The Cropped Cardigan came about because I am always hot. I’d take a cold winter day over a hot summer one any day. I have a very low tolerance for heat, however I still like to dress modestly even in the hot summer months. I wanted something light to wear over tank tops and dresses in the summer, so I found a cotton blend yarn and designed a short sleeved, cropped cardigan, to keep things light and fresh!
Find more: 44+ crochet cardigan pattern collection.
The Yarn
I originally planned on using a beautiful hand dyed yarn by Tea Hooks but I didn’t have enough, also the yarn was wool so it probably would have been too hot for this design!
I then turned to the variegated yarn from Lion Brand called Comfy Cotton Blend because of the fiber being a cotton blend, I knew it would be cool in the summer and it comes in so many affordable and beautiful colours!
QUICK ADDITION FOR YOUR WARDROBE
The Cropped Cardigan is the perfect accessory in the summer. Great to add for an extra layer in the evening without adding too much. It’s a great quick addition for your wardrobe since double crochet stitches are the main stitch used and the fact that this cropped cardigan is half the size of a normal sweater!
I love all the color options that Lion Brand has for their Comfy Cotton Blend, you could make a Cropped Cardigan to match every outfit. It’s casual enough to add with a tank top and a pair of shorts or you can wear it to that summer wedding to keep your shoulders covered in a strapless dress!
I’m not trying to sound like a walking sales pitch haha, I just really love this cardigan and the versatility of it. My mom is always cold and thought I was silly to be designing this “tiny sweater”, but I told her I’m not crazy that it’s just like a bolero or shrug! And like I told you earlier, I am always hot, so this is the perfect option for me.
I really do hope you love this cardigan as much as I clearly do, and I hope you enjoy making it even more!
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How Long Does It Take To Crochet That?
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It will help you calculate exactly how much time you’ll spend crocheting a project.
All you need to know is how much yarn you will use on the project in either meters, yards or skeins. Then crochet your test square & time it.
Calculate how long it takes to crochet that.
THE CROPPED CARDIGAN – THE FREE CROCHET PATTERN
Pattern Options
GRAB THE PDF ON RAVELRY
GRAB THE PDF ON ETSY
About The Pattern
This Cropped Cardigan has been designed and tested for sizes XS through to 5XL! The back and two front pieces are made separately and then joined together after they are made. The inside ribbing is done at the end! It’s mostly double crochet stitches so this pattern works up super quickly for a last minute addition to your wardrobe!
Project Level
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Materials Needed
Crochet Hook
Size 4.5 mm / US: 7 / UK: 7
&
Size 5 mm / US: H – 8 / UK: 6
Yarn
Yarn used:
Lion Brand Comfy Cotton Blend Yarn – I used Lovie Dovie!
Yarn amount used:
1 skein / 7oz / 200 g / 358 m / 392 yards
1-2 Skeins are used depending on size. See notes below.
Yarn characteristics:
- 3 light yarn, DK yarn.
- 50 % cotton, 50 % polyester
Other Materials Needed
- Needle, find one here (if you don’t already have one)!
- Scissors
Gauge
Measured with dc crocheted in rows with the 5.0mm hook:
14 stitches & 8 rows per 10 cm / 4”.
Notes
- This crochet pattern is written in US terms.
- All measurements given are unblocked.
- Note that measurements are given as exact as possible. But crochet tension & technique might give variations in the result, that changes from person to person.
- Read pattern instructions carefully before beginning to make sure you understand everything. It might save you hours frogging your work & crocheting it again!
- Make a swatch that measure at least 10 x 10 cm / 4 x 4 inches using the stitch the gauge is given for. If your swatch matches the gauge, you’re good to go. If the gauge is wrong, you might need to change your hook. Go up in crochet hook size if your stitches are smaller & go down in crochet hook size if your stitches are bigger. Learn more about testing gauge.
- Check yarn info if you want to find an alternative or test your yarn against the gauge. Learn more about substituting yarn.
