Stay warm this fall with an adorable crochet short sleeve cardigan. This free crochet pattern makes a cardigan with 2 rectangles and 2 squares. There is even a video tutorial for visual learners.
Below you will find the complete pattern and instructional photos for this Fall Crochet Short Sleeve Cardigan pattern. You will also find all the materials, stitches, gauge, video tutorial, and sizing information.
Crochet Short Sleeve Cardigan for Mommy and Me
This crochet fall cardigan is just perfect for all ages. With it being made from two rectangles it is a very easy project to make. Lately, I have been obsessed with making sizing from my daughter’s size through adult sizes. If you want more mommy and me patterns, check out the Summer Cocoon Cardigan, Spa Cotton Headband, and the Bow Clutch Bag.
The Beautiful Yarn
For this project, I decided to use Red Heart With Love. It is a super soft medium-weight (#4) yarn that has some stunning fall colors. My cardigan is made with a warm grey called stone while my daughter’s cardi is made with Cornsilk.
The Premium Ad-Free PDF Pattern
Below you will find the free pattern with all the instructional photos and videos needed to complete the pattern, but I am also aware that several of us like to crochet on the couch, in the car, or in bed with a printout of the pattern. This is why I also offer a nicely formatted large font PDF version of the pattern that can be purchased on Etsy or Ravelry. You can print the pattern and take it on the go with you or tuck it into your project bag.
More Patterns you may Love
Don’t forget to check out all the free patterns at Winding Road Crochet. You may just find a new favorite project.
1. Woodland Hooded Scarf | 2. Dragon Hooded Scarf | 3. Buttoned Plaid Scarf
4. Plaid Cowl 5. Woven Cowl | 6. Odyssey Cowl
7. Rainbow Scarf | 8. Texture Scarf | 9. Hooded Cowl
Fall Crochet Short Sleeve Caridgan
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Materials Needed
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Red Heart With Love (Weight: 4/medium – 370 yds, 7 oz, 198 g)
2 Skeins are needed for Sizes: 2-4T, Girl’s 6-8
3 Skeins are needed for Sizes: Girl’s 10-12, Women’s XS/S
4 Skeins are needed for Sizes: Women’s M/L, Xl/2XL
5 Skeins are needed for Size: Women’s 3XL/4XL
Size H 5mm Crochet Hook
Yarn Needle
Scissors
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The colors used in the photos are Stone and Cornsilk.
Stitches and Abbreviations
CH – Chain
HDC – Half Double Crochet
BLOHDC – Back Loop Only Half Double Crochet
ST(s) – Stitch(es)
Gauge and Size
Gauge: 8 HDC X 5 Rows = 2 inches
Sizes: 2-4T, Girl’s 6-8, Girl’s 10-12, Women’s XS/S, Women’s M/L, Women’s XL/2XL, Women’s 3XL/4XL
| Size | Chest Measurement | Circumference of Cardigan | Cardigan Length | Yarn Needed Using Red Heart With Love (7 oz/ 370 yds) |
| 2-4T | 22 inches | 26 inches | 17.5 inches | 2 skeins |
| 6-8 | 25 inches | 30 inches | 23 inches | 2 skeins |
| 10-12 | 29 inches | 35 inches | 27 inches | 3 skeins |
| XS/S | 32 inches | 38 inches | 28 inches | 3 skeins |
| M/L | 40 inches | 48 inches | 29 inches | 4 skeins |
| XL/2XL | 48 inches | 58 inches | 30 inches | 4 skeins |
| 3XL/4XL | 54 inches | 64 inches | 31 inches | 5 skeins |
The cardigan has 4-10 inches of positive ease built-in depending on the size. Please consider both the Chest Size measurement and the Circumference of the Cardigan when choosing a size. Size down for a more fitted look. The adult model is wearing a size M/L and has a chest size of 40 inches for reference.
Crochet Fall Cardigan Video Tutorial
Check out the video tutorial and don’t forget to subscribe to my YouTube Channel for more fun crochet video tutorials.
Fall Crochet Short Sleeve Cardigan
Notes:
-Written in US terms.
– I do not count my CH1, turning chain, as a stitch.
– There are separate patterns for the adult and child size cardigans, but the assembly instructions are the same for both sets of sizes.
– Your stitch count will be one less than your starting chain and will remain the same throughout the project if you count both HDC and CH Spaces as a stitch.
Adult Short Sleeve Cardigan Base Rectangle (Make 2)
For Size XS/S CH 40.
For Size M/L CH 49.
For Size XL/2XL CH 58.
For Size 3XL/4XL CH 67.
Row 1: HDC in second CH from the hook. HDC in each CH across.
Rows 2-4: CH1, turn, BLOHDC in each ST across.
Row 5: CH1, turn, BLOHDC in first 6 STs, skip a ST, (HDC, CH1, HDC) in next ST. *skip 2 STs, (HDC, CH1, HDC) in next ST* repeat from *to* until you have 7 STs remaining. Skip a ST, BLOHDC in last 6 STs.
Row 6: CH1, turn, BLOHDC in first 6 STs, *(HDC, CH1, HDC) in next CH1 space* repeat from *to* until you have 7 STs remaining. Skip a ST, BLOHDC in last 6 STs.
Note: In row 6, for your repeats, you will be skipping all the stitches and only working into the chain 1 spaces.
