**Now updated for sizes XS – 5X!** The Nadia Cardigan is the perfect lacy crochet cardigan to wear all spring and summer long! This easy-to-put-together cardigan is great for layering and can be dressed up or down and features super soft cotton blend yarn with a simple one-row repeat for a beautiful open-stitch look.
Scroll down for the free crochet pattern for The Nadia Cardigan and click here to PIN this for later!
Spring is officially here!
Spring is officially here in the south, it seems like overnight everything has just burst into bloom! The colors are so vibrant and saturated, the trees are starting to fill out and there is just so much activity and busyness everywhere. And of course, there’s the bugs and pollen, but we’re not going to talk about that. I think we’ve moved past the last cold snap and the air-conditioning has been turned on for good now.
When I first started crocheting, I never spared a thought for warm weather crochet. I was all about bulky blankets and scarves, and then warm long-sleeved sweaters and cardigans. When you think of yarn, it’s not likely that you would gravitate towards making tops, cardigans, or wraps that can be worn in the heat. But now I have come to love designing and wearing crochet garments all spring and summer, which is good considering it’s hot pretty much eight months of the year in North Carolina. And since I have discovered so many amazing choices for lighter weight and cotton yarns, creating summer tops and lacy crochet cardigans has become one of my favorite things!
Want the ad-free PDF version of the Nadia Cardigan? Visit my Etsy and Ravelry shops!
EASY CROCHET CARDIGANS ARE MY JAM!
Since starting the blog last fall, I have had a notion to create a lightweight and open-stitch cardigan for warmer weather – and so, I am thrilled to introduce the Nadia Cardigan! This easy lacy crochet cardigan is ridiculously easy to work up and put together; made in just three pieces that are seamed together, the cardigan features short sleeves and a simple single crochet edging. The double crochet clusters are stacked on top of each other, much like the iris stitch that I used in The Luminescence Scarf earlier this year, and will make for a satisfying project that comes together quickly. This will easily become a staple and one of your favorite items in your wardrobe.
The Inspiration for the Nadia Cardigan
When my husband and I got married in 1999 (holy cow that’s almost 23 years ago!), I had a cat named Nadia that was gray and white. She had such a personality and was equally annoying – don’t dream of leaving a Q-tip unattended in a trash can – and affectionate in that way that only cats can excel at. Nadia was obsessed with foil balls, like from candy wrappers, and would actually play fetch with you for hours, and was an astonishingly high jumper. She lived to be 18 years old before she made her trip over the Rainbow Bridge, and sometimes I still see her out of the corner of my eye slinking down the stairs.
Want the ad-free PDF version of the Nadia Cardigan? Visit my Etsy and Ravelry shops!
Give me ALL the yarn!
I have been trying out new yarns from different places, and sometimes it’s a miss with first-time yarn you order online because you can’t touch it to get a feel for working with it. However, I am happy to say that I was really pleased with the softness and lightness of Comfy Color Mist by WeCrochet. This worsted weight yarn is 75% Pima Cotton and 25% Acrylic and has a sturdy yet breathable texture that doesn’t feel heavy and it is machine washable!
This yarn comes in hanks, and must be wound into balls before working and I absolutely recommend a ball winder and swift for this purpose; this is the item I never knew that I couldn’t live without until I got one! I love all the speckle-like colorways in this yarn line and chose Tidewater for this lacy crochet cardigan. I will absolutely buy this yarn again for other projects, I’ve got my eye on Vermillion!
Scroll down for the free crochet pattern for The Nadia Cardigan and click here to PIN this for later!
Lightweight and soft cotton yarn in a subtle speckled colorway. A perfect layering piece that will take you through all the warm weather months. I am in LOVE with this lacy crochet cardigan, it was a joy to design and make and I hope you enjoy making it also! Happy stitching, friends!
***The Nadia Cardigan pattern was updated in February 2024 for better fit and additional sizes!***
The Nadia Cardigan – Lacy Crochet Cardigan Pattern
SKILL LEVEL: Advanced Beginner
MATERIALS:
US Size J/10 6.00 mm crochet hook
WeCrochet Comfy Color Mist: #4/Worsted Weight 75% Pima Cotton, 25% Acrylic – 219 yards/100 grams
- Foggy Beach – 4 (5, 6, 7, 8) (9, 9, 10, 10) hanks; approximately 876 (1095, 1314, 1533, 1752) (1971, 1971, 2190, 2190) yards.
