Free Simple Crochet Cardigan Pattern – Angelica Cardigan

I am super excited to share with you a long-awaited pattern, and one of my favorite designs…the Angelica Cardigan! This free crochet cardigan pattern features simple stitches with a unique lace edging. Find the free crochet pattern instructions below, or purchase a print-friendly, ad-free PDF here.

A Simple Crochet Cardigan Pattern

Like I said, the Angelica Cardigan is one of my favorite designs to date. I love the simplicity, yet the air of elegance from the detailing. The stitches used in this pattern are half double crochet and some special stitches. But don’t worry – there are lots of photos to help with the special stitches!

Is it easy to crochet a cardigan?

Yes! Most people assume garments are extremely hard to crochet. And while there are difficult patterns out there, this is not one of them.

In fact, if you’ve never made a crochet cardigan before, this would be a great pattern to start out with! This easy crochet cardigan is made from 3 rectangles. The rectangles are sewn together, and then the sleeves are added on in the round.

Since the publication of this design, I have had many crocheters tell me that this was the first garment they ever made – which proves you can do it too even if you’re a beginner! 😉

The Inspiration

“Angelica,” the name of this cardigan, is inspired because of the pretty lace detailing toward the bottom. When I posted pictures on Instagram, many of you said the stitch looked like little angels!

It is possible to see many things in these details, however. I first saw pansy flowers, which is why I named the stitch the Pansy Stitch. All the information and tutorials on making this special stitch can be found here.

Crochet Cardigan PDF Pattern

As always, you can buy the ad-free, PDF version of this pattern in my pattern store here! Thank you in advance to all who decide to purchase—you put a huge smile on my face!

Purchase & Print this Crochet Pattern Right Here!

How many skeins of yarn does it take to crochet a cardigan?

The answer to this question will vary depending on the pattern you choose and the size you are. However, you can always expect to have a LOT of yarn when you’re crocheting a garment.

When it comes to the Angelica Cardigan, you will need anywhere from 6-11 hanks of the recommended yarn (or about 1,000-2,000 yards of any worsted weight yarn!)

In fact, one of my favorite things about this cardigan is how easy it is to substitute yarn. You can really use any worsted weight yarn to make this cardigan! I do recommend staying away from “value” yarns like red heart super saver though. My top recommendation for a substitute that is widely available is Caron Simply Soft.

More Crochet Sweater Patterns

• Juniper Cardigan – make a cardigan with fully adjustable sizing!
• Timberlane Sweater – A Crochet Raglan
• Oversized Crochet Cardigan Pattern
• Lacy Summer Crochet Cardigan
• Parisian Dress Crochet Pattern

Last thing before we get to the pattern…take a look at some OTHER versions of this design below! These are Angelica Cardigan’s made by my amazing testers. The pattern was tested in ALL sizes, and it turned out beautifully in the small and large sizes. 🙂

Free Crochet Cardigan Pattern – Angelica Cardigan

By Desert Blossom Crafts

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• To buy the ad-free, PDF version of this pattern, click HERE
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Materials:

• Ella Rae Cozy Alpaca: 6 (7, 8, 9, 10, 11) hanks (or other LIGHT worsted weight yarn)
• Total yardage needed (from size S-3XL): 1068 (1246, 1424, 1602, 1780, 1958)
• Recommended substitute: Caron Simply Soft

• G Hook (or size to obtain gauge)
• Yarn needle

Notes:

1. Cardigan is worked in 3 rectangles which are then sewn together at the sides and shoulders. Sleeves are then joined at the armhole and worked in the round.
2. Chain 2 on hdc rows counts as a stitch

Abbreviations/Stitches Used:

Chain – ch

Foundation Single Crochet – fsc

Slip Stitch: sl st

Single crochet – sc

Half double crochet – hdc

Double crochet – dc

Repeat – rep

Round – rnd

Skip – sk

Stitch(es) – st(s)

RS: right side

WS: wrong side

Special Stitches:

2-dc cluster: *YO, insert hook in ch indicated, YO and pull up a loop. YO, draw through 2 loops on hook; rep from * once more. YO, draw through all 3 loops on hook.

TR Cluster (tutorial for this stitch HERE): *YO twice, insert hook in next hdc, YO and pull up a loop, (YO, draw through 2 loops on hook) twice. Rep from * 2 times more, YO and draw through all 4 loops on hook.

Htr (half triple crochet): YO twice, insert hook in indicated st and pull up loop. YO, pull through 2 loops. YO, pull through 3 loops.

Need help with these stitches? Watch the video tutorial for them farther down (where they’re used in the pattern).

Sizing:

To fit Finished Bust Size: 30 (34, 37, 41, 44, 48) inches

Width of back panel: Approximately 16 (18, 20, 22, 23.5, 25) inches

Width of front panels: 7 (8, 8.5, 9.5, 10.5, 11.5) inches

Length of panels: 25 (26, 27, 28, 29, 30) inches (adjustable if desired)

Armhole: 6.5 (7, 7.5, 8, 8.5, 9) inches

Sleeve Length: adjustable

I recommend choosing a size 2-3” inches bigger than your actual bust size (especially for larger sizes). If you are in between sizes, please size up.

