You will love this super easy crochet summer cardigan. It is a cocoon style cardigan that is worked up as a rectangle, then sewn into a cardigan. The free crochet pattern is great for beginners.
Below you will find the complete pattern and instructional photos for this Easy Crochet Cardigan pattern. You will also find all the materials, stitches, gauge, and sizing information.
Easy Crochet Cardigan for all Sizes
I bought a new cardigan. Yes, I know I should have made one, but I didn’t have the time. Then my daughter asked me to make her a “crochet shirt”. So I designed this crochet cocoon cardigan for her. Crocheting a child size works up very fast, but I calculated out and provided instructions for sizes toddler through adult.
Picking the right Yarn for your Crochet Summer Cardigan
This is a summer crochet cardigan so using a light yarn is ideal. I used a size 3 baby sport yarn for my two examples, but any lightweight yarn will work wonderfully. Most baby yarns are lightweight. You can also use lightweight cotton yarns like Bernat Softee Cotton to make the crochet cardigan more breathable.
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.
Easy Crochet Summer Cardigan
Pin pattern to Pinterest!
Save to Ravelry Favorites!
Purchase Premium PDF Pattern on Etsy!
Materials Needed
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information refer to my Terms and Conditions.
Bernat Baby Big Ball Sport Yarn (Size 3 Yarn) Colors: Taupe and Coral
Yarn requirement for each size in the chart below.
Size H 5mm Crochet Hook
Yarn Needle
Scissors
**Shop my Favorite Tools Here**
Stitches and Abbreviations
CH – Chain
DC – Double Crochet
ST(s) – Stitch(es)
Gauge and Size
Gauge: 15 DC X 8 Rows = 4 inches
Note about Sizes:
In the photos above, you will see that the pink cardigan fits closer to the body than the tan cardigan. The sizes below are designed to fit similar to the pink cocoon cardigan. If you prefer the fit of the tan cardigan pick one size larger than you would normally choose. The pink cardigan has the sleeve stop at the elbow, while the tan cardigan has the sleeve stop in the middle of the forearm. I am basing sizing off of the standard measurements from https://www.craftyarncouncil.com/.
| Size | Center of Neck to Wrist Measurement | Estimated Yarn Needed Oz/Yds | Crochet Rectangle Size Width x Height |
| Child Sizes | |||
| 2T-3T | 16 in. | 3.2 oz/ 292 yds | 24 in. by 19 in. |
| 4-6 | 20 in. | 5.3 oz/ 483 yds | 30 in. by 24 in. |
| 8-10 | 23 in. | 7 oz/ 638 yds | 34.5 in by 27 in. |
| 12-14 | 26 in. | 9 oz/ 820 yds | 39 in. by 31 in. |
| Adult Sizes | |||
| S-M | 28 in. | 10.3 oz/ 939 yds | 42 in. by 33 in. |
| L-XL | 29 in. | 11 oz/ 1002 yds | 43.5 in. by 34.5 in. |
| 2X-3X | 30 in. | 11.7 oz/ 1066 yds | 45 in. by 35.5 in. |
| 4X-5X | 32 in. | 13.1 oz/ 1194 yds | 48 in. by 38 in. |
Easy Crochet Summer Cardigan
Notes:
-Written in US terms.
– I do not count my CH2, turning chain, as a stitch.
– We are just making a large rectangle then sewing it into a cocoon cardigan.
– Your stitch count for the entire project will be 2 less than your starting chain.
– In order to accommodate sizing, row numbers will restart in each section.
Crochet Cardigan Rectangle: Section 1
Child sizes
Size 2T-3T: CH 93
Size 4-6: CH 115
Size 8-10: CH 131
Size 12-14: CH 149
Adult Sizes
S-M: CH 159
L-XL: CH 165
2X-3X: CH 171
4X-5X: CH 183
Section 1: Row 1: DC into the third CH from the hook. DC in each CH across. (Your final stitch count will be 2 less than your starting Chain.
Note: If you can, after finishing row one, drape the piece over your shoulders with your arms by your side and make sure it falls to the inside of your elbow on each side. If it does not then you will adjust the size you are making. (If you want it to be an oversized cardigan, then aim to have row 1 fall to the middle of your forearm on both sides.)
Or you can measure your row 1 and makes sure it matches the width measurement listed in the sizing chart.
Section 1: Row 2: CH2, turn, DC in first ST, *CH1, Skip a ST, DC in next ST* repeat from *to* across. (Your stitch count will not change, just make sure you are counting your Chain 1s as a stitch.)