Stitch Markers
Scissors
Yarn needle
Measuring Tape
SIZES:
| FITS CHEST* | FINISHED CHEST (including collar)* | LENGTH (PANELS DOWN TO BOTTOM)** | BACK PANEL WIDTH (shoulder to shoulder) | FRONT PANEL WIDTH (including collar) | ARMHOLE DEPTH | |
| XS | 28-30” | 30” | 23” | 16” | 7” | 6.5” |
| S | 32-34” | 34” | 25” | 18” | 8” | 7” |
| M | 36-38” | 38” | 27” | 20” | 9” | 7.5” |
| L | 40-42” | 42” | 29” | 22” | 10” | 8” |
| XL | 44-46” | 46” | 31” | 24” | 11” | 8.5” |
| 2X | 48-50” | 50” | 33” | 26” | 12” | 9” |
| 3X | 52-54” | 54” | 33” | 28” | 13” | 9.5” |
| 4X | 56-58” | 58” | 35” | 30” | 14” | 10” |
| 5X | 60-62” | 62” | 35” | 32” | 15” | 10.5” |
*FITS CHEST refers to the measurement of the intended wearer. FINISHED CHEST refers to the measurements of the finished garment (back panel plus both front panels and collar).
*This cardigan is intended to have a relaxed and open fit with 3-4 inches of positive ease in the main body (back panel) of the cardigan and is meant to be worn open at the front.
**The length of the back and front panels can be lengthened or shortened as preferred for fit by adding or removing rows, and sleeve length can be adjusted as preferred.
**Make sure to purchase enough yarn if you are adding rows or lengthening the sleeves.
GAUGE: 14 dc stitches X 6 dc rows = 4 inches
ABBREVIATIONS:
ch(s) – chain(s)
sc – single crochet
dc –double crochet
sk – skip
st(s) – stitch(es)
sl st – slip stitch
tch – turning chain
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 that are then seamed together at the shoulders and sides, and short sleeves are then worked from the arms holes.
- The double crochet clusters are created with a starting chain in multiples of three and then working three double crochets into the same stitch as indicated across the row.
- The double crochet clusters will be stacked on top of each other, with each cluster being worked into the middle stitch of the one below it.
- Ch 1 does NOT count as a stitch.
- There is no right side or wrong side to the panels until they are seamed together. After seaming the panels together, placing stitch markers to indicate the inside of the cardigan as instructed will assist with working the sleeves and border.
- Work the foundation chains for the panels with a loose tension to prevent curling at the bottom of your cardigan.
BACK PANEL
Foundation Row: Ch 57 (63, 69, 78, 84) (90, 99, 105, 111)
Row 1: 3 dc in the 4th ch from hook (skipped chs count as dc). *Sk 2 chs, 3 dc in next ch. * Repeat from * to * across until 2 chs remain. Sk next ch, dc in last ch, turn. [56 (62, 68, 77, 83) (89, 98, 104, 110) dc sts]
Row 2: Ch 2 (counts as a dc), sk next st, 3 dc in next st (this will be center of cluster in row below). *Sk 2 sts, 3 dc in next st.* Repeat from * to * across until one st and tch remain. Sk next st, dc in top of tch, turn. [56 (62, 68, 77, 83) (89, 98, 104, 110) dc sts]
Row 3 – 35 (38, 41, 44, 47) (50, 50, 53, 53): Repeat Row 2. Fasten off.
FRONT PANELS (make 2)
Foundation Row: Ch 21 (24, 27, 30, 36) (39, 42, 45, 48)
Row 1: 3 dc in the 4th ch from hook (skipped chs count as dc). *Sk 2 chs, 3 dc in next ch. * Repeat from * to * across until 2 chs remain. Sk next ch, dc in last ch, turn. [20 (23, 26, 29, 35) (38, 41, 44, 47) dc sts]
Row 2 – 35 (38, 41, 44, 47) (50, 50, 53, 53): Repeat instructions as for back panel Row 2. Fasten off, leaving a long tail for seaming.
