By Melissa Mall
Photos: ‘Charlie’
Model: Melissa Mall
When it comes to crocheting clothing, I’m always looking for the ‘easy way out.’ The traditional idea of making a front (or two), the sleeves, a back, and piecing them all together – it’s just too finicky for me! So, when I hit upon the idea of making a short-sleeved cardigan out of two long rectangles, I was all over it. It’s worked in a mesh, so it’s fast, too!
Light and breezy for summer, this little cardi is perfect for throwing on over a tee or a sundress for just a little more coverage.
Difficulty: Intermediate
Size: S (M, L, XL, 2X) – Shown in size XL
Finished Measurements:
Chest: 33 (37, 41, 45, 49)”
Length: 20.5 (21, 21.5, 22, 22.5)”
Materials:
- Peaches & Creme [100% Cotton, 120yds/110m per 70.9g/2.5oz skein]; From 10-14 oz in Ecru
- K 10 1/2 6.50mm hook
- Yarn Needle
Gauge: 11 sts/8 rows = 4″ in patt (dc/sc mesh)
Directions:
Rectangle (make 2)
To begin, ch 111 (113, 115, 117, 119).
Row 1: Skip 4 ch (counts as dc + ch 1). *Dc, ch 1, sk 1 ch. Repeat from * across until 1 ch remains. Dc in last ch.
Row 2: Ch 1. Sc in each st and ch-sp across, making last sc in ch from beginning. (111, 113, 115, 117, 119 sc) Turn.
Row 3: Ch 3 (counts as dc + ch 1), sk 2 sc. *Dc in next sc, ch 1, sk 1 sc. Repeat from * across. Dc in last dc. Turn.
Rep Rows 2 and 3 alternately for patt for a total of 13 (15, 17, 19, 21) rows, finish off.
Blocking before assembly is highly recommended.
To assemble, fold rectangles in half lengthwise. Sew edges together almost to fold to form the back. Sew edges together on sides, leaving room for the armhole. Try on frequently as you assemble to achieve a better fit.
Neck Edging: Neck edging is made working from front bottom corner up, around back of neck, and back down to opposite front bottom corner.
Row 1: Join at corner. Ch 2 (counts as dc), dc in each dc and ch-sp around until 1 ch-sp before back seam. Tr in ch-sp, tr in seam, tr in next ch-sp. Dc in dc and each ch-sp and dc across to end.
Row 2: Ch 2 (counts as dc), dc in each dc and tr across. Turn.
Row 3: Ch 2 (counts as dc), dc in each dc across. Turn.
Row 4: Ch 2 (counts as dc), dc in each dc across until last dc. Place 4 dc in dc to create corner and continue to Bottom Edging.
Bottom Edging: Evenly space dc across edge of neck edge rows, bottom of cardi, and opposite neck edge rows until one row of opposite neck edge remains. Dc 4 in join between rows to form corner, join to first stitch of neck edge to join round. Finish off.
Arm Hole Edging (repeat for both): Join at underarm seam. Ch 2. Dc in each ch-sp and dc around. Join rnd, finish off.
Weave in all ends.
About the Designer
Melissa Mall is an at-home mom with four sons eight and under. They have just completed yet another transcontinental move – hopefully it will be their last!!! You can keep up with their ordinary adventures over at her blog, or take a peek at her crochet patterns and tutorials at Inner Child Crochet.
Pattern & images © Melissa Mall. All rights reserved.
So pretty! I’m going to try it. Thank you so much for sharing the pattern!
This is a great design! It is just what I’ve been wanting to pop over sleeveless dresses in air conditioned buildings. Thank you!
Hi there,
Would love to try this pattern out! What weight of yarn did you use? (e.g. 4-ply, double knitting, bulky, etc?)
Thanks xox
i love this cardi and want to try it, but i can’t understand the assembly. can you help? i don’t want to take it all apart!
So pretty. I’m still learning and will try anyway if its two rectangles pieced together!! Thanks. â¤
I love this. Can’t wait to try it.
Thanks for sharing. Great Christmas gifts. Starting now.
I can’t wait to make this! I have been looking for a pattern for this! I have seen these in stores but why should I buy one when I could make one! I am a crocheting and knitting for years! I really need to know how many skeins I need! I don’t understand in pattern ! Thanks
Just the cardi pattern I’ve been looking for. Can’t wait to get started on one. Living in Texas, I can certainly use it year-round. It’ll be perfect for all those sleeveless tops/dresses we wear so many months of the year. Love the idea for gift giving, too. Thanks for your amazing creativity!
I made this cardi using Lion Brand’s Homespun yarn in Mixed Berries. It is nice and cozy over a thin long-sleeved shirt. Thank you for sharing your pattern (and picture!) online.
Any idea on yardage required for this pattern?
According to Ravelry…500-690 yd. A cone of Peaches & Cream is 470 yds,
Aw! I love this. You sound like me — I love crochet clothing, but I like something I can throw together without spending a whole lot of time and effort trying to piece the different pieces together. Plus, I have a hard time trying to wrap my head around *how* a lot of the clothing is done. It drives me nuts!
Thank you so much for sharing your lovely cardi tutorial! I’m so glad to have seen this because I’ve been wanting to make one that was warm enough for these chilly summer days. Also, I LOVE that you’ve made your pattern easy-to-understand! It’s a huge relief! I’d love to see more crochet clothing patterns/tutorials by you! I really like the way you explain things. I’ve been hoping to come across an easy crochet summer blouse, but some that I find end up giving me a fit to work out. Ugh! Lol.
Melissa thank you for this wonderful pattern I
Love it I also don’t like basic sweater pattern all those pieces /this pattern is wonderful thank you peggy
Just finished my cardigan this is an award winning pattern great for a beginner and I plan on making another with some beautiful yarn I can’t wait to look in your archives for other patterns Thank you so much I love crochet and quick easy projects An artist you are! Peggy
Hi; I love browsing patterns for inspiration. So often, when I check a pattern out, it’s one of yours! Oh, it’s that pretty girl again! So I decided that I am going to try this pattern out. It looks so easy, yet so nice. I love that it is short sleeves.
I just want to thank you for posting so many free, lovely patterns! Now that I see you have a blog, I will have to tune in to see what is happening, and what lovely things you are working on.
Barb
Love all of your patterns. This cardi pattern is just what I was looking for – easy, practical, and so pretty! Thank you, and
Aloha from Hawaii! Michele H.
I am confused on the assembly of this anyone have a video how this is done I learn more in watching then looking at a pattern can someone help me to understanding putting it together please
So cute–love it; definately adding to my list to crochet!
M
the putting it together is confusing me.
I am sure it is simple, but could you describe it a bit better.
This is exactly what I’ve been looking for! Easy to make, will be very useful and is SO pretty!
Definitely want to try this! However I just don’t understand the assembly part. Can you clarify please? Thanks!
,
I am not understanding how you put this together. Does each section become front and back draped over shoulder with no seam?
Each section becomes front and back of one half, it is seamed under each arm and in the center of the back. Hope this helps!
Just finished making this in a fingering weight yarn & love it! I discovered while assembling that I didn’t make my chains long enough for me so I had to add a panel on the bottom.