You know what’s better than a crochet pattern?! One that’s FREE! The Mysa Cardigan is a free easy crochet cardigan pattern. It’s constructed with the beginner crocheter in mind, and looks so cozy & stylish. Be sure to keep on reading for the free crochet pattern!
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Before we begin, here are some quick links for you:
- If you want a PDF of this basic crochet sweater pattern, then you can find it on Ravelry and Etsy – keep reading for the free easy crochet cardigan pattern!
- Shop Lion Brand Feels Like Butta here!
- If you have any crochet pattern questions, then please email herrstitches@gmail.com.
- Do you want another free easy crochet cardigan pattern? Check out the Bahama Breeze Cardigan!
Mysa Cardigan: Free Easy Crochet Cardigan Pattern
Say hello to the Mysa Cardigan! Mysa is the Swedish word for cozy with a focus on being relaxed & taking time out from stress for spending time with friends & being in the moment. With that in mind, my goal was to make a cardigan that’s simple and easy to make so you can be totally relaxed as you crochet!
Construction & Fit
This cardigan is made with two identical body panels that are joined with a cool vertical stripe up the back. It’s an easy construction, but adds such nice flair to the overall design. It’s written to have 2-4 inches of positive ease, so it’s meant to be oversized & cozy, but not too bulky!
Yarn, Stitches, & Crochet Hook
The yarn I used was Lion Brand Feels Like Butta, which is a buttery soft worsted weight yarn. However, you can pretty much use any worsted weight yarn for this project.
In terms of stitches, it’s constructed mostly with the half double crochet (aka one of my favorite stitches!). I absolutely love the fabric the half double crochet creates because it’s always super drapey (like a double crochet) but not quite as loose (like a single crochet). So it has all the best qualities of the basic stitches rolled into one. If you like this stitch, check out the Snow Day Pullover, the Stripe Into Spring Cardigan, & the Honeybee Cardigan too!
It will probably shock no one when I say that what crochet hook I used for this project – a Furls Streamline Resin! These hooks are my absolute favorite and I use them for every single crochet project. I have a set I received about a year ago (Shout out to my parents for the amazing birthday gift!) and honestly there has been no looking back. These hooks are stunning and crocheting with them is a breeze because of the thick handles. Check out the post I did comparing different Furls crochet hooks here for more information!
Materials
- Main Color: 5 (6, 6, 7, 8) (9, 9, 10, 11) balls of Lion Brand Feels Like Butta in Optic White (Color A) or 1010 (1150, 1290, 1410, 1585) (1775, 1930, 2135, 2210) yards of similar yarn that matches gauge
- Accessory Color: 1 (1, 1, 1, 1) (2, 2, 2, 2) balls of Lion Brand Feels Like Butta in Teal (Color B) or 180 (190, 200, 205, 215) (225, 235, 245, 255) yards of similar yarn that matches gauge
- Crochet hook size 7 (4.5 mm)
- Stitch Markers
- Tapestry Needle
- Tape Measure
- Scissors
Sizes
XS (S, M, L, XL) (2X, 3X, 4X, 5X)
Finished Bust Approximately 32.5 (36.5, 40.5, 44.5, 48.5) (52.5, 56.5, 61.5, 64.5) in. [82.5 (92.5, 103, 113, 123) (133.5, 143.5, 156, 164) cm.]
Finished Length Approximately 20.5 (21, 21.5, 21.5, 22) (22, 22, 22.5, 22.5) in. [52 (53.5, 54.5, 54.5, 56) (56, 56, 57, 57) cm.], including lower edging
Note: Pattern is written for smallest size with changes for larger sizes in parentheses. When only one number is given, it applies to all sizes. To follow pattern more easily, circle all numbers pertaining to your size before beginning.
Fit: Classic with some positive ease of approximately 2-4 in. [5-10 cm.].