Section 1: Row 3: CH2, turn, DC in first ST. *CH1, Skip Chain Space, DC in next ST* repeat from *to* across.
From here, repeat row 3 to reach the total number of rows listed below for the size you are making.
Child sizes
Size 2T-3T: Repeat Row 3 until your section 1 has a total of 9 rows in Section 1.
Size 4-6: Repeat Row 3 until your section 1 has a total of 11 rows in Section 1.
Size 8-10: Repeat Row 3 until your section 1 has a total of 13 rows in Section 1.
Size 12-14: Repeat Row 3 until your section 1 has a total of 15 rows in Section 1.
Adult Sizes
S-M: Repeat Row 3 until your section 1 has a total of 16 rows in Section 1.
L-XL: Repeat Row 3 until your section 1 has a total of 16 rows in Section 1.
2X-3X: Repeat Row 3 until your section 1 has a total of 17 rows in Section 1.
4X-5X: Repeat Row 3 until your section 1 has a total of 18 rows in Section 1.
Once you have completed all the rows for section 1, continue on to section 2.
Crochet Cardigan Rectangle: Section 2
Section 2: Row 1: CH2, turn, DC in first ST. *DC in CH space, DC in next ST.* repeat from *to* across.
Section 2: Row 2: CH2, turn, DC in each ST across.
From here, repeat row 2 to reach the total number of rows listed below for the size you are making.
Child sizes
Size 2T-3T: Repeat Row 2 until your section 1 has a total of 20 rows in Section 2.
Size 4-6: Repeat Row 2 until your section 1 has a total of 26 rows in Section 2.
Size 8-10: Repeat Row 2 until your section 1 has a total of 28 rows in Section 2.
Size 12-14: Repeat Row 2 until your section 1 has a total of 32 rows in Section 2.
Adult Sizes
S-M: Repeat Row 2 until your section 1 has a total of 34 rows in Section 2.
L-XL: Repeat Row 2 until your section 1 has a total of 37 rows in Section 2.
2X-3X: Repeat Row 2 until your section 1 has a total of 37 rows in Section 2.
4X-5X: Repeat Row 2 until your section 1 has a total of 40 rows in Section 2.
Once you have completed all the rows for section 2, continue on to section 3.
Crochet Cardigan Rectangle: Section 3
Section 3: Row 1: CH2, turn, DC in first ST, *CH1, Skip a ST, DC in next ST* repeat from *to* across.
Section 3: Row 2: CH2, turn, DC in first ST. *CH1, Skip Chain Space, DC in next ST* repeat from *to* across.
From here, repeat row 2 to reach the total number of rows listed below for the size you are making.
Child sizes
Size 2T-3T: Repeat Row 2 until your section 1 has a total of 8 rows in Section 3.
Size 4-6: Repeat Row 2 until your section 1 has a total of 10 rows in Section 3.
Size 8-10: Repeat Row 2 until your section 1 has a total of 12 rows in Section 3.
Size 12-14: Repeat Row 2 until your section 1 has a total of 14 rows in Section 3.
Adult Sizes
S-M: Repeat Row 2 until your section 1 has a total of 15 rows in Section 3.
L-XL: Repeat Row 2 until your section 1 has a total of 15 rows in Section 3.
2X-3X: Repeat Row 2 until your section 1 has a total of 16 rows in Section 3.
4X-5X: Repeat Row 2 until your section 1 has a total of 17 rows in Section 3.
Once the appropriate number of rows are complete, work the Last row below.
Section 3: Last Row: CH2, turn, DC in first ST. *DC in Ch space, DC in next ST.* repeat from *to* across.
Fasten off and weave in your ends.
How to Make a Cardigan from a Rectangle
To turn your rectangle into a cardigan, fold it in half so that the mesh is directly on top of the mesh. Then sew the sides of the cardigan together along the side of the mesh rows. I used an Invisible stitch, but a whip stitch will work as well.
Now your easy crochet summer cardigan is complete and ready to be enjoyed.
Let’s Be Friends
Want to know what I am making next? Follow me on Instagram @windingroadcrochet to see sneak peeks of what I am up to and to be notified of when I release new free patterns. You can also follow me on Pinterest and Facebook. Join our Facebook group Our Crochet Journey and be a part of our community. Share, photos, ask for help, and be inspired all in one place!
Written pattern, tutorials, photos, graphs, and pdfs of the Easy Crochet Summer Cardigan free pattern are copyright Windingroadcrochet.com. Please do not reprint or repost this content as your own, but please feel free to share this link with others. You can find more information on sharing my work with others on the Terms and Conditions Page.
