Easy Crochet Cardigan – The Harvest Cardigan

A relaxed and comfy soft cardigan that is perfect for those fall days when you need to dress in layers, this easy crochet cardigan uses simple stitches with an easy construction for all skill levels and is available in six sizes!

Click here to pin this easy crochet cardigan pattern for later!

The best kind of cardigan is an easy crochet cardigan!

LET’S TALK YARN . . .

Like the Copper Penny Pullover, this easy crochet cardigan uses another Lion Brand favorite, Lion Brand Basic Stitch Anti-Pilling yarn. This yarn is a 100% acrylic medium #4 weight yarn that is super soft and designed for items that get a lot of wear. It’s machine washable and to that end, will get softer the more you wear it. The colorway in Russet Heather for this finished cardigan is so reminiscent of the changing leaves and autumn landscape, but this yarn comes in several beautiful color choices so you can make it your own.

Easy Crochet Cardigan – Design Details

This easy crochet cardigan is made in five main pieces – a back panel, two front panels, and two sleeves – that are then seamed together for easy construction. Then a collar is added for finishing and of course those glorious pockets. The panels are worked from the bottom up, after crocheting the ribbing, and the sleeves are worked in the same way after the cuff ribbing is finished. As a matter of fact, this is a great easy project for a first-ever cardigan and a garment that works up quickly for any skill level.

Purchase the ad-free PDF digital download version of this easy crochet cardigan from my shops:

Scroll down for the free pattern for this easy crochet cardigan, and make sure to pin this for later! 

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***This pattern was updated in October 2023 for better fit***

The Harvest Cardigan – Easy Crochet Cardigan Pattern

Perfect for layering in cool weather, this relaxed and comfortable easy crochet cardigan will be your favorite go-to garment that you will wear all through the fall and winter months.

SKILL LEVEL:  Advanced Beginner

MATERIALS:

US Size J/10 6.00 mm crochet hook

Lion Brand Basic Stitch Anti-Pilling (Weight: 4/Worsted 100% Acrylic –185 yards/170 meters, 3.5 ounces/100 grams)

• Russet Heather – 6 (7, 8, 9, 10) (11, 12, 13, 14) skeins; approximately 1110 (1295, 1480, 1665, 1850) (2035, 2220, 2405, 2590) yards.

Stitch Markers

Scissors

Yarn needle

Measuring Tape

SIZES:

	FITS CHEST	FINISHED CHEST  (including collar)	LENGTH OF FRONT AND BACK PANELS (including ribbing)	FINISHED BACK WIDTH (shoulder to shoulder)	ARMHOLE DEPTH	SLEEVE LENGTH (including ribbing)	RIBBING HEIGHT (panels and sleeve cuffs)
XS	28-30”	34”	29”	16”	7”	18.5”	3”
S	32-34”	38”	29”	18”	7.5”	19”	3”
M	36-38”	42”	30”	20”	8”	19”	3”
L	40-42”	46”	30”	22”	8.5”	19”	3”
XL	44-46”	50”	30”	24”	9”	18.25”	3”
2X	48-50”	54”	31”	26”	9.5”	18.25”	3”
3X	52-54”	58”	31”	28”	10”	18.25”	3”
4X	56-58”	62”	32”	30”	10.5”	17.25”	3”
5X	60-62”	66”	32”	32”	11”	17.25”	3”

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*FITS CHEST refers to the measurement of the intended wearer.  FINISHED CHEST refers to the measurements of the finished garment. 

*This cardigan is intended to have a relaxed, comfortable fit with 4-6 inches of positive ease in the main panels of the cardigan.  The cardigan can be customized in the length of the cardigan panels and sleeves.

The cardigan pictured is a size Small and the model is 5’10” with a 34” bust. 

GAUGE:          

• Main stitch (half double crochet in the front loop only) – 15 hdc stitches X 9 hdc rows = 4 inches
• Ribbing (half double crochet in the back loop only) – 9 hdc rows = 4 inches

ABBREVIATIONS: 

ch(s) – chain(s)

sc – single crochet

hdc – half double crochet

hdc BLO– half double crochet BACK loop only

hdc FLO– half double crochet FRONT loop only

st(s) – stitch(es)

RS – right side

WS – wrong side

OVERALL PATTERN NOTES:

• Pattern is written in smallest size with larger sizes following in parentheses:  XS (S, M, L, XL) (2X, 3X, 4X, 5X). 
• The cardigan is worked in three panels for the main body – a back panel and two front panels – that are then seamed together at the shoulders and sides, and sleeves are worked separately and seamed onto the body at the end.   
• The collar is crocheted onto the cardigan in turned rows and can be widened as preferred.  The cardigan is finished with two pockets that are seamed on. 
• Turning Ch 2 and Ch 1 do not count as a stitch.   
• Placing a stitch marker in the first right side (RS) row for the panels and sleeves will help you determine placement before seaming. 
• When working the front loop only rows for the main panels and sleeves, working the first and last stitch into BOTH loops makes for a neater edge.
• If you are adding length to the cardigan, please make sure to purchase enough yarn.  If you are adding length to the sleeves, work the pattern as indicated until the last increase row and do not increase your stitch count for additional rows. 