Continue to repeat row 6 until you have the total of rows required for your size.
For Size XS/S repeat row 6 until you have a total of 141 rows.
For Size M/L repeat row 6 until you have a total of 147 rows.
For Size XL/2XL repeat row 6 until you have a total of 151 rows.
For Size 3XL/4XL repeat row 6 until you have a total of 157 rows.
Once you have the correct number of rows continue with the last rows 1-4.
Last Row 1: CH1, turn, BLOHDC in first 6 STs. HDC in every ST and CH space until you have 6 remaining STs. BLOHDC in last 6 STs.
Last Rows 2-4: CH1, turn, BLOHDC in each ST across.
Fasten off and weave in all yarn ends.
Adult Short Sleeve Cardigan Pocket (Make 2)
Note: The pocket is the same size for all cardigan sizes. If you would like to make the pocket wider, you can do so by adding to the starting chain in multiples of 3. (Ex. CH 30, 33, 36, etc.)
CH 27
Row 1: HDC in second CH from hook. HDC in next 25 CH. (26)
Row 2: CH1, turn, HDC in first ST. Skip a ST, (HDC, CH1, HDC) in next ST. *Skip 2 STs, (HDC, CH1, HDC) in next ST* repeat from *to* until you have 2 STs remaining. Skip a ST, HDC in last ST.
Rows 3-12: CH1, turn, HDC in first ST. *(HDC, CH1, HDC) in next CH1 space* repeat from *to* until you have 2 STs remaining. Skip a ST, HDC in last ST.
Row 13: CH1, turn, HDC in every ST and CH space until the end of the row. (26)
Rows 14-16: CH1, turn, BLOHDC in next 26 STs.
Fasten off leaving a 24-inch yarn end to use to sew the pocket to the cardigan.
Toddler and Girl’s Short Sleeve Cardigan Base Rectangle (Make 2)
For Size 2-4T CH 30.
For Size Girl’s 6-8 CH 33.
For Size Girl’s 10-12 CH 36.
Row 1: HDC in second CH from the hook. HDC in each CH across.
Rows 2-3: CH1, turn, BLOHDC in each ST across.
Row 4: CH1, turn, BLOHDC in first 4 STs, skip a ST, (HDC, CH1, HDC) in next ST. *skip 2 STs, (HDC, CH1, HDC) in next ST* repeat from *to* until you have 5 STs remaining. Skip a ST, BLOHDC in last 4 STs.
Row 5: CH1, turn, BLOHDC in first 4 STs, *(HDC, CH1, HDC) in next CH1 space* repeat from *to* until you have 5 STs remaining. Skip a ST, BLOHDC in last 4 STs.
Note: In row 5, for your repeats, you will be skipping all the stitches and only working into the chain 1 spaces.
Continue to repeat row 5 until you have the total of rows required for your size.
For Size 2-4T repeat row 5 until you have a total of 89 rows.
For Size 6-8 repeat row 5 until you have a total of 117 rows.
For Size 10-12 repeat row 5 until you have a total of 137 rows.
Once you have the correct number of rows continue with the last rows 1-3.
Last Row 1: CH1, turn, BLOHDC in first 4 STs. HDC in every ST and CH space until you have 4 remaining STs. BLOHDC in last 4 STs.
Last Rows 2-3: CH1, turn, BLOHDC in each ST across.
Fasten off and weave in all yarn ends.
Toddler and Girl’s Short Sleeve Cardigan Pocket (Make 2)
Note: The pocket is the same size for all cardigan sizes. If you would like to make the pocket wider, you can do so by adding to the starting chain in multiples of 3. (Ex. CH 24, 27, 30, etc.)
CH 21
Row 1: HDC in second CH from hook. HDC in next 19 CH. (20)
Row 2: CH1, turn, HDC in first ST. Skip a ST, (HDC, CH1, HDC) in next ST. *Skip 2 STs, (HDC, CH1, HDC) in next ST* repeat from *to* until you have 2 STs remaining. Skip a ST, HDC in last ST.
Rows 3-10: CH1, turn, HDC in first ST. *(HDC, CH1, HDC) in next CH1 space* repeat from *to* until you have 2 STs remaining. Skip a ST, HDC in last ST.
Row 11: CH1, turn, HDC in every ST and CH space until the end of the row. (20)
Rows 12-13: CH1, turn, BLOHDC in next 20 STs.
Fasten off leaving a 24-inch yarn end to use to sew the pocket to the cardigan.
Assembling the Short Sleeve Cardigan
Take the two base rectangles and lay them out with one of the longest sides touching each other. Make sure the last row worked on each rectangle is on the same side. If the ribbing does not match up, flip one piece over.
Where the two longest sides touch, sew 2/5ths of the sides together with a whip stitch. This will be the back of the cardigan.
Take the half of the cardigan that is not sewn together and fold it down over the half that is sewn together. Sew up both sides of the cardigan to the same height as the back seam. This will create the armholes. Feel free to make the armholes larger if you like.
Place the pockets on the front of the cardigan. Place them 1-2 rows above the ribbed rows of the cardigan and sew them in place. Weave in all the yarn ends.
Now your fall crochet short-sleeve cardigan is complete and ready to be enjoyed. This pattern is easy to make and makes a great gift.
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