SEAMING THE PANELS TOGETHER
Lay the back panel flat and place the front panels on top; it will not matter which sides are facing up at this point if the double crochet cluster rows line up while you are seaming. Using stitch markers, pin across the top of the shoulders and down the outside of the cardigan, leaving approximately 6.5 (7, 7.5, 8, 8.5) (9, 9.5, 10, 10.5) inches for each armhole.
Try your cardigan on at this point to determine if you want to add/remove length and to ensure the fit is as desired.
Using the yarn tail, seam the shoulders with your preferred seaming method and fasten off. I used the whip stitch for my cardigan.
Attach yarn at the armpits and seam down the sides of the cardigan. Place stitch markers somewhere on the front panels that are facing up; this is now the inside of your cardigan.
SLEEVES
- Sleeves are worked directly onto the armholes in turned rounds and do not decrease. You will work one foundation round of evenly spaced single crochet, working this round with loose tension to prevent puckering (too few stitches) or rippling (too many stitches) around the armhole.
- Lengthen the sleeves by repeating Round 2 until desired length is reached before continuing to the single crochet rounds.
- Make sure to count your stitches after Round 1 to ensure you have the number indicated for your size; if your total stitch count is not a multiple of three, then add or remove stitches at the end to achieve this.
- It is not as important to keep your tension relaxed for single crochet rounds 5-7, as these rounds will naturally draw in a little tighter by design to achieve a polished finish to your sleeve.
RIGHT SLEEVE:
With the cardigan lying flat and wrong side (inside of cardigan) front panels facing up, join yarn at the right armpit that is facing you. Working up the BACK side of the cardigan towards the shoulder:
Round 1: Ch 1, evenly (see note above) work sc into edge of rows, back around to first st. Sl st to first sc, turn. See note re: sleeve st count above. [45 (48, 51, 54, 57) (60, 63, 69, 72) sc sts]
Round 2: Ch 2 (does not count as a st), skip next st, 3 dc in next st. *Sk 2 st, 3 dc in next st.* Repeat from * to * back to armpit until one st remains. Sk last st, sl st to top of tch, turn. [45 (48, 51, 54, 57) (60, 63, 69, 72) dc sts]
Rounds 3 – 4: Repeat Round 2.
Round 5: Ch 1, sk first st from hook, sc in next st and each st in the round. Sl st to first sc worked in the round, turn. [45 (48, 51, 54, 57) (60, 63, 69, 72) sc sts]
Rounds 6 – 7: Repeat Round 5. Fasten off.
LEFT SLEEVE:
With the cardigan lying flat and wrong side (inside of cardigan) front panels facing up, join yarn at the left armpit that is facing you. Working up the FRONT side of the cardigan towards the shoulder, repeat Rounds 1 – 7 as for right sleeve.
COLLAR AND BOTTOM EDGING
The collar and bottom edge are worked by attaching yarn 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. Edging is then continued along the bottom hem of the cardigan.
Working in turned rounds, the collar can be widened as preferred by repeating Round 2 until desired width. Total stitch count for the edging is not important so long as you are working the single crochets evenly.
As noted for the sleeves, you will evenly work single crochets into the edge of each row end so that there is no puckering (too few stitches) or rippling (too many stitches) around the collar of your cardigan.
Still working with your cardigan inside out and laying the cardigan flat, join yarn at the bottom right corner (what will be the right side of your cardigan when you are wearing it).
Round 1: Ch 1, evenly work sc along the edges of front panel, across the top of back panel and down other front panel. Work 2 sc in opposite corner, continue working sc along bottom hem, placing 2 sc into each chain-space and one sc into the bottom of each cluster. Sl st to first sc, turn.
Round 2: Ch 1, sc in first st from hook and each st across. Work 2 sc in opposite corner from where you started. Sl st to first sc, turn.
Round 3: Repeat Round 2, fasten off.
Weave in all your ends and you are done!
Click here to PIN this free easy crochet cardigan pattern for later!
Reference Photos
Want the ad-free PDF version of the Nadia Cardigan? Visit my Etsy and Ravelry shops!
