Are you looking for free crochet pattern for beginners? Then the super fabulous Wisteria Whimsy cardigan is just the project for you!
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Before we begin, here are some quick links for you:
- This is a free crochet cardigan pattern, but if you want an ad-free PDF of this pattern (including a detailed schematic!), then you can find it on Ravelry and Etsy – keep reading for more information about the design process and the free crochet pattern!
- Add your finished project and view other completed projects on Ravelry here.
- If you want to show off your makes, then use the pattern hashtag #WisteriaWhimsyCardigan on Instagram!
- Shop Wool & the Gang Shiny Happy Cotton here!
- Shop Furls Streamline Hook here!
- If you have any pattern questions, then please email herrstitches@gmail.com.
- Do you want another easy crochet pattern? Check out my other crochet cardigan patterns here.
- Good news! Each season I’ll be adding a new free crochet cardigan pattern, so be sure to follow along on the blog!
Free Crochet Pattern Design Process
Normally, my creative process for a designing a garment works something like this: I come up with an idea for a new project, and then I begin laying out the basics of what I want it to be. Next, I flesh it out with the specific details of how it will look and fit. Lastly, I pick out the yarn that I think will suit the design best.
But this time, I started the process at the end. By that I mean I came across this Wool and the Gang Shiny Happy Cotton Yarn, and then designed a cardigan to showcase it. It is a longer cardigan with a fun and funky stripe down the back and matching edging. For the body of the sweater, I used the colorway Purple Haze, a lilac shade that straddles the line between purple and blue (my husband and I still disagree on if it’s blue or purple!). The edging and back stripe uses the same yarn in the 101 Spots colorway which, living up to its Dalmatian-inspired name, is white speckled with black. Shiny Happy Cotton comes in a wide palette of colors and so you can choose whether you want contrasting colors like I did or more complementary ones or a combination entirely your own!
Construction & Stitch
The construction of the garment is quite simple, as it consists of just two panels, which are joined by the back stripe. The stitch used is called the crumpled griddle stitch, which involves alternating between single and double crochet. This stitch creates a hefty, plushy fabric that is both very warm and very comfortable (perfect for chilly Fall nights!).
Hook
I selected a Furls Streamline Resin in Café to assemble this lovely project. You can read all about why I love these hooks here, but the bottom line is that they are the most comfortable crochet hooks to use, especially if you are a marathon crocheter like me. Being able to put four hours into a project without having to put it down or having your hand cramp up is a game changer!
MATERIALS
- 6 (7, 8, 9, 10) (11, 12, 13, 14) balls of Wool and the Gang Shiny Happy Cotton in Purple Haze (Color A) or 900 (975, 1145, 1245, 1425) (1565, 1765, 1940, 2075) yards of similar yarn that matches gauge
- 2 (2, 2, 2, 2) (2, 3, 3, 3) balls of Wool and the Gang Shiny Happy Cotton in 101 Spots (Color B) or 235 (245, 265, 275, 295) (305, 325, 340, 360) yards of similar yarn that matches gauge
- Crochet hook size H (5 mm)
- Stitch Markers
- Tapestry Needle
- Tape Measure
- Scissors
SIZES
XS (S, M, L, XL) (2X, 3X, 4X, 5X)
Finished Bust Approximately 32 (36, 40, 44, 48) (52, 56, 60, 64) in. [81.5 (91.5, 101.5, 112, 122) (132, 142, 152.5, 163.5) cm]
Finished Length Approximately 25 (25.5, 26, 27, 27.5) (28, 29, 30, 30.5) in. [63.5 (65, 66, 68.5, 70) (71, 73.5, 76, 77.5) 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.
ABBREVIATIONS
- beg = begin(ning)
- ch = chain
- dc = double crochet
- 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 pieces from lower back edge through the bottom of the front panel. These 2 pieces are joined together on the back panel through a single crochet vertical stripe.
- Side seams are crocheted together and then sleeves are worked in rnds directly into armholes.
- All pieces are worked in Crumpled Griddle st pattern. In each row/round of Griddle st pattern, single crochet (sc) and double crochet (dc) stitches are alternated. Sc worked into sc, and dc are worked into dc of previous row/round.
- When increasing and decreasing in Crumpled Griddle st pattern, take care to continue alternating sc and dc stitches.
- If you see ‘work even’ in the instructions, this means to continue on in the pattern st you have established without changing the st count by increasing, decreasing, or binding off.
- When you see ‘work in pattern as established’ in the instructions, this means to work the next row of the pattern st, lining up sts as in previous rows.
GAUGE
12 sts + 11 rows = about 4 in. [10 cm] in Crumpled Griddle Stitch
BE SURE TO CHECK YOUR GAUGE.
STITCH EXPLANATIONS
Crumpled Griddle Stitch
- Ch an odd number of stitches
- Row 1: Sc in 2nd ch from hook, *dc in next ch, sc, in next ch, rep from * across
- Row 2: Ch 1, turn, sc in first sc, *dc in next dc, sc in next sc, rep from * across
- Rep Row 2
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.
Gr-Inc (Crumpled Griddle Stitch Increase) Taking care to continue alternating sc and dc stitches, work either (sc, dc) or (dc, sc) into the indicated stitch – 1 st increased.
Gr-Dec (Crumpled Griddle Stitch Decrease) Taking care to continue alternating sc and dc stitches, work either sc/dc2tog or dc/sc2tog as needed.
sc/dc2tog (sc and dc 2 sts together) Insert hook in next st and draw up a loop (2 loops on hook), yarn over, insert hook in next st and draw up a loop, yarn over and draw through 2 loops on hook, yarn over and draw through all 3 loops on hook – 1 st decreased.
