Here you can get the free quick and easy crochet cardigan pattern. This is a really easy make, perfect for beginners and even better it’s super quick too.
Sized from XS to 5XL, this is a size inclusive pattern.
This cardigan is constructed slightly different to some sweaters, but this is so there is less sewing, I’d much rather be crocheting than sewing!
You’ve also got the option to add some pockets too, a great oversized cardigan that has pockets has got to be a winner.
If you’d like to save this for later, please pin it below.

Easy Crochet Cardigan
As I said before this is super easy, and perfect beginners project if you want a first attempt at crochet clothes.
It uses mainly double crochets (USA) for the main body of the cardigan, and then the edging is my old faithful Back post/ Front post double crochet to give a little bit of texture.
>>>For an easy Sweater pattern, perfect for beginners click here
>>>For a short sleeved textured cardigan pattern click here
To make this easy beginners cardigan you need to know how to (USA Terms):
- Chain
- Foundation Double crochet
- Double crochet
- Front Post Double Crochet and Back post Double Crochet
- Slip stitch
- Count stitches
- Join yarn
- Fasten off
- Weave in ends


Pockets or no pockets?
This design is great as you can modify it with pockets should you choose. These are the perfect size for keys, and probably a phone, and they’ll keep you hands warm too!
I had a difficult choice, as in I wanted to add a splash of colour, and was very tempted to add the top row of the pockets in a contrasting colour, but on this one, I kept it grey so I could wear it with anything.

Yarn Choice for a quick crochet cardigan
I stash raided for this project. I wanted a chunky/ bulky weight yarn, that would work up quickly, but not be too “Bulky”
In the UK we have “Chunky” as a weight of yarn, it’s slightly thicker than a worsted/ aran weight, and tends to use a 6mm hook.
Big hook = quick crochet!
I’ve used a 100% premium Acrylic yarn, so it’s cost effective, and also very washable in the machine.
Stylecraft Chunky, which comes in 50 colours, and is only £1.99 a ball (About $2.70). I used Silver
For my XL Cardigan, this took 7 balls of yarn (under £15).
Yarn options:
>>>Shop Stylecraft Belissima ££
Pattern Options

There are a few ways you can get this easy beginners crochet pattern.
The downloads below are size colour coded.
>>>Get the Advert Free Pattern on Etsy
>>>Get the Advert Free Pattern on Lovecrafts
>>>Keep reading here
How to Crochet a Cardigan
This is where my pattern will be slightly different to some.
This cardigan is made in one piece for the back and the fronts, so it wraps around you, making you nice and cosy.
So one piece, for the back and the fronts, until you have to stop to split for the arm holes.
This gives you what looks like 4 pieces.
Large body piece
Left front (1)
Right front (2)
Back
You then fold the fronts over the back and sew the shoulders together.
Then attach the sleeves.
>>>Get the Stripy crochet cardigan pattern here
Yarn and Equipment
Stylecraft chunky 100% premium acrylic 144 m/ 157 yards in Silver. For quantities, see sizing table.
Scissors
2 Stitch markers
Yarn needle
Tension
12 sts x 6 rows to measure 10 x 10cm (4 x 4in) with a 6mm hook or size needed to obtain tension

Finished Sizes
Size | To fit chest (cm) | Actual chest (cm) | Sleeve Length (cm) | Length (cm) | Number of balls of Yarn |
XS | 76 | 91 | 42 | 56 | 5 |
S | 86 | 101 | 43 | 57 | 5 |
M | 97 | 112 | 44 | 58 | 6 |
L | 107 | 122 | 45 | 59 | 6 |
XL | 117 | 132 | 45 | 60 | 7 |
2XL | 127 | 142 | 46 | 61 | 8 |
3XL | 137 | 152 | 46 | 61 | 8 |
4XL | 147 | 162 | 47 | 63 | 9 |
5XL | 158 | 173 | 47 | 63 | 9 |

