A crochet cardigan sounds like a big project, but the easiest kind is made from simple rectangles: one back, two fronts and two sleeves, with no shaping at all. If you can crochet a scarf, you can make this cardigan, and you end up with a cosy, boxy layer you will wear all winter.
This free crochet cardigan pattern is written in UK terms and uses only half treble crochet. It comes in five sizes, from S to 2XL, with stitch counts for every panel, a yarn chart and clear steps for sewing it together. There is also a quick one-rectangle shrug for anyone who wants an even easy crochet cardigan style to start with.
Quick answer: The easiest crochet cardigan is made from five rectangles in half treble crochet: a back, two fronts and two sleeves. Sew the shoulders, attach the sleeves, sew the side seams and add a double crochet band around the hem, fronts and cuffs. In aran yarn with a 6mm hook it takes about 950g to 1,450g of yarn and 15 to 25 hours.
Why this is the best crochet cardigan for beginners
- Only rectangles: every panel is worked straight up in rows, so there are no increases or decreases to track.
- One stitch: the whole cardigan uses half treble crochet, with a simple double crochet band.
- Drop shoulders: the sleeves are sewn straight onto the body, which gives a relaxed, modern fit and is very forgiving.
- Easy to adjust: add or remove rows to make it cropped or long.
If half trebles are new to you, practise them first with our half treble crochet tutorial. Ten minutes of practice makes the whole crochet cardigan go much faster.
What you need
| Item | What to use |
|---|---|
| Yarn | Aran (worsted) weight yarn, about 950g to 1,450g depending on size (see the chart below) |
| Hook | 6mm (UK 4, US J-10) for the panels, 5mm (UK 6, US H-8) for the bands |
| Extras | Tapestry needle, stitch markers, tape measure, pins for blocking |
A soft wool blend or acrylic aran is ideal. Pure cotton makes a heavy cardigan that can stretch, so save it for summer tops. Our crochet yarn guide explains the different fibres if you are unsure.
Tension
13 stitches and 10 rows to 10cm over half treble crochet with a 6mm hook. Make a swatch of about 20 stitches and 15 rows, wash it the way you will wash the cardigan, let it dry and measure the middle. If you have more stitches, use a bigger hook; if you have fewer, use a smaller one.
Abbreviations (UK terms)
- ch chain
- htr half treble (US half double crochet)
- dc double crochet (US single crochet)
- dc2tog double crochet two together
- st(s) stitch(es)
Crochet cardigan sizes and yarn chart
The cardigan has about 15cm of ease, so it is roomy rather than fitted. Pick the size closest to your chest measurement. Yarn amounts are estimates for aran yarn, so buy one extra ball from the same dye lot.
| Size | S | M | L | XL | 2XL |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| To fit chest (cm) | 81–86 | 91–97 | 102–107 | 112–117 | 122–127 |
| Finished chest (cm) | 97 | 107 | 117 | 127 | 137 |
| Finished length (cm) | 58 | 60 | 62 | 64 | 66 |
| Yarn, approx. (g) | 950 | 1,050 | 1,200 | 1,300 | 1,450 |
Free crochet cardigan pattern: the panels
Numbers are given for S (M, L, XL, 2XL). Work every panel the same way:
Foundation: chain the number given plus 2. Row 1: 1 htr in the 3rd ch from the hook and in every ch to the end, turn. Row 2 onwards: 2 ch (does not count as a stitch), 1 htr in every stitch to the end, turn.
Count your stitches every few rows. The 2 ch at the start of a row is not a stitch, so do not work into it.
Back (make 1)
Work on 64 (70, 77, 83, 90) sts until the piece measures 55 (57, 59, 61, 63)cm, about 55 (57, 59, 61, 63) rows. Fasten off.
Fronts (make 2)
Work on 27 (31, 34, 37, 40) sts until the piece measures the same as the back, 55 (57, 59, 61, 63)cm. Fasten off.
Sleeves (make 2)
Work on 52 (55, 57, 60, 62) sts until the piece measures 40 (40, 41, 41, 42)cm. Fasten off. The cuff band adds about 3cm, so the finished sleeve length runs from the dropped shoulder to the wrist.
How to put your crochet cardigan together
1. Block the panels
Wet or steam block all five pieces to the measurements above and let them dry flat. Blocked panels are much easier to sew neatly, and the edges line up perfectly.
2. Join the shoulders
Lay the back flat with the right side up. Place each front on top, right sides together, matching the outer edges. Sew the top edges together from the armhole side inwards for 15.5 (17.5, 19.5, 21.5, 23.5)cm. The middle 18 (19, 20, 21, 22)cm of the back stays open for the neck, and the inner part of each front folds back slightly to make a soft collar.