- Directions are written out as follows regarding size:
- XS (SM, MD, LG, XL)
- 2XL (3XL, 4XL, 5XL)
- I recommend highlighting the size you are doing to avoid confusion.
- Stitch Counts are written out as follows:
- [XS, SM, MD, LG, XL]
- [2XL, 3XL, 4XL, 5XL]
- 2sc means to sc twice in one st/space.
- The ch-1 or ch-2 at the beginning of each row does not count as a st.
- Cardigan can be made shorter/longer by adding more/less rows between rows 2-14.
- When working edging (ribbing, sl st or sc), make 2 sts for every dc st. (Except for arm holes).
- Sl st is used for seaming, but you can choose your own preferred method.
Size & Measurements
| XS | S | M | L | XL | |
| Bust | 28-30” (71-76 cm) | 32-34” (81-86 cm) | 36-38” (91-96 cm) | 40-42” (101-106 cm) | 44-46” (111-116 cm) |
| Length | 12.5” (32 cm) | 13” (33 cm) | 13.5” (34 cm) | 14” (36 cm) | 14.5” (37 cm) |
| Skeins | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 2 |
| 2XL | 3XL | 4XL | 5XL | |
| Bust | 48-50” (121-126 cm) | 52-54” (131- 136 cm) | 56-58” (141-146 cm) | 60-62” (151- 156 cm) |
| Length | 15” (38 cm) | 15.5” (39 cm) | 16” (40 cm) | 16.5” (42 cm) |
| Skeins | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
Abbreviations
- ch = chain(s)
- sc = single crochet
- sl st = slip stitch
- st = stitch(es)
- dc = double crochet
- Sc2tog = single crochet two together
- Dc2tog = double crochet two together
- Blo = back loop only
We try our best to include all crochet abbreviations in the list above for the crochet pattern, but sometimes we may forget one or two.
Learn more about crochet abbreviations & find a complete list on our Crochet Abbreviations & Terms post.
Techniques You Will Need
Knowledge of crochet ribbing is definitely an asset, working in sc blo and attaching it to your work as you go.
Crochet Cropped Cardigan Pattern Instructions
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XS, SM, MD, LG & XL
Back Panel
Bottom Ribbing using 4.5mm hook:
Ch 10, turn, sc in second chain from hook and sc across [9].
Row 2- Ch 1, sc blo across [9].
Rows 3 to 49 (52, 56, 59, 62)- Repeat row 2.
Back Body using 5.0mm hook:
Ch 1, turn, work across top of ribbing, sc across [49, 52, 56, 59, 62].
Row 2- Ch 2, dc across [49, 52, 56, 59, 62].
Rows 3 to 22 (23, 24, 25, 26)- Repeat row 2.
Fasten off and weave in ends.
Front Panels (Make Two)
Bottom Ribbing using 4.5mm hook:
Ch 10, turn, sc in second chain from hook and sc across [9].
Row 2- Ch 1, turn, sc in blo across [9].
Rows 3 to 22 (24, 26, 28, 30)- Repeat row 2.
Front Left Body using 5.0mm hook:
Ch 1, turn, work across top of ribbing, sc across [22, 24, 26, 28, 30].
Row 2- Ch 2, dc across [22, 24, 26, 28, 30].
Rows 3 to 11 (12, 13, 14, 15)- Repeat row 2.
Row 12 (13, 14, 15, 16)- Ch 2, dc2tog, dc across [21, 23, 25, 27, 29].
Row 13 (14, 15, 16, 17)- Ch 2, dc across, dc last 2 sts tog [20, 22, 24, 26, 28].
Repeat rows 12 (13, 14, 15, 16) & 13 (14, 15, 16, 17) until row 22 (23, 24, 25, 26). [11, 13, 15, 17, 19].
Fasten off and weave in ends.
Front Right Body using 5.0mm hook:
Ch 1, turn, work across top of ribbing, sc across [22, 24, 26, 28, 30].