Free Crochet Pattern
BODY PANELS – Make 2
Back
With A, ch 24 (26, 30, 32, 36) (38, 42, 44, 48).
Row 1: Sc in 2nd ch from hook, *dc in next ch, sc, in next ch, rep from * across – you will have 23 (25, 29, 31, 35) (37, 41, 43, 47) sts in this row.
Row 2: Ch 1, turn, sc in first sc, *dc in next dc, sc in next sc, rep from * across
Rep Row 2 until piece measures about 23 (23.5, 24, 25, 25.5) (26, 27, 28, 28.5) in (58.5 (60, 61, 63.5, 65) (66, 68.5, 71, 72.5) cm) from beg – everything up to this point is the back panel. Do not fasten off.
Front
Shape Neck
Row 1: Ch 1, turn, work in Crumpled Griddle st pattern as established over first 14 (16, 20, 22, 26) (28, 32, 34, 38) sts; leave rem sts – 14 (16, 20, 22, 26) (28, 32, 34, 38) sts
Row 2 (Increase Row): Ch 1, turn, Gr-Inc in first st, continue in Crumpled Griddle st as established to end of row – 15 (17, 21, 23, 27) (29, 33, 35, 39) sts
Row 3: Ch 1, turn, work in Crumpled Griddle st pattern as established to end of row
Rep Rows 2 and 3 for 8 more times – 23 (25, 29, 31, 35) (37, 41, 43, 47) sts
Rep Row 3 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 6.5 (7, 7.5, 8, 8.5) (9, 9.5, 10, 10.5) in. [16.5 (18, 19, 20.5, 21.5) (23, 24, 25.5, 26.5) 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 6.5 (7, 7.5, 8, 8.5) (9, 9.5, 10, 10.5) in. [16.5 (18, 19, 20.5, 21.5) (23, 24, 25.5, 26.5) 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 2-9: Ch 1, turn, sc-blo in each st across.
Hold center back edge of second Panel against Row 9.
Row 10: 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 39 (43, 45, 49, 51) (55, 57, 61, 65) sts in Crumpled Griddle st pattern (alternating sc and dc stitches) evenly spaced all the way around armhole edge; join with sl st in first st.
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 (Decrease): Ch 1, turn, (Gr-Dec) 2 (2, 2, 2, 2) (2, 0, 0, 2) times, work in Crumpled Griddle st pattern as established for 31 (35, 37, 41, 43) (47, 57, 61, 57) sts, (Gr-Dec) 2 (2, 2, 2, 2) (2, 0, 0, 2) times; join with sl st in first st – 35 (39, 41, 45, 47) (51, 57, 61, 61) sts
Rnd 3: Ch 1, turn, work in Crumpled Griddle st pattern as established to end of round; join with sl st in first st.
Rnd 4 (Decrease): Ch 1, turn, (Gr-Dec) 0 (2, 0, 2, 0) (0, 0, 0, 0) times, work in Crumpled Griddle st pattern as established for 35 (31, 41, 37, 47) (51, 57, 61, 61) sts, (Gr-Dec) 0 (2, 0, 2, 0) (0, 0, 0, 0) times; join with sl st in first st – 35 (35, 41, 41, 47) (51, 57, 61, 61) sts
Rep Rnd 3 until sleeves measures approximately 6 (7, 7, 7, 7) (7.5, 7.5, 8, 8) in. [15 (18, 18, 18, 18) (19, 19, 20.5, 20.5) cm] from beg.
Next Rnd (Decrease): Ch 1, turn, (Gr-Dec) 2 times, work in Crumpled Griddle st pattern as established to last 4 sts, (Gr-Dec) 2 times; join with sl st in first st – 31 (31, 37, 37, 43) (47, 53, 57, 57) sts
Rep Rnd 3 until sleeves measures approximately 7.5 (8.5, 8.5, 8.5, 8.5) (9, 9, 9.5, 9.5) in. [19 (22, 22, 22, 22) (23, 23, 24, 24) cm] from beg.
Next Rnd (Decrease): Ch 1, turn, (Gr-Dec) 2 times, work in Crumpled Griddle st pattern as established to last 4 sts, (Gr-Dec) 2 times; join with sl st in first st – 27 (27, 33, 33, 39) (43, 49, 53, 53) sts
Rep Rnd 3 until sleeves measures approximately 16.5 (17, 17, 17.5, 17.5) (18, 18, 18.5, 18.5) in. [42 (43, 43, 44.5, 44.5) (45.5, 45.5, 47, 47) cm] from beg.
Next Rnd (Decrease): Ch 1, turn, (Gr-Dec) 4 (4, 6, 5, 7) (9, 12, 12, 12) times, work in Crumpled Griddle st pattern as established for 11 (11, 9, 13, 11) (7, 1, 5, 5) sts, (Gr-Dec) 4 (4, 6, 5, 7) (9, 12, 12, 12) times; join with sl st in first st – 19 (19, 21, 23, 25) (25, 25, 29, 29) sts
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 2-10: 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 crochet pattern as much as I enjoyed designing it!
I thoroughly enjoyed rethinking my creative process for this design, and I am sure you will also enjoy making it. This design serves an example that you don’t always have to think in a straight line to end up with a great idea – challenge yourself as a creative person to search for unlikely inspiration and always be ready to mix up your usual way of doing things.
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 free crochet cardigan pattern, then don’t forget to Pin this to save for later!
