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When it comes to crochet garments I often hear people worry that they are just simply too hard for beginners to make. I’m here to show you that they’re not. In fact, a really well written and chosen pattern shouldn’t be anymore tricky than a blanket. I’ve carefully selected more than 40 easy crochet cardigan patterns for beginners to show you what I mean.
From long sleeve to short, ones for summer and winter, long or cropped, oversized or fitted, there is every style you can think of but most importantly they are all easy to crochet.
How do you crochet a cardigan?
If you’ve never crocheted a cardigan before (or indeed any kind of garment) then I completely understand how intimidating and scary it seems!
You have no need to worry though, there are so many great crochet cardigan patterns that are perfect for beginners and I’ve searched high and low to find them for you.
The key to success is choosing a pattern that uses simple stitches and a construction that you feel comfortable with. Some people like the idea of working the whole thing in one piece but for others they prefer to make smaller sections and join them together. I’ve found lots of options for both.
Can I crochet a cardigan as a beginner?
Beginners can definitely make crochet cardigans. I often think that sometimes they’re not much harder than making a blanket or scarf, especially if they use a simple construction technique.
The crochet cardigans I’ve chosen are mostly just simple rectangles that are joined together to form the front, back and sleeves. There are some however that are crocheted in one piece so are completely seamless and are much simpler than you might think!
If you’re completely new to crochet garment making please don’t worry! I know this might all sound like a new language so I have a fabulous guide on how to start your perfect crochet wardrobe and also learn garment making with 12 free crochet top patterns for different skill levels for you to dip into too.
How do I choose the right pattern for me?
Choosing the right beginner cardigan pattern to make is both a question of style and skill.
Firstly, you need to make something that you will actually want to wear (or whoever you are making it for will!). There is no point in making something that you don’t love.
Secondly, you need to choose a pattern that sits with your skill level and experience. I’ve added the yarn weight, style, stitches used, construction and other details to all the cardigans to save you the work of delving into them and finding out if they are right for you.
It’s vital that you find a pattern that has been tech edited and tested and I know that each and every one of these has been. Lots of them have video tutorials too which is an amazing bonus for beginners.
What crochet stitches will I need to know?
Each of the patterns that I’ve included use mostly single crochet, half double crochet and double crochet stitches.
There are a few that use longer stitches like treble crochet and some special stitches like post and cluster stitches because I didn’t want you to limit yourself if you’ve already encountered or would like to learn these stitches.
Supplies for Crocheting Cardigans
Pattern
As I’ve said, choosing the right pattern for you is essential and I have 40 for you to choose from! Lots of them are free to view on the designers blog which is a great way to try out a pattern without committing any money.
If you find one (or two!) that you love though, they all come with a premium PDF option that will mean you can download and print a copy which is great for making notes and remembering where you are!
Yarn
The cardigan pattern will let you know the recommended yarn that the designer used, the weight (referred to as category) and the amount of yarn you’ll need for each size. I’ve added the information about the yarns with each pattern for you to take a look.
The most important thing when choosing yarn is to make sure that you work a gauge swatch. The pattern will tell you how many stitches and rows you need to get in a 4″ square so that the cardigan you crochet will be the size intended in the pattern.
Hook
Your pattern will let you know the hook size that the designer used but this might not be the size you need! Once you’ve made your gauge swatch you’ll know whether you need to go up, down or stay the same hook size to meet the gauge.
Notions and Other Materials
The other essentials you’ll need make the cardigan are:
- A tape measure to check your gauge, help you block to measurements and make sure you are on track throughout!
- Scissors to break your yarn.
- A tapestry needle to weave in your ends.
- Stitch markers are often helpful for keeping count of stitches and marking where sleeves, cuffs and collars go.
Easy Crochet Cardigan Patterns for Beginners – The List
I am always amazed at the huge variety of crochet cardigan patterns there are out there! It’s so tricky to find the perfect one to make, especially if you are a beginner though.
They are all considered to be beginner and easy crochet cardigan patterns but I’m confident that all of the designers have awesome patterns and support so that even if this is your very first garment you’ll be great!
With so many options I’ve put them into the following groups to help you navigate around and focus on the style you prefer.
Styles of Crochet Cardigans
- Long Sleeve Crochet Cardigans for Winter and Fall (1-8)
- Long Sleeve Crochet Cardigans for Spring and Summer (9-14)
- All Year Round Crochet Cardigans (15-19)
- Short Sleeve Crochet Cardigans (20-24)
- Crop Crochet Cardigans (25-29)
- Lacy Crochet Cardigans (30-35)
- Cocoon Crochet Cardigans (36-40)
Easy Crochet Cardigan Patterns for Beginners
With all the options how to you find exactly the right easy crochet cardigan patterns that you not only want to make but also want to wear?
I've been through so many and picked out my top options for you that are great for beginners but also stylish and classic too.