Abbreviations
beg = begin(ning)
ch = chain
hdc = half double crochet
hdc2tog = hdc two together
rem = remain(ing)(s)
rep = repeat
rnd(s) = round(s)
RS = right side
sc = single crochet
scBLO = single crochet back loop only
sl st = slip stitch
st(s) = stitch(es)
Notes
- Body of Cardigan is worked in 2 identical panels beginning at lower back edge then working up to shoulder and down to lower front edge.
- Panels are joined together with a single crochet vertical stripe worked along the center back edges.
- Side seams are crocheted together and then sleeves are worked in rnds directly into armholes.
Gauge
15 hdc + 12 rows = about 4 in. [10 cm.]
BE SURE TO CHECK YOUR GAUGE.
Stitch Explanations
Hdc Yarn over, insert hook in next st and draw up a loop. Yarn over and draw through all 3 loops on hook
hdc2tog (hdc 2 sts together) (Yarn over, insert hook in next st and draw up a loop) twice, yarn over and draw through all 5 loops on hook – 1 st decreased.
sc-blo (single crochet in back loop only) Insert hook in back loop only of indicated st and draw up a loop, yarn over and draw through 2 loops on hook.
Tips for Beginners
- Use a stitch marker in the first and last stitch of each row. Move the stitch marker up as you progress. This will help keep your edges even.
- Count your stitches approximately every 6th row.
- As you progress with the sleeves, repeatedly try on the sweater to make sure the sleeves fit your arms. It’s okay to skip a decrease if the sleeve is getting too snug or add a decrease row if they are too large. Just remember that if you change the number of decreases that you do the same on both sleeves.
Free Easy Crochet Cardigan Pattern
BODY PANELS – Make 2
Back
With A, ch 30 (34, 38, 41, 45) (49, 53, 57, 60).
Row 1: Hdc in 2nd ch from hook and each ch across – you will have 29 (33, 37, 40, 44) (48, 52, 56, 59) hdc in this row.
Row 2: Ch 1, turn, hdc in each st across.
Rep Row 2 until piece measures about 19 (19.5, 20, 20, 20.5) (20.5, 20.5, 21, 21) in [48.5 (49.5, 51, 51, 52) (52, 52, 53.5, 53.5) cm.] from beg – everything up to this point is the back panel. Do not fasten off.
Front
Shape Neck
Row 1: Ch 1, turn, hdc in first 19 (23, 27, 30, 34) (38, 42, 46, 49) sts; leave rem sts unworked.
Row 2: Ch 1, turn, hdc in each st across.
Row 3 (Increase Row): Ch 1, turn, hdc in each st to last st, 2 hdc in last st – 20 (24, 28, 31, 35) (39, 43, 47, 50) hdc.
Row 4 (Increase Row): Ch 1, turn, 2 hdc in first st, hdc in each st across – 21 (25, 29, 32, 36) (40, 44, 48, 51) hdc.
Rep Rows 3 and 4 for 4 more times – 29 (33, 37, 40, 44) (48, 52, 56, 59) hdc.
Next Row: Ch 1, turn, hdc in each st across. Rep last row, working even in half double crochet (hdc), until front measures same as back.
Fasten off. Rep to make a second body panel.
Side Seams
Lay Panels onto a flat surface with center back edges matching and flipping one Panel over to be a mirror image of the other Panel.
For each Panel, fold front over back, matching rows.
Place markers on outside edges of front and back, about 6 (6.5, 7, 7.5, 8) (8.5, 9, 9.5, 10) in. [15 (16.5, 18, 19, 20.5) (21.5, 23, 24, 25.5) cm.] from fold.
Working through both thicknesses, join A with sl st at lower corner of one outside edge, sl st evenly spaced along edge to markers to seam side, leaving the top 6 (6.5, 7, 7.5, 8) (8.5, 9, 9.5, 10) in. [15 (16.5, 18, 19, 20.5) (21.5, 23, 24, 25.5) cm.] open for armhole.
Fasten off.
Rep on opposite side.