CARDIGAN BACK

Notes:  Ribbing is crocheted first, and then is turned horizontally to work hdc across the ends of the rows to continue the panel from the bottom up. 

RIBBING – Back Panel

Foundation Row:  Ch 12. 

Row 1:  Hdc in 3^rd ch from hook and each across.  Turn.  (10 hdc sts)

Row 2:  Ch 2, hdc in both loops of first st.  Hdc BLO in next st and each st across, ending with hdc in both loops of last st.  Turn.  (10 hdc sts)

Rows 3 – 36 (41, 45, 50, 54) (59, 63, 68, 72):  Repeat Row 2.  Do not fasten off, continue using the same working yarn from the ribbing. 

Continuing the Back Panel

Turn the ribbing horizontally to work stitches into the ends of the rows.  Work approximately 5 hdc stitches for every 3 ribbing rows as per below:

• XS:  60 sts across 36 rows – 5 hdc sts for every 3 ribbing rows. 
• S:  68 sts across 41 rows – 5 hdc sts for every 3 ribbing rows, working last 3 hdc sts into last 2 rows. 
• M:  75 sts across 45 rows – 5 hdc sts for every 3 ribbing rows. 
• L:  83 sts across 50 rows – 5 hdc sts for every 3 ribbing rows, working last 3 hdc sts into last 2 rows. 
• XL:  90 sts across 54 rows – 5 hdc sts for every 3 ribbing rows.    
• 2X:  98 sts across 59 rows – 5 hdc sts for every 3 ribbing rows, working last 3 hdc sts into last 2 rows. 
• 3X:  105 sts across 63 rows – 5 hdc sts for every 3 ribbing rows.    
• 4X:  113 sts across 68 rows – 5 hdc sts for every 3 ribbing rows, working last 3 hdc sts into last 2 rows.      
• 5X:  120 sts across 72 rows – 5 hdc sts for every 3 ribbing rows.    

Row 1 (RS):  Ch 2, hdc across the ends of the ribbing row ends according to the instructions above. Turn.  [60 (68, 75, 83, 90) (98, 105, 113, 120) hdc sts]

Row 2 (WS):  Ch 2, hdc in both loops of first st.  Hdc FLO in next st and each st across, ending with hdc in both loops of last st.  Turn.  [60 (68, 75, 83, 90) (98, 105, 113, 120) hdc sts]

Row 3 – 59 (59, 61, 61, 61) (63, 63, 66, 66):  Repeat Row 2.  Fasten off, leaving a long tail for seaming.  [60 (68, 75, 83, 90) (98, 105, 113, 120) hdc sts]

Reference Photos – Ribbing

CARDIGAN FRONT PANELS (make 2)

Notes:  Ribbing is crocheted first, and then is turned horizontally to work hdc across the ends of the rows to continue the panel from the bottom up.  Make 2 front panels, beginning with the ribbing rows.

RIBBING

Foundation Row:  Ch 12

Row 1:  Hdc in 3^rd ch from hook and each across.  Turn.  (10 hdc sts)

Row 2:  Ch 2, hdc in both loops of first st.  Hdc BLO in next st and each st across, ending with hdc in both loops of last st.  Turn.  (10 hdc sts)

Row 3 – 15 (17, 19, 22, 24) (26, 28, 30, 33):  Repeat Row 2. 

Do not fasten off; continue using same working yarn from ribbing. 

You will work approximately 5 hdc stitches for every 3 ribbing rows as per below:

• XS – 24 hdc sts across 15 rows:  5 hdc sts for every 3 ribbing rows, working last 4 hdc sts into last 3 rows.
• S – 28 hdc sts across 17 rows:  5 hdc sts for every 3 ribbing rows, working last 3 hdc sts into last 2 rows.
• M – 32 hdc sts across 19 rows:  5 hdc sts for every 3 ribbing rows, working last 2 hdc sts into last row.
• L – 36 hdc sts across 22 rows:  5 hdc sts for every 3 ribbing rows, working last hdc st into last row.
• XL – 39 hdc sts across 24 rows:  5 hdc sts for every 3 ribbing rows, working 4 hdc sts into last 3 rows.
• 2X – 43 hdc sts across 26 rows:  5 hdc sts for every 3 ribbing rows, working 3 hdc sts into last 2 rows.
• 3X – 47 hdc sts across 28 rows:  5 hdc sts for every 3 ribbing rows, working last 2 hdc sts into last row.
• 4X – 51 hdc sts across 30 rows:  5 hdc sts for every 3 ribbing rows, working last hdc st into last row.  
• 5X – 54 hdc sts across 33 rows:  5 hdc sts for every 3 ribbing rows, working 4 hdc sts into last 3 rows