You'll find details about their stitches, construction, recommended yarn and much more so that you can find the perfect cardigan for you to crochet and even better - lots of them are free patterns too!
Long Sleeve Crochet Cardigans for Winter and Fall
My go to is always warm and cozy cardigan patterns with long sleeves and so I thought we'd start with them first!
Becky Cardigan
A great oversized crochet cardigan pattern in sizes XS - 3XL perfect for any season. Warm and cosy with stunning puff stitch detailing it's a must make!
Aurora Cardigan
The Aurora Women's Cardigan is a true classic. With a stylish fit, pockets and a simple flat, almost seamless construction it's one to really enjoy making and wearing.
Harvest Cardigan
A cosy long crochet cardigan pattern perfect to double up as a coat! With pockets and a detailed rib to make it modern and yet classic.
Mathilda’s Easy Crochet Cardigan Pattern
The Mathilda Cardigan is made from 2 hexagons and gives you the most amazing puff sleeve cardigan with a lovley relaxed, slouchy feel.
Chunky Belted Crochet Cardigan
A fabulous chunky belted cardigan that uses beginner stitches and a simple seaming method. The belt adds a great finish too!
Ophelia Cardigan
A beautiful long cardigan with just a hint of easy crochet colorwork in it so great for an adventurous beginner to make. The slightly ballooned sleeves, relaxed fit and bulky yarn means it can double up as a coatigan for the colder months too.
Velvet Crochet Cardigan
This luxurious velvet crochet cardigan is a perfect pattern for beginners! With easy stitches and straightforward colour changes you'll have it done in no time.
Aria Hoodie
The Aria Hoodie is a fabulous beginner friendly crochet pattern with a hood, pockets and buttons! Made in easy panels from the bottom up so you could easily make it sleeveless too!
Long Sleeve Crochet Cardigans for Spring and Summer
Over here in the UK even in the spring and summer we need something to cover our shoulders in the cooler days and evenings. Rather than great big and cosy we need lightweight crochet cardigan patterns so here are some I've found for you!
You'll notice that most of these designs use lighter yarns such as fingering weight, sport weight or double knit.
This is often the key to making a garment that is more light and delicate and well worth the bit of extra time it takes to make!
Easy Lightweight Crochet Cardigan
This lightweight crochet cardigan with a relaxed fit is perfect for beginners because is only uses double crochet stitches in simple rectangles to create the entire thing!
Long Boho Cardigan
This fabulous boho crochet cardigan can be as long as you like with a fringe to give it a really retro feel. Add pockets and it's a really practical but beautiful make too.
Open Front Cardigan
A comfy cardigan with a drapey, open front perfect to throw on over jeans. An oversized look but in fingering weight yarn makes it look delicate and light.
Gap Year Cardigan
Another fabulous open front cardigan pattern that looks amazing in colour block stripes. An easy bottom up construction perfect for beginners too.
Lucie Crochet Cardigan
A relaxed fit and pockets too, the Lucie Cardigan is a great beginner pattern made from the bottom up in one piece with simple stitches and an easy ribbing too.
Sydney Cardigan
The Sydney Cardigan is a side to side crochet cardigan pattern with a ribbed knit look that's much easier than it might seem so perfect for your first garment.
Long Sleeve Cardigans for All Year Round
Sometimes a cardigan can be perfect for every season because you can layer it up or down, wear it over summer dresses or roll neck jumpers and jeans.
These easy cardigan patterns are really versatile and will be a wardrobe staple the whole year!
Hibiscus Herringbone Crochet Cardigan
A relaxed crochet cardigan pattern that uses a herringbone stitch to add great interest and texture without being too tricky.
Willow Cardigan
Beautifully textured leaves decorate the bottom edge and sleeves of this super bulky crochet cardigan pattern. A great introduction into post stitches without being too tricky.
Sofia Striped Cardigan
A stunning easy pattern in simple stitches with the option to easily add bold colour block sections wherever you would like them.
Working Girl Cardigan
The Working Girl Cardigan is a truly versatile crochet cardigan design with a beautiful stitch that can be worked all over or just for the body. A simple collar rib and cuff finishes the classic look.
Laurentian Cardigan
With a delicate open stitch, the Laurentian Cardigan is a must make for a relaxed and sophisticated garment to add to your wardrobe. A deep collar and long sleeves make it cosy but the stitches keep it feeling lightweight.
Short Sleeve Cardigans
Some people find the sleeves the most intimidating part of crochet garments so I've found some short sleeve cardigan patterns that will mean you don't need to worry about them!
You might think that short sleeves are just for summer but I've found some that are great for winter too!
Midsummer Cardigan
The Midsummer Cardigan is an easy short sleeved summer crochet cardigan pattern made from just 3 simple rectangles. Great as a spring or summer top and easy to adjust the length to make it crop or long.