Row 2- Ch 2, dc across [22, 24, 26, 28, 30].
Rows 3 to 11 (12, 13, 14, 15)- Repeat row 2.
Row 12 (13, 14, 15, 16)- Ch 2, dc across, dc last 2 sts tog [21, 23, 25, 27, 29].
Row 13 (14, 15, 16, 17)- Ch 2, dc2tog, dc across [20, 22, 24, 26, 28].
Repeat rows 12 (13, 14, 15, 16) & 13 (14, 15, 16, 17) until row 22 (23, 24, 25, 26). [11, 13, 15, 17, 19].
Fasten off and weave in ends.
Seaming Panels Together
Top using 5.0mm hook:
Right sides together, join and sl st top of front left panel to top of back panel, and top front right panel to top of back panel 11 (13, 15, 17, 19) sts for each side (See red arrows on figure 1).
Fasten off and weave in ends.
*Inside Ribbing can be done before or after seaming sides together.*
Sides: Right sides together, join and sl st left side to back from ribbing up to row 9 (2 sl sts for each dc st.) do not fasten off but sc around edge of arm, approx. 24 (26, 28, 30, 32) sts. Join to first sc and fasten off. Repeat on other side. (See figure 1, blue arrows join together and purple arrows join together).
Weave in ends.
Inside Ribbing
* Rows are approximate, it doesn’t matter if you don’t end up with the exact row counts in this section! *
Join at bottom front left corner, using 4.5 mm hook, ch 5, turn and sc in second chain from hook and sc across [4].
Row 2- Sl st to join in next 2 spaces along edge, then turn and sc in blo of the 4 sc sts.
Row 3- Ch 1, turn, sc in blo across [4].
Repeat rows 2 & 3 until row 33 (35, 37, 39, 41) OR until approximately row 15 (16, 17, 18, 19) of the left front body has been reached.
Row 34 (36, 38, 40, 42)- Sl st to join in next 2 dc spaces along edge, then turn and sc in blo across, sc 2 in blo of last st [5].
Row 35 (37, 39, 41, 43)- Ch 1, turn, sc in blo across [5].
Repeat rows 34 (36, 38, 40, 42) & 35 (37, 39, 41, 43) until row 47 (49, 51, 53, 55) [11]. Row 48 (50, 52, 54, 56)- Sl st to join in next 2 dc spaces along edge, then turn and sc in blo across.
Row 49 (51, 53, 55, 57)- Ch 1, turn, sc in blo across [11].
Repeat rows 48 (50, 52, 54, 56) & 49 (51, 53, 55, 57) until row 86 (88, 90, 90, 92) OR approximately row 19 (20, 21, 22, 23) of the right front body.
Row 87 (89, 91, 91, 93)- Ch 1, turn, sc2tog in blo, sc in blo across [10].
Row 88 (90, 92, 92, 94)- Sl st to join in next 2 dc spaces along edge, then turn and sc in blo.
Repeat rows 87 (89, 91, 91, 93) & 88 (90, 92, 92, 94) until row 99 (101, 103, 103, 105) [4].
Repeats rows 2 & 3 until you reach bottom right hand corner, row 134 (136, 140, 144, 146).
Fasten off and weave in ends.
2XL, 3XL, 4XL & 5XL
Back Panel
Bottom Ribbing using 4.5mm hook:
Ch 10, turn, sc in second chain from hook and sc across [9].
Row 2- Ch 1, sc blo across [9].
Rows 3 to 65 (69, 72, 75)- Repeat row 2.
Back Body using 5.0mm hook:
Ch 1, turn, work across top of ribbing, sc across [65, 69, 72, 75].
Row 2- Ch 2, dc across [65, 69, 72, 75].
Rows 3 to 27 (28, 29, 30)- Repeat row 2.
Fasten off and weave in ends.
Front Panels (Make Two)
Bottom Ribbing using 4.5mm hook:
Ch 10, turn, sc in second chain from hook and sc across [9].