Note: If desired, side seams can be sewn together instead of crocheted together.
Turn Panels right side out, so that sl st seams are on inside of Panels.
Center Back Stripe
From RS, join B with sl st at bottom corner of one of the panels, so that you are ready to work along the center back edge.
Row 1: Ch 1, work sc evenly spaced along the center back edge to back neck.
Rows 2-4: Ch 1, turn, sc-blo in each st across.
Hold center back edge of second Panel against Row 4.
Row 5: Ch 1, turn, working through both thicknesses, sc evenly across to join Panels together.
Fasten off.
Sleeves
Join A with sl st at underarm of one armhole.
Rnd 1 (RS): Ch 1, work 45 (49, 53, 56, 60) (64, 68, 71, 75) hdc evenly spaced all the way around armhole edge; join with sl st in first hdc.
Note: If desired, place a marker in first st of rnd to help keep track of sts. Move marker up as each rnd is completed.
Rnd 2: Ch 1, turn, (hdc2tog) 2 (3, 3, 3, 3) (2, 1, 0, 1) times, hdc in next 37 (37, 41, 44, 50) (56, 64, 71, 71) sts, (hdc2tog) 2 (3, 3, 3, 2) (2, 1, 0, 1) times; join with sl st in first hdc – 41 (43, 47, 50, 55) (60, 66, 71, 73) hdc
Rnd 3: Ch 1, turn, hdc in each st around; join with sl st in first hdc.
Rnd 4: Ch 1, turn, (hdc2tog) 2 (2, 3, 3, 2) (1, 1, 0, 2) times, hdc in next 33 (35, 35, 40, 47) (56, 62, 69, 67) sts, (hdc2tog) 2 (2, 3, 2, 2) (1, 1, 1, 1) times; join with sl st in first hdc – 37 (39, 41, 45, 51) (58, 64, 70, 70) hdc
Rnd 5: Ch 1, turn, hdc in each st around; join with sl st in first hdc.
Rep Rnd 5 until piece measures about 14 (14.5, 14.5, 15, 15) (15.5, 15.5, 16, 16) [35.5 (37, 37, 38, 38) (39.5, 39.5, 40.5, 40.5) cm.] from beg or until you reach your desired sleeve length.
Next Rnd: Ch 1, turn, *hdc in next 2 sts, (hdc2tog) twice; rep from * 4 (5, 5, 6, 7)(8, 9, 10, 10) more times, hdc in next 2 (1, 2, 1, 1)(2, 2, 2, 2) sts, (hdc2tog), hdc in rem 3 (0, 1, 0, 0)(0, 0, 0, 0) sts; join with sl st in first hdc. – 26 (26, 28, 30, 34) (39, 43, 47, 47) hdc
Fasten off. Proceed to cuff section.
Cuff
Join yarn B with sl st in same st as joining sl st.
Rnd 1: Ch 1, turn, sc in each st around; join with sl st in first sc.
Rnds 2-5: Ch 1, turn, sc-blo in each st around; join with sl st in first sc.
Fasten off.
Rep around second armhole for second sleeve.
Finishing
Lower Edging
From RS, join B with sl st in one lower front corner so that you are ready to work along the lower edge of body.
Row 1: Ch 1, work sc evenly spaced along lower edge of body to other lower front corner.
Rows 2-5: Ch 1, turn, sc-blo in each st across.
Do not fasten off.
Front Edging
Row 1: Ch 1, work sc sts evenly spaced up front edge, along back neck, and down next front edge to opposite lower front corner.
Rows 2-5: Ch 1, turn, sc-blo in each st across.
Fasten off.
Weave in ends.
I hope you loved this free easy crochet cardigan pattern! Be sure to stay tuned for lots more of your favorite crochet patterns!
xo,
Jessica
P.S. I absolutely LOVE seeing your makes! If you make any Herr Stitches patterns, then tag me and then I’ll share them!
P.P.S. If you love this design, don’t forget to Pin It to save for later!
