Easy Crochet Cardigan - Free Pattern
/Learn how to make your own Easy Crochet Cardigan using a simple rectangle and this free pattern. The perfect crochet project for beginners.
This page contains affiliate links. This means that if you make a purchase after clicking a link I earn a small commission but it doesn’t cost you a penny extra!
Easy Crochet Cardigan.
A cosy cardigan is my favourite thing to wear on those chilly autumnal evenings. They’re the perfect snuggly extra layer. If you haven’t found the ideal cosy cardy yet, don’t panic, why not try making one instead. You won’t believe how easy this cardigan is to make. All it requires is a simple crochet rectangle folded in half.
I first saw a version of this over on Pinterest last year. After recently learning how to crochet I was looking for a simple pattern to show me how to crochet a cardigan for beginners. And after a bit of searching, I came across the perfect pattern showing you how to crochet a cardigan from a rectangle.
After a bit of research, I found out it was a free pattern from Lion Brands Yarns. You can find the full original pattern here. It really is the simplest crochet project as all you need to know is how to chain and single crochet.
If you’ve made my easy crochet ribbed hats you should have no problem making this cardigan. There are no complicated stitches required. It's basically a giant rectangle folded in half and stitched together at the sides. Super simple.
I do have to warn you, although it was an easy project in terms of stitches, it was a bit of a time suck. It took three attempts to get this cocoon style cardigan right and a lot of long nights in front of the tv. I used a smaller hook than the original and created a tighter stitch so it took a lot longer to reach the required length.
I started out making it way too small, having to buy more wool and starting again. Oops. On the second attempt, I ended up overcompensating and making it way too big. It turns out the third time was indeed the charm with this simple crochet cardigan and it was just right. The Goldilocks of crochet projects.
Below you’ll find my step-by-step instructions with a few tips I picked up along the way, the shortened version of the original pattern for reference and then my adapted pattern.
How to make an Easy Crochet Cardigan.
To start with I chained for 120. The original pattern said to chain for 84 but as I was using a smaller crochet hook I adjusted the pattern.
To make the ribbed texture you need to crochet into the back loop of each stitch. It's the same way I made the ribbed hat in my easy diy crochet hats post. You can see the front and back loops more clearly in that post so make sure to check it out if you're not sure what to do.
Top Tips Fitting the pattern.
If you want to try altering the pattern like I did here’s a tip to help you get the correct size.
Finding the width (elbow to centre chest).
To get a good indication of how your finished cardigan is going to fit take the initial chain and fold it in half to create a loop. Take your arm and place it through the loop with the loop at your elbow. Hold your arm loosely at your side. Take hold of the ends of your chain in your opposite hand and hold it towards the centre of your body.
This is going to be the width of your cardigan from the elbow to the centre of your body. Make sure to allow some extra for the folding collar.
Finding the length.
The initial chain also determines the length of your cardigan. In my case, from my neck (including folded collar) to the top of my thighs.
The number of rows also creates the length. As you’ll see in the photos below the opening of your cocoon-shaped cardigan is made when you fold your rectangle over and stitch it together. The fewer rows, the smaller the opening and the shorter the cardigan.
If you wanted a smaller bolero style shrug you would crochet fewer rows but bear in mind this will also affect the width so make sure to take this into account and measure how long your initial chain is from both your elbow to the centre chest and then from the neck down.
2. I kept on crocheting into the back loops for 98 rows.
98 rows and 7 balls of wool later I had a piece of crochet that measured 31½ inches by 41½ inches. This is the most time consuming part and took a couple of weeks so make sure you’ve got something good to listen to or binge watch on the tv.
3. Now comes the fun part. To make your simple crochet cardigan you need to fold your rectangle in half. Make sure when you fold it you fold it with your rows running vertically not horizontally.
4. Whipstitch the sides together leaving an 8-inch gap on both sides. These gaps will form the armholes.
5. Weave in any loose ends to get a neat finish.
Here's what the sides look like stitched together.
6. Open up your rectangle from the bottom. The base of your rectangle opens to form a circle. You can fold it back to form a collar.
I wanted my cardigan to have a wide cosy collar so I made sure to allow for this when I made my initial chain. If you wanted a thinner collar you need to make your initial chain smaller.
Here it is hanging up so you can get a better idea of how it looks.
And a few pictures from all sides.
COCOON SHRUG CROCHET CARDIGAN (original pattern).
You can find the full pattern here.
Supplies:
Lion Brand Homespun Yarn (4 balls)
Crochet Hook - Size N-13 (9 mm)
Finished Size 44 x 38 (112 x 96.5) to 42 x 38 (106.5 x 96.5)
Using a size 13 (9mm) crochet hook.
Ch 85.
Row 1: Sc in 2nd ch from hook and in each ch across – 84 sts.
Row 2: Ch 1, turn, working in back loops only, sc in each st across. Repeat Row 2 until the piece measures about 38 in. (96.5 cm) from the beginning.
FINISHING: Fold the piece in half to measure 21 x 38 in. (53.5 x 96.5 cm). Place markers on each of the 21 in. (53.5 cm) sides, 7 in. (18 cm) below the fold for armholes. Seam sides from markers down to the lower edge. Weave in ends.
As it's coming up to Winter I wanted to make a chunkier, cosier version than the original so I choose thick, chunky wool and a smaller crochet hook to get a tighter stitch. Here's my adapted pattern and how I put it together.
Simple Crochet Cardigan (adapted pattern).
Supplies:
Bernat Softee Chunky Yarn (7 balls)
Crochet Hook - Size 7 (4.5mm)
Using a size 7 (4.5mm)
Ch 120.
Row 1.
Sc in 2nd ch from hook and in each ch across. 120 sts.
Row 2.
Ch 1, turn, working in the back loops only sc in each st across.
Repeat Row 2 until the piece measures around 32 inches. Weave in ends.
I can't tell you how pleased I am with how my cardigan turned out. It was worth all the failed attempts! I can already see myself making a lighter Summer version as well. How lovely would it look in any of these colours?
