This cozy crochet cocoon cardigan is designed with comfort in mind, and its chunky yarn ensures a project that works up in no time.
My pattern is the perfect blend of simplicity and style, making it ideal whether you’re a beginner or an experienced crocheter looking for a quick and satisfying make.
The chunky yarn not only adds warmth but also gives the cardigan a beautiful texture, making it the perfect addition to your wardrobe. Imagine wrapping yourself in the soft embrace of this cocoon cardigan on a chilly evening – it really is comfortable and feels like a warm hug!
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In this pattern, I’ve kept the stitches simple but changed it up by working in alternate front and back loops (gives a gorgeous texture!). The pattern is sized for S to 5X and includes detailed instructions in UK and US crochet terms and I’ve included diagrams alongside the process images for guidance.
Whether you’re making it for yourself or as a handmade gift for a loved one, this crochet cocoon cardigan is sure to become one of your favourites – it’s one of mine!
Keep scrolling to get this pattern for free or you can upgrade to a PDF in my Etsy or Ravelry shops.
Why you’ll love crocheting this cocoon cardigan
Design Inspiration
This yarn started life as a chunky sweater … I liked my design BUT when I seamed everything, I really didn’t like how the sweater draped! I liked how the stitch pattern looked with the self-striping yarn and still wanted to design something to wear. After the time spent designing, crocheting and then unpicking the sweater, I have to be honest, I wanted it to be a very easy project! I was a little bit out of patience.
What could I design from a rectangular shape that would be wearable and warm? I have ideas for another poncho so that was discarded. I was already working on a long cardigan with the back and fronts worked in one piece. My thoughts turned to how I could fold a larger rectangle and the cocoon cardigan took shape. The finished garment is as great as I thought it had the possibility to be. And the drape is perfect 🙂
How the cocoon cardigan pattern is worked
This cocoon crochet cardigan is worked in alternating half treble (UK)/half double (US) crochet back loop and front loop.
A rectangle is crocheted first and then with the right side facing inwards, the fabric is folded in half so that the foundation row and final row are touching.
Measurements are made on each side from the top (where the fold is) and stitch markers are placed to show where to start sewing the seam. The seam is sewn from the stitch marker to the foundation and final row.
Next, the shrug is turned right side out to crochet the edging. The edging is worked in double (UK)/single (US) crochet back loop. The ribbing starts at the bottom front edge, continues to work around the back of the neck and returns to the bottom front edge on the opposite side. A number of chains are made and then worked into, slip stitching along the edge of the cardigan before working the next row.
The sleeve cuffs are worked next in the same stitches and the same technique as the ribbed edging. The cuffs are seamed together by slip stitching the beginning and end of the rows.
If you prefer less of a gap between the left and right front or longer cuffs, the ribbed edging (widthways) and sleeve cuffs (lengthways) can be extended easily by crocheting extra chains.
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- Worked in 7 rectangles, the Selene long cardigan looks great worn with a dress or t-shirt and jeans. You’ll find different designs in this collection of free long cardigan patterns.
- Looking for a quick make? These chunky cardigan patterns could be just what you need.
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- Suitable for wearing all year, you’ll have this two-row repeat cardigan worked up in no time
Yarn Choices
Papatya Batik is a self-patterning chunky weight yarn in 100% premium acrylic. There’s a stunning collection of shades to choose from and the biggest bonus for me, it’s machine washable at 30 degrees and keeps its quality after washing.
The chunky weight works up really quickly and the texture is perfect for a wearable for the colder months.
I found this yarn really easy to work with, gliding on my hook and it gave me fab stitch definition.
| Yarn Weight | Chunky |
| Fibre Blend | 100% Acrylic |
| Length (m) | 185 |
| Length (yds) | 202 |
| Crochet Hook Size | 5-6mm |
| Ball Weight | 100g |
| Care Instructions | Do Not Bleach, Do Not Iron, Do Not Tumble Dry, Machine Wash – Wool Wash – 30°C |
Suitable yarn substitutions:
Pattern Notes
- This cocoon cardigan crochet pattern is written in UK and US crochet terms.