Continuing the Front Panels

Row 1 (RS):  Ch 2, hdc across the ends of the ribbing row ends according to the instructions above. Turn.  [24 (28, 32, 36, 39) (43, 47, 51, 54) hdc sts]

Row 2 (WS):  Ch 2, hdc in both loops of first st.  Hdc FLO in next st and each st across, ending with hdc in both loops of last st.  Turn.  [24 (28, 32, 36, 39) (43, 47, 51, 54) hdc sts]

Row 3 – 59 (59, 61, 61, 61) (63, 63, 66, 66):  Repeat Row 2.  Fasten off, leaving a long tail for seaming.  [24 (28, 32, 36, 39) (43, 47, 51, 54) hdc sts]

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SLEEVES (make 2)

Sleeves are worked flat in turned rows from the wrist to the shoulder and then seamed onto the armholes. The same yarn tail is used to secure the armpit and continue seaming down the inside of the sleeve to the cuffs.  Rows will increase by 2 stitches as indicated in the chart below. 

RIBBING – Sleeves

Foundation Row:  Ch 12. 

Row 1:  Hdc in 3^rd ch from hook and each across.  Turn.  (10 hdc sts)

Row 2:  Ch 2, hdc in both loops of first st.  Hdc BLO in next st and each st across, ending with hdc in both loops of last st.  Turn.  (10 hdc sts)

Rows 3-17 (18, 19, 21, 22) (23, 24, 25, 26):  Repeat Row 2.  Do not fasten off, continue using the same working yarn from the ribbing. 

Continuing the Sleeve

Turn the ribbing horizontally to work stitches into the ends of the rows.  Work approximately 5 hdc stitches for every 3 ribbing rows as per below:

• XS:  28 sts across 17 rows – 5 hdc sts for every 3 ribbing rows, working 3 hdc sts into last 2 rows. 
• S:  30 sts across 18 rows – 5 hdc sts for every 3 ribbing rows. 
• M:  32 sts across 19 rows – 5 hdc sts for every 3 ribbing rows, working 2 hdc sts into last row
• L:  34 sts across 21 rows – 5 hdc sts for every 3 ribbing rows, working 4 hdc sts into last 3 rows
• XL:  36 sts across 22 rows – 5 hdc sts for every 3 ribbing rows, working last hdc st into last row
• 2X:  38 sts across 23 rows – 5 hdc sts for every 3 ribbing rows, working 3 hdc sts into last 2 rows
• 3X:  40 sts across 24 rows – 5 hdc sts for every 3 ribbing rows
• 4X:  42 sts across 25 rows – 5 hdc sts for every 3 ribbing rows, working 2 hdc sts into last row
• 5X:  43 sts across 26 rows – 5 hdc sts for every 3 ribbing rows, working 3 hdc sts into last 2 rows

Row 1 (RS):  Ch 2, hdc across the ends of the ribbing row ends according to the instructions above. Turn.  [28 (30, 32, 34, 36) (38, 40, 42, 43) hdc sts]

Row 2 (increase) (WS):  Ch 2, 2 hdc in both loops of first st.  Hdc FLO in next st and each st across, ending with 2 hdc in both loops of last st.  Turn.  [30 (32, 34, 36, 38) (40, 42, 44, 45) hdc sts]

Row 3 (RS):  Ch 2, hdc in both loops of first st.  Hdc FLO in next st and each st across, ending with hdc worked in both loops of last st.  Turn.  [30 (32, 34, 36, 38) (40, 42, 44, 45) hdc sts]

Rows 4 – 35 (36, 36, 36, 34) (34, 34, 32, 32):  Repeat Row 3 working increase rows (Row 2 repeat) as indicated below.  Fasten sleeve off, leaving a yarn tail long enough to seam the sleeve around the armhole and down the inside of the sleeve to the cuff.   