- Style: short sleeve, open front lacy cardigan
- Construction: 3 simple rectangles
- Yarn Weight: Sport
- Suggested Yarn: Galileo
- Skill Level: Easy
- Sizes: Adult XS - 3XL
- Stitches: single crochet, double crochet, triple crochet
Summer Crochet Cardigan
The Cherry Blossom Wrap is a super easy cardigan that's made from just two matching rectangles that let the yarn colour gradient do all the work! Using a beginner cable stitch, it delicate and detailed without being hard to crochet.
Caia Beginner Tunisian Cardigan
A beautiful beginner cardigan made from simple Tunisian stitches with a stunning collar and rib that looks knitted!
Hometown Chunky Cardigan
The Hometown chunky cardigan crochet pattern is an easy oversized sweater that you can throw over anything. You’ll stay warm and stylish in this oversized sweater, perfect for laying in colder months.
Whimsical Cardigan Dress
The Whimsical Cardigan is the perfect beginner crochet cardigan dress pattern. Made in one piece from the bottom up with the option to add sleeves and toggles if you like. Such a stylish cardi!
Crop Cardigans
A trend that we've seen more recently is for cropped or short crochet cardigan patterns and I love it! They can be worn any time of year and double up as a great jacket too. Here are some easy ones to try.
Diamond Crochet Cardigan
The Diamond Crochet Cardigan is a lovely design that uses filet crochet with beginner stitches to create any length you like (but my favourite is the crop version I think!).
Wetherby Cardigan
The Wetherby has endless options that makes it the perfect beginner crochet cardigan to make. You can add a flat or rolled collar, make it long or short and even add optional pockets!
Crochet Bomber Jacket
A super chunky cardigan that creates an awesome crochet bomber jacket with a deep collar and slightly ballooned sleeves. Cosy, warm and quick to make!
Lakeside Cardigan
The Lakeside Cardigan is a great cozy make that you can choose to make long or short. With oversized buttons and classic fit you can team it with just about any outfit you like!
Cascade Cardigan
With options to add a zipper or hood. the Cascade Cardigan is a stunning top down crochet cardigan pattern with easy stitches.
Lace Crochet Cardigans
I've often heard it said that lace crochet isn't for beginners but I would disagree!
Lace in crochet often only uses simple stitches and short repeats so here are some lace crochet cardigan patterns for beginners that I know you can make!
Sleeveless Lacy Cardigan
A fabulous sleeveless lacy crochet cardigan that you could easily style as a vest too! Or a beach cover up. Better still, make it in any yarn weight that you fancy!
Selene Cardigan
The Selene Cardigan has a lovely relaxed fit and just 3 small buttons fastening the front making it a great lacy crochet cardigan pattern for Spring and Summer. A really versatile garment to wear to weddings or to dress up jeans, it looks great with everything!
Sandy Sea Shells Wrap Cardigan
A fabulously feminine design with a simple front and back crossover cardigan and wide, lace sleeves.
Mirabilis Cardigan
The Mirabilis is an easy side to side crochet pattern that creates a cardigan that looks like knitted lace with pops of puff stitch texture. A soft and relaxed make with a deep collar and bottom rib too.
Cabot Trail Cardigan
An all over lace crochet cardigan pattern that oozes elegance and style. Made in one flat piece so no need to worry about seaming for beginners.
Odyssey Cardigan
A stunning all over lace cardigan with 3/4 sleeves and open front that goes with just about everything!
Cocoon Crochet Cardigans
Finally I found some amazing easy cocoon crochet cardigan patterns that I love! They are possibly the easiest construction as they are just one square or rectangle that are joined at the sides to create the armholes so hardly any seaming at all!
Let's have a look at some.
Habitat Cardigan
No one will guess you created this figure-flattering cardigan from a simple rectangle. Made with extremely soft yarn for a cozy-but-not-too-bulky look it's the perfect wardrobe staple.
Wandering through the Forest Cardigan
The Wandering through the Forest Cardigan is cocoon-style garment that is easy to make and easy to wear. It’s designed to be comfy and stylish for any occasion.
Comfy Spring Cardi
The Comfy Spring Cardi is a size inclusive, free crochet cocoon cardigan pattern that is made in one piece and has a one row repeat for the body so it’s great for your first garment project!
Autumn Cluster Cardigan
With a simple V stitch panel, the Autumn Cluster Cardigan is warm, cozy and perfect to throw on over anything, plus it's so easy to make!
Chunky Cocoon Cardigan
Made from a simple rectangle, this flattering chunky crochet cocoon cardigan comes together easily with no shaping, increasing or decreasing, just simple seams and sleeves.
Conclusion
So which one will you choose first from these 40 easy crochet cardigan patterns?! I really hope you found the perfect pattern for you in the list and would love to know if you make one (or some!).
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