Calling all crocheters: If you’ve been looking for your next beginner crochet project, then this one is for you! Crocheting a striped cardigan from scratch may sound daunting, but this free striped crochet cardigan pattern makes it easier than ever. In this post, you’ll learn about the materials and instructions for creating an incredible striped cardigan. So grab your crochet hook and let’s get started!
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Before we begin, here are some quick links for you:
- If you want an ad-free PDF of this free striped crochet cardigan pattern, then you can find it on Etsy – keep reading for the free crochet pattern!
- Shop Furls Wander 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!
Forever Winter Cardigan: A Free Striped Crochet Cardigan Pattern
Who doesn’t love a striped crochet cardigan pattern?! The Forever Winter Cardigan is simple & stylish, with an oversized fit. This pattern is beginner friendly and size-inclusive, too! Dress it up with a cute dress or dress it down with some leggings and fuzzy socks. You can’t go wrong with this classic design! The Forever Winter Cardigan will have everyone you know asking, “where did you buy that?!”
Yarn, Stitches, & Crochet Hook
The yarn I used was Furls Wander Acrylic, which a worsted weight yarn that comes in over 40 colors, so you can really let your creativity run wild with your crochet projects. This yarn was easy to work with and is a good all-purpose yarn for a variety of projects! However, my major gripe with this yarn is that it was FILLED with so many knots in the skein that I had to cut out. It was super annoying! I also found this yarn to be quite prone to splits. So for those reasons, I would not recommend it. However, any worsted weight yarn that meets the gauge should work, so just choose your favorite!
In terms of stitches, this free striped crochet cardigan pattern is 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 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
- 5.0mm Furls Streamline Swirl Hook (or hook to obtain gauge)
- Tapestry Needle
- Scissors
- Stitch Markers
- Measuring Tape
Yarn
Main Color (Color A): Furls Wander Acrylic, worsted weight #4 yarn (100% Acrylic; 120 yds/109 m per 100g skein Velvet 6 (6, 7, 8, 9) (10, 11, 12, 12) skeins or 645 (708, 793, 890, 1013) (1121, 1243, 1371, 1445) yards
Accessory Color (Color B): Furls Wander Acrylic, worsted weight #4 yarn (100% Acrylic; 120 yds/109 m per 100g skein Sandbar 1 skein or 53 (62, 67, 72, 78) (99, 106, 113, 119) yards
Sizes
Finished Bust Approximately 34 (38, 42, 46, 50) (54, 58, 62, 66)” with trim.
Finished Length Approximately 22.5 (23, 24, 24.5, 26) (26.5, 27.5, 28.5, 29)”, including lower trim.
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: Oversized fit with positive ease of approximately 4-6”.
Stitch Abbreviations
beg = begin(ning)
BPdc = Back Post double crochet
ch = chain
dc = double crochet
FPdc = Front Post double crochet
hdc = half double crochet
hdc2tog = half double crochet 2 together
rem = remain(ing)(s)
rep = repeat
rnd(s) = round(s)
sc = single crochet
sl st = slip stitch
st(s) = stitch(es)
Special Stitches
BPdc (Back Post double crochet) Yarn over, insert hook from back to front then to back, going around post of indicated st, draw up a loop, (yarn over and draw through 2 loops on hook) twice. Skip top of st in front of the BPdc.
FPdc (Front Post double crochet) Yarn over, insert hook from front to back then to front, going around post of indicated st, draw up a loop, (yarn over and draw through 2 loops on hook) twice. Skip top of st behind the FPdc.
Notes
Cardigan is worked from lower edge upwards.
Piece is divided at underarms, then front and back panels are worked separately up to shoulders.
Sleeves are worked in rnds directly into armholes.
If you are making this cardigan using 2 yarn colors, please follow the color work directions.
The lower trim is meant to be approximately 1.5 in. [4 cm]. However, feel free to make the trim longer or shorter if you desire. The front panel trim is meant to be approximately 1”.
The ch 1 at the beginning of each row/rnd does not count as a stitch unless indicated otherwise. Ch 2 at beginning of cuff and trim sections does not count as a stitch.
