27-30: Rep Rows 21-24, turn

Rows 31-49: CSDC in first st, dc in each st, turn. Do not FO after Row 45 – 109 sts

Seaming and Sleeves

Refer to diagram: Fold A to B on each side, place a M in the corner and 12” [30.5 cm] from the corner.

Continuing with yarn, pull loop through the corner; Ch 1, evenly sc to the second M, remove all M; flip piece to place the seam on the inside. 

Row 1: Ch 1, evenly sc around, sl st to join. Make a note of the total sc to ensure your sleeves match. 

Row 2: Beg-ldtr, ldtr in each st, turn

Row 3: Sc in first st, sc in each st, turn 

Rows 4-13: Rep [Rows 2-3] 5 times, sl st to join after the last row; FO, flip Sleeve to WS, seam and FO

Note: the sleeve length can be adjusted by completing fewer or more rows. Yarn amounts do not include any adjustments. 

Attach yarn to corner on opposite side, rep for second side.

Collar

Try on the Cardigan and place a M on each side at the bottom to mark where the collar will start and end. 

Row 1: Attach Yarn B in the first st with M, CSDC in the same st, dc in each st around until next M; remove both M, turn

Rows 2-10: CSDC in first st, dc in each st, turn. FO after last row

FINISHING

Weave in all ends. 

PIN IT FOR LATER

The Wandering through the Forest Cardigan is a size-inclusive crochet pattern for sizes XS to 5XL. It uses a chunky #5 yarn for the body of simple and special stitches. The center of the body is a mix of open and textures stitches that add style and movement to the piece. Add a super soft faux fur for the collar, and you're ready for a hike or a trip to the mall. #creationsbycourtney #freecrochetpattern

Loved this pattern? You may like these patterns too.

If we’re not hanging out on social media yet, come check me out on FacebookInstagram and Pinterest

Want to talk about yarn goodness, crochet tips, and exclusive weekly deals? Join my Facebook Group, Creations By Courtney Community.

Join my newsletter for sneak peeks, crochet tips, and more.  HERE

Please use #CreationsByCourtney on social media when sharing your projects.

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.

Feel free to share!

4 Responses

  1. The Wandering Through the Forest Cardigan looks so warm …. like a big hug
    I love the cocoon style of the cardigan and the name is fitting, with the modified pine stitch detailing
    A great garment for the colder months…

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

You May Also Enjoy These Articles

An African American woman wearing a cozy, chunky crochet cowl with two metal buttons standing in front of a door and Hello Fall sign.

How to make Tunisian Box Crochet Cowl

As the weather turns colder and the days grow shorter, there’s nothing quite like wrapping yourself in a warm and snuggly cowl to keep the

Thanks!

Check your email for your new guide!