- Sizing is shown as thus: S, (M, L, XL, 2X, 3X, 4X, 5X)
- Multiples of 2.
- Chain 1 does not count as a stitch.
- If you are finding it difficult to see the front loop or back loop of the stitches, holding your work so that you can see the ‘V’ of the stitch makes it easier.
- You might find it helpful to place a stitch marker in the stitch at the bottom of the shrug where the yarn is rejoined to begin working the edging.
- If you substitute the yarn, use the yardage and not the grams as not all weights hold the same lengths
- I’ve added a clasp as a closure for my cardigan. You can leave yours open but there are some really pretty clasps available that give an elegant finish. These vintage clasp fasteners are my favourites.
Skill Level
Easy
Materials
- 6mm / J10 crochet hook
- Papatya Batik Chunky (color 110); 1177, (1344, 1514, 1668, 1828, 1989, 2190, 2395) yds
- Tape Measure
- Scissors
- Yarn needle
Stitches and Abbreviations
| UK Crochet Terms | US Crochet Terms |
| Double Crochet (dc) | Single Crochet (sc) |
| Half Treble Crochet (hdc) | Half Treble Crochet (hdc) |
| Front Loop Only (flo) | |
| Back Loop Only (blo) | |
You’ll find how to work these stitches in my crochet stitch library.
- Ch = chain
- St/s = stitch/es
- RS = right side
- Sl st = slip stitch
- Rh – right hand
- Lh – left hand
Gauge
13 stitches and 8 rows = 10cm X 10cm
Measurements and Yarn Amounts
Measurements are based on the Craft Yarn Council guidance.
Finished rectangle includes 10cm of positive ease. If you would like more movement in your cocoon cardigan, follow instructions for the next size up.
| Size | To Fit (inches) | Width of rectangle (cm) | Length of rectangle (cm) | Yarn Amounts (Yards) | Papatya Batik Chunky (100g balls) |
| S | 32 – 24 | 96 | 69 | 1177 | 6 |
| M | 36 – 38 | 106.5 | 72 | 1344 | 7 |
| L | 40 – 42 | 116.5 | 75 | 1514 | 8 |
| XL | 44 – 46 | 127 | 76.5 | 1668 | 9 |
| 2X | 48 – 50 | 137 | 78.5 | 1828 | 10 |
| 3X | 52 – 54 | 147 | 79.5 | 1989 | 10 |
| 4X | 56 – 58 | 157 | 82.5 | 2190 | 11 |
| 5X | 60 – 62 | 168 | 83.5 | 2395 | 12 |
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Included in the digital crochet pattern is:
how the pattern is worked
pattern notes
clear written instructions
Testimonials
Cocoon Cardigan Crochet Instructions UK Crochet Terms
With a 6mm/J10 hook
Ch 125, (139, 153, 165, 179, 193, 205, 219)
Row 1: htr in 2nd ch from hook, htr in back bumps to last ch, htr in last ch, ch1, turn
Row 2: htr in 1st st, *htr flo in next st, htr blo in next st, * rep to last st, htr in last st, ch1, turn
Row 3: htr in 1st st, *htr blo in next st, htr flo in next st, * rep to last st, htr in last st, ch1, turn
Rep rows 2 and 3 until rectangle measures 69, (72, 75, 76.5, 78.5, 79.5, 82.5, 83.5) cm
Fasten off
Sew in ends
Assembly
Fold rectangle in half with RS facing in so that the foundation row and the final row of the rectangle are touching.
With the fold at the top, measure 13, (13, 13, 13, 15, 15, 17, 17) cm on each side and place a st marker. Sew the seam from the st marker down to where the foundation and last row meet as shown in the image in the section ‘how the pattern is worked.’
Ribbed Edging and Collar
Turn your shrug right side out and lay it flat as shown in the image in the section ‘how the pattern is worked.’