3. Attach the sleeves
Fold each sleeve in half across its top edge and mark the centre. Pin the centre to the shoulder seam, then pin the top of the sleeve evenly along the side of the body, 20 (21, 22, 23, 24)cm above and below the seam. Sew in place.
4. Sew the side and sleeve seams
Fold the cardigan right sides together and sew one continuous seam from the bottom of the body, up to the underarm and along the sleeve to the cuff. Repeat on the other side. A mattress stitch gives an almost invisible seam.
5. Add the bands
Change to the 5mm hook. With the right side facing:
- Hem band: work 1 dc in each stitch along the bottom edge. Work 3 more rows of dc.
- Front band: starting at the bottom of the right front, work dc evenly up the front, along the back neck and down the left front, about 3 dc for every 2 rows. Work 3 more rows of dc, keeping the band flat.
- Cuffs: join the yarn at the sleeve seam. Round 1: [1 dc in each of the next 2 sts, dc2tog] around to gather the cuff slightly. Work 3 more rounds of dc and fasten off.
Weave in all the ends and give the finished crochet cardigan a final light steam.
Bonus: the one-rectangle crochet shrug
Want a quick win before you start the full cardigan? A shrug is a single rectangle with two short seams.
- Crochet a rectangle in htr about 150 to 170cm long (roughly the span from wrist to wrist with your arms out) and 60 to 70cm wide.
- Fold it in half lengthways so the two long edges meet.
- Sew the long edges together for 25 to 30cm from each short end. These seams make the sleeves.
- Leave the middle open. Slip your arms into the sleeves and the open edge becomes the collar and front.
Add a dc border around the opening and you have a draped wrap that works like a cardigan. If you enjoyed it, our crochet shawl patterns use the same easy rows.
Crochet cardigan variations
- Cropped cardigan: make the back and fronts 15cm shorter for a modern cropped shape.
- Long cardigan: add 15 to 20cm to the back and fronts for a cosy coatigan. Allow about 250g extra yarn.
- Striped cardigan: change colour every 4 or 6 rows; carry the unused colour up the side to save on ends.
- Textured cardigan: swap htr for the moss stitch from our moss stitch crochet blanket. Swatch again first, as the stitch counts change.
- Granny square cardigan: sew granny squares into panels the same size as the rectangles above.
- Pockets: crochet two 15cm squares and sew them onto the fronts before adding the bands.
Common crochet cardigan problems and how to fix them
My panels are wider at the top than the bottom
You are probably adding a stitch at the end of rows by working into the turning chain. Count each row and remember that the 2 ch does not count as a stitch.
The fronts are not the same length
Count rows rather than measuring, and block both fronts together. Small differences disappear when you sew the side seams.
The front band ripples or pulls
A wavy band has too many stitches, and a tight band has too few. Unpick the first row and adjust to about 3 dc for every 2 rows of htr.
The cardigan is too heavy
Choose a lighter acrylic or wool blend rather than cotton, and check your tension: a tight fabric uses more yarn and weighs more.
Tips for a neat finish
- Leave a long tail at the start of each panel and use it for sewing the seams.
- Use stitch markers every 10 stitches on the foundation row of the back so you do not lose count.
- Buy all your yarn from one dye lot so the colour matches across the panels.
- Try the cardigan on after joining the shoulders; it is the easiest moment to change the length.
Ready to crochet your cardigan?
Start with the swatch, then crochet the back. Once that first big rectangle is done, the fronts and sleeves fly by. In about 15 to 25 hours of crochet you will have a cosy handmade crochet cardigan in exactly the size and colour you want.
Making for a little one? Try our mini version: the crochet baby cardigan in sizes from newborn to 18 months.
Frequently asked questions about crochet cardigans
Can a beginner crochet a cardigan?
Yes. This crochet cardigan pattern uses only rectangles and half treble crochet, so if you can crochet straight rows and sew a seam, you can make it.
How much yarn do I need for a crochet cardigan?
About 950g of aran yarn for size S, rising to about 1,450g for size 2XL. Buy one extra ball from the same dye lot.
How long does it take to crochet a cardigan?
Most people take 15 to 25 hours, depending on the size and how fast they crochet.
What is the best yarn for a crochet cardigan?
A soft aran-weight wool blend or acrylic. It is warm, light enough to drape and easy to wash. Avoid heavy pure cotton for a winter cardigan.
Is this crochet cardigan pattern in UK or US terms?
It is written in UK terms. In US terms, htr is half double crochet (hdc) and dc is single crochet (sc).
