Hi, I’m back! I never thought that I would be posting here again, but recently, I’ve restarted crocheting after a long 4 year break. Finishing up college has been stressful, but crocheting has been my way of relaxing after a long day.
I recently unlocked the part of my brain that was unable to understand how to make garment pieces such as cardigans. But after lost of research and reading various blog posts on how to crochet a cardigan, I knew I was ready to make one of my own. I did not follow a pattern because I was too lazy (haha) so I kinda went with the flow. I started by making a large rectangle, then the rest of the cardigan kinda came together naturally. I ended up with a navy cardigan, but sadly, I did not write down the pattern (rip).
However, I was also simultaneously working on another cardigan in a beautiful grey color. Thankfully I wrote the pattern down for the grey cardigan as I went, otherwise I would not be here typing away a blog post.
So, I introduce to you ….. the heather cardigan!!! I could not come up with an interesting name so this was the best I could think of haha.
The cardigan is worked with what is called the lemon peel stitch which is basically alternating sc 1, and dc 1 in every row. I slightly modified it though for this pattern.
The lemon peel stitch:
(sc 1, dc 1) rep until last st, then finish row with sc 1 in last st.
Ch 1 and turn
Repeat process.
Now, the moment you’ve been waiting for… the final product!!!
I am so proud of how it turned out especially since this is my first original cardigan pattern ever! I made this pattern only in my size, and since I am still a beginner at making cardigan patterns, I do not know how to modify the pattern to make it in bigger/smaller sizes. However, I found this video to be very helpful at taking measurements and customizing cardigans. So if you follow this video, you can apply the heather cardigan pattern to the modifications to create a custom heather cardigan that fits you. Hopefully, that made sense… But if it did not, then you can try using thicker yarn and a bigger hook size to make the cardigan bigger and hopefully fit. My cardigan fits me (size 0) pretty roomy and loose and can fit up to a size 6 more form fitting.
Anyways, moving on to the pattern!
Heather Cardigan Pattern:
{note: when crocheting ribbing rows, use a turning ch of 2, since you are working hdcs; however, when crocheting lemon peel st rows, use a turning ch of 1}
Materials
- 5.00mm crochet hook
- 5 skeins of Snuggly Wuggly by Loops and Threads yarn in Soft Grey
- This is a weight 3 yarn. If you want your cardigan to be bigger and looser, then use a size 4 yarn and a size 6mm hook.
- Plastic needle for weaving in ends
- Scissors
Sleeves:
[make 2]
W/ 5.0mm hook:
Ch 28
Row 1: Hdc in 3rd ch from hook, then hdc in every ch until the end. (26 sts)
Row 2,4, 6: (fphdc 2, bphdc 1) rep until end, then hdc in ch sp.
Row 3,5: (bphdc 2, fphdc 1) rep until end, then hdc in ch sp.
Row 7: One row of lemon peel st with (sc & hdc) in the last st.
Row 8: One row of lemon peel st with (sc, hdc, and sc) in last st.
Row 9-11: 3 rows of lemon peel st
Row 12: (sc, hdc, and sc) in first st, then lemon peel st until final st, then (sc, hdc, and sc) in last st.
Row 13-20: 8 rows of lemon peel st
Row 21: (sc, hdc, and sc) in first st, then lemon peel st until final st, then (sc, hdc, and sc) in last st.
Row 22-29: 8 rows of lemon peel st
Row 30: (sc, hdc, and sc) in first st, then lemon peel st until final st, then (sc, hdc, and sc) in last st.
Row 31-38: 8 rows of lemon peel st
Row 39: (sc, hdc, and sc) in first st, then lemon peel st until final st, then (sc, hdc, and sc) in last st.
Row 40-59: 20 rows of lemon peel st
BO with long tail for sewing.
Back panel:
Ch 82
Row 1: Hdc in 3rd ch away from hook, and hdc in every ch. (80 sts)
Row 2,4, 6: (fphdc 2, bphdc 1) rep until end, then hdc in turning ch sp.
Row 3,5: (bphdc 2, fphdc 1) rep until end, then hdc in turning ch sp.
Ch 1 and turn piece
Row 7: (sc 1, dc 1) rep until last st remains. Sc in last stitch.
Row 8-73: continue lemon peel st. You should have 67 rows of lemon peel st in total.
DO NOT BIND OFF; Side panels are now worked on the same piece as the back panel.
Side panels:
Side panels are crocheted to the back panel as one piece to eliminate as much sewing as possible (yippee!)
Row 1: To being first side panel, lemon peel st 31 sts in Row 74 of the back panel piece. Then ch 1, turn and continue working lemon peel st. (31 sts)
Row 2-67: continue lemon peel st. You should have 67 rows of lemon peel st in total.
Ch 2 and turn piece.
Row 68: hdc in every st across.
Row 69: (bphdc 1, fphdc 2) rep until the end, ending with bphdc 1 in the last st, then hdc in turning ch sp.
Row 70:(fphdc 1, bphdc 2) rep until the end, ending with fphdc 1 in the last st, then hdc in turning ch sp.
Row 71:(bphdc 1, fphdc 2) rep until the end, ending with bphdc 1 in the last st, then then hdc in turning ch sp.
Row 72:((fphdc 1, bphdc 2) rep until the end, ending with fphdc 1 in the last st, then hdc in turning ch sp.
Row 73:(bphdc 1, fphdc 2) rep until the end, ending with bphdc 1 in the last st, then then hdc in turning ch sp.
To make other side panel, skip 18 sts after the base of the first side panel, and reattach yarn. Work lemon peel st until the end of the row. You should have 31 sts. This is your first row. The 18 sts you skipped is the space for the neck.
Row 2-73: work the same rows 2-73 as first side panel.
BO and weave in loose ends.
Assembly:
- Sew sleeves together and measure the width of the arm opening when lying on a flat surface.
- Sew side panels to back panel leaving a space/open hole at the top near the neck for the sleeves. The space/open hole is your arm hole opening, and it should be as wide as the width of the arm opening of your sleeves.
- Sew sleeves to arm hole opening.
- Weave in loose ends.
Finishing —> Collar Ribbing:
Rejoin yarn to bottom of one of the side panels and begin crocheting around to create a collar border.
Row 1: Hdc 171 sts around panels and neck.
Row 2,4,6: (fphdc2, bphdc1) rep until end then hdc in turning ch sp.
Row 3,5: (bphdc 2, fphdc 1) rep until end then hdc in turning ch sp.
BO and weave in loose ends.
————
That brings us to the end! I hope this made sense; if you have never made a cardigan or are a beginner at crocheting, I recommend starting with a more detailed, in-depth pattern like ones from All About Ami for example. This pattern is not as in depth because it is made for those who have some prior knowledge of how cardigans are made/constructed. If there were any instructions that made no sense, please let me know so we can try trouble shooting together.
And as always, happy crocheting and crafting <3
Anna
P.S. I just found out that this year (2022) is my blog’s 10th birthday. Brb I’m feeling sentimental :’)