For reference, model is 5′ 4″ with a bust of 30”, wearing a size Small.

Gauge:

14 hdc 10 rows = 4”

How to Crochet a Cardigan for Beginners – Free Written Instructions

BACK PANEL

Fsc 58 (64, 70, 76, 82, 88). (If you’re unfamiliar with the fsc technique, see the video below!)

Rows 1 (RS): Ch 2 (counts as hdc, here and throughout) hdc in each st across. Turn.

Rows 2-4: Rep row 1. Turn.

Row 5: Ch 3 (counts as htr) , tr in next stitch. Ch 3, work 2-dc cluster (see special sts) into 3rd ch from hook. *Work TR Cluster into next three stitches. Ch 3, work 2-dc cluster into 3rd ch from hook. Rep from * until 2 sts left. Tr in next st, htr in last st. Turn. Number of TR clusters:

18 (20, 22, 24, 26, 28).  

Row 6: Ch 2, hdc in next tr. Sc in top of next 2-dc cluster.

*Ch 4, sc in top of next 2-dc cluster. Rep from * across all 2-dc clusters. Hdc in last tr and htr. Turn. Total number of ch spaces: 18 (20, 22, 24, 26, 28). NOTE: For a tutorial helping with rows 5-6, see this blog post or watch the video below.

Row 7: Ch 2, hdc in next st. 3 hdc in each ch-sp across. Hdc in last 2 sts. 58 (64, 70, 76, 82, 88) hdc. Make sure you have the stitch counts noted before continuing with the next rows!

Row 8-10: Rep row 1.

Row 11-13: Rep rows 5-7.

Row 14: Rep row 1.

Rep row 1 until panel reaches the following measurements: 25 (26, 27, 28, 29, 30) inches.

Or repeat row 1 until panel reaches your desired length.

Loving this pattern so far? If you want an ad-free, easily printable version, be sure to check out my PDF HERE!

FRONT PANELS (MAKE 2)

Fsc 25 (28, 31, 34, 37, 40).

Rep same as for Back panel.

With Right Sides together: sew shoulder seams. Sew side seams, leaving a 6.5” (7”, 7.5”, 8”, 8.5”, 9”) armhole opening.

How to Assemble a Crochet Cardigan

If this is your first time crocheting a cardigan, you might be wondering exactly how you should assemble it all together. It’s really not hard to do! You just pick a seaming method and sew up the sides and shoulders.

I used the whipstitch to sew my cardigan together, but any method will work. See the video below a tutorial & comparison of my 3 favorite methods!

SLEEVES

With RS of sweater facing out, join with a sl st at the base of armhole opening.

Rnd 1: Ch 2 (does NOT count as st, here and throughout sleeves) hdc evenly around armhole with 42 (46, 49, 53, 56, 60) hdc. Join with a sl st to beg hdc.

Rnd 2: Ch 2, hdc in each hdc around. Join with sl st to first hdc.

Rnd 3: Ch 2, hdc in all hdc until 1 st left. Sk last hdc, join with sl st to beg hdc. 41 (45, 48, 52, 55, 59) hdc.

Rnd 4-12: Rep rnd 3 (decreasing one stitch per row). At the end of rnd 12: 32 (36, 39, 43, 46, 50) hdc

Rnd 13-28: Rep rnd 2. 32 (36, 39, 43, 46, 50) hdc

Rnd 29-30: Rep rnd 3. At the end of rnd 30: 30 (34, 37, 41, 44, 48) hdc.

Rnd 31-37: Rep rnd 2.

Rep this rnd until sleeves reach desired length.

Next rnd: Ch 1 (does NOT count as sc) sc in ea hdc around. Join.

Last rnd: Ch 1, sc in ea sc around. Join. Fasten off and weave in ends.

EDGING:

With WRONG side of cardigan facing, join yarn with a sl st at the bottom corner of front panel.

Ch 3 (counts as dc) dc evenly up the first front panel, around the neck, and down the second front panel. When you reach the opposite bottom corner, turn.

Row 2: Ch 1, sc in ea dc around entire edge of cardigan. Fasten off and weave in ends.  

Conclusion

And you’re done!! Throw on your cardi and go show it off to your friends! 🙂 I really hope you enjoyed this simple crochet cardigan pattern and all the extra tips for beginners. Cardigans are so much easier to make than some people think. The Angelica Cardigan is designed to be extra easy, and I hope you loved it!

If you have any questions at all, please don’t hesitate to contact me.

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© 2021 All rights reserved. You may print this pattern for private use only. You may not reproduce or distribute this pattern in any way for any public or commercial use. You may sell finished items made from this pattern, but please give credit to me and link back to my blog. For info about permission to share pictures/use this pattern in Roundups, please contact me. Thank you!