Blue Cloud Cardigan

Well, Hello! It's been a while to say the least. 2020 has been a rough one, I am planning a much more productive 2021. The most exciting news is I have started a new YouTube channel! I plan to post video tutorials of all my projects moving forward. Today I am featuring my newest free crochet pattern which is such a speedy and fun garment using bulky yarn and a large crochet hook. The vertical ribbed stitches gives this cardigan an upscale and sophisticated look.

Level:

Advanced Beginner/ Intermediate

Sizing:

Cardigan is loose-fitting with long balloon sleeves

Approx. width at underarms when laid flat: S/M (20")

Sleeve circumference at underarm: S/M (20")

Size can easily be customized to any measurement

Sweater pictured is approx. 30” in length, and is size Small/Medium

Materials:

Bulky weight size 5 yarn – I used Charisma Yarn from Michaels in the color Sky Tweed

8 Balls for size Small/Medium

M/9 mm Crochet Hook

Stitches used:

Dc – Double crochet

Hdc - Half double crochet

Sl st - Slip stitch

Sc - Single crochet

Camel st - hdc in front 3rd loop of hdc from previous row

Chainless dc – Used at the beginning of each dc row. Turn work without turning chain, sc loosely in first stitch, then sc again in left side 2 loops of the sc just created - you're just "stacking" the 2 single crochets on top of each other.

Guage:

Using M hook: 7 dc = 4” wide

4 rows of pattern = 3.5"

Notes:

Front and back panels are worked separately, from side to side, then joined together at shoulders. Sleeves are worked vertically with cuffs created as you go.

BACK PANEL:

R1- Loosely Ch 53, chainless dc in 2nd chain from hook, and in each chain across (52 dc)

(Note: For remaining pattern repeats, these dc's will be in both loops from previous row)

Sizing Note: You may start with more chains to create a longer garment, keep in mind the fabric created has some vertical stretch.

R2- Ch 1, turn, hdc in both loops across.

R3- Ch 1, turn, camel stitch in each stitch across.

R4- Turn, chainless dc in back loop of first st, dc in back loops in each stitch across.

Repeat rows 1 - 4 for a total of 22 rows for size S/M. You will be ending with a row 2. You may add more rows to reach desired width as long as row count is an even number.

*Keep in mind if you do not end with a row 2 for each panel, the rows will not perfectly line up at shoulder seams. It's not a huge deal, the shoulder seams don't show very much... Keep note of how many rows you added.

**Panels have a wrong side and a right side. The right side shows the pretty ribbed texture created from the camel stitches.

FRONT PANELS (MAKE 2):

Repeat instructions as for back panel for 10 rows. You will be ending with a row 2. If you added extra rows to the back, divide your extra rows by 2 and add to each front panel. Leave long tails for sewing shoulder seams.

Sewing the Panels Together:

Lay back panel down with rows oriented vertically and your 2 front panels lined up at shoulders with wrong sides together. I oriented my panels with the first rows placed at left side, and matched each row at shoulder. Sew together shoulder seams only using the mattress stitch.

SLEEVES

R1- Loosely Ch 35. Sl st into the 2nd ch from hook, and into the next 3 chains. Dc into the remaining chains (30 dc, 4 sl st) (Note: For remaining pattern repeats, these dc's will be in both loops from previous row)

R2- Turn, ch 1, hdc in both loops in each dc across. St st in back loops of the 4 sl sts from previous row.

R3- Ch 1, turn, sl st in back loops of the 4 sl sts from previous row. Camel stitch in each stitch across.

R4- Turn, chainless dc in back loop of first st, dc in back loops in each hdc across. Sl st in back loops of sl sts from previous row.

Repeat rows 1 - 4 for a total of 22 rows.

Sleeve and Underarm Seams:

Open up body panels and center each top of sleeve to shoulder seams. Stitch in place.

Fold cardigan in half at shoulders and stitch underarm and side seams.

Finishing the Edges:

Now we'll work on bottom edge of cardigan with right side facing you. Join yarn and work a row of sc evenly across bottom edge. I like to make this row on the tight side, so don't place your stitches too close together.

Ribbing:

At the end of row, chain 4, sc in 2nd ch from hook and in remaining 2 chains.

Working along front edge of cardigan, *sl st into next 3 unworked sts. Turn your work without a turning chain, skip the 3 slip stitches, and sc into back loops of the 3 sc's from first row of ribbing. Ch 1, turn, sc in back loops of the 3 sc's.

Repeat from * and proceed along front edge, neck edge, and down other front edge.

Finish off.

POCKETS - MAKE (2)

R1- Chain 15, hdc in 2nd ch and in each ch across (14 hdc)

R2- Ch 1, turn, camel stitch in each st across.

R3- Ch 1, turn, hdc in back loops in each st across.

Rows 4 - 7 repeat rows 2 and 3, ending with row 1. Do not finish off.

Turn work, sc evenly across bottom edge of pocket.

Turn and sc in each stitch along first row. Ch 1, slip stitch evenly across top edge of pocket. I like the look of the slip stitches along the top, they're more decorative, and sturdy.

Now just place and pin pockets to front of garment where desired. Sew in place.

Enjoy your new cozy cardigan!

Be sure to check out the full video tutorial below!