Color Work Directions
For this pattern, the:
Rows/Rnds 1-12: Yarn Color A
Rows/Rnds 13: Yarn Color B
Repeat & maintain this color sequence throughout entire pattern.
Gauge
14 sts by 13 rows = 5″ in hdc.
Free Striped Crochet Cardigan Pattern
Body
With Yarn Color A, ch 91 (102, 113, 124, 135) (147, 158, 169, 180).
Row 1: Hdc in 2nd ch from hook and in each ch across. 90 (101, 112, 123, 134) (146, 157, 168, 179) sts.
Row 2: Ch 1, turn, hdc in each st across.
Rep Row 2 until the cardigan measures 14.5 (14.5, 15, 15, 16) (16, 16.5, 17, 17)”.
You will now divide for the Front & Back of the cardigan.
First Front Panel
Row 1: Ch 1, turn, hdc in first 21 (24, 27, 29, 32) (35, 38, 41, 43) sts; place marker in next stitch to denote where to start the back panel in next section; leave rem sts unworked. 21 (24, 27, 29, 32) (35, 38, 41, 43) sts.
Row 2: Ch 1, turn, hdc in each st across.
Rep Row 2 until the first front panel after division measures 0.5 (1, 1.5, 2, 2.5) (3, 3.5, 4, 4.5)” ending on an even row.
Next Row: Ch 1, turn, hdc in each st across.
Next Row (Dec): Ch 1, turn, hdc in each st across until 2 sts remain, hdc2tog. 20 (23, 26, 28, 31) (34, 37, 40, 42) sts.
Rep previous 2 rows 7 more times. 13 (16, 19, 21, 24) (27, 30, 33, 35) sts.
Fasten off.
Back Panel
Join with sl st to stitch marked with stitch marker in the First Front Panel section.
Row 1: Ch 1, turn, hdc in first 48 (53, 58, 65, 70) (76, 81, 86, 93) sts, place marker in next stitch to denote where to start the second front panel in next section; leave rem sts unworked. 48 (53, 58, 65, 70) (76, 81, 86, 93) sts.
Row 2: Ch 1, turn, hdc in each st across.
Rep Row 2 until the back panel after division measures 6.5 (7, 7.5, 8, 8.5) (9, 9.5, 10, 10.5)”. Note – you will complete the same number of rows you did for the First Panel section.
Fasten off.
Second Front Panel
Join with sl st to stitch marked with stitch marker in the Back Panel section.
Row 1: Ch 1, hdc in across the row. 21 (24, 27, 29, 32) (35, 38, 41, 43) sts.
Row 2: Ch 1, turn, hdc in each st across.
Rep Row 2 until the first front panel after division measures 0.5 (1, 1.5, 2, 2.5) (3, 3.5, 4, 4.5)” ending on an even row.
Next Row: Ch 1, turn, hdc in each st across.
Next Row (Dec): Ch 1, turn, hdc2tog, hdc in each st across. 20 (23, 26, 28, 31) (34, 37, 40, 42) sts.
Rep previous 2 rows 7 more times. 13 (16, 19, 21, 24) (27, 30, 33, 35) sts.
Fasten off.
Shoulder Seams
Turn cardigan inside out. The cardigan is reversible and thus inside vs outside is at your own discretion. Join with sl st at outside edge of one of the shoulders, working through both thicknesses, sl st evenly spaced along the edge of each shoulder.
Note – If desired, shoulder seams can be sewn together instead of crocheted together.
Turn Body right side out, so that sl st seams are on inside of cardigan.
Sleeves
Join yarn with sl st in underarm of one armhole.
Rnd 1: Ch 1, work 36 (39, 42, 45, 48) (50, 53, 57, 59) hdc 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 (Dec): Ch 1, turn, hdc2tog 1 (1, 1, 1, 1) (1, 0, 0, 1) times, hdc in each st around until 0 (2, 2, 2, 2) (0, 0, 0, 0) sts remain, hdc2tog 0 (1, 1, 1, 1) (0, 0, 0, 0) times; join with sl st in first st. 35 (37, 40, 43, 46) (49, 53, 57, 58) sts.
Rnd 3: Ch 1, turn, hdc in each st around; join with sl st in first st.