Abbreviations USA Terms
Ch – Chain
BPDC – Back post double crochet
DC – Double crochet
FDC – Foundation Double crochet
FPDC – Front post double crochet
pul – pull through
ss – slip stitch
st (s) – Stitch (es)
yrh – yarn round hook
Stitches
Back Post Double Crochet yrh, starting from the back, insert hook from back to front to back around post of st in row below, complete as Double crochet st.
FPDC Front Post double work in opposite way to BPDC
FDC Foundation Double Crochet (FDC): Ch3 (counts as first DC), yrh, insert hook in 3rd Ch from hook, [yrh, pul, yrh, draw through 1 loop on hook (ch made), yrh, draw through 2 loops] twice (DC made) ], insert hook in last ch made; rep [ ] for number of sts required.
Pattern Notes
Beginning ch3 counts as a stitch throughout.
Circle your size throughout before starting to crochet.
x in the pattern denotes no applicable to that size.
Cardigan Construction
The cardigan is worked from the bottom up, turning at each end of each row.
The full width of the cardigan is the back, and the two front panels, and is worked in one piece UNTIL splitting for the arm holes.
The two front and back panels are then worked by turning at each end.
Make sure you join the yarn at the beginning of the row keeping your stitches going in the same direction.
>>>See all my other clothing designs here
Body Piece (Back and Front panels – made as one until splitting for arm holes)
Row 1 (RS): with 6mm hook and yarn, FDC 81 (90, 100, 109, 118, 127, 136, 145, 155) sts. Turn. [81 (90, 100, 109, 118, 127, 136, 145, 155) sts]
Sizes XS, L, 2XL, 4XL, 5XL
Row 2 (WS): ch3 (Counts as a stitch throughout), *FPDC, BPDC; rep from * across. Turn. [81 (x, x, 109, x, 127, x, 145, 155) sts]
Row 3: ch3, *FPDC, BPDC; rep from * across. Turn. [81 (x, x, 109, x, 127, x, 145, 155) sts]
Sizes S, M, , XL, 3XL
Row 2 (WS): ch3 (Counts as a stitch throughout), FPDC *BPDC, FPDC; rep from * across. Turn. [x (90, 100, x, 118, x, 136, x, x) sts]
Row 3: ch3, *BPDC, FPDC; rep from * across. [x (90, 100, x, 118, x, 136, x, x) sts]
All Sizes
Row 4: ch3, 1DC in each stitch across. [81 (90, 100, 109, 118, 127, 136, 145, 155) sts]
Rows 5-28: Repeat row 4.
Front Panels (Shaping for arm holes)
Front 1:
Count 19 (21, 23, 25, 27, 29, 31, 33, 35) sts, on each side of the body piece, and mark each side with a stitch marker.
Row 1: ch3, 1DC in the next 18 (20, 22, 23, 26, 28, 30, 32, 34) sts. Turn. [19 (21, 23, 25, 27, 29, 31, 33, 35) sts]
Row 2: ch3, 1DC in each st across. Turn.
Repeat row 2 of the front a further 14 (14, 16, 16, 16, 18, 18, 20, 20) times.
This will give you a total of 16 (16, 18, 18, 18, 20, 20, 22, 22) rows. Fasten off leaving a long end for sewing.
Front 2:
In order to keep the stitch direction the same, count back across 20 (22, 24, 26, 28, 30, 32, 34 36) sts from the opposite edge to front 1. Join yarn.
Repeat as per front 1.
Back
Leaving 1 st free to the side of front 1, join yarn.
Row 1: ch3, 1DC in the next 44 (49, 55, 60, 65, 70, 75, 80, 86) sts. [45 (50, 56, 61, 66, 71, 76, 81, 87) sts]
Row 2: ch3, 1DC in each st across.
Repeat row 2 a further 14 (14, 16, 16, 16, 18, 18, 20, 20) times.
This will give you a total of 16 (16, 18, 18, 18, 20, 20, 22, 22) rows. Fasten off. Weave in ends.

>>> 40 Minute Beanie : >>>Block Stitch Hat : >>>Quick Slouchy Beanie :
>>>Blanket Stitch Scarf : >>> Mini Bean Stitch Scarf : >>>One ball Cowl
Sleeves – Make 2
Worked from the bottom cuff upwards.
At the end of each row, ss to join and turn.
Row 1 (RS): FDC 22 (22, 23, 23, 24, 24, 25, 25, 26). Turn. [22 (22, 23, 23, 24, 24, 25, 25, 26) sts]
Sizes XS, S, XL, 2XL, 5XL
Row 2 (WS): ch3, FPDC *BPDC, FPDC; rep from * across. Turn. [22 (22, x, x, 24, 24, x, x, 26) sts]
Row 3: ch3, *FPDC, BPDC; rep from * across. Turn. [22 (22, x, x, 24, 24, x, x, 26) sts]
Sizes M, L, 3XL, 4XL
Row 2 (WS): ch3, *FPDC, BPDC; rep from * across. Turn. [x (x, 23, 23, x, x, 25, 25, x) sts]
Row 3: ch3, FPDC *BPDC, FPDC; rep from * across. Turn. [x (x, 23, 23, x, x, 25, 25, x) sts]
All Sizes
Row 4: ch3, 1DC in base of chain, 2DC in each stitch across. Turn. [44 (44, 46, 46, 48, 48, 50, 50, 52) sts]
Row 5: ch3, 1DC in each st across. Turn.
Repeat row 5 a further [21 (21, 21, 23, 23, 23, 25, 25, 25) times. Fasten off, leaving a long end for sewing.
This will give you a total number of 26 (26, 26, 28, 28, 28, 30, 30, 30) rows.
To Make Up
Sew Shoulder seams.
Sew sleeves to the body, centering the sleeve seam at the bottom of the arm.
Weave in ends.
Edging
Row 1: Join yarn. ch3 and evenly work a row of DC around the front opening edge of the cardigan. Turn.
Row 2: ch3 FPDC, BPDC around. Turn.
Row 3: ch3 FPDC, BPDC around. Fasten off. Weave in ends.
Pockets – Make 2 – all sizes
Row 1: FDC 15. Turn. [15 sts]
Row 2: ch3, 1DC in each st across. Turn. [15 sts]
Rows 3-7: Rep row 2
Row 8: ch3, FPDC, BPDC across. Fasten off, leaving a long end for sewing.
Position pockets on the RS of the fronts, with the bottom of the pocket positioned on row 7, 3 DC towards the sides of the cardigan.

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