Rejoin yarn on the edge of the right side at the bottom of the cocoon as shown in the image in the section ‘how the pattern is worked.’
Ch6
Row 1: dc in 2nd ch from hook, dc blo to the last ch, dc in last ch, sl st in the next 2 sts on the edge, turn
Row 2: dc in 1st st, dc blo to last st, dc in last st, ch1, turn
Row 3: dc in 1st st, dc blo to last st, dc in last st, sl st in the next 2 sts on the edge, turn
Rep rows 2 and 3 up the rh side, along the collar and back down the lh side
Fasten off
Sew in ends
Ribbed Sleeve Cuffs
With RS facing outwards, rejoin yarn at underarm of sleeve.
Ch 17
Row 1: dc in 2nd ch from hook, dc blo to the last ch, dc in last ch, sl st in the next 2 sts on the edge, turn
Row 2: dc in 1st st, dc blo to last st, dc in last st, ch1, turn
Row 3: dc in 1st st, dc blo to last st, dc in last st, sl st in the next 2 sts on the edge, turn
Rep rows 2 and 3 until you reach the last st
To create the seam, sl st through both loops of the beginning and end
Fasten off
Weave in ends
Cocoon Cardigan Crochet Instructions US Crochet Terms
With a 6mm/J10 hook
Ch 125, (139, 153, 165, 179, 193, 205, 219)
Row 1: hdc in 2nd ch from hook, hdc in back bumps to last ch, hdc in last ch, ch1, turn
Row 2: hdc in 1st st, *hdc flo in next st, hdc blo in next st, * rep to last st, hdc in last st, ch1, turn
Row 3: hdc in 1st st, *hdc blo in next st, hdc flo in next st, * rep to last st, hdc in last st, ch1, turn
Rep rows 2 and 3 until rectangle measures 69, (72, 75, 76.5, 78.5, 79.5, 82.5, 83.5) cm
Fasten off
Sew in ends
Assembly
Fold rectangle in half with RS facing in so that the foundation row and the final row of the rectangle are touching.
With the fold at the top, measure 13, (13, 13, 13, 15, 15, 17, 17) cm on each side and place a stitch marker. Sew the seam from the stitch marker down to where the foundation and last row meet as shown in the section ‘how the pattern is worked.’
Ribbed Edging and Collar
Turn your shrug right side out and lay it flat as shown in the image in the section ‘how the pattern is worked.’
Rejoin yarn on the edge of the right side at the bottom of the cocoon as shown in the image in the section ‘how the pattern is worked.’
Ch6
Row 1: sc in 2nd ch from hook, sc blo to the last ch, sc in last ch, sl st in the next 2 sts on the edge, turn
Row 2: sc in 1st st, sc blo to last st, sc in last st, ch1, turn
Row 3: sc in 1st st, sc blo to last st, sc in last st, sl st in the next 2 sts on the edge, turn
Rep rows 2 and 3 up the rh side, along the collar and back down the lh side
Fasten off
Sew in ends
Ribbed Sleeve Cuffs
With RS facing outwards, rejoin yarn at underarm of sleeve.
Ch 17
Row 1: sc in 2nd ch from hook, sc blo to the last ch, sc in last ch, sl st in the next 2 sts on the edge, turn
Row 2: sc in 1st st, sc blo to last st, sc in last st, ch1, turn
Row 3: sc in 1st st, sc blo to last st, sc in last st, sl st in the next 2 sts on the edge, turn
Rep rows 2 and 3 until you reach the last st
To create the seam, sl st through both loops of the beg and end
Fasten off
Weave in ends
Happy crocheting!
Copyright Notice
The pattern and photographs of this design are the property of Sharon Goodwin at Jera’s Jamboree. This pattern and design are subject to copyright and are for personal, non-commercial use only. You may not share, resell, alter or redistribute this pattern in part or in whole. You may, however, sell any finished items you make. If you would like to include this pattern in a roundup, you may take one photo and link back to this pattern.