Rnd 4 (Dec): Ch 1, turn, hdc2tog 1 (1, 1, 1, 1) (0, 0, 0, 1) times, hdc in each st around until 0 (2, 2, 2, 2) (0, 0, 0, 0) sts remain, hdc2tog 0 (1, 1, 1, 1) (0, 0, 0, 0) times; join with sl st in first st. 34 (35, 38, 41, 44) (49, 53, 57, 57) sts.
Rnd 5: Ch 1, turn, hdc in each st around; join with sl st in first st.
Rnd 6 (Dec): Ch 1, turn, hdc2tog 1 (1, 1, 1, 1) (0, 0, 0, 0) times, hdc in each st around until 0 (0, 2, 2, 0) (0, 0, 0, 0) sts remain, hdc2tog 0 (0, 1, 1, 0) (0, 0, 0, 0) times; join with sl st in first st. 33 (34, 36, 39, 43) (49, 53, 57, 57) sts.
Rep Rnd 5 until sleeves measures 6.5 (6.5, 6.5, 7, 7) (7, 7, 7.5, 7.5)”.
Rnd 7 (Dec): Ch 1, turn, hdc2tog, hdc in each st around until 2 sts remain, hdc2tog; join with sl st in first st. 31 (32, 34, 37, 41) (47, 51, 55, 55) sts.
Rnd 8: Ch 1, turn, hdc in each st around; join with sl st in first st.
Rnd 9 (Dec): Ch 1, turn, hdc2tog, hdc in each st around until 2 sts remain, hdc2tog; join with sl st in first st. 29 (30, 32, 35, 39) (45, 49, 53, 53) sts.
Rep Rnd 8 until sleeve measures 9 (9.5, 9.5, 10, 10) (10.5, 10.5, 11, 11)”.
Rnd 10 (Dec): Ch 1, turn, hdc2tog, hdc in each st around until 2 sts remain, hdc2tog; join with sl st in first st. 27 (28, 30, 33, 37) (43, 47, 51, 51) sts.
Rnd 11: Ch 1, turn, hdc in each st around; join with sl st in first st.
Rnd 12 (Dec): Ch 1, turn, hdc2tog, hdc in each st around until 2 sts remain, hdc2tog; join with sl st in first st. 25 (26, 28, 31, 35) (41, 45, 49, 49) sts.
Rep Rnd 11 until sleeve measures 14.5 (15, 15, 15.5, 15.5) (16, 16, 16.5, 16.5)”.
Rnd 13: Ch 1, turn, hdc for 4 (3, 4, 1, 4) (3, 1, 1, 1) sts, *hdc2tog 1 time, hdc for 1 (1, 1, 1, 0) (0, 0, 0, 0) sts, rep from * 5 (6, 6, 9, 13) (17, 21, 23, 23) more times, hdc for remaining sts (if any) in the rnd; join with sl st in first st. 19 (19, 21, 21, 21) (23, 23, 25, 25) sts.
Proceed to Cuff.
Cuff
Rnd 1: Ch 2 (does not count as a st here and throughout), turn, dc in each st around; join with sl st in first st.
Rnd 2: Ch 2, turn, *FPdc around next st, BPdc around next st; repeat from * around; join with sl st in first st.
Rnd 3: Ch 2, turn, *BPdc around next st, FPdc around next st; repeat from * around; join with sl st in first st.
Rnd 4: Ch 2, turn, *FPdc around next st, BPdc around next st; repeat from * around; join with sl st in first st.
Fasten off.
Repeat all Sleeves instructions around second armhole for second sleeve.
Lower Trim
Join Yarn A with sl st in one lower front corner so that you are ready to work along the lower edge of body.
Row 1: Ch 2, dc evenly spaced along lower edge of body to next lower front corner, taking care to work an even number of sts.
Rows 2-4: Ch 2, turn, *FPdc around next st, BPdc around next st; rep from * across.
Do not fasten off.
Front Trim
Row 1: Ch 2, do not turn, work dc sts evenly spaced up front edge, along back neck, and down next front edge to opposite lower front corner, taking care to work an even number of sts.
Row 2: Ch 2, turn, *FPdc around next st, BPdc around next st; rep from * across.
Fasten off.
Weave in ends.
I hope you loved this free striped 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!