INCREASE ROWS

Size	Increase Row #	Increase Stitch Count		Size	Increase Row #	Increase Stitch Count		Size	Increase Row #	Increase Stitch Count
XS	2 5 9 12 15 17 19 21 24 27 30 33	30 32 34 36 38 40 42 44 46 48 50 52		S	2 5 8 11 14 16 18 20 23 26 29 32 35	32 34 36 38 40 42 44 46 48 50 52 54 56		M	2 5 7 10 13 15 17 19 21 24 27 30 33 35	34 36 38 40 42 44 46 48 50 52 54 56 58 60
L	2 4 7 10 13 15 17 19 21 23 26 29 31 33 35	36 38 40 42 44 46 48 50 52 54 56 58 60 62 64		XL	2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 18 20 22 24 26 28 31 33	38 40 42 44 46 48 50 52 54 56 58 60 62 64 66 68		2X	2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 18 19 21 23 25 27 29 31 33	40 42 44 46 48 50 52 54 56 58 60 62 64 66 68 70 72
3X	2 4 6 8 10 12 14 15 17 18 20 21 23 25 27 29 31 33	42 44 46 48 50 52 54 56 58 60 62 64 66 68 70 72 74 76		4X	2 4 6 8 10 11 13 14 16 17 19 20 22 23 25 26 28 29 31	44 46 48 50 52 54 56 58 60 62 64 66 68 70 72 74 76 78 80		5X	2 4 5 7 8 10 11 13 14 16 17 19 20 22 23 25 26 28 29 31	45 47 49 51 53 55 57 59 61 63 65 67 69 71 73 75 77 79 81 83

SEAMING THE PANELS AND SLEEVES

Panels

Lay the back panel flat with RS facing up and position the front panels on top with WS facing up.  You will be seaming the cardigan together with the wrong sides facing out, essentially working with the cardigan inside out. Line up the stitches across the top of the cardigan and pin.  Using the yarn tails, seam the shoulders.  Depending on the size you are making, you will have either 11 or 12 stitches remaining on the back panel to allow for the collar. 

I used the whip stitch to seam the panels and sleeves. 

Line up the sides of the cardigan and pin, leaving 7 (7.5, 8, 8.5, 9) (9.5, 10, 10.5, 11) inches for the armholes.  The ridged rows will allow you to visually make sure the rows are lining up and the ridges are matched up from the back panel to the front panels.   Join yarn at the armpits and seam down the sides of the cardigan, ending where the ribbed cuff begins and leaving the hem split if desired. 

Sleeves

Repeat for both sleeves:

Lay the sleeves flat with RS facing up and fold the sleeve over to line up the ridged rows.  WS is now facing up; pin the sleeve together down the inner seam to hold in place.  Attach the sleeve to the armhole with stitch markers. 

Using the long yarn tail and beginning at the armpit, seam the sleeves to the armhole.  From the armpit, continue seaming down the inside of the sleeve to the cuffs and fasten off.   

COLLAR

The collar is attached to the bottom corner of the cardigan and then worked up the side of the front panel, across the top of the back panel, and then down the side of the other panel.  Working in turned rows, the collar can be widened as preferred. 

Turning your cardigan RS out and laying the cardigan flat, join yarn at the bottom right corner (what will be the left side of your cardigan when you are wearing it). 

Foundation Row:

• Working into the bottom ribbing:  Ch 2, hdc in each row of the ribbing . . .
• Working up the left front:  Hdc in row edge, approximately 4 hdc for every 3 rows until shoulder seam is reached; place 1 hdc into shoulder seam . . .
• Working along the back panel:  Hdc in each stitch across until shoulder seam is reached; place 1 hdc into shoulder seam . . .
• Working down the right front:  Hdc in each row edge, approximately 4 hdc for every 3 rows . . .
• Working into the bottom ribbing: Hdc in each row of the ribbing.  Turn. 

Your total stitch count may vary, but making your stitches as even as possible and not too close together will prevent the collar from puckering. 

Row 1:  Ch 2, hdc BLO in both loops of first st.  Hdc BLO in next st and each across until the end of the row, working hdc in both loops of last st.  Turn. 

Rows 2 – 6:  Repeat Row 1.  Continue to work Row 1 repeats if you want your collar to be wider; otherwise, fasten off. 

Pockets (make 2)

**NOTE:  The pockets can be resized easily if you want them smaller or larger; chain the desired number of stitches and follow instructions as written.  The final stitch count of your pocket will be two stitches less than the starting chain.

Ch 22. 

Row 1:  Hdc in 3^rd ch from hook and each ch across.  Turn.  (20 hdc sts)

Row 2: Ch 2, hdc in both loops of first st.  Hdc FLO in next st and each st across, ending with hdc in both loops of last st.  Turn.  (20 hdc sts)

Rows 3 – 12:  Repeat Row 2.   

Row 13:  Ch 1, sc in first st and each st across. Turn.  (20 sc sts)

Rows 14 – 16:  Repeat Row 13.

Do not fasten off, you will now continue around the edge of the pocket with a border of single crochet.

Pocket border: Ch 1, sc evenly in ends of rows around three sides of the pocket, with two sc in each corner. Fasten off and weave in ends.

The total stitch count of the single crochet is not important as long as the stitches are evenly spaced so that the pocket edges don’t curl up.

Seam your pockets onto your cardigan in your preferred spot, weave in all your ends. 

REFERENCE PHOTOS

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