Easy Essential Cardigan Crochet Pattern

If you’ve been looking for the perfect beginner-friendly cardigan pattern, this Easy Essential Cardigan Crochet Pattern checks all the boxes! Designed with a raglan-style construction, this sweater works up seamlessly from the top down—no sewing required! Made with cozy worsted weight yarn, it’s warm, comfortable, and an instant wardrobe favorite.

Whether you want to throw it over jeans for a casual day out or layer it for extra coziness at home, this cardigan is the kind of piece you’ll reach for again and again

Why You’ll Love This Cardigan

• Beginner-friendly raglan style – Simple stitches and top-down construction mean no complicated shaping or seaming.
• Customizable fit – Easily adjust length and sleeve style to suit your style.

Yarn & Materials

This pattern uses worsted weight yarn, making it quick to crochet while still giving you a soft, warm drape. Choose your favorite yarn and color to make it truly your own.

Making the Easy Essential Cardigan Crochet Pattern

Get the full free pattern below or purchase the ad-free, printable PDF

Materials
Lion Brand ZZ Twist in Gray (500g for S, 600g for M/L, 700g for XL/2X, 800g for 3X) – any worsted weight yarn would work
H/5.0 mm mm hook
yarn needle
scissors

Level
intermediate

Pattern notes & stitches to know
ch – chain
sc – single crochet
foundation sc
esc – extended single crochet
esc2tog – extended single crochet 2 together (extended single crochet decrease)

· written in US terms

· ch 1 does not count as stitch

· This cardigan is raglan style and works from the top down. Then the sleeves are joined and added in turned rounds.

– Gauge: 15 esc x 13 rows = 4” x 4”

Sizes:
S, M, L, XL, 2X, 3X – The pattern is written in these sizes consecutively. Example, when the pattern gives the end of the row count as (74, 82, 90, 98, 106, 114  sc), the 74 is for S, 82 is M, 90 is L, 98 is XL, 106 is 2X, 114 is 3X.

This cardigan has a classic fit with some positive ease.

Approx Finished Size (blocked):
Bust: S (34”) M (37.5”) L (41”) XL (44.5”) 2X (48”) 3X (51.5”)
Length: S (21”) M (22.75”) L (24.5”) XL (26.25”) 2X (28”) 3X (29.75”)
Armhole Depth: S (7.25”) M (8”) L (8.75”) XL (9.5”) 2X (10.25”) 3X (11”)
Sleeve Length (from the neckline): S (26”) M (27”) L (28”) XL (29”) 2X (30”) 3X (31”)
Size Small pictured. I am 5’0” with 34” bust

CROCHET PATTERN WRITTEN INSTRUCTIONS

Row 1: ch 2, starting in 2nd ch from the hook, foundation sc 74, 82, 90, 98, 106, 114 (74, 82, 90, 98, 106, 114 sc)

Row 2: ch 1, turn, esc in each stitch across (74, 82, 90, 98, 106, 114 esc)

Row 3: ch 1, turn, esc in 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15 stitches, 2 esc in next, ch 2, 2 esc in next, esc in 13, 15, 17, 19, 21, 23 stitches, 2 esc in next, ch 2, 2 esc in next, esc in 20, 22, 24, 26, 28, 30 stitches, 2 esc in next, ch 2, 2 esc in next, esc in 13, 15, 17, 19, 21, 23 stitches, 2 esc in next, ch 2, 2 esc in next, esc in remaining stitches (82, 90, 98, 106, 114, 122 esc)

Row 4: ch 1, turn, *esc in each stitch to the ch 2 space, (esc, ch 2, esc) in ch 2 space,* repeat from * to * across, esc in remaining stitches (90, 98, 106, 114, 122, 130 esc)

Repeat row 4 to Row 19, 21, 23, 25, 27, 29 (210, 234, 258, 282, 306, 330 esc)

The armholes are created in the next row

Row 20, 22, 24, 26, 28, 30: ch 1, turn, esc in each stitch to the ch 2 space, esc in ch 2 space, ch 3, esc in next ch 2 space (skipping an entire side, this will be the first sleeve), esc in each stitch to next ch 2 space, ch 3, esc in next ch 2 space (this is the second sleeve), esc in remaining stitches (112, 124, 136, 148, 160, 172 esc)

Row 21, 23, 25, 27, 29, 31: esc in each stitch and ch around (118, 130, 142, 154, 166, 178 esc)

Row 22, 24, 26, 28, 30, 32: esc in each stitch around (118, 130, 142, 154, 166, 178 esc)

Repeat previous row to Row 70, 76, 82, 88, 94, 100 (118, 130, 142, 154, 166, 178 esc)

Or until desired length

Do not fasten off.

COLLAR

Row 1: ch 1, turn, working along the inside edge of the collar, work 1 sc in the end of each row across to the top corner

Row 2 – 4: ch 1, turn esc in each stitch across

Fasten off. Weave in the ends.

Join yarn to opposite side and repeat collar pattern.

SLEEVES

Join yarn to the bottom of an arm hole

Round 1: ch 1, esc in each stitch around, join to first esc with sl st

Round 2: ch 1, turn, esc in each stitch around, join to first esc with sl st

Repeat round 2 to Round 80, 83, 86, 89, 92, 95

Or until desired length

The sleeve will decrease over the next 2 or 3 rounds to make the cuff. For my sample, I decreased for 3 rounds. If that’s too tight, only decrease for 2 rounds.

For the next 3 rounds: ch 1, turn, *esc, esc2tog* repeat from * to * around, join to first esc with sl st

For the next 2 rounds: ch 1, turn, esc in each stitch around, join to first esc with sl st

Fasten off. Weave in the ends.

Repeat pattern for other sleeve.

NECKLINE

Join yarn to the top of the neckline to add length and tighten up the neckline. This is optional. If the neckline works for you, skip this section.

Row 1: ch 1, esc evenly in each stitch around to the opposite corner of the neckline

Row 2 – 3: ch 1, turn, *esc in 6 stitches, esc2tog* repeat from * to * across

Fasten off. Weave in the ends.

Blocking is recommended.

And you’re done with this beautiful cardigan! I hope you love it!

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