I haven't created a button-up cardigan in a very long time. I think I got lazy? I don't know, but this was one was so easy, I think I'll do it more often for sure! I've been wanting to use the Camel stitch on a cardigan ever since I made the Sunset Blush Sweater. The vertical knit-like stitches are so eye-catching, I just didn't know how to incorporate the stitch into V-neck shaping. With a little experimenting, I came up with an easy solution! The puffy sleeves are so fun to make, and uses a stitch you may have never seen before.
Full video tutorial is linked below.
Level:
Intermediate
Sizing:
Design suggests 12-15 inches of positive ease around fullest part of bust. You may customize as you like however!
Easy to adjust pattern to fit your size.
Materials:
Approx. 1000 yards of size 4 weight yarn for size S/M.
I used Loops & Threads Creme Cotton in Mid Grey
Size J/6 mm crochet hook
Size I/5.5 mm crochet hook
Guage:
Not necessary for this project.
Stitches used:
Hdc - Half double crochet
Dc - Double crochet
Chainless Dc - Used as first dc in row indicated. Turn without a turning chain, sc in first stitch, turn your sc to the side and sc again in the 2 side loops.
Crossed Dc - Skip 2 stitches, dc in next stitch, ch 1, yarn over and go around the back post of dc you just created. Insert hook into first skipped stitch (inserting hook from the front), and complete your dc stitch.
Hdc3tog - Yo, insert hook into stitch indicated, yo and pull through a loop, yo and insert hook into next st, yo and pull through a loop, yo and insert hook into next st, yo and pull through a loop, yo and pull through all loops on hook.
Back Panel
Using size J/6 mm. hook:
R1- Make a chain that is a couple inches longer than you'd like your cardigan to be - also allowing for at least a 1" border ribbing at the bottom (The Camel stitch seems to shrink the fabric in length as you go along). Hdc in second chain from hook, and in each chain across row.
Camel Stitch:
R2- Ch 1, turn, hdc in the front "3rd loop" in each stitch across row.
R3- Ch 1, turn hdc in the back loop in each stitch across row.
Repeat rows 2 and 3 for as wide as you'd like your cardigan to be. I made mine 24" wide because I wanted an extra slouchy cardigan.
Right front: (As you are looking at it, laying flat)
Make a panel that is the same length as the back panel, but ending with a row 3, and is 3" less than half of the back panel. (I placed a stitch marker at the halfway point on my back panel, and stopped my panel 3" before reaching that marker) Place a stitch marker 4 1/2" down from top edge.
First decrease row- (A row 2 of camel stitch) hdc in front loop of each stitch and stop when you reach the last 3 stitches just before marker. Hdc in front loop of next stitch, sc in front loop of next stitch, slip stitch in front loop of next stitch (where marker is).
2nd decrease row- Turn your work to the left without a turning chain, skip the first stitch, slip stitch into the next stitch (the sc from previous row), sc in next st, hdc in remaining stitches across row (all stitches are in the back loop).
3rd decrease row- hdc in front loop of each stitch and stop when you reach the last 3 hdc's (leaving the last 2 stitches unworked). Hdc in front loop in next stitch, sc in front loop of next stitch, slip stitch in front loop of next stitch
Repeat 2nd and 3rd decrease rows until your panel reaches about 1/2" from center point of back panel. We will be adding a 1" border to the front edges later.
Left Front:
Make a panel that is the same width as your right front (before decrease rows) ending with a row 3 of camel stitch. Finish off your yarn. Place a stitch marker at the same point as you did for right front. Turn piece to work on wrong side. Working in the front loops, join yarn to marked stitch. Chain 1, sc in next stitch. Hdc in remaining stitches across row.
2nd decrease row- hdc in the back loop of each stitch and stop when you reach the last 3 hdc's (leaving the last 2 stitches unworked). Hdc in the back loop in next stitch, sc in back loop of next stitch, slip stitch in back loop of next stitch.
3rd decrease row- Chain 1, turn your work to the right without a turning chain, skip the first stitch, slip stitch into the "back bar" of the sc from previous row (the bar just under the top "v"), sc in next st, hdc in remaining stitches across row (all stitches are in the front loops).
Repeat 2nd and 3rd decrease rows until panel is same width as right front. (Your last row may end with a 2nd decrease row, just finish off yarn at last slip stitch)
Shoulder Seams:
Lay font panels on top of back panel, wrong sides together, and stitch top shoulder seams together.
Sleeves (Make 2)
Open cardigan and lay flat with shoulder seam in front of you. Place a stitch marker at shoulder seam, place another marker 13 stitches to the right, and another 10 stitches to the right of last marker. Repeat placing another marker 13 stitches to the left of center marker, and another marker 10 stitches to the left of last marker.
R1- On wrong side of cardigan, join yarn to first marked stitch. Chain 1, hdc in same stitch and in each stitch up to next marker. Place 2 hdc's in marked stitch, and 2 hdc's in each stitch up to next marker. Place 1 hdc at center marker. Hdc 2 times in each stitch in next section to next marker, and 1 hdc in each stitch to last marker. (73 hdc's)
R2- Chainless dc in first stitch, *Crossed dc over next 3 stitches. Dc into next unworked stitch. Repeat from * across row, ending with a dc in last stitch.
R3- Chainless dc in first stitch, ch 1, skip next stitch, dc in chain 1 space (at top of crossed dc from previous row). *Crossed dc over next 3 stitches. Dc into next ch 1 space. Repeat from * across row, ending with ch 1, skip 1 stitch, dc in last stitch.
Repeat rows 2 & 3 for as long as you'd like your sleeve, ending with a row 3, allowing for an approximately 1" cuff.
Cuff - Using smaller hook:
R1- Ch 1, turn, hdc3tog over first 3 stitches (ch 1 space counts as a stitch). Repeat across row.
R2- Ch 1, turn, hdc in first stitch, *front post hdc around first stitch, back post hdc around next stitch. Repeat from * across row, ending with a hdc in last stitch.
R3- Ch 1, turn, sc in first stitch, *front post sc around each stitch that "pop" out to the front, and back post sc around each stitch that pop out to the back. Repeat from * across row, ending with a sc in last stitch. Finish off your yarn leaving a very long tail to stitch underarm and side seams.
Fold cardigan in half at shoulders and stitch underarm and side seams.
Finishing
Bottom Ribbing: (Can use smaller hook for tighter border, or larger hook)
R1- Join yarn to lower front on right side. Ch 1, hdc evenly across bottom edge of cardigan, placing 1 hdc at end of each vertical row.
R2- Ch 1, turn, hdc in first stitch, *front post hdc around first stitch, back post hdc around next stitch. Repeat from * across row, ending with a hdc in last stitch.
R3- Ch 1, turn, hdc in first stitch, *front post hdc around each stitch that "pop" out to the front, and back post hdc around each stitch that pop out to the back. Repeat from * across row, ending with a hdc in last stitch.
Repeat rows 2 & 3 for as wide as you would like your ribbing to be, ending with a right side row. Do not finish off.
Front Edges:
Turn work and continue to work along first front edge on right side.
Rows 1 & 2- sc evenly along front and neck edges of cardigan.
Row 3- Lay desired number of buttons on left front and mark placement with stitch markers at lower points of buttons, making sure they are evenly spaced. Remove buttons and *sc up to first maker, ch 2, skip 2 stitches, sc in next stitch. Repeat from * for each marker. Continue in sc to end of row.
Rows 4 & 5- repeat rows 1 & 2.
Sew buttons on right front edge of cardigan under buttonholes.
Finish off all yarn, weave in ends.
Enjoy your beautiful and unique cardigan!
Watch full video tutorial here!
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