Row 2- Ch 1, turn, sc in blo across [9].
Rows 3 to 32 (34, 36, 38)- Repeat row 2.
Front Left Body using 5.0mm hook:
Ch 1, turn, work across top of ribbing, sc across [32, 34, 36, 38].
Row 2- Ch 2, dc across [32, 34, 36, 38].
Rows 3 to 11 (12, 13, 14)- Repeat row 2.
Row 12 (13, 14, 15)- Ch 2, dc2tog, dc across [31, 33, 35, 37].
Row 13 (14, 15, 16)- Ch 2, dc across, dc last 2 sts tog [30, 32, 34, 36].
Repeat rows 12 (13, 14, 15) & 13 (14, 15, 16) until row 27 (28, 29, 30) [16, 18, 20, 22].
Fasten off and weave in ends.
Front Right Body using 5.0mm hook:
Ch 1, turn, work across top of ribbing, sc across [32, 34, 36, 38].
Row 2- Ch 2, dc across [32, 34, 36, 38].
Rows 3 to 11 (12, 13, 14)- Repeat row 2.
Row 12 (13, 14, 15)- Ch 2, dc across, dc last 2 sts tog [31, 33, 35, 37].
Row 13 (14, 15, 16)- Ch 2, dc2tog, dc across [30, 32, 34, 36].
Repeat rows 12 (13, 14, 15) & 13 (14, 15, 16) until row 27 (28, 29, 30) [16, 18, 20, 22].
Fasten off and weave in ends.
Seaming Panels Together
Top: Right sides together join and sl st top of front left panel to top of back panel, and top front right panel to top of back panel 16 (18, 20, 22) sts for each side (See red arrows on figure 1).
Fasten off and weave in ends.
*Inside Ribbing can be done before or after seaming sides together.*
Sides: Right sides together, join and sl st left side to back from ribbing up to row 9 (2 sl sts for each dc st.) do not fasten off but sc around edge of arm, approx. 34 (36, 38, 40) sts. Join to first sc and fasten off. Repeat on other side. (See figure 1, blue arrows join together and purple arrows join together).
Weave in ends.
Inside Ribbing
* Rows are approximate, it doesn’t matter if you don’t end up with the exact row counts in this section! *
Join at bottom front left corner, using 4.5 mm hook, ch 5, turn and sc in second chain from hook and sc across [4].
Row 2- Sl st to join in next 2 spaces along edge, then turn and sc in blo of the 4 sc sts.
Row 3- Ch 1, turn, sc in blo across [4].
Repeat rows 2 & 3 until row 43 (45, 47, 49) OR until approximately row 20 (21, 22, 23) of the left front body has been reached.
Row 44 (46, 48, 50)- Sl st to join in next 2 dc spaces along edge, then turn and sc in blo across, sc 2 in blo of last st. [5]
Row 45 (47, 49, 51)- Ch 1, turn, sc in blo across [5].
Repeat rows 44 (46, 48, 50) & 45 (47, 49, 51) until row 57 (59, 61, 63) [11].
Row 58 (60, 62, 64)- Sl st to join in next 2 dc spaces along edge, then turn and sc in blo across.
Row 59 (61, 63, 65)- Ch 1, turn, sc in blo across [11].
Repeat rows 58 (60, 62, 64) & 59 (61, 63, 65) until row 102 (104, 104, 106) OR approximately row 24 (25, 26, 27) of the right front body.
Row 103 (105, 105, 107)- Ch 1, turn, sc2tog in blo, sc in blo across [10].
Row 104 (106, 106, 108)- Sl st to join in next 2 dc spaces along edge, then turn and sc in blo.
Repeat rows 103 (105, 105, 107) & 104 (106, 106, 108) until row 115 (117, 117, 119) [4].
Repeats rows 2 & 3 until you reach bottom right hand corner, row 160 (164, 166, 170).
Fasten off and weave in